TRAITORS (3 page)

That night, Luis formally spoke to his family about his relationship with Zina. He let them know that he would fight for her, but he was also willing to follow Zina’s father’s rules who had asked them to finish school, before anything else.

Luis took advantage of the timing to ask his brother about the legalization process, which they had already started and asked him to do what he could to hasten it. Unfortunately, little could be done because when a permanent resident files a residency application for a sibling, the process takes ten to fifteen years to be completed. The only benefit of having filed the application was to be under the protection of the law [Act 245i], which allows applicants to complete the whole process without having to leave the country. The law however, also prevents applicants from leaving the country before the completion of the process. If they do, they could lose the opportunity to receive residency status and they would have to again wait at least ten years before they could file another legalization application. Luis was worried that since he had already finished high school, he had to find a job—at least part time. He needed a social security number and a driver’s license to be able to do this. However, in the state of California, such licenses are not issued to the undocumented.

Things for migrants were not only more difficult due to new laws that attacked the undocumented, but also because the legalization process was getting increasingly stricter. This made for such a desperate wait for the applicants that many people made decisions that negatively affected their application process. Many, in watching over the well-being of their families, even traveled to their countries of origin without the necessary documents for a legal return.

There were many incredible and heart wrenching stories of people who had suffered immensely in their journey to the United States; like that of one of Pablo’s co-worker’s (at his last job) sister. She was forced to embark on the adventure to migrate, knowing she was six months pregnant. Her story was a tragic one because although she survived the ordeal, her unborn child was not as lucky—due to the thoughtless and irresponsible “Coyote” she was taken through a dangerous route in which they had to walk for more than three days. Without the proper nourishment and precautions, as well as being exposed to the elements, during the first twenty-four hours she suffered a miscarriage. Knowing this and despite her lifeless fetus, she had to push on for three more days in order to reach some kind of medical attention. When she was finally rescued, she had lost consciousness and had been carried by some in her group who had made a makeshift stretcher out of branches and blankets that they had with them.

After almost two months being hospitalized, she managed to recuperate and although there were repercussions that would affect her forever, she has again incorporated herself into her usual life. However, she will always mentally carry the great trauma that will affect her for the rest of her life.

Perhaps this girl was fortunate, considering the hundreds of dead bodies that are found each year along the U.S./Mexico border—including those of children who are abandoned to fend for themselves. There are also hundreds of reports in which immigrants are abducted or raped; most of those cases go unsolved. Not to mention the dead bodies that are never claimed by anyone.

It also came to pass that sometime around those days, they received news that Grandma Andrea had become seriously ill due to her old age and diabetes, which she was diagnosed with several years before.

Although Grandma Andrea looked after herself in every way she could, age was a determining factor for a woman to suddenly deteriorate. She also received little attention since her grandchildren were in the US and her only son who lived in the city was a sales agent. Being in sales meant he had to work a lot and travel constantly thus having little time to spare. The elderly lady only had the support of her granddaughter Maria (Luis’s sister) who did her best to help, but didn’t yet have the maturity to take on such a commitment.

Luis called the following day, as he always would, and talked to his er about the grandmother’s health.

“I think she’s going to recuperate but the doctor said she ought to take care of herself more than ever because a single relapse might bring her very serious consequences; and you know how she is!”

“Then you take good care of her,” said Luis sounding worried “Try insisting that she at least take her medicines on time without fail because if it’s up to her she won’t take them and it could be very dangerous to her.”

As usual, Luis kept on insisting for his grandmother to come to the United States at least for a vacation, although he knew beforehand that she would never accept. It was the reason that his sister Maria had not come since she didn’t want to leave her grandmother alone.

Grandma Andrea said the US was only there to separate families and that she would never even visit. This is how the majority
of our parents who live a humble but happy life usually think. That same month, Pablo and Norma decided to take advantage of the two-week vacation they had accumulated and spent it with their grandmother. She had been a mother for the three siblings, spending her life devoted exclusively to them.

With this visit, Grandma Andrea and Maria were at peace because the fact that, their presence was a great encouragement for the elderly lady. Luis, meanwhile, stopped worrying, at least for a few days as his brother could take good care of Grandma Andrea.

Luis decided to look for work again. He visited some of the places where he had temporarily worked while on vacation. He wasn’t lucky at first because this time, a full time job was more difficult for them to accommodate. It led him to look elsewhere and file several applications in some factories around the area, including the industrial center of Valencia, located about twenty minutes north of San Fernando Valley. He also filed some applications over the Internet. He soon realized he would need documents that would validate his status. It steered him to buy falsified documents to get a job. Zina immediately objected, knowing the sensitivity of the matter. If it was discovered, it could ruin his immigration process which, even though slow, was favorably advancing. In addition, they both knew that by the time they got married, even if the process was still not completed, it could accelerate because if an immigrant married a U.S. citizen, the procedure hastens as long as the applicant is under the protection of Act 245i. Such was the case with Luis.

Despite Zina’s objection, Luis moved to obtain the documents. In less than two weeks, he managed to get a great job as a computer technician at a local company, since he already had some experience before, when he had worked for a family friend.

Time resumed its march without major changes. Zina was already about to finish her second trimester at UCLA and her grades were as excellent as in high school. For his part, Luis was also about to complete his first semester of general subjects at Mission College [in Sylmar]. His grades were also outstanding.

What was not improving was the health of Grandmother Andrea who was again afflicted by diabetes and the toll of her old age.

“Luis, I’ve noticed that you seem a little distracted lately, what’s going on with you?” Zina asked. “You have been acting strange and it also seems you haven’t been getting enough sleep. You have dark circles around your eyes, what’s wrong? I hope everything is alright.”

