mayita
06-03-2008, 03:41 AM
Dear Sir/Madam: Date, 2008
I am submitting this letter of extreme, possibly life threatening, hardships in support of the I-601 Waiver for my fiancé, JB. I have many hardships in the following areas: Health, Employment, Financial, Family Considerations, and Safety. I understand that you review many waivers so I will try to keep this brief and to the point.
Family Background
I met JB in March of 2005. We began dating, and later that summer he moved in with me. I knew I’d met my life mate and a year and a half later, on November 21, 2006, God blessed us with our daughter, MB. J is an amazing person and a wonderful father. He has truly made me a better person. Although we are not yet married, we share a bond and a strong commitment to each other and to our family. If J were not permitted to return to The United States, I would feel obligated to relocate to Mexico.
Extreme Medical Hardship to U.S. Citizen
In February of 1996, I noticed rectal bleeding and other problems which caused me to see Dr. Khanduja, a colon and rectal surgeon. Since my father had been diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of only 45 (exhibit 1), a full colonoscopy was recommended. At the young age of 22, a large 7mm adenomatous, or precancerous, polyp was discovered and removed (exhibit 2). In January of 2001 another colonoscopy was performed. At that time suspicious looking tissue was removed from 4 different areas: right colon, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. Fortunately, this tissue was found to be non-cancerous (exhibit 3).
(Insert results from colonoscopy 2008)
I have multiple risk factors, according to the Mayo Clinic, for colon cancer:
1) Family History
2) Personal History of polyps
3) Obesity-People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying from colon cancer than people of normal weight (exhibit 6).
Because of the polyps that have been removed and the strong family history, Dr. Khanduja has recommended that I have a colonoscopy every 2-3 years (exhibit 4).
The American Cancer Society (ASC) reports, “One of the most powerful weapons in preventing colorectal cancer is regular screening or testing.” This testing can prevent colon cancer because polyps can be detected and removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer (exhibit 5).
Getting regular colonoscopies is vital to my health. It literally can be the difference between life and death for me. My father’s cancer was discovered at a late stage of T3 N2. This refers to the fact that the cancer had penetrated the wall of the colon and went to at least 8 lymph nodes. He had some of his colon and all 8 lymph nodes removed, went through chemotherapy and radiation (exhibit 5). If he would have had regular colonoscopies and found this cancer when it started out as just polyps, he could have prevented it.
Colorectal cancer incidence in the United States differs dramatically from those in Mexico. An estimated 148,610 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year in the United States alone. In Mexico, colorectal cancer is diagnosed at a rate of 17,600 people annually (exhibit 6).
The cost of a colonoscopy in Mexico is $1200.00 to $1300.00 USD (exhibit 7 and 8).
The estimate that was $1200.00 USD was from the office of Gastroenterologist Dr. Jorge Goldberg, M.D. whose office is located in Mexico City. I found his name and office phone number on the U.S Consulate website (exhibit 9). The second estimate is from a company called MedToGo International. This is a Medical Tourism Company that connects travelers with doctors in other countries for certain medical procedures. The physicians they work with are board certified, speak English and come highly recommended (exhibit 10). With either of these two I would feel very comfortable getting this procedure preformed in Mexico.
With JB being an unskilled worker in Mexico, he would make minimum wage which is 46 pesos, or $4.27, per day. If I were to be approved to work in Mexico, that is what I would be earning as well. After paying rent, food and other necessities, saving to pay for such an expensive medical procedure would be an impossibility.
I currently have XXX medical insurance. M, my daughter, currently has xx medical insurance. Both of our policies only cover us here in the U.S. (exhibit 11). I feel assured that if I were to be diagnosed at some point with colon cancer here in the U.S. using my current health insurance, I would be covered for any treatments that my doctor felt I would need. I have priced medical insurance that would cover me and my daughter M should we move to Mexico. For a health plan similar to the coverage that I have now (with a $2500 USD deductible) it would cost me $188.00 USD each, or $376.00 for both of us(exhibit 12). Affording health insurance in Mexico is not an option.
In 2006, while pregnant with M, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (exhibit 13). This was controlled by eating a special diet and taking insulin shots twice per day. JB helped me a lot because I couldn’t bring myself to stick that needle in my stomach. Once in the morning and once in the evening JB gave me my shot. According to the information given to me by my doctor, if I were to become pregnant again, “there’s a 90% chance of having gestational diabetes again” and right now a “50-60% chance I will develop Type II diabetes later in life.”(Exhibit 14). We plan on having at least one more child and I will probably deal with gestational diabetes again.
