Immigration rules for close relatives to be re-examined
By Antonio Olivo
The Chicago Tribune
December 27, 2009
When Peter Aldeza first arrived in Illinois from the Philippines, he filed U.S. Immigration paperwork to allow his older brother and sister to join him. That was 26 years ago.
Just last month, his sister, Sionie Sales, finally arrived to live in the U.S., in what has been a bittersweet reunion of once-close siblings now trying to become reacquainted. She was an exuberant 26-year-old when he left home. She is a grandmother now.
"It has been very interesting and very fulfilling," said Aldeza, 48, his voice cracking with emotion. "She's a lot older, but very much the same."
Their story embodies the experience of thousands of families waiting on a legal Immigration process bogged down by delays, a frustration that lies at the heart of renewed efforts to reform the U.S. Immigration system.
A bill introduced in Congress by Democratic lawmakers this month seeks a "promotion of family unity" by placing a high priority on eliminating backlogs for legal Immigration -- which activists say contribute to the country's problems with illegal Immigration. They say some prospective immigrants, frustrated by the delays, find a way into the country illegally.
Among the changes proposed under the bill is a provision to exempt immediate relatives from the annual cap on immigrant visas for a given country.
That would have the effect of speeding up the process for everyone else in line. Conservative groups seeking to limit all forms of Immigration have long opposed family pipelines, arguing that letting more people into the U.S. would place extra burdens on schools and other infrastructure.
For Sales, 52, the process began when she was a young nursing student eager to leave her poverty-stricken island in the Southeast Pacific Ocean to be with her younger brother in the U.S.
The two share fond childhood memories of swimming in the hot springs near their home in the outskirts of Manila, venturing into the capital as young adults and, above all, teaming up in playful fights against their older brother, David, now 54.
His application to come to the U.S. is still pending.
With adulthood came the desire for greater opportunity -- something in short supply for many who are perpetually struggling in the Philippines, the siblings said.
Because Aldeza was born in the U.S. -- when their parents briefly worked in Chicago as medical students -- he was qualified to immediately sponsor his siblings' applications.
Sales recalled being thrilled by the idea of coming to the U.S.
"I really wanted to work here," she said.
However, as the years went by with no word about her application, the excitement faded into a vague hope, she said.
Over time, what was once a strong family bond became frayed by the distance, with Aldeza traveling back to the Philippines for just two short visits during the last two decades as he raised his family here. Sales married and had two children of her own.
"We kept in touch through letters, pictures and by the telephone," mostly when family news was to be delivered, such as when children and grandchildren were born and when their parents died several years ago, Aldeza said.
Finally, in June 2008, a letter to Sales from the U.S. government arrived out of the blue, confirming that her Immigration application had been processed and approved.
"I was overjoyed and excited, but at the same time worried because I may not be able to work now," said Sales, who took more than a year to decide that after all that time, she still wanted to come. "I'm already 52 years old. I haven't worked for a long time."
As she adjusts to her new surroundings -- particularly the frigid Midwestern winters -- Sales said she is preparing to begin anew by studying for entrance exams for nursing school here.
With much of the Philippines still wracked by poverty -- exacerbated by two typhoons in October that killed about 1,000 people and caused $4.4 billion in damages -- Sales also is trying to bring her children and three grandchildren to the U.S.
"I've sent their papers to the visa center, but (U.S. Immigration officials) have not yet answered," she said, adding that she hopes the process won't again be filled with delay. "I want them to be with me here."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-family-reunited-25-dec27,0,7575783.story
