PARENT’S ATTEMPT TO COMMIT ASYLUM FRAUD HARMS KIDS

The story of the Arreola family of Porterville, California, has captured the attention of people in the state’s Central Valley region, and generating debate about who is responsible for the hardships that immigration law enforcement has on the families of people who violate those laws. Esidronio Arreola, a Mexican citizen, entered the U.S. illegally, and in an effort to avoid deportation filed an admittedly fraudulent political asylum claim. He, and other family members who are in the U.S. illegally, including his 16-year-old daughter, now face deportation. Immigrant advocacy groups point to the predicament of the children in urging that the family be allowed to stay. “Most Americans are compassionate people, but they recognize that laws must be enforced,” commented Ira Mehlman of FAIR to the Fresno Bee. “Every one of us has to live with the consequences of the decisions our parents made. The good ones and the bad ones,” he added.