What questions do you have for the author? The questions might be about content or form or anything that comes to mind. After we amass a few, I’ll send the author the link and maybe he can respond.
In addition, what other thoughts did you have as you read this piece?
What made you write a story like this? Was it just to narrate the issue and inform people of immigration stories that go on here in America? Or was it show that no matter the race, sex, and look of someone that it could just be the blink of an eye before they are gone? Or to show that a person's past should stay in the past?
ReplyDeleteI try putting myself in Emily's position and have no idea what I would do. Love is a strong emotion and to love someone who you have always known to be amazing and have them tried for little things that happened in the past. It shows a lot about the time and money that courts spend on things that could be handled speedily. I do have to say this brought tears to my eyes like any good happy ending. I am glad that things are investigated deeply; it is just stories like this that make immigration issues hated. The right judgement is left up to other people and that makes it tough.
Tysanne Cullum
How did you feel when you were writing this story? Did it make you change your mind on where you stand with immigration issues?
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading this, It was like I could feel what Emily was feeling. I could only image how many emotions she must have felt going through what she went through. I think she and her family are very strong people to have the kind of commitment they have. I am so glad that it was a good ending because so many situations don't have happy endings in today society. I think people going through this could take something from the story to boost their hope.
Lindsey McGuire
Before writing the story, what was your stance on issues such as this one?
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing about and writing about this story, did it change your own opinions on the issue?
Did you form a bond with the family? If so, do you think it changed the way you portrayed the family in the story?
This was a very heartwarming story, and I’m sure this is just one of millions out there like this. Everybody should get a chance to tell their story and have equal rights, I am glad it ended well.
Lacey Patterson
Have you kept in touch with the family?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the status of Pedro's legal status?
What motivated you to take this story and make it public?
This was a very emotional story; I could not help, but get goosebumps while reading it. It saddens me that many innocent people have stories like these, that sadly, do not get the attention and/or help they need. Illegal immigrants come to this country for a chance of a better future and it is sad to see many face situations like these. I was very glad to read how this family got the assistance and end results they hoped for! Best wishes to Pedro and his family.
Ana Garcia
What made you write this story? Are you connected with this family in some way?
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about the issue on immigrants?
How did you react to the end result of Pedro getting to come home?
While reading this story I was amazed at what was happening to this man Pedro. It is scary to see how fast this man and his family’s lives were flipped from being happy to being broken apart. I think that how you presented the material and the topic of immigrants was a great way for people to see that this is a reoccurring thing; it can happen to any person that may have come to America as an immigrant. Immigrants are not uncommon here in America, we get them mostly from Mexico, but the laws now are stricter and can make it hard for some who has tried to get a fresh start. Many immigrants come to the states to have a new beginning, do better for their families, and become better people themselves. I don’t feel that immigrants come to the states to start trouble or want to get caught, I think most of them come as immigrants because that is all they know how to survive. I was taken back by this story because how they went about bringing in Pedro. Going to his house early in the morning and banging on the door; is that really necessary? But what made me really think about the issue on immigrants is how it impacted all the lives involved. It was hard not only on Pedro, but also on his family. I’m glad that this case got the attention it needed to help release Pedro so he could be back with his family. I think that not all families are lucky with being reunited and the fact that this family was makes it seem possible for families in the same type of situation.
Stephanie Nodal
What was your stance on immigration before writing this story? Did this story on Pedro and his family affect your opinion? If so, how? Do you think he could be a good American?
ReplyDeleteThe article is a very powerful piece that gives us a look into what many families in the United States are experiencing. The issue of immigration affects many people and its impacts are life changing for those who must leave their loved ones behind and those who must watch them go. I can't imagine how Pedro's family felt when he was officially released to stay in the states. After going through such an emotional journey, Pedro and his family deserved a happy ending. I hope that other families experiencing difficult situations like this can find support and optimism during this time.
Ross Hoffmann
Stephanie- I also agree with you that many people come to America in hopes for a better life. They want to make a life for themselves and their families. It is unfortunate that they are also at risk of being in the same situation such as Pedro.
