Torn Between Two Countries

Cathy Eff fled to the United States during the brutal Russian crackdown against the failed 1956 Hungarian revolution, leaving her 2-year-old son Tamás behind with relatives. For 49 years she longed to see him again and rectify what she considers the biggest mistake of her life. She got that chance in October when Tamas and his family were able to visit her in New Jersey on a tourist visa. But now his visa is running out and immigration laws require him to go back to Hungary. In "American Dreams," Jennifer Weiss does a wonderful job in today's Star-Ledger of telling this story about family bonds, heartache and the enduring hopes of immigrants.