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ARCHIVES THREE - Stories posted from December 1998 to April 1999

Honest Voices Speak Out About the IIRAIRA Law:

The following stories and comments are posted from those that were sent to us by way of our Town meeting at the Townhall on this site. If, after listening to these voices, you yourself wish to tell us about how the new immigration law has affected, or perhaps will affect, your life, then join us over at the Townhall to tell us your own story...

Click here to view ARCHIVES ONE, stories posted  from the beginning of our site until June, 1997

Click here to view ARCHIVES TWO, stories posted between June, 1997 and November 1998

Click here to view ARCHIVES FOUR, stories posted between May, 1999 to December 1999

Received April 27, 1999

I am a 24 year old US Citizen by birth.  When I was 14 years old I met a 19 year old young man who had a crush on me...we remained friends over the years.  Over the years we always kept in touch going our own ways but he made it a point to always keep in touch with cards & letters.  In 1994 he was convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter and sentenced to a California State Prison. 

Knowing this man I had learned of his circumstances and knew he could not be guilty of his charge.  I visited him many times and our friendship grew much stronger than ever before.  He was released as scheduled January 1997, immediately returned to the workforce in February 1997 and was a model employee as he had always been before.  He had no previous problems with the law, no previous criminal history, USMC reserves & had tons of work awards from his employer.

In January 1999 we were married.  Within that same month the INS began to seek him for deportation because of the RETROACTIVE law.
At the advise of several attorneys, he left the country so he could remain free.   There is no bail for aggrevated felons.  He would have to remain detained by the INS until his hearing or until they deported him.  We traveled together to the Philippines where I stayed one week to assist him in a quick adjustment.

My husband and best friend is gone.  I don't know when he will return.  All of this would have been prevented if he would have filed for citizenship when he came here at 15 years old.  Who would have ever thought this would happen to him???  For those of you who read this...advise all you know to do this before they are sent away without hope.  I can only hope this law will soon be revised.  I can't pick up and move this soon...but I will if I find there are no other options.  If anyone has any advise for me on where to start please email me: YCValeri@aol.com.

Received April 26, 1999

I AM THE DAUGHTER OF GUILLERMO MOJICA I HAVE BEEN LIVING THIS NIGHTMARE SINCE MAY 1996.   SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT MY FATHER HAS MISSED FOR BEING DETAINED.  NO ONE REALIZES WHAT THIS LAW IS DOING TO PEOPLE'S FAMILIES.  IN THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE BECOME MY PARENTS PARENT.  I WAS FORCED TO GROW UP TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY PROBLEMS. I TRIED BEING THERE FOR MY MOM AND BROTHER AS BEST THAT I COULD. EVER SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED MY PARENTS'DREAMS WENT DOWN THE DRAIN.  THEY LOST THEIR BUSINESS AND MY MOM WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, THANK GOD THROUGH A LOT OF PRAYERS AND SACRIFICES WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE HER THE TREATMENTS AND SURGERY SHE NEEDED.  I GOT MARRIED AUGUST OF 1998 MY FATHER WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THERE TO WALK ME DOWN THE AISLE BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.  MY FATHER WAS DETAINED BY INS MAY 96 THE DAY OF MY BROTHER'S B'DAY. I DIDN'T SEE MY FATHER UNTIL OCTOBER 96 WHEN KERRY BRETZ GOT HIM RELEASED FROM OAKDALE THAT WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.  HE GOT TO MEET THE MAN I WAS GOING TO MARRY AND HIS FAMILY.  WE WERE ALL EXCITED ABOUT PLANNING THE WEDDING ON MAY 97 HE WAS ORDERED TO GO BACK TO OAKDALE.  I REMEMBER THEY CALLED ME AT WORK TO TELL ME THAT I SHOULD TELL MY FATHER HE HAD TO GO BACK I REMEMBER GOING HOME CRYING IN THE MEANTIME MY FATHER THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME AND MY WEDDING PLANS THAT'S WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD TO GO BACK AND THAT I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO LEAVE WE BOTH CRIED AND TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS BEST SO WE DECIDED HE SHOULD GO BACK.  THAT WAS THE HARDEST THING FOR ME TO DO. MY FATHER TOLD ME THAT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GO AHEAD WITH MY WEDDING BECAUSE HE WAS GIVING ME HIS BLESSING. MY FATHER MISSED MY BRIDAL SHOWER MY BROTHER'S GRADUATION AND MY WEDDING. HE WASN'T THERE TO DANCE WITH ME THE FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE.  I CRIED SO MUCH AT THAT MOMENT THAT I DEDICATED THAT PART OF MY WEDDING TO MY FATHER BECAUSE I KNEW HE WAS THERE IN SPIRIT GIVING ME SUPPORT. I'VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT MY BROTHER IN COLLEGE MAKING SURE MY MOTHER'S OK AND THAT EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER IN MY DAD'S CASE.  MY FATHER HAS A GRANDSON NOW HE IS NINE MONTHS THIS IS ANOTHER MILESTONE MY FATHER WAS NOT ABLE TO ENJOY ON MAY 3 IT WILL BE TWO YEARS THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN MY FATHER THEY DON'T WANT TO RELEASE HIM AFTER ALL THE APPEALS, BRIEFS.  WE HAVE BEEN VICTORIOUS IN THE RULINGS BUT THEY HAVEN'T BROUGHT MY DAD HOME.MY FATHER IS A GREAT MAN HE COULD OF RAN AWAY BUT HE CHOSE TO FACE THE SITUATION HEAD ON.  I AM PROUD TO BE HIS DAUGHTER REGARDLESS OF WHAT PEOPLE MAY THINK.  MY FATHER DID EVERYTHING FOR HIS FAMILY WE ALWAYS CAME FIRST THAT IS WHY I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP HIM COME THAT IS WHY I NEED YOUR HELP.  HE IS SUPPOSE TO BE RETURNING TO NY SOON FOR A HEARING AND I HOPE IT WILL BE POSITIVE IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME PLEASE EMAIL ME AT AMO1063411@AOL.COM

Received April 20, 1999

One very important issue that Congress and the american government itself cannot denie is the fact that the american progress, its economy has been for many, many years, been supported by immigrants.  It is not us whow are taking away the possibility for an american to hold a job,  in the fields, restaurants, warehouses, etc.  The basic economic structure of this government was founded on hardworking and honest immigrants.   I totally disagree with those laws that infringe, hamper the social and family aspects of the immigrants.  The United States has been known to fight for civil rights, human rights movements.  A prisoner in the United States, he or she who has commited a horroundous crime against humanity, has more rights than a decent, hardworking immigrant.  The laws that keep families separated, couples left alone with uncertainty are ill intentioned and wicked.  By no means does it make sense.   When honest people come to the US to work under the laws of this government, willing to abide the rules and pay his taxes, why then does the law make it impossible for him to come in, and those who come with illegal intentions, have the doors opened with no hesitation.  I have personally seen this, and it hurts. The laws should be more flexible. If you look at all of these laws and regulations, there is no reasonable reason, why a family has to be separated, why if one member of the family, for instance the husband or wife, holds a permanent residency, can she not have her spouse and children with her within a reasonable time, more than one year is not under any human aspect, legal or sound.  Why if a green card holder marries and requests for his or her spouse to join him or her, must she or he wait more than 4 years.  If these laws were applied for american citizens abroad, they would see them as illegal, immoral laws.  So I want the government officials to help us in making these laws more flexibl more human, immigrans are not numbers, they are people.  I have learned all this through my education here in the States..  It is very easy to say, the law is the law and whoever wants to abide by it fine, if not can leave.   But you see is not that simple.  I am a permanent resident, I work, pay my taxes, abide the laws, therefore I deserve respect and rights.  Having my husband with me, or families together is not a privilage it is a right under any law.

Received April 16, 1999

My name is Cynthia Lara. My husband was affected by the 1996 Reform Act. My husband was convicted of a felony.  To me those words are just to harsh.  I understand all those people that are for these law.  I lived with this person for years, my husband.   He has three D.W.I's the third D.W.I is considered a felony, and i think i understand, but the thing i don't understand is that he was convicted in 93'.  He served a 5 year probation.  He proved to me and the world for that matter that he would change his life around. He did it, but now this 1996 Reform Act is haunting us. My children are devasted it by this. There in a state of depression, it has affected them in school so bad. I guess the government doesn't see these and just don't care.  I think fair is fair and they should look at each case individually.  I think some people out there have worse cases.  Not that i condone what my husband did is O.K. I feel that he paid for his crime and we were starting to get our lives back. That did not happen it was shattered one more time. It came back to haunt us one more time. Only God knows if all these is going to be resolved or the government decides to destroy the family apart.

Received April 15, 1999

I am sixteen years old and I went on a trip with other Methodist teenagers.  We went to New York City and Washington D.C. I learned so much about what is going on in the U.S. involving deportation.  I even participated in a demonstration at the capitol with people from Central America. I just don't understand how people can be so illogical.   There is no harm in people staying here.  This is their home and we have no right to take it from them. They have lived her for years and years and they have nothing to go back to. The U.S. is an arrogant country.  We have better things to worry about than sending Central Americans back to Central America.