ReplyDeleteRoss Hoffmann
Lacey,
ReplyDeleteI like your question about bonding with the family. I think that is a great question because it must have been hard to talk about a big issue like this and have no bond with the family. I would have to agree with you when you say that everyone should get a chance to tell their story and have equal rights; I mean after all in America there is freedom of speech and equal rights. Good job!
Stephanie Nodal
Lindsey,
ReplyDeleteI like your questions! I really like the one about whether or not it made his stance on immigration issues change while writing the article. I think you are right about people in similar situations using this article as an array of hope. Society today is harsh, and can be overwhelming with sad endings and like you said it was good to see an issue end with a happy ending.
Stephanie Nodal
You depict immigration in a somewhat positive light, showing that Pedro is an exception to the immigration policies. What solution do you have for immigration if exceptions (like Pedro) are allowed?
ReplyDeleteKryston Honea
The article is one of just many similar stories happening in our Hispanic immigration circumstances. What was the author's objective in writing the story? Was it to speak out against a seemingly unjust system of American government regarding our immigration laws? Was it simply to write a story covering immigration issues? Does Mr. Fausset have a personal connection to an immigrant with a story such as this one? Why did the author write the story from the slant of establishing empathy towards the family? Are there other published stories that write these types of articles from negative slants towards the immigrants and their families? Mr. Fausset reported the attorney for the government in a matter of fact way of just the narrow facts concerning the argument for deportation. What is a broader scope of the issues and problems our government has to deal with in terms services necessary to respond to this segment from the executive, legislative, and judicial branches? What do these responses equate to in costs to the government and ultimately the American tax payers?
ReplyDeletePedro is an unfortunate victim of illegal immigration in that he did not make the decision to sneak into our country illegally. There are so many stories like this! Several from people I know and care for deeply. Young men and women who cannot work without a social security card and so must be given one from a here-today-gone-tomorrow shady set up in someone's garage. Fake, illegal, and necessary so they can get a job and earn money to live. What can be done with the whole immigration system so that these issues imposed upon all of us by the illegal immigrants themselves and our laws and responses can be dealt with in a fair, humane, and reasonable manner for everyone involved?
This is an important issue in our nation. One of my very best friends has such a story. She has been in this country since the 80's. Four of her six children were born here. She came "over the mountain" as she describes it because she had no food and no work, leaving behind her two small children so that she could work cleaning hotel rooms for under the table money. Living in fear of being caught, crying every day for her children left behind in Mexico. Do you see all of the scope of the problem?
Since we're wishing this week, I would greatly wish for there to be found a better solution for this pressing, grievous problem.
Laura Harris
To my classmates:
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to attend to this huge problem of immigration in this country. Some of your comments voiced empathy for Pedro and his family, and well we should love one another, no matter where we come from. Some of you noticed the positive slant to the article which begs the question of asking for the other side of the argument. Many of you were able to put yourself in the shoes of Pedro and Emily. How can we help them in a larger way to the illegal immigrants present in this country as a whole? I liked very much how some of you thought of questioning the author on his own stand. This was a very thought provoking article this week and made all of us aware of an issue that concerns all of us.
What was your stance on immigration before you met this family, and wrote about their situation? Did it change the way you previously thought about immigration?
ReplyDeleteThis was a very strong article that evokes emotion and empathy from the readers towards the individuals of this family. It is so sad, but it is also reality that there are thousands of families going through similar situations like that of Pedro’s and Emily’s. I was very glad that the story had a happy ending. Unfortunately not everyone immigrant fighting to be here has a strong family that is there with them through the struggles. Luckily for Pedro, he was very lucky to have such a caring and loving family.
Brenda Castro
Before you wrote this article what was your stance on immigration? Did it change after?
ReplyDeleteHave you been in touch with the family since your article?
Pedro did not deserved to be deported just because of some of the mistakes he had in his life when he was young. We all deserve a second chance because nobody is perfect. This was a very touch ordeal that Pedro, Emily, Logan and her family had to endure. You could almost feel the sadness and loss of hope that Emily was experiencing as she was driving to the detention center in Lumpkin, GA. If Pedro had been deported it would have devastated the entire family. The legal fight to bring him back could have gone on for years. The judge believed that Pedro was indeed a changed man from when he first came to the country and knew that if he did deport him it would have been a lose-lose situation.
