A 1997 law allowed Wong's parents to gain legal status, and Wong's father then petitioned for a visa for his son in 2001. The application only recently became eligible for consideration, Kohler said.In the meantime
Growing up in America, Wong ran into trouble: he has a juvenile offense, now sealed; three misdemeanors — including gun possession, for which he spent about six months in jail, and one for possession of half a marijuana joint — and for infractions like driving without a license, his lawyer said.
Kohler said the violations don't prevent Wong from applying for legal status. Wong, who has worked construction and other jobs, is the sole financial support of his girlfriend, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1 1/2-year old son. He also has two older children in Florida.
"I've seen a lot worse, and these judges have seen a lot worse," Kohler said.I don't know. He's not the most attractive visa candidate. I can't say that the last quote is very comforting either .
However, the article is much more interesting for its discussion of how the number of immigrant detainees has increased from approximately 150,000 to 350,000 (2008 figures) forcing authorities to continuously move detainees.
Of those held in 2008, nearly 30 percent had been moved once, more than 14 percent moved twice, and 4 percent moved four or more times.Transfers are based upon prison space and the inmates' medical needs, not access to lawyers or proximity to family. The criteria make it difficult for the detainees to mount a legal challenge because they might be held in one state, the trial/appeal in a second, the lawyer in a third, and their family in a fourth.
ICE has recently begun to adopt policies that will be it easier for detainees to be housed near their lawyer or family. However, it's just another area of our immigration system that needs reform.