During my last trimester with MB, I had a total of 3 detailed ultrasounds to insure that MB was OK and that no problems were developing due to my illness. My insurance took care of the vast majority of my medical expenses. Not only would I not have access to this level of care in Mexico, I would not be able to afford these costs.
Employment
Currently I am a licensed massage therapist employed at Izor Chiropractic Center. I earn $xx.00 per hour and average 30 hours per week. I have been licensed since 2001 and have always worked in a medical facility performing medical massage. Beyond my license, I have completed training in specific massage techniques including trigger point therapy and myofascial release, among others that I have used in medical atmospheres such as physical therapy, hospitals, and chiropractic offices (exhibit 15). Massage is not offered in hospitals or other medical facilities in Mexico. Here in the United States massage is becoming more and more recognized as preventative care that is paid for with health insurance. It is becoming widely accepted in the medical field. If I were to try to find a job like this in Mexico, I would not find it. Massage in Mexico is only available in limited resorts and spas.
With the unemployment rate in Mexico at 3.7% plus underemployment at around 25%(exhibit 16), combined with the fact that I don’t speak the Spanish language, I would not find employment in Mexico in my field or any other.
Also, for me to legally work in Mexico, I would need to obtain an FM3 Visa. This is a long-term, non immigrant visa. These are not easy to obtain and one must prove they have enough money to live in Mexico by proving income of $1000.00 USD per month, among other things (exhibit 17).
Financial
I own my home located at xxx here in xxxx,XX. Currently I am making xxper hour and average 30 hours per week. I bring home about xx per week after tax. I depend on JB to help pay our bills. Below I have listed our monthly bills:
Mortgage-$905.00(FHA Loan)
Natural Gas-98.00 (Fixed amount)
Electric-$75.00Average
Cell Phones-$125.00
Water-$45.00 Average
Internet-$35.00
Cable-$55.00
Baby Sitter-$433.00
Groceries-$500.00
Car Insurance-$75.00
Gasoline-$250.00 (For both cars)
Health Insurance $70.00
Federal Student Loans-$87.00
Credit Card Payments $100.00 (which we both use)
CitiFinancial Loan-$125.00 (which we got together)
Miscelaneous-$150.00
$3128.00 Total
Our monthly financial obligations are approximately $3128.00 and my bring home income is on average $500.00 per week. That’s approximately $2000.00 per month. Obviously, with just my income I could not pay all of our bills if I would have to stay here in the United States should JB not be granted a visa. If I were forced to move to Mexico it would financially ruin our family and our hopes to continue to prosper here in this great country. I currently have good credit and pay my bills on time. By having to relocate to Mexico, I would have to sell my home that I grew up in (I bought this home from my mother) and in this current housing market I would take a loss. I would have to default on my federal student loans, and have to file bankruptcy because of my CitiFinancial loan, which I still owe $3000, and my credit cards (combined I still owe $3500.00). My credit would be ruined and if/when we returned from Mexico, we would not be able to buy a house. This is the whole reason I went on to further my education. My dream has always been to own my own home and that would all be taken away if JB could not return.
I could not bear the thought of raising m, our daughter, alone without the help and guidance of her father. Quoting President George W. Bush, “….fathers provide a loving a secure home in which their children can grow to become successful adults and good citizens. Their love and dedication inspire the next generation of Americans to achieve their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our Nation.”(Exhibit 18)
Safety
JB is from Oaxaca City, Oaxaca and this is where we would reside should he not be permitted to return to us. The area where we would be staying is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Oaxaca.
Beginning in May of 2006, violence, protesting and civil unrest has been taking place in the city of Oaxaca. Fighting between APPO (representatives of regions, municipalities, unions, non-governmental organizations, and parents), local, and federal police has plagued the city continuing well into the year 2008 (exhibit 19) Since the onset of this political power struggle, more than 12 people have been killed, including an American journalist, Bradley Will. (exhibit 20) As late as April 7, 2008 violence erupted in Oaxaca when 2 female radio reporters were ambushed and killed.(exhibit 21). If I were to live in Oaxaca with my daughter with these conditions just minutes from where we are living, I would be afraid to leave the house. The thought of something happening to any one of us terrifies me. Mexico is not a safe place for me to raise my daughter.
** ok, I still need to add Community/Family Ties and the fact that I help my mom with my nephew who she has custody of, but I think even at this point, They’re going to be leaning one way or another….What do you think??