Agustin Garcia
Laura-
ReplyDeleteI liked how you mentioned that Pedro was an unfortunate victim of illegal immigration because after all it was his mother who brought him to the states at only eight years old. I wonder if that was also taken into consideration when they debated whether they would let him stay, or send him back to Guatemala. It would have been so sad had they sent him back because concerning he has been here since such a young age all he really knows is the American culture. All his friends and family are here so where would he have gone if they would have sent him back. I’m glad that the ultimate decision was to let him stay here and reunite with his family.
Brenda Castro
Since this is just one of many similar stories, what made you choose to write on this particular family's circumstances? Is this issue something that you are personally connected to because of something that happened in your life? Besides writing this, have you ever done anything else to get the word out about immigration issues?
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't even begin to imagine the way that these people felt during this whole ordeal. It is devastating to me to think that things like this occur far to frequently to many families here in the United States. I feel that something needs to be done immediately to fix this horrendous flaw in our immigration laws and policies. The author of this passage explained that the prosecutor of Pedro's case was 'dispassionate,' and I believe this is a major issue because we should only allow prosecutors who are passionate about their job, and taking the time to understand individual circumstances to take part in cases of this nature. Too many families are ripped apart each year because situations very similar to the one in this article.
Ashley Cockrell
Before witting this story what was in your opinion about people suffering from immigration problems? Do you think that this story can effect on a judge who takes decision about immigration? This is really a heart touching story about Emily Nelson Guzman AND Pedro Guzman. Pedro Guzman had been legal once with an annually work visa when he reapplied be mail in 200 he was r was sent back, a letter of rejection. And after that he was struggling. This is really heart touching because when Emily blogged “Bring Pedro home” says pain of Emily for her husband. MI-VIDA-LOCA, really states struggle and condition of Pedro’s mind about life. He is suffering with problems in his life and thinks his life as crazy. Tattoos on his lt hand MI-VIDA-LOCA. Are really vibrates heart of readers. I’m glad that this story ends up with happy ending and may be enforce to people to think about immigration problems. Pedro could a good America he loves his family……….vena kumari
ReplyDeleteTo the author:
ReplyDeleteBefore deciding to take on ANY immigration story, what was your personal stance? Has it changed since meeting this family? And have you had any personal experience with either a loved one or friend?
It's not every day such a positive story happens here in the US. How did you come across this particular family?
Do you feel that Pedro should have been locked up for as long as he was under the circumstances of his pending deportation?
Do you feel that justice prevailed with the release of Pedro? Or do you feel that this is an example of how our justice system needs to be changed? If so, do you have any recommendations or comments on how to change things?
How can we help other families in similar situations?
From my point of view:
I'll be honest, I was highly skeptical before reading this article. I was in the mindset that this would be another story of a person not going about the right channels to stay in this county. I'm very happy to be completely wrong. This was a great article and I'm glad that I had a chance to read it. This has definitely brought to light another side of an issue that I know so little about.
What made you choose this deportation case? I would think there would be many and each with a touching story. It was definitely a feel good story, but I knew that no matter what that family could continue to stay together. They would all have to relocate to Guatemala.
ReplyDeleteOlivia
Does Richard Fausset know this family or a member of the family? Where did he get this story from if he didn’t know any of them? What are his thoughts on immigration since he’s taking the time to write about it? Would Pedro only have had to leave the country before being accepted for reentry because of his past record? Who is the intended audience for this article? Do you think Pedro learned from his mistakes and can be a good American? Did Pedro truly not get the letter from the government? Who motivated Richard Fausset to write about immigration? Was it people in Pedro’s situation, or Emily’s, or possibly the children that have to live and see this happen in their families without complete understanding?
