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Wednesday, May 29, 2002
So the day, work aside, consisted of calling the INS, INS advocacy groups and Congressman Rangel's office to try to get around yet another Catch-22. Javier has been approved to receive his green card for over three years now, and has been waiting patiently, in accordance with the letter he received from the INS that congratulates him on having his "conditional" status removed, and advising him that if he hasn't received his green card within the next 39 months, he might consider giving them a call. Until you receive a green card, you need to get your passport stamped once a year, as proof that you are a legal resident. We've gotten good at this system, and actually know the code name of the form you have to fill out and hold for the six hours that you stand in line waiting. However, THIS time, Javier was informed (and I verified repeatedly today) that the INS has "frozen all benefits" indefinitely. Which means that not only have they ceased stamping any passports, but are not processing naturalization requests, issuing work permits, granting student visas -- nothing at all until further notice.
This all means that he cannot leave the country with any assurance that he will be allowed to return. It is entirely possible that Javier will have to bow out of the seminars, but we're going to explore further options.
Tony came for his weekly dinner tonight. Tortilla de patata, mmmmmM!
posted by Dorothy 11:55 PM
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
We had a great Memorial Day Weekend (see photos). Our next-door neighbor, Jeff, lets us use some "extra" bikes he has in his apartment, all tricked out with the baby carrier, mini pump, toddler-size helmet, and cute bell, so we rode down through Riverside Park, and then down the waterfront bike path down to see the "fleet" on tour. It was quite a circus, really, so we split back up to the 79th St.Boat Basin and had a picnic looking out at the river.
posted by Dorothy 10:25 PM
