My mother just got denied for her green card... for the fourth time.  I am reaching out to you because America's amoral immigration system has torn one too many families.  And I cannot let it take my mother away from my family and her grandchildren.  
She has been battling the system for the last eighteen years, and the toll this has taken on her, emotionally and financially still hasn't broken her spirit.  Despite all the negativity, turmoil and obstacles my mother tries her hardest to remain an optimist.  Perhaps, for the mere fact that being shipped off back to Bulgaria will strip her away from the ability to see her own children and grandchildren. 

When I was barely sixteen years old, I could no longer lie about who I was.  However, when I came out to my parents my own father disowned me and threatened to kick me out of the house if I didn't change.  That night, my mother stood up in my father's face and told him that if he kicks me out of the house, she will be leaving with me.   My coming out resulted in my parents' divorce and my mother losing a chance to get a green card through my father's petition.  Years later, my father got the green card and my mother, brother and I were left to fend for ourselves.  Now, both my brother and I have obtained this so called "golden ticket" and my mother is still fighting.  On her own.  Working seven days a week, saving money for the astronomical immigration and lawyer fees.
I can honestly say that if it wasn't for my mother's support that night when I had spoken my truth, I wouldn't be here.  It's my turn now to step up and fight for her well being.

Please join me in the fight of helping my mother remain in the US.  I can't bare the sight to see her leaving.  She is my closest confidant.  My best friend.  On a level - my soulmate.  If you have ever met her, she is the kindest soul with not a mean bone in her body.  Her upbringing was unfortunate and difficult.  She was raised with physical discipline on every level you can imagine, but she never brought that to her mothering.  We've held each other's hands through so many tears and belly laughters.  She's walked the way with me through every failure and success.  We rose together from the dirt when we found ourselves pretty much out on the streets.  She's my life team players.  Words cannot being to explain what my mother means to me.   

I know that if we all collectively come together, with even just a little bit from each of us, we can help fight this system that has been so cruel to so many families that all they wanted to do was be good citizens, and beyond that great humans.

I understand that times are hard and unpredictable for so many of us financially.  Give only what your soul and heart allows you to give at this moment.  If you cannot donate as of right now, I asked that you share this with everyone that you know.  It's the kindness of our collective power that moves mountains.  I know that we can do this.

For more information on my mother's case, please read on:

After our arrival in America - my father had petitioned for all of us through his sister (a US citizen).
My mother worked for Church Charities, where we both participated in cooking and feeding the homeless in Chicago.  The pastor who was the organizer, had offered my mother to petition on her immigration behalf as an essential citizen.  However, during an FBI audit on the church the pastor denied signing any documents that signified him petitioning for my mother.  Immigration then dismissed the case as fraud and we never heard anything about it. 

After my parents divorced because of my coming out, my mother lost her chance on obtaining a green card.  Our case didn't get resolved until ten years later.  Both, my brother and I were over twenty one at that point and were denied.  The only person to obtain a green card was my father.  Half a decade later, my brother obtained a green card through his work and I through my marriage.  My mother was left alone, with no way to petition. 

Until she got remarried again.  They petitioned for a green card.  During their interview, they were told everything looks good and my mother should be receiving her green card in a matter of a week.  In a matter of a week, my mother only received a denial based on her "fraudulent" case from the past.  My mother hadn't spoken to the pastor in over fifteen years.  We had no way to contact him to straighten this out.  My mother and her spouse petitioned for a waivery, which only got her another denial. 

We dove in and searched for the pastor.  My mother and her new lawyer set up a meeting with the pastor.  He had apologized for the miscommunication that had COST my mother so much, and agreed to write a letter to the government, explaining his fault in inappropriately denying him petitioning for my mother.  My mother's lawyer resubmitted her papers, clarifying the mistake and clearing any doubt in the fraudulent case.  Even though this got cleared, immigration proceeded to "attack" my mother that she had overstayed her visa and denied her papers based on an inaccurate accusation.  My mother has the original document of her visa with no sign of overstay that would deny her the ability to obtain her papers.  

My mother and her lawyer resubmitted her papers yet again, providing an explanation that their denial is inaccurate based on the information provided.  They included the document that specified and clarified her stay in America.  She received yet another denial saying that they need more evidence.

This happened last week.  We have less than thirty days to resubmit another petition to perhaps get her in front of an immigration judge.  This is her last chance, her last hope.  Please help us provide for her lawyer to fight this corrupt system.

My mother hasn't done anything wrong.  You can't speak to anyone in the immigration system.  It's a catch twenty two with submitting and paying the government fees.  Lawyers and their services along with their astronomical fees become unobtainable for a woman who had her master's degree as a chemist denied by the American government and had to work as a housekeeper and a caregiver to provide for her family and herself.

Please, from the bottom of my heart help in whichever way you can.  Donate, share, share again, share again!

Thank you.

Love,

Pavel on behalf of Liliya Kostadinova