work with nonprofits, and now you're spreading your wings. >> yes, i opened my practice in april of 2012. i work as a legal services manager and with asian law alliance doing immigration work. and i truly value the experience i had some those organizations because it's helped me to the work that i do now, which is to continue educating and helping the immigrant community. >> let me show you a clip, i think this is the image everyone gets. and unfortunately, this is the enforcement part of it. but there's a lot more when it comes to immigration, a lot more than he's impanthese images. >> and unfortunately when individuals come within the deportation system, there are avenues to assist them in immigration court. prior to that it's extremely important that they become knowledgeable about their eligibility for an immigration benefit. seeking the assistance of a nonprofit organization, accredited agency that can help them determine if they qualify

for a benefit. and also to seek the assistance of a private attorney when they choose to and when matters are complicated and they need one. >> something happened within the last week that is good news for those trying to seek legalization. tell us what happened. >> yes. this new benefit, it's a change in a process. and it was actually announced a year ago. it did not take effect until january 2nd. and it actually does not take effect until march 4th in terms of the application process. but it has now been established that takes rule in the federal register and it is called provision of unlawful presence waiver. it benefits immediate relatives of u.s. citizens so that they can reduce the time they spent outside of the country when they initiate the process. if a u.s. citizen's spouse petitions his wife, he or she will unfortunately have to leave the country and at that time will trigger a ten year bar.

this new process will allow that spouse to ask for a pardon here in this country prior to leaving the united states to attend their interview in let's say mexico. it is a wonderful benefit because it reduces the time that families are separated. >> you. >> because what who wouho would want to leave and hope that could you come back. >> absolutely. there are individuals prior to this that were not filing applications to petition their spouses or children because of the uncertainty and the wait time. the wait time could be three months to a year. there are also strict requirements for the hardship waiver that must be met and established before it's approved. >> so you don't know if you're going to come back or not. >> exactly. >> there's a lot to discuss. these questions can be answered

bypatricia. there is her information. we'll be back. stay with us.

we're back talking with an immigration attorney. deferred action, we all -- it was a big deal last year when initiated. what benefits have we seen from that so far? >> to date immigration has received over 355,000 applications. there are an estimated 1.8 million undocumented students who qualify. it is important to continue spreading the word. to date they have approved over 100,000 petitions and many more are still pending. this benefit does allow the student age 15 to 30 to qualify for a work permit and with that work permit, they're able to get

their social security number and their driver license, which is a huge relief for many up documented youth who need those services that we take for granted. >> there's a fear there because if this is only temporary, once you're in the system, now they can look at you four years down the road and say your time is up? >> uscis has clearly indicated that they will not share an applicant's information with i.c.e. and that is a protection. immigration is looking at whether the person presents a public safety concern if they have a criminal history association with gangs or terrorist organizations. they will take that into conversation when deciding whether to take that case to i.c.e. if an applicant does not present any of those issues, otherwise meets the critericriteria, they

under go a process that will hopefully lead to approval. >> a lot of students are happy this has gone through. anything else coming down the pike out of washington? if there's a year for overall n encomprehe comprehensive reform, this is the year. >> the latino vote is very powerle if and that message resonated very strongly with the republican part y and the obama administration has indicated that immigration reform is a top priority. it remains to be seen whether the fiscal cliff discussions as well as gun violence whether immigration reform will take a back burner. that is the job of advocates and pretty much everyone in this country who feels immigration reform should be a top issue, to continue that engagement. >> because it's always taken a back seat.

i remember they met at the ranch and they said we'll start immigration reform with george bush and then 9/11 hit and it was blown out of of the water. >> the political climate now is such that something needs to be done. i think everyone agrees on a national state and local level that this issue needs to be addressed. and the four years obama is in office will go by fast and the next presidential election will be before us within -- it will be here pretty soon and it will be very important for everyone to take a look at what they've done to address this issue. >> now is the time to do it. >> exactly. >> any final thought while we show your information on the screen again? >> one important reminder to the immigration community is to seek assistance of an accredited agency or legal representative when getting immigration advice. it is extremely important that

consultants not be consulted with to get proper legal advice. it there are many agencies that are willing to help and there are many different benefits available with different action. this new provisional unlawful presence waiver. it's important to be educated. >> thank you very much, patty. she has her own practice in the city of san jose. up next, our exclusive interview with lupe.

she was a star on december pratt housewives and in the movie selena. we lost lupe last year. here is a look back at our exclusive interview. let's welcome lupe. when you are at the market, is it the first thing that a fan asks, oh, my god, you're the lady who shot selena?

