11/26/2014
Tens of Thousands of Illegals may potentially start off Legal Citizenship behind Bars as Tax Evaders
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It's been just five days since President Obama announced his executive order on immigration and still many questions remain unanswered.
Few details have been released but immigration advocacy groups are already preparing those whom it will benefit before it is signed.
Ambaro Martinez has four children, all of whom are U.S. citizens.
Under president Obama's executive order she hopes to gain legal status.
"I have a lot of hope, a lot of hope, and it's more than just staying here," Martinez said.
Martinez is one of hundreds of immigrants attending an information workshop put on by La Union del Pueblo Entero in San Juan.
"For me it’s very important the decision that was made,” Martinez said. “I came for the orientation so I will know everything I have to do so I won’t have to scared anymore."
LUPE special projects coordinator Tania Chavez says the organization is telling their members now is not the time to hire an attorney.
"There isn't an application yet available and they shouldn’t be paying any money or deposits for signing up on any lists because nothing exists yet," Chavez said.
What they should be doing is gathering paper work and paying taxes.
"It will be proof they are living here and are productive members of society and that will help with their immigration status," Liberty Tax general manager David Perez said.
Perez says immigrants should be preparing now for immigration reform.
"They need to be filing their tax returns with their children, that is the law and it will help them on their tax return. Every time they don't declare things like income or dependents, those are things that will hinder them from becoming citizens because it looks like they are lying or hiding something. Being open and honest is the best path in life in general and this will help them toward citizenship,” Perez said.
The Mexican government praises the presidents order.
"We see it as a way of recognizing the value of the migrant community in the United States of America," Jose Alberto Navarro said, consul for political and press affairs at the Mexican consulate in McAllen.
The Mexican consulate in McAllen is warning Mexican citizens to be aware of fraud.
"We know today there is no application forms or payment so it’s important for Mexican nationals to be aware of this and be aware of fraud,” Navarro said.
The threat of fraud is why many are looking to LUPE for what they should do next.
"They are being very cautious but willing to be educated,” Chavez said. “They don't want to come in and file paperwork just yet because they think back to two years ago when deferred action was rolled out there was a two month waiting period before it finally came out."
If you any questions about how the immigration executive order will affect your family, LUPE will be holding another workshop in San Juan Wednesday at ten On the corner of Cesar Chavez Road and Business 83 in San Juan.
The Mexican consulate says they too will be holding information meetings when more details are released.
For more information Mexican citizens can call the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans at 1-855-463-6395 or download he free smartphone app ‘MiConsulmex.’
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