Garance Burke of the Associated Press reports today on Myrna Dick, the mother of 18 month old US citizen Zachary Dick and the wife of US citizen Brady Dick. Myrna is facing deportation and a lifetime bar on ever coming back to the US. Did she kill someone? Did she beat her child? Is she a drug smuggler? A terrorist?

No. She allegedly made a false claim to immigration authorities that she is was a US citizen when she once sought entry to the US.

She's just a mom and we're about to ruin three lives over something that while serious clearly does not warrant this kind of punishment. So much for family values.

By the way, this was the treatment she got when she was arrested for this civil violation:

"Six years later, the government reinstated the old deportation order under Treviso-Frias' name to take Myrna into custody. Myrna was three months pregnant. For two weeks, nauseous with morning sickness, she was shackled to the floor and bused from a detention facility in Versailles, Mo., to Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices in Kansas City.

"When they sent her to jail, no one told her she could consult a lawyer," said Sharma-Crawford, an immigration attorney in Overland Park, Kan. "Then, when the case finally went to court, it was like having a murder trial by argument alone. We got no witnesses and could only present evidence that the government got to pick.""

Myrna Dick might have a shot at staying with her family if comprehensive immigration reform is passed. Hers is one more story to remember when thinking about why we need better laws.

I have been struck by several stories I've seen in recent weeks about some of the small and large sacrifices kids around the US are making to participate in protests around the US.

A youth march was held yesterday in Los Angeles to remember Anthony Soldara, a Southern California 14 year old who committeed suicide March 30th, four days after participating in the massive march in his city. The Los Angeles Times reports

Louise Corales said her son, Anthony Soltero, called her shortly before shooting himself to death March 30, saying he was suspended from school and had been told by the vice principal that he was going to jail for three years for skipping school.

The school system denies that the vice principal made the threat though the facts certainly don't look good.

In school systems throughout the country, students have risked suspensions and other disciplinary actions because they have participated in walkouts to protest immigration policies. Students have, in fact, been suspended. At one school, all students who participated in the walkouts were barred from attending the school's prom.

Today, the Salt Lake City Tribune reports that a mostly Latino local Boy Scout troop has been warned that it cannot issue merit badges for "Citizenship in the Community" for youths participating in protests in that city. The Great Salt Lake Council of Boy Scouts of America warned the troop that awarding badges would violate the policy against involvement in political events. Troop leader Michael Clara noted that the Boy Scout council didn't have a problem with awarding badges to members of the same troop for participating in a flag ceremony at the most recent Utah Republican convention.

I have mixed feelings about the best way to approach the subject. I think it is wonderful that young people are exercising their free speech and participating in the protests. This is a most American value and these children are learning what it means to be a citizen of this country. American-born children can learn a lesson.

I hate to see the kids punished, but I also think that one day they will appreciate their actions more knowing that they had to make a sacrifice. On the other hand, school officials should be reasonable in doling out punishments. The prom ban was a good example in my opinion. Certainy the students will feel the pain, but their futures won't be jeopardized.

In any case, these kids are our future and they should be commended for their actions.

Dozens of religious organizations around the US have signed on to a statement urging Congress to support comprehensive immigration reform. You can see the letter here.

Q- Can a B1/B2 visitor go to the USA while pregnant?

A - Women who are pregnant can come to the US on a visitor visa, but I have seen cases where pregnant women were given trouble if they try and enter very close to their due date. Because the US offers birthright citizenship to children born here, some port officers are suspicious of intentions for people traveling late in a pregnancy. But this will obviously depend on the circumstances of the trip and the individual's background.


If you have a question on immigration matters, write Ask-visalaw@visalaw.com. We can't answer every question, but if you ask a short question that can be answered concisely, we'll consider it for publication. Remember, these questions are only intended to provide general information. You should consult with your own attorney before acting on information you see here.

Q - I recently my green card was stolen, and in this point in time I don't have a clue what to do next can You please send me some infoon what I should do.

A - You need to file an I-90 form which can be done at a local USCIS office or done electronically via the web. You can find instructions at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-90.htm.

If you have a question on immigration matters, write Ask-visalaw@visalaw.com. We can't answer every question, but if you ask a short question that can be answered concisely, we'll consider it for publication. Remember, these questions are only intended to provide general information. You should consult with your own attorney before acting on information you see here.

I have now completed updated my complete section by section summary of the Specter bill in the Senate as it now stands. The changes are color coded to make it easy to see what has changed.

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