I agree with John Kerry . . . .
I find myself on uncommon ground, but I agree with Kerry on this one.
Sen. John Kerry Intervenes on Behalf of Missing Soldier's Illegal Immigrant Wife
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
by Greg Simmons
WASHINGTON -
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has asked the Department of Homeland Security not to deport the wife of an Army specialist who is missing in Iraq while the search continues for him, his office said Wednesday.
Army Spec. Alex Jimenez has been missing since May 12, when his unit was ambushed by insurgents. His wife, Yaderlin, entered the country illegally in 2001, according to Kerry's office, and the two married in 2004. Procedures to deport Yaderlin Jimenez have begun, although an immigration judge has halted the proceedings while the search for her husband continues. The two live in Lawrence, Mass.
"Under no condition should our country ever deport the spouse of a soldier who is currently serving in uniform abroad," Kerry said, in a statement provided to FOXNews.com.
In the letter to Homeland Security Department Secretary Michael Chertoff, Kerry wrote: "I do not believe that Yaderlin should have her stress and grief compounded by additional worries about her own immigration status. I request that no further action be taken (in) Yaderlin's case while her husband is missing in action. As Yaderlin waits to hear what has happened to her husband I ask that she be allowed to stay in our country."
"I believe this is a very real test of our government's compassion for a military family which has already made enormous sacrifices for the United States," the letter continued.
Vincent Morris, a spokesman for Kerry, said the senator is also looking into whether this is a more widespread problem in the Army.
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security was not immediately available for comment.
But it remains to be seen if Kerry's efforts will be enough to prevent the deportation of Yaderlin Jimenez, whose maiden name is Hiraldo.
Jimenez family attorney Matthew Kolken, reached briefly at his Buffalo, N.Y., office, said the letter won't change his client's legal status, but "that letter is very good in that they (authorities) have it in their power to make a motion in her case" to reopen the proceedings.
Another immigration attorney said only an act of Congress would ensure the wife's legal status in the United States.
"Unless Congress passes a private bill on her behalf, she is subject to deportation," said Charles Kuck, an immigration lawyer and president-elect of the Washington, D.C.-based American Immigration Lawyers Association. The group has more than 10,000 members.
Morris said Kerry's office is "taking it one step at a time," and could consider other options including a private bill, although this letter seemed to be the fastest method available.
"The senator wanted to put up a bright red flag and say, 'hold on,' " Morris said.
Kuck, speaking with FOXNews.com from his Atlanta office, said he suspects this is a widespread problem among military families. He said he believes that throughout the country, there are between 1 million and 3 million families where one spouse is not a legal resident.
"I get a call like this at least two to three times today: 'What can I do to help my spouse, but he came in illegally?' " Kuck said.
Boston television station WBZ-TV reported that Alex Jimenez, 25, had requested through U.S. immigration services a hardship waiver to gain legal status for his wife.
"I can't imagine a bigger injustice than that, to be deporting someone's wife who is fighting and possibly dying for our country," Kolken told the station.
Kuck said that immigration laws right now pose a Catch-22 for families like the Jimenezes. The process that they likely went through requires the spouse who needs the waiver to first leave the country, and then go to the U.S. consulate in his or her home country. In this case, the Dominican Republic.
The waivers are rare. Kuck said only a few thousand a year are issued, and they favor Mexicans because of the volume of applications. But because Yaderlin Jimenez had been in the country illegally for longer than one year, she would be forced to stay away from the United States for 10 years once she left the United States, Kuck said.
Kuck said he does not fault Immigration and Customs Services for enforcing the law, but this particular problem penalizes the legal U.S. citizen spouses of the illegal residents. He said the law should be changed so the waiver hearings can be held inside the United States.
"When you're deporting the spouses of U.S. soldiers, I think the law's harsh enough," Kuck said. "Essentially we're punishing U.S. Citizens. That's why it's so essential to have comprehensive immigration reform."
Alex Jimenez and Pvt. Brian Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., remain missing more than a month after the attack on their 10th Mountain Division unit. Their identification cards were found in an Al Qaeda safe house near Baghdad this weekend. A video posted earlier this month by a group affiliated with the terrorist group claimed the men had been killed, but did not provide specific proof of the claim.
The body of one soldier who was captured with Jimenez and Fouty has been found, and four other U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were killed in the attack.
Sen. John Kerry Intervenes on Behalf of Missing Soldier's Illegal Immigrant Wife
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
by Greg Simmons
WASHINGTON -
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has asked the Department of Homeland Security not to deport the wife of an Army specialist who is missing in Iraq while the search continues for him, his office said Wednesday.
