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>> >>DWANE: HI, I'M DWANE BROWN. TONIGHT ON KPBS EVENING EDITION, A LONG COLD
SEARCH FOR POLICE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOUNTAIN SNOW STORM LOOKING FOR ANY SIGN OF A SUSPECTED
TRIPLE MURDERER. THE SEARCH FOR CHRISTOPHER DORNER INCLUDED
A COUPLE OF FALSE ALARMS. PLUS SOME NEW DETAILS ABOUT WHAT SAN ONOFRE'S
OPERATORS MIGHT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE NUCLEAR PLANT'S TROUBLED STEAM GENERATOR.
>> >>AMITA: I'M AMITA SHARMA. WHEN YOUR JOB DEALS WITH NUMBERS, YOU HAVE
TO GET THEM RIGHT. BUT A HIGH LEVEL FINANCE OFFICER WITH SOME
SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS GOT SOME NUMBERS WRONG. WE'LL LOOK AT THE PATHWAY TOO FOR CITIZENS
THAT LIES AHEAD FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS. >> >>DWANE: YOU'LL MEET A SAN DIEGO DOCTOR
PERFORMING LIFE CHANGING SURGERY ON PEOPLE WITH PARALYSIS.
KPBS EVENING EDITION STARTS NOW. >> >>DWANE: HELLO, GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR
JOINING US. FORMER LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER
DORNER IS STILL AT LARGE TONIGHT. DORNER IS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THREE
KILLINGS IN ORANGE AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES AND IS THOUGHT TO HAVE PASSED THROUGH SAN
DIEGO THIS WEEK. KPBS REPORTER KYLA CALVERT HAS BEEN FOLLOWING
DEVELOPMENTS. POLICE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE AREA IN BIG
BEAR WHERE DORNER'S TRUCK HAS BEEN FOUND. HAS THAT SEARCHED UP ANY LEADS?
>> >>KYLA: POLICE SEARCHED THE MOUNTAIN ALL DAY LAST NIGHT AND TODAY.
THEY NARROWED THEIR EFFORTS TO 2200 EMPTY CABINS IN A AN EIGHT SQUARE MILE AREA THIS
AFTERNOON. THOSE TEAMS ARE EXPECTED TO LEAVE THE MOUNTAIN
SHORTLY AFTER DARK THIS EVENING. AND THERE WILL BE ABOUT 2 DOZEN POLICE OFFICERS
IN TOWN OVER NIGHT. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SAN BERNADINO SHERIFF'S
OFFICE SAID SEARCH WILL RESUME TOMORROW MORNING. >> >>DWANE: ARE WE HEARING ABOUT ANY LEADS
IN OTHER AREAS. >> >>KYLA: THERE HAVE BEEN FALSE SIGHTINGS.
POLICE SEARCHED THE HOME WHERE HIS MOTHER LOOKED TODAY. AN FBI REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THEY'RE
TRYING TO BUILD A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF DORNER.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: THAT'S WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT RIGHT NOW.
NOT ONLY WHERE WOULD HE RUN TO AND WHERE WOULD HE TRY TO HIDE, BUT IS THERE ANY WAY TO REACH
HIM PSYCHOLOGICALLY OTHER THAN WAIT FOR HIM TO SHOOT ANOTHER COP.
THAT'S THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW. >> >>KYLA: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY
ARE CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BURNT OUT TRUCK AND DORNER'S WALLET WHICH WAS FOUND
HERE IN SAN DIEGO EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WERE BOTH DIVERSIONS.
>> >>DWANE: WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY AS IT DEVELOPS.
KPBS REPORTER KYLA CALVERT. BACKERS OF AN INITIATIVE TO SHUT DOWN THE
SAN ONOFRE NUCLEAR PLANT ARE COLLECTING SIGNATURES. THE MEASURE WOULD TEMPORARILY CLOSE SAN ONOFRE
AND THE DIABLO CANYON PLANT ON THE CENTRAL COAST. THE GROUP HAS UNTIL JULY TO GATHER
ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY FOR THE NOVEMBERÊ2014 BALLOT.
TONIGHT WE HAVE NEW DETAILS ON A REPORT ABOUT THE TROUBLED STEAM GENERATORS AT SAN ONOFRE.
IT SAYS THE PLANT OPERATOR IGNORED SOME SUGGESTED FIXES FOR THE UNITS.