Received April 14, 1999

To Whom it may concern,

I will start by telling you a little about myself. I wasborn in 1969, in Portugal. When I was three years old my family immigrated to Vancouver, BC, which we lived for about five years. In 1978 my family immigrated to the US, which we have lived since then. I went to school here my whole life and grew up in the same way as American children. After graduating high school I joined the military, like a lot of other people do. I was with the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. I was on active duty for four years. During that time I was deployed to the Persian gulf for operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In 1993 my four year enlistment was up and I decided to get out of active duty and join the Army reserves. While in the Army Reserves I was told that I had to become an American citizen to stay in the Army, because a person can not stay in the military after eight years unless they become an American citizen. Three years ago I applied to become an American citizen. The process was going good, even though it was taking a long time. After getting interviewed and been told that my application was
good and all I needed was to be sworn in, the process stopped. When I did not receive an answer from the INS for a long period of time, I made my own inquirers. Myself along with the military, from my company command to the commanding general, contacted the INS to find out what was happening with my application. My time in the military was running out and I wanted to reenlist. The military also wanted me to reenlist , but their hands were tied by the eight year limit. After exhausting all my extensions, with the military, making my time in the military a total of nine and a half years and being promoted to E-6 Staff SGT., my enlistment was up and I could not reenlist. As of January 10, 1999 I was forced to leave the Military. My unit is hoping that I resolve this  and get back in, so I can do the job that I have been doing and love to do. After talking to someone I met, who works for the INS, I finally found out why my application was being held up. I found out that they were holding it up because of a incident that happened in my passed four years ago. I do not understand why something like this would stop the process, when I was 100% truthful with the INS. It really shocks me that this country, the only one that I feel a part of, could take immigrants into their military, let them fight for this country, let them get infected with chemical and tell them that the government will take care of them and then deny you from becoming a citizen. I do not want you to think that I do not like this country, I love America and am willing to die for it in war defending it. I would just like to be treated as equal as everyone else, so
that what I fought for, while in the Army, was for everyone in this country.

Received April 11, 1999

over the last year, I have been hearing stories of resident aliens being deported for minor violations of the law. In a recent story, a senator was talking about immigrants, some having served in combat, being deported for minor legal violations. I believe the senators name was Leahy. I am just like these people. I came to the U S with my father 40 years ago. In my teens and up until the time I was about 20, I had a few minor run ins with the law. I never was incarcerated, although I was placed on adult probation for 3 years. From 1967 to 1971 I served in the military, and the last year of that tour, I served in Vietnam with a combat unit. Today I am a disabled veteran. Since that time, 1967, I have not been arrested by the police of had any dealings with them other than a speeding ticket. I married, raised three children, have a career, and now I find out that any day, I might receive a knock on the door and be removed from my home and returned to Canada. I pay taxes, am a working member of society. I pay my bills, voluteer, do my civic duty and am an asset to my community. But because of some stupid mistakes as a young man, I have no rights when the INS comes knocking at my door. I now live as if I were in a dictatorship, waiting for the secret police to come and take me away. I do not understand why the government is doing this. Why would they want to remove productive members of society, people who shed blood for this country. I am very upset, and yet it appears there is nothing I can do other than wait for the knock on the door. Was this the freedom I fought for in Vietnam. I don't think so.

Received April 9, 1999

I am currently on the run with my British-born husband and our two daughters, ages   4 and 5. We are headed out of the U.S. to avoid  having the INS take my husband into custody.  We were advised that he could be held indefinitely while the case for his deportation proceeded.  He has a criminal history, the result of a drug problem and several foolish mistakes he made as a young adult.  His crimes were committed 14 years ago.  He served his prison time and a 10 year probation which just ended this past January.  Since I have known him He has been a good husband, an excellent father, a good provider, an exceptional employee, and a law-abiding man.   He was a permanent resident alien since coming here at the age of 10.  He is now 40 years old and his life that he has worked so hard to turn around has just been ripped out from under him. My life and the lives of our children  have been irreversibly altered by this  shameful law.  I am no longer proud to be an American and I will go with my family to make a new life elsewhere, but not without a great deal of resentment.  I have been betrayed by my government in the cruelest manner.  I miss my home, I miss cooking in my own kitchen, I miss my garden, our neighbors, friends.  My children miss their friends, their swingset, their bedrooms, OUR LIFE!  My husband is truly an example of rehabilitation and we do not deserve to lose everything we worked so hard for.  We are lucky that we had advanced warning that the agents of the INS were coming.  We had just enough time to get a few essentials and hit the road.  After visiting with relatives, we will be headed to Canada in the hopes that his British citizenry will give him an advantage to reside in Canada.  If not, we will head to the UK where it is unlikely that I will ever see my family again(we are not people of "means" financially speaking).  Sometimes I cry when I think about the good life I had to abandon and I cry for what my kids have lost.  But I try to remain stoic for them so that I might lessen their trauma.   We always had lived with the fear of this hapening when we began to hear the horror stories on the news and in the paper after this law took effect, but somehow managed to delude ourselves into thinking that it wouldn't happen to us.  Then we got the phone call that signalled the end of life as we knew it and began our "run for the border".  It seems the bumbling INS agents went to the wrong house and that was our only stroke of luck in all of this.  If not for that my husband would be languishing in some detention center somewhere for God only knows how long and I would be left alone to wonder what he was going through and not knowing when he would be sent back to Britain, all the while trying to keep it together for our children. At least this way we are together as a family and can begin rebuilding our shattered life.  I will be praying for all of you who have written and shared your stories and the ones who have yet to be heard.  Please pray for us also.  I will miss my  "home" but not my country.  Sign me: angry ex-american 

Received April 8, 1999

At the age of sixteen, my friend took the blame for a crime he did not commit.  To make a long story short--he took the blame for an assault his young friends had committed.   In turn, he served a little under one year for this crime. Now, at 24 he is a business owner with one mistake in his past.  And because of this one mistake at the age of 16, he will now pay nevertheless. Unfortunately being naive and having no guidance has caused my friend to pay for a situation that happened when he was a minor and that he did not commit.  This has caused him to live in fear that he will one day be deported to Colombia to a country he can barely recall.

Received April 8, 1999

   I'm so numb right now.To be honest I'm scared!Kosovo is so close to home right now. Why are our citizens being taken from there homes? Why are our families being torn apart? Why are we being deported? Exiled because of our ancestral backgrounds,or naive mistakes.INS doesn't care if your a mother, father, sister, brother or someone's child. They don't even care if it was 24hrs ago or 24 yrs ago. They don't care if you were 18 & realized your mistake, you repented & paid your debt to God,yourself & your society.THEY don't Care!How many of you knew about this?It's not one ethnic group,but all! Asians, hispanics, africans, Italians, swedish, canandians?There tearing us apart, our basic civil rights as human beings disregarded, our earned freedom, nothing in the eyes of INS.I don't understand, I can't justify it.I mean I understand a habitual criminal, serial rapist, child molester/murderer.I can understand a law made for that purpose get them the hell out!But to take 1st time offenders & 10/20 yrs old mistakes as means to come in & lock you away, taking your pride,dreams,hopes&future and deporting some to places they never seen or can't relate or adapt to.They drop you off where the plane lands. They don't give you cloths or money or resources to help you.We don't even treat animals this way in America, but we can get away with treating HUMAN BEINGS THIS WAY.What difference does a card or a piece of paper with blah-#'s make? We all need the same to survive, our water, our food our people.We make our world exciting,what would we do with out our neighbors:who would make our kids Pizza or my favorite egg rolls, or hot tamales & crunchy tacos or Arroz con pollo, or wonton soup or swedish meatballs and what about our St.Patricks Day Parades, this is America to me.These laws have to be reformed,and made for the hardened criminals ship them out from overcrowded prisons, deport the sickos who molest children,and murderers.Not people who served there time by probation or first time offenders or misdeameanors done 20 yrs ago and INS decides to deport you because you went to pay a ticket & you had an old record? These stories should be told through massive means, because so little of us know?Please, anyone if your in the NEWS OR HAVE MEDIA CONNECTIONS THIS HAS TO BE BLOWN OPEN, THE U.S. IS DOING THERE OWN ETHNIC CLEANSING RIGHT HERE UNDER OUR NOSES!hELP US DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!We can't do it alone, but we can do as a whole,as AMERICANS!God Bless

Received April 5, 1999

I am very near and dear to a family which lives in California.  It is a family of 4. Brother and wife, sister and child of brother and wife.  Brother has been in this country for over 13 years.  He could and would have qualified for the amnesty program years ago but got sick (industrial) and did not proceed with the necessary paper work.   As a result the family is now facing deportation in September.  Baby is going to be 2 in July and was born in CA.  Brother has paid thousands upon thousands of dollars (has been scammed many times) to try to do the right thing and apply for citizanship to our great USA.  They are hardworking tax payors who HAVE NOT taken advantage of the system.  They have worked the jobs that no one would work to try keep gainfully employed.  Wife and sister have also been here for over 7 years.   They have been working with "bad" papers but only because they have no choice at this time.  Brother has a legal permit.  Now sister and wife are not facing deportation in September but Brother, who has tried to do everything right is.   I am a forth generation american (spanish american) and am ashamed at how we treat those who are trying to improve the quality of life, trying to do what is right, without any success.  Is there anyone out there that can tell me how I can help this family stay in this country.  They are Mexican.

