IMMIGRATION AND YOUR CHILDRENS’ FUTURE
by Michael J. Gurfinkel, Esq.
One of the most important reasons Filipinos come to the United
States is to provide a better future and opportunity for their
children. Parents are willing to work long hours, sometimes at
several different jobs, always telling themselves that they are
doing it for the sake of their children.
Although these parents are to be commended for their hard work
and sacrifice, some become so overwhelmed with their work that
they fail to do anything about their legal status. They forget
about the long-term consequences that will affect their children’s
future in America.
Let me remind these parents about some of the harmful consequences
to their child’s future if the parents do nothing
about their immigration status:
- The child will have trouble getting into a fine
college. I know that these parents came to America
for the educational opportunities of their children. If the
parent and the child are in illegal status, the child will have
difficulty getting into the good colleges or universities. No
matter how smart the child is, he or she would not qualify for
scholarships. The parent’s failure to get into legal status
could bring the child’s educational opportunities to a
dead stop.
- The child cannot get a Driver’s License.
Under California law, people cannot get an original Driver’s
License unless they present evidence of being in legal status.
Because of the parent’s and the child’s illegal
status, the child will not be able to get a Driver’s License.
The child has to take the bus, or ride along with friends (who
have Driver’s Licenses because their parents are in legal
status).
- The child will not be able to get a decent job.
Perhaps the parent was able to secure a nice, well-paying job,
because when the parent applied, the employer may not have been
too particular about employees’ immigration status. Or,
the parents were probably willing to accept a lower-level job,
because they have to make a living to support their children.
However, the child will have a difficult time finding a decent
job because employers are now very strict as far as employees’
immigration status are concerned.
- The parent will continue to be separated from his
child. If the parent left his child behind in the
Philippines, and has not legalized his status, how can the parent
hope to be reunited with his child? Unless the parent becomes
legal, there is very little chance that his child will ever
be able to be reunited with the parent in America. The parent
will not be able to hold or hug his child, or celebrate occasions
with his child under the same roof. The parent will just have
to be satisfied with long distance phone calls and sending remittances.
These parents should pause for a moment to think why they are
here in America. Most probably, it is because of their children,
so that their children will have a better future. Isn’t
it ironic that by remaining in illegal status, the children of
these parents will face a very bleak, instead of bright, future?
Why defeat the very purpose for which you came to America in the
first place?
I advise people to seek the advice of a reputable attorney, who
could analyze their situation and perhaps see ways for them to
go about legitimately legalizing their status. They
should do it for the sake of their children!
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