BOSTON, July 7 (UPI) -- An immigrant family in Massachusetts faces an uncertain future as it waits to see if a judge will deport its 5-year-old daughter to El Salvador.
Karla Morales-Solis was smuggled into the country illegally last fall. Her mother also entered the United States illegally to join her husband, who has a work permit. The girl will learn in October if she is to be deported, The Boston Globe reported Saturday.
It is unusual for a child Karla's age to face deportation, but the dilemma faced by her parents is common: Families often are separated, as some members gain legal status and others are returned to their home countries for entering the United States illegally, the Globe said.
Karla's 28-year-old mother, whose parents live in Revere, Mass., declined to give her name for fear of being caught by authorities, the Globe said.
Karla's father, Carlos, 25, said he agonizes over the idea of staying behind without Karla, whom he only met for the first time nine months ago.
Karla's parents and grandparents hoped immigration reform would make it possible for the Karla to become legal, but those efforts failed in the Senate last week.