Received April 5, 1999

This is in regard to my brother, is name is Donald R.Moore. Having lived in the the United States for thirty years - naturalized for twenty-five, he now is sitting in the Servicing Processing Center, 8915 Montana Ave unit 4 El Paso, Texas 79925, awaiting deportation. His alien number is A34529244. After serving time for bank fraud ( he was an officer at the Bank of America). The interesting truth is, he sent for his childhood sweetheart in jamaica married and they have two children. His has been a naturalized citizen for at least ten years. His wife ( a registered nurse)falls in and out of depression on a weekly basis the daughter 13 years old ( hydrocephalic)cannot be told where her father is. Over the christmas holidays she underwent three operations in ten days, all she wanted was her daddy. He son 17 years old has to treated for depression also, his school work has dropped off badly, he atributes it to headaches and finds it hard to consentrate. This family has been devastated.If there is anything you can do to help this family please do.

Thanking you,
martell

Received April 4, 1999

I am writing this because of the injustice and inhumane laws which are in effect. The strain that immigration puts on LAPR'S (Legally Admitted for Permanent Residence),I was approached by a friend who told me that his brother was picked up for being convicted of possession of cocaine, less than a gram.  For this he is not entitled to bond out and is currently in jail waiting an immigration hearing to determine whether he should be deported or not. Immigration hearing is set month's from when he was picked up and detained. The problem exist that when a person is under removal proceedings and I do not know how this happen.  But because the Department of Justice is saying that his is an agg. felon, based on what an Immigration Judge in San Antonio, Texas said in a hearing that a person in not entitled to bond out. My friend has his own business has lived in the United States for over 24 years and is not a public charge to society. Because of this he sits waiting in jail while his business losses money and maybe he might even lose his business. (who knows) Why is it that in Texas and specifically Western District of Texas, immigration gets away with blood sucking murder.!!!! I know because I worked as an immigration agent in California and because there are no active groups in this area.   Border Patrol and Immigration do as they please!!!!  (I have seen it) Anybody can look at the I.N.S. Web Page and Locate Del Rio Sector which publishes all there apprehension, Like in Hunting season when you have the Big Buck Contest. "Know folk's this is just a number game.  I bring up the stats in my Sector, and Janet Reno will be proad and send me more agents, equipment and allocate me modern tech., etc......."
I can go on for ever, I am a U.S. Citizen, this makes me embarrased on who we have making the laws. -- OJB

Received March 30, 199

We are currently fighting INS. They are ignoring all evidence sent them by us and our Lawyer. They are going to deport my husband to Pakistan. We have been married 5 1/2 years. Although I was in good physical health at the time of our marriage, I am now partialy disabled, and I need my husband to assist with many things others take for granted. We have been fighting INS for the duration of our marriage. They insist that my husband's deceased wife is alive. We have proven beyond a doubt that she died in 1991. They refuse to examine the contents of our file. Just deport people without looking at evidence. We are just one in a line of many. This is an atrocity on American soil. This is a crime of the highest level. Separating a man from his wife is against what God intended. Why does INS have to be an entity separate from the USA? If they are here to serve America, why not be governed by America. They should be held accountable for breaking up families. Why take children from their parents? Why separate husbands and wives? What kind of gratitude do these bigots get for the damage to other peoples lives? It is time for all Americans to ask "WHERE IS MY JUSTICE? HOW CAN WE HAVE JUSTICE WHEN YOU TEAR OUR FAMILIES TO SHREADS? STAND UP AMERICA, AND DEMAND YOUR LIBERTY AND LIFE! WHAT LIBERTY IS THERE IN HAVING YOUR FAMILY RIPPED APART?  Congress is not effective in requesting the INS do its job the right way. We have many letters through Congress. They are not effective in producing results, even they are the ones in charge of INS.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know. We have been in Federal Court three times, and will be going back May 6th, 1999.

Received March 28, 1999

Hi, my name is Paolo I'm Italian, I was deported from the US in 98 after 75 days of jail with the INS. I lived in the US for almost 5 years, I was married to a US citizen, I have a daugther she's only 3 and she's the most wonderfull gift that God gave me.  I had a business, a car, a home, great friends, well I had a life in San Diego (CA). Now I look back and it seems that was only a dream that turned into a nightmare, and I can't wake up from it. I have no criminal offense, the Judge found me a resident with a good moral, but still I got deported, today is 03/28/99 and I have'nt seen my daughter since 06/01/98 why? When I call my baby "Daddy when are you coming back""Daddy I miss you""Daddy I love you" what I'm suppose to tell her "no baby Daddy is not coming back for 5 years, maybe". I see all this as unusual cruelty, I'm a very patient man and I belive in peace, but were is the justice. The INS made me go thrue hell, I've lost my mind, and now I'm trying to make a reason out of it, belive me it's so hard.  When I was incarcerated my life completly change, it made me realize how many people are suffering because of the INS, my story it's devasteting but it's a minor one compared to what I've seen and what I heard in those jails. I have allot more to tell you if this could help me and others to bring justice into the right hands. Thank you for your concern and I hope to hear froom you soon
                                          my best regards
                                                   Paolo

Received March 28, 1999

My husband, Peter, British by birth, became an INS statistic the day before Thanksgiving, 1998.  After living in Seattle, Washington for 39 years (since age 10)as a Legal Permanent Resident, he joined the ranks of our "dearly deported" family members, caught in the clutches of the harsh INS legislation currently in effect.   Now, I am aware that there are many Americans who have no sympathy for those people who have been summarily shipped out of the U.S. because of criminal convictions categorized since 1996 as "aggravated felonies".  I, of course, am not one of them and my views on this subject are law-related (and yes, I have a vested interest here.)  If a law doesn't wreak havoc on your life, it is much easier to ignore on a daily basis.  The current immigration/deportation laws in effect have ripped all of our lives and families to shreds.  And so it goes.  While it is extremely unjust, it is the reality I find myself living these days.  I live in Seattle, for now, and my husband lives in Lancashire, England.   AND NOW A SLIGHT DETOUR -- I wonder, does it matter whether his conviction and subsequent 16 - month imprisonment happened fairly recently?  I mean on a philosophical level.  And, yes, legally also.  How can a law that is retroactive be fair or constitutional?  Where, oh where are we headed here?  Peter was arrested in March 1995, but was not convicted until July 1997 --so slowly the system turns.  You know, I read stories in the forum here, and some non-citizens are being deported for convictions that took place 20 years ago... that is seriously frightening to me.
O.K., DETOUR OVER.
   It is very late, I am rambling... this is just the beginning of my story.   To close, I will say that I will be moving to England in August or September.   I can only look at it as an adventure at this point.  I hope that it won't be forever.  I hope that the tide will turn in our favor in a rapid fashion.  More later.
   Anne.

Received March 24, 1999

I though my story was bad, until this evening when I read some of yours!I am a U.S. born citizen who married a Mexican citizen in January of this year. When we filed for our I-130 the INS officer told us that as long as my husband continued to live in Mexico he could use his Border Crossing Card to visit me in San Diego (where I live). Well, his BCC was canceled last night. I have spent the entire day today going from one INS office to the border and back again -and the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana. I have spoken to 5 INS officials all of which have given me different stories as to why his BCC was canceled. Do the INS officers know what the law is?!! First we were told that it was canceled because we had filed the I-130. Then after a 2 1/2 hour wait at the border we were told it was because he didn't have proof of residency in Mexico. (He only had his Mexican driver's license -which was issued in Feb. 1999, a bank ATM card, some money, a video rental card and his Mexican voter reqistration card.) I asked the INS officer at that time what constituted proof of residency. He said a phone bill and/or utility bill would do. I offered to drive to my husband's residence in Tijuana to pick up these documents and return with them. The INS officer refused, saying that it was reasonable to expect my husband to be carrying a utility bill on his person while crossing the border. After returning to Tijuana I thought that it wouldn't hurt to return to the border with the documents requested, plus several others, thinking I might appeal to their reason. I was basically told that since the documents could not be produced at the time of the original request in the eyes of the INS the documents did not exist. Even as I was holding an inch thick stack of papers in my hand! At that time I was also told that proof of residency was irrelevant because his BCC was canceled due to our I-130 filing. They change their story depending on what suits their purpose at the time. The most frustrating thing about this is that WE ARE TELLING THE TRUTH! My husband does live in Mexico, and would have continued to do so until the I-130 was approved. The more INS officials I speak to the situation reachs greater and greater heights of absurdity. The best one so far was from an INS supervisor in the Special Cases office at the border (a particularly hostile individual) who, while "reviewing" our case, accused my husband of living and working illegally in Las Vegas! We were married in Las Vegas while on a 3 day vacation, and hadn't ever been there before or since!  I have contacted 2 immigration attorneys in San Diego and have received no help or even encouragement. Thank you for allowing me to sound off about this. I feel as if I've been hitting my head against a brick wall. My husband and I talk a lot about the differences between the Mexican and U.S. systems of government. Corruption, injustice and abuse of power are things that the Mexican government is known for. I have explained to him that our system is based on justice, honesty and honor. I'm only 25 years-old, I didn't know the truth until now. Today I was not proud to be an American.  

