Sept. 21, 2006

freeSpeech: 'Carlos'

Undocumented Young Man Describes Difficulties In Obtaining

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     (CBS)

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(CBS)  I cannot show you my face tonight because if I were identified I could be deported. After hearing my story, I hope that you will question whether this is what I deserve.

My parents and I came here from Guatemala on a 6 month tourist visa. I was 11 years old. Before we left, our family business went bankrupt. We had lost our home there, and my parents could not afford to pay for school. So with the money we got from selling all our furniture, my parents bought airplane tickets and we came to the U.S. because it was our last hope.

Within a year of my arrival, I was already in regular English classes and on the Honor Roll. My dad got a job in construction, my mom cleaned houses. Three nights a week, my parents, my 9 year old sister and I used to pick up the garbage at a factory. On weekends, we collected bottles to recycle. Almost from the beginning my parents paid taxes, and two years after we arrived here, they applied for legal residency. Believe it or not, our application is still pending. That means my parents and sister and I can still be deported even though we did everything we were supposed to do to try to become legal.

I ended up graduating 5th in my high school class and have since graduated college and I hope to become a lawyer. But because I am undocumented, I could never get a license to practice law and that puts me in a state of limbo. I've grown up here and I feel American - I just lack the piece of paper that validates it.


"Carlos" is a young man who arrived in the United States without speaking english over 10 years ago, and recently graduated college. He aspires to become a lawyer.

His future and the future of thousands of other students who have grown up in the U.S. depends on the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) now pending in Congress. For more information visit the website, www.dontjustdreamact.com.




©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Add a Comment See all 45 Comments
by gaea_gleich September 21, 2006 7:52 PM PDT
Seems like there are many things pending in the government. Is it that there is not enough workers to deal with these applications and the scrutiny to sift thru the good ones and the bad ones or is it just that these government offices don't do their work but expect to be paid for it.
Maybe that should be the story. 10 yrs in the country and 8 yrs waiting on a pending application. That is shameful.
My mother is Guatemalan and she came to the U.S. more than 30 yrs. ago. She went thru the process and I think if people want to be U.S. citizens they should too but 8 yrs. waiting for a Congratulations or Denial letter is a long time.
Reply to this comment
by dsl8600 September 21, 2006 8:06 PM PDT
These are the sources and the figures are below

http://www.cis.org/articles/2001/mexico/toc.html
http://www.fairus.org
http://www.scpr.org/considerthis/illegalimmigration/2yes.html
http://www.pewtrusts.org/pdf/PHC_Immigration_full_0306.pdf

92% of all murder warrants in L.A. are for Illegal Aliens

83% of all felony arrests in California are Illegal Aliens

49% of all persons incarcerated in the state of Texas are Illegal Aliens

51% of all persons incarcerated in the state of Colorado are Illegal Aliens

89% of all murder warrants in Pheonix are for Illegal Aliens

91% of all murder warrants in New Mexico are for Illegal Aliens

53% of ALL Federal Welfare Services to the poor in this country are paid to Illegal Aliens.**

47% of all Medicare payments are paid to cover Illegal Aliens.**

In 2005 the Federal government was forced to literally bail out over 1,239 hospitals due to unpaid services rendered to Illegal Aliens. Total cost to you and I?

It is $73 BILLION!
===========================
The United States cannot, and should not, accept an endless stream of illegal aliens from poor countries of the world. Look at the poll for the last twenty years and we made it clear: deport the illegal aliens, and significantly reduce the number of immigrants. Please.. do that congress.
Reply to this comment
by lonnie461 September 21, 2006 8:14 PM PDT
So many half true statements it boggles the mind. If this man wants to be a lawyer he should start by learning what "illegal" means. So everyone who comes US on tourist visa is entitled to stay and become citizen!!! Did they apply for citizenship or green card. How did they pay taxes without Social Security number? How did they get a Social Security number while being here illegally? Did they speak English when they entered US? Or did they learn it here in bilingual education? Very simply, again, what does CBS,Katie Couric, etc. not understand about illegal? Tomorrow, we can use Free Speech guest to run tapes for some French citizen to complain about US not selling enough horse meat. Whoopie Dooo.
Reply to this comment
by selfportrait-2009 September 21, 2006 8:37 PM PDT
Every American understands why illegal immigrants want to come to the United States. Their simple goals include economic prosperity, education for their children and themselves, medical care, freedom from violence, etc. These are things everyone living wants to achieve: these are things everyone understands. The %u201Cproblem%u201D Americans have illegal immigrants is their breaking of the law. All Americans know that the standard of living we enjoy is directly or indirectly due to our concept of the rule of law. We may argue about our laws and how just they are among ourselves, but we would never give them up. Our laws and our system of governance have made us the most prosperous nation on earth .