ReplyDeleteWhile I was reading this piece, I was glad that it was written because this is a big issue in the U.S and we cannot ignore the fact that it’s there. It gives people who read it a chance to know what some immigrants go through on a more personal level. I feel more for the children like Logan who are born into families with these struggles. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to be on the edge everyday wondering if my husband or father is going to be deported and taken from me. I’m sure scenarios similar to this one are repeated everyday throughout the U.S., but are hardly ever talked about. I mostly just hear that people are being detained or deported, but you hardly hear the story of the family and what they are personally going through. I’m happy for this family who ended up reunited and happy. I wish everyone in this situation could have this ending.
Lacey- It’s very interesting how you’re asking if he had a bond with the family because his portrayal of them can be very different if he did have a bond with them. I think him knowing the family and had a good bond with them could have lead him to the write the story the way he did. He’s questioning if Pedro can be a good American, but since the story is from the point of view of the family then I think he would want the readers to empathize with the family.
Brenda- I agree with you that there are many immigrants who don’t have the kind of support Pedro had and I think that alone makes a huge difference. Many immigrants are here by themselves with little or no family because they came here to send money to their families back home. Pedro was indeed lucky to have a support system like the one Emily and her family provided.
Liz Sanchez
The first question that comes to mind is how you felt as you wrote this article. I would like to know what you feelings toward illegal immigration were before you wrote the article and if writing this article in some way changed your feelings towards illegal immigrants. Another question I would ask the author would be what his feelings toward organized religion were and had this event changed those feelings. My thoughts toward immigration of Mexican and Central Americans would have the United States government reinstitute the bracero program used during the 1950’s for immigrants.
ReplyDeleteJim Adams
My questions to the author would be what was his stance on immigration before and after writing this article? Did your opinions changed after writing about this story? Did you form any kind of relationship with this family? Do you know how it affected the family as an overall?
ReplyDeleteI was happy to hear a happy ending turned out for Pedro, Emily, and for supporting family and friends. I wish there were many more stories as these when it involves the effects of immigration on immigrants but in actuality I can only imagine there are not. This family had to be a strong family is order to go through these kinds of issues. Immigration is a serious issue that affects so many people around us on a daily basis. It can be such as sad and devastating thing to watch a loved one being taken away for us and possibly for good. It’s a very emotional story that I hope gets better. I truly hope that these families stay strong and that they gain the support of many influential individuals who can really help situations as these.
Helen Rosario
A few questions I would ask would be:
ReplyDeleteWhat made you write about this particular subject?
After you met this family did it change your perspective on life?
Do you still keep in contact with the family?
This was a very heartwarming story. I think this story gives people hope. i couldnt imagine having to go everyday wondering if today was gunna be the day my family was going to be deported. Im glad this story was written so outsiders, like me, could see and understands what happens to immigrants. It truly makes me appreciate life more.
-Haley Garmon
What made you choose this story?
ReplyDeleteDo you know anyone in the story to prompt you to write this one?
What was the new immigration law that was passed in the story?
How do you feel about immigration laws and Pedro after you finished the story?
Was this your first immigration related article? Or do you feel that you will write more stories like this one?
First, I hope that nobody I know will have to go through this process and have to deal with the rough situations in which they are put in. In the beginning of the story, I felt sorry for Emily, Pedro, and their child. It’s amazing what they had to go through and neither of them have any idea of what was going to happen. I felt sorry for the kid because he does not deserve going through life without a father. I know my dad made a big impact on me and just thinking about him being gone is unbelievable. It sucks that Logan had to witness his dad being taken away. He will never forget that moment in his life. I guess the best part about this story is Pedro got to come home in the end. It’s amazing how little misdemeanors can have such a major impact on one’s life. People make mistakes when they are young, that should not be held against them when they get older and have become wiser. There are many people and families that do not get to experience of coming home, they get deported. This article makes everyone really think about the issue of immigration and hopefully here pretty soon we came solve it. Stories like this will continue to happen if nothing happens in Washington. The last thing I’ll say is that nobody deserves being taken away from their family because of an issue like this one. There has to be a better process in which we solve these kinds of problems.
Nealson Hanner
What is the reason you wrote this story?
