Immigration Raids Leave Children Behind

Operation Return To Sender Severs Generations Of Immigrant Families

(CBS)  Nine-year-old Adeline Munoz packs for her weekly trip from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico. It’s the only place she can see her parents.

In February, her parents Abel Munoz and Zulma Miranda, who were living in the United States for 18 years on expired visas, were deported by immigration officials.

"My dad, he got handcuffed," Adeline told CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes. "I was so scared, I don't want to sleep."

While they still have an aunt here, the responsibility to keep the household together has fallen on 16-year-old Leslie.

"It's so much on me that sometimes I can't, I can't anymore," she said. "It's just too much

All three of the Munoz children were born in the U.S., so they are legal citizens — even though their parents are not. Since the parents have been gone, all three kids sleep in their room.

"So when I have this picture, I put it under my pillow, I feel like they're here," Adeline said.

"When you see your little sister's heart broken, she's there crying," Leslie said. "And you wish you could bring her parents back, because she wants them back. It's hard."

It's unclear how many children have been left behind in the United States to fend for themselves since Operation Return to Sender. Almost 24,000 people have been arrested for visa violations, sparking protests across the country.

For those deported to Mexico, the United States-Mexico border is the dividing line between family members: the children on one side the parents on the other, both facing an uncertain future.

The Munoz family border reunions are bittersweet.

The parents say they just couldn't bring the children to the slums of Tijuana with no jobs and only sharing a room at Zulma's parents' house.

"I would describe the deportation experience as something inhumane," Zulma said. "The little one always tells me, 'Every time I hear a knock at the door, I think it's immigration. It makes me scared.'"

Critics of illegal immigration concede it's a tough situation — but one the parents themselves created.

"If a U.S. citizen parent commits a crime and is arrested, nobody is out there protesting that this person shouldn't be separated from his kid to go to jail," said Rosemary Jenks of NumbersUSA, an anti-immigration group.

Jenks says part of the problem was past lax enforcement.

"Once we routinely enforce the law, we will face this situation much less because there will be fewer people coming in and putting themselves in this position," Jenks said.

[r90s]

This situation has been exploited over and over to bring sympathy to illegal immigrants.
It is the parents' responsibility to care for their children, and their decision where the children live. No one is forcing this family apart. The parents can live anywhere in their home country, and they can apply for legal immigration if they wish. The crime here is the exploitation of the children by the parents and their cohorts.

[hispanicmom]

These ILLEGAL immigrants have the 'right' to take their children to Mexico with them. They are the only ones causing the family seperation. They were here ILLEGALLY and should have been deported long before now. It is their fault and their fault alone that is causing their children pain. I believe that EVERY ILLEGAL immigrant that is here, whether they cause any legal trouble or not, should be deported IMMEDIATELY regardless of how long they have been here. It is my RIGHT as an AMERICAN CITIZEN to say they have no place here, that we do NOT have to learn their language to make it easier for them, and that I refuse to pay their way here while they send their money back 'home' to Mexico and do NOT pay taxes here. I am a young, english speaking, hispanic mother who is here LEGALLY and I say if you are an ILLEGAL immigrant "GO BACK TO MEXICO, THERE IS NO PLACE HERE FOR YOU OR YOUR FLAG UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO GET YOUR LEGAL PAPER TO BE HERE,BUT DON'T BRING YOUR FLAG, WE HAVE OUR OWN!!!"

[mjv2944]

They should go home with their parents!!! And then, their parents should come back legally. Or, stay in Mexico and wave the Mexican flag and see how much protesting you can get done in Mexico.

[minority061]

Please stop using the appeal to emotions as a tool in your reporting. Stop using the children.
I too am an immigrant/citizen... but I went through the front door. I lined up for my turn... rain or shine...for years...I followed the law!
You reported that those parents lived in the states for 18 years before they were deported... and they still can not speak english?
They have three children who are all US citizens. Why not have them petition for their parents through the front door? Follow the law and wait for their turn!

