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My family came to the US as refugees and had a very easy time of going through the naturalization process. We may have been a happy exception. I have a friend, an internationally known writer, who submitted his green card application several times, with substantial fees attached to every one of the. They were all “lost”. Upon a call from his state senator, they were miraculously found.
This morning, I read a this on a blog of an acquaintance whose writings I’ve been following for years:
February will mark the two year anniversary as to when my husband submitted his application for a change of status - a Green card.
He hasn’t even been called for an interview yet.
I have now received yet another notice from the State Department stating that his application is incomplete - even though it isn’t. They keep writing and asking for documents we’ve already submitted, each time it changes. Never mind that we have receipts stating they’ve received the appropriate forms.
I am FURIOUS. our lives are on hold.
I am tempted to take this to the media, I’m sure it would make a good story for someone - how impossible immigration is even for a citizen of England who has been married for two years and has a good savings account and a job.
In theory, US is a beacon of freedom to the world. Yet people without permanent residency are much restricted legally in what they can do here. And I get a distinct impression that having qualifications in science, business or any other useful area means nothing to the bureaucrats when it comes to approving applications. They’d rather bring in third-world savages with no skills beyond brigandage than smart, hardworking people who already speak the language, have an education and have manifested a work ethic.
I have another talented friend, living in Texas on a work visa. If he had a green card, he could produce several of his inventions here. I have no idea how to expedite the process of getting a green card for him, but would like to learn the options.