Coronado, a California native, works as a government-certified consultant at Catholic Charities; the office assists about 5,000 clients every year with immigration questions.
For example, Coronado knows that of the more than 30 U.S. Customs and Immigration Services sub-offices nationwide, only the Fresno office requires a word-for-word English translation of a birth certificate, while other offices accept a summary version.
The complexity of the laws makes it easy for people to fall victim to unscrupulous attorneys, said Coronado.
Attorneys tell their clients they can file for asylum even if they come from a country like Mexico, which doesn't qualify for traditional asylum status.
The attorneys will take a client's money, file the application and get their client a temporary work permit, said Coronado. But when that expires and the asylum application gets denied, a judge can issue a deportation order.
He's also seen cases of people signing voluntary departure orders -- meaning they must leave the country -- without realizing what the document means.
"It's heartbreaking," said Coronado. "There is definitely a need for reform.
"There are a lot of people that have been hiding in the shadows, waiting for a chance to legalize, and it hasn't happened."
For information about immigration laws, contact Catholic Charities, 336 W. Main Street, Merced, 383-2494 or check out the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site at www.uscis.gov.