>> that's right. what can i say? i can't deny it. they'll say you shot and i say, no, i shot nobody. i did the movie. you look like her. yes, my name was up there, but it's really funny because children will stare at me. and i know where they're going. i went into a restaurant one time and there was a little baby in a high chair. and i sit down to make my order and her parents are sitting in the booth. turns around, proceeds to turn around and look at me like -- [ speaking foreign language ] and father says, you know, she

knows who you are. there was awesome. >> what's your reaction to that? >> i thought it was wonderful. we're in the public eye like you're in the public eye, so you better be good. what i don't like is i can't be bad. i have to be nice to people all the time. [ speaking foreign language ] >> you've done so much films. >> emy first film, i played a prostitute. >> i don't know how to respond. >> i know what you're thinking. you do what you got to do. what can i tell you. i started as an extra really. and i guess it must have been -- i studied and i found an a

little and i was beating on doors. i was walking up and down hollywood boulevard and i got a proposition. i was just a normal person, you know. hollywood boulevard then is dangerous territory. i said mied foy ed fogod, what here? and later i said, oh, my god, he was propositioning me. but that's what i get for walking the streets to become an actress. but eventually i did it. found an agent and lots of television. and i've got -- the website says about 20 films. i have about 24 now as we speak since the website. >> with big names, co-starring with big names. >> i'm very proud of the people that i worked with and for. steven spielberg, woody allen.

and a wonderful family that we have created all through these years. i think the most beautiful part, like right now i'm doing release from tucson. and there is such a beautiful variety, 50/50 popsicles i call them. one of the young peoples in the show is another 50/50 popsicle. >> incredible. outstanding. you're saying i've starred with all these people, but they're probably saying the same thing. >> unforgettable.n language ] the oscars, the year of the oscars, you know, the -- i

didn't make it. when nicholson was introduced. when he was going to get the oscar and they chose my scene with him and it was wonderful. i didn't even get invited to the party, but the dog went to the parties. >> we had culture class, a comedy troupe here. >> insanity. >> they were talking about the kingpin and george lopez, two programs that are making it right now on mainstream tv. >> they didn't mention it? you wait until i see them. >> your take on the fact that there are only those two programs right now portraying latinos in whatever light it may be, but portraying them nonetheless. >> i think there is some set programming coming in the fall.

i can mention hunter will have the chief, there's the shield. several characters that are decent, you know what i'm saying, that are lead characters, part of the regular cast ensemble. ben brad, for years he was on that show. resurrection i believe is not coming back, but we're on there, the brothers car see a. they deserve a lot of -- they're little pioneer, those little kitties with that show. [ speaking foreign language ] >> there was a lot of us there. the experience with tony now

directing and all these figures. it's very exciting to see those going on to higher and higher things. i want to go on to produce. and a lot of people are wanting to go in and character, what have you. we don't function without each other and i'm sorry to say that we also aldon't support our own products either. and that's a question a lot of people ask me. i mean, how are latinos doing. we'll do as good as you will help us do. >> that's true. >> because we do our job. we do good job. [ speaking foreign language ] she was such a firecracker. up next, what she says she

wanted on her tombstone before she died.

drop us a line and follow me on twitter. @newsdamian. and support your bilingual weeklies. we thank you for sharing a part of your sunday with us. next week, we will celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the band and song, we'll have richard bean right here in our studio. that's next week. we leave you now with the rest of our interview with the late legendary lupe when she sat with us. you received the maverick spirit award. what does that mean for you?

