NEWTON, Mass. -- A Newton woman is raising her two daughters on her own, but not by choice.

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Amalia Barreda Reports On Family

Her husband is being kept out of the country, wrapped up in a legal drama that could keep him away for the next decade.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that this Father's Day, Enivaldo Oliveira, 34, will be separated from his daughters, Amanda and Ariele, and his wife, Chari.

Chari Oliveira said she is slipping into a life of poverty without her husband.

"Enivaldo did not decide that he did not want to be with our family, didn't want to be a part of us. We did not decide that he didn't want to be a part of us. God didn't take him away from us. He did not pass away. Our government has taken him away from us, has taken our opportunity to live the American dream," she said.

Oliveira was an illegal alien working two jobs when he met and then married Chari Cohen three years ago. Immigration law required he return to his native Brazil to legalize his immigration status. But when he did, a 10-year rule kicked in, banning him from re-entering the United States. His attorney applied for a waiver of the rule, citing hardship on his wife and daughters, but immigration officials in Lima, Peru, denied the request.

"Basically, immigration had determined that they didn't think that the hardship on the children and the hardship on Chari being separated from their dad and their husband was enough. It wasn't bad enough," said immigration attorney Kerry Doyle.

"It's not enough hardship for children to grow up without a father? For children to grow up on the system? Welfare? Medicare, MassHealth, WIC, food stamps? I don't make enough money to pay for groceries for my kids. My savings are gone. That's not enough?" asked Chari Oliveira.

"He made a mistake in the past and we admit that, and he's willing to pay a price for that -- but how high a price? And this is too high a price," said Doyle.

"My kids. I know their future because I have studied sociology and psychology. I know what's in it for them. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm pleading to this government to please bring back my husband," said Chari Oliveira.

Immigration officials could not be reached for comment.

Doyle said she is appealing immigration's decision, but that process will take another six months to a year.