[hamm928]

I've researched the illegal immigration topic for almost one year and the instances of parents being deported from their anchor child is very rare. In fact, having an anchor child often protects the parents. I think it was missleading for CBS to isolate the entire illegal immigration crisis to this rare example while ignoring the over 300K illegal immigrants in prison, the fugitives, violent criminals, crowded public schools, hospital abuse, etc, etc. How about a report on the bigger picture across the nation? ImmigrationCounters.com

[klosinski1]

The parents broke the law and now want to blame the law for their problems?? Take your kids to Mexico and get in the LEGAL line to get into this country.

[sasi1-2009]

This is strictly the fault of the parents. They were here illegally. I do think children born to illegals should also be considered illegal. That would solve the problem; all of them would be returned to sender.

[hamm928]

It's unfortunate that our leadership has failed to uphold the intend of the 14th Amendment by allowing so many 'anchor babies.' Here's a link to some good history on it.

http://www.14thamendment.us/birthright_citizenship/original_intent.html

[krotec54]

It is strictly the fault of the parents. They got here illegally. Children born to illegal parents in the U.S. should also be considered illegal. The 14th Amendment does not apply to illegal parents with child. The child will still be illegal until the parents are legal.
Our Laws must be enforced and our boarders secured.

[peaceforusa]

I really don't care about these kids. They are just as illegal as their parents and to force them onto us is wrong. Take your illegal babies with you when you are deported. I just wonder how they can walk away from their kids. What better life could these kids possibly have in our country without their parents to raise them. GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!... This whole issue has me so da*mn mad I could spit nails. They come over here and demand we give them a free ride. I am sick of this administration dragging its da*mn a$$ on this subject. Get them out of our country and make them come in the LEGAL way like anyone else has to do!... We have enough of our own American criminals, we don't need ILLEGAL ALIENS adding to the mix, but there certainly are enough of them here in my country. DEPORT them all, including the anchors!

[coffeehead-2009]

Poverty leaves children behind REGARDLESS.
AMERICAN children are taken for their LEGAL parents also. They have no choice to accompany their parents... homeless children are separated and systemized because of their parents lack of jobs,mental state and family size. We have people in our government TODAY that have put legislation on the table to send welfare children to state run orphanages *newt* -
this "compassion" for a handfull of kids is very telling.




"Community" means integrating the United States with the corruption, socialism, poverty and population of Mexico and Canada. "Common perimeter" means wide-open U.S. borders between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

The CFR document lays "the groundwork for the freer flow of people within North America."

This CFR document, called "Building a North American Community," asserts that George W. Bush, Mexican President Vicente Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin "committed their governments" to this goal when they met at Bush's ranch and at Waco, Texas on March 23, 2005. The three adopted the "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America" and assigned "working groups" to fill in the details.

http://www.eagleforum.org/psr/2005/july05/psrjuly05.html

[blondiesue]

I find it very hard to feel much empathy for the young children left here in the U.S. when their parents are sent back to where they belong. Mexico is their home, they chose to never legally gain the right to remain in our country. It makes me sick that these parents can be interviewed and need an english translator to tell their sob story! After 18 years in this country if they truly wanted to make America their home they would have made the effort to learn our language!! I say at all the rallys for immigratiion reform have authorities there to check for legal paperwork, that will keep them from making their demands. This country has become so worried about being politically correct they forget about the American citizens rights.

[marsum42]

I believe you can tell by the # of negative comments that this is not going to be shoved down America's throat. Illegal immigration is just that - ILLEGAL! Not only because of Mexico but what about the terrorists who want into this country. How easy we have made it for them! Forget Iraq! Let them fight over there. When we stop fight and come home they will be crossing our borders within days. And Harry "we have lost the war" Reid will be to blame!!!!

[czardd]

It seems that everything I wanted to say has been said by previous postings! I did find it amazing that the mother could not or would not speak English after being in our country for 18 years! I am surprised that CBS presented such a one-sided story. Simply - I agree with the postings expressed so well before mine . . .

[dpp8933]

i agree with most of you out there. let me tell you. my parents are hispanic.....but they did things the right way. they got there visas and they are now u.s citizens. and speak english. but to PeaceforUSA you said..."GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!..." im sorry are you indian american. because i remember learning they were here first!!!! but the white's tried killing them off!!!! so watch what you say DUMB @SS!!!! one more thing. read the news paper..... who are the ones doing all the crimes???? you mostly see a black face or a black name.... all the hispanics (around here) are usually only arrested for drunk driving. not for killing or r@pe like the blacks. why dont you all have them sent back to africa, since there always raising cain about being slaves, or african american. they want to say there all that, so send them on.

