He could have been one of the 12 million immigrants who entered the United States illegally, their journeys propelled by the dream of finding a better life. But Raul is not a statistic, a number that politicians cite to document the flood of illegal immigrants to this country. Raul came here legally, going through an arduous process that tested his patience and character; it took him seven years — seven years of paperwork and setbacks and dreams that, deferred for so many years, finally came true. "My brother was already here legally, but he hurt his back at work, and he needed help," Raul, 53, who lived in Monterrey, said. "He kept telling me, 'It will be soon, it will be soon.' I got frustrated, but I had a good job as a security guard, so it kept me from getting desperate." Raul, who asked that his real name not be used, works at two restaurants in San Antonio, earning enough money for himself and his family in Mexico.