EARLIER I SPOKE WITH KPBS NORTH COUNTY BUREAU CHIEF ALISON ST. JOHN ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT.
ALISON, THIS REPORT COMES FROM THE MAKER OF THE STEAM GENERATORS, RIGHT?
>> >>ALISON: YES, IT'S A REPORT BY MITSUBISHI THAT IS NOT BEING MADE PUBLIC.
PARTS OF IT WERE REVEALED IN A LETTER FROM SENATOR BARBARA BOXER.
YESTERDAY WE HEARD EVIDENCE THAT SAN ONOFRE'S OPERATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON, KNEW
BEFORE THE STEAM GENERATORS WERE EVE NN STALLED THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS.
TODAY WE HEAR THAT AN EMPTY VIBRATION BAR DESIGN TEAM CAME UP WITH SUGGESTED FIXES FOR
THE PROBLEM BUT THE COMPANY MADE THE DECISION NOT TO GO WITH THOSE FIXES.
CONGRESSMAN MARKY IS QUOTED SAYING THAT THE ONLY SPECIFIC REASON FOR THAT DECISION WAS
THE COMPANY'S DESIRE TO AVOID A LENGTHY LICENSE AMENDMENT AND EXTRA SCRUTINY FROM THE NUKE
LR REGULATORY COMMISSION. EDISON DENIED THE CHARGE AND SAID IT WOULD
NOT INSTALL STEAM GENERATORS IT BELIEVED WOULD NOT PERFORM SAFELY.
>> >>DWANE: DO WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE MITSUBISHI? >> >>ALISON: NO, DWANE, WE DO NOT.
THE NRC ALSO FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THAT THEIR HEARING YESTERDAY WITH EDISON AND
SAY THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT AT THEIR PUBLIC MEETING NEXT WEEK.
MEAN WHILE, THE ISO, THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE LIGHTS
ON IN CALIFORNIA, SAID THIS WEEK THEY CANNOT ASSUME THE PLANT WILL BE RELICENSED AND THEY'RE
PROCEEDING WITH PLANS TO FIND ENOUGH POWER FOR THE COMING SUMMER ELSEWHERE.
>> >>DWANE: JUST LIKE LAST SUMMER. >> >>ALISON: RIGHT.
>> >>DWANE: KPBS NORTH COUNTY BUREAU CHIEF, ALISON ST. JOHN.
STATE REGULATORS ARE LOOKING AT NEW RULES FOR COMPANIES MAKING FURNITURE AND BABY PRODUCTS,
DROPPING REQUIREMENTS FOR CHEMICAL FLAME RETARD NTS IN FOAM PADDING.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE PUSHED FOR THE CHANGE FOR YEARS SAYING SOME OF THE CHEMICALS ARE
CARCINOGENS. A STUDY FOUND NO DIFFERENCE IN FLAMMABILITY
BETWEEN TREAT AND UNTREATED PADDING. AN OFFICIAL WITH THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT RAISED SOME EYEBROWS SAYING THE DISTRICT HAD HUNDREDS OF EXCESS EMPLOYEES.
GOT A SHARP RESPONSE FROM READERS AND FROM THE SCHOOL'S SUPERINTENDENT.
AMITA SHARMA'S IN FOR PEGGY PICO WITH THE STORY.
>> >>AMITA: IT NEVER PAYS TO SPEAK TO A NEWS REPORTER WITHOUT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.
THE NEW CFO STAND OFF AT THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOT A REMINDER OF THAT WHEN
HE SAT DOWN WITH VOICE OF SAN DIEGO REPORTER WILL CARLESS.
WILL JOINS ME NOW TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED. WHAT DID THEY SAY THAT TRIGGERED CORRECTIONS
AND CONSTERNATION AMONG TEACHERS? >> >>WILL CARLESS: TWO DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.
HE SAID A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE FRANK AND HONEST AND A COUPLE F THINGS WERE WRONG.
ONE O F THEM HE MADE A CLAIM THAT TEACHERS ON AVERAGE MAKE 92,000 DOLLARS A YEAR IN THE
DISTRICT. THAT WAS WRONG, WE FACT CHECKED HIM ON THAT.
HE CLAIMED THE ARE NO STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT HIGHER CLASS SIZES ARE DETRIMENTAL TO STUDENT
LEARNING AND IN FACT THERE ARE STUDIES TO PROVE THE OPPOSITE.
WE LABELED THAT ONE PROPAGANDA. HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT.
