‘In case you attempt to do issues the precise manner, and also you pay this a lot cash, you’ll have to maintain ready in line’
DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado girl has been ready nearly 17 years to carry her brother and sister from Ecuador to the US, and her frustration with the lengthy visa course of hit a brand new excessive amid rising chaos within the South American nation.
In 2002, Marie Uhrig moved to Colorado from Ecuador to start out a brand new life together with her husband, who calls Gunnison house. In 2005, she turned a U.S. citizen.
On June 25, 2007, Uhrig filed a petition to carry her brother and sister from Ecuador via an F4 visa. In response to Uhrig, they’ve filed all the required paperwork and paid all of the required charges however are nonetheless ready to safe the visa all these years later.
“In case you attempt to do issues the precise manner, and also you pay this a lot cash, you’ll have to maintain ready in line. So the message they’re sending is like it’s higher for you simply to cross with out papers, and that’s actually unhappy,” Uhrig mentioned.
Uhrig is particularly frightened, given the current explosion of crime and violence in her house nation, which is now beneath a 60-day state of emergency. She fears it might additional delay the visa course of.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Division mentioned right now, they’re unable to foretell if the present scenario can have a big affect.
Uhrig additionally expressed concern that the surge in migrants crossing on the southern border is jamming up authorized immigration to the U.S.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Division pushed again on that declare and mentioned it’s unlikely the inflow has any impact on the size of the ready interval for Uhrig’s household. As an alternative, they attribute the lengthy wait to the excessive demand for sibling visas and the restricted quantity granted yearly, as set by U.S. regulation.
How far is the immigration backlog? 1998 circumstances being heard
Native immigration lawyer Bryce Downer, with Novo Authorized Group, mentioned Uhrig’s expertise with the visa system is unfortunately quite common.
“Relying on the kind of relationship, you might be coping with petitions that have been filed again in 1998 which can be lastly now having the ability to go ahead,” Downer mentioned.
“We’re coping with a bunch of people that have been in line for many years and that is the method, so it’s irritating,” Downer mentioned.
FOX31 reached out to Colorado’s U.S. senators about Uhrig’s case.
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s workplace responded with an announcement: “Conditions like Maria’s underline why we should tackle our damaged immigration system. That’s why Senator Hickenlooper is working with colleagues on each side of the aisle to overtake immigration coverage, shorten wait occasions, and provide aid to cities like Denver the place many migrants are arriving. Coloradans combating visa functions and associated immigration inquiries are inspired to achieve out to the Senator’s casework workforce.”
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet’s workplace confirmed they acquired our request, however that they had not supplied a response as of Thursday night.
FOX31 additionally reached out to U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s workplace. Boebert represents Colorado’s third Congressional District, the place Uhrig lives. Her workplace confirmed receipt of the e-mail, however that they had not supplied a response as of Thursday night.
