PORT ARTHUR-By: Leslie Rangel
Senators unveiled a new plan in Washington to break the gridlock on immigration reform. The "Super 8" senators as they are being called are made up of four Republicans and four Democrats.
The plan has four main elements including offering a path for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, creating a system to better document employment and improving the system for granting worker permits for people coming to the United States.
A Port Arthur College student tells KFDM he knows first hand what it feels like to live in the shadows worried about deportation.
Juan Rodriguez has an active voice in immigration issues, his most recent trip took him to Washington D.C. to lobby for immigration reform. He says he's working to bring change for his parents and others who are undocumented.
"My parents still have to struggle to see them not able to go visit my grandfather that was diagnosed with cancer," Rodriguez says.
He says his parents aren't the only ones who have experienced the struggles. His dream was to become a Longhorn at the University of Texas at Austin.
"I was unable to attend because of my undocumented status, I was devastated, heart broken," Rodriguez says, fighting back emotions.
Rodriguez applied for a student work permit in 2012. A time when early reforms like Deferred Action allowed undocumented students to avoid deportation. Saturday he received his social security card, he says it changed his life forever.
"After 20 years of living in the shadows, not being able to do anything, today for the first time, I'm finally receiving my social security card," Rodriguez said in a YouTube video he uploaded for friends.
He says it's modern day civil rights he hopes Congress will help change.
"I basically grew up thinking I was American and I may not be American but I'm American from heart," Rodriguez told KFDM News.
Congressman Steve Stockman of Southeast Texas released a statement saying he could not agree with the senators' proposals.
"I cannot and will not support any immigration reform proposal that institutes an amnesty program or does not begin with a comprehensive plan to secure the borders," Stockman says.
President Obama unveils his immigration reform agenda Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Suspect sought after man fatally shot at Southlake
- Funeral Saturday for Dallas firefighter Wilson
- Texan could get life term, $5M fine over meth ring
- Man pleads guilty to stabbing Border Patrol dog
- Urban renewal? Big US cities in Texas, elsewhere show strong growth
- Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment
- Ex-DA testifies in own defense in bribery trial
- Fire Marshal's Office: Panel had blast site access
- Texas House Democrat Eiland won't seek re-election
- Legislature OKs measure mitigating libel lawsuits
- Senator: Assaults let military culture continue
- Threat of North Dakota dam failure may be easing
- Teen birth rates decline in most US states
- Ohio kidnap case hero gets burgers for life
- Winners of the 79th National Headliner Awards
- Youngest Okla. tornado victims remembered by kin
- $2B in Okla. tornado damage means hard recovery
- Nearly all US states see hefty drop in teen births
- Hillary Clinton accepts humanitarian award in NYC
- Fire Marshal's Office: Panel had blast site access
- Gunmen kill 4 Iraqi soldiers north of Baghdad
- Bulgaria: Ex-PM fails to form new government
- US family leaves Singapore frustrated with inquest
- Simultaneous car bomb attacks in Niger
- UN chief arrives in Goma, Congo
- Report: Rafsanjani blasts Iran's rulers
- Pakistan arrested American who was killed by drone
- Czech police seek US man suspected of 4 murders
- Heat wave causes power outages, anger in India
- Syria opposition welcomes support for Assad ouster
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Bernanke signals Fed to maintain stimulus efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise.
Get This
SWINGERS CLUB LAWSUIT-VEGAS
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- David Cooper wants to bring a little more sin -- to Sin City.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: TEEN ONLINE FAREWELL SONG ATTRACTS MILLIONS OF VIEWS
LAKELAND, Minn. (AP) -- High school student Zach Sobiech (SOH'-bee-eck) says he wanted to be remembered as "a kid who went down fighting and didn't really lose."
