US Citizens? Deported?

Added: (Sat Nov 11 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - US CITIZENS? DEPORTED?

Tonight I attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. However, this wasn’t the everyday Court of Honor for an ordinary Eagle Scout. This was a Court of Honor for an exceptional young man who has worked hard, on his own, and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of fifteen. He comes from a Canadian family who have lived here in the United States since the year of 2000.

The Tanner family is an exceptional family of ten. Yes, these wonderful parents have eight children and have been strong enough to raise each one of their children with strong religious beliefs and morals. In 2000, Don Tanner practically gave away his life as a Master Mechanic in Canada. He owned his own shop and made a very prosperous living doing so. He felt that he would like to become a Nurse and sought to do so in the United States. He was sponsored and came to Utah to work.

His family supported his wishes, in fact, the family made this choice together. After moving to Utah in 2000, he began his new career. Through tough financial times, they continued to make their dreams come true. They decided they wanted to become “Americans”. Mr. Tanner often worked two jobs at a time to make the needed money to support his very large family. He and his wife accepted callings as Elders Quorum and Primary Presidents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They have had three of their children also accept like callings. Two are actively serving as Presidents in their church groups.

This family has gone through many struggles, always trying to do the right thing and always trying to help others. Don Tanner’s father became seriously ill and was invited to live with them in their West Point, Utah home. Though Don was often working to support the family, his wife Tammy was willing to take care of her father-in-law herself. I often saw her following him around the block, allowing him to go for his desired walk. One day his passing came, only adding to the struggles and endurance of this family.

While living here in the USA, this family has been honest, trustworthy, and loyal to this county. They have paid their taxes, been a part of the community, and brought more good to the people around them than they have ever received.

They have had two of their children graduate from High School, all of the others are still in school and each moving in the same direction. Of the two that are graduates, they have both been attending college. They have both made the decision to continue their education, and of course, Don (their dad) has been working to ensure they can continue their education.

Mark Tanner (the new Eagle Scout) did his Eagle Scout Project; cleaning up a pond that those who are citizens of this country have chosen to trash and vandalize. His project is a great example of the lives of each one of the members of this wonderful family. In May of this year, the United States flag was flown above the Utah State Capital in behalf of Mark Tanner and his accomplishments he obtained to receive his Eagle Scout. This is not something generally done for just any Eagle Scout.

Why do I write all this about this family?

I want to explain what the United States is giving back to these great “Americans” who only dream of becoming citizens of this country while many of us take for granted our own citizenship. They have recently been informed that they cannot stay in the USA any longer. They must move back to Canada on their own, or be deported.

Yes, that’s it! Nothing more. They are told to go!

I have lived here my whole life and have learned from them than I have from many others. Frankly, I love this family and it would be a great injustice that our country, or we as citizens, allow the deportation of people who bring such a strength to our community. Yes, they do make our country better. If we sit back and allow them to be kicked out, we are allowing this country to go backwards.

How is this happening this way? Have you ever called a business and talked to someone about their company policies or procedures you must follow to meet the requirements of a goal you desired? Have you received an answer from one person only to find out that the answer you were given was incorrect? It requires you to go back and fix it later, Right?

In this case Don Tanner was required to renew a work permit in order to continue to legally work in the USA. When he talked to someone about it, he was told that since he had his other paperwork in process, he wasn’t required to do anything more and all requirements had been met. Later it was determined that he had been working in the United States illegally for about eleven months. It was not because of an unwillingness to comply with policy. It was simply the direction he was given and the mis-understanding of the policies and procedures. After six years of trying to meet all the requirements, after six years of working hard and really trying to do it the right way, and after over $10,000 the family has paid in application fees to the United States Government alone, this family has been told they can’t be citizens of our country and are no longer welcome here because of mis-information and an eleven month problem.

This family consists of two parents, a twenty year old, four teenagers, a twelve year old, a ten year old, and a nine year old. I watched the excitement of the children as it went from the exciting anticipation of waiting for the letter that tells them they can be United States Citizens to the discouragement that is indescribable.

The crazy thing is they don’t even get a chance to fix the problem. There is no appeal and there is no recourse. Our system has simply given the wrong information, blamed it on them, and turned its back.

Ask yourself. Is this something you should fight for, or do we want this to be representation of the United States of America. Now, Mark Tanner, an Eagle Scout “made in America” has been presented with a flag of the Untied States of America which was flown over the Utah State Capital. He and his family have been rejected from this very same county this flag represents and have been given only one place to fly this special United States Flag. He must fly it in Canada.

You may call me at: 801-690-1439

Written by,

Eric Braegger

Police Officer
&
Business Owner