From the moment illegal immigrants enter the United States they break the laws that made us successful. Their actions leave Americans dumbfounded. We%u2019re shocked. We can%u2019t understand why someone coming here for our blessings would defy the laws that created those selfsame blessings.
Reply to this comment
by skirrits September 21, 2006 9:07 PM PDT

If these folks have been waiting for their application to be processed for for 6-8 years, I cannot help but ask, "Why haven't they followed up on it?!" In all that time, I am certain they could have found a sympathetic ear, or someone with influence, to help them. Rather, it sounds as if they simply filed the necessary papers and sat back. Now, Junior wants to be an attorney.

Of course, I do not know this to be the case. However, what IS clear to me is that they ARE here illegally. Furthermore, Ms. Couric and CBS are clearly obstructing justice and harboring an illegal alien.

Our laws have served us well for over 200 years. And, they have done so because we do not 'pick and choose' which laws we will administer.

This young man is very much aware that he is here in violation of the law. However, because he has learned English (as he should have), worked and gone to school (as should we all), he apparantly feels the law should noy apply to him. Or, at least, that's the way it appears as he hides behind a shadow on national television.

Reply to this comment
by jeffgainey September 21, 2006 9:40 PM PDT
Was Carlos arrested after taping this segment? I wonder why Carlos can`t apply to law school? Maybe because he is undocumented which is another word for illegal. If Carlos and family came here on a 6-month visa,and are still here after 10 years then they are breaking the law,and law breakers should not be allowed into law school,high school,or any other school. When Carlos got into college did he take a spot away from an American citizen? Without a doubt. If illegals don`t cost America then who pays for everything from consumer packages to government forms to be translated? Who pays for all the illegals to use our hospitals,schools,and other public services? As long as Americans are afraid to be labeled as politically incorrect then we will continue to be responsible people who have started out in our country as law breakers. I truly hope Carlos was arrested deported and not allowed to come back to our country.
Reply to this comment
by nynative1340 September 21, 2006 9:49 PM PDT
My heart wants to feel sorry for you, but my head says "Go back home and GET IN LINE!" We have immegration laws and quotas in this country for a reason: WE ARE NOT THE DUMPING GROUND FOR THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES!

I have friends from Bulgaria who just became citizens. They GOT IN LINE and were here LEGAL for well over ten years before they attained citizenship. They are both professionals, doctor and engineer, but it didn't give them front of the line priveleges.

You don't deserve to be here if you cheated the system.

Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 21, 2006 10:01 PM PDT
Carlos, You came here illegally. That's the bottom line. The only reason you have that diploma is because you weren't caught and deported. You belong in Guatamala. Go there and make your homland a better place.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 21, 2006 10:02 PM PDT
Who paid for law school?
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 21, 2006 10:03 PM PDT
Do we really need more lawyers, anyway?
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 21, 2006 10:19 PM PDT
BRAVO, DSL8600. Those stats are staggering.
Reply to this comment
by cheyenne16-2009 September 21, 2006 10:21 PM PDT
Carlos never said exactly HOW his family has been "paying taxes almost since they got here".
Illegal aliens are NOT issued social security numbers.

Most illegal aliens work for cash & pay no income taxes.

Most illegals who claim to be "paying taxes" use STOLEN social security numbers, a FELONY, for which the penalty is 25 years in federal prison and a $250,000.00 fine, followed by deportation for illegal aliens.

The US Social Security Administration defines social security numbers which are "made up", imaginary, borrowed, bought, or obtained by use of false information or false ID, as STOLEN.

Not to mention the credit nightmare facing the legal holders of those social security numbers which have been stolen and used by 15 or 20 illegal aliens.

