Immigration Law Taking Toll On Families

A Green Country woman is lashing out at Oklahoma's immigration law after her husband was deported.

The News On 6's Chris Wright reports since 10 undocumented workers were arrested in Mayes County on Wednesday; we have received several calls from U.S. citizens who are married to illegals.

They are worried their spouses may be seized. Julia Quiroz says it has already happened.

"I'm still baffled. We don't know why, we really don't know why.  We've been trying to figure this out ever since this happened," said Quiroz.

Pictures are all Quiroz has left of Juan, her husband of eight years.  The construction foreman was picked up at his job in Owasso on March 31st.  He was deported to Mexico four days later.  Left behind are Julia, and the four grandchildren the couple was raising.

"I miss him being there for the kids.  Cause when it comes five o'clock and the kids ask what time dad is coming home, it hurts, it really hurts," said Quiroz.

Julia showed The News On 6 her husband's social security number, vehicle registration and tax records.  She says Juan was in the process of getting a green card, but did not have one.

Her lawyers say Juan did not show up for a hearing in immigration court four years ago.  Without his knowledge, an order of removal was issued and authorities finally acted on it last month.

Julia is still stunned.

"I don't know if I'm going to lose my house, my truck, where I'm gonna be at. Just because my sole provider is taken from me, and it's not fair," said Quiroz.

Julia says she empathizes with the families of the 10 illegal aliens arrested in Mayes County this week.  Like Hispanic leaders, she blames those arrests, as well as her husband's, on Oklahoma's tough new immigration law.

"I blame it totally on that bill, totally.  From the time we were married in 2000, it took eight years to do it?" said Quiroz.

His lawyer says that Juan still has a shot at getting a green card, and if he does, he could be allowed back into the country.