HE ALSO SAID A LOT OF VERY SMART THINGS AND A LOT OF I THINK POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY
ABOUT THE DISTRICT'S NEED TO GRAB HOLD OF ITS STRUCTURAL DEFICIT PROBLEM AND SORT OF
FESSING UP TO THE FACT THIS ISN'T JUST A PROBLEM THAT'S GOING TO GO AWAY WITH KIND OF ONE TIME
FIXES THAT IT'S AN ON GOING STRUCTURAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
>> >>AMITA: OUT OF CURIOSITY, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING, WHEN YOU PUT TOGETHER THE Q&A, YOU
KNEW THAT SOME OF WHAT HE WAS SAYING WAS WRONG. WHY NOT PUT THE FACT CHECK RIGHT NEXT TO THE
Q&A. >> >>WILL CARLESS: IN RETROSPECT I THINK THAT
PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER WAY OF DOING IT.
IT'S TRICKY AND OUR PROTOCOL FOR Q&A'S HAS BEEN THAT WE WRITE UP THE Q & A, DON'T EDIT
IT AND THEN PUT UP A FORWARD. LAST YEAR WE HAD A DISCUSSION WE KNOW THIS
IS ALMOST CERTAINLY WRONG, SHOULD WE RUN IT, SHOULD WE NOT HAVE.
I THINK IN RETROSPECT WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE HELD IT AT LEAST UNTIL WE HAD THE FACT CHECK
THEN PEOPLE COULD LOOK AT THOSE TWO THINGS CONCURRENTLY.
IT'S JUST HE'S THE CFO, GET IT OUT THERE, AND FACT CHECK HIM, IS AND PEOPLE ARE GOING
TO READ THOSE CONCURRENTLY ANYWAY. YOU LEARN AS YOU GO AHEAD.
>> >>AMITA: YOU RUN THE Q & A, AND YOU GET A RESPONSE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT BILL COBA
AND HE CORRECTS IT, BUT HE'S BACKING THIS GUY STILL.
WHY DO YOU THINK HE HIRED HIM? >> >>WILL CARLESS: THE GUY'S BACKGROUND, HE
SPENT ABOUT 20 YEARS I THINK IT IS IN THE MILITARY.
HE WAS IN THE NAVAL AIR FORCE AND HAS WORKED AT TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL
CALIFORNIA. VERY SMART, SEVERAL DEGREES, I THINK HE'S
GOT A DOCTORATE, JUST VERY, VERY SMART, VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER, VERY HAS A LOT OF REALLY
GOOD IDEAS AND HAS A BACKGROUND IN PROBLEM SOLVING AND STREAM LINING AND SAVING MONEY.
SO I THINK THEY HIRED HIM BECAUSE ON PAPER AND IN PERSON HE'S VERY IMPRESSIVE.
YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, HE'S GOING TOÊ HE'S REALLY KIND OF PUT HIS FOOT IN IT AND BY MAKING
THESE KIND OF SIMPLE MISTAKES, OR FAIRLY SIMPLE MISTAKES AND BEING SO KIND OF FORTH RIGHT
ABOUT THESE FACTS WHICH WERE WRONG, HE'S KIND OF TAINTED HIS REPUTATION.
>> >>AMITA: NOT EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS INCORRECT. I MEAN, HE TALKED ABOUT THE SOMETHING LIKE
92% OF THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET GOING TOWARD TEACHER SALARIES.
THAT'S PRETTY EYE OPENING, IS IT NOT? >> >>WILL CARLESS: THAT'S RIGHT Y.KNEW THAT
BECAUSE I'M AN EDUCATION REPORTER. I'M NOT SURE IF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE KNEW THAT.
SCOTT LEWIS WHO WRITES COMMENTARIES FOR US WROTE A GREAT COMMENTARY ABOUT THE FIVE THINGS
THE SUPERINTENDENT DIDN'T CORRECTER, THAT WERE CORRECT.
THAT Q & A WASN'T THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW, I SPOKE TO THIS GUY FOR TWO HOURS.
NINETY% OF THE THINGS HE SAID WAS VERY SMART RIGHT ON POINT POSITIVE MOVING FORWARD.
>> >>AMITA: HE ALSO SAID SOME THINGS IN POLITICS IMPLYING ACTUALLY JUST SAYING DIRECTLY THAT
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS PRETTY MUCH BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE TEACHERS UNION.
