Dear, Dear Me . . . Thought This Was All Behind Us!

Condensed version of what Mark & Andrea went through for almost 2 years: Andrea is a Canadian citizen. She & Mark began the process of getting Andrea a Green Card (permanent residency card) in October 2006. Thinking that by the time they married in July 2007, everything would be finalized. What a joke! They weren't sure Andrea would be allowed back in the U.S. after their honeymoon. I can't explain all the red tape, letters written to Congressmen and other diplomats, money spent, headaches and total frustration Mark & Andrea went through until August '08. At home with her new baby, she finally received her Green Card. What a complete relief! There were several months when she was not allowed to leave this country or she would not be allowed back in. I understand that Homeland Security needs to be very careful who comes over our borders especially since 911. However, more than one time Andrea was quizzed (by U.S. Immigration officials at the border) so intently that she cried . . . and the official ridiculed her and made fun of her for crying. Oh, buddy, that made me so mad!!!!! So when Andrea received her Green Card, we all yelled Hallelujah! Thought we'd never have a problem with the border patrol ever again. Guess what?????



The U. S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) are at it again . . . . . . . .


Mark and Andrea recently traveled to Canada because Andrea's mom had serious surgery. Thankfully, Brenda is doing well. Mark took his work briefcase to continue working away from home. Of course, he left Canada without his briefcase, which IS his work. A quick call to Andrea's dad and he FEDEXed it to S.C. Yesterday, Mark got a call from the dear immigration people saying that his briefcase was being detained at the border. Are you kidding me? Mark was irritated and told the guy to take everything out of the briefcase and look at because it was all his work papers and nothing more. But, no! Mark had to download 2-3 sets of papers, fill them out, fax them and also send a copy of his passport. So if you are wondering if the Canadian border is safe, I'd say at the very least it's safe from illegal briefcases entering the U.S.

If Mark doesn't soon get his briefcase, this may be him with the Immigration & Customs Enforcement!