IMMIGRATION: FACED WITH DIFFICULT DECISION
In search of a better life, Armando Lopez began a difficult journey when he crossed the border in 1998 at the age of 25. He soon moved to the Florida Panhandle and began working for a construction company. Later in 2001, he met his wife Megan and they have been together ever since.
In the words of his supervisor, “Armando has worked for me for many years as a foreman. In seven years, he has never missed a day of work and never arrived late. He is respected by all the workers, Hispanic and non-Hispanic alike, for his integrity and quality of work.” In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, Armando was the first to offer his assistance to all who needed it. He voluntarily rebuilt homes for his in-laws and his neighbors. To this day he continues to volunteer his services in repairing homes for those who are disabled or in need.
As for his wife Megan and their children, he is indispensable. He has raised Megan’s two children from a prior relationship as his own, and together the couple has had two more children. He provides his family with unfailing love and leads by example.
In March of 2006, Armando and Megan made the difficult decision to apply for his legal status in the United States. He came to Catholic Charities Office of Immigration and Refugee Services to ask for our assistance. I explained the process and the enormous risks to both Megan and Armando. When scheduled to do so, he would have to return to Mexico, to the U.S. Embassy in Juarez, and present his waiver for unlawful entry. If denied, he would face a ten-year bar from re-entering the United States. He would be separated from Megan, his children and the life he had built over the past several years. Faced with risks, he stated, “I do not want to remain another day in this country in illegal status. That is not who I am as a person. I am honest and hardworking. I am only asking for a chance.”
In January of 2008, Armando was given his appointment in Juarez at the U.S. Embassy. Since family members are not allowed in the interview, the family tearfully said goodbye at the border and Armando continued on alone. At his first interview, he was given an appointment to return in three weeks to present his waiver for having entered the U.S. without permission. He remained in Mexico and spent time with his mother whom he had not seen in ten years.
On January 31st, he returned to the embassy. The file we had prepared for him was several inches thick with documents, including letters handwritten by his children begging for clemency. He passed the file across the desk to the embassy official. She looked through the documents for a long time, and then stamped the file with a seal of approval. The next day, Armando drove across the U.S border as a legal permanent resident of the United States. Megan later told me, “Two hundred people walked into the embassy that day, and only 15 were approved.”
It has been a pleasure serving Megan and Armando Lopez, and we could not be happier for them.
“Two hundred people walked into the embassy that day, and only 15 were approved” one of which was Armando.