Army Spec. Alex Jimenez has been missing since May 12, when his unit was ambushed by insurgents. His wife, Yaderlin, entered the country illegally in 2001, according to Kerry's office, and the two married in 2004. Procedures to deport Yaderlin Jimenez have begun, although an immigration judge has halted the proceedings while the search for her husband continues. The two live in Lawrence, Mass.
"Under no condition should our country ever deport the spouse of a soldier who is currently serving in uniform abroad," Kerry said, in a statement provided to FOXNews.com.
In the letter to Homeland Security Department Secretary Michael Chertoff, Kerry wrote: "I do not believe that Yaderlin should have her stress and grief compounded by additional worries about her own immigration status. I request that no further action be taken (in) Yaderlin's case while her husband is missing in action. As Yaderlin waits to hear what has happened to her husband I ask that she be allowed to stay in our country."
"I believe this is a very real test of our government's compassion for a military family which has already made enormous sacrifices for the United States," the letter continued.
Vincent Morris, a spokesman for Kerry, said the senator is also looking into whether this is a more widespread problem in the Army.
A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security was not immediately available for comment.
But it remains to be seen if Kerry's efforts will be enough to prevent the deportation of Yaderlin Jimenez, whose maiden name is Hiraldo.
Jimenez family attorney Matthew Kolken, reached briefly at his Buffalo, N.Y., office, said the letter won't change his client's legal status, but "that letter is very good in that they (authorities) have it in their power to make a motion in her case" to reopen the proceedings.
Another immigration attorney said only an act of Congress would ensure the wife's legal status in the United States.
"Unless Congress passes a private bill on her behalf, she is subject to deportation," said Charles Kuck, an immigration lawyer and president-elect of the Washington, D.C.-based American Immigration Lawyers Association. The group has more than 10,000 members.
Morris said Kerry's office is "taking it one step at a time," and could consider other options including a private bill, although this letter seemed to be the fastest method available.
"The senator wanted to put up a bright red flag and say, 'hold on,' " Morris said.
Kuck, speaking with FOXNews.com from his Atlanta office, said he suspects this is a widespread problem among military families. He said he believes that throughout the country, there are between 1 million and 3 million families where one spouse is not a legal resident.
"I get a call like this at least two to three times today: 'What can I do to help my spouse, but he came in illegally?' " Kuck said.
Boston television station WBZ-TV reported that Alex Jimenez, 25, had requested through U.S. immigration services a hardship waiver to gain legal status for his wife.
"I can't imagine a bigger injustice than that, to be deporting someone's wife who is fighting and possibly dying for our country," Kolken told the station.
Kuck said that immigration laws right now pose a Catch-22 for families like the Jimenezes. The process that they likely went through requires the spouse who needs the waiver to first leave the country, and then go to the U.S. consulate in his or her home country. In this case, the Dominican Republic.
The waivers are rare. Kuck said only a few thousand a year are issued, and they favor Mexicans because of the volume of applications. But because Yaderlin Jimenez had been in the country illegally for longer than one year, she would be forced to stay away from the United States for 10 years once she left the United States, Kuck said.
Kuck said he does not fault Immigration and Customs Services for enforcing the law, but this particular problem penalizes the legal U.S. citizen spouses of the illegal residents. He said the law should be changed so the waiver hearings can be held inside the United States.
"When you're deporting the spouses of U.S. soldiers, I think the law's harsh enough," Kuck said. "Essentially we're punishing U.S. Citizens. That's why it's so essential to have comprehensive immigration reform."
Alex Jimenez and Pvt. Brian Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., remain missing more than a month after the attack on their 10th Mountain Division unit. Their identification cards were found in an Al Qaeda safe house near Baghdad this weekend. A video posted earlier this month by a group affiliated with the terrorist group claimed the men had been killed, but did not provide specific proof of the claim.
The body of one soldier who was captured with Jimenez and Fouty has been found, and four other U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were killed in the attack.
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quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
Heff -
Why won't you reply to my questions about my Kids' LEGAL immigrant spouses ??
Just curious
Doug
I have a daughter-in-law that had to do the same thing.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
Heff -
Why won't you reply to my questions about my Kids' LEGAL immigrant spouses ??
Just curious
Doug
I have a daughter-in-law that had to do the same thing.
