Immigration Forum at SJA
Three Immigrants Tell Their Stories November 26th, 2001

People gathered in the sanctuary of St. Joan’s Church to hear the stories of three male immigrants and their families. The focus of the evening’s program was the human dimension of the United States Immigration Policies.

Participants were Amed Ismael Yusuf from Somalia, a social work case manager at the Community University Health Center, Armando Blas Garcia from Mexico, a car salesman and a shipping supervisor for Instant Web Co., and Pablo Topia from Mexico, a full time employee for Isaiah, the organization of faith based communities which focus on social justice issues. Each of these men has a different immigrant status: Pablo is now a US citizen, Amed is a legal resident who has not applied for citizenship, and Armando is an undocumented worker applying for a work permit.

Facilitator Kay Miller, StarTribune reporter, asked the men to give us some background addressing why they had come to the US and what, if any, obstacles they have encountered in their several years here. Their answers:

• “Jobs. Our choice was to die of starvation at home or, perhaps, die crossing the border.”
• “I heard the US is a democracy where people can ask questions, offer opinions, and choose how to live their lives.”

European immigrants waiting to be processed at Ellis Island in the late 1800's.

Other obstacles included being stopped frequently while driving by the police. Fear of what an arrest can do to one’s immigrant status is very real. They have each experienced rude treatment in their business dealings and the refusal of some folks to believe they are in a supervisory position or are capable of problem solving. When asked about racism, Armando replied, ”My employer has sent me to classes to learn how to handle such situations, so I don’t let that bother me. I’m more bothered by the immigration policies than by racism.”

The US Immigration Policy changes of 1996 have impacted the men and their families. They described the present system as “demeaning” and “dehumanizing.” Among their thoughts on the current system:

• They strongly pleaded for allowing families to stay together or be reunited. Pablo’s mother has finally arrived in the US after 10 years of applying. This was one example of many stories.
• As a nation we say all men are created equal, yet we do not live that way, giving one person more value than another in our admission policies.
• Speeding up the immigration process is another of their hopes. It is a very slow, cumbersome process with the limited number of personnel most of whom speak only English (Eighty percent of INS personnel are assigned to the borders.). Because there is no prioritizing of cases, qualified cases are being overlooked. The tragedy of 9/11 has slowed the processing procedures even more.
• When given a hearing date, it is for a day not a specific time that day. Many persons wait an entire day to be seen, losing wages for that day. Armando must report February 17 with his work permit application. He plans to arrive at 3 or 4 AM to wait in line outdoors.
• To navigate the immigration system requires legal assistance which is costly. Armando and his wife will spend $6000 in attorney’s fees and permit fees and they have only a 50/50 chance of being approved. One point they must prove is that they have not left the country the last 10 years.

Susan Sell has recently joined the Pastoral Council as its Trustee. Susan is also a member of SJA's Sister Parish Committee as well as Chairperson of WomenSpirit.