Despite having lived in Los Angeles for 19 years, Daniel is not interested in the discussion on immigration reform, since it is a topic that will not have any effect on his life.

Daniel, whose name has been changed due to his immigration status, was detained last Tuesday when he ran into a Border Patrol checkpoint in Murrieta, California, on his way to his construction job. After signing his agreement for voluntary departure, he was deported to Tijuana, [Mexico].

“I was alone. When I saw the patrol I couldn’t get out of the way. The first thing I thought about were my children and my wife who would be left alone in the United States,” said Daniel.

When they detained him, he did not resist or try to deny that he was undocumented. Several other men, who, like him, had been on their way to construction jobs, arrived at a detention center with Daniel.

“I sought help from the consulate, but it didn’t help. When my wife called the Mexican Brotherhood, they warned her that I shouldn’t sign the departure agreement but it was too late, I had already done it,” Daniel laments. “Now, not even with the immigration reform can I legalize my immigration status,” he added.

Daniel, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, is only one example of the millions of undocumented immigrants who would be affected if immigration reform were approved, as it is currently being debated. Daniel said that he lived in Los Angeles for 16 years, has been filing taxes since 1989, and does not have a criminal record. However, the initiative that is being debated in the Senate does not consider people who have been deported, who, despite having lived in the country for many years, would not receive any benefit.

“I’m not in agreement with the immigration reform. It doesn’t take into account the time I have been in the United States, the taxes I have paid since I got here, what I have contributed,” said Daniel, 35, who currently resides in a migrant home called the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, waiting to cross the border again.

“I’m going to look for someone to help me cross. I’ve already asked for the money for the first payment. I asked my wife to stay calm because she was very nervous,” he said. “I’m going to cross the border any way I can. My family is there. I left my whole life behind in Los Angeles, and even if they say it is illegal to return, what other option do I have?”

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) told Hoy that between October 1, 2006 and April 16, 2007, there were 125,405 undocumented immigrants who got deported, with around 5,698 coming from Los Angeles. None of them will have the opportunity to seek legalization.

Jorge Maria Cabrera of the Central American Resource Center said that, in effect, the Senate proposal does not consider an opportunity for legalization or pardon for these people.

“If they have already been deported, they cannot enter based on the new plan,” said Cabrera. “If they sign a voluntary departure order that would be a reason they would not qualify.”

Luis Kendzierski, a Catholic priest and director of the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, stated his opinion that, with or without the reform, the flow of immigrants will continue, even if there is an increase in the number of immigration agents or if walls are constructed.