A California college athlete attempting to wade through the citizenship and naturalization process had a very close call with immigration authorities recently. The 19-year-old college student is an undocumented immigrant but is a top-ranked athlete at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. The woman had been sitting with her boyfriend at a local park when she was detained by a San Diego police officer. The woman was very nearly deported and is now seeking a way to speed up the citizenship and naturalization process due to her close call.
Alleged abuses tarnish citizenship and naturalization process
In the city of San Diego and throughout the nation, the citizenship and naturalization process is fraught with red tape and stress for those involved. For many immigrants, though, the process is worth it because they want to be in the United States whether for work, family or other reasons. However, recent allegations have tarnished the image of a better life in the U.S. Some have come out claiming alleged abuses by United States Border Patrol agents. Many people who've already been through the citizenship and naturalization process were targeted by the agents, along with those who may have been undocumented.
Deportation and removal proceedings: policy change coming?
There may be upcoming changes to a federal policy about deportation and removal proceedings. The current one allows any undocumented immigrant who has been picked up by law enforcement to be deported, regardless of whether they have actually committed a crime. Changing the federal guidelines about deportation and removal proceedings has the potential to give San Diego immigrants something to look forward to because it may allow those picked up for minor offenses like traffic infractions to avoid immigration issues.
Influx of unaccompanied children baffles immigration officials
California residents might be interested in a recent news story involving immigration and a large influx of children entering the United States. These children come from all over the world in an attempt to reunite with family, escape a violent or abusive home life or to seek a country with a stronger economy. Immigration officials are growing concerned due to the large increase and are said to be stretching their limited resources to care for them.
Laotian immigrant faces deportation for telling the truth
San Diego permanent residents may be interested in a current case involving a Laotian immigrant. The man is facing deportation and removal proceedings after making an innocent error: telling the truth. The Laotian immigrant is already a legal and permanent resident of the United States. He came from Laos in the 1970s but did not realize the tough stance the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has on drug convictions. Now, he is facing the possibility of deportation and removal proceedings, regardless of his permanent status within the U.S.
