mamitoceci
05-05-2008, 02:27 AM
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter in regards to the I 601 document I have filed for my husband Rafael CV. He came to this country to escape the poverty in his own country and provide for his grandmother who is an invalid. Rafael is what the people in my family would call a mentch. It is a Yiddish word that means a truly good person with an honest heart. This word is not used often, so as not to diminish the significance of this word. Rafael has an extreme love for his family and friends, and is willing to make sacrifices to help anyone in need. As my husband and the father of my children, he truly impresses me with his selfless acts and care for others. I am terrified of the thought of being separated from him because the I601 is not approved. The extreme hardships we would endure if I had to relocate my whole family to Mexico are equally terrifying.
Our Family Background
I met Rafael in January of 2005. He came in to N Staffing
(a temporary agency where I was working as a recruiter) looking for a job. We both knew it was love at first sight. I didn’t know such a thing existed until I met him. I denied his initial requests for a date because I did not want to mix my professional and private life. After an extremely hard day, he popped into my office and asked me out on a date one more time. I could not say no. So we went out to a 24 hour restaurant and ended talking the whole night. We were inseparable ever since. We got engaged in April and married May 5, 2005. We have one beautiful daughter Cecilia C, born 5/22/06. We are also expecting our second child September 13, 2008. We also have my stepson, and Rafael’s son (a US citizen) in our custody from Monday - Saturday.
Extreme Hardship to our children
My daughter has an extremely close relationship with Rafael. He was her primary caregiver for much of her life while I worked there were many months that he stayed home with her. To this day she cries when he leaves the house, and jumps for joy when he returns. They have had a close relationship since she was born. When I gave birth to Cecilia, I had to have stitches to repair the tear I had in my perineum. When she was born the nurses gave Rafael the baby. For my entire life I will never forget this moment. Rafael started to cry, told me he loved me and sat in a rocking chair for the next half hour as the doctor stitched me up, and sang Cecilia sweet lullabies. The nurses they had never seen anything like it, as soon as Rafael cradled Cecilia in his arms and sang to her she stopped crying and did not fall asleep but rather gazed in to Rafael’s arms. To this day that is the happiest moment in my life. I believe if Rafael is not able to reunite with his family Cecilia will suffer stress due to being away from her father. (See attachment #A).
My second child is due in September, and it pains me to think that is a strong possibility my newborn baby will not have the same opportunity to bond with Rafael as Cecilia had. I am afraid if Rafael is not able to have the same bonding time with the new baby as he had with Cecilia that the new baby will not form a close bond with the Rafael. (Exhibit B)
Jaret, my stepson lives with us the majority of the week. His mother is a single mother with another child from a different father, and is currently pregnant as well. Jaret and Cecilia have a very close relationship not only with each other but with their father as well. Should Rafael’s I601 be denied. Jaret’s mother would not allow Jaret to live with us at all and his visitations with Cecilia would be limited. His mother is currently making a low wage. She herself is also an illegal alien, and would not allow Jaret to visit Rafael in Mexico. Jaret would be forced to move away from his family that he has known most of his life and be forced to move to the innercity of Milwaukee with his mother. Jaret would have such limited contact with his father because I would not be allowed to take Jaret to Mexico with me. When Jaret is with Rafael, me, and Cecilia we speak both English and Spanish, where as when he is with his Mom, he only speaks Spanish. I am afraid his language skills will suffer due to no one being able to communicate with him in English. Jaret also calls my dad Grandpa Joe, and my mom grandma, I am afraid my parents would also loose contact with Jaret whom they consider a grandchild just as much as Cecilia.
Concerns with children moving to Mexico
We live in a community with a very low crime rate. If we move to Mexico I am concerned of the high crime rate and potential kidnapping in Chiapas where my husband’s family lives. I am afraid that if were living in Chiapas we would be especially vulnerable to kidnapping attempts as Americans.
