WESLACO – Thousands of immigrants are risking it all to reach the U.S. – some have even attempted this more than once.

A Central American immigrant tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS he decided to cross into the country illegally for a chance to live in the U.S. again. 

He claims he lived in California for nearly 17 years and even learned English.

He was deported back to his native land, El Salvador and due to feeling unsafe, he decided to come back to the U.S. illegally.

KRGV’s Christian Colón spoke with immigration attorney Jennifer Morales about this case.

She says if there was already an order of deportation, those immigrants can be deported without an immigration hearing; but they can still seek asylum.

Morales explains they can try to qualify for asylum for well-founded fear of persecution on a count of race, nationality, membership to a particular social group or political opinion.

Watch the video above for the full story.