USA citizens and legal immigrants are expected to respect, and obey our laws, why is it that the millions of illegal aliens currently in this nation believe they don't have to? What makes them think they are better than the rest of us?

The problem is, having made a premeditated decision to violate our nations federal immigration laws, illegal aliens have no respect for ANY of our laws.

Carlos and his family deserve the same respect we US citizens have when we break the law.
They should be arrested and deported poste haste.

SHAME on CBS news for airing yet another "poor pablo" story!
It's about time to tell the whole truth isn't it?
Reply to this comment
by jerryestavil September 21, 2006 10:31 PM PDT
Carlos and all of the other "ILLEGALS" need to be sent back to their respective countries and they need to go through all of the processes to become a legal alien. This is to include the people from the following world areas: Euro, Asian, Latin, African countries.
These people have created a problem: stealing from the tax payer and giving nothing back in return. The US citizens that need assisstance are on the bottom of any list for aid, however, the "ILLEGALS" can receive money, medical, housing, and anything else they need without contribution into the system. I was trying to get assistance for my disability through Social Security and I did not receive it because my disability can get better (I laugh - GBS does not always get better and I am proof).
The Social Services would not allow me to receive assistance, however, the lobby was full of "ILLEGALS" getting food stamps and other assistance. I have worked for many years prior to this disability contributing to the system and I could not even receive temporary assistance. I am of Euro/Latino heritage and my family disagrees with assisting these "ILLEGALS". There seems to be a racial profile for receiving anything from the "SYSTEM".
If we allow these "ILLEGALS" to continue to be "ILLEGAL" then we need to allow other criminals to continue their trade as well. It seems to me that these "ILLEGALS" are criminals hence the term "ILLEGAL".
Reply to this comment
by c_spencer2 September 21, 2006 11:45 PM PDT
Carlos and his family deserve to be deported. They are in this country illegally.

What nerve to state that his parents' application for legal residency is still pending. People who have applied for residency the LEGAL way are sitting in their home countries waiting, not trepassing on American soil and fleecing American taxpapers by forcing them to pay for their children's education.

These people came for the cash. "Almost from the beginning my parents paid taxes." Is he serious? Are they looking for a pat on the back? Americans pay taxes FROM THE BEGINNING. And if his parents paid PAYROLL TAXES and not just taxes at Wal-Mart and the gas station, they were working under stolen identities, with fraudulently obtained social security numbers. More crimes, aspiring lawyer, and I believe those are felonies.

So Carlos was on the honor roll. So was I, but I didn't think that gave me the right to break the law and then cry about the consequences.

Bye, bye, Carlos. Go back home to Guatemala where you belong and practice law there.

And if CBS is going to have more of these heart-tugging stories from criminals, I will watch another network news show.
Reply to this comment
by c_spencer2 September 21, 2006 11:45 PM PDT
Carlos and his family deserve to be deported. They are in this country illegally.

What nerve to state that his parents' application for legal residency is still pending. People who have applied for residency the LEGAL way are sitting in their home countries waiting, not trepassing on American soil and fleecing American taxpapers by forcing them to pay for their children's education.

These people came for the cash. "Almost from the beginning my parents paid taxes." Is he serious? Are they looking for a pat on the back? Americans pay taxes FROM THE BEGINNING. And if his parents paid PAYROLL TAXES and not just taxes at Wal-Mart and the gas station, they were working under stolen identities, with fraudulently obtained social security numbers. More crimes, aspiring lawyer, and I believe those are felonies.

So Carlos was on the honor roll. So was I, but I didn't think that gave me the right to break the law and then cry about the consequences.

Bye, bye, Carlos. Go back home to Guatemala where you belong and practice law there.

