To Whom It May Concern:
I xxx am a United States Citizen and I am the wife of xxx. I am writing this letter to explain the extreme hardship my children and I will suffer if my husband xxx were to be removed and banned from the United States for ten years. I ask of you kind adjudicator, please consider my request to waive the ten year ban for my husband xxx.
I met my husband xxx in January of 2009. We met one day when I had to go to xxx house to pick up his share of the money pool that I did quite often with friends and family, xxx was my sister’s boyfriend’s cousin. I remember the first time I met him just like it was yesterday. I was waiting in front of his house for him to arrive to give me his share of the money and he pulled up right beside my minivan in his big black truck, we just stared at each other for about a minute not knowing what to say. I was immediately head over hills for him! We than began to date. I introduced him to my four small children four months after we met. My children and I loved spending time with him. I loved how he automatically developed a loving, caring and protective feeling over my children and over me. My children do not have their biological fathers in their lives and have become to love xxx as their father. My children have developed a strong bond with Enrique and they will be heartbroken if he had to leave them for ten years.
Medical
The most important reason why I need my husband xxx to remain in the United States is mine and my children’s health problems. Enrique is a big help to me in many ways, physically, financially, mentally and emotionally.
xxx Isolated Left-Sided Hemihypertrophy
The most heartbreaking hardship is if I would have to deal with our daughter’s medical condition alone, I already struggle tremendously because of my constant fear that my daughter could develop cancer and if xxx were not here to support me, I would be emotionally devastated. Our daughter xxx was diagnosed with hemihypertrophy. When xxx was three months old xxx and I discovered that xxx left arm was larger than the right arm. I immediately called her doctor. After her diagnoses, she was scheduled with lots of appointments. She had full body X-rays, echocardiogram, cranial ultrasound, renal ultrasound, optometrist visits, orthotic and orthopedic visits. During all of these very stressful appointments,xxx was the one I confided in and the only one I could truly talk to about our daughters medical issues. xxx is my rock and he is my complete emotional support to pull me through the day to day life of worrying and praying my child does not become a victim of cancer. In September of 2012 xxx geneticist ruled out any other conditions associated with hemihypertrophy and was given a final diagnosis of isolated left sided Hemihypertrophy. Learning about xxx condition has been so difficult for all of us. Having isolated hemihypertrophy puts xxx at risk for two types of childhood cancer, Wilms Tumor “cancer of the kidneys” and Hepatoblastoma “cancer of the liver”. The NCBI recommends that a child that has been diagnosed with isolated hemihypertrophy should have a renal ultrasound every three months until age 7 and an alpha-fetoprotein analysis every three months until age 4. If we were to be forced to move to Mexico with xxx we would not be able to afford these expensive tests that our daughter needs in order to insure that she is healthy. Hemihypertrophy also causes xxx to have a leg length discrepancy which puts her at risk for developing scoliosis. xxx LLD varies, right now her LLD is almost one inch. xxx is required to have a shoe lift on her right shoe to help even out her legs so that she can walk and run without tripping and falling. The shoe lift also helps with keeping her spine and her hips aligned to prevent scoliosis. If we were to move to Mexico with xxx we would not be able to afford the much needed shoe lift for our daughter xxx. xxx LLD also requires her to have surgery around eight years old. xxx orthopedic doctor recommended that we will first try to stop the growth of the longer leg which is called bone growth restriction. If the bone growth restriction is unsuccessful, than we will either shorten the longer leg or stretch the growth of the shorter leg. It is imperative that xxx has the bone growth restriction surgery before she begins puberty because her bones will stop growing after puberty and her only other option would be to undergo the more painful and expensive surgery of shorting or stretching her bones. xxx also may require surgery to repair her fingers. She has what is called clinodactyly which is curvature of both of her middle fingers (the left is more severe). This condition is commonly associated with hemihypertrophy. This will only require surgery if the curvature becomes more severe and begins to affect her fingers mobility. With all of the surgeries and risk and worrying about my daughters health, my mind is at a constant spiral, the love that I have for my children and my husband is what gives me the strength to continue. If my other half cannot be here to help me through these hurtful moments, I would have an even harder time coping.
