While I have great sympathy for people in “Gloria”s position, it is still the responsibility of the parent to assure compliance with the law. The article does not say if Gloria’s mother is still here, has died or returned to her home country.
Most countries grant citizenship by blood (“Jus sanquinis” – Wikipedia) and not by location (“jus loci”). The U.S.A. should change its laws regarding citizenship to conform with what the rest of the world practices. We have a naturalization process. People already here like Gloria should be given a period under which to register, naturalize and conform with our laws (provided that they have no criminal record either here or their home country.
An annually renewable “guest worker” program should be established with a sunset provision (5 years?) and “anchor babies” should be prohibited. Immigration should be restricted, as well. Many years ago, a sponsor was required in order to immigrate to the United States, which is why my German aunt and uncle were forced to immigrate to Canada after Germany was devastated during World War II. The role of the sponsor was to look after the immigrant, help them assimilate (including compliance with the law and learning English) and assist them with food, housing, and other economic assistance until such time as the statute required. Immigrates were much like adopted children, in that regard. I still remember the annual public service announcements on television reminding aliens to re-apply or otherwise renew or update address, occupation, etc. on their “green cards.” There is no excuse not to have such a program.
Now that we have become more of a socialist welfare state, the taxpayer often picks up a significant portion of those expenses on an indirect basis, another significant but important question. Also, there needs to be a limit as to how many immigrants can enter the country every year.
I think American citizens would be even more sympathetic if lawful immigrants made a whole-hearted attempt to learn to read, write and speak our language (English) and to otherwise assimilate as it appears that “Gloria” has done.