>> >>WILL CARLESS: I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE MOST SHOCKING THING I'VE SEEN IN THE WHOLE
INTERVIEW. I ASKED HIM HOW DO YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME
OF THESE IDEAS WHEN YOU HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD LARGELY SUPPORTED BY THE UNION.
HE INTERRUPTED ME AND SAID THEY'RE NOT LARGELY SUPPORTED THEY'RE PLACEED STRATEGICALLY BY
THE LABOR UNIONS. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SAY.
THESE ARE HIS BOSSES AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT'S WHAT EVERYBODY SAYS IN PRIEIVE LT.
MOST PEOPLE TALK TO REPORTERS AND SAY THOSE THINGS, BUT DISTRICT STAFF, WOW, PEOPLE DON'T
JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT WAS PRETTY EXTRAORDINARY.
>> >>AMITA: AND GIVEN THAT HE HAS BEEN THAT CANDID ON SUCH A TOUCHY TOPIC, ARE HIS DAY
NUMBERS AND DO YOU SEE A GUY LIKE THIS STAYING HERE LONG?
>> >>WILL CARLESS: I MEAN, HE MAY LEAVE OUT OF FRUSTRATION, OUT OF THE FACT THAT HIS IDEAS
AREN'T GETTING TRACK. I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO KICK HIM OUT
FOR MAKING A CUP OF MIST ACKS AND TALKING TO THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, AND SCREWING UP
ON A COUPLE OF NUMBERS. I THINK WE'D HAVE TO BE VERY PARANOID TO BELIEVE
HE'S GOING TO BE KICKED OUT BECAUSE OF THAT. WHETHER HE FINDS HE'S ENTER AD WORLD THAT'S
DIFFICULT TO GET ANYTHING DONE. THAT DISTRICT IS SO DIFFICULT TO GET ANYTHING
DONE, IT'S SO BIG, SO UNWIELDING IT, WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF HE STICKS AROUND.
>> >>AMITA: CARLESS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WE HAVE TO WRAP IT THERE. >> >>WILL CARLESS: THANK YOU.
>> >>DWANE: RECOVERING FROM A SPINAL CORD INJURY CAN BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
PHYSICAL THERAPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS CAN HELP.
DESPITE THOSE EFFORTS, SOME PEOPLE ARE LEFT PARALYZED OR EVEN WITH SPASTIC LIMBS.
NOW A UNIQUE TYPE OF SURGERY IS OFFERING HOPE TO THESE PATIENTS.
KPBS HEALTH REPORTER KENNY GOLDBERG SAYS THE PROCEDURE CAN PRODUCE SOME MIRACULOUS RESULTS
IT. >> >>KENNY: IN JULYÊ2008, AN ACCIDENT LEFT
HIM PARALYZED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. DESPITE SURGERY TO EASE THE PRESSURE ON HIS
SPINE AND NUMEROUS PHYSICAL THERAPY SESSIONS, HIS CONDITION JUST DIDN'T IMPROVE MUCH.
DOCTORS TOLD CONSTANTINE HE'D NEVER WALK AGAIN. BUT THEY WERE WRONG.
CONSTANTINE CAN NOT ONLY GET UP OUT OF HIS WHEELCHAIR UNDER HIS OWN POWER, HE CAN ALSO
WALK WITHOUT A CANE. IN AUGUSTÊ2005, STEVE ISAACS WAS RIDING HIS
MOUNTAIN BIKE, HE SWERVED TO DODGE SOMETHING ON THE TRAIL AND WIPED OUT.
THE ACTION HAD DAMAGED THREE VERTEBRAE, SURGEONS PUT IN FOUR PLATES AND A DOZEN SCREWS.
AFTER THE CRASH, ISAACS HAD LITTLE CONTROL OVER HIS LEFT LEG, AND NOW THE SECRET TO ISAACS
AND CONSTANTINE'S RECOVERY IS A UNIQUE TYPE OF SURGERY CALL SELECTIVE PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.
THE SURGERY CUTS OUT PARTS OF THE NERVES THAT ARE CAUSING THE MOST INTERFERE NS WITH PROPER
MOVEMENT WHILE LEAVING THE HEALTHY PARTS OF THE NERVES AND ALL OF THE MUSCLES INTACT.
