America's Immigtration Policy (a personal story)

[heyzeus]

It's a good thing my grandparents and great grandparents came to this country back around 1900 instead of today. Back then, they were penniless Ukranian farmers, and their citizenship was granted to them when their boat showed up at Ellis Island.

Today, they'd have to hire an immigration lawyer, pay a few thousand for applications and attorney fees, wait 5 years, and then still might get sent back to Mother Russia to be tortured or killed for being Jewish.

There has to be a better way. I don't know that we can take all comers, as a country, but we're ruining one of the things that made America what it is today. IE, a great, prosperous, diverse nation of opportunity for all.

[Arthur Dent]

That's a very frustrating story. I don't understand why we are trying to reject immigrants, especially of this kind.

Have they talked to some kind of expert in immigration law? It sounds like they were trying to get political assylum. I have read that it is extremely difficult to have this granted. Have they tried other avenues such as work related visas?

[Simbagal23]

We are very likely going to lose one of our staff because of this.

And mrs. pop's experience was the stuff of nightmares.

Too personal, or are you willing to share? My friends story really isn't that uncommon. The details of it are, I guess, but the general story line is the same for hundreds and thousands of potential immigrants.

The whole process was lengthy, tortuous, and dehumanizing.

She's this little elf of a woman (102 lbs soaking wet) and she
was treated like a criminal throughout the process. During
the interview w/ Homeland Security, the interviewer demanded
a document that we were told we wouldn't need. But smart me,
I had brought the entire file (it was gigantic by this time) in the
trunk of my car. I retrieve it, but then the security guard not only
won't let me though, he's spouting obscenities at me. Great.

I desperately call to another guard and explain that I'm doing
this at the behest of their own interviewer. As he lets me
through, guard number one launches one more F-bomb at me.

And when I return to the interview room, mrs. pop is white as
a sheet, so I could tell everything was going just swimmingly
on her end, as well. She asks me afterward: what the hell is
WRONG with these people?!?

I don't want to go into any more details...I get angry all over
again.

That is unfortunate. We had the complete opposite experience....my husband received his "temporary-permanent green card" (yes, that's what they call it!) without any problems. And this was shortly after 9-11 (we were married December 2001). He and I went to the interview sans attorney. We decided it should be easy and we didn't want to fork out the moolah for a lawyer. In the common area where people sat until interviewed, everyone except us had an attorney. Made us a bit nervous but too late at that point. We met with the interviewer who asked a number of questions, the entire process lasted less than 20 minutes....out we go with temporary papers in hand. Three years later, we had to submit more paperwork along with affidavits from friends/family attesting that we're still married and live together. Shortly thereafter, he received his permanent green card.

I truly feel bad for folks with bad experiences because ours was actually quite painless.

[Hungary Jack]

Population growth is a critical driver of economic growth, and getting young, motivated, reasonably educated immigrants who are ready to enter our workforce is a huge plus. Nations like Japan and Italy are very worried about the long-term demographic projections of their aging populations. Russia's population, by some estimates, has started shrinking. Meanwhile, China and India will grow like crazy.

Our country needs to drop the short-term, reactionary xenophobic policies stemming from post 9-11 and get a much better perspective on what really threatens this country. Terrorists have already found their way onto American soil. Some were even born here. Closing off the borders and building fences won't stop them, but these actions will help imperil our economic future.

[KyCardinalFan]

My husband just finished going through a similar process for an employee from Argentina. It took over a year to go through processes. About 6 months before his student visa was to expire they started getting him a work visa through an attorney. His student visa was then in danger to expire and they still hadn't given work visa approval. He went back to the university to try to get some sort of sponsorship, emergency status, and/or enroll in a post-grad class in order to stay. The university wouldn't do it. Now this is a school of 600-800 people. Tiny. They knew him but didn't want the "risk", despite my husband's company (4 of 5 are Alums) assurances of no liability. Luckily the school had a change of presidents last spring and the new prez knows the employee well and intervened personally.

Actually, as I type, I don't know if he has his permanent work visa or not. He may still be here as a student. But I had to agree with everyone that the process screws those who go through immigration properly.

Fat Strat~ Besides getting an attorney well versed in immigration law, your church needs to start an appeal with your representatives. Especially with those for whom this is an election year. The more publicity; the more people are aware of the story, the better. In these instances sometimes it's who you know.

I would imagine the fact that the baby will be an American citizen will probably complicate matters as well?

[tothebeach08]

I handle visa processing for international physicians coming into the United States for their residency training. These people must not have had Green Cards, but instead probably have some kind of temporary work visa. In the past when we have had problems with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) we have contact our Congressman. It actually does work, but it is not fast so they need to get help now. Since she works for a non-profit, they probably have some supporters who may be big in the community and can help them get the attention of the Congressman. They also need a good immigration attorney, again since she works for a non-profit maybe they can help them obtain help from someone on their Board.

It is not easy to fight the USCIS, but it can work. Like I said though they need to get on it right away.

Good luck to them.

[thrill]

I handle visa processing for international physicians coming into the United States for their residency training. These people must not have had Green Cards, but instead probably have some kind of temporary work visa. In the past when we have had problems with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) we have contact our Congressman. It actually does work, but it is not fast so they need to get help now. Since she works for a non-profit, they probably have some supporters who may be big in the community and can help them get the attention of the Congressman. They also need a good immigration attorney, again since she works for a non-profit maybe they can help them obtain help from someone on their Board.

It is not easy to fight the USCIS, but it can work. Like I said though they need to get on it right away.

Good luck to them.

Seriously, how cool is the internet? Someone I've never met who lives in Oklahoma, but who I have become friends with has a beef with the immigration process and here is another person who I have never met who works processing visas offering advice. That is awesome.

[JCShutout]

Hey FS, That's rough and rediculous man. Hoping and praying things go well.

[Fat Strat]

I handle visa processing for international physicians coming into the United States for their residency training. These people must not have had Green Cards, but instead probably have some kind of temporary work visa. In the past when we have had problems with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) we have contact our Congressman. It actually does work, but it is not fast so they need to get help now. Since she works for a non-profit, they probably have some supporters who may be big in the community and can help them get the attention of the Congressman. They also need a good immigration attorney, again since she works for a non-profit maybe they can help them obtain help from someone on their Board.

It is not easy to fight the USCIS, but it can work. Like I said though they need to get on it right away.

Good luck to them.

Thanks for the tip! I'll let them know.