Belouniss had a 90-day visa. After that period, she needed to reapply for her visa or apply for permanent residence. She did neither. Why? Her nonviolent dispute with her husband is not the reason she faces deportation. It’s the reason the authorities found out she’s here illegally.

To make an analogy, when my driver’s license expires, I had better apply for a new license. It’s a simple procedure that I can’t brush off as unimportant or unnecessary. Driving without a license can be serious (but not as serious as deportation). After you get caught, it is not the time to make excuses.

Belouniss must realize the importance of following our laws and applying for citizenship, especially if her husband is a U.S. citizen. If the Herald thinks the U.S. immigration policy is absurd, it needs to find a better example of that than Sonia Belouniss.

Dave Norman

Durango