[pghlady3]

SHAME ON YOU CBS!!!!!!!!!!
Such a one sided story. The mrs. doesn't speak english after 18 years in the u.s.? They need to be deported, and they are to blame for the situation she and her husband put their own children in. If you can't or don't want to learn the language and accept our flag, GET THE F*#K OUT!!!! If you want to learn the language, accept our flag and go to work every day then WELCOME.

[robrob791]

What are you if you=====
Rob a bank====criminal
commit murder=criminal
commit fraud==criminal
cross our border illegaly===========CRIMINAL
This does not mean you should be felt sorry for because you get to go to jail without your kids, it is inconceiveable that people here for so long can't speak english. The quicker our public servants get the message and deport about 20 million of these the better our country will be.

[prosperine-2009]

Just another *sob* story.

Here's a thought -- how about the kids move back home with their parents?

[dogsoul]

Exactly.... boo f*ckin' hoo.... You came into this country ILLEGALLY - and that is a criminal act, hence the ILLEGAL. Look, if legal citizens of Mexican or other Latin descent want to organize a march to reform the laws as they relate to the legal immigration process - fine, go ahead - welcome to all the rights & priveledges this country provides its legal citizens... and you may well organize & pull off just that kind of legislation. But to violate our immigration laws, arrive here illegally, and have the audacity to march around demanding that our laws simply not apply to you - a foreign citizen - is ridiculous!

Miss your kids? Are they crying? Well then perhaps you should have gone thru the legal process instead of the criminal one before you decided to live here... I'm sure LOTS of children of irresponsible parents who commit crimes and are separated from their children as a result aren't happy with the situation... so let that be a lesson to you, obey the law for your childrens' sake - because you have noone to blame but yourselves.

[prosperine-2009]

Let me add another comment -- the illegal aliens are here, in their own words, "doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do." In my state there is a shortage of farm labor, and one blueberry farmer thinks his crop may rot on the bushes this year. Why? From one illegal I talked to, farm work is too hard and they think they don't get treated well. So they're everywhere else, holding down wages. They pump your gas (remember when your teenage son or daughter did that?), work in restaurants (again, another good job for young people or those looking for a second job), in construction ( a job for Americans without college ed who want to take the tradesmen or -women track)... in short, they're everywhere else. And oh, let me tell you, I worked two of those low-paying jobs when I was pursing my degree as an adult. Thank god they were there..... Now they're probably filled by an illegal...

Our lawmakers have no political will--- the Reps want the cheap labor for their corporate buddies and the Dems want the votes. Pretty soon, the illegals will reach critical mass in this country and start changing our laws... to favor them.

[dogsoul]

"im sorry are you indian american. because i remember learning they were here first!!!! "

Indians migrated here from Asia - there's no such thing as a "native" American. This country now belongs to its legal citizens - all of them.

And as for violent crimes only being committed by blacks? How about you come here to Chicago - or east L.A. for that matter & take a gander at some of the resident latin gangs... violent crime is not just a black thing - it happens with all races.

[blackpearlsx]

Scenario: I rob a bank because my family needs the money(illegal act).I get away with it, so I keep doing it. I do very well at robbing banks, my children go to private school and I bought a house. My last robbery, I get caught and I have to go to jail. Is is fair that I have to leave my children behind because I have to go to jail for
doing something that is against the law? Seems to be the same analogy to me. Since my acts were illegal, am I in a position to make demands on anything? I think not!

[missyx21]

I do feel sorry for the kids. They're just caught in the middle of all this. They didn't choose to put themselves in this position.

My parents came here from Thai Land 17 yrs ago(1990). I was 5yrs old when we cam here. We came here as legal immigrants because of the Viet Nam war. My grandpa fought on the American side in the war. My parents/family became legal citizens in 1997. Being American isn't about holding a flag and just saying you're an American. America is a "melting pot," it's about contributing a little of yourself, a little of your culture, and making America the great place it is.