My Cervical Cancer Cells
In 2008 when I was pregnant with my forth child, I was told that I had an abnormal pap spear. After I gave birth, I was referred to an oncologist at The West Clinic. I had a “Leap” procedure in July of 2008. My doctor called me a couple of weeks after my procedure to tell me that the biopsy from the lab was back and told me that I had stage 3 pre cancer cells and highly recommended I have full hysterectomy. I refused. At the age 22, I felt that I was too young to have a hysterectomy. My doctor discussed options with me and we came to an agreement that as long as I continued my pap smear every year and it came back normal, I would not have to have a hysterectomy. If I were to move to Mexico with my husband we would not be able to afford an annual pap smear and I would be putting my health at risk for re developing cervical cancer.
My Migraines
In 2009 I was diagnosed with migraines, my doctor prescribed medication but it did not help me. I found that Excedrin Migraine worked better so I did not continue treatment. When I have unbearable migraines xxx takes care of the house and the kids, he makes sure that everyone is fed and makes sure that the kids have done their homework.
My Molar Pregnancy & Depression
In 2010 xxx and I became pregnant. My doctor ordered an ultrasound at my first appointment with her because wanted to check the length of my cervix because of the leap procedure that I had in 2008. During my ultrasound, the tech could not find a heartbeat. xxx was working out of town so I did not tell him until that evening. xxx and I were heartbroken. My doctor gave us hope and said maybe it was just too early, she ordered another ultrasound for two weeks later. The second ultrasound confirmed that there was still no heartbeat. So, my doctor decided to wait two weeks to see if I had a miscarriage on my own or she had to schedule a D&C to remove the fetus. I did not miscarry on my own. These two weeks were so stressful for us. I was blessed to have xxx to help me through the emotionally. On April 6th, 2010, a day before my birthday I had my D&C. xxx was with me until I was put to sleep and he was there with me when I woke up. The following day April 7th, 2010, my birthday, my doctor called me to tell me that the pathology report was back and that I needed to come in immediately, she said that I had what is called a molar pregnancy. Again, xxx & I were devastated with this bad news. My doctor told me that with a molar pregnancy I was at risk for developing cancer and that I needed to be watched closely and have blood work every month for one year and I had to wait a whole year to become pregnant again. Women that have had a molar pregnancy are at high risk for having more in the future which means if and when I get pregnant again I would absolutely need prenatal care and if I had to move to Mexico I would have little to no prenatal care.
While waiting out this year of what ifs, I was very sensitive to everything, I went to my PCP about foot pain and I just broke down in tears while I was explaining my pain to him. He asked what was going on emotionally with me and I told him that I have felt depressed since I was a child because of my mother being diagnosed with cancer when I was eight years old and died when I was fourteen years old and my recent molar pregnancy just made it more difficult for me to deal with. My PCP prescribed depression medication. I took them for about three days and then I stopped taking them because I did not like the way they made me feel. Because of my feeling of shame and embarrassment I did not follow up for my mental health.
My High Risk Pregnancy & Birth of Our Daughter
In 2011, I had permission from my OB to get pregnant, so we tried and one month later, I was pregnant! Enrique and I were over the moon! My OB referred me to an OB for high risk pregnancy for my ultrasound. My high risk doctor discovered that I had a risk for a miscarriage due to a possible placenta irruption. Of course because of what we went through with the molar pregnancy, we were scared. My follow up ultrasound one month later concluded that the placenta was now normal but discovered that our baby could possibly be born with a heart problem. Once again, a heavy blow to my emotions. xxx and I got through this tough time together. At this point the high risk doctor said that he wanted to continue seeing me and he explained that our baby would need heart surgery after birth if our baby’s heart did not develop normally. Follow up ultrasound confirmed normal heart but found a cyst on our baby’s left kidney. Throughout my whole pregnancy we were hit with one scare after another and with prayers and love for each other and our children, we managed to get through this hard but exiting time. My high risk OB doctor continued to see me until delivery to monitor the cyst on our baby’s kidney.
