Dear Sir/Madam:
I, USC, declare under the penalty of perjury, under the laws of the United States, that the following is true and correct:
I would like to begin by sincerely Thanking You for allowing my husband, XXXX, to submit a waiver after his illegal presence in the U.S. I fully acknowledge how grand this discretion is upon your part and that of my country the United States of America. I will forever be thankful that through submission of this waiver I am given hope that my husband and I could one day, enjoy and live a fulfilling life together.
Since April 2010(husbands removal) and throughout this immigration process I have experienced extreme and unusual hardships upon my Health, Career, Education, Family Relationship, and Financial Stability. I lived in Mexico with my husband from January 2011 to May 2012. Since then I have returned to the U.S as my situation in Mexico had become so severe that it required my immediate return to tend to my medical needs and to provide essential necessities for my husband and I. Upon this separation each day I feel deeply compelled to be reunited with my husband so that we may share our lives together as we desperately need and have every right to do so.
I have stated below the predicted outcomes upon my return to Mexico. Moving to Mexico would severely cause me extreme and unusual hardships above and beyond what I am currently suffering. These hardships will never be resolved if my husband, XXXX, is not granted his waiver to return to my home, the United States of America.
I. MEDICAL
A) PSYCHOLOGICAL
I have been recently diagnosed with Major Depression and my condition has been worsening substantially. This illness is causing me to feel guilt and hopelessness up to the point where I blame myself for the fact that my husband is in Mexico. Although it seems awkward, this is how I feel along with the feeling of uselessness. I no longer enjoy life and remain isolated and quiet when Im with my family and at work. I dont sleep properly and often experience insomnia. I dont practice proper nutrition and there are times where I often skip a meal or even forget to eat because my mind is thinking about other things at all times of day. I began experiencing these symptoms soon after my husband was removed from the U.S when I lost his presence and emotional support. This separation and the factors that have come out of this occurrence have built on to my psychological stress and have worsened my condition. I have met with a psychologist only once whom which recommended that I should attend weekly sessions as my condition is up to an aggravating point. I will begin treatment following September 3, 2012, when my health insurance will go into effect and cover my psychological care.
If I am to move to Mexico I will lose my health insurance and not be able to continue my treatment. Without access to psychological care, I fear the consequences of not being able to adequately cope could be dire. My husband is the key to keeping my mental and physical health. Without him my condition will undoubtedly get worse. Some days I dont have the strenght to take on everyday life such as my work which is all that I do. This put me on a serious risk of losing my job and consequently my health insurance that will cover my on-going psychological sessions. If I cannot receive the care and my husbands emotional support during my illness it is more than likely that I will lose my desire to continue living these traumatic events. Life just doesnt seem worth living if I am to suffer and bare with horrifying events throughout my young life.
B. Medical Care in Mexico
While in Mexico, I became pregnant with my first child. Unfortunately I miscarried at 3 months gestation. During my pregnancy I did not receive adequate prenatal care. I attended two clinical appointments where I was not checked physically. Furthermore I was to receive my first sonogram till six months of pregnancy because the hospital did not have earlier appointments available for a "simple" sonogram. After I experienced complications that included vaginal bleeding I attended the city's general hospital where I received the terrible news that my baby no longer had a heartbeat. The doctors that treated me during that time were uncaring and unprofessional. Since I lacked proficient Spanish skills, I could not understand what the doctors were explaining as far as the next steps to remove my baby. I asked for my husband to interpret who was in the waiting room but they did not allow him in with me to assist with my needed interpretation, and instead mocked me as if I were lying about my language barrier. Nonetheless, during the most difficult time of my life I was treated unfairly and my medical costs for a d&c surgery to remove my baby cost me over $1,300. My costs were payed out of pocket and before treatment. Due to the fact that I am not a Mexican national I did not qualify for Mexican health insurance which would have covered my costly medical bills. I fear for my life if i cannot receive medical care in case of an emergency while in Mexico, not only will I not be able to pay for further healthcare but I will also receive substandard service.
II. EDUCATION/CAREER
I intend to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration to advance and take the next step in my career. I am active in the Business and Telecommunications Industry and the extensive knowledge and experience that I have been obtaining for the past four years in the fields of Sales, Leadership and Telecommunications are serving to prepare me for this endeavor. Acceptance into an AACSB Business Accredited University is competitive on average only 46.9% of applicants are accepted each year. At the moment, I am in good position to obtain acceptance into the Business Program due to my current and increasing experience in the fields of Sales and Business. A business degree is one of the highest paying fields ranging from $70,000-$125,000 annually through given corporate positions. While achieving this degree, I will also acquire an Entrepreneurship Certification so that I may start my own business (Franchise) in Telecommunications, which is also one of my career goals. Should my husband be granted this waiver, I will fulfill my plans and obtain my desired degree as I will not be able to due so while he is in Mexico.
