Immigration

Dear President Barack Obama:

I do understand that you are a very busy man, but I pray to God that you do read this letter as soon as possible, and most important, that you can help me and many families that are going through the same.

I moved to USA in 1996 with my parents when I had just turned 16, my sister was 13, and my brother was 8 years old. We all went to school here. I did my four years high school, graduated with a good GPA in 2000. When I finished high school, been illegal, college was not an option. And that did hurt and still hurts me a lot because of the fact that I will turn 32 this year.

My sister got married to an American citizen, so she did get her green card and she is now an American Citizen herself. She has two kids (9 years old and a 12 year old), who were born here in the USA.

When my father applied for his green card, he got approved and the green card was sent to him by mail together with my brother’s green card because my brother was a minor back then, I believe he was 15 or 16 years old. And for the fact that I was 23, he could not even apply for my green card. A few years later, my father applied for his citizenship, and then he applied for a petition (I-130) for me to change my status, if approved, I have to wait for a VISA number to become available, then I can apply for my green card. It could take up to 10 years. The petition got approved.

Anyway, my father has been an American citizen since 2008. He put the petition through for me in 2007. In January of 2008 I received my answer from immigration about the petition, which was approved. With that letter, I was able to renew my driver’s license and it gave me hope that very soon I would receive my green card. But, the wait is about four more years as of now.

I know this woman who is also an American citizen and applied to her adult son even before my father applied to me. She is desperate because a friend told her that she had applied for her daughter and when the immigration sent her a letter saying that her daughter’s green card was approved, her daughter had to go to their country to receive the green card there. So, a lawyer advised them not to go, because since the daughter was illegal when her mother applied to her, when she gets to their country, she has to wait 10 years there as a penalty.

So, just imagine how our parents feel. Imagine my parents, having 3 kids, two became legal and one has to wait for years because of her age, for them, there is no difference, we are all their kids. It is so sad, it breaks my heart. Starting January 01st of 2010, DMV cut privileges for people with my case to renew their driver’s license. When you live in Central Florida, it is almost impossible not to have a car and drive. I am not even allowed to get an ID card. It does not feel right, because I am on a petition through immigration, which has been approved in January of 2008, but a VISA number is not available yet, so I can not apply for my green card until that VISA number is available, again it could take up to 10 years. How can I live here, having an American parent, having an approved petition from immigration and not even been allowed to have an American ID. How unfair is that?

But most unfair is the fact that if someone comes to this country legally as a tourist like most of the people that come here and the I-94 expires, they are already considered illegal here and if someone on this status gets married, about 6 months later they do receive their green card in the mail. But, a parent, not even an American citizen parent can give the green card privilege to their own kid, just because their kid is over 21 years old. The kid has to wait about 7 to 10 years, and maybe have to go back to their country and pay a penalty there of 10 years. On my case, I have lived here half of my life. I adapted here, I don’t want to go back. I belong here, I feel more American than my own nationality.

I am in an immigration approved petition right now and I explained myself why I need to ask for your help. Hopefully, it will be in your hands to change the law and help thousands of desperate families like mine.

I really appreciate your time, dedication and help on this matter. Read more about Parents and Immigration

Dear President Barack Obama:

I do understand that you are a very busy man, but I pray to God that you do read this letter as soon as possible, and most important, that you can help me and many families that are going through the same.

I moved to USA in 1996 with my parents when I had just turned 16, my sister was 13, and my brother was 8 years old. We all went to school here. I did my four years high school, graduated with a good GPA in 2000. When I finished high school, been illegal, college was not an option. And that did hurt and still hurts me a lot because of the fact that I will turn 32 this year.

My sister got married to an American citizen, so she did get her green card and she is now an American Citizen herself. She has two kids (9 years old and a 12 year old), who were born here in the USA.

When my father applied for his green card, he got approved and the green card was sent to him by mail together with my brother’s green card because my brother was a minor back then, I believe he was 15 or 16 years old. And for the fact that I was 23, he could not even apply for my green card. A few years later, my father applied for his citizenship, and then he applied for a petition (I-130) for me to change my status, if approved, I have to wait for a VISA number to become available, then I can apply for my green card. It could take up to 10 years. The petition got approved.

Anyway, my father has been an American citizen since 2008. He put the petition through for me in 2007. In January of 2008 I received my answer from immigration about the petition, which was approved. With that letter, I was able to renew my driver’s license and it gave me hope that very soon I would receive my green card. But, the wait is about four more years as of now.