Which thing exactly? Illegally come to the US? Not reply to Doug's question? Legally come to the US through marriage?0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
Don't put words I didn't say in my mouth. At least be honest enough to address the issue as it was raised without trying to spin it into something it isn't.
You're the one who mad the "lawyer spin" on this one.[;)]
You aren't the only one expressing your side of the argument here Danny. I was mostly responding to selctfire's comments. I am a little resentful that you would imply "dishonesty" (as if to discredit my thoughts on this matter as somehow a lie). You are better than that Danny.
I was addressing the situation and other poster's comments as well as yours. And yes, I AM the one who mentioned lawyers, but SIG made his usual negative lawyer comment evoking my response. I get shot at a lot for being an attorney, so I don't mind giving it right back.
At least I am honest enough to call my posts opinions and not talk you down by calling you a bleeding heart liberal or illegal immigrant sympathizer or un-American, or any of the things folks with no real argument left in them do.
You wanna talk, let's talk, but I don't deserve being called dishonest. At least in the context of this thread.[:D]
Now, kick her out![:p][}:)][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
Don't put words I didn't say in my mouth. At least be honest enough to address the issue as it was raised without trying to spin it into something it isn't.
You're the one who mad the "lawyer spin" on this one.[;)]
You aren't the only one expressing your side of the argument here Danny. I was mostly responding to selctfire's comments. I am a little resentful that you would imply "dishonesty" (as if to discredit my thoughts on this matter as somehow a lie). You are better than that Danny.
I was addressing the situation and other poster's comments as well as yours. And yes, I AM the one who mentioned lawyers, but SIG made his usual negative lawyer comment evoking my response. I get shot at a lot for being an attorney, so I don't mind giving it right back.
At least I am honest enough to call my posts opinions and not talk you down by calling you a bleeding heart liberal or illegal immigrant sympathizer or un-American, or any of the things folks with no real argument left in them do.
You wanna talk, let's talk, but I don't deserve being called dishonest. At least in the context of this thread.[:D]
Now, kick her out![:p][}:)][:D]
Your not fLip / flopping back on me know are you? [:o)] What calibre do you prefer getting shot at with ? [:o)] Do I need to post bond to comment? [:o)] Me thinks this thread is [xx(][xx(]0 -
I say she stays [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by thesneakyrussian
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
Heff -
Why won't you reply to my questions about my Kids' LEGAL immigrant spouses ??
Just curious
Doug
I have a daughter-in-law that had to do the same thing.
Which thing exactly? Illegally come to the US? Not reply to Doug's question? Legally come to the US through marriage?
My daughter in law had to go through the legal process before she could come to America.0 -
Illegal is illegal, not matter the excuses. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
Heff -
Why won't you reply to my questions about my Kids' LEGAL immigrant spouses ??
Just curious
Doug
I missed it. Let me find it and I'll reply.0 -
Okay Doug, I found a "statement" about your son's and daughters spouces, but I don't see a question. Please ask me the question again and I'll respond.
Sorry I missed it, I was trying to avoid it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
You aren't the only one expressing your side of the argument here Danny. I was mostly responding to selctfire's comments. I am a little resentful that you would imply "dishonesty" (as if to discredit my thoughts on this matter as somehow a lie). You are better than that Danny.
I was addressing the situation and other poster's comments as well as yours. And yes, I AM the one who mentioned lawyers, but SIG made his usual negative lawyer comment evoking my response. I get shot at a lot for being an attorney, so I don't mind giving it right back.
At least I am honest enough to call my posts opinions and not talk you down by calling you a bleeding heart liberal or illegal immigrant sympathizer or un-American, or any of the things folks with no real argument left in them do.
You wanna talk, let's talk, but I don't deserve being called dishonest. At least in the context of this thread.[:D]
Now, kick her out![:p][}:)][:D]
If you say I said something I didn't say, what do you want me to call it? I took what you said as a rant not an outright lie, but it still is untrue. I'm being honest with you, but honestly calling you on your error. Nothing to get angry about. If I did the same to you I would expect you to call me on it.
What do you want? I'm not going to let anyone, even you whom I respect, put words in my mouth.
Where do you see I wronged you?0 -
If we are going to let (an) illegal(s) stay without paying the price, shouldn't my two legal immigrant Daughters-in-Law and my one legal immigrant Son-in-Law be refunded the money they spent (many thousands of dollars) in assuring that they were entering the country legally ??
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
Where do you see I wronged you?
Calling me liar.
I put no words in ANYBODY'S mouth, I merely, as you put it, went on a rant. I used some examples to back my opinions, but looking back over the thread I don't see where I put words in your mouth.