[ speaking foreign language ] >> it's a very distinguished award in recognition as it reads the talent that takes a step from the norm to create and risk in their open careers and find their road to their art, you know what i'm saying? distinguished recipients, james wood, kevin spacey. i think it's about 12 now. and i feel very proud because they said i was the first female latina to receive it. so it's an honor for me.

>> wow. i guess is it about time that we're recognizing not we as lee ta latinos because i think we do, but the main film producers are recognizing the talent that we have? >> i think for me it started from sun dance when we won the awards over there. it's amazing how word gets around. but it shouldn't be just word getting around. it's the work, not the word, that should speak for the artist. and in my case, that's all that speaks for me. because of the years that i've put in, you know, into the business and what have you. there's critics that have been kind and generous. you have to take it with a grain of salt. you can't believe everything you read about yourself. they may call me beautiful, gorgeous. >> you are like a regular diva.

>> i'm part of the labor force, part of the blue collar community. i identify with that. >> and you were a social worker once. do you attribute to that? >> it's just my outlook on life. i'm just very realistic about the way i look at life. i was brought up to be very humble very proud, also. and all the other elements that go into creating a character, a personality. i must have been rebellious. my mother said i cooperate have a boyfriend. i had three. >> at the same time? >> at the same time. but in terms of upbringing in el paso, a wonderful place to grow up. i have an extra about texas.

[ speaking foreign language ] >> you can always edit it out. >> a bleep. >> what i've done in my career, and you better not bleep this out, this is important, and it is this, that when i die, i get a tombstone, here lie lupe who make chicken salad out of chicken because that's exactly what i've done with my career in terms of what i've been given and the material that i've had to struggle with all these years. and i'm very proud of that. >> but it's good chicken salad, though. >> the best. >> you seem tireless. [ speaking foreign language ] >> it's beautiful. i'm enjoying my life. the last year we traveled everywhere we went and it just

felt so good that that film -- and it's our film, a film that was made by women females. and my hat's off hbo. we've been complimented hbo because, see, independent films is what this film festival is all about. and if it wasn't for i said fndt films, i wouldn't be getting this award. mainstream doesn't want me. okay. their loss. that's the way i saw it. never stopped me at all. i'm having a great time. i've received recognitions right and left really. and before that, new york board of review, critics review. >> outstanding.

>> julia roberts won best actress and i won best supporting actress. and the award at sundance had never been given to -- it's into the a category. the jury create it is if they feel it is warranted by a performer. >> when the selena thing happened, did it strike you like everybody else? >> half the world didn't know who selena was until her death really. so awful to say that. but she was a product of texas and i was in arizona doing a play. i was doing real women have curves. what i loved about her is that she was bilingual. i felt so proud because she was

singing in hispaniola and then shift over for english. it's beautiful to hear a star like that. i was watching tv and her video was the first song. a month or two later, she was dead. i never thought in my life until i saw that. [ speaking foreign language ] i had to gain 40 pounds to look like her. >> we're so happy that you were able to join us this morning. [ speaking foreign language. >> [

. >> i will always support the rights of the farm workers. >> i will always support the rights of the farm workers. i did it and will continue to do it because that's the right thing to do. >> thank you so much. >> thank you.

>> this is "the chris matthews show." >> ask not what your country can do for you. >> tear down this wall. >> i can hear you. >> the time for change has come. chris: no more mr. nice guy. his fist term, compromise and hoped the other side would meet him in the middle. this time it looks to be different. president obama intends to stand strong. picking the cabinet he wants, pushing gun laws he wants and daring critics, the republicans and the n.r.a. to stop him. forcing to choose. is the obama goal to cut the republicans in two? that's what some conservatives think. to force those from the northeast to break from the party on hurricane sandy relief, force those from the suburbs to split from the hard-line base on guns, abortion, and gays. force the whole party to choose whether it's in or out of the tea party. and finally, what would lincoln say? as he writes his second inaugural address, is the president looking for the example of abraham lincoln? that other man from illinois