Emigrating to U.S. through proper channels can take decades

as we cover the immigration debate - we often hear new mexicans ask why immigrants don't just come to our country "the right way" ... by becoming a u-s citizen. we wanted to know what it takes to come here the right way. misa maruyama learned it takes a whole lot of patience. we've heard about immigrants waiting decades to get legal status. tonight ... we know for some that's true. natpop - file cabinet. albuquerque immigration attorney john russo is up to his ears in paperwork. he says this shows how long and difficult getting legal status can be. unfortunately, visas, realistically are not available. we called the agency that oversees immigration to learn more about the process. the first step to becoming a u-s citizen is getting a green card. every year, congress decides how many green cards will be given out to immigrants of each country. it boils down to supply and demand. more mexican immigrants apply for green cards -- so there's a longer wait. i think there's a lot of people who want to come over and have a better life. we as, united states, have made it way too rd. we took a look at the backlog for mexican nationals who want to live legally in the u-s. there's no wait if you're a spouse, child under 21... or parent ... of a u-s citizen. but the feds are just now reviewing applications filed 18 years ago -- by u-s citizens trying to bring their mexican children to the u-s who are now adults. honestly, i think that's the price you got to pay to get here. you can't just let anyone come into the country because people would overflow and be on the system, so i think it's right the way they do it. the backlog is so bad that americans who have a mexican sibling-- have been waiting 15 years to reunite. and when you get to the top of the list there is no guarantee you will be an american. it ony means you get to apply for residency. when that happens, there's certainly no guarantee that the individual will actually receive an immigrant visa. achieving residency is only the first step- there are still other steps to actualy becoming an american citizen. tonight at 6:30, i'll introduce you to a young woman who has been here since she was 12 years old and she may be in her forties before she gets any further in the legal system.

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