And if CBS is going to have more of these heart-tugging stories from criminals, I will watch another network news show.
Reply to this comment
by hsmagst September 22, 2006 1:36 AM PDT
I'm really suprised.......no great outcry for illegal alien rights from this article. What happened to all the left wingers that scream for benefits for illegals? As far as I am concerned, all illegal aliens should be deported and have to start from the beginning to apply for entry to the US. And I really don't care what kind of person they were while here......we are a nation of laws and there is a correct way of doing things........if you don't like the law, work to change it, not subvert it.
Reply to this comment
by jill12121 September 22, 2006 1:49 AM PDT
If you've ever tried to apply to a university recently you'd know there is usually a long wait to get in. It's upsetting that an illegal immigrant would be accepted and take the spot for a degree he can't even use. Where is the logic there? In California most programs are impacted. Shame on the universities for allowing illegals to take citizens places in classrooms. Did www.dontjustdreamact.com pay CBS for such great one sided promotion? I support immigrants,legal ones.
Reply to this comment
by l3anyan September 22, 2006 3:26 AM PDT
"Almost from the beginning my parents paid taxes, and two years after we arrived here, they applied for legal residency."

Seriously, how do you pay taxes without a social security number? Oh, that's right, with a stolen or fake one... another broken law. I am sure the bulk of the revenue we see from these ILLEGAL immigrants is local sales tax when they go pick up their Budweiser. Regarding his supposed application for citizenship he should be treated no better than any other person attempting the same... actually they should be treated worse. Carlos, join the military and do something for us for a change and maybe avenues will begin to open up for you!
I graduated high school in 1991 and even then we were forced to share books and sit on the floor as the district bussed in hispanics from the south side. When I was nineteen I could not get financial aid due to the fact I was white and the amount of money my father, not I, made. The fact that these people come here and receive free education and are virtually parasitic makes me sick... not to mention the impact they have on neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are being run down one by one... shopping carts and trash all over the place, graffiti and gang bangers at times also, schools struggling to get by and our emergency rooms closing one by one. Any more of this trash CBS and I'll stick strictly to cable. And to all illegals: GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!!!
Reply to this comment
by hsmagst September 22, 2006 5:47 AM PDT
While I hate the thought of an illegal being allowed to remain in the US, we have sort of shot ourselves in the foot by making our immigration laws civil laws instead of criminal law. I think its time to start the initiative process in those states that have it and make a change, make it a criminal offense to enter that state illegally. If the Federal government won't protect us, maybe the states should do it instead.
Reply to this comment
by scottish26 September 22, 2006 6:31 AM PDT
Illegal means illegal. I am not against legal immigration heck my wife is an immigrant but there is a legal and there is an illegal way to do it. If illegals can't do it the right way they deserve what any law breaker would get and in this case that's deportation not a free ride at tax payer expense! A friend sent me the below alternatives with the first one being deportation.


---------

A couple of mighty fine ideas!

Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use. The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down.

Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the border. When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, a rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq.

Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it.

After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot. This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves.

If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo. Problem solved.

If you think this is a good solution to both the problems, forward it to your friends. I just did.
Reply to this comment
by September 22, 2006 9:30 AM PDT
He says he and his family did everything they were supposed to do. Not true! You are supposed to apply for citizenship PRIOR to coming to the United States. They obviously had every intention on staying here, so why did they lie when they got a six month vacation visa?
Reply to this comment
by gregkandra September 22, 2006 11:20 AM PDT
For those who are interested: Marc Rosenwasser, the producer of this segment, has posted a clarification on "Carlos" and his story over at the "Couric & Co." blog.