I know this woman who is also an American citizen and applied to her adult son even before my father applied to me. She is desperate because a friend told her that she had applied for her daughter and when the immigration sent her a letter saying that her daughter’s green card was approved, her daughter had to go to their country to receive the green card there. So, a lawyer advised them not to go, because since the daughter was illegal when her mother applied to her, when she gets to their country, she has to wait 10 years there as a penalty.

So, just imagine how our parents feel. Imagine my parents, having 3 kids, two became legal and one has to wait for years because of her age, for them, there is no difference, we are all their kids. It is so sad, it breaks my heart. Starting January 01st of 2010, DMV cut privileges for people with my case to renew their driver’s license. When you live in Central Florida, it is almost impossible not to have a car and drive. I am not even allowed to get an ID card. It does not feel right, because I am on a petition through immigration, which has been approved in January of 2008, but a VISA number is not available yet, so I can not apply for my green card until that VISA number is available, again it could take up to 10 years. How can I live here, having an American parent, having an approved petition from immigration and not even been allowed to have an American ID. How unfair is that?

But most unfair is the fact that if someone comes to this country legally as a tourist like most of the people that come here and the I-94 expires, they are already considered illegal here and if someone on this status gets married, about 6 months later they do receive their green card in the mail. But, a parent, not even an American citizen parent can give the green card privilege to their own kid, just because their kid is over 21 years old. The kid has to wait about 7 to 10 years, and maybe have to go back to their country and pay a penalty there of 10 years. On my case, I have lived here half of my life. I adapted here, I don’t want to go back. I belong here, I feel more American than my own nationality.

I am in an immigration approved petition right now and I explained myself why I need to ask for your help. Hopefully, it will be in your hands to change the law and help thousands of desperate families like mine.

I really appreciate your time, dedication and help on this matter. Read more about Parents and Immigration

Dear President Barack Obama:

My name is Gulbahar. l am from Uzbekistan. l was born in 1986 in Uzbekistan. In 1989 my family left Uzbekistan and came back after seven years. Since 1996 we have lived in Uzbekistan. But, my family and l cannot get citizenship in Uzbekistan. I had married a person who has a citizen of Uzbekistan and we have a daughter together.

Still, during 16 years of marriage I can't get citizenship. I had finished school here then institute. l am working as a teacher at school. l just want to get citizenship.

Please help me with a citizen. Read more about Citizen

Dear President Barack Obama:

My name is Gulbahar. l am from Uzbekistan. l was born in 1986 in Uzbekistan. In 1989 my family left Uzbekistan and came back after 7 years. Since 1996 we are living in Uzbekistan. But, my family and l cannot get citizenship in Uzbekistan. I had married a person who is a citizen of Uzbekistan and we have a daughter.

During 16 years I can't get a citizen. I had finished school here. l am working as a teacher at school. l just want to get citizenship. please help me with becoming a citizen. Read more about Citizen

Dear President Barack Obama,

I'm Cynthia. I know you cant do anything. I am sad. I'm Mexican and my family and me were in court for immigration and I'm scared they're going to send me back to Mexico. I've been here all my life and I've been here studying and I don't want to go back. I don't know the language. They are going to send my mom to Mexico and I have to go too. So I need help please :( Read more about Immigration

Senor Presidente

Por este medio me comunico a usted, para expresarle mi sinceras felicitaciones por el trabajo que ha realizado durante su cargo. Yo Luis, ciudadano mexicano, de 17 anos me dirigo a usted para pedirle ayuda, ya que en estos momentos mi situacion no es la mejor.

Actualmente vivo en Murrieta California con mi tios, me encuentro cursando el ultimo ano de high school mientras juego futbol soccer y aprendo de su cultura y disfruto como cualquier otro estudiante normal, mis padres tomaron la decision de mandarme a vivir aqui despues que mi vida corriera peligro en varias ocaciones debido a la guerra contra el narcotrafico que ahora se vive en mi pais la cual esta afectando a muchos civiles inocentes, lamentablamente tengo que regresar a mi pais puesto que no soy ciudadano americano y no me permiten quedarme mas tiempo aqui, a lo que solicito de una oportunidad de su parte, Estados Unidos siempre se ha carecterizado por luchar a favor de los derechos humanos, por eso es que me encuentro redactando esta carta.

