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Man In U.S. Illegally Hopes For Change In Immigration Law

DETROIT (WWJ) - They're trying to put a face on a proposed change in immigration law.

Francisco Ascensia has been in the U.S. illegally for 13 years. Ascensia was recently detained, and now wants to become a U.S. citizen. But that requires returning to Mexico for a visa.

Current law says any immigrant here for more than a year who then leaves -- can't return for 10 years.

His wife Lydia says it's been a difficult journey for her family.

"Their father - he was away for two months and it was so hard, difficult for me and my children to have him separated for two months I can not imagine 10 years - him being away," said Lydia.

The proposed change in U.S. Immigration Rules - could benefit illegals with U.S. families.

"Well my family needs their father," said Lydia."We are married, we have three children, we raised our three children here, we pay taxes - we are trying to do all the right things," said Lydia.

"I was away from them for two months and I went to sleep every night thinking about them - what happens if they don't take me back and I can't see my kids no more," said Ascensia.

Ascensia is working with "The Alliance for Immigrants Rights & Reforms" in Michigan and is hopeful a proposed change to allow an end to the "10-year ban" is approved by year's end.

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