We were pushed to learn English, to be leaders and to learn the American ways. And yet we were also told to learn our own language, our traditions, our culture, and also to know when to respect our elders.

My grandpa fought on the American side during the Viet Nam war, my parents learned English and became citizens, and pushed us to be as American as we can be. And after all we've done and will do for this country, we are still consider outsiders because we're not white, black, or native American.

[swearegen]

looks like their parents made a bad decsion to come here illegally now the children are paying for it....very sad. I wish the children well, but have np sympathy for their parents

[missyx21]

No matter where I go, I still get asked, what country are you from, can you speak that language, or teach me how to say something? And the funniest part is, when they say, "wow, if I were talking to you on the phone, I wouldn't be able to tell you're Asian at all." ***, what does that have to do with anything.

You never see anyone asking a white person what country they came from. And even if they did, most white people don't even know where they came from. They have no roots, nothing, and that's the sad part. Yes you can read and learn about where you came from in a book but if you, and your family know nothing about your roots, your traditions, or your language than you are just a rootless immigrant. Cause you're not a natives of America.

lol, and you know what a typical white answer will be. "I don't have to know where my family came from cause my family has been here for such a long time." Is that because you're WHITE???? I have Chinese friends who's ancestors were enslaved to built those stupid railroads to California. And just because they have dark skin, black hair and brown eyes; they're always asked what country they came from.

So don't go around saying learn English, and become citizen and you'll be equal in a white person's eyes. lol, in a white person's eyes, anyone who isn't white will be immigrants, an outsider, not American enough.

[missyx21]

***I know not all white people are like this, but there are plenty, and you know who you are.

***lol, it doesn't matter where the Natives came from, what matters is that they were here hundreds of years before the white man. And if you don't want to consider them Native Americans, go change the history books before you start claiming this land

***I'm not saying it's okay for illegal to come here like that, I'm saying even if they come here legally, they will be categorized with the illegals, and the white man will always see them as second class people.

[prosperine-2009]

To MissyX21

Early last century, when my italian grandparents immigrated to this country, they were outsiders too. My grandfather too fought in WWI for the Americans before he bacame a citizen... Italians were considered ignorant peasants, among other things. Every time a new ethnic group immigrated to this country they were on the outside. Italians, Irish, Slavic, it didn't matter. Every immigrant group had its turn at being the "outsider". Still, my grandparents loved this country, pushed for their chidlren and grandchildren to learn English, and wanted us to be Americans above all. Your turn will come when you will feel totally American, and yes, you will have to learn to take a few knocks but have heart -- this country is yours and your descendents forever.

[dogsoul]

"You never see anyone asking a white person what country they came from. And even if they did, most white people don't even know where they came from. They have no roots, nothing, and that's the sad part."

Oh really? I'm asked all the time about my nationality. Gee - makes you wonder what all those Italian, Jewish, Irish, Scandanavian, & German descendents are doing when they celebrate their heritage or visit countries where their families came from...

But you see, for US - being American isn't just an afterthought - it's not just something we appreciate & respect because it benefits us - it accounts of most of who we ARE... You see, we don't consider ourselves Europeans who love America - we're Americans who love America while we appreciate & respect our ancestoral heritage.

[xzavierbrown]

If they are worried about thier children then they are more than welcome to take them with them.

[tedswife1]

I'm sure in the grand scheme of things, my opinion counts for very little, but here goes anyway. While the story was very disturbing regarding these children who have been left behind, I can only place the blame at the feet of the parents who placed their own flesh and blood in this predicament. It is extremely unfair to place the blame for this on the US government. And why come to this country to live and work and then want to blame our country when you are caught doing something illegal and you are punished? As an American citizen born and bred, if I choose to break the law, I am punished, as well. I have several unanswered questions after this story on CBS: Who is paying for the public education for these childen? Who is paying for their insurance? And who is paying for their food, housing, and upkeep? I know they are staying with a relative, but I am pretty sure that it is the US government which is paying the majority, which translates to me. Quite frankly, I am paying enough taxes as it is and I don't need more people to care for. I don't have a problem with paying my fair share of taxes, but please don't come to the US and expect to make money here and live here and not pay your fair share for yourself and your family. All American citizens are taxed and for the most part we are more than willing to do our share and even more when needed. But, please, don't come here expecting a free ride. The backs of the middle class simply cannot carry any more.

