Ever since the launch of this site and blog, I’ve seen a lot of comments about why DREAMERS haven’t previously applied for legal status. I have the feeling some of the opposition feels we are in this situation because of laziness on our part, and not because of the broken immigration system. This simply isn’t the case. The DREAM Act, for a lot of us, is our only avenue for legalization.
It is understandable that many American citizens aren’t knowledgeable about all the complex immigration laws. It doesn’t affect them directly, so it isn’t their top concern. The system is both unfair and broken. For example it takes an average of twelve to twenty years of waiting for a U.S. citizen to bring a brother or sister to America. The laws place everyone into the same box, without consideration of different circumstances.
I’ve just read another article of a situation illustrating again the senseless immigration laws of this country. In this case a teenager faces deportation on April 10th, even though he played by the rules and the rest of his family is here legally.
Bryan Laue’s mother and father began the process of permanent residency in 2002. At the time Bryan was a minor, so through his parents, he would most likely receive legal status. Some problem occurred and Bryan did not receive his documentation. In the end, his parents had to wait until 2005 for their green cards before they could petition for him.
Now the major obstacle facing Bryan is his age as the family continues to wait for approval of the application. As the article in LimaOhio points out below:
While the family continues to wait for approval of its application to sponsor Bryan, the Child Protection Act no longer applies 180 days after one’s 18th birthday. For Bryan Laue, April 10 marks day 180. If Bryan doesn’t leave on his own by then, the government could deport him.
Tragic as this case is, it sheds light on why immigrants from right across the border flout the burdensome laws those who mean to close off this country have imposed. Why play by these cumbersome rules when you can just try crossing in again tomorrow? If Bryan were to remain past April 10, then leave, he could face up to a three-year wait before being allowed to return. If he were to stay a year past his 18th birthday, the government could bar him from returning for 10 years. It’s not hard to see why someone who lives right next door would take his chances on immigration officials ever being able to catch him here illegally.
The family has contacted U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, who is trying to find a way to keep Bryan in this country legally.
Jordan is an advocate of tougher immigration enforcement but also acknowledges reforms need made for those “who play by the rules.” We hope Jordan eventually recognizes he’s one of 535 representatives who write the rules and he should try to make rules that make sense.
I wish the family luck, and sincerely hope that Rep. Jordan or other elected officials will intercede in time to help Bryan.
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