It is perhaps the defining question about immigration of our time - what to do with the millions of people who entered the country illegally and lived here for decades as Americans?

That story is playing out in communities across the country, and also in Livermore with Miguel Lopez and his family.

His journey through our country's immigration system begins in 1996. At 18 years old, he crossed the border illegally and got caught. He lied to Border Patrol Agents falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, but he was sent back to Mexico. A few months later, he tried again, and this time, made it to Livermore with his family.

In 1998, Miguel was arrested for DUI and was ultimately convicted of a lesser charge. The following year, in 1999, he met his now-wife Rosa, a U.S. citizen. They got marrie

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