I would like to clear up some of the misinformation about Rosa Sabido, in sanctuary in Mancos. I received a phone call as the contact for media for Rosa. The question that was asked was: Why doesn’t Rosa just apply for citizenship if she wants to live here, instead of hiding?

The gentleman was not happy with the answer I gave, that Rosa has been trying to become a citizen of this country for over 30 years. Her mother applied for Rosa’s green card when she was 23 years old, and she is now 54. She has been doing all the documentation to become a citizen, and there is a long line of applications before hers. Immigration has told her it will take many more years for her number to come up.

She is not an illegal immigrant; this is not an accurate portrayal of her. She is not even an undocumented immigrant. She is a woman of Mexican citizenship who has applied to become a citizen of this country since she began living here with her parents when she was 23 years old. I then explained to this gentleman how this could happen. This is what happens when you are trying to become of citizen of this country and you are a person of color.

Even if you follow all the rules and do the right paperwork, your citizenship can be pending for decades.

Joanie Trussel

Mancos