Members of Congress are headed home for their annual August recess, yet will continue to hear from Americans with strong opinions on immigration reform. Both Democrats and Republicans are asking their representatives to fix our broken legislation system. Many are asking for commonsense immigration reform which offers a “tough but fair” path to U.S. citizenship. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has voiced support for commonsense immigration reform stating he feels it is bad for America’s economy as well as bad for those immigrants who have had children and grandchildren in this country to allow the system to continue in the same way it has in the past. The White House released a series of reports which contribute to the mounting evidence that allowing an earned path to citizenship will boost the economy, strengthen Social Security and modernize America’s legal immigration system.
The Ambiguous Nature of the Current Immigration Laws
Many lawyers believe immigration law is currently more complicated than even America’s tax laws making it very difficult for the average person to successfully navigate the legal path to citizenship. Take for instance the case of Steve Summers, a McAllen, TX resident who believed he had properly followed all steps to allow his Mexico-born wife Evangelina Zapata, obtain U.S. residency. Summers signed the required affidavit which stated he would support his wife to the extent that would prevent her from ever becoming a public charge—meaning she would never rely on governmental assistance to pay for food and bills.
Four years after their divorce Zapata is suing Summers in federal court, claiming he broke that contract to support her at 125 percent of the poverty level. Even though Zapata remarried and divorced a second time, she claims Summers is in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act and that he did not fulfill the responsibility he agreed to in the original affidavit. Understandably, Summers feels as though this particular provision of the law can be easily exploited and wants to see immigration reform clarify many parts of the current immigration law.
Texas Immigration Issues
Texas economy grew almost twice as much as the rest of the country in 2012 and many credit that growth to the outsize contribution to the labor force of the state’s 4.2 million immigrants. It is estimated that 16 percent of Texans are immigrants however that 16 percent makes up 22 percent of the labor force. It is widely believed across Texas that in order to continue economic recovery, the entire country needs a comprehensive reform bill which will offer a fair path to U.S. citizenship while harnessing the incredible strength of the immigrant population.
While the immigration issue will likely continue to be debated for some time to come, those who are seeking legal U.S. citizenship need help now. These people who have lived, worked and raised their families in the United States—in many cases for decades—deserve not to live in fear of deportation. If you or a loved one is in need of immigration assistance, it could be in your best interests to speak to a knowledgeable Houston immigration attorney who can guide you through the complex system, ensuring no deadlines are missed and that all paperwork is properly completed.