Greg Kandra
Editor, "Couric & Co."
Reply to this comment
by ellieprov September 22, 2006 11:45 AM PDT
Whether or not we agree with "Carlos", I think it is important that CBS has shared his story. The point of the Free Speech segments is to air diverse viewpoints. Whether or not we agree with what his family did, how many of us have heard an illegal immigrant speak about his status on national television? Congrats CBS for bringing this issue more into the open and encouraging discussion on it.
Reply to this comment
by scotwea September 22, 2006 1:43 PM PDT
THIS IS INSULTING TO THOSE OF US WHO WAITED YEARS AND PAID A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO WAIT IN LINE FOR OUR TURN TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY!! Well CBS, Katie Couric, I sure hope you plan on doing a segment or as you call it, "Free Speech" on the doctors/nurses/hospitals that have gone out of business because of Illegal immigrants that use our hospitals as their primary source of healthcare. What really ticks me off, is the part about how we was able to go to college. You want to know why/how. Me becoming a citizen cost me 3x more to pay for tuition BECAUSE I AM AN AMERICAN, but Carols, because he is an "Immigrant" illegal at that, pays only a fraction of the charges to enroll/enter our countries colleges. Yup, we Americans pay more, are dinged because we are American, and those you chose to abuse, excuse our laws, or not even attempt to become Americans, get the free pass.. So once again, if you're a Citizen, you are screwed. What incentive is there to becoming a citizen when you get all the benefits IF YOU'RE NOT A CITIZEN. Wake up CBS News, otherwise your show, Ms. Katie Couric will continue to tank as it has been doing..........
Reply to this comment
by rob5257 September 22, 2006 3:35 PM PDT
How many "they just want the American Dream" stories do we have to endure? Well guess what, there a thousands of Americans that want the American dream, but can't obtain it. Things will continue as they are because of greed and power. The corporations want the illegals labor and dollars, and they use the dollars to line the pockets of the politicians, who just care about votes. If they are not careful, Carlos will have their congressional seat in a few years. The wealthy news people, corporate heads and congressman do not have to deal with this problems that comes with illegal immigration. They have their driver pick them up, take their kids to a private school, and go home in the evening to their expensive farms, condos and gated communities. They could care less that we can't even enjoy a nice weekend after a long work week because everywhere we go, it is overrun with illegals. I am tired of Spanish language and culture being forced on us.
Reply to this comment
by nolalou September 22, 2006 3:41 PM PDT
I can't belive some of the racist comments to this story! Assuming all latino imigrants (leagal or otherwise) are gangbangers for example!

Also, to clarify a couple of points made here, he and his family are applying for permanent residence, not citizenship. He said that application is still pending. They are allowed by law to apply while in the USA, it is NOT required to do so before they arrive. In fact, accouding to the US government immigration services web site:

" Applicants for adjustment to permanent resident status are eligible to apply for a work permit while their cases are pending."

So they are legaly allowed to work, while waiting for the application to be processed!

So let's not sterotype illegal imegrants! If we did ship them all back, are you going to pick all our vegtables?

Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 22, 2006 4:02 PM PDT
You didn't address the fact that they illegally overstayed their visa.
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by standlee5 September 22, 2006 4:02 PM PDT
Did Carlos say that he was here picking vegetables?
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 22, 2006 4:03 PM PDT
And I'm still wondering who paid for law school.
Reply to this comment
by b_sennot September 22, 2006 4:44 PM PDT
This is insane. For every one illegal "law student" there are 1000 brutal criminals that flow like sewage over the southern border. Fact: In LA (the second largest city in the United States) 95% of all outstanding warrents for homocide target illegal aliens. Violent Murderous gangs all over the country are made up almost entirely of illegal aliens. There is no justifiable pro-illegal alien argument. Every argument is either racist or stupid and no pro-illegal argument can stand the test of honest logic. Period. Build a wall and allow our military to shoot and kill all intruding crimaliens.
Reply to this comment
by nolalou September 22, 2006 5:13 PM PDT
another typical comment by another American Idiot (to borrow a phrase from Green Day!) 1000 brutal criminals? site your source for this made up number!
Snopes.com and the LA times state the "95% of all outstanding warrents for homocide target illegal aliens" is an urban myth, totaly made up and spread around the internet as 'fact'.

As to the issue that some illegal aliens overstayed their visas, these is still a way for those people to remain, while they apply for a change of status. See this quote from the US Immigration web site:

"If you entered the United States unlawfully, if you entered with permission but did not stay in lawful status, or if you worked without permission, you normally would have to leave the United States in order to apply for an immigrant visa. Special rules under section 245(i) may allow you to apply to adjust status without leaving the United States."
Reply to this comment
by cheyenne16-2009 September 22, 2006 5:41 PM PDT
Nolalou ~ guess who the "idiot" is, spreading untruths via the internet?
Looks like it's you.

This is the ugly truth about illegal immigration:

Source: 2006 (1st Qtr) INS/FBI Statistical Report on Undocumented Immigration.

62% of all illegals in the USA are working for cash, not paying taxes.

95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens;
83% of warrants for murder in Phoenix are for illegal aliens;
86% of warrants for murder in Albuquerque are for illegal aliens;
75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are illegal aliens;
24.9% of all inmates in CA detention centers,
40.1% of all inmates in AZ detention centers, and
48.2% of all inmates in NM detention centers
are Mexicans here illegally.