My children are in the O School District and would go to Park Lawn, a Blue Ribbon School. (exhibit C) They would also go to Oconomowoc High School, which has a graduation rate of over 95%. (Exhibit D) Education is one of the most important opportunities for our children. I fear that their educational opportunities would be gravely damaged due to the poor educational opportunities in Chiapas, Mexico. (Exhibit E)
Hardships to extended family
My grandmother, June S was diagnosed last year with Diverticulosis (exhibit F), and Breast Cancer (Exhibit G). Last year she also had double knee replacement surgery(Exhibit H). My grandmother relies on me and my husband Rafael on the weekends. We are currently taking care of her every weekend. She has alive in Aid Monday - Friday, but Saturday and Sunday we go to take care of her. She has a colonoscopy bag which needs emptying on a daily basis. She also needs assistance bathing herself, getting out of bed, walking, cooking her meals, cleaning, and almost all daily activities. Rafael has been helping me with these duties as he has experience taking care of his invalid grandmother. I am very concerned that if I relocate to Mexico to be with my husband there will be no one to look after my grandmother. My grandmother has three sons. Two of those sons live in either New York or New Jersey. My father her only son that lives close to her ( She lives in Northbrook, IL and my father lives in Rockford, Illinois.) My father is recovering from Bio duct cancer (Exhibit I) and is not able to assist my grandmother. Lately due to my progressing pregnancy I have been less able to care for my grandmother. Rafael has had to help me lift out of the bed, off her chair, and even off the toilet when she has to urinate. I can’t bare the thought of her suffering alone. I am afraid that if I chose to stay in Mexico to keep my family together that my grandmother will suffer grave consequences.
My parents Hilene and Joseph S are very active parts of my life. Both of my parents spend substaintiable time with both Cecilia and Jaret. (Exhibit J) We have a very close relationship. They have been an essential part of our lives. My parents and Cecilia an Jaret would all suffer if Rafael was not able to return to our home, and our family was forced to relocate to Mexico. My mother and I talk on a daily basis, and should we have to relocate to Mexico I am sure I would not be able to afford that. My father has spent much time with both grandchildren taking care of them during the day, and spending time with then when he lived with us. They call their grandfather Grandpa Joe. Their faces light up when they see each other.
Also, as previously mentioned my father was diagnosed with Bio duct cancer in 2006, and although he is currently in remission due to Chemotherapy, I worry that his cancer will come back, and I will not be able to be with him when he needs me. He stayed at my house when he was going through Chemotherapy the first time.
My mother would suffer an extreme financial hardship if we were forced to relocate to Mexico. She bought the house Rafael, Cecilia, Jaret and I currently live in. However I make the monthly mortgage payments. Should my family relocate to Mexico, I will not be able to make the montly mortgage payments, and our home will likely be foreclosed. (exhibit K)
Financial Hardships
I am currently working as an Administrative Assistant for Lake Valley Camp. It is a non profit Children’s Charity that provides summer camp experiences for children ages 7 - 18. Part of the qualifying process to be accepted in to the camp is to be residents of the city of Milwaukee, and be elegible for either free or reduced school lunch. These children come from low income families.
Part of my job is talking to new and current parents of the children who are campers in our program. There are times when parents are hesitant to send their children to a summer camp program, and I need to reaffirm that it is a safe and productive opportunity for their children. I consider one of strengths that I can build report with the parents of these children. Should I leave my job, I am concerned not only about the lack of consistency with parents, but also about how the distractive aspects of my job will be completed with out me. Starting in the beginning of June, the entire staff of Lake Valley Camp except myself leaves for Camp in Boscobel Wisconsin. Boscobel is about 3 hours from the Milwaukee Lake Valley Camp office. (see Exhibits L, M and N)
I make $40,000 and am able to provide for my family with this income. I do not believe I could make this amount in Mexico. If my husband is not allowed to come back to this country I will have to leave my job, and put myself in an extreme financial hardship. Because I am not fluent in Spanish, I do not believe I will be able to find suitable employment.
I currently have student loan debts of over $25,000. I am afraid I will not be able to make the payments if I am forced to relocate to Mexico.
Health Concerns
I am currently pregnant with my second child. Not long after my first child was born I developed severe post partum depression (attachment O). It was very hard for me to stop crying, and care for my newborn. My OB/GYN Dr. Julie Dejong has already expressed concern that the Post Partum Depression will come back with my second child. Without the help of Rafael I am afraid the post partum depression will be debilitating.
Should I move to Mexico I am afraid that I will not receive adequate prenatal care, or be able to afford the cost of delivery. I currently have Badger Care in the state of Wisconsin, and make a premium payment every month for the cost of the insurance. I would have no insurance in Mexico, and have little access to quality doctors. (Exhibit P) Mexico also has a much higher infant mortality rate than the United States. While I know nothing is guaranteed I feel that having my child born in the united States I am providing my child with the best possible start, as a parent how can I possibly provide less?