On 2-2-12 our baby xxx was born. We were all so proud and blessed to have her! xxx had a discoloration on the left side of her body. Parts of her left hand, arm, torso and leg were discolored, which is consistent with hemihypertrophy but showed no other signs at that time. My OB ordered an ultrasound to check the cyst on her kidney after birth and confirmed a small cyst right above her left kidney. Follow up with urology confirmed that the cist on her left kidney had resolved.
xxx Kidney Reflux
When xxx was nine months old, xxx was running a very high fever she changed color and became limp like a doll. Enrique and I were terrified! I and my oldest daughter xxx rushed her to the emergency room while xxx stayed at home with the other children. xxx temperature was well over 104 so the nurses took her in the back and did a blood and urine test. While the nurse was doing the urine test, he noticed that xxx urine was very cloudy, and said, well I think we found what’s causing such a high fever! Me, being the worrisome person that I am, I was crying thinking the absolute worse, I was thinking what if this was the beginning of Wilms Tumor (the cancer she is at risk for). Well, the urine test concluded that xxx indeed had a urinary tract infection/kidney infection so the doctors decided to admit her to the hospital. xxx was there for a few days until the infection healed. During this time in hospital with my daughter, my husband xxx took care of the house and the kids. xxx took me food, clothes and toiletries to the hospital and helped out with xxx so I could have breaks and take showers. If xxx were not here to help me in situations like this than I would have to ask someone in xxx family to help me because I have no family close by to help me. xxx was discharged from the hospital on Martin Luther King Day. When I went to take the van around to load up everything, I noticed that the tire had gone flat. xxx and the other children went to the hospital to change the tire. I need you to understand how important xxx is to me and our children, and how much we all depend on him every day.
At a follow up appointment for xxx for her urinary tract /kidney infection, her urologist ordered a VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram). The VCUG confirmed that Brittany had grade II kidney reflux. xxx urologist prescribed a preventive antibiotic for her to take once a day, every day. xxx often helped me give xxx her medication as she did not like the taste and she would spit it out or sometimes, she would make herself vomit. Enrique would also remind me or ask me if I had given it to her because he knows that I have a very forgetful memory. Enrique and I are a team and he helps me in hard times and in everyday life.
A follow up with xxx urologist when xxx was almost two years old, doctor ordered another VCUG, the VCUG concluded that xxx kidney reflux had resolved. The urologist told me that if I and my husband have more children, the child has a 50/50 chance of having kidney reflux and to be sure to get the child tested. With that being said, if I were to move to Mexico with xxx and we have another child, the child will need this expensive test to rule out this condition and we will have no way of paying for it.
My High Blood Pressure
In April of 2013, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure which puts me at risk for various dangerous medical conditions. If left untreated high blood pressure could possibly cause damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart disease, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and atherosclerosis. Having high blood pressure also puts me at risk for the following; stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, memory loss, fluid in the lungs, angina and peripheral artery disease. My doctor prescribed Hydrochlorothiazide for my high blood pressure and fluid buildup on my ankles. Due to my ankles swelling up all of the time, I must relax and prop my feet up above my heart for at least fifth teen minutes a day in order to maintain proper blood flow throughout my body which with five children is very difficult to do sometimes. xxx helps me with the children when I need to rest and often reminds me to take my medication. If I were to move to Mexico with my husband, we would not be able to afford doctor visits or my medication.
Asthma
My son, my daughter and I all have asthma. My son xxx has moderate asthma, he was diagnosed as an infant. His doctors require him to have an albuterol inhaler near him at all times because of the number of times he was hospitalized and was once placed in the intensive care unit due to his asthma. My daughter xxx has mild asthma, she has been hospitalized only a couple of times due to this condition. She too was diagnosed as an infant and xxx does not require an albuterol inhaler. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was a young child. My asthma did not cause any problems since I was a child until recently I was told I had bronchitis and asthmatic symptoms. I now have an albuterol inhaler if needed which I have needed quite often.