Received March 20, 1999

I am the wife of a permanent alien resident.  My husband was deported on December 17,1998 for a crime that took place 10 years ago.  This new law has seperated our family.  It has took away their father that has been there everyday now they only wonder "when is daddy coming home?"  My husband was born in Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1975 looking for an opportunity to raise a family and have a better way of life.  For 24 years he has been a model member of society a homeowner,a hardworker and a taxpayer.  His entire family is in the United States.   He has left behind his mother,father, two sisters and brother.  Because of this new law he has been forced to return to a country that he is not familiar with his entire life is in the United States.  For a misdeameanor that has happened ten years ago he is now paying his life for.  I am trying everyday to support my two daughters because this law has emotionally and finacially drained me.  On just one income
I am trying to support my family because my husband has been involuntarily taken away from me.  I just don't understand how we as immigrants have been stripped from our rights when even Americans are given a chance
to establish their lives and to live "The American dream.

Received March 20,1999

My brother is currently being held in the INS facility in Eloy.  My whole family immigrated here from Mexico in l972.  Under the Amnesty program my whole family was able to apply for temporary resident status.  My brother Hector, the oldest also applied and received the status of temporary resident in l987.  On September 25, l989 he was convicted of "attempted possession of narcotic drug" and served two years probation.  He was then placed under deportation proceedings on February 28, l994.   Then on August 4, l995 at the deportation hearing my brother was found deportable as charged.  He filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals.  The BIA dismissed his appeal.  He then filed a petition for review with the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals where the case is pending now. He was released on bond. My brother was apprehended for the first time when he breached his bond sometime in August of l996 when he failed to appear to be deported. On September of l996 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of deportation pending their decision on the merits of his case.   My brother should be eligible to adjust his status to that of lawful permanent resident alien since there was an approval of his I-130 petition (family sponsored petition) and an order vacating his controlled-substance related conviction.   However, the BIA denied his petition because he did not meet the fourth prong test in the matter of Manrique. My brother has been appearing at the INS office every month for the past two years. On February 16, 1999 he was apprehended and sent to the INS facility.   He was told he is an aggravated felon and should be detained pending the outcome of his case in the Ninth Circuit.  My brother's whole life is here.  He has been in the United States since he was 11 years old.  His wife is a Naturalized citizen.   His two sons were both born here.  He has a son who is 15 and one who is 4 years old.  My mother and brothers and sisters are all U.S. citizens.  My brother has turned his life around since his conviction in l986.  He has had a steady job.  He is a good father and husband and now he is being punished again.

Received March 18, 1999

I am very saddened to hear of all the horrible situations.  My husband has gone through the deportation proceedings as well.  It's a shame that the law does allow for any exceptions or even consider the merits of an individual.  I want to encourage all of the failies to join Citizens and Immigrants for Equal Justice (CIEJ).  The website is can be found at    www.members.aol.com/DIVERSITY99 .   You don't have to pay any membership fees. Get a members packet and join the other 350 families in this fight against these unjust laws.  I also want to encourage you to stay posted on new cases being decided.  You can find full case details at www.usdoj.gov/eoir/bia/biaindx.htm.   Please try to hang in there and god bless.  My e-mail is jtrumbo@earthlink.net. 

Received March 18, 1999

My brother who has been living in the U.S. for over 20 years as a permanent resident was recently jailed and faces possible deportation proceedings. He is being detained for an offence that he was charged with in 1989. Since then he has been a lawful tax paying resident and has strong family ties in the U.S. This is absolutely devastating and inhumane!

Received March 16, 1999

I hate to admit it, but I am an immigrant. I have gotten so used to the American culture that for instances I forgot that I was Mexican. Ever sice my first day in America I strongly felt that this was truly the country where the dreams come true. It hasn't been exactly that way, but I look at my situation and I realize that I have been gifted by what I have. "I got to go". 'll keep in touch with you or your organization. At this point of my life, I am looking forward to become naturalized and perhaps your organization could guide me through  the process.

Received March 15, 1999

To whomever this may concern, I am a sister of someone who is presently facing deportation. We have came to this country because of freedom and opportunities to better our lives. I think this new deportation law is stupid. We have build a life here for 23 years. How can the lawmakers of this country just make the decision of taking away a family member because of a crime commited. Don't americans commit crimes as well. Where do they get deported to. We are all human beings too no matter where we came from. Whether we were born here or not. My brother didn't know he could face deportation at the time he committed the crime. I feel that when a person has served his time, he should be given the chance like everyone else to prove himself. I could understand if he had nobody in this country to rely on for help, but he has my self, parents , brothers or should I just say his whole entire family is here. How can he start a life going back to a country where he can't speak the language, not knowing where to start. What about us, the family. If we knew this was gonna happen to our families before we would of never came to this country.

Received March 11, 1999

We are a newly wed couple  caught by the new law barring us from making a spouse legal without being separated for ten year. I hope that this law the 3/10 bar will be removed shortly.

Received March 10, 199

I MR JOE HAS BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 5 YEARS MARRIED TO AN AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS WITH 2 KIDS BUT STILL CANNOT BE APPROVED FOR A GREEN CARD AND EVEN WRITE NOW MY EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION IS EXPIRED AM OUT OF WORK CANNOT PAY BILLS MY FAMILY IS ABOUT TO MOVE OUT OF THE HOME WE LIVE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IMMIGRATION TO SEND ME AN EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION RENEWAL WHICH I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR I STILL CAN GET IT.

Received March 9, 1999

My younger brother is going to be deported due to these horrible laws.  He has been in this country since he was 10 years old and has not lived in Mexico for almost 20 years. The rest of us are Citizens of this country and due to this our lives have been destroyed and under a lot of stress. He is not here illegally - he is a permanent legal resident.  He had drug problem that this government precluded us from fixing (they never allowed us to force him into rehab)and instead they just threw him in Prison.   He never received the help that he so desperately needed and now they are punishing him again for the same crime.  This is a clear case of double jeopardy. On top of his drug problems he is a very ill man, and this government does not care.  They just want to send him to a 3rd world country were his life will be in danger.  He knows no one over there and I doubt that he will be able to receive the appropriate medical attention that he needs. He suffers from epeliptic seizures, liver problems, is missing his righ heel, and so on.  What is wrong with our in-humane politicians?

Received March 9, 1999

My father-in-law, was deported in June of 1997 for a crime that he commited back in 1986.  He never spent time in jail for the original convition.  He was detained in Kennedy airport for 4 hours and then told to go to the INS to get back his green card (it was taken from him by INS officals in the airport).  When he went to the INS building (with his lawyer) in March of 1997, he was told to return in April of 1997.   When he showed up, agin with his lawyer, he was immediately detained.  He was placed in custody in NY then moved to Pennslyvania.  We have lawyers trying to remove his crimial convition, but they are not optomistic.  We are running out of hope.   He is alone in Italy, a country he left 19 years ago to come to the land of dreams-America.  Please help us!!

Received March 8, 1999

Summer 1998 my brother-in-law was arrested and charged with lewd/lascivious conduct with a minor -18yrs. He denied and still denies these charges. The sheriff's report and minor's aunt both stated he touched her breast on the outside of her clothing. He obtained a lawyer who was reained for $3500.00. Shortly thereafter the lawyer advised him to plead no contest. My sister is a local high school teacher. Her husband has worked for a local mining company for over 10 years. When the lawyer advised this plea ... because the lawyer is one of the 'good ole boys' ... they trusted his recommendation. The plea paperwork has the words 'guilty' scratched out. He NEVER pled guilty and neither understood the no contest plea was 'just as good as guilty. He was ordered by the state judge to probation for 3yrs. No problem! He went on with his life, as did everyone, including the attorney. About a month later, the probation officer called to have him come in for drug screening. The INS officers arrested him on the spot and immediately drove him to local INS detention center, where he remains today. We obtained another attorney who has represented us in four different court proceedings (for $1000.00 to date). The case was presented by INS as 'stalking' and 'child abuse.' The attorney for INS could not make up his mind whether to use state statute or federal law. Our attorney finally asked the judge for a ruling. The judge gave INS an additional week to prpare their case (which should have been prepared). When we returned for the cancellation request for deportation, the attorney for INS deferred to the judge for ruling. The judge ruled INS charges for stalking and for child abuse could not be substantiated. He further advised he thought my brother-in-law should be released immediately and returned to his wife, sons, job and community. We provided more than ample documentation, PLUS personal testimony of his immediate supervisor and the general plant manager to determine this man is not a threat to the community and is indeed a man of good moral character.

He remains in detention.

We have written our governor, legislators, INS district and Washington DC offices, to no avail. Today, we have applied for clemency forms to file. This is one of the most highly inflated cases ... and, we think, someone district is really trying to make a political name for himself/herself.

Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated.  njbout@yahoo.com

Received March 3, 1999

I am a concerned and worried wife and mother. I married my husband 15 years ago when I was a resident, I went to the Consulate in the Dominican Republic 2 years later and had an interview with a consul to apply for his residency, she went over everything ( he had been deported in 1972) and told me that she thought it look fine and that there was a great chance he could get back his residency. I didn't do anything else until 1991 when I became a citizen, I went back to my application and everything came out right away until the final interview, he was rejected because since he was deported for been involved with drugs, he will never obtain a resident visa. We have a daughter who had tourist visa, but when he wento to renew it, they said that I had to apply for her residency, which I did, since I have to travel all the time, I never leave her. This has been a nightmare, I thought i was going to live in the US with my whole family ( I have an american son from a previous marriage ), this hasn't been the case.I decided to keep my family together and just hope and ask The Lord to help me out. My husband has been the only father for my son, if he once made a mistake, he has really made up. He is a well stablished business man and has a pretty good position. I only want to get him a tourist visa so we can visit the US as a family. 

