In 1975, there was a sitcom on ABC-TV called “Hot L Baltimore.” It was a comedy about a seedy Baltimore hotel (the “E” in the hotel sign was burned out), and the people who lived there. There were prostitutes, illegal aliens and probably the first gay couple in a TV sitcom. Norman Lear produced it and it lasted only one season.
In one episode, a very likable, hard working Hispanic laborer (who lived in the hotel) got a traffic ticket and the next thing you know, he is about to be deported. According to the plot, he had a legitimate reason for being permitted to stay in this country (my memory is vague on that issue). The Immigration judge was not willing to listen to his lawyer and things looked bleak. Then, one of the hotel prostitutes recognized the judge as one of her regular customers. She was able to persuade the judge not to deport her friend. As the show was closing, the prostitute announced, “That’s what I love about this country. The system works!”
Some years back, a young Russian woman (yes, she had a green card) would ride to work with our carpool. She was proud of her Russian heritage and even though she had been in this country long enough to apply for citizenship, she had decided to remain a citizen of Russia. I talked to her about becoming a US citizen and she would politely tell me that she was happy with her situation.
Shortly after 9/11, she told me that when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, she felt they were attacking her country. And, at that time, she decided to become a US citizen.
The paperwork is somewhat daunting. Eventually she found the necessary document, filed the paperwork and met with an Immigration’s examiner. He required one additional document which she provided the next day. She was told she would hear from them shortly. A month went by. Three months went by. After about six months, I volunteered to call and find out what was the hold up. The Immigration people I called were alway polite, but were never in a position to answer my questions. They did not have her records. I asked if I could contact the people who had the records and was told that that was impossible. “If they were answering the phones all day, they wouldn’t get any work done.” They advised that they would forward my inquiry to the people with the records. It was like Catch 22. I could call and have a polite, friendly conversation with someone who had no information on the matter and when I hung up, I had accomplished zip. This went on for a couple of months.
Then, I realized that I knew an Immigration judge. Wayne Iskra was a former JAG and a good friend. I finally had the opportunity to sit down with him and explain my friend’s plight. When I was done, Wayne smiled and said, “I was afraid your friend was getting ready to be deported.” I guess I wasn’t the first to ask a favor. Wayne took the information and said he would call me. A few days later, he called and said everything was in order and how would she like to be sworn in the next week. Wayne would personally swear her in.
And that’s what happened. She was sworn in the following Tuesday. At the end of the ceremony (which was just for her), I thought to myself. That’s what I love about this country. The system works!
