Reuniting Spouses: Trip El Salvador
Donation protected
My husband Nelson and I have been in a process of obtaining his visa/permanent residence for the past 3 years. After thousands of dollars, and years of lawyers, applications and interviews, Nelson was finally granted his consulate interview in his home country, El Salvador on October 5th. The terms of his country required him to have a medical exam in El Salvador exactly 3 weeks prior to his interview date. Nelson left the United States on September 14th.
We were told after his visa had been granted, he would receive his visa and would be back home in 2-3 weeks. This was not the case. We began to worry and contacted the embassy in El Salvador, to find out that at this time, receiving a visa takes an average of 6-8 months. It has now been 6 weeks since his interview and we are preparing ourselves for the possibility that he will not return for another 5-7 months.
This is extremely difficult for us on an emotional level and a financial level. Had we been warned of the possibility of this kind of delay, we would have prepared as best we could. We were not prepared for this at all.
Not only do I rely on my husbands income here in the US, his family in El Salvador also rely on his income to eat and have daily necessities. I am doing my best to keep our home here and to send Nelson and his family money every month to survive but my financial capabilities are running out.
I also would like to be able to visit my husband. It has already been over 2 months since I have seen him and I miss him tremendously. If I could manage to get a plane ticket at least I could be with my love for a short period, rather than wait another 6 months until I see him again.
I am asking all my friends, family, coworkers, classmates, everyone who can contribute to help Nelson and I reunite this December and to help Nelson and his family have enough to survive the next six months in El Salvador.
I am already so grateful to have a community to support us through this hard time. We have already received a few contributions that have meant the world to us. We feel so much love around us and that is what is keeping us strong. We would be eternally grateful to anyone who can pitch in to help us be together for the holidays and help me to send Nelson and his family money to eat.
Eternally grateful,
Neda Ehya and Nelson Medina
We were told after his visa had been granted, he would receive his visa and would be back home in 2-3 weeks. This was not the case. We began to worry and contacted the embassy in El Salvador, to find out that at this time, receiving a visa takes an average of 6-8 months. It has now been 6 weeks since his interview and we are preparing ourselves for the possibility that he will not return for another 5-7 months.
This is extremely difficult for us on an emotional level and a financial level. Had we been warned of the possibility of this kind of delay, we would have prepared as best we could. We were not prepared for this at all.
Not only do I rely on my husbands income here in the US, his family in El Salvador also rely on his income to eat and have daily necessities. I am doing my best to keep our home here and to send Nelson and his family money every month to survive but my financial capabilities are running out.
I also would like to be able to visit my husband. It has already been over 2 months since I have seen him and I miss him tremendously. If I could manage to get a plane ticket at least I could be with my love for a short period, rather than wait another 6 months until I see him again.
I am asking all my friends, family, coworkers, classmates, everyone who can contribute to help Nelson and I reunite this December and to help Nelson and his family have enough to survive the next six months in El Salvador.
I am already so grateful to have a community to support us through this hard time. We have already received a few contributions that have meant the world to us. We feel so much love around us and that is what is keeping us strong. We would be eternally grateful to anyone who can pitch in to help us be together for the holidays and help me to send Nelson and his family money to eat.
Eternally grateful,
Neda Ehya and Nelson Medina
Organizer
Neda Ehya
Organizer
Berkeley, CA