Immigration Reform?

I have been reading the newspaper articles regarding the Immigration Reform bill that is currently under review in Washington. Although I believe in immigration and diversity, I have to say I cannot get behind legalizing all those who have illegally entered the United States simply because they are already here. In the past 4 years, I (an American CITIZEN) have been required to file applications, pay fees, wait for a USCIS agent to decide my future, and then start the process over again.

Let me just tell you what we had to go through following the legal process. My husband had to leave England and return to India because that was his country of citizenship. According to several attorneys, (both here in the US and England), he would NEVER be approved in a country other than where he held his citizenship post 9/11. Then, I had to file a Fiance' visa application, supply documentation to validate our relationship, and as with EVERY USCIS process, pay the fees. Once this was filed, I had to sit and wait until the application had been reviewed to see if we were approved or not. Thankfully, we were approved. So, the next step was for my fiance' to pay for and pass a physical given by someone authorized by the USCIS. Then, he had to file a large amount of paperwork and go to the consulate for a personal interview. Again, we were required to put our futures in the hands of a USCIS agent to determine whether or not we could be together. Again, we were lucky enough to be approved. (Trust me, that doesn't always happen. In fact, the four people that were interviewed prior to Hari were turned down in India.) Once approved, we purchased an airline ticket and Hari was on his way to the United States.

Once he arrived here in June 2004, we had a whole 90 days to plan a wedding and get married. After the marriage was done, it was paperwork time again. We had to complete the application to change his status from a fiance' to a spouse. This required a mountain of paperwork, fingerprints and a photo. Surprise, surprise! Each process required a fee paid to USCIS. Then, we also had to file another application to request permission for him to work in the US. You got it - another fee! After that, it was time to sit and wait for USCIS to process and approve the applications. Meanwhile, Hari was not allowed to obtain a job.

After 4 months, we received his work authorization and continued to wait for a green card. In March 2005, we were required to attend a meeting with USCIS. At this appointment, we were required to provide documentation, photographs, and substantial evidence that showed we were married for the "right reasons" and that we were legitimately a couple. Then, my husband was granted a green card. With a two year validity, we had a chance to catch our breath and finally start our lives. But wait - that's not all. Because the green card is valid for only 2 years, we are required to apply and have the "conditional permanent resident" status changed. Again, we filed applications, had fingerprints and photos taken and submitted affidavits from friends and family to verify we are a couple. Oh, and don't forget - paid fees! We filed 1 month in advance on the expiration of Hari's green card and received a letter stating the expiration date had been extended for 1 year because USCIS is behind in processing applications. A check on their website shows that they are currently reviewing applications filed in August 2006. Are you kidding me??? No wonder it is easy to say we have no control over Immigation - those who follow the procedures to a T are subject to outrageous waiting periods. It seriously makes me think we should review the budget to see what all these fees are being used for. I think it's safe to say, it is not being used to hire additional staff to review the mountains of paperwork each person is required to file.

Our current status: We are waiting to have the "condition" removed from Hari's green card and given the information on the Internet, this process will probably be complete a week or two before Hari is eligible to apply for citizenship. As of 2009, he can file to become a US Citizen. At that point, we will do more paperwork, have his fingerprints and photos taken again, and pay the FEES!

In case you are wondering why I would be agitated by those who want to grant amnesty to all of the illegal immigrants -- I think they should be required to return to their country of citizenship, file all the required paperwork, complete a physical to verify they are not ill or HIV positive, produce evidence, go through the stress of waiting for approval or denial and pay ALL THE FEES those of us who obey the law have to! In other words, BE CONSISTANT WASHINGTON!