So whose lying, me or you? I don't think either one of us are. We are are just disagreeing. I did so without calling any names.
Feel free to show me where I said "HEFF said..." and then put words in your mouth.
Calling someone from our neck of the woods dishonest or a liar is a strong accusation, and yes, it makes me angry as it would you. I've had fist fights over such.
I respect you and your temperament but will not suffer being called a liar. Mistaken perhaps, but liar NO!!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
If we are going to let (an) illegal(s) stay without paying the price, shouldn't my two legal immigrant Daughters-in-Law and my one legal immigrant Son-in-Law be refunded the money they spent (many thousands of dollars) in assuring that they were entering the country legally ??
Doug
Am I missing something here. Who ever said she would stay without paying the price? All I ever said was she should stay until her POW husband was returned home. After that, she should go through the same process including all cost incurred to become legal, and I have no problem with forcing her to return home and re-enter in a legal manner.
All I was saying was while her husband (a legal American) is a POW and can't come home to answer questions or offer facts, her deportation should be put on hold. How some folks took that stand to say I supported amnisty for her is beyond me.
Your kids did right and you should be proud of them. But I think, even though this girl made a huge and criminal mistake, a little patience is justified to allow her captured husband to explain and correct the problem. I guess I must be a raving liberal to think such of a thing, but I think anything including forcloser on a home should be shelved while a soldier is a POW.
Imagine that. I get my teeth kicked in for it.[V]
The debt we owe is to him, not her.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
Imagine that. I get my teeth kicked in for it.[V]
HEFF. easy brother! No body is kicking your teeth in! Hell, I was arguing with SELECTFIRE'S goomer azz!
It's OK to take an unpopular stance. Doesn't mean your wrong and we are right. It is just opinions of people, nothing to get beat down about.
WE KNOW you advocated just waiting to see. But others went further. Remember, you are not the only arguing for compassion. Others made other points in support. That is all.
Let's not let it get to a personality contest.
[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
Where do you see I wronged you?
Calling me liar.
I put no words in ANYBODY'S mouth, I merely, as you put it, went on a rant. I used some examples to back my opinions, but looking back over the thread I don't see where I put words in your mouth.
So whose lying, me or you? I don't think either one of us are. We are are just disagreeing. I did so without calling any names.
Feel free to show me where I said "HEFF said..." and then put words in your mouth.
Calling someone from our neck of the woods dishonest or a liar is a strong accusation, and yes, it makes me angry as it would you. I've had fist fights over such.
I respect you and your temperament but will not suffer being called a liar. Mistaken perhaps, but liar NO!!!
You said,
"OK, now I get it. POW's or MIA's families need not worry about immigration or any other law."
I never said any such thing. I figured you were in a rant, but implying I said that is totally untrue, therefore dishonest. I don't think it was a malicious lie, but I didn't say it.
I'm sorry you were offended, but take responsibility for what you said. Maybe you just made a mistake and misunderstood, but either way, I'm calling you on it.
Do you expect me not to?
I respect you, but as I said before, I'm not going to let anyone, even my beloved wife say I said something I didn't. Sorry.0 -
Our lawyer friend from TX should know that a law is not entirely applicable to every single situation/case. Thats what the court system and judges are for. Let this case be solved in the court system (with the a little pressure from the politicos[;)])
I agree w/Heff, Select and the federal judge who is willing to wait until Spec Jimenez's predicament is known. Quoting OJ's atty., "No need to rush to judgement". (Or something to that effect.)
Changing the subject a little, I wonder how many members here...the "law is the law" ones, will be the first to give up their firearms when and if they are banned by law.
After all, the law is the law.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
You said,
"OK, now I get it. POW's or MIA's families need not worry about immigration or any other law."
I never said any such thing. I figured you were in a rant, but implying I said that is totally untrue, therefore dishonest. I don't think it was a malicious lie, but I didn't say it.
I'm sorry you were offended, but take responsibility for what you said. Maybe you just made a mistake and misunderstood, but either way, I'm calling you on it.
Do you expect me not to?
I respect you, but as I said before, I'm not going to let anyone, even ny beloved wife say I said something I didn't. Sorry.
Dude, READ THE THREAD! I was replying to SELECTFIRE in the snippet you suggest, not you for heaven's sake!
SELECTFIRE said "You don't get it" and I responded. IT AIN'T about you so ease up on me and re-read the thread without it all being about you!
So, quit putting words in my MOUTH![:(!]