A. Studies in the U.S
I have been accepted to an accredited Community College in Dallas, TX where I will be completing my core curriculum for Business Administration and my Entrepreneurship Certification. Afterwards, I will transferand attend part-timeto an AACSB Business Accredited University for the completion of my Bachelors Degree. Elective Universities with Business Accreditation in Dallas, TX include University of Texas in Arlington and Southern Methodist University.
I expect a tuition amount of µ$55,000 for the completion of my bachelors degree. My tuition of ($4,860) for my core curriculum in Community College is currently covered. Afterwards my tuition in School of Business will increase to (0) a year.
I will receive Federal Student Aid through FAFSA. I have a Pell Grant with the amount of $5,500 that will be taking effect through the 2012-2013 semesters. I will be re-applying every school year for FAFSA assistance and acceptance will be dependent upon my income.
Additionally, my current employer, Time Warner Cable, offers tuition reimbursement for my particular degree after a completion of six months with the company. I will complete this time on January 16 2013, during the Spring Semester. Before re-imbursement, I will be liable for covering my educational expenses till completion of semester. My Employer Assistance will range from $2,250 to- $5,500 yearly depending on my service hours and approved amount within those limits. In condition to receiving this Employer Assistance I must remain with the company during and two-years after the completion of my degree. If I resign to move to Mexico, I will be required to pay back the full-amount of Employer Assistance that I will have received. I cannot afford to pay back my potential re-imbursement or to forfeit the estimated amount of ($15,500) Employer Assistance. This company is just one of few that offer educational assistance for my desired degree and it is essential that I take advantage of this offer as it is will greatly lower my out-of-pocket expenses.
As I have mentioned my continued Federal Assistance (FAFSA) is dependent upon my income. I am not assured continued assistance of ($5,500) per semester. In addition, my Employer Assistance is not guaranteed a set re-imbursement amount. Currently I have refrained from applying for student loans as my tuition for two-years in Community College is being paid through FAFSA. However, in order to complete my Bachelors I must apply for (xx) in student loans to continue my degree in Business School. If I move to Mexico not only will I not complete my degree but I will also not be able to pay back my student loans while being jobless in Mexico and without the income that will come from completion of my Bachelors Degree.
B. Education in Mexico
It is impossible for me to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Rioverde, SLP Mexico (Husbands Residence). If I return to Mexico I will not count with the financial tools required to pay for my classes such as Federal Assistance FAFSA, Employer Assistance and Employment. The Federal Assistance (FAFSA) is a U.S Government Educational Assistance only available for studies in the U.S. The Employer Assistance will not be available to me in Mexico as I will have to resign from the company when moving to Mexico and therefore losing this assistance. Apart from the financial requirements, I do not count with the Mexican Documentation needed for admission into a Mexican Educational Institution, nor will I be able to pay for this permit/documentation. Furthermore, I am not proficient in speaking and writing in the Spanish language. Although I can communicate socially in Spanish, my knowledge is not broad enough to study and successfully complete the courses required for a Business Degree. Not to mention the fact that there are only four Universities in Mexico that count with AACSB Business Accreditation, of which, none are located in Rioverde, SLP Mexico. Without an AACSB Accreditation any degree obtained in Business is considered insufficient in the U.S. job market where business and finance reigns and professionals in the Industry are of higher demand. These issues have proven to constitute an immense burden on my education and career as I have lived in Mexico for over a year and I was not able to neither pay nor attend any educational institution.
C. Summary
I have worked very hard to gain the invaluable experience and work position that I currently hold. I have gained this knowledge while working in the Worlds Largest Telecommunication Company (AT&T Inc.) and currently in the Second Largest Telecommunication Company in the U.S (Time Warner Cable Inc.). If I do not continue gaining experience and training through my employment, my chances of acceptance into the Business Program will become nil. Even if I could manage to be accepted into the program after ten years, I would not have the mind to successfully complete this extremely difficult and costly degree with a deteriorated knowledge of the Business and Sales Industry. It will be extremely devastating if I am denied the privilege of obtaining my education especially while I am offered financial assistance of () and the once in a lifetime opportunity to excel.
