Jose Gutierrez - Tazered into Coma

Jose Gutierrez 

Age 41, US resident since childhood 

Received Grave Injury at Arizona Border  

While Trying to Re-enter After Deportation

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/04/jose_gutierrez_taser_coma_arizona_border_deported.php

There seem to be some contradictions in this story.  Jose Gutierrez's, wife, Shena Wilson, states he has lived in the USA since coming here as a child and never returned to Mexico.  But CBP states he was deported on a prior occasion so the deportation after his immigration hearing March 21, 2011 would be his second deportation.   

Apparently at some point, there may have been a DUI that did not involve injuries.  Many will see that as grounds for deportation as it may be viewed as a serious offense.  Yes, it is serious.  But also remember George W Bush was elected President of the United States with a DUI under his belt.  

Jose Gutierrez is a rather common name, could there have been an identity mix-up along the processing trail?  Yes. 

Do I condone illegal entry?  NO!  But then he wasn't sneaking across the desert or swimming the Rio Grande.  He was at a normal border crossing point which should have been staffed by an adequate number of agents to contain an unarmed man.   

Unfortunately there is no reasonable means for those brought here as children to resolve their undocumented status.  It is particularly unrealistic to expect them, to return to countries they do not know, where they have no support system.  For those born in Mexico, they must get documentation matters resolved in Juarez Mexico.  It's also known as the "Murder Capital" of the Americas.   

This article mentions how costly the process is but doesn't elaborate the details.  

• Even when married to US citizens it may require the undocumented spouse return to Mexico and remain there, away from spouse and children, for between 1 year and 10 years.  Then, there is no guarantee US residency will be approved. 
• It's often difficult for young families to afford one household in the US.  Now they need to pay for one in Mexico as well. 
• If working, the now one parent US household with children may have additional expenses for child care.   And reduced resources with the loss of spouse.
• Could the US spouse and children go to Mexico and live during that time?  Maybe, if they want to risk their children and themselves becoming potential kidnapping and/or murder victims.  
• Consider the practical matters, how will they support themselves during that time period?  And can they get the necessary documentation to do so?
• The left behind citizens are likely to be forced by economics on to Public Assistance programs.  Who does that help?  Certainly not taxpayers. 
• The process is likely to permanently break-up marriages, creating long term economic poverty for those who were once self sufficient households.  Resulting in those children growing up in poverty because of an unrealistic government policy. 
• Additionally they can expect legal fees, document fees and processing fees on both sides of the border.

Yes, some people are making money on this process so changing it will be difficult.

Do I understand why Jose Guitierrez would attempt to reenter when he has children here, and one of those children has been hospitalized?  Yes.  

In the United States divorced parents are often granted court ordered "parenting time" even when one parent has committed an egregious crime.  Courts recognize how important it is to growing children to know both parents.  Yet, we routinely deport parents - even married parents - separating their children from that same contact.

Some could consider the US a country with a bi-polar disorder! 
There is little doubt that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have stressful jobs.  Our immigration system is broken and they are in the position of enforcing laws that separate families in the course of their duties which also includes searching for contraband, such as drugs and guns.  Should an immigration violation or even a resisting arrest violation, with an unarmed subject, at a location with multiple agents present result in injuries like this?  Not normally.

Winners:  Righteous policy makers & bureaucrats
Losers:  Hospital System, Taxpayers, Jose Gutierrez, Shena Wilson, 2 small children (not in that order)

Death in Juarez

http://blogs.forbes.com/oshadavidson/2011/04/07/a-death-in-juarez-how-u-s-immigration-policy-is-tearing-american-families-apart/#post_comments

The $66 million fortress of a consulate is surrounded by a moat of heavily armed men, who guard it against an almost unimaginably brutal civil war raging just outside the golden zone. Ciudad Juárez, population 1.3 million, is sometimes called the “murder capital of the Americas”—a fitting description for a city that has seen roughly 7,000 killings in less than three years, including more than 3,100 last year.

Located just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, Juárez is ground zero in a bloody clash between the Mexican government and the drug cartels that feed Americans’ craving for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The “narco-war” includes turf battles between rival cartels. Since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderón launched a military offensive against the cartels, officials put the national death toll at more than 30,000.

Seem like the US should move the facility to the United States.  That would help our economy and allow for better protection of area residents, not to mention consulate workers while giving the US citizen families more peace of mind.

Immigration foes are working to tear the United States apart.  Some argue "states rights" and endorse succession from the United States. (That seems extremist in my book.)  In doing so they are fueling problems not only in the United States but in other countries as well.  It's unfortunate (to say the least) that so many people believe the false information that these groups spread.

Our lives are hectic today.  Many people are busy trying to raise families and make ends meet.  As a result they don't have the time or energy to think about issues they don't believe directly affect them.  But immigration impacts all of us.  Thinking people including religious leader, teachers and lawmakers need to look at this issue and THINK.

The conversation needs a new direction.   
For starters, the Visa processing center needs to be moved from Juarez to the United States, if not for everyone, definitely for those who are family of United States citizens.

In 2009, more than 94,000 Mexicans came to Juárez to apply for permanent resident status. Many, like Monica’s husband Alvaro, were undocumented and living gainfully in the United States. In past decades, applying would have been no big deal for such people. Thanks partly to a 1965 Great Society law that emphasized the need to keep families intact, applicants already living in the United States could petition for a change of status without having to leave.

Isn't it better to keep those dollars in the United States?  Isn't it better for the safety and peace of mind of Consulate workers?  Isn't it better for the citizen family members of applicants?