Help Pay Alhen's Visa Fees
Donation protected
Hi! It's us again, asking for your help to pay the visa fees necessary to apply for Alhen’s work permit, travel permit, and residency visa (aka his Greencard). The total we need to send to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is $1,225 and I’ve been trying to squirrel away money, but truthfully, I’ve found it impossible to save anything while supporting 2 adults on a single salary.
In 2018, I asked y’all to help me gather money to fly both Alhen and I to Guyana for our fiance visa interview, since the US Embassy in Havana was closed and all applications re-routed to Georgetown. Y’all showed up and I am so immensely grateful. It is because of y’all that Alhen and I have the opportunity and privilege to be together. Now, Alhen is here in New Orleans with me and we just celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend! I still look at him sometimes and am in awe that he is here with me. It has been a rollercoaster of a year, filled with joy, anger, sadness, and confusion, but we made it!
I took a much needed break in 2019 from the overwhelming world of immigration paperwork, but between the constant anxiety that I feel because he does not have an actual visa status (especially in this political climate), and the financial and domestic pressure we both feel from him being unable to work, we need to get those permits/visas submitted and filed as soon as possible. There is also an additional pressure because in order to retain his Cuban citizenship, Alhen must return to the island once every two years, or he loses his claim to property and to healthcare and would essentially become a tourist in the eyes of the Cuban government. Any money raised beyond the visa fees will go towards Alhen’s flight back to Cuba before October 2020 so he can see his mom, grandma, and sister, and retain his citizenship .
On top of paying over a grand, we also have to fill out a pile of paperwork, provide physical "evidence" of our relationship, and then finally have ANOTHER interview where they question us separately about each other and our relationship, in order to get his two-year US residency. Again, I feel a little ashamed and self-conscious for asking y’all for money, but here I am. Immigration to the US, no matter what country you’re from, is no easy, or cheap, feat, and I truly thank you for helping us, no matter how much you can donate.
It seems cliche, but I’m saying it anyways, Alhen and I couldn’t do this without you. It is because of y’alls love and support that we are here, together, today. XOXOXO Madeline
In 2018, I asked y’all to help me gather money to fly both Alhen and I to Guyana for our fiance visa interview, since the US Embassy in Havana was closed and all applications re-routed to Georgetown. Y’all showed up and I am so immensely grateful. It is because of y’all that Alhen and I have the opportunity and privilege to be together. Now, Alhen is here in New Orleans with me and we just celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend! I still look at him sometimes and am in awe that he is here with me. It has been a rollercoaster of a year, filled with joy, anger, sadness, and confusion, but we made it!
I took a much needed break in 2019 from the overwhelming world of immigration paperwork, but between the constant anxiety that I feel because he does not have an actual visa status (especially in this political climate), and the financial and domestic pressure we both feel from him being unable to work, we need to get those permits/visas submitted and filed as soon as possible. There is also an additional pressure because in order to retain his Cuban citizenship, Alhen must return to the island once every two years, or he loses his claim to property and to healthcare and would essentially become a tourist in the eyes of the Cuban government. Any money raised beyond the visa fees will go towards Alhen’s flight back to Cuba before October 2020 so he can see his mom, grandma, and sister, and retain his citizenship .
On top of paying over a grand, we also have to fill out a pile of paperwork, provide physical "evidence" of our relationship, and then finally have ANOTHER interview where they question us separately about each other and our relationship, in order to get his two-year US residency. Again, I feel a little ashamed and self-conscious for asking y’all for money, but here I am. Immigration to the US, no matter what country you’re from, is no easy, or cheap, feat, and I truly thank you for helping us, no matter how much you can donate.
It seems cliche, but I’m saying it anyways, Alhen and I couldn’t do this without you. It is because of y’alls love and support that we are here, together, today. XOXOXO Madeline
Organizer
Madefine Blanca
Organizer
New Orleans, LA