The story of Juana Flores being deported to Mexico is a compelling one, yet Judge Ochoa seems only to tell half the story.
I assume Juana and her husband came to the United States
illegally in 1988. At some point her husband’s work assisted him to become a U.S.
citizen. The article references a Green Card application “in process” in 1999.
Had Juana ever applied for a Green Card prior to this? In 1999 she was faced
with a very difficult decision — to go back to Mexico to visit her dying mother
and risk all of these problems or stay with her family and care for her
disabled child who depends on her. Life is full of very difficult decisions,
and we must all live with those decisions.
I truly empathize with Mrs. Flores and her entire family,
but I also feel she made this decision and now must follow the rules to gain
reentry into this country. I do not support Congressmember Salud Carbajal’s
proposed legislation HR 1871 Protect Patriot Parents Act. Just because a family
member has chosen to serve in our military does not means his/her parents
should be allowed a free pass to live and work and receive the benefits of the United States.