Received March 2, 1999

Ten years ago my husband, then newly migrated to the US, was the sole black male passenger in the vehicle of an acquaintance from whom he had accepted a ride home. The vehicle was stopped by a sherrif's deputy for a tag which was falling off the car.   After the deputy helped the driver to fix the tag properly to the car, he suddenly decided to search the vehicle. Drugs were found in the car and the deputy arrested my husband and charged him with possession with intent to sell drugs (a felony). He plead not guilty to the crime before a jury (all white) and despite no fingerprints or evidence linking him to the drugs, and credible wittnesses who testified that a known drug dealer had occupied the seat shortly before my husband and a juror confessing that he had discussed the case at home, he was found guilty of a lesser charge of simple possession and sentenced to 3 years of probation. My husband served his probation and tried to mend his life. He obtained a job which he's held for over 6 years, bought a home for his family, pays his taxes and works hard to provide for his family. In 1998, thinking he had put his troubles behind him, he was summoned by a telephone call to his local INS office, not knowing what was in store for him, he took his wife and two small children to the INS office, when he got there he was told by an officer that he was in deportation proceedings and that since he had come to the office voluntarily, he was to be released on his own recognizance however, he was given a court hearing date to appear before an immigration judge some months later. At the hearing he was summarily found deportable and given four months to leave the US, his life, his home, his entire family (including American citizen children, 3yr old son whose first words every morning, since he learned to speak, are "Where my daddy?", a 6 yr old daughter who used to do the same but now understands that her daddy goes to work each morning and is secure in the knowledge that at the end of the day, daddy will be coming home, hardworking, though aging illiterate parents who depend on him to read and respond to their letters and correspondence and help take care of their home and welfare, an employer who has offered him a promotion and is willing to help in anyway to resolve his present situation, friends and co-workers who respect him and look to him for advice and counsel and a wife who will attest to the fact that he is a loyal, dependable, decent, hardworking man who has never entertained a criminal thought in his head a day since she has known him and whose life along with his and his childrens' are being torn apart by the INS' inhumane and shameful treatment of honest hardworking individuals).  My husband has never broken any law in his life, in fact he has never even gotten a traffic ticket, the only crime he is guilty of is the crime of ignorance for refusing to get a lawer to defend himself against prejudice. (he was told by a local laywer that no black immigrant would ever be treated fairly in the judicial system in the county we live in). He faces muggings and murder in his home country when he returns there where he will be viewed as a Returning Resident, an easy target for robbers and gunmen who now prey on deportees to his home country. If anyone in authority should see this, please help to restore our family. Do not punish our innocent babies by depriving them of a loving parent, or me by taking my husband away, we are being sentenced to a life of exile from someone who loves us and whom our world revolves around.   We have no other home but here. Our children has never even been outside the state in which they were born. The American Government pretend to care so much about children and cry shame when they are abused so why are they abusing our children and crippling them emotionally.  Please tell us what to tell our son when he awakes in the mornings and asks "Where my daddy?"
                                  - Distressed Family in Florida.

Received February 26,1999

     I'm a US citizan who married an illegal alien from Mexico. A few months ago we went to see what we had to do to get his papers. First they told us to get married (we planned that already) and then he would have to go back to Mexico for a year. Ok we that would be easy. A few months later we go back and they say my husband, the father of my 8 month daughter would have to go back for 10 years because he was here one year illegaly. Now we're stuck I worry everyday if he'll get picked by immigration or not. I don't understand how someone could break up a family like this. He's never been in trouble with the law or anything like that. He's never been to jail or on probation for anything. This country is suppose to be the land of the free. YEAH RIGHT! There must be a reason why so many illegals are coming to this country. They don't have much in Mexico. Don't you know my father-in-law makes between 40-50 dollars american. Hehas 5 kids plus my mother-in-law to support. How can someone live on that. I barely make enough to support my husband and daughter. PLEASE GOD TELL ME WHEN THIS IS GONNA CHANGE. I wish for one day that President Clinton could walk in my husband's shoes for a day. I bet he would change his views, but he's probably to busy sleeping with one of his interns.

Received February 24, 1999

     I never thought that something like this could ever happen to my family.  This is a country that many members of my family have fought and died for.   Now this same country that my ancestors loved so much, is tearing my family apart.  
     In 1959, my mom came over from Switzerland with her two young boys from a previous marriage.  The oldest was 6, the youngest barely 4.  She married my dad, had two more children, and life went on.  Four years ago, my brother Ben, who was a toddler when he arrived, committed a felony crime.  He was sentanced to prison and in two months, he'll be released.  This past Monday, two INS agents visited him in prison and told him that he would be deported to Switzerland.  My brother never became a US citizen, nor did he ever feel he HAD to.  Now he not only is in danger of being sent to a country that he doesn't remember living in, but he doesn't even speak the language.  He has a distant cousin living there, but we found out yesterday that even his biological father is living in Florida.  How can a man who has lived in this country for forty years be deported? It doesn't make any sense.   Right now we are trying to find a loophole or something that would prevent this.   If anyone out there has any advice at all, PLEASE contact me.  This law is inhumane, absurd, and clearly violates the constitution.  Thank you for any information that anyone can provide.
Diane )  djohns@usd.edu

Received February 22, 1999

I am a naturalized citizen (since early 1995) who may soon find himself fighting the deportation of a spouse, and be dragged to a Federal Court by the INS for the purpose of be de-naturalized and deported while never having committed any crime. As a matter of fact, I represent more than the model citizen. I work for an elite company and Ironically, I help improve the well-being of the INS Technical Services while performing examplary social projects. I have been trying now for 3 and 1/2 years to establish my spouse residency but instead was dealt by the INS 3 years of silence, of no case status, and other unfortunate events. I am afraid I won't be given the opportunity to defend myself with the INS unless I am taken to a federal court. I have hired a Lawyer that is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer Association, to find out what might be the TRUE reason behind the deadlock. I may find out more tomorrow. Currently, we're back to one income due to my spouse employment permit having been cancelled, we had to back off a home we were building, and are now facing fear and uncertainity while our 4 year old is unjustly paying a bitter price (had to remove him from his school care). I am sure many of you have lived as long of a nightmare but if our lawmakers are uneasy with speaking out loud, then what STRONG voice do we have left? Also, how do we know that members of the INS are not members of this group? I would like to use my name & my Email address but I 'll reserve this till I have spoken to my Lawyer to ensure I woud not be jeopardizing my employment. Until then, I would appreciate your comments.

Received February 20, 1999

My name is Kesia Greenwood,
my family is going to be hurt by this immigration law and I desperately need to know what I can do to pull forces with others who are against this law and have our voice heard.I was on the internet searching for help and I am so happy I found you, please lets come together and stop these people from distroying our lives. my husband is from Jamaica he's been in america since 1976.He's had his problems with marijuana and he's paying his debt to society, I don't understand how the lawmakers want him to continue to pay for the same mistake. my husband is not a violet man and he never was, so clearly this law needs to be modified or changed immediately. we can make a diiference, I know we can.
God Bless you and your family, I truly look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convience.You can call me or e-mail me any time.
Thank You
Keshia Greenwood
itallion@mindspring.com

Received February 17,1999

My brother's sister-in-law is facing deportation in a couple of weeks. She is a formerly battered woman, who served time for a crime her abusive (then) husband forced her into by threatening her and her children with violence. It was a drug crime. She paid her "dues" and is now married to a US citizen and settled with her children, who are ages 2 and 10, and both US citizens.  The judge has told her because of changes in immigration law, his hands are tied, and that she will be deported to the Dominican Republic. He gave her a month to attempt to get congressional intervention on her behalf. No elected official wants to touch a case involving drugs. We don't know what else to do, but she does not want to subject her children to living in the poverty which she endured growing up in the Dominican Republic,and she does not want to be separated from the children. It would be a terrible tragedy for the family and the children, especially since she has been told she could not apply for reentry into the country for 25 years.

Received February 16,1999

   On November 3rd i married an angel and could not wait to tell my little girl soon she would have a mother. Her mother died and i had to tell her then i met Evangeline and then we wrote for two years and after two visits to her home in Bohol Philippines wewere married.upon returing to the U.S. i learned un less i can find a joint sponsor my little girl will still be without a mother.What will i tell her? what will i tell Evangelines family? Please repeal these unfair laws.If a U.S. citizen works and pays taxes he should be able to have the love and affection of his wife.What Does God think and Dont we print in God we trust on our money?What does God say about marriage?
I am proud to b an American but tearfully ashamed of this law.

Sincerly Jim Burri

Received February 16,1999

Can someone out there help me define what a "sanctuary city" is?

I would like to pitch the idea to our Mayor, since our neighborhood is the most dense in the entire city and growing at a tremendous pace!

.  Due to the official low number of people that live within the city limits, and the desperate need to count
each and every one to meet the million mark.  I know that our community will make the difference ONLY  if we can create a sanctuary city.

Otherwise, due to several INS RAIDS, that took place last summer, an immoral twist (in my opinion), after mass, during soccer games on Sunday afternoons, after school, mothers were picked up, etc... If the city even dreams that we will be counted, they will be sorely disappointed.  And, my concern is to protect our community from the constant indignities that have gotten worse.  So if someone out there can help, I would appreciate it!
Maria Elena in Detroit.

