DACA Recipient, in US Since Age of 6, Banned While Trying to Gain Legal Residency

ECW · 05-27-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Ana Rafael Cruz of Lowell, Massachusetts, says she's living a nightmare.

The 25-year-old DACA recipient was brought to the U.S. from Mexico with her twin sister Maria by their mother when they were just 6 years old.

"It's horrible that I have to pay for something that I don't even remember doing," said Cruz.

Cruz has been married to a U.S. citizen for years, and earlier this month, she traveled to Juarez, Mexico, for a visa interview to try to gain legal permanent residency on the advice of her attorney.

"He just kept saying that everything was going to be OK, that my case was so simple and easy, that they were – there was nothing that I should be worried about," said Cruz.

But instead, the consulate banned her from the U.S. for 10 years, citing her illegal entrance into the country when she was a minor.

"I couldn't breathe, I think I had a panic attack because I ran out and I just went to go hug my husband," Cruz said. "He was just like, 'What happened? What happened?' And I couldn't even speak."

For her family in Lowell, it was utter disbelief and devastation.

"I've always been so protective of her, and I honestly would just do anything to just trade with her, because she's very anxious and nervous and she's scared right now," Cruz's twin sister, Maria Rafael, said through tears.

Rafael says her sister is now stuck living with relatives she's never known in a country that is foreign to her.

"She just lives in fear all the time," said Rafael.

Cruz's coworkers at Banfield Pet Hospital in Woburn – one of two jobs she works to put herself through college at UMass Lowell – are hoping someone in power will help bring Cruz home.

"This is really so unjust, and I don't think that when these laws were created, that this was the intention," said Susanne Nasson, Cruz's boss and Practice Manager at Banfield Pet Hospital in Woburn.

"“I hope, hope that I get the chance to go back and see all of you guys and hug you guys, I just hope," Cruz said from Mexico.

Aides for both Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Lori Trahan say they are aware of Cruz's case and they are working with her family.

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...dency/2391235/

This is starting to happen a little more often now, is AP the safer route to preventing this from happening?

MIdreamer · 05-27-2021, 10:14 AM

Quote:

But instead, the consulate banned her from the U.S. for 10 years, citing her illegal entrance into the country when she was a minor.

Need more information here, she either get ban because she got caught at the border and re-enter 2nd time or her DACA status lapsed and acquired illegal present which you need a wavier for.

FLDreamerrr · 10:22 AM

This is so scary I have a visa appointment in my home country in 2 months

Never mind found more information :
Rafael Cruz was specifically banned from reapplying for a visa because she re-entered the country at age 10.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.low...o-protect/amp/

Imthexman · 05-27-2021, 10:26 AM

I think her lawyer is at fault here and I feel for her but at the same time she should have gotten more familiar with the laws and how she would be affected instead of just trusting her lawyers. Some lawyers don't really care and/or are so inept that they shouldn't be allowed to practice law, but they sure like to collect their sometimes outrageous fees.

MIdreamer · 05-27-2021, 11:31 AM

Always double check your lawyer's opinion.

Pianoswithoutfaith · 05-27-2021, 12:11 PM

It wasn’t her lawyers fault for her parents fault. I bet the lawyer asked her “did you get caught trying to cross again?” And she just said no because she didn’t know. Why didn’t her parents tell her everything?

Smooth · 05-27-2021, 12:16 PM

She’ll be ok. Kamala will save her.

hDreamer1988 · 05-27-2021, 12:42 PM

I think I saw another thread with this story a while back.

frbc13 · 05-27-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth

She’ll be ok. Kamala will save her.

Kamala can do anything. The only thing she can't do is go visit the border, there's no flights to the border available.

FLDreamerrr · 05-27-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hDreamer1988

I think I saw another thread with this story a while back.

That was a different girl similar story. That girl was from Texas I believe

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DACA Recipient, in US Since Age of 6, Banned While Trying to Gain Legal Residency