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:

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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!