Father of fallen soldier now battling deportation

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle

Aug. 6, 2007, 12:28AM
Father of fallen soldier now battling deportation
Relatives of those killed in service are sometimes granted legal status, but others left in limbo


By SUSAN CARROLL
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


~snip~
All his life, the eldest son of illegal immigrants from Mexico dreamed of doing big things. Before his vehicle rolled off a road in Iraq, Armando had planned to help his family get out of a run-down apartment complex on Houston's south side and into a house of their own. The U.S.-born soldier also told his parents he was going to help them become American citizens.
(snip)

After he was buried with military honors in Houston in 2004, the U.S. government gave Enrique and Cleotilde Soriano the opportunity to apply for green cards. The family benefited from the government's unofficial policy — a kind of very specific amnesty — that gives the relatives of service members who die in war the chance to become legal immigrants.

Armando's mother, Cleotilde, is now a lawful permanent resident. But his father is facing deportation. Enrique's application for a green card alerted U.S. authorities to his immigration record. After taking Armando for a visit to Mexico and trying to return to Houston illegally, Enrique was formally deported in 1999, making him ineligible for any immigration benefits.
(snip)

The issue has become more urgent in recent years, as the ranks of so-called "green-card soldiers" have grown. Since President Bush waived the three-year residency requirement for naturalization, more than 32,000 military personnel have become citizens.




Read more: http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5029303.html

[rodeodance]

1. Grant him a pardon Mr. Bush. His son died for treedom.

[saigon68]

4. Yes "Freedom is on the March"

[Dangerously Amused]

8. Some would say he died not for freedom,

...but for oil and greed in an illegal war.

Which makes the goverment's action toward his family even more repulsive.

[0007]

12. I'll second that!! nt

[treestar]

2. As the restrictionists would have it, Armando shouldn't have been

a citizen either.

Why reward these people for breaking the law? :sarcasm:

[Heidi]

3. Recommended.

:kick:

[LeftishBrit]

5. Seem to me that if you're enough of a citizen of a country to be sent to die for it....

you're enough of a citizen for your family to be allowed to stay there.

[gr8dane_daddy]

6. Typical of this admin...

We've used your son up...now, go back to where you came from, damn illegals!

Freaking shame.

[followthemoney]

9. Come back when you have more kids for us to use.

[blondeatlast]

7. Hello? "Bus 'em to the border" folks? Weigh in on this one...

Immigration threads draw them like flies to shit--unless it's of this variety. Where's the "bus 'em to the border" folks NOW? Bet there's few that will have the guts to peddle their hysteria in this thread.

The man gave his son's life for his chosen country. Now he's lost his son and forcefully separated from his wife. Heartbreaking story.

[19jet54]

10. depends?

Most people think military service of a son, brother or a friend somehow relates to them - if you didn't serve personally, you are not a veteran! Extending benefits to family is dependant on relationship and a few other factors, but is not guaranteed. Criminal activity for example; if dad is a criminal but mom & son are not? Again, it depends! American freedom is not "just free for everyone" in the world, it is an exclusive club where membership requires certain behavior and honesty. If they (non-Americans) come here for criminal activity, bus them back is not enough, they must incur other negative results appropriate to their crimes too.

The same applies if dad is American & in jail - We give them a nice flag & regret the loss of your son, but your ass is still going to be in jail for your own personal actions. Duh! Again, your son's actions have little or nothing to do with you! He is brave but you can still be a coward? Besides, rolling off the road in a vehicle accident is not the same as killed in combat action.

[Name removed]

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