The Story from APM

All In The (Undocumented) Family

Thursday, November 02 2006

ALL IN THE (UNDOCUMENTED) FAMILY

Last Thursday, President Bush signed a bill to build fences along the Mexican border, but Congress has yet to approve comprehensive immigration reform. The issue remains a flashpoint in political debates this month.

Meanwhile, immigration enforcement officials continue to raid work sites which employ illegal immigrants.

Dick talks to two families in Florida who are watching this news with increasing anxiety: a construction company owner and two undocumented Mexicans - married to each other -- whom she employs.

Their relationship extends far beyond the construction site, though. She is now the godmother to their new daughter.  And the Mexican couple are now the appointed legal guardians for her child.

Your Story - Diane Chamberlain

Diane Chamberlain started having panic attacks in the first grade--she perspired in the classroom. Her heart raced.  She had trouble swallowing.

"When I was two, I cowered under my uncle's picnic table, afraid of his dog, his pool and the plane flying overhead.  'If you don't get her help now, this will only get worse,' my uncle, a psychologist, told my parents.  My parents ignored his advice and my uncle's prediction came true. I stopped speaking in school in the first grade. I wore my glasses to bed, fearing I would go blind without them...."

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