UC SAN DIEGO NEURO SURGEON JUSTIN BROWN TRAINED IN FRANCE WITH ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE
PROCEDURE. DR.ÊBROWN IS ONE OF THE ONLY PRACTITIONERS
OF IT IN THE U.S. HE SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES OF THE
SURGERY, COMPARED WITH THE STANDARD TREATMENT OF CUTTING TENDON SAID OR MUSCLES.
BECAUSE IT'S LESS INVASIVE WITH A SMALLER INCISION, RECOVERY IS QUICKER FOR THE PATIENT.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: WE PRESERVE THE MUSCLES. WHEN WE CUT AWAY A LITTLE BIT OF THE NERVE,
THE REST OF THE NERVE GOES TO THAT MUSCLE, SPROUT OUT AND RECOVER IT, BUT IT'S LEFT UNHEALTHY
ACTING. >> >>KENNY: DR.ÊBROWN POINTS OUT THE SURGERY
DOESN'T REVERSE OR CURE PARALYSIS PER SE. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: WE CAN TAKE A LIMB AND
IMPROVE ITS ABILITY TO MOVE, SORE OR SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE, BUT WE
CAN AT LEAST GET THEM INTO A POSITION THAT'S LESS UNCOMFORTABLE AND MORE FUNCTIONAL FOR
THEM. IF THE ARM IS PULLED UP IN THIS POSITION.
IF WE CAN RELAX THE ARM ENOUGH THEY CAN PULL IT THROUGH A SLEEVE OR WASH IT, IMPROVES HYGIENE,
EVEN THAT IS A GOAL G GOAL. >> >>KENNY: RICK CONSTANTINE DIDN'T GO THROUGH
THE SURGERY FOR SUCH MODEST GAINS. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE, HE GOT BACK
ON HIS FEET AGAIN. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: I WAS AMAZED.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. WHEN I STOOD UP, I WAS EXPECTING TO FEEL PAIN
OR SOMETHING AND I MEAN, THE MORE I CAME UP, UP, UP, I FELT LIKE I WAS WAKING UP FROM A
DREAM. >> >>KENNY: LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER HIS SURGERY,
STEVE GOES TO A REHAB FACILITY IN MIRA MESA. IT'S A PLACE THAT SPECIALIZES IN HELPING PEOPLE
WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES, STROKES, AND CEREBRAL PALSY.
IZEICS WORKS ON A TREAD TREADMILL WHILE THE DIRECTOR O THE FACILITY MONITORS HIS ACTIVITY.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: ALMOST EVERY TIMEÊ >> >>KENNY: MARCUS SAYS HE'S AMAZED AT HOW
MUCH BETTER ISAACS IS WALKING. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: THIS IS THE CLASSIC BUTTERFLY
PATTERN THAT LOOKS FANTASTIC. THIS WOULD BE HIS HEAL STRIKE ON THE LEFT,
AND HIS TOE OFF, AND ON THE RIGHT THIS WOULD BE HIS HEAL STRIKE AND HIS TOE OFF.
AND THEN CENTER OF PRESSURE YOU CAN SEE AS IT'S MOVING BACK AND FORTH.
>> >>KENNY: BEFORE THE SURGERY, ISAACS COULDN'T HIT THESE MARKS CONSISTENTLY WITH HIS LEFT
FOOT. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: IT FELT LIKE I WAS PULLING
A THOUSAND POUND LEAD WEIGHT THROUGH MY LEG AND BECAUSE ALL THIS TONE WAS FIGHTING IT.
NOW IT BENDS AND COMES THROUGH ALMOST WITHOUT ANY EFFORT.
>> >>KENNY: ISAACS DESPERATELY WANTS TO GET BACK TO A HUNDRED PERCENT.
THANKS TO THE SURGERY HE'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: MY END GOAL REALLY WAS
ALWAYS TOÊ IT SUNNED SOUNDS A LITTLE FUNNY, BUT WALK ON THE BEACH WITH MY WIFE AGAIN.
WALKING IN THE SAND IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T REALLY DO EASY YOU TAKE FOR GRANTED BUT WHEN
YOU DON'T HAVE THE BALANCE, IT'S ALMOST OFF LIMITS.
