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Local Woman Says Immigration Reform Plan Would Give Her Security
Posted: Jan 30, 2013 2:25 PM by Melissa Schroeder - mschroeder@kristv.com
Updated: Jan 30, 2013 6:43 PM
CORPUS CHRISTI -- There's a bipartisan effort in Congress right now to pass new reform laws to deal with the 11 million illegal immigrants in this country. Part of this plan would make a huge difference for one woman living in Corpus Christi. She didn't want to be identified, so we'll call her Sue.
Right now, Sue's immigration status is complicated. She came here from Mexico with her family when she was only at 6-years old. She's now 22. Sue said, "My life always started here. I've always lived here. I don't know anything else but here."
President Obama's Deferred Action Program allows her to legally stay here for work and school. But, Sue's not a U.S. Citizen. Immigration attorney Debra Rodriguez says the program is an executive order not legislation, so it's not a permanent fix.
Rodriguez told us, "With President Obama in office, it'll be here as long as he's here. But, if you get a new president in, that wants to take it away, they can do that too."
That wouldn't be the case if Congress passes this new Immigration Reform Plan. Undocumented immigrants brought in to the U.S. by their parents who are in college or served in the military for at least two years, could quickly receive citizenship.
Sue said, "Just having that freedom, not a lot of people have that. Not a lot of people get the chance to experience new things and new opportunities and open up new doors for you."
Before their path to citizenship is complete though, the new Immigration Reform Plan would require those who qualify to pay back taxes, pass a background check and wait longer for green cards than legal immigrants do.
But, Sue says it's a step in the right direction, "It would definitely help us and I think that's what I always say, 2013 is a good year, it will always be. It's a good year."
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