Not without my father...
I was preparing for my first entry of the semester to be a joyous one as I am so pleased to be back in school. However, today started on quite a sour note leaving me terrified of the possible events to follow.
My mom called me between snoozes this morning as I was trying to pry myself out of bed. She could tell that I was kind of half asleep and she apologized for calling. Even at the end of her few words, I could hear the tremor in her voice indicative of tears. She continued, “Immigration sent Mustafa a deportation letter.”
I can’t believe this. My parents have been going round and round with immigration for nearly 5 years. Mustafa has tried to do everything perfectly legally from day one with this. My mom, a US citizen, is the one petitioning for him, and still we’ve gotten nowhere. A few years back, him and my mother went to Turkey to visit Mustafa’s family. At the time, Mustafa’s status was fine, he had his work permit, visa, passport, legal documents, and had not been told that he wasn’t allowed to leave the country. Now, they say that he was not supposed to have left, and they are trying to use that as a reason his application is rejected. There has been conflicting paperwork sent to us over these past 5 years, and despite having an immigration attorney, my parents are stuck in a web of stupid technicalities. Also, immigration dates everything by when they process it, and sometimes my parents receive the documents weeks later. For instance, the deportation letter (that my parents received yesterday) states that Mustafa has to appear in court or leave by September 14 (which was 30 days from the date on the letter). WTF.
His driver’s license and work permit are no longer valid and he has to carry with him at all times the deportation letter. If not, he can be arrested and thrown in jail. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME. This wonderful man… business owner who pays taxes, a mortgage, has a wife and a daughter here… this is the person you’re treating as someone not acceptable to live in the United States?! His business was awarded “best new retail business in Loudoun County” this year. He and my mother have been featured in articles in the paper. By starting his business he has created jobs for other hard working Americans and immigrants. Someone who is an obvious asset to this country, and more importantly my family, is seen by our government as unacceptable because of some fucking pencil pushers who screwed up?!
My mom warned me that if they cannot win in court, both he and my mom will move to Turkey. My uncle will have to deal with selling the house… everything. If they lose, he cannot reapply for 10 years. Our lives could be completely turned upside down. I never thought it was going to come to this. I might have to change my life plan for the next year or two… establish real economic independence rather than the pseudo- independence I have now. Put more school and my dreams on hold…
My mom wants to try and get media involved in this to highlight the absurdity. I think it’s a good idea if it’s possible.
I have so much I need to be doing right now but I’m so upset and paralyzed by fear that this is the only thing I could think to do.
My mom called me between snoozes this morning as I was trying to pry myself out of bed. She could tell that I was kind of half asleep and she apologized for calling. Even at the end of her few words, I could hear the tremor in her voice indicative of tears. She continued, “Immigration sent Mustafa a deportation letter.”
I can’t believe this. My parents have been going round and round with immigration for nearly 5 years. Mustafa has tried to do everything perfectly legally from day one with this. My mom, a US citizen, is the one petitioning for him, and still we’ve gotten nowhere. A few years back, him and my mother went to Turkey to visit Mustafa’s family. At the time, Mustafa’s status was fine, he had his work permit, visa, passport, legal documents, and had not been told that he wasn’t allowed to leave the country. Now, they say that he was not supposed to have left, and they are trying to use that as a reason his application is rejected. There has been conflicting paperwork sent to us over these past 5 years, and despite having an immigration attorney, my parents are stuck in a web of stupid technicalities. Also, immigration dates everything by when they process it, and sometimes my parents receive the documents weeks later. For instance, the deportation letter (that my parents received yesterday) states that Mustafa has to appear in court or leave by September 14 (which was 30 days from the date on the letter). WTF.
His driver’s license and work permit are no longer valid and he has to carry with him at all times the deportation letter. If not, he can be arrested and thrown in jail. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME. This wonderful man… business owner who pays taxes, a mortgage, has a wife and a daughter here… this is the person you’re treating as someone not acceptable to live in the United States?! His business was awarded “best new retail business in Loudoun County” this year. He and my mother have been featured in articles in the paper. By starting his business he has created jobs for other hard working Americans and immigrants. Someone who is an obvious asset to this country, and more importantly my family, is seen by our government as unacceptable because of some fucking pencil pushers who screwed up?!
My mom warned me that if they cannot win in court, both he and my mom will move to Turkey. My uncle will have to deal with selling the house… everything. If they lose, he cannot reapply for 10 years. Our lives could be completely turned upside down. I never thought it was going to come to this. I might have to change my life plan for the next year or two… establish real economic independence rather than the pseudo- independence I have now. Put more school and my dreams on hold…
My mom wants to try and get media involved in this to highlight the absurdity. I think it’s a good idea if it’s possible.
I have so much I need to be doing right now but I’m so upset and paralyzed by fear that this is the only thing I could think to do.