Nov 12, 2006 4:16 pm US/Central
Son Of Illegal Immigrant Heads To Mexico For Help
by Mai Martinez
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The son of an illegal Mexican immigrant is headed to Mexico Sunday to ask for help.
His mother has been fighting deportation by U.S. authorities for months by taking refuge in a West Side church.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports the little boy has become a somewhat experienced voice for his mom's cause.
For months, Elvira Arellano's 7-year-old son, Saul, has been talking to U.S. lawmakers and asking them for help. He has even made several trips to Washington D.C. hoping to talk to President Bush.
So far, his efforts have not been successful, but he's hoping a trip to Mexico might change that.
At first glance Elvira and her son, Saul, look like any other mother and son saying goodbye, but Saul is not leaving on a regular trip.
The 7-year-old is preparing to meet with lawmakers in his mother's native Mexico to ask them to help her. Saul is making the trip because his mother can not.
"Saulito say to me you stay home because you go to Mexico, it's probably you don't come back," Elvira Arellano said.
Elvira Arellano is an illegal immigrant fighting deportation. She was to surrender to U.S. authorities Aug. 15. She has sought refuge in a Humboldt Park church.
Since then her son, who is a U.S. citizen, has traveled to Washington several times begging lawmakers and President Bush to let his mother and others in her situation stay in the U.S.
"He could let all the moms and dads here with their families," Saul said.
Saul did not get a meeting President Bush, but he's hoping to have more success with Mexican lawmakers, who are currently considering a resolution which would force Mexican President Vincente Fox to help Elvira and others in similar situations.
"It's important for the congressman and senators from Mexico City help me and help other families," Elvira said.
Elvira Arellano says she's very happy about what her son is doing to help her, but she fears she may be arrested and deported while he's gone. It's a fear shared by her son, but her supporters here in Chicago say they will not let that happen.
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