Received February 16,1999

My son's father has been in the U.S. for 20 years.  He is incarcerated in a state prison for alcohol and substance abuse related issues.  He is not a horrible man.   He is someone who would have benefited immensely from a rehabilitation program but he was denied by our Supreme Court. Alcohol and drug abuse are not considered a disease by the courts and our government.  I will be faced to become another member of the welfare system when my son's father is deported.  My son will suffer emotional ramifications that cannot be remedied for the remainder of his life.  There are no words that can accurately express how hopeless and devistated I feel to lose my best friend of 20 years. How can my own government willfully put my son and I at such a disadvantage?  How can I cope knowing that when my son's father is sent back to Iran it is extremely possible he will face torture and death.  How do I tell my son that our government justifies deporting his father for a rehabilitative disease and that his father will possibly pay for his mistakes with his life?  I have never been so scared in all my life.

P.S.  Congressman Bermans office denied my case and pleas for direction and assistance.   Constance English - Los Angeles

Received February 15, 1999

I am numbed by what the new laws have done to my husband and I. Our marriage is suffering. It is not funny, it is not fair, and it is not right, that a staff of people (congress, INS, or whom ever) deside what person is worthy of being in this country. My husband and I were married in Oct. 1997.  I petitioned(I-130) for my husband in March 1998. In Oct. 1998 we got a letter from INS to come in for an interview, for adjustment of status. They asked that we bring a translator, and some proof of living together. Plus it might be video taped the letter warned. On November 3rd,(I could not even vote that day) we went to INS. They did not let our translator in the building, they said it would be too crowded. When they called us in the officer said, (before anything, we hadn't even sat down) "Your husband will be taken into custody and deported."  I was floored.A million different worries rushed through my head. My husband is from Honduras and at that time Mitch had just riped through that little area there. I had to move back into with my parents, I could not afford our apartment by myself. My emotional self was not good, I didn't want to get out of bed most days. If I was at work (I am a Head Start teacher) I would burst out into tears, in the middle of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." I was a mess. Anyway at the same time my husband was feeling realy depressed too.He sat in a jail house for a full month. Til they desided what to do with him. He could not call or help his family for that month that INS made him waist in jail. INS desided he could be out as long as he presented himself at INS every month (like probation). My husband has not been the same person since. He used to be so happy, full of love for everyone, and especially for this country. Now he is biter, sad, and dose not enjoy life, for fear of prejudice. That is exactlly what INS and this new law is provoking, prejudice.Now our lawyer is helping us file for TPS. I don't know what will happen next. This puts a great big stresser on our lives. You learn not to make any long term plans. We don't dare dream like before of buying a home, and having children (I don't want to be a single mother that is why I waited til I got married). I am a born american citizen, I have a right to my life. And my life includes my husband. My husband has no criminal record only a previous deportation. I'm glad to have found this site. Now I know I'm not alone. If there are other people that just need to talk about it, especially here in WESTERN NEBRASKA, please drop me a line at: Reyrivas@yahoo.com   I am Leonor.

Received February 15, 1999

I have a daughter who fiancee, Freddy Paz, has been arrested for a 1996 drug crime that he served time for.  They have just recently had a daughter, Tatianna, three months.   My duaghter is very sadden as well as my granddaughter.  I feel that Freddy is being held unlawfully and we have an INS lawyer to assist us, but with no avail.   They now tell us that we need a criminal lawyer.  Not understanding INS and the law our family are forced to listen to what we are being told my the lawyers.  I am now trying to do everything possible for my daughter and son-to-be and that is how I found out about writing to various congress reps, etc. to hear what the Sanders family are going throught because of this Act of 1996. We are not a family with money to give out fruitlessly.  We support our children and their families and what we have instilled we what them to follow.  We believe in close family ties and good community involvement, ie. church, social events, etc.  Freddy has been involved in every aspect of our family from helping me with distribution of Church items to people once a month to assisting my husband with working on a car that needed repaired.  Freddy is loved very much by our family and have proven to be a decent, hardworking individual and a family provider. Since he been away (7 weeks), my daughter and granddaughter are both sad children.  We are sad also to see this happening to such a fine person. This new law treats Freddy like a criminal -- that he isn't. Thank you for letting me have this opportunity to inform you of what the Sanders family is going through with our daughter, Tanema Sanders, and our granddaughter, Tatianna.

Have a Bless Day.

Received February 7, 1999

My wife was due to get her green card at her interview on January 26th after waiting for over 5 years. At the last minute, the officer said that there would be an indefinite delay as they need to do some more background checks - we are not criminals. In addition, because my wife overstayed her tourist visa in 1993, the laws of 1996 prohibit her to get advance parole to see her family or risk being barred to enter for 10 years. Is this humane?

Received February 5, 1999

I am not sure if my husband has been affected by the law mentioned in this website, but ours is a truly bizarre tale.

I met my husband while working on a cruise ship about 5 years ago.  We became engaged in June of 1997.  He had a c1/d visa to work on the ship, and a b-2 visa to visit me in the US.  I am a US citizen, born and raised.  He is Portuguese.  The last time he tried to enter the US, he used his b-2.  Immigration agents at the airport began to question him as to whether or not he planned to stay, etc.....  He did not feel comfortable with all of these questions and would only volunteer that he was visiting the U. S. on his b-2 on vacation, which was the ultimate truth.  We had begun the process to have him go to the consulate in Lisbon and apply for a fiance visa, but it was not yet complete.  He planned on helping to plan our wedding, then return to Portugal and wait for the consulate to contact him with regards to him coming in and applying for the fiance visa.  Immigration saw that I was standing there waiting for him and asked me why he didn't admit he was engaged.  I did not know why at the time, but now I know that my fiance felt that immigration only needed to know that he was entering on his b-2 and was on vacation, which was the ultimate truth.  Immigration arrested him and charged him with willfully misrepresenting the fact that he was engaged to me. I do not have the exact numbers of the laws used against him.  I contacted a lawyer who told me there was a 5 year statute of limitations set on the laws used against him.  I moved to Portugal and got married to him because I do not want my country to dictate to me who I will marry.  Since then, we have spent a lot of time trying to appeal the decision by filling in all the appropriate paperwork at the consulate in Lisbon.  The consul has also advised me that my lawyer was wrong about the 5 year statute of limitations.  The consul says that if my appeal is denied, my husband can never, ever come to the US because the law used against him was so harsh, it is the equivelent of using a fake passport.  My husband is not a criminal.  He has never been arrested before.  He was arrested and put into a detention center for one night and then sent to Mexico.  He is not Mexican.  He is Portuguese.  I got him home the next day and he has been in Portugal ever since.  That was more than one year ago.  I have lived in Portugal for 8 months and am feeling the hardship.   I had a good job here and I am truly upset that my husband's little lie has led to all of this.  I don't deserve this hardship, and my husband does not deserve the treatment he has received.  We will wait for the answer on the appeal from the Consul, but then what?  I have to survive in Portugal, where I can't work or speak th elanguage, even though I know I can make a very decent living here and neither me or my husband will ever be any type of burden on society. 

I wish I had the papers with me with the laws used against him.  bBut I don't.

Received January 30,1999

i am writing this on behalf of my fiance howard hyde. he's being currently detained at the KROME DETENTION CENTER in miami,florida.he has been in custody since 11/25/98.the racist border patrol agents came into our place of business &infront of our customers w/guns drawn shouting for a howard hyde. when howard identified himself, he was roughed up, cuffs slapped on & he was pit to sit in a chair while the agents harrassed the customers & searched the olace w/o a warrant looking for drugs & his firearm. pls. keep in mind that they knew he had a firearm and  were told that he was selling crack cocaine out of the restaurant by a vindictive soon to be very ex-wife! anyway, after dragging him out of the restaurant, they dug up his car to find something w/our address on it & that's when& how they showed up @ our door. there were 4 of them 3 came up into our home, hands on guns ,searching up the place claiming that howard told them he had a big bag of marijuana inside and another firearm, of which he didn't. they frightened our 6yr. old son who had just woken up and was on the process of getting ready along with myself to go down to the restaurant because it was his birthday & we were closing right after lunch. they said that howard was going to be deported for crimes that he committed in ny & that he should've been deported a long time ago.they came in w/o a search warrant and dug up our home(not a major dig) and wouldn't let me go downstairs to see him until i had given them less than an ounce of marijuana that howard had in his drawer for his personal use. howard committed these crimes over 20yrs. ago and he has been in this country LEGALLY for the past 25yrs. he was never convicted of a felony  they were all misdemeanors one of which to my understanding is a duplicate and the amt of marijuana he was caught with was no big amt. that warranted a felony charge much less state/county/or federal jail time. he paid his fine and on one case was given 1yr. probation. after that howard left new york approx 3-4yrs, after those run in's w/the law and became an asset to the community of west palm beach florida. he has been a successful restauranter for the past 9yrs. he has helped his community, gotten numerous awards for helping local youth organizations, hosted lunches & dinners for the mayor's office and had several acclades from various newspapers in palm beach county. what howard did was due to economic reasons way back then. he was trying to help his mother(a citizen) support her 8 children and also trying to be able to support a teenage girl that was pregant w/his child. i'm not saying that his choice of help was the correct one but he did not go on welfare, and he has since left that life a vey long time ago, and made something of himself  something positive that his children could've looked up to, but now that has all been stripped away since he's being held like he is a mass murderer or worse. we've seen people come into the detention center after he was held & were convicted of assault &battery, robbery,etc.etc. and are legal just like howard & they were released on bail. to say that he isn't a citizen so he doesn't have the same rights as a citizen is not only racist it is plain & simple hogwash! if he doesn't have the same rights as a citizen, why then was he paying taxes for the past 25yrs, adhereing to all required laws to be here in this country?doesn't that stand for anything? howard is not a flight risk! where is he going to run? back to the same country that tey're trying to send him to? a country that he doesn't even know? the man is a respected businessman in his community and that isn't being counted for a damn thing. is there anyway that we can get some sort of help, info on where to look etc. etc. it would greatly be appreciated. since howard has been taken, not only have we lost the restaurant, but our son has regressed so much that it's affecting not only his schoolwork, but his behaviour as well. we are a God fearing family and the stress is starting to take a toll  any help would be greatly appreciated to help resolve this NIGHTMARE ON INS STREET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
tina hart  hathide@aol.com