Soy un joven con muchas aspiraciones y suenos, solo pido una oportunidad.
Sin mas que expresar le agradezco su rapida respuesta y me despido atentamente.
Luis

Translation:

Dear President Barack Obama,

I hereby inform you, to express my sincere congratulations for the work done during your tenure. I a Mexican citizen, 17 years old, am asking you for help, because my situation right now is not the best.
I currently live in California with my guys, I'm a senior in high school while playing soccer and learn from their culture and enjoy like any other normal student, my parents made the decision to send me to live my life here after danger on several occasions because of the war against drug trafficking now living in my country which is affecting many innocent civilians.

Now, I have to return to my country since I am not an American citizen and the US will not let me stay here longer, to I call for an opportunity on their part, the United States has always been characterized for fighting for human rights, that is why I am writing this letter. I am a young woman with many aspirations and dreams, just ask a try.

Luis Read more about I need help

Dear President Barack Obama:

My name is Sahina and I am writing because I applied one year ago to bring husband that lives in Bangladesh to America. I have been waiting for several months for my husband to be eligible for a visa but then the visa center at Dhaka said that me and my husband aren't married that I am still married. Now they rejected my husband for giving false documents that I am not married to my husband. Please I need you to help me.

Thank you,
Sahina Read more about Immigration

Dear President Barack Obama:

My name is Sahina and I am writing because I applied one year ago for my husband that lives in Bangladesh to come to America. I have been waiting for several months for my husband to be eligible for a visa, but then the visa center at Dhaka said that I don't have the appropriate marriage documentation and that me and my husband aren't married– I am still married. Now they rejected my husband for giving false documents that I am not married to my husband. Please I need your help. Read more about Immigration

Dear President Barack Obama:

One of the best California State Security Officers named Haithem in removal proceedings to Africa Tunisia.

Can you help? Read more about Be a Jesus save me from deportation and grant me a GREEN CARD

Dear President Barack Obama,

I have been a supporter of you from the very first time I saw you running in 2008. My support has not weakened. It has gotten stronger this election year. With everything that is at stake especially for women in this country.
I came to this country in 1974 from Iran. I was married at age 14 and gave birth to my daughter at age 17. I was divorced shortly after her birth which was a very precarious position for me in my home country. The culture didn’t accept divorced women especially with a child. I had to hide that part of my life from society. I lived a double existence. I was an outcast in my country at that time. This was the reason I decided to come to America.

When I got here I couldn’t speak English which made it very difficult. I had studied hair design in Iran and Europe and continued school in the United States. I was determined to continue my education. I opened a salon in Beverly Hills and had bought a home in Pacific Palisades, CA. Then in 1979 there was a revolution in Iran. At this time I had to return to Iran to make sure my family was ok. I was detained for 2 years before I could come back to the United States. Shortly after returning I found that I had lost everything I worked for here and had to start my life again at ground zero.

I was a single mother and it was very difficult. I worked very hard several jobs at the same time to earn enough money to buy a salon. I was able to achieve this in 1987. Two years later I was able to bring my daughter to this country in 1989. I am very proud and feel very fortunate that I became a citizen of the US on December 11, 1996. I am a business woman and have run my salon in the same location in Santa Monica, CA for 25 years. In fact, I am having my 25th year anniversary event June 14, 2012. It is a Red Carpet event and many people will be here to celebrate the occasion. Of course you, Michelle and your daughters are invited and it would be my greatest honor if you could be here. I will send you a formal invitation.

It has been 25 hard years to survive and continue the business. I had to survive the renovation and construction of the famous Third Street Promenade which took 6 years. I survived the 1994 earth quake that resulted in reconstruction of the historical building where my salon is. This took two years and we didn’t close for business and most people were very surprised. We also survived the most recent renovation and construction of the Santa Monica Mall, which took 2 ½ years.

I am very proud that I am still here and have continued a successful business under many different difficult situations. I am still here and it is why this coming celebration means so much. Being a single mother, I am very sensitive of the challenge of all the single mothers across the country and it is why I am even more determined to make sure that you remain our president. I always share my experience with struggling women to never give up and don’t let anything stop you to achieve your dream. I know it will be impossible for you to be at my event to celebrate with me but if you can respond to this letter it would go a long way toward encouraging all women that are struggling and can give hope that their voices are heard and you truly care.

Look forward to seeing you in June (smile!!!!!!) at our celebration or receiving your encouragement via written acknowledgement so I can share with others. Thanks for your kind consideration.

Sincerely Read more about A Single Mothers Story