I have had asthma all of my life. It is aggravated by humidity, stress, and dust. I am afraid the humid climate in Chiapas Mexico, the part of Mexico my husband’s family lives will aggravate my condition. I am also concerned that either the stress of being away from my husband in the united States or being away from my natal family in Mexico will aggravate my condition. (Exhibit Q)
In 2007, I went to Mexico with my daughter for about 10 days. During that time I developed extreme gastrointestinal problems. When I came back to the United States I had stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea for months after I came back. I am afraid my gastrointestinal problems would reoccur if I lived in Mexico. (Exhibit R)
Safety
The first time I went to Mexico in 2007, my husband’s family accompanied me every where I went. At first I thought it was because they were being nice, but when I returned home my husband said it was because they were worried about me being kidnapped because I am an American Citizen. I am afraid about constantly worrying about me and my children being kidnapped in Mexico. (Exhibit S)
Religion
My family is Jewish. My daughter Cecilia was given a Hebrew name during her Jewish baby naming ceremony. We attend Temple Emmanuel on a regular basis. After extensive research, I have concluded that there are very few Jewish Temples in Mexico. There are none in the state of Chiapas (where I would live) or Oaxaca, the closest state to where I would live. I would not have the opportunity to participate in weekly Sabbath celebrations at my temple. My soon to be child would not be able to have the proper baby naming ceremony.
Probably the worst part would be I would not be able to provide my children with the Hebrew schooling they need to become Bat Mitzvahs. A coming of age ceremony for all Jewish children when they turn thirteen. It is important to start Hebrew school education at 7 years old. Cecilia would be twelve and the new baby would be ten when we would all be able to come back. This would too late for them to start learning Hebrew. Besides the Hebrew schooling, they would also not have the opportunity to learn about Judaism. One of the most important parts of Judaism is continue teach Judiasm to your children. I would be devastated if my children were not raised to be Jews.
Mexico is a Roman Catholic country, and there are few Jews in the country. (Exhibit ) My husband’s family is Roman Catholic, and they are already pressuring us to have our children baptized in the Catholic Church. I am afraid being exposed only the Catholicism and Christianity, they will never embrace their Jewish Heritage. (Exhibit )
Conclusion
I am aware that every day many people apply for Waivers. However I sincerely hope you will look favorably at our family, and grant this waiver request. So many people will be affected if Rafael is unable to return the our wonderful country, myself, my daughter Cecilia, my unborn child, my Grandmother, June Spiezer, my parents Hilene Spiezer and Joseph Spiezer, and many of the children at Lake Valley Camp.
By allowing Rafael to enter this country, the United States will be gaining a hardworking, respectable, caring, selfless resident.
I am writing this letter in regards to the I 601 document I have filed for my husband Rafael CV. He came to this country to escape the poverty in his own country and provide for his grandmother who is an invalid. Rafael is what the people in my family would call a mentch. It is a Yiddish word that means a truly good person with an honest heart. This word is not used often, so as not to diminish the significance of this word. Rafael has an extreme love for his family and friends, and is willing to make sacrifices to help anyone in need. As my husband and the father of my children, he truly impresses me with his selfless acts and care for others. I am terrified of the thought of being separated from him because the I601 is not approved. The extreme hardships we would endure if I had to relocate my whole family to Mexico are equally terrifying.
Our Family Background
I met Rafael in January of 2005. He came in to N Staffing
(a temporary agency where I was working as a recruiter) looking for a job. We both knew it was love at first sight. I didn’t know such a thing existed until I met him. I denied his initial requests for a date because I did not want to mix my professional and private life. After an extremely hard day, he popped into my office and asked me out on a date one more time. I could not say no. So we went out to a 24 hour restaurant and ended talking the whole night. We were inseparable ever since. We got engaged in April and married May 5, 2005. We have one beautiful daughter Cecilia C, born 5/22/06. We are also expecting our second child September 13, 2008. We also have my stepson, and Rafael’s son (a US citizen) in our custody from Monday - Saturday.
Extreme Hardship to our children
My daughter has an extremely close relationship with Rafael. He was her primary caregiver for much of her life while I worked there were many months that he stayed home with her. To this day she cries when he leaves the house, and jumps for joy when he returns. They have had a close relationship since she was born. When I gave birth to Cecilia, I had to have stitches to repair the tear I had in my perineum. When she was born the nurses gave Rafael the baby. For my entire life I will never forget this moment. Rafael started to cry, told me he loved me and sat in a rocking chair for the next half hour as the doctor stitched me up, and sang Cecilia sweet lullabies. The nurses they had never seen anything like it, as soon as Rafael cradled Cecilia in his arms and sang to her she stopped crying and did not fall asleep but rather gazed in to Rafael’s arms. To this day that is the happiest moment in my life. I believe if Rafael is not able to reunite with his family Cecilia will suffer stress due to being away from her father. (See attachment #A).