>> >>KENNY: NOW THAT RICK CONSTANTINE IS WALKING AGAIN, HE'S PLANNING TO HAVE DR.ÊBROWN WALK
ON HIS RIGHT ARM. HE'S BEEN TOLD NOT TO EXPECT COMPLETE RECOVERY,
BUT ANY IMPROVEMENT WOULD BE A PLUS. CONSTANTINE FEELS CONFIDENT HE'LL KEEP GETTING
BETTER. HIS NEW GOAL IS TO SPREAD THE WORD THAT HELP
IS AVAILABLE. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: WE'VE BEEN TOLD FOR YEARS
AND YEARS YOU'LL NEVER WALK AGAIN, PARALYSIS IS LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
HAS COME A LONG WAYS NOW. I AM THE LIVING PROOF THAT IT DOES WORK, IT
CAN BE HELPED, AND I WANT TO LET OTHERS KNOW. >> >>KENNY: KENNY GOLDBERG, KPBS NEWS.
>> >>DWANE: THERE SEEMS TO BE UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY NEEDS REFORM, AND
MANY ARE SAYING A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THE ESTIMATED 11ÊMILLION
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN THE COUNTRY. AMITA SHARMA LOOKS AT THE PIT FALLS IN THE
PATH. >> >>AMITA: BOTH THE SENATE AND PRESIDENT
OBAMA'S PROPOSAL FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM BELIEVES THE PATH BEGINS IN THE BACK OF THE LINE.
THERE TURNS OUT THERE ARE MEBY LINESSISM JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE LONG LINE TO CITIZENSHIP
IS JOHN ROSSMAN, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR FOR KPBS DESK FRONTERAS DESK.
JOHN, BREEIVE LEAF BRIEFLY TELL ME HOW DOES SOMEONE GET IN H INTO THE PATH FOR CITIZENSHIP.
>> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF VISAS PT YOU CAN GET AN
EMPLOYMENT BASED VISA AND THERE'S ALSO A FAMILY BASED VISA.
FAMILY BASED VISAS ARE THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE APPLY FOR FAMILY BASE VISAS.
YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR WIFE OR CHILD OVER. SO INSIDE THIS FAMILY BASED VISA SYSTEM, THERE
ARE KIND OF TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. SOMEONE THAT HAD A WIFE FROM CANADA, BRINGING
HER OVER OR BRING PIE SON OVER FROM CANADA, I FALL INTO THE FIRST CATEGORY, AND THERE'S
UNLIMITED VISAS. FOR OTHER KIND OF MORE DISTANT RELATIONSHIPS
IS WHAT KIND OF THE GOVERNMENT CALLS IT, THERE'S A DIFFERENT CATEGORY AND IT'S ARRANGED BY
PREFERENCES, AND THERE'S A CAP ON VISAS. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS
KIND OF ARISE. >> >>AMITA: WHO FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORY?
>> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: SO, LET'S SAY I'M A U.S. CITIZEN, MY SON OR DAUGHTER WHO LIVES IN ANOTHER
COUNTRY WHO'S OVER 21 YEARS OLDÊ THEY'RE KIND OF LIKE AN ADULTÊ MY SIBLINGS, MY SISTER
OR BROTHER LIVES IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND THEIR KIDS IF. I AM A LEGAL RESIDENT, I HAVE A GREEN
CARD, MY SPOUSE OR CHILD. >> >>AMITA: YOU SPOKE TO ONE MAN IN PARTICULAR
WHO FALLS IF N THAT CATEGORY. >> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: HE FALLS INTO THE F1 CATEGORY,
HIS FATHER IS A U.S. CITIZEN AND HE IS FROM MEXICO.
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT WAIT TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND ON VISAS ARE A LOT HIGHER
IN MEXICO. HE FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORYÊ
>> >>AMITA: HOW OLD IS HE? >> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: I'M NOT SURE.
HE'S BEEN WAITING IN THE SLIDE FOR 18 YEARS. SO HE'S DEFINITELY OLDER THAN 21 AND HE'S
OLDER THAN, YOU KNOW, 18. >> >>AMITA: SO WHAT IS HE DOING IN THE MEAN
TIME? WHAT IS HE DOING IN THE MEAN TIME? WHERE IS HE LIVING?
>> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: HE LIVES IN HIS FATHER'S HOME AND HE HAS A WORK PERMIT.
