As national debate over border security, guest workers and illegal aliens rages, town resident Ekaterina Atanasova says she is one of 1.5 million legal immigrants waiting anxiously for an American reunion with their loved ones.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/...
NPR Featured a similar issue yesterday:
http://www.npr.org/...
Getting through to lawmakers is like banging one's head against a brick wall!! My press-release/letter attached:
As the current debate on immigration continues, the media and lawmakers seem to be focused on challenges of illegal immigrants. As a Legal Permanent Resident (LPRs, a.k.a. Green Card Holder) who came to this country on H1 Visa about a decade ago, I certainly feel that the immigration laws have to keep up with the pace of globalization.
Along with welcoming skilled and qualified immigrants, lawmakers need to work towards fixing gap in the Visa system that essentially separates such LPRs from their spouses.
Green card holders have to remain in the US to continue to maintain their legal status, while spouses of the LPRs have to wait over 5 years to be granted an immigrant visa. My wife, an Indian Citizen, is not eligible to get a visa to come and visit me in the US while she awaits processing of her immigrant visa. If I had first gotten married and then applied for my green card, my wife would have been able to move here right away. Same thing if I had been here on a student visa, or had simply made no change in my status as the holder of a work visa. I am then left to wonder why I should be penalized for deciding to become a Legal Permanent Resident of America?
Among members of unitefamilies.org is Italo, based out of San Diego, CA. He is also an LPR, got 2 Ph.D.s and contributes to growth and success of America everyday. However, he is concerned that if his wife, who also has a Ph.D. from US (but not a green card) is not allowed to immigrate to join him within few months he will move to a more welcoming land, transferring his technology and his asset with him.
As a member of a grassroots lobby group unitefamilies.org, I am trying hard to have our voice heard. However, the current immigration debate in the congress seems to be focused on the 'plight' of Illegal immigrants, and not on Taxpaying Legal Permanent Residents and their nuclear families.
Regards,
MB