It has been reported that 12 million undocumented Mexican immigrants reside in the United States. In order for Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement (ICE) to effectively respond to this population phenomenon, Congress needs to pass legislation sensitive to the history of the Mexican culture in North America. Our "international" border with Mexico was demarcated as a result of the Mexican-American War (1848) and subsequently the Gadsden Purchase (1853). This border left a large part of the United States with a distinctively Mexican culture; land use patterns, language/place names, foods and religion. Over the ensuing century and a half, this transition zone of common culture made the Mexican migrants' journey to California, Arizona and Texas like a trip to "Northern Mexico." Combined with the promise of better wages the massive in-migration of Mexican nationals continued to states like Illinois, Georgia, New York - and Oregon.

Some legislators in Congress would like to deport millions of undocumented Mexican immigrants who've already worked jobs, become parents, established homes and paid taxes in the United States. How many moms and dads in Benton County would be separated from their children? And how many jobs vacated, services discontinued, due to their relocation?

Others want to revoke the automatic birthright of U.S. citizenship for children of illegal aliens found in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. How many children born in the Willamette Valley would that affect?

My mother emigrated from Mexico in 1919. She contributed to the U.S. economy for two decades, working the fields and orchards of Arizona and California, as did untold thousands of Mexican nationals.

When she applied for citizenship in the late 1950s, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now ICE) pointed out that her entry papers listed only "One girl; 4 years." She was not identified by name (she never dreamed it would become an issue). Overnight, my mom became undocumented. Because my father was native born and Mom provided written character references, the U.S. government granted her resident alien status, but required annual registration with the federal government; no travel permitted outside the country.

Years later, a local newspaper reporter became her advocate. The reporter arranged for Mom and I to meet with an immigration official who in passing conversation described himself to us as the son of Jewish immigrants. In a few days, he called our home; Mom would be issued a "green card" so she could legally leave and return to the United States!

At 85 and a grandma several times over, she reapplied for citizenship. The citizenship examiner realized Mom had studied an out-of-date prep guide. Mom explained to me that the examiner was "Such a gentleman. He knew that I was nervous and scared so he didn't test me. He relaxed me with stories about his immigrant parents coming from West Africa. Then he asked me many, many questions about my life and the events I'd lived through. He listened carefully and after a time said that I deserved to be a citizen."

Over her lifetime, Mom reaped the rewards of a government and individuals who showed her understanding and empathy. These people helped her on her journey to U.S. citizenship.

Today, millions of good people like my mom - and their children - deserve no less. Oregon's elected representatives and the entire U.S. House and Senate should recognize the history and culture that the United States shares with Mexico and offer legislation for undocumented but well-meaning Mexican immigrants to proceed toward their goal of U.S. citizenship.

John Lopez Jr. is a Corvallis resident. He said that he wrote this essay in memory of his parents, Juan and Inez Lopez