nun

Yep, there is the law and then there is interpretation and application of the law.
My opinion is that ICE is currently being punitive in the application and causing more harm than good.

Rete

Looks to me as if they are following the letter of the law since his I-130 was not filed between 1998 and April 30, 2001.

Gordon Barlow

In all the old-time Western (cowboy) movies, there were always "outlaws" among the baddies. Robin Hood was an outlaw, too, further back. By declaring specific individuals to be outlaws, the legal authorities formally and publicly withdrew the protection of the law from them. That made an outlaw a non-person; he didn't legally exist, any more. So anybody could rob, torture or kill him without penalty. The victims of the US laws against "illegal aliens" should be very glad they weren't declared "outlaws"!

carcajou

I agree with Gordon that it is a good thing criminal protections have evolved and strengthened - and disagree that illegal aliens who get deported are the "victims."

I am not sure the point here. Is it that non-USCs should not have to obey US laws when in the US? Or that being married to a USC exempts you from US law? Or maybe that "stuff that" is a valid justification for breaking the law?

Again, why should I or anyone else bother to obey the law, if others are allowed to say "stuff that" and face no consequences, even when offered multiple paths to compliance over periods of several years.

ICE are not the ones who are breaking up families . . . but personal responsibility is a "no-go zone" these days.

scrubbedexpat099

I 130 is just about proof of relationship, to adjust in country is the I 485.

mrken30

The UK seem to be also cracking down on overstayers. Yet another one today.

Popular north London shop worker faces deportation after 26 years in UK | London Evening Standard

Pulaski

So by implication would it be more acceptable to deport him if he was unpopular?

mrken30

He's not that popular with only 700 people signing the petition. People will sign anything these days.

tom169

Why do people continue to make petitions that aren't through the UK government's website?

Teckelspass

The "utilitarian approach" could cut a different way. I think enforcing the immigration laws somewhat harshly could be good for the whole system in the long run (although harsh for the individuals implicated) by making the rules and system seem predictable and deterring those who wish to take short cuts. As long as amnesty continues to be provided, the next waves will arrive hoping for another amnesty grant.

nun

Good point....how far do we project the "good". Call me a softly and shortsighted, but I'll go with keeping the family together and the kids happy in these cases as was the previous policy. I believe this produces good for the family and good for the greater society too as it encourages people to get into compliance and keeps a family together.

morpeth

The problem needs to be solved through border control, and better controls on those within the country in the country illegally. By making it easier to be in the country illegally and helping those that are, just perpetuates the problem, as harsh as this is for many families.

I would hazard a guess if the country took serious measures to deal with the problem and not the symptoms, then perhaps it could be more generous to families already here- but without serious measures lax enforcement of immigration laws just encourages more illegal immigration. Not to mention the effect on wages of the working poor.

mikelincs

see post #28 for the earlier posting of this..

Pollyana

"Mr Janokvic is understood to have applied for asylum when he arrived in the country but his application was refused.

It is believed his leave to remain in the country expired in 1999 ........"

So maybe he should've sorted out his status and then he'd have been more popular?

scrubbedexpat099

I was last in Yugoslavia 35 years ago, bit I left, not very popular.