Received January 28, 1999

When my little girls mother died,i was the one that had to tell her and it was the hardest thing i have had to do. I vowed to search until i found someone of the best character and loved childern to help me raise my lttle girl I asked God for guidence and after writng many women here in the U.S. and in the Philippnes one stood out fom all the rest and clearly was the one. I went visit her there in the pillippines and we fell so very much in love. We wrote for 2 yrs. before my vist. and came to know our hearts so well . We made plans for our wedding on my    2 nd. trip there. We where united in marriage on Nov. 3 rd. 1998 We had a Catholic Wedding And God answered My prayers...... On my retrun to the U.S. I was shocked and outraged to learn That a law that was pasted in 96 and signed by President Clinton and the U.S. Congress would now prevent my little girl once again her a mother . Because Most jobs in my area don't pay enough to met 125% of the poverty level in the U.S. This unfair law is an outrage to all the hard working citizens in the   U.S. Who are now 2 nd. class citizens. My only hope is to find a joint sponsor for my wife.
  I NEED HELP WITH THIS PLEASE!!!!!!!

Received January 25, 1999

I left my home in Managua Nicaragua at age 13 to come to what I felt to be a hostile invironment in America.  Most Americans do not know how that feels.
I did no leave my country because I wanted to come to the US but because a war tore the country in which kids were been illegaly drafted to serve in
the military.  Not only was persecution rampant we also did not have anything to eat! And if we did it was rationed or one had to wake up at 4 am to make lines
in the local meat markets to get gizards.  I know that because I lived it. While I give many thanks for being allowed into the US, as a citizen I am bothered by recent
immigration law.  Further, I truely believe that it violates the US Constitution. Granted that the Constitution is set out for the citizens of the US the procedural aspects of criminal law are applicable to our recidents they are aforded that protection.  If we expect them to live a crime free life we must also provide them with the benefits of the law.  Recidents who have paid their dues to society because they committed a crime have already paid either their fines or in some cases did jail time.  It is incredible and inhumane to deprive people the rights of the bill of rights not to be penilized twice for the same act.  In fact that is what this law does! However, as a student of law it does not surprise me to see the courts and congress act in such an irrational manner.  It has happened before.  It is time that the laws change
to compensate for the human factor after all that is why we are not classified as animals.
More areguments can be made in favor of abolishing the current immigration law, I just do not have the time at this moment to share them with you.  Please feel free to contact me so that I can speak out to people that may make the difference!

Sincerely,
Adolfo Riedel
ariedel@niu.edu

Received January 22, 1999

Mine is a love story, which we hope does not turn into a tragedy in the end.  I live in Austin Texas, and almost 2 years ago met Michael who is from Scotland.  He is an engineer for a company that was opening a new branch in the Austin.  He is a key employee for his company, and in fact won an national engineering award and recognition by the Queen last year for his engineering achievements.  Although he was supposed to be here for only a few weeks in the spring of 1997 to help train and set up the new site, he wound up being stuck here for the whole summer.  The plot is predictable:  by the time he left, we had fallen in love.
My crime it turns out was in trying to be live up to the reputation we Texans have for being warm and friendly ambassadors, as I took it upon myself to show him all around Texas, a land far different from his own (along with grave naivete about immigration laws and processes.  As a life-long resident of Texas, I had never visited prairies and desert areas of the southwest of the state, so I was excited to explore this part of the world with Michael, which make it a new experience for both of us.  It was a beautiful drive, and the excitement of being near the Mexican border gave me the idea of having dinner across the border.  I knew that border crossing was no big deal for a U.S. citizen, but wasn't sure of how it would work for a non-citizen.  So, I asked a police officer beforehand what would be required for Michael, and was told that it should be no problem as long as he had his passport.  Sounded simple enough. 
On the way back across the border, he was detained because he apparently was missing some green card that was supposed to accompany his passport-- the visa waiver document.   He had never been warned to carry it with his passport at all times.  It was an honest mistake.  He had done nothing wrong.  They very nearly arrested him and deported him on the spot.  After four hours of interrogation as if he were a criminal and processing into the wee hours of the night, they finally decided to let him off "easy" with an order of expedited removal for 5 years from the U.S. and an order to appear at the INS headquarters in San Antonio.
His company hired a lawyer who met us in San Antonio.  After meeting with some INS officials there, the lawyer informed us the case had been dropped since the immigration officers in Del Rio had not completed the paperwork properly and because he was able to convince the officials that there was no real merit to the case.  It was a relief that was only short-lived. 
There should have been no problem in Michael's company getting him an L-1 visa in short order, but because of the previous incident, it took a great deal of time and expense, making his company reassess their plans for using Michael in the future for work in the U.S., which is what we were basing the hopes for a chance at developing romance on primarly.  Because of his INS record, it was now unclear whether Michael could use the visa waiver program-- if his status was not entirely clear, he could be turned away at any point of entry.  We wanted desperately to pursue our romance that had begun to bloom in the summer, so luckily I was able to visit him in November of 1997--- and thank God for email and MCI's international long distance rates!!! 
Unfortunately Michael's company has not had much need for him  in Austin after the initial summer period in which he set up and trained the new site.  But since they did foresee some need of his exprertise in the future, they did go through the process and expense of a L-1 visa him.  Michael has been back twice on the L-1 for short (but precious!)stays, but his L-1 expired in October of 1998.  His company is now well set-up and running, so they have less need for him, and do not foresee a need for him in the near future, and so are not intersted in the hassle and expense of going through the L-1 process again at the moment. 
I have been able to visit twice, but my opportunities are very limited as a single parent of a school-aged child.  We kept crossing our fingers and praying that his company would find a need for him again soon, but many months have passed.  Finally we decided to investigate the exact nature of his status with the INS and the limitations that it imposed on him.  No one could tell us anything.  It is as if you are dealing with a totalitarian government, the lack of inforamtion and unwillingness to provide service that you get in dealing with such matters!  Finally, it was ascertained by the lawyer who assited Michael's company that because the paperwork for the expedited order of removal should never have been processed, that he should not appear to be in violation on the INS computer system, and that he really should not have a problem if he tried to use the visa waiver program.  Based on that conclusion, we held our breath and he bought plane tickets to come over after 5 heart-wrenching months of not being able to see each other after my last visit to Scotalnd in August.  He was due to come over for Christmas and we were going to spend New Years eve together.  But when he got to Newark, he was detained, grilled for hours, and deported on the spot.   We are so "lucky" that they did not increase his ban from the country from the current 5 years up to 10 or 20 years for attempting to reenter. 
We are trying so hard to continue a relationship that we think may lead to marriage eventually-- we need so desperately to be together long enough to figure that out, to figure out if he and my son will really "click."  We ar trying so hard to make a slow, careful decision since we both feel it is such an important committment.   But the powers that be have not been on our side.  Michael is serious enough about our relationship to quit his job and apply to another U.S. company to sponsor him, but we are unsure if a U.S. company will want to deal with such a sticky situation!   And even if they do, there's no telling how long it's going to take to get this mess all straightened out.  We don't know how to get his INS record sorted out and corrected.  That too will likely take months and lawyers and lots of money neither of have lying around.  Seeing each other for a week or 10 days every 4 or 5 months is eventually going to snuff out this rare and beautiful chance at life-long happiness that we feel we both have. It is a testament to the strength of our love that we have been able to get by as we have for two years.  But it's wearing thin.  This is what these new laws and inhumane beauracracies have done two undeserving human beings who never much thought they'd have a chance at finding real love in this world, being the introverted, wallflowers types that we both are.  My liberty to pursue my heart's dreams as an American citizen has been stripped away from me.  It is an awful and somewhat frightening expereince to be at the mercy of this huge and heartless machine called the new INS laws!
If anyone has any knowledge, experience or info that might help us in the current situation, or has a similar situation they wish to share, please feel free to contact me:   Drose@Texas.net.  With the greatest empathy to all those who are trapped by the cruelty and injustice of these laws, especially those who suffer injustices far worse than mine, sincerely, Donna Rose. 