I am submitting this letter of extreme, possibly life threatening, hardships in support of the I-601 Waiver for my fiancé, JB. I have many hardships in the following areas: Health, Employment, Financial, Family Considerations, and Safety. I understand that you review many waivers so I will try to keep this brief and to the point.
Family Background
I met JB in March of 2005. We began dating, and later that summer he moved in with me. I knew I’d met my life mate and a year and a half later, on November 21, 2006, God blessed us with our daughter, MB. J is an amazing person and a wonderful father. He has truly made me a better person. Although we are not yet married, we share a bond and a strong commitment to each other and to our family. If J were not permitted to return to The United States, I would feel obligated to relocate to Mexico.
Extreme Medical Hardship to U.S. Citizen
In February of 1996, I noticed rectal bleeding and other problems which caused me to see Dr. Khanduja, a colon and rectal surgeon. Since my father had been diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of only 45 (exhibit 1), a full colonoscopy was recommended. At the young age of 22, a large 7mm adenomatous, or precancerous, polyp was discovered and removed (exhibit 2). In January of 2001 another colonoscopy was performed. At that time suspicious looking tissue was removed from 4 different areas: right colon, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. Fortunately, this tissue was found to be non-cancerous (exhibit 3).
(Insert results from colonoscopy 2008)
I have multiple risk factors, according to the Mayo Clinic, for colon cancer:
1) Family History
2) Personal History of polyps
3) Obesity-People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying from colon cancer than people of normal weight (exhibit 6).
Because of the polyps that have been removed and the strong family history, Dr. Khanduja has recommended that I have a colonoscopy every 2-3 years (exhibit 4).
The American Cancer Society (ASC) reports, “One of the most powerful weapons in preventing colorectal cancer is regular screening or testing.” This testing can prevent colon cancer because polyps can be detected and removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer (exhibit 5).
Getting regular colonoscopies is vital to my health. It literally can be the difference between life and death for me. My father’s cancer was discovered at a late stage of T3 N2. This refers to the fact that the cancer had penetrated the wall of the colon and went to at least 8 lymph nodes. He had some of his colon and all 8 lymph nodes removed, went through chemotherapy and radiation (exhibit 5). If he would have had regular colonoscopies and found this cancer when it started out as just polyps, he could have prevented it.
Colorectal cancer incidence in the United States differs dramatically from those in Mexico. An estimated 148,610 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year in the United States alone. In Mexico, colorectal cancer is diagnosed at a rate of 17,600 people annually (exhibit 6).
The cost of a colonoscopy in Mexico is $1200.00 to $1300.00 USD (exhibit 7 and 8).
The estimate that was $1200.00 USD was from the office of Gastroenterologist Dr. Jorge Goldberg, M.D. whose office is located in Mexico City. I found his name and office phone number on the U.S Consulate website (exhibit 9). The second estimate is from a company called MedToGo International. This is a Medical Tourism Company that connects travelers with doctors in other countries for certain medical procedures. The physicians they work with are board certified, speak English and come highly recommended (exhibit 10). With either of these two I would feel very comfortable getting this procedure preformed in Mexico.
With JB being an unskilled worker in Mexico, he would make minimum wage which is 46 pesos, or $4.27, per day. If I were to be approved to work in Mexico, that is what I would be earning as well. After paying rent, food and other necessities, saving to pay for such an expensive medical procedure would be an impossibility.
I currently have XXX medical insurance. M, my daughter, currently has xx medical insurance. Both of our policies only cover us here in the U.S. (exhibit 11). I feel assured that if I were to be diagnosed at some point with colon cancer here in the U.S. using my current health insurance, I would be covered for any treatments that my doctor felt I would need. I have priced medical insurance that would cover me and my daughter M should we move to Mexico. For a health plan similar to the coverage that I have now (with a $2500 USD deductible) it would cost me $188.00 USD each, or $376.00 for both of us(exhibit 12). Affording health insurance in Mexico is not an option.
In 2006, while pregnant with M, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (exhibit 13). This was controlled by eating a special diet and taking insulin shots twice per day. JB helped me a lot because I couldn’t bring myself to stick that needle in my stomach. Once in the morning and once in the evening JB gave me my shot. According to the information given to me by my doctor, if I were to become pregnant again, “there’s a 90% chance of having gestational diabetes again” and right now a “50-60% chance I will develop Type II diabetes later in life.”(Exhibit 14). We plan on having at least one more child and I will probably deal with gestational diabetes again.