Lordy, you're hard to deal with when you take an unpopular stance.[xx(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
Changing the subject a little, I wonder how many members here...the "law is the law" ones, will be the first to give up their firearms when and if they are banned by law.
After all, the law is the law.
I suspect many, but are you saying that immigration law called INA is immoral and we should let anyone in without any kind of restrictions?
That's what they are trying to do now, and have been since 1986, legally at least.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
I was replying to SELECTFIRE in the snippet you suggest, not you for heaven's sake!
So, quit putting words in my MOUTH![:(!]
Lordy, you're hard to deal with when you take an unpopular stance.[xx(]
Then I misunderstood, and I'm sorry. I thought in all honesty your words were directed to me.[^]
I didn't think "it was all about" me, but since I was the post originator, I assumed your reply was directed to me.[;)]
I'm hard to deal with ALL the time. But lord knows you're a putty cat![}:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
Our lawyer friend from TX should know that a law is not entirely applicable to every single situation/case. Thats what the court system and judges are for. Let this case be solved in the court system (with the a little pressure from the politicos[;)])
After all, the law is the law.
I wish you guys had been my professors in law school. Between you and SELECT I could have been #1! This is a discussion girls, A DISCUSSION. If it is so cut and dried, why bring it up at all?
I gave my opinion and I stand by it.
I ain't mad, but carrying on a discussion with some of you is like talking to my brothers kids!
[:p][:X]0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley Originally posted by mateomasfeo
Then I misunderstood, and I'm sorry. I thought in all honesty your words were directed to me.[^]
I didn't think "it was all about" me, but since I was the post originator, I assumed your reply was directed to me.[;)]
I'm hard to deal with ALL the time. But lord knows you're a putty cat![}:)]
We good? Thanks HEFF! You are one of the one's I like and I don't want to be cross over a simple discussion.
Sympathy to your wife![:D][:D][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
I ain't mad, but carrying on a discussion with some of you is like talking to my brothers kids! [:D][:D]0 -
...Anchor babies and anchor husbands...[;)] 
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quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
You are one of the one's I like and I don't want to be cross over a simple discussion.
Nor do I, and as I said, you have my respect. I would be proud to have anyone here in my home except for one man, and he hasn't posted in a month or so. He's the only real enemy I ever made here, and I am glad he was kicked off (twice).
I'm passionate about what happens to POW's and their families while they are being held prisoner. I saw some bad stuff while I served, and it left a mark.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
quote:Originally posted by dolfan
Our lawyer friend from TX should know that a law is not entirely applicable to every single situation/case. Thats what the court system and judges are for. Let this case be solved in the court system (with the a little pressure from the politicos[;)])
After all, the law is the law.
I wish you guys had been my professors in law school. Between you and SELECT I could have been #1! This is a discussion girls, A DISCUSSION. If it is so cut and dried, why bring it up at all?
I gave my opinion and I stand by it.
I ain't mad, but carrying on a discussion with some of you is like talking to my brothers kids!
[:p][:X]
Look here, I can joke around on here.. I did like your gambling joke this morning.0 -
I retired from the mean green la migra and if i had a dollar for every sob story and excuse for not deporting or detaining an illegal I could buy every gun on gun broker. She knowingly broke our laws to get here so how could she be expected to ever respect our laws. If you want to feel sympathy, go to the US Border Patrol Museum online and look at the Memorials, agents killed on duty, includes their photos,, look into their eyes. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dheffley
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
You are one of the one's I like and I don't want to be cross over a simple discussion.
Nor do I, and as I said, you have my respect. I would be proud to have anyone here in my home except for one man, and he hasn't posted in a month or so. He's the only real enemy I ever made here, and I am glad he was kicked off (twice).
I'm passionate about what happens to POW's and their families while they are being held prisoner. I saw some bad stuff while I served, and it left a mark.
I understand as much as someone who never served can understand, and knowing you, I figured as much.
I respect your service. Made me so mad when you posted those pics of you overseas that time and some bozo complained.[:(!]0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I say she stays [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]
Hell, I was done with this subject also, but if Mateo and Doug are back in, so am I. I shall not be ignored!!![:o)][:o)][}:)]
She goes, for all my previously mentioned reasons, so there, take that.0 -
illegal is another word for your breaking the freaking law. my grand parents came here legally threw Ellis island. i live in Houston Texas so you don't want to get me started on illegal aliens 0 -
I guess none of us equivocate, much.
So tell me Heff, what needs to happen to convince you ??
Doug0
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