SO HE'S ABLE TO LIVE THERE, AND SO WHAT HE'S KIND OF WAITING FOR IS PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP
TOO, EVENTUAL CITIZENSHIP. HE WENT TO SCHOOL HERE, HAS A WORK PERMIT
HERE, HE HAS A LOT TO BE PROUD OF AND YOU KNOW HE HAS AN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
BUT THERE'S A PART THAT'S MISSING AND PART OF THAT CITIZENSHIP AND PART OF THAT IS WHILE
HE'S WAITING THESE 18 YEARS YOU KNOW HE'S PUT OFF OTHER THINGS IN HIS LIFE LIKE GETTING
MARRIED. IF HE WERE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE WHO'S
NOT A DOCUMENTED CITIZEN HE WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO A WHOLE OTHER CATEGORY.
LET ME BACK TRACK. HE'S BEEN WAITING FOR 18 YEARS.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS CATEGORY KIND OF THE GOVERNMENT ISSUES KIND OF VISAÊ THERE'S A VISA BULLETIN
WHERE ONCE YOU ENTER THE LINE YOU'RE GIVEN YOUR DATE AS A TIME STAMP.
I ENTERED THIS LINE JUNEÊ1994, ON THE 15TH, I HAVE THAT CARD, I CAN LOOK ALONG AND SEE
HOW FAR ALONG I AM. I CAN GAUGE WHEN I'M COMING.
RIGHT NOW THE VISA WAIT TIME IS JULYÊ1993 FOR THIS CATEGORY.
THE PROBLEM IS IF YOU LOOK BACK 10 YEARS AT THE VISA BULLETIN, IT'S MOVED BACKWARDS AROUND
18 MONTHS. IN 10 YEARS BETWEEN POINT A AND POINT B IT'S
MOVED BACKWARDS. BECAUSE THE DEMAND IS SO HIGH.
HE'S IN THIS LINE WAITING, AND I TALKED TO HIS LAWYER AND SHE ESTIMATES THIS LINE IS
GOING TO BE AS MANY AS A HUNDRED YEARS LONG. IT'S NOT 20 YEARS LIKE THE VISA BULLETIN SAYS,
IT'S A LOT LONGER. >> >>AMITA: HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE 11ÊMILLION
PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO MIGHT WANT TO GET ON THAT PATH TO CITIZENSHIP.
>> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM, IT'S JUST SO COMPLEX, AND THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT
FACETS AND AVENUES. I THINK ONE OF MYÊ I THINK MOST INTERESTING
PARTS OF THE STORY, THIS WAIT TIME IS SO HORRENDOUSLY LONG, BUT THE PROBLEM IS, YOU KNOW, MEXICO,
FOR EXAMPLE, OR IN ANOTHER PLACE LIKE THE PHILIPPINES THE REASON TO WAIT SO LONG IS
THEY'RE BENEFITING THE MOST FROM LEGAL IMMIGRATION. THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AT SUCH
RAPID NUMBERS THEY'RE USING UP THEIR CAP ON LIMITED VISAS.
THEY'RE ACTUALLY BENEFITING A LOT, AND WE HAVE A LOT F MEXICANS COMING OVER LEGALLY.
SO IT'S JUST SO COMPLEX. WHAT DOES THIS MEANÊ
>> >>AMITA: BUT WILL IMMIGRATION REFORMÊ WILL IT FIX THE BACK LOG IN ANY WAY? DOES
IT ADDRESS IT? >> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: IT DOES.
THE PRESIDENT AND SENATE'S PROPOSALS BOTH ADDRESSED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK
LOG. THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL IS GOING TO BE IN THAT GOOD OF CONGRESS CAN'T COME UP
WITH A SOLUTION. SUGGESTS RAISING THE COUNTRY CAPS FROM I THINK
IT'S LIKE 7% TO 15%. >> >>AMITA: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAP IT
THERE, JOHN ROSSMAN. I'M SURE THIS IS A TOPIC THAT'S GOING TO BE
DISCUSSED MORE IN THE FUTURE. >> >>JOHN ROSSMAN: DEFINITELY, YEAH, THANK
YOU. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: ON THE NEXT NEWS HOUR,
MARK SHIELDS AND DAVID BROOKS ANALYZE THE WEEK'S NEWS AND PREVIEW THE STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS. THAT'S FRIDAY ON THE PBS NEWS HOUR.
>> >>DWANE: A SCULPTURE DEPICTING AN ICONIC MOMENT FROM WORLD WAR TWO ARRIVES IN SAN DIEGO
MONDAY MORNING. THE PERMANENT BRONZE VERSION O THE KISSING STATUE OR UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
WILL TAKE A FEW DAYS TO INSTALL ON THE DOWNTOWN WATER FRONT BUT IT'S EXPECTED TO BE UP AND
READY BY VALENTINE'S DAY. TODAY'S RAINY WEATHER SHOULD MOVE ON BY NEXT
WEEK HERE'S HOW THINGS LOOK IN CITY HEIGHTS EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON.