29% (630,000) convicted illegal alien felons fill our state and federal prisons at a cost of $1.6 billion annually;

Less than 2% of illegal aliens in the United States are picking crops , but 41% are on welfare.

There is a lot more, I can post it if you need to see it.

Reply to this comment
by rob5257 September 22, 2006 5:57 PM PDT
It's amazing how illegals don't feel they have done anything wrong! Racism has nothing to do with it. You make a mockery out of our laws. To the person that asked "Who will pick your vegetables?"
It won't be the "anchor babies" because they are too busy going to college on our tax dollars and taking jobs from future generations of Americans. And if you want to talk racism, if Haiti was on the other side of the border, then we wouldn't even be having this discussion. The illegals have it made! Just sign me...use to live in
Atlanta, but now it's like Mexico.
Reply to this comment
by ti30stat September 22, 2006 7:10 PM PDT
Amen to the posting by Rob5257. I couldn't agree more. Did you ever wonder what Mexico would be like if all the illigal immegrants used the same organization skills, passion and effort in trying to stay in our country to reform their own country. If they are willing to put their life on the line to cross the dessert and illigally enter this country, organize protests and march from city to city to have their voices heard, why wouldnt they take all that passion and energy and reform their own country? If they don't like their government then put your life on the line and change it. If illigal immigrants are so hard working why dont they put all that labor into building business and industry in their own country and work with the United States instead of circumventing the system, break all the laws that our forefathers put their lives on the line for. Then use our constitution as a platform to whine about not getting what they want. I see them as a bunch of opportunist and all the heart wrenching stories in the media about people like Carlos are not going to convince me otherwise.
Reply to this comment
by itpro2 September 22, 2006 8:27 PM PDT
I can't believe that they would put a story like this on. Are they going to put on someone who has been displaced by an illegal alien? I know people in the construction industry who lost their $22 an hour job because they can hire illegals to work for $9.50. And, as far as their picking vegetables, only about 2% are picking veggies. Read the post by Cheyenne16.

I am an IT Professional and I have worked in areas that they are hiring people with H-1B visas over American citizens because they can hire them for about 1/2 the cost of an American.

I write to my congress (HR & Sen) at least once a week to encourage them to pass proper legislation to combat this growing problem with the invasion of this country, distruction of the dessert plants and the federal parks along the border, the bat caves that have been invaded by illegals and have chased away the endangered bats species. The list goes on and on.

Hospitals along the borders and in California are closing because about 80% are illegal immigrants who have no insurance and are having anchor babies. If something is not done, the problem will continue to grow.
Reply to this comment
by cheyenne16-2009 September 22, 2006 8:50 PM PDT
RE "another American idiot"....comment on special rules 245(i), posted by nolalou...

Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will be available temporarily to people physically present in the United States on the date of enactment, December 21, 2000.

In order to be eligible for 245(i) adjustment under the LIFE Act, a person must be the beneficiary of an immigrant petition or application for labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001.

Section 245(i) is not amnesty for all persons unlawfully in the United States.

If you are living illegally in the United States, the mere filing of a visa petition or application for a labor certification has no effect on your current immigration status or unlawful presence in the United States.

The LIFE Act provides a very short window of opportunity, which ended April 30, 2001, for individuals to preserve their eligibility to file for adjustment of status under Section 245(i).

All petitions and applications must be properly filed and approvable when filed.

~You might want to do your homework next time.
Reply to this comment
by itpro2 September 22, 2006 8:53 PM PDT
This is baffling to me. There are people in this country legally who can't find jobs and feed their families. We control and monitor immigration in order to protect our economy and our people. CBS can forget about my support. The vast majority of Americans feel as I do. Illegal means illegal, stop taking are resources.
Reply to this comment
by September 22, 2006 11:11 PM PDT
CBS, you need to stop trying to guilt people out with politically correct sob story.

It's sad that Carlos family lost their business in Guatemala. But does that mean America should give amnesty to every single family in other country w/o money citizenship?

It's interesting too, CBS pick this Carlos as an example that EVERY illegals should be given amnesty because he went to law school and his family worked hard (since we can't verify Carlos true identity, who knows if his background story is true)? It'd be nice if every illegals crossing our border ended up A students and contribute.

