Esmeralda Cazares was born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents. She says she was born in Los Angeles and has lived in the U.S. her whole life. In addition, she is a war veteran, but the government won't allow her a passport because they say she doesn't have enough proof of citizenship.
Cazares feels it should be her legal right to get a passport. "I was born here. There are no records that I was born anywhere else. I served my country. They (the military) accepted (my proof), so why would I not be able to receive my passport?," Cazares asked.
Cazares has been trying to get a passport issued for five years, but because her Los Angeles birth certificate was delayed, they are questioning her citizenship.
Because her parents were illegally in the country at the time of her birth, they were afraid of going to a hospital, because they thought they might get deported.
Cazares explains that she was delivered by a midwife in Los Angeles and has a "delayed registration" birth certificate issued to her by the county of Los Angeles. Unfortunately for Cazares, her delayed birth certificate, Social Security card and service in the US military with veteran status, is not enough to prove her citizenship.
Cazares' attorney, Win Eaton, is willing to go federal court to motion for her passport.
Cazares has been wanting to go on vacation for several years, but because she's been denied a passport, she's not afforded the freedom to travel she is entitled to.