[tibu987]

"You do the crime, you do the time".
All the illegals should be deported. If they want their children let them take them with them.
The protesters are protesting the legality of U.S. law.
How dare they.
E-mail your State and Washington politicians with your views at:

visi.com/juan/congress/

And the politicians that are pandering to the protesters for future votes should be voted out of office.

[tibu987]

MissyX21
One of my parents was also an immigrant, legal immigrants who went through Ellis Island and later became a naturalized citizen.
When Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago said that "the U.S. was built on the backs of immigrants", it was legal immigrants, not illegal.
There are many politicians pandering to the protesters for their votes, i.e., abetting criminals, and should be voted out of office.
Let's keep in mind that the illegals broke a U.S. law and that is why they should be deported and not given amnesty.

[Rontimcoe]

Why didn't the stupid parents take their children with them??
Are they more interested with finding a way to get back in, then caring for their kids ??

[tibu987]

Think about this for a moment.
What would giving amnesty to the protesters say to others.
Those that have been trying for years to emigrate legally.
Those many other illegals just waiting for the chance to enter and hope for amnesty later also.
To their children that crime pays.
Think about it.
E-mail your views to your State and Washington politicians.

[ajaxrose1]

I'm sorry, but this is why there are immigration LAWS people. They stayed here illegally and had two kids knowing what might happen. I'm sorry the kids have to go through this, but it's difficult to feel sorry for the parents. They knew what they were doing was wrong. Get it? If it's illegal then it's WRONG. The parents are the ones at fault here, not me, not the government, not the INS.

[tibu987]

It seems that 99.999999% of Americans want the illegals deported for committing a crime against American law.
If you are one of those many, e-mail your State and Washington politicians with your views.

[allheart06]

It amazes me to see how many people agree that, though unfortunate for the kids, the parents broke the law and therefore they pay the price. Why is it that the majority agrees we need to do something about illegal immigration yet nothing is happening? The working middle class has enough burdens, we can barely afford our own insurance why do we have to pay for others that arrive here illegally?!!! I just don't have any sympathy. My Mom is from Germany. She came over when she was 24 years old and had to have a sponsor. She got a job, paid her taxes and is now an American citizen. Why should it be any different for any other foreigner regardless if your country borders ours? We need a big huge fence around the US. Learn the language, apply for a job and then you may enter.

[mollydtt]

Just because someone who is in the country illegally gives birth, that is no reason to leave that child in the U S. The parents knowingly lived here illegally, and knew that at any moment they could be deported. This is hardly something they couldn't foresee happening.

Any parent that is deported and doesn't take their own flesh and blood with them is hardly a good parent.

I was born abroad, and no way is that country going to let me have their citizenship. I don't see why the U S allows birth citizenship anyway.

[jcho3]

freddyfrugag

Well, why don't you move to their country and help them make a better life? Go petition their GD govt. and tell them to help their own.

Throw the race/ethnic/homophobe card into the mix, why don't you? People have a legit complaint here. No one is saying that these people do not have a right to a good life. No one is saying they hate them because their 'skin is brown'. Hell, my skin is brown. I'm italian and the original latino. My grandparents came over here, worked hard, and would NEVER think to storm the streets and demand their RIGHTS. Go demand their rights to THEIR govt. Why don't you just show us how it's done?!!?

[lorinkundert]

300 years ago we were invaders here, get over it, to compare the illegal aliens to our first ancestors on this Continent is without merit unless you mean to say that they are invaders in which case we are much better armed than the American Indians were and history will not be repeated.