ReplyDeleteDo you by any means relate to this family’s story?
Do you think residency should be granted to any immigrant who marries a U.S citizen & had at least one child together?
What do you consider to be an “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship?”
This particular story is heartbreaking; especially to me, since I can relate to it. You truly give detail and explain how the family, especially how Emily, feels about the situation. One of my cousins is experiencing a similar situation to Emily’s and Pablo’s. It just breaks my heart to see my cousin struggle every day trying to become a legal alien of the United States, so he can be by his wife and child’s side permanently without having the fear of being taken away from them. I would hate to be in Emily’s shoes or my cousin’s wife shoes, because it definitely would cause a burden on me. I could not help to imagine what actions I would take if I was in their shoes.
You also tell the story in a matter that makes me wonder if the government cares of our feelings. I mean, why does one have to show “exceptional and extremely unusual hardships” in order to be able to live with the love of one’s life?
Dacia Zamora
Tysanne Cullum- I, too, would hate to be in Emily’s position!
ReplyDeleteAna Garcia- I also got Goosebumps! Oh so sad!!
Dacia Zamora
Have you written articles like this before you wrote this one?
ReplyDeleteHave you written more articles that relate to this article since you have written this one?
Did you know the family previously to writing this article?
What was your stance on immigration laws previously to writing this and after writing this?
Did you write this article with any bias. or was it strictly factional?
Where are you from?
What made you write this article?
Do you do anything to help the immigration problem in the US?
I really enjoyed reading the story. I had my own opinion on the immigration laws here before I read your story, and now my opinions have changed. I have empathy for Pedro and his family, and now I realize that immigrants can be good Americans. Through your story I felt like I got to know the family and that made more of an impact on me than, it would have just telling the story without you giving all the background information. I was hoping for a happy ending because I felt like Pedro and his family deserved it. I am glad the way the case turned out and I hope Emily, Pedro, and Pablo are living happily and everything is going well for them. I would like to know what can I do on my part to help with the immigration problem in our country?
Ryan Barker
Stephanie, I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteRyan Barker
Dacia, I think you have really good questions.
ReplyDeleteRyan Barker
Laura, you make a good point that Pedro is a victim of illegal immigration because it was not his choice to sneak across the border into this country.
ReplyDeleteRyan Barker
A couple of questions I have for the author:
ReplyDelete*What is your current stance on illegal immigration and what was it before writing this article?
*Do you think that Pedro's past crimes should have had any affect on whether or not he would have been deported?
*Do you have any solutions for our current illegal immigration problem?
*Since Pedro was a truck driver, did he have a a driver's license? And if so, how did he acquire it?
I think that illegal immigration is a pretty big problem that somehow never seems to be fully addressed. On the right, many feel that illegal immigrants should just be rounded up and deported as quickly as possible. But on the left, they seem to think that there isn't any problem with illegal immigration and that all of these immigrants should be allowed to remain here. There really isn't any middle ground between these two opposing philosophies.
I'm a bit unsure how to judge Pedro. On the one hand, his mother smuggled him into the United States while he was still quite young. He never intended to immigrate to the US on his own. And now that is has lived most of his life here, he has gotten married and started a family. Yet on the other hand, he does have quite a background, including drug possession, theft, and that hit and run of a cyclist.
I'm split. My heart is glad that his family was allowed to remain intact, and I want to feel bad for what he has gone through. Yet my brain is saying that he has committed some pretty significant crimes. I'm just not sure where the line is.
-Matthew Jeffries
As I was reading this I started thinking, "oh great, more of the US bureaucracy in action." It's upsetting to see good people get jammed up on some ticky-tacky bureaucratic rules that don't take into account the bigger picture. This is a happy family here, at they are trying to be. They aren't violent criminals. Even with the man's supposed criminal record. Marijauna citations are a waste of time unless they are gangsters slanging dope. He clearly wasn't. The hit and run is certainly tragic, but it's not as if he meant to hit the guy. Cycling at night just seems like a terrible idea to begin with. There's so many better things the government can be doing than trying to deport this man. He seems like a good guy just trying to make a living. Everyone makes mistakes. As I was reading this I pulling for him and a return to his family.
