US immigration policy changed by Las Vegas family persistence

US immigration has adopted a new policy which may help thousands of families wanting to migrate to the USA

Edith Fawkes arrived in Las Vegas in 2002 from Mexico, and soon met and married an American citizen. After their marriage, the couple began immigration procedures to bring Edith’s son Bryan form Mexico to live with them but, during an immigration interview, the official misunderstood a statement made by the boy, whose commend of English was poor.

Believing Bryan had lied by saying he was an American citizen, the immigration department permanently banned the boy from entering the country. His mother kept up the fight to have him admitted, eventually approaching Senator Reid, who took up her case.

Three years on, the Department of Homeland Security agreed that a change in policy as regards statements by children was necessary. From now on, officials will no longer be able to hold statements made by minors against them and deny them entry as a result.

Speaking to the press after Bryan was reunited with his family, Senator Reid stated that the case illustrated exactly why a strong dose of common sense and justice needs to be brought into the immigration process through comprehensive reform. He added that the situation the young boy and his mother had found themselves in due to a misunderstanding was no good for America’s image or its reputation.

Edith’s persistence and the help of a US senator means the family is together under one roof at last. It’s hoped, according to Senator Reid, that many more families can be reunited due to this and other immigration reforms.