[ginney59]

I like most people feel that immigrants come here have children hoping that by them becoming citizens that we will let the parents stay. If you notice the mother has been here for 18 years but still can't speak ENGLISH yet she wants to be an american citizen well if she did looks like she would have learned english by now. We American's are letting the latin community take over our country and make changes that our forfathers had to do so why should they be any different. I live in Florida and feel like I am a minority who is being discrimated against in every thing I do. There are friends I have that speak english to me but when other latins apear they start speaking spanish and i don't understand them and they know it If they want to be american they should do as our ancesters did. Show they want to be american.My granddaughter was born in England and she will be american because her father is and French because her mother is but to be this both parents have to get her a passport before she can become either nationality being born in England didn't make her English so why do latins feel they have to register in our country. We are to easy on other countrys. ginney59

[lorinkundert]

They use a perversion of the 14th Amendment to claim citizenship by birth, The Congressional record is very clear as to the purpose of the Amendment and that was to give freed slaves and their children citizenship, it does not apply to anyone not legally here in the first place.

[fonic8gw]

It is well known and said, at least in the border area w/ Mexico, that this particular type of family: of Mexican descent but long ago detached from the country of origin and its customs, with kids born in the U.S., known as "pochos", are not well received in Mexico. The common saying is: "Ni aqui ni alla los quieren" (nor here nor there do they like 'em.)
Tough situation but La Migra is La Migra.

[pecasone]

Wow it amazes me that these postings sound so angry...It isn't always so easy to obtain the appropriate documents, visa, passports from each country.. In fact some countries only issue a certain number of Visa's a year.. One country issues a mere 26 visa's a year.. It cost money to get here.. Money most of illegals do not have..They are poor, working for pennies on the dollar and all they think about is how to make a good life for their family in the USA.. All they want is the same life we are afforded.. And it has been proven they work the jobs here in the USA that none of us want to work, many times earning much less than minimum wage..and yet we still complain about them.. If there was a way for many of them to do it legally without costing thousands of dollars and waiting years, Im sure less people would enter illegally.. Not all immigrants come with bad intentions...

[jcho3]

" And it has been proven they work the jobs here in the USA that none of us want to work, many times earning much less than minimum wage..and yet we still complain about them.."

No they don't, not in this state. We have one of the highest minimum wages in the nation, and they are beating a path to here... one of the news stations did a report on the day labor situation here and the fact that the illegals stand outside the office with impunity, and won't take less than 10 bucks an hour. Not only that, but the farmers in this state face a real shortage of farm workers because the illegals have decided they don't like farm work and are now moving on to other, better jobs. I pay higher insurance premiums and taxes to support their kids and trips made to the hospital because they don't have insurance, while many citizens don't have insurance. They are not here for my benefit, they are here for their own benefit, and I am tired of their demanding their rights from a country they don't have citizenship to.

[xzavierbrown]

fine, kick the illegals out. raise the wages on 'jobs' nobody wants to do. We still save billions of dollars and we regain the quality of your society.

[missyx21]

***tibu987

I never said it was okay for people to come here illegally. I just said that even when they do become citizens, that White America will still categorized them as illegal Mexicans because of how they look.

[worldwatch]

"People with small minds are afraid of change and the evolution of cultures."

Avalanches are changes too, brainwave.
We're not afraid of anything ... we just don't WANT it and you wouldn't be able to do it witout the express assistance of te feds. We'd STOP you.

Now ... what part of illegal don't you understand?

[worldwatch]

I'm so sick of getting (their version) a history lesson every time this suject comes up.

If it's history you want, consider what the spanish did to mexico .... chew on that one for awhile. Or do you even know?

Again, what part of illegal do you not understand?

[jcho3]

Maybe if they raise the wages people will want to do them. The people hurt the most from illegals working jobs that "nobody else wants" are Americans with high school educations or less. They are being forced to compete with people willing to work for nothing, according to you and others like you. Why not keep them here, exploit them for their cheap labor? That's your rationale.

I think there are legitimate industries that need people willing to work for next to nothing. But the illegals I've talked to don't want those jobs any more than Americans do, and they're moving away from those types of jobs. In fact, there was an incident last year where someone was here illegally from Guatemala that had a low level government job. Owned a house and everything. Yeah, that's really the types of jobs illegals are doing. I can't see any American who would want a govt. job with benefits, do you? And of course after they were busted and getting deported, their children bore the brunt of their parents actions, since some had been born here.

We need a guest worker program and it should be offered to people who don't try to cheat the system.