ReplyDeleteQuestions
Is there any way we can improve the immigration system/laws?
In what areas has our current immigration system succeeded/failed?
What was your motivation for writing this article?
-Kyle Bennett
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you that he was the victim of illegal immigration, since he didn't have any control over that due to his young age.
Ryan,
I know what you mean. I share similar opinions about illegal immigration. I can't say that my view has necessarily changed, but I do understand the other perspective.
Kyle,
I agree with you that the marijuana citations are not a really big deal and hopefully that alone would not lead to someone's deportation. But, as for the cyclist, it's hard for me to look past that, even if Pedro didn't mean to hit him.
-Matthew Jeffries
Questions about this article……
ReplyDeleteMy initial thoughts on this article were that this author showed great compassion towards Pedro and his family during their ordeal. But as I read it again I began to wonder if you (the author) were trying to get the reader to read between the lines (about what he did and didn’t do) as you laid out the timelines of Pedro’s life. Is that what you were doing? If not, is that why it seems to be so slanted towards compassion for Pedro and his family? If so, why didn’t you address an issue here that seems to be screaming at me? That is actions, consequences and accountability. Actions, both good and bad, come with consequences whether you’re an immigrant or not, and you don’t seem to address this issue at all. Why? As I read the story it seems to be a very valid part of it.
The article first mentions that he was arrested 19 months earlier. Is that a normal amount of time for an immigration detention center to house someone before they see a judge? If that’s the case, it’s inexcusable. Are these centers that backed up with immigrants? Or are there limited resources to hear their cases? Was his arrest simply because his name was on a list because of his mother’s denial of legal residency? Could it be possible he was arrested in part because his name was also on a rap sheet that could have issued an arrest warrant because of the many arrests he had never cleared up? Could that have been a contributing factor? Would he have otherwise slipped through the cracks of the immigration issue if he didn’t have an arrest record? You tell such a sympathetic story of his continual string of bad luck, but is that really true? Could it then be possible he put his own family through more heartache than was necessary by his own actions and lack of accountability?
Pedro does admit to the pot busts (or teenage indiscretions) as you described. Do you believe he doesn’t remember a theft charge in Minnesota? And was the destruction of property charge really a big misunderstanding? Do you believe he never really received the letter? And if he never received the letter, how did he know he was going to be deported? Did he think something was wrong when he was denied a work visa or did this happen after the hit and run? He was 28 years old when the hit and run occurred -- did he feel any accountability towards it? And aren’t the consequences to all of his predicaments his to own? Did all of these things help to advance his arrest rather than just the immigration issue?
I will be first in line to say I’m glad he was able to stay because no eight year old should be brought to this country for a better life and then 20+ years later be forced to return to a native country that he is completely oblivious to. I’m glad the judge hearing the case was ultimately able to see the bigger picture – that another generation has been born into this immigration mess and a family would be destroyed by sending Pedro away. On another level, I’d like to know from the judge if he is swayed in his decisions by the many factors that surround the illegal immigration issue – healthcare, corrections, college tuition, ESL education, driver’s licenses, and our borders all come to mind.
Theresa F.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you that he was the victim of illegal immigration, since he didn't have any control over that due to his young age.
Ryan,
I know what you mean. I share similar opinions about illegal immigration. I can't say that my view has necessarily changed, but I do understand the other perspective.
Kyle,
I agree with you that the marijuana citations are not a really big deal and hopefully that alone would not lead to someone's deportation. But, as for the cyclist, it's hard for me to look past that, even if Pedro didn't mean to hit him.
-Matthew Jeffries
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I had to google the Bracero program that you mentioned in your write-up. From what I read, a program like that would work if the interest is in temporary field labor. I think we would be dealing with illegal immigration issues again though if families want to come to America for a better way of life (which was the case of Pedro).
Theresa F.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote down a lot of things I was thinking about much more eloquently than I ever could of possibly expressed. I do think there is a slant towards Pedro, and maybe there should be more accountability on his part.
-Matthew Jeffries