Congratulations on entering the united state of matrimony. Now, about
getting your wife back into the United States of America....
First off, you best friends in a case like this are your elected
representatives. I used to work for a member of Congress, and I can
assure you that their staff spend a great deal of time (and
frustration) intervening with the INS on behalf of their constituents.
There is no assurance that they can solve your problems, but they can
definitely elevate the matter to more senior levels at the INS, and
accelerate a decision.
A few tips for getting started.
www.congress.gov can provide you links to your Senators and
Representatives. Each member’s page will give you details about how
to contact their office. For instance, NY Senator Chuck Schumer’s
site has the following:
“How can Chuck help me?
We can help you in a variety of ways with federal agencies. We can
make inquiries on your behalf about the status of any pending cases
before any federal agency. We can also often offer advice about which
agency would be best to handle your concerns, and help you navigate
the sometimes confusing web of services offered by the federal
government. Unfortunately, we cannot offer legal advice or intervene
in pending litigation. “
There’s much more about writing letters, what information to provide,
what address to use, etc.
You will need to provide each office with a written description of
your situation, so work on providing all the relevant details in a
concise and understandable way. BUT...don’t leave it at just writing
letters. Call each office and ask to speak to the staffer handling
immigration issues. Emphasize the urgent medical aspect. Ask for a
face to face meeting with the Senator or Representative. Your request
will likely result in a meeting with staff – which is good – but if
you’re persistent you can also get face time with Chuck or Hillary (I
assume you’re a New Yorker) or whoever else you contact – work both
the Senate and House members appropriate to where you live. After you
write and meet, make regular calls for follow-up to make sure your
issue stays front and center on the radar screen.
Secondly, get a lawyer on your side. If you can afford it, hire one.
If that’s not an option, make use of public interest lawyers. I
suggest you start by contacting:
The Legal Aid Society Immigration Law Unit
90 Church Street
New York, NY 10007
(212) 577-3300
There are other public interest places to turn as well – let me know
if you need more suggestions about contacts.
Third, the Saudi Arabian embassy may be able to provide some
assistance. I’m not very familiar with the role they might play here,
but it’s worth a shot.
Lastly, think about ways of getting publicity for your case – a local
newspaper or TV reporter may take an interest in a story of estranged
newlyweds separated by a chastised and aggressive INS. Nothing
motivates public officials like publicity.
These are the best tips I know for getting started. I invite other
Googlers to offer their advice as well. Do write back with a request
for clarification if you want more information on anything.
Good luck. |
Clarification of Answer by
davidsar-ga
on
10 Jun 2002 12:34 PDT
Here's an address and phone number for Senator Clinton's office in
Mnahattan:
780 Third Avenue
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 688-6262
Fax: (212) 688-7444
Your zip code is covered by more than one Congressional
representative, so I can't tell you who your Congressperson is...ask
around.
As for other public interest groups, your best bet is to ask the
people who know. As you speak to Congressional offices, ask them for
names and phone numbers of organizations you can contact. As local
people working these issues directly, they are in a much better
position than I am to give you up to date referrals.
And by all means, as one commenter noted, you should be talking to the
INS as well. I assumed these conversations were happening, but if
not, definitely make this part of your communications effort.
Good luck.
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