Birthday Immigration Funds

Hi friends!

Backstory: After we were married last August, my wife was nominated for the Governor General's Award for Children's Illustration. This was a huge deal, and even though we were beginning the process of applying for her green card, we made the decision that it would be best for her to appear at the awards in Ottawa. We expected her to remain in Canada for a few weeks in compliance with any immigration laws, and then return for a few weeks to America, ongoing until she had a permanent resident visa. What happened instead was at the end of October 2018, my wife was held at the border, detained for hours, questioned, and eventually denied entrance into the United States. 

Following the government shut down at the beginning of the year, we received receipt of our first petition, and made plans for my wife to come home for a month at the end of May, when I would be recovering from surgery. Again, at the border she was detained, questioned, and harassed by CBP who made unnecessary remarks about her ethnicity and nationality. Despite having the filed petition and receipt in hand, she was forced to sign a waiver or inadmissibility until the green card process is finalized. 

The earliest expected date for this is May 2020. 

In addition to this process, I am also considered inadmissible by the Canadian government until February of 2021 unless I have either a Temporary Resident Permit ($2000/each entry) or a Spousal Visa with intentions to emigrate to Canada.

TL;DR I have not seen my wife in ten months! 

Furthermore: While we have an immigration attorney facilitating my wife's permanent resident visa, we have been informed we will need, and have begun consulting with, other attorneys as this process has become more complicated. 

Here is how you can help: 

By contributing to our immigration fund, you will provide financial assistance, so we can afford the following:

1. Legal representation for my wife as she goes through customs, who can assist her in effectively crossing without being subject to harassment or verbal and racial abuse by the CBP ($2500)
2. Additional flat fee work by Canadian immigration attorney for a Temporary Resident Permit for myself to travel to Canada for the holidays and see my wife at the end of the year w/ travel expenses included ($2500)
3. Travel for Consular Interview + USCIS Immigration Fee ($500)

Bonus for you: 



All donations exceeding $100 will earn you an illustration of your choice by my wife, M. In her words "I'll draw you, I'll draw ur pets, I'll draw anything to say thanks."