Bring Mark Home: Overcoming Immigration Challenges

# Help Us Bring Mark Home and Complete Our Love Story

Mark and I met online in 2022, and over time, our connection grew into something truly special—love. My three wonderful children talk to Mark all the time, and their bond with him has only strengthened. As I prepared to travel to meet Mark in person, I asked my kids how they felt about me marrying him. Without hesitation, they gave me their wholehearted blessing—because they already saw him as part of our family.

In June 2024, I traveled to the Philippines and met Mark in person for the first time. With his family gathered around us, I proposed to him at a rooftop restaurant, and we began dreaming of our future together.

After returning to the U.S. that same month, I immediately started the K-1 visa process so Mark could move here, and we could marry. We expected the visa approval by December 2024, but government delays and legal complications have stalled the process again and again.

Finally in May, Mark was able to schedule his biometrics and medical appointments, taking a two-day journey to Manila to stay with his aunt. He completed everything and arrived for his visa interview at the U.S. embassy, answering every question asked of him. But instead of an approval, he was handed a piece of paper—the dreaded notice of refusal—with no explanation.

Now, we wait. As a gay couple, we are navigating overwhelming legal roadblocks, immigration challenges, and the struggles of a system that often fails people like us. To fight this, we need to hire more legal counsel, cover additional travel expenses, and continue planning our wedding. We have exhausted everything we had saved to be together and build our family.

We need your help. Every donation—big or small—will go toward securing legal support, overcoming immigration hurdles, and making our dream a reality. If you’re unable to donate, please help us by sharing our story.

Love should never be held back by borders, bureaucracy, or discrimination. Thank you for standing with us in this journey.