It is crucial that I take advantage of the opportunities that I am currently offered while I am in the best time in my career to engage in an education. If my husband were allowed to join me in the U.S I will be financially stable to invest on my education and complete my Bachelor by remaining in my country; in sense eliminating the extreme hardship that this imposes on my career and future earning potential.
FINANCIAL
A. EMPLOYMENT
On July, 16, 2012 I began employment with Time Warner Cable Inc. This company is the second largest telecommunication company in the U.S specializing in Cable TV, Internet, Home Phone, and Mobile Connections. I chose to join this company because it offers great opportunities. Although I am joining the company from the bottom, due to the fact that they promote/hire within my possibilities for rapid career growth are endless.
B. SALARY
My current wage as an Inbound Sales Rep is $10.00 an hour. My monthly income before taxes is $1,600 in reality I only receive around $1,400 monthly. On this wage I am maintaining two-households, my own and my husbands in Mexico.
C. EXPENSES
My monthly expenses are as follows: Rent ($350.00); Gas ($150.00); Health Insurance ($17.36); Utilities and Personal Needs ($50.00); Phone Bill ($55.00). Additional monthly expenses are those in Mexico which include: Landline ($30.00-$40.00); Food and Utilities ($350.00); Water Bill ($10.00); Electric Bill ($30.00). I am also living with a debt to family and friends of $4,000 and a medical bill debt of $3,000, in which I need to make periodic payments ranging from $300.00 to $400.00 monthly.
My monthly required expenses total to $1397.36. I am barely meeting my financial needs and cannot afford unaccounted expenses such as medical emergency, car problems and/or an increase on my bills.
During my current situation my living conditions are substandard. I do not have a place to call home; I am living with my sister and her family as I cannot afford the lease for an apartment of my own. Gas prices are at a rising rate up to Avg:$3.80 per gallon. My health insurance consists of an annual deductible so in the case of an emergency I will be unable to pay my insurance deductible. My car and only form of transportation is in need of major repairs. My bills can fluctuate at any time having a major increase between both of my U.S and Mexico Bills. My husband is living with his father and his father's new wife and three children and in condition to allowing my husband to live in their home we agreed to pay for bills, food and utilities. So I cannot cut back on my Mexico expenses, since my husband works with his father and is not receiving income in doing so. I am caught in a deep financial strain that without my husbands financial contribution will never be relieved.
D. HUSBANDS FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
If my husband were granted his waiver, I will be relieved to have his financial support. He will be providing a monthly income of $2,700.00. With our joint income we will be able to finally have a home of our own. Pay off our debt and afford our bills which will lower after we can remove the expenses that will have in Mexico. I will be able to fix my car and have safe and proper transportation. Most importantly I will be able to fulfill my educational plans that will secure a successful and prosperous future for my family.
III. FAMILY HARDSHIPS
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX where I have lived my entire life with the exception of the year and a half that I spent in Mexico with my husband. My immediate family includes my mother, my father, my four sisters, my two brothers, my little nephew and my three young nieces. All of my family lives in the U.S. although my parents originated from Mexico they are Permanent Residents and have been so since the early 70s they have the American Culture instilled in their lives as much as our entire family does. We are all Americans and know the importance of a close nit family, which is why we all live nearby in the same county of Dallas, TX.
I have received so much love and support from my family. Our values have taught me that family is far more important than anything that we may encounter. My husband is the most important person in my life; he is my family, which is why I have stud by his side during the good and bad situations that we have encountered throughout our five year relationship. With my husband in Mexico, I am put in a situation where I must choose between my husband and the rest of my family which in leaving either one affects my psychological condition dramatically. I cannot express how deeply I am currently hurting without my husbands presence in my life. Although I communicate with him through phone calls, it is not the same as having him by my side supporting me emotionally, especially while I am going through psychological stress and need his support more than ever.
During the past two and half years that my husband has been in Mexico. I lost my husbands emotional support, my family relationships, my friends, and my unborn baby all recently and consecutively. I am more vulnerable than ever after going through a sudden loss of the people that matter more to me than anything and I dont know how I will make if I cannot be reunited with my family. I am not a person that thinks of themselves before others, and I understand that there are others that are suffering more than me, but I dont know how much more of this I can take.
IV. Summary
It is more than certain that I will continue to suffer extreme and severe hardships upon my health, education, career, financial status and family relationships if my husband is not allowed to join me in the U.S. I hope that you can take into consideration the sufferings that I have experienced for over two years when making your decision. Once again I thank you for allowing the submission of this waiver and for your careful consideration.
God Bless,
Petitioner