One-time illegal alien, now American as apple pie

Local congressmen, senators differ on immigration reform

Today, depending on which figures are used, there are an estimated nine to 20 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

For years, Congress has tried to hash out a solution to stop illegal aliens from entering the country and deal with those who have already established themselves here.

The latest effort fell apart in late June when the Senate killed a procedural motion that would have moved toward a final vote on a bill that would have improved border security, grant visas to those illegal immigrants living in the United States prior to 2007 and create a guest worker program to allow unskilled workers to enter the country.

Legislators appear split on whether to offer amnesty to those already here or deport them, whether to spend the money to tighten the U.S. borders or if a crack down on employers who hire undocumented workers might stem the flow.

Local congressmen and senators have differing views of the issue.

"Over 12 million illegal immigrants living in our country have shown callous disregard for the laws that govern our society while placing an undue burden on American taxpayer-funded health care, education and legal systems," said U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-4) in a written statement. "The correct response to the immigration crisis is stronger enforcement and a redoubling of our commitment to the rule of law."

Altmire opposed the most current bill because it would have rewarded "lawbreakers."

"For the second year in a row, Congress has buried its head on illegal immigration," said U.S. Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa.) in a press statement.

He said Congress' inaction has ensured continuation of the status quo --no serious enforcement, inadequate funding for enforcement, no real border security, no enforcement against employers who hire illegal workers and no plan to identify illegal immigrants or their children, many of whom are U.S. citizens by birth.

Congressmen Mike Doyle (D-14) and Tim Murphy (R-18) could not be reached for comment.

The inaction on the federal level has prompted some state and local governments to consider their own immigration laws.

The National Security Begins at Home immigration reform package has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to require mandatory employer enrollment in the federal Social Security basic pilot new employee verification program, maintain criminal history records of previously detained illegal immigrants, terminate professional licenses of employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens and eliminating all non-medical emergency, public benefits for illegal aliens.

by Zandy Dudiak
Staff Writer
July 18, 2007

Ignacio "Nacho" Cisneros, 45, is almost as American as apple pie.

He owns a successful business, Nacho's Cleaning Service. His business sponsors his son's Chalfant Athletic Association baseball team.

A small U.S. flag decorates the garden in front of his Chalfant home. He and his wife, Lynn, both work, pay taxes, take vacations, vote, value family, encourage their son, Nacho, 8, to do well in school.

Nacho is a model American citizen.

Ten years ago, he was an illegal alien.

Working in the administrative offices of a Mexican business, Nacho says he was making the equivalent of $30 American dollars a week. As one of the younger of 11 children, he says he had to provide support for his widowed mother and his family.

The waiting time for a visa for immigrants from Mexico, India, China and the Philippines, where many want to emigrate to America, can be as long as 20 years, according to Shawn Saucier, a spokesman for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

When a "coyote" -- a person who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States -- offered Nacho the chance to cross into America for 3,000 pesos ($300), he decided a better life was worth the risk.

He cut himself hopping cars on a train with a group of fellow Mexicans headed for Texas in 1990, knowing full well that he might never cross the border or see his family again.

Nacho says he landed jobs in construction, eventually traveling to Florida, then working at a restaurant. He came to Pennsylvania to work in food service, met Lynn and the two fell in love.

One day in December 1996, when she went to meet him at his work place, another employee told Lynn there were immigration problems. She had no clue as to her boyfriend's legal status at that time.

"I have something to tell you," a disheartened Nacho informed Lynn when she saw him later.

Her initial reaction was one of shock and disbelief.

The rules were different and easier for illegal immigrants in early 1997. But the laws were about to change.

The Pittsburgh immigration attorney the couple had secured called in April 1997 and told them Nacho had to be "in status" by Sept. 27 -- seven years from the day he left his life in Mexico behind.

Nacho and Lynn moved up their planned wedding by almost a year to July 1997 to facilitate the immigration sponsorship process before the new law took effect. Nacho stresses the marriage was about love, not over getting papers.

"That was always a big thing in his head," Lynn says.

They were married July 9 in Washington, D.C., a place that symbolized to him the freedom he was about to have.

The immigration hearing to get his green card, meaning he was a permanent resident in the United States, was set for Dec. 6. Officials told Nacho they wanted to see photographic proof of the couple's life together -- including Lynn with his family in Mexico.

That November, for the first time in seven years, Nacho got to see his family. As the plane neared Mexico City and he was able to see his homeland, Lynn saw the tears rolling down her husband's face.

She started to cry, too.

"Welcome home," she told him. "It was a very emotional moment."

In December, Nacho had his hearing. The official, convinced the couple was truly in love, didn't ask to see the photos of the many Mexican relatives.

Nacho, who had lugged a gym bag full of albums to the hearing, says he insisted on sharing them anyhow.

Immigrants who are married to Americans have to wait three years before applying for citizenship. Nacho became a citizen October 23, 2001.

Soon after his son was born and he got his papers, Nacho began working for a cleaning company.

He noticed he was doing a better job than his fellow employees and eventually started his own business, which continues to grow.

He's never forgotten his journey to America -- to being an American.

"Nacho still has the shirt he wore when he came to the U.S.," says Lynn.

To him, the blue sweatshirt symbolizes freedom.