Frank Paul Lukas of East Windsor
Assume I am an American citizen from Mexico. In my twenties, I fell in love in Mexico, married, and had two children. My wife and I “came from poor families in Mexico. There was no future for us in Mexico,” but nevertheless I waited patiently and came to America legally, 17 years after my mother married an American citizen. I came alone, and did not “sneak my children across the border with Mexico.” I applied to bring my own children to America legally 17 years ago, in December of 1992. My daughter was now over 21 and married, so she fell under the third category of “family sponsored preferences. . . married sons and daughters of citizens.” My son was now over 21 and single, so he was under the first category of “family sponsored preferences. . . unmarried sons and daughters of citizens.” They are still not here in America with me. They speak no English and have completed the national average of a ninth grade education in Mexico. According to the VISA Bulletin of November 2009, there are still other married and unmarried children of citizens who are ahead of my children in line.
Assume my nephew is a Hispanic American undocumented illegal immigrant living in New Jersey. He and his wife and his two children did not wait patiently for 17 years in line like I did, but rather “sneaked across the border with Mexico” right after his children were born in Mexico 17 years ago. His children are “the product of a teen pregnancy.” Both parents “came from poor families in Mexico.” There was no future for them in Mexico so they crossed the border into the United States.” His children have graduated from high school in America. Now his children are demanding that as undocumented illegal immigrants “who sneaked across the border from Mexico” that they should not be charged out-of-state tuition in New Jersey, but rather should be allowed to pay in-state tuition.
I who have followed the immigration laws of America still do not have my children here in America; others who broke the immigration laws of America, and have had their children here for the past 17 years, are the ones now complaining and demanding. What about me, who patiently waited 17 years, and my children who have also been patiently waiting for 17 years?
Conclusion: the League of Women Voters espouse rewarding illegal behavior.
Frank Paul Lukacs
East Windsor