My second child is due in September, and it pains me to think that is a strong possibility my newborn baby will not have the same opportunity to bond with Rafael as Cecilia had. I am afraid if Rafael is not able to have the same bonding time with the new baby as he had with Cecilia that the new baby will not form a close bond with the Rafael. (Exhibit B)
Jaret, my stepson lives with us the majority of the week. His mother is a single mother with another child from a different father, and is currently pregnant as well. Jaret and Cecilia have a very close relationship not only with each other but with their father as well. Should Rafael’s I601 be denied. Jaret’s mother would not allow Jaret to live with us at all and his visitations with Cecilia would be limited. His mother is currently making a low wage. She herself is also an illegal alien, and would not allow Jaret to visit Rafael in Mexico. Jaret would be forced to move away from his family that he has known most of his life and be forced to move to the innercity of Milwaukee with his mother. Jaret would have such limited contact with his father because I would not be allowed to take Jaret to Mexico with me. When Jaret is with Rafael, me, and Cecilia we speak both English and Spanish, where as when he is with his Mom, he only speaks Spanish. I am afraid his language skills will suffer due to no one being able to communicate with him in English. Jaret also calls my dad Grandpa Joe, and my mom grandma, I am afraid my parents would also loose contact with Jaret whom they consider a grandchild just as much as Cecilia.
Concerns with children moving to Mexico
We live in a community with a very low crime rate. If we move to Mexico I am concerned of the high crime rate and potential kidnapping in Chiapas where my husband’s family lives. I am afraid that if were living in Chiapas we would be especially vulnerable to kidnapping attempts as Americans.
My children are in the O School District and would go to Park Lawn, a Blue Ribbon School. (exhibit C) They would also go to Oconomowoc High School, which has a graduation rate of over 95%. (Exhibit D) Education is one of the most important opportunities for our children. I fear that their educational opportunities would be gravely damaged due to the poor educational opportunities in Chiapas, Mexico. (Exhibit E)
Hardships to extended family
My grandmother, June S was diagnosed last year with Diverticulosis (exhibit F), and Breast Cancer (Exhibit G). Last year she also had double knee replacement surgery(Exhibit H). My grandmother relies on me and my husband Rafael on the weekends. We are currently taking care of her every weekend. She has alive in Aid Monday - Friday, but Saturday and Sunday we go to take care of her. She has a colonoscopy bag which needs emptying on a daily basis. She also needs assistance bathing herself, getting out of bed, walking, cooking her meals, cleaning, and almost all daily activities. Rafael has been helping me with these duties as he has experience taking care of his invalid grandmother. I am very concerned that if I relocate to Mexico to be with my husband there will be no one to look after my grandmother. My grandmother has three sons. Two of those sons live in either New York or New Jersey. My father her only son that lives close to her ( She lives in Northbrook, IL and my father lives in Rockford, Illinois.) My father is recovering from Bio duct cancer (Exhibit I) and is not able to assist my grandmother. Lately due to my progressing pregnancy I have been less able to care for my grandmother. Rafael has had to help me lift out of the bed, off her chair, and even off the toilet when she has to urinate. I can’t bare the thought of her suffering alone. I am afraid that if I chose to stay in Mexico to keep my family together that my grandmother will suffer grave consequences.
My parents Hilene and Joseph S are very active parts of my life. Both of my parents spend substaintiable time with both Cecilia and Jaret. (Exhibit J) We have a very close relationship. They have been an essential part of our lives. My parents and Cecilia an Jaret would all suffer if Rafael was not able to return to our home, and our family was forced to relocate to Mexico. My mother and I talk on a daily basis, and should we have to relocate to Mexico I am sure I would not be able to afford that. My father has spent much time with both grandchildren taking care of them during the day, and spending time with then when he lived with us. They call their grandfather Grandpa Joe. Their faces light up when they see each other.
Also, as previously mentioned my father was diagnosed with Bio duct cancer in 2006, and although he is currently in remission due to Chemotherapy, I worry that his cancer will come back, and I will not be able to be with him when he needs me. He stayed at my house when he was going through Chemotherapy the first time.
My mother would suffer an extreme financial hardship if we were forced to relocate to Mexico. She bought the house Rafael, Cecilia, Jaret and I currently live in. However I make the monthly mortgage payments. Should my family relocate to Mexico, I will not be able to make the montly mortgage payments, and our home will likely be foreclosed. (exhibit K)
Financial Hardships
I am currently working as an Administrative Assistant for Lake Valley Camp. It is a non profit Children’s Charity that provides summer camp experiences for children ages 7 - 18. Part of the qualifying process to be accepted in to the camp is to be residents of the city of Milwaukee, and be elegible for either free or reduced school lunch. These children come from low income families.