“Yes, I’m fine,” said Luis. “It’s just that many things have me worried. Apparently the factory where I work is going to cut jobs and being the newest in my department, I’m afraid I’m among those who will be without a job. You already know how hard it is for me to find one because of the necessary documents. You see, with so many things they report on the news, it has become very hard to find work. And on top of that, my grandmother had another relapse and I fear that one day she’s not going to be with us anymore. All my life, I will have to answer to my conscience for not being able to go see her.”

“What did the lawyer say about your case? Sometimes I think he’s not even doing his job as he should,” said Zina.

“I don’t think that’s the case. This lawyer has a good reputation. The process just takes a long time. The last time we saw him, he said it would take at least four more years. It seems that day will never come,” said Luis.

“Why don’t we go talk to him and see if you can get a humanitarian permit? Due to the fact that your grandmother is sick, I think they would give it to you,” said Zina.

Abuse towards immigrants is also prevalent among lawyers without scruples who take advantage, in some cases, of the ignorance of those applicants who don’t know much about the laws. Not only do they charge high fees, but they take on cases of deportation in which they offer immoral representation. These so-called lawyers don’t care about the well-being of their clients; they only care about fattening their wallets.

That same afternoon, they both went to the lawyers’ office in the neighboring city of Santa Clarita, to try to get more information about the humanitarian permit.

“It is very difficult and very risky…” declared the lawyer, “since you are not supposed to leave while under the process. Although in some cases they have been granting this permit to certain applicants, there have been cases where immigrants were denied validation of their permit while crossing the border. And if by unfortunate luck that on the day of your immigration appointment you chance upon a very strict agent, he can deny your case. Because even if you left the country with a humanitarian permit, the law still states that you ought to stay in the country while your case is being processed.”

“Would there be a way to speed up this process?” Zina asked.

“Well, the only solution that you can take advantage of is marriage. By getting married, you can change the procedure. You can be legalized in six to eight months after the filing of the application; otherwise, we will have to continue waiting. Based on the date you filed the application, you still have to wait around four to six years.

Feeling down about the answer, which they had received, they left the office and met at Aunt Lupita’s given that by the following week, Pablo would again be on a mission to Afghanistan. Norma, meanwhile, would remain in service within the United States since they were happily awaiting their first child—the fruit of their nearly eight years of marriage.

That afternoon, Zina made a proposal, which she had thought of, that could somewhat help with the family situation. “What do you think if Luis and I were to marry? Only through civil ceremony; since we are completely sure of our love. It would accelerate the immigration process and he could travel to see his grandmother, which he really needs to do.

He would be more at peace and more focused on school and at work. I don’t know if he already told you this, but his factory might make job cuts and perhaps he is one of those who will be affected being the newest there. On another note, I’m willing to go to Mexico with Norma these days to support Maria and give her a hand in taking care of Grandma Andrea.”

“Oh you know that your father would kill the both of us!” Luis answered. “He had been very clear with us and has supported us so far. I do not want to disappoint his trust. In addition, he is not aware that I am undocumented, and I do not want to know how he would react if he finds out. Remember that we only have three more years to go to finish school and then we could form our life together… with his consent!”

“There is no way he would find out. Since we are no longer minors, we do not need anyone’s permission to marry!” said Zina. “We just need to get married and bring the marriage certificate to the lawyer and that’s it! Remember, the lawyer said it would only take six to eight months for you to get your green card and you could finally travel to Mexico and visit your family. I think it’s the easiest and most practical way. If we do it without saying a word, my father will never know.”

After a few minutes of silence and deep consideration, Pablo and Norma agreed with Zina. They convinced Luis that this might be best not only for him but for the whole family since Pablo would be gone for at least four months. He would be out of the country on a special assignment and he would like to leave with peace of mind. There were many things that bothered him: the situation of Luis, the welfare of his grandmother and the baby that was coming. Norma was already on her fourth month of pregnancy and Pablo would be returning when his wife is about to give birth to their firstborn.

That same week, before Pablo left for his new mission, they all went to the Marriage Office on Van Nuys Boulevard in the city of Pacoima where Zina and Luis joined hands in civil matrimony. With them were Aunt Lupita and her husband, Pablo and Norma, and Norberto, along with his girlfriend Ximena. They were the official witnesses at the marriage ceremony. The couple was happy getting what they had always been dreaming of even though they know that it was only a way out of a problem. They went to celebrate in the house of Aunt Lupita and made plans for the future, in which they expected would be better.

That weekend, Pablo was with the U.S. troops bound for Afghanistan, in high hopes that Luis’ situation would improve a bit and that Norma and Zina would visit Mexico to spend some time with Grandma Andrea. The planned visit pleased both the grandmother and Maria.

A few days later, Norma and Zina were on a plane bound for the city of Guadalajara. On the way, Zina was practicing what little Spanish she had learned from Luis. With all these, Luis was more at peace during the next few days since he was confident to know that while he still could not be there, his grandmother would be in good hands—at least while recovering from her last relapse. He also took joy in the possibility of accelerating the immigration process and being able to see his beloved grandmother situation for himself.

The wait to receive a call from his beloved Zina seemed like an eternity for Luis. When she finally did, she gave details of what had happened with his grandmother. Aside from taking care of Grandma Andrea and telling him related details, Zina also informed him of her observations about the situation in Mexico. She noticed that unemployment was very high. She mentioned that some of their relatives struggled to even get just a temporary job. Moreover, the government did little to improve the situation of the general population, and people had to find their own means to get ahead—the reason behind why Mexican citizens continue to emigrate in search of new opportunities.