AT ONE POINT THERE WAS A THUNDER STORM WARNING FOR SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A.
A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS IN AFFECT FOR TOMORROW MORNING.
LOOKING AHEAD FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS, THE BL SERVICE SAYS WE WILL DRY OUT, PARTLY CLOUDY
AROUND THE COUNTY ON SUNDAY, WITH SUN SHINE BY MONDAY, THE MOUNTAINS MAY GET A COUPLE
OF INCHES OF SNOW, DESERT TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 60S THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
WHAT WEATHER DIDN'T STOP SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS INJURIES AND DISABILITIES FROM TAKING
A 17 MILE BIKE RIDE FROM NATIONAL CITY TO CORONADO THIS MORNING.
SOLDIER RIDE WAS STARTED BY A CIVILIAN 10 YEARS AGO IN NEW YORK, AND ITS FIRST RIDE
ENDED THOUSANDS OF MILES LATER IN SAN DIEGO. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: I USED TO RIDE FOR RECREATION,
BUT NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE AT THE LEVEL I AM NOW.
>> >>DWANE: STEVEN PEACE IS GEARING UP FOR A LONG BIKE RIDE.
ON THIS SPECIALLY EQUIPPED ONE OF A KIND RACER MADE JUST FOR HIM.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: THIS IS JUST A FACTORY BIKE.
IT HELPS WITH THE BALANCE. >> >>DWANE: THIS IS HIS 13TH SOLDIER RIDE,
PUT ON BY THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT. >> >>AMITA: I GOT PLACED IN THE U.S. NATIONAL
TEAM AND WENT TO THE PARAOLYMPICS LAST YEAR. >> >>DWANE: FOR CYCLING?
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: YES. >> >>DWANE: AND HOW'D YOU DO?
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: I PLACED FIFTH AND SEVENTH. NOT GREAT, BUT NOT BAD.
>> >>DWANE: NOT BAD INDEED FOR THIS 16 YEAR VETERAN OF THE NAVY WHO SUFFERED A DEBILITATING
STROKE AND COULD BARELY MOVE 10 YEARS AGO. HE'S NOW A MENTOR FOR OTHER INJURED TROOPS.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: THEY SAID HE'S PROBABLY NEVER GOING TO WALK.
HE MIGHT HAVE TO SPEAK A LITTLE SLOWLY, WHICH OKAY, SO WE GOT THAT RIGHT.
>> >>DWANE: THE SOLDIER RIDE HAS BEEN CALLED ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING ATHLETIC EVENTS
IN THE COUNTRY. FIFTY MEN AND WOMEN FROM D. C.TO MS.ÊMISSISSIPPI,
TEXAS, AND WASHINGTON STATE JOIN IN SAN DIEGO. >> >>GUEST SPEAKER: THERE'S IT DOESN'T MATTER
WHEN THEY STEP OFF THE BUS OR GET OUT OF THE CAR, THEY ARE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS BECAUSE
THEY CAN COME TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT ANYTHING AND IT'S JUST LIKE SITTING AROUND AT THE BAR.
>> >>DWANE: THE MISSION HERE IS TO EMPOWER AND HONOR OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS AND RAISE PUBLIC
AWARENESS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF OUR INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS.
>> >>GUEST SPEAKER: A LOT OF VETERANS TEND TO ISOLATE.
THEY FEEL PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THEM F.WE CAN KEEP GETTING THEM OUT AND INVOLVED IN
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND HAVING FUN AND FEELING LIKE THEY'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, IT CAN
ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP THAT ONCE THEY GET HOME.
>> >>DWANE: THEY STRETCH TO PREPARE FOR THE RIDE.
POSE FOR A GROUP PHOTO. THEN IT WAS OFF TO THE BAY SHORE BIKE LANE
IN NATIONAL CITY WITH A RIDE THROUGH IMPERIAL BEACH AND A FINISH 17 MILES LATER ON CORONADO.
>> >>DWANE: NOW THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
IT PROVIDES STATE OF THE ART CYCLING EQUIPMENT TO INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS AT NO COST.
YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES AND DOWNLOAD THE KPBS APP ALL ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
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