is it all a big joke... on us?
If I turn around fast enough, will I see people hiding around corners with hidden cameras? Should I be looking for wires in all of our houseplants? As we're (Matthew and I) going about our life together, we're taking steps forward, but being forced to take steps back. Confined.
Ever seen the 'Truman Show'?
Here it is. I'm surprised Matthew hasn't posted anything about this. A lot has happened in the past couple of days.
Monday. Matthew was finally allowed a meeting with an officer at the INS building in the twin cities (2 hours from home). It has been 90 days since they started processing the renewal of his work permit. 90 days since they forced him to quit his job. After 90 days they legally have to give someone in processing a temorary card while their other one is processing.
Sidenote: since Matthew was forced to quit his job, he's tried to call the INS more than 15 times and checked (2-3 times weekly) the website they have set up so one can check their processing status. During this time, we have not heard from them once.
So Matthew sits down with the immigration officer, who quickly pulls up his information. "It looks like you were approved 2 and a half months ago. We were just waiting for you to come and get your immigration picture and finger prints done."
Of course Matthew is dumbfounded. He tells the guy how many times he called and was told 'NO', how many times he checked the website (which STILL says, 'application pending'), how many times he tried to set up early interviews to plead his case and was told, "You must wait past the 90 days", how we were NEVER contacted in ANY way.
The guy's only response, "Hmm... 'they' were supposed to contact you."
Matthew's response, "But they didn't."
Guy: "They were supposed to contact you."
So Matthew proceeds to ask him about all the other forms we've filed that are way over a year late (on their end). "Are those approved as well and we just haven't been contacted?" These forms make it so Matthew will not be forced out of employment, so we can move wherever we want, so we can have kids and I won't have to make a certain amount of money each year- because I am his 'sponsor'. Wife doesn't count for much where the government is concerned.
Guy: "You'll have to wait until they contact you."
Matthew: "Because that's working out so well for us?"
He then tells Matthew that those papers are being processed in Chicago. We are not allowed to call that office, letter writing doesn't help, the congressman 'at bat' for Matthew that emailed them... doesn't help (although the INS officer said it would).
Matthew: "So can I get my picture and fingerprints done and be on my way with my work permit?"
Guy: "No, they're closed today." Of course!
Tuesday. Matthew drives all the way back to the twin cities for his 10 minute appointment for pictures and fingerprints.
Do you see why it feels like there is a big joke being played on us? Everyone is telling us different things... someone is lying to us, and in this case I think it is many someones. We feel cheated/robbed and there is nothing we can do about it but take it and be happy Matthew can go back to work (today was his first day back). How do they get away with messing with so many people's lives.
I feel so badly for the millions of people that try to come to this country for a fresh start. How can they possibly wade through this crazy, mixed up system... and come out as legal citizens? The naturalization process is set up for people to fail. It is set up to starve out the poor people that have families to support. It is set up to boot people out, before they even have a chance at becoming a productive member of society.
Please think about these things the next time you meet someone, or hear of someone, that is forced into the position of choosing between, "starve and be legal" or "be productive and constantly look over my shoulder for INS officers". You know, those people that are 'ruining it for the rest of us'. I am not condoning stealing social security numbers or living illegally.... but I understand the desparation that it leads to. Matthew and I are blessed that I am a US citizen, that I have a job to provide for us with everything that's happened.
Most are not so fortunate.
Ever seen the 'Truman Show'?
Here it is. I'm surprised Matthew hasn't posted anything about this. A lot has happened in the past couple of days.
Monday. Matthew was finally allowed a meeting with an officer at the INS building in the twin cities (2 hours from home). It has been 90 days since they started processing the renewal of his work permit. 90 days since they forced him to quit his job. After 90 days they legally have to give someone in processing a temorary card while their other one is processing.
Sidenote: since Matthew was forced to quit his job, he's tried to call the INS more than 15 times and checked (2-3 times weekly) the website they have set up so one can check their processing status. During this time, we have not heard from them once.
So Matthew sits down with the immigration officer, who quickly pulls up his information. "It looks like you were approved 2 and a half months ago. We were just waiting for you to come and get your immigration picture and finger prints done."
Of course Matthew is dumbfounded. He tells the guy how many times he called and was told 'NO', how many times he checked the website (which STILL says, 'application pending'), how many times he tried to set up early interviews to plead his case and was told, "You must wait past the 90 days", how we were NEVER contacted in ANY way.
The guy's only response, "Hmm... 'they' were supposed to contact you."
Matthew's response, "But they didn't."
Guy: "They were supposed to contact you."
So Matthew proceeds to ask him about all the other forms we've filed that are way over a year late (on their end). "Are those approved as well and we just haven't been contacted?" These forms make it so Matthew will not be forced out of employment, so we can move wherever we want, so we can have kids and I won't have to make a certain amount of money each year- because I am his 'sponsor'. Wife doesn't count for much where the government is concerned.
Guy: "You'll have to wait until they contact you."
Matthew: "Because that's working out so well for us?"
He then tells Matthew that those papers are being processed in Chicago. We are not allowed to call that office, letter writing doesn't help, the congressman 'at bat' for Matthew that emailed them... doesn't help (although the INS officer said it would).
Matthew: "So can I get my picture and fingerprints done and be on my way with my work permit?"
Guy: "No, they're closed today." Of course!
Tuesday. Matthew drives all the way back to the twin cities for his 10 minute appointment for pictures and fingerprints.
Do you see why it feels like there is a big joke being played on us? Everyone is telling us different things... someone is lying to us, and in this case I think it is many someones. We feel cheated/robbed and there is nothing we can do about it but take it and be happy Matthew can go back to work (today was his first day back). How do they get away with messing with so many people's lives.
I feel so badly for the millions of people that try to come to this country for a fresh start. How can they possibly wade through this crazy, mixed up system... and come out as legal citizens? The naturalization process is set up for people to fail. It is set up to starve out the poor people that have families to support. It is set up to boot people out, before they even have a chance at becoming a productive member of society.
Please think about these things the next time you meet someone, or hear of someone, that is forced into the position of choosing between, "starve and be legal" or "be productive and constantly look over my shoulder for INS officers". You know, those people that are 'ruining it for the rest of us'. I am not condoning stealing social security numbers or living illegally.... but I understand the desparation that it leads to. Matthew and I are blessed that I am a US citizen, that I have a job to provide for us with everything that's happened.
Most are not so fortunate.
posted by Cristina | 11:23 AM
1 Comments:
dude. that sucks.
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