Received January 21, 1999

I guess what frustrates me the most is that we are all descendents of immigrants in this country. Except for American Indians, no one can honestly state that they are "Native" to this country. My understanding from 8th grade history was that The U.S. opened its doors to all Now that I work as a Latino outreach director and a Spanish/English interpreter, I see that this is not true.  The immigrants in our country come from beautiful places, and many would return gladly if their countries were not in such a state of despair.  They don't come here to be millionaires or to rob us of opportunity.  The people I deal with are truly trying to survive and exist and create better lives for their families.  Isn't that what we all want?  There will always be people who take advantage of the system, I'm fully aware of where my tax dollars go, but they are not all immigrants.  Most of the people I know are hard working and honest, many of whom suffer from all the trauma they have survived.  The bottom line is that they live here and contribute to our society.  It is our responsibility to ensure that their children are safe and healthy and get into schools so that they can contribute even more, by shutting them out, we only create more animosity in our culture which will can only result in destruction.  Don't hold children responsible for the actions of others, they were given no choice.

Received January 11, 1999

Hi! I have been in this country for ten years and every day I learn something. Some early immigrants have forgotten their they are immigrant too. My advise to those who have short memory problem to check their roots to find out about " Who is immigrant". That they want to keep out the immigrants fine, but take the all immigrants out of the country too.
I want to see how many of those "law makers" will continue their act in the United States against immigrants. Maybe their grandfathers are immigrant but they are not. Tell to your grandfather, father, mother and all their families to leave the country. It will be fair for everybody no hard feeling just say " We don't want any immigrant in our country" that's it. I came yesterday, and you came the day before yesterday that is the only difference between you and me. 

Received January 7, 1999

I am an attorney in St. Paul, Minnesota.  About a year and a half ago I took on the case of a young man convicted of burglary in wisconsin.  He had been sentenced to fifteen years in prison.  I commenced post-conviction relief proceedings for him and, to make a long story short, we were successful in getting his sentence reduced to 48 months, a sentence which made him immediately eligible for parole.  He was parole the day ofter Christmas, 1998, and was taken into INS cusody in Chicago on grounds that he was an alien convicted of an aggravated felony.  He arrived in the U.S. when he was 2 years old (anyone see theNov. 24 Nightline on this subject?) but that is supposedly of no relevance under current law.  In any event, the INS has informed me hat no bond will be available because of provisions in the 1996 Act which recently took effect this past October 1998.  I have a long list of reasons why my client should be considered as a good candidate for bonded release but this one reason will suffice here:  after he had been sentenced to fifteen years in prison in state court (he was out on $1,000 bail at all times during state trial proceedings) he was given seven days to report to prison on his own, which he did.  Some security risk!!!  We have requested a bond hearing but I have been told the judge will simply say the court has no discretion to release those labeled as aggravated felons.  If that happens, I will attempt a habeas corpus writ and that is the purpose of my writing here today.  Three requests: 1) does anyone have a case like this or know someone who does?  I'd like to compare notes    2) I have done a lot of research and will do more but constitutional grounds for challenging mandatory detention are difficult to formulate and support in the case law.  I can always holler "due process" but I would prefer to zero in on the issues a little more.  I am thinking of arguing that the writ of HB is gutted, in effect, when discretion to review the release merits of an entire class is eliminated (and thus violates the constitution by suspending the writ).  I have other ideas.   Any comments on this or any other suggestions?  3) Has anyone heard of a published case, pro or con, that addresses these issues?          Ok, that's it.  I am voluntarily giving up anonymity and giving my E-mail address here (and I hope I don't violate any website rule by doing so - If I do, I apologize).  My name is Phil and I can be reached at Pleaveit@aol.com.  Thanks for your interest. 

Received January 4, 1999

I have just finished reading some of the stories posted on this web site and they tug at my heart strings.  When I first found out that my husband could be deported I felt so alone and afraid.  After much research, reading and talking to lawyers, I found that I am far from alone.  We cannot let this happen.  Our numbers are great and we should all do our best to change these unfair and inhumane laws.  Write to your representatives, knock on doors and don't take "no" for an answer.  I am a U.S. Citizen and I feel like the fact that my life and the life of my family will be destroyed if my husband is deported means nothing.  

Received December 24, 1998

This is an excert of a letter I wrote to my reps, we will see if it helps.

Summary:
The US constitution gives every American the right to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."  Every American, that is, except me!  This US citizen is being punished for the crime of falling in love with a woman from another first world country, marrying her in her home country, and then honestly, following the rules of the US Immigration Service to bring her to my home in the US.  For that crime she, Melanie (Mel), and I are sentenced to as much as 18 to 24, months’ separation and perhaps more.  That may sound a little extreme, but that is sure what it feels like when she and I go to our respective homes every evening, - 7 time zones apart.

I am a US citizen by birth.  I have worked for US based international companies for the past 15 years.  On March 17,1998 I married a German citizen and now can not get her over to the US. We have been waiting for the INS to process the paperwork and as of this week they have yet to even look at it.

On November 24, our son was born three weeks early.  He now even has a US passport and still his mother is not allowed to come into the US.  While my wife and I are patently waiting, my son is not, - he is growing and developing without me!  This separation does not help Mel's and my relationship either.  She is a degreed, hard working German and will be a positive influence to our country - not a drain on our society, which I know the INS and I are both concerned about.  We decided that she should not work for Neils' first year, and since my salary is above a certain level, based solely on the exchange rate, she is not eligible to receive the normal state medical benefits that she has paid into during her career.  My US insurance will not pay abroad, so I am now financing their medical, living, travel and phone bills in Germany and mine in the US.  I don't mean to only emphasize the economic hardship, there are also significant emotional hardships.  We were newly weds that originally expected to spend some time apart, (about 6 months) because we know each other was worth it.  Now that target date has grown to two years, from what I can tell it is mainly due to internal US governmental politics.

I expect there is nothing you can do to expedite the above-mentioned petition, but is there anything you can do to help from this side.  I do not have a residency visa for Germany, but is there some other way to push her to the US from here that you could help with?

Background:
We met in April 1997, when I was sent to work in Germany for six months.  During that stay our friendship developed into love.  At the end of my tour, we checked with the company and they were not able to help us remain together, by me staying in Germany or her coming to the US.  We stayed in contact via phone and E-mail - working for the same international company helped to make contact easier.  In late November 1997, she came over to the US on a 3 month visa waver to become more familiar with the US, to see if she could live there and see how our relationship was doing.  At that time I was living in Milwaukee Wisconsin, so she spent 3 months in the wonderful white winter.  Though she hated her time there waiting for me to come home from work our relationship continued to grow.  We did decide to marry.

We talked with an immigration counselor who warned us that the immigrant visa process was not very fast.  At that time our two options were Family Member visa (I-130) or Fiancé visa (I-129(F)) both would take about 6 months in the INS Nebraska Service Center.   We decided to marry in Germany because the wedding is more important to the Bride and family then to the Groom.  In Germany the civil wedding is a legal requirement, and the religious ceremony is an option.  We planned the civil ceremony as soon as possible to expedite paperwork and the religious ceremony followed later.  During this planning stage a new company approached me with a lucrative job offer in Houston Texas.  My fiancee and I went for the interview the middle of February, everything went well.  The position was one I could not refuse. My fiancee returned to Germany, and planned the civil ceremony for March 17th.  My new employer wanted me to start the beginning of April.  I stayed in Milwaukee gave two weeks notice on March 9th, went to Germany March 13th, to be married March 17th, return to Milwaukee to finish my last week by March 27th, and be ready to start work on April 6th in Houston.

Since I had relocated from Milwaukee, WI to Houston, TX I now had to file with the INS in Dallas, on the "Notice of Action" Form I-797C (Attachment 1) it states the waiting period as 4 to 6 months, which was acceptable.  Six weeks after the civil wedding we received a wonderful surprise, we were to become parents.  The two-day honeymoon went well.  Since the stakes were raised with Mel's pregnancy. I talked to a lawyer who said his hands were tied since we had already filed  but would be willing to expedite it if we wanted, i.e. fill in the paperwork.  Two months later, after I heard about problems in the INS and that the time frame was sliding, I hired him as my lawyer to look again if there was any way of holding to the original time frame.   One very strong option was to use an L-1 Visa for Mel.  Since I was now working in Houston her German employer expressed a strong desire to have her working for them in Houston  but now that she was pregnant we could not honestly apply knowing she could not be working the whole time.  Things were pretty much on hold since we needed to plan for Neils' birth, which we were forced to plan in Germany.  With my new company I was able to make two trips over to Germany to support my wife during her pregnancy.  Thank God the pregnancy went very smooth.  Since our son came three weeks early I missed his birth because I could not get to Germany fast enough from the US.

Now after nine months of waiting for the INS, it appears it will take another twelve months longer for them to review the case at the rate the Dallas INS Service Center is processing applications.  Referring to the attached "Service Center Processing Report" between August 31 (Attachment 2) and October 30 (Attachment 3), they processed I-130 petitions that were filed on 1/28 to 2/4.  In other words in a 60 calendar day period they processed 11 days of petition backlog, that is a rate of 60/11 = 5.5 Calendar days per day of petition backlog.  If you look there are 67 days from 2/4 to 4/9 so 67 X 60 / 11 = 365, that is another year! 

An additional point, that is the time frame for them to review the petitions for processing - not the date she can come over.  Add another two+ months to that for interviews and paperwork and another two months for arrangements to move from Germany.   Do you think this is appropriate?  She is not KGB, or from a third world country, and there is no war with Germany at this time.

Now I understand that Congress wants to cut back on the “convenience marriages”, which I can agree with, but increasing the processing requirements of the INS and not improving the tools/process in appalling.  That is doing one of two things, pushing this