The fact is, all kinds of illegals get thru, whether it's farmer pickers AND gang members like MS-13 (why won't CBS do a segment on the destruction MS-13 cause in North America?), and drug dealers poisoning our streets. CBS woud like you to believe this cartoony image of all illegals are these heart warming poor family with star students.

Carlos parents are the ones who brought him and his sister here, not America. Illegal entry is illegal, no matter what your background is. Worst, CBS is pendering to politically correct sob story to get ratings.

For CBS's next commentary, how about get a illegal gang members sit down in shadow, so he can talk can about how much drugs he sell or how many guns he used to gun down people, and why won't America let anymore of his MS13 homies to come over to kill more people? That would be a balance persepctive, CBS.

Reply to this comment
by hsmagst September 22, 2006 11:14 PM PDT
In response to nolalou.......They came on a tourist visa and overstayed it....they did not do things the legal way....they knew they would be looking for work when they came here.....and as for picking vegetable, I'd gladly pay a higher price for produce if it meant there was a great reduction in illegal immigration. The problem would not go away though if I did since the illegals would still get hired at *** wages even if I did pay more......no incentive for growers to pay legal residents more when an illegal will do it for less......growers need to be fined for hiring illegals.
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by peteingc September 22, 2006 11:49 PM PDT
I'm seriously confused, Virtually all,if not all of the comments that are written, and published are against the proposition that the illegals serve some useful purpose. While the character you've focused on has met some rather imposing challenges, what's to say that there are not others who have entered this country legally, and who have accomplished eevery bit as much as this illegal, and have faced even greater adversity. This guy is nothing more than an illegal looking for some justification to continue using this countries entitlements to achieve a life style, which he would like to embtace. They (the illegals) do nothing other than raise our taxes and reduce our overall net value. When is CBS going to have someone who represents the counterpoint point of view? When are the ILLEGALS going to learn that there are appropriate mechanisms for entering this country legally, and blameing, or trying to blame the beaurocracy, for delay in granting them appropriate citizenship, is nothing more than trying to blame every one else for your problems, which are really self generated. Build the wall then work on solving the 12 million or more problem!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by lesb35 September 23, 2006 1:20 AM PDT
I hear ya on the sick of Spanish being shoved down your throat. Some Mexican illegals moved into a house on our block and it's drug down the entire neighborhood. They park a dozen cars on the yard, play the fiesta music at full blast, have drunkan brawls. They act like they own the *** block and they're not even legal. Why aren't they being deported.
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by gentlearts September 23, 2006 10:30 AM PDT
I am so heartened by everyone's comments. The media would have us believe that anyone who does not support illegals is in the minority.
Carlos should go back to Guatemala, where he could probably thrive given his educational advantages and improve the Guatemalan society, and wait to be admitted to the US legally like everyone else had to.
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by dsl8600 September 23, 2006 11:42 AM PDT
The Center for Immigration Studies was a statistical averaging group that moved to the Study of the Immigration Problem. They have testified before Congress on a number of occassions, and if you are interested in the tax status of this Carlos person, this is the address:
Giving Cover to Illegal Aliens
IRS Tax ID Numbers Subvert Immigration Law

http://www.cis.org/articles/2002/back1202.html

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by l3anyan September 24, 2006 10:21 AM PDT
Any politician that supports any bill or movement supporting illegal immigrants needs to be removed from office... regardless to which party they belong. Vote third party if you must but vote. Too little action on our end.
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by cbs_suckass September 24, 2006 8:34 PM PDT
CBS thinks the invasion is a game? WHEN WILL YOU BROADCAST HOW US AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS? We have had it with your B***SH*T!
2000 Americans have been murdered by illegal aliens in california alone. CBS tries to scare the hell out of the country nightly with the latest warnings. Now they are betraying the very people who made CBS what they are today. YOU SUCK CBS & Katie better start showing OUR side of the ILLEGAL immigration debate....theAmerican side. America is NOT A MALL!

DEPORT Jose TODAY, and his criminal family! No mention that jose's father OES NOT HIRE AMERICANS only other ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS?

Wise up CBS & tell the truth!
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