During my last trimester with MB, I had a total of 3 detailed ultrasounds to insure that MB was OK and that no problems were developing due to my illness. My insurance took care of the vast majority of my medical expenses. Not only would I not have access to this level of care in Mexico, I would not be able to afford these costs.
Employment
Currently I am a licensed massage therapist employed at Izor Chiropractic Center. I earn $xx.00 per hour and average 30 hours per week. I have been licensed since 2001 and have always worked in a medical facility performing medical massage. Beyond my license, I have completed training in specific massage techniques including trigger point therapy and myofascial release, among others that I have used in medical atmospheres such as physical therapy, hospitals, and chiropractic offices (exhibit 15). Massage is not offered in hospitals or other medical facilities in Mexico. Here in the United States massage is becoming more and more recognized as preventative care that is paid for with health insurance. It is becoming widely accepted in the medical field. If I were to try to find a job like this in Mexico, I would not find it. Massage in Mexico is only available in limited resorts and spas.
With the unemployment rate in Mexico at 3.7% plus underemployment at around 25%(exhibit 16), combined with the fact that I don’t speak the Spanish language, I would not find employment in Mexico in my field or any other.
Also, for me to legally work in Mexico, I would need to obtain an FM3 Visa. This is a long-term, non immigrant visa. These are not easy to obtain and one must prove they have enough money to live in Mexico by proving income of $1000.00 USD per month, among other things (exhibit 17).
Financial
I own my home located at xxx here in xxxx,XX. Currently I am making xxper hour and average 30 hours per week. I bring home about xx per week after tax. I depend on JB to help pay our bills. Below I have listed our monthly bills:
Mortgage-$905.00(FHA Loan)
Natural Gas-98.00 (Fixed amount)
Electric-$75.00Average
Cell Phones-$125.00
Water-$45.00 Average
Internet-$35.00
Cable-$55.00
Baby Sitter-$433.00
Groceries-$500.00
Car Insurance-$75.00
Gasoline-$250.00 (For both cars)
Health Insurance $70.00
Federal Student Loans-$87.00
Credit Card Payments $100.00 (which we both use)
CitiFinancial Loan-$125.00 (which we got together)
Miscelaneous-$150.00
$3128.00 Total
Our monthly financial obligations are approximately $3128.00 and my bring home income is on average $500.00 per week. That’s approximately $2000.00 per month. Obviously, with just my income I could not pay all of our bills if I would have to stay here in the United States should JB not be granted a visa. If I were forced to move to Mexico it would financially ruin our family and our hopes to continue to prosper here in this great country. I currently have good credit and pay my bills on time. By having to relocate to Mexico, I would have to sell my home that I grew up in (I bought this home from my mother) and in this current housing market I would take a loss. I would have to default on my federal student loans, and have to file bankruptcy because of my CitiFinancial loan, which I still owe $3000, and my credit cards (combined I still owe $3500.00). My credit would be ruined and if/when we returned from Mexico, we would not be able to buy a house. This is the whole reason I went on to further my education. My dream has always been to own my own home and that would all be taken away if JB could not return.
I could not bear the thought of raising m, our daughter, alone without the help and guidance of her father. Quoting President George W. Bush, “….fathers provide a loving a secure home in which their children can grow to become successful adults and good citizens. Their love and dedication inspire the next generation of Americans to achieve their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our Nation.”(Exhibit 18)
Safety
JB is from Oaxaca City, Oaxaca and this is where we would reside should he not be permitted to return to us. The area where we would be staying is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Oaxaca.
Beginning in May of 2006, violence, protesting and civil unrest has been taking place in the city of Oaxaca. Fighting between APPO (representatives of regions, municipalities, unions, non-governmental organizations, and parents), local, and federal police has plagued the city continuing well into the year 2008 (exhibit 19) Since the onset of this political power struggle, more than 12 people have been killed, including an American journalist, Bradley Will. (exhibit 20) As late as April 7, 2008 violence erupted in Oaxaca when 2 female radio reporters were ambushed and killed.(exhibit 21). If I were to live in Oaxaca with my daughter with these conditions just minutes from where we are living, I would be afraid to leave the house. The thought of something happening to any one of us terrifies me. Mexico is not a safe place for me to raise my daughter.
** ok, I still need to add Community/Family Ties and the fact that I help my mom with my nephew who she has custody of, but I think even at this point, They’re going to be leaning one way or another….What do you think??