Part of my job is talking to new and current parents of the children who are campers in our program. There are times when parents are hesitant to send their children to a summer camp program, and I need to reaffirm that it is a safe and productive opportunity for their children. I consider one of strengths that I can build report with the parents of these children. Should I leave my job, I am concerned not only about the lack of consistency with parents, but also about how the distractive aspects of my job will be completed with out me. Starting in the beginning of June, the entire staff of Lake Valley Camp except myself leaves for Camp in Boscobel Wisconsin. Boscobel is about 3 hours from the Milwaukee Lake Valley Camp office. (see Exhibits L, M and N)
I make $40,000 and am able to provide for my family with this income. I do not believe I could make this amount in Mexico. If my husband is not allowed to come back to this country I will have to leave my job, and put myself in an extreme financial hardship. Because I am not fluent in Spanish, I do not believe I will be able to find suitable employment.
I currently have student loan debts of over $25,000. I am afraid I will not be able to make the payments if I am forced to relocate to Mexico.
Health Concerns
I am currently pregnant with my second child. Not long after my first child was born I developed severe post partum depression (attachment O). It was very hard for me to stop crying, and care for my newborn. My OB/GYN Dr. Julie Dejong has already expressed concern that the Post Partum Depression will come back with my second child. Without the help of Rafael I am afraid the post partum depression will be debilitating.
Should I move to Mexico I am afraid that I will not receive adequate prenatal care, or be able to afford the cost of delivery. I currently have Badger Care in the state of Wisconsin, and make a premium payment every month for the cost of the insurance. I would have no insurance in Mexico, and have little access to quality doctors. (Exhibit P) Mexico also has a much higher infant mortality rate than the United States. While I know nothing is guaranteed I feel that having my child born in the united States I am providing my child with the best possible start, as a parent how can I possibly provide less?
I have had asthma all of my life. It is aggravated by humidity, stress, and dust. I am afraid the humid climate in Chiapas Mexico, the part of Mexico my husband’s family lives will aggravate my condition. I am also concerned that either the stress of being away from my husband in the united States or being away from my natal family in Mexico will aggravate my condition. (Exhibit Q)
In 2007, I went to Mexico with my daughter for about 10 days. During that time I developed extreme gastrointestinal problems. When I came back to the United States I had stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea for months after I came back. I am afraid my gastrointestinal problems would reoccur if I lived in Mexico. (Exhibit R)
Safety
The first time I went to Mexico in 2007, my husband’s family accompanied me every where I went. At first I thought it was because they were being nice, but when I returned home my husband said it was because they were worried about me being kidnapped because I am an American Citizen. I am afraid about constantly worrying about me and my children being kidnapped in Mexico. (Exhibit S)
Religion
My family is Jewish. My daughter Cecilia was given a Hebrew name during her Jewish baby naming ceremony. We attend Temple Emmanuel on a regular basis. After extensive research, I have concluded that there are very few Jewish Temples in Mexico. There are none in the state of Chiapas (where I would live) or Oaxaca, the closest state to where I would live. I would not have the opportunity to participate in weekly Sabbath celebrations at my temple. My soon to be child would not be able to have the proper baby naming ceremony.
Probably the worst part would be I would not be able to provide my children with the Hebrew schooling they need to become Bat Mitzvahs. A coming of age ceremony for all Jewish children when they turn thirteen. It is important to start Hebrew school education at 7 years old. Cecilia would be twelve and the new baby would be ten when we would all be able to come back. This would too late for them to start learning Hebrew. Besides the Hebrew schooling, they would also not have the opportunity to learn about Judaism. One of the most important parts of Judaism is continue teach Judiasm to your children. I would be devastated if my children were not raised to be Jews.
Mexico is a Roman Catholic country, and there are few Jews in the country. (Exhibit ) My husband’s family is Roman Catholic, and they are already pressuring us to have our children baptized in the Catholic Church. I am afraid being exposed only the Catholicism and Christianity, they will never embrace their Jewish Heritage. (Exhibit )
Conclusion
I am aware that every day many people apply for Waivers. However I sincerely hope you will look favorably at our family, and grant this waiver request. So many people will be affected if Rafael is unable to return the our wonderful country, myself, my daughter Cecilia, my unborn child, my Grandmother, June Spiezer, my parents Hilene Spiezer and Joseph Spiezer, and many of the children at Lake Valley Camp.
By allowing Rafael to enter this country, the United States will be gaining a hardworking, respectable, caring, selfless resident.