My Depression, Anxiety & Post Dramatic Stress Disorder
After my husband’s arrest in June I was a constant nervous wreck. In August I went to the emergency room after days of feeling shortness of breath and pressure in my chest, it turned out to be anxiety, the ER doctor gave me anxiety medication and told me to follow up with my doctor. All of the stress and worrying of my family’s well being took its toll on my body to the point that I could not handle it anymore. In October I decided to seek mental health care. I had a few sessions with a therapist and in November of 2014, I was diagnosed with bi-polar depression, anxiety disorder and post dramatic stress disorder. I was prescribed medication, Hydroxyzine Pamoate for sleeping and anxiety and Latuda for bi-polar depression. I have always had problems since I was a little girl. At eight years old my mother was diagnosed with cancer, since then, I felt lost, uncertain about what the future held for me. I had an incident when I was eight years old in science class, my teacher asked me to read out loud to the class and I started crying for no reason, I felt a hurt feeling in my chest, which now I know was anxiety. After that I hated school, not the learning part but the social part. Since my mother was diagnosed I have always had a fear that I was going to get sick as well. Especially after I started having children, I have a deep fear that I will not be here to raise them and teach them to be responsible, caring and productive people. I have this fear because I never had someone to teach me these things. I learned on my own which is very difficult to deal with alone. Enrique grew up in a large happy family and is a very humble man, he has truly taught me so much about morals on life and personal goals and has showed me what a true family is supposed to be like. Enrique talks to me and helps me through my problems, I honestly would be worse if I did not have him here with me in the United States to comfort me and support me.
Financial
My husband xxx is our sole provider. He is a concrete layer and he works very hard to pay our bills and provide for us. xxx also manages to send money to his parents in Mexico because they have no way of earning money due to the poverty in the small town where my husband is from. My mother in-law suffers from diabetes and my husband and his siblings are the sole providers for their mother’s medication and doctor’s visits. If my children and I were to move with him to Mexico, we would not be able to support ourselves nor our family, let alone my mother and father in-law. We would struggle majorly with providing food, clothes and education for our children. If my husband xxx were banned for ten years and I choose to stay here in the United States with my children, I would struggle tremendously financially because I have no work skills, I did not graduate high school and I do not have my GED. I do plan on getting my GED one day but I would not be able to work and go to school with five children and with my medical conditions, I would not be able to do it alone and I must put my children’s need before my own. I would be forced to get a low paying job and I would have to apply for state childcare assistance. I would have to move to a smaller house in a crime conflicted neighborhood. Moving to another neighborhood means my children would have to go to different schools and my children will not have the same academic options if they were in less fortunate schools. xxx and I struggle enough as it is and I will not be able to support my family alone and still live where we live and keep my children in the same environment that they have become accustomed to.
Monthly Bills: $2,105.00
Rent: $995 Car Insurance: $150
MLG&W: $300 Cable & Internet $60
Monthly Expenses: $500 Phones $100
(gas, groceries, toiletries, clothes etc.)
Education
The educational goals I have for my children are very important to me. I did not finish high school and I am learning the hard way how much one struggles just to make ends meet. I teach my children to be very dedicated to school and their studies because everything they learn in school will reflect on them when they become adults. My girls are very shy and are afraid to take up for themselves and that scares me because that’s how I am, and I don’t want them growing up afraid to speak to people and intimidated by the world. My three oldest children and I often discuss collage, my oldest daughter xxx has changed her mind a few times but she wants to work in the immigration field when she grows up. At first she wanted to be an immigration attorney but now she’s not sure, she just knows that she wants to help those that could potentially have a better chance of success in the United States. My second daughter xxx has a passion for children and wants to be a pediatric nurse or a child social worker. My son xxx loves art and has always had an interest in construction because his step dad xxx often takes him to work with him when he has small jobs, so with the love for art and interest in construction, I suggested to him that he become an architect.
My children are currently attending some of the best schools in the district. My oldest daughter xxx is in the 9th grade at xxx High school, which is ranked number 9 amongst the best schools in Tennessee. My daughter xxx 8th grade and son xxx 6th grade are attending xxx Middle which has also been recognized as one of the top-performing middle schools in Tennessee. My daughter xxx attends xxx Elementary which is also an excellent school with caring teachers. If my husband xxx had to go back to Mexico for ten years and we decide to move with him, my children would not a chance of succeeding in school and going to collage to become what they dream of as adults. There is also a language barrier, none of my children speak Spanish. If my children were to attend the less fortunate school in Santa Rita (the ranch where my husband is from) they would not understand anything and learning Spanish fluently would take years, they will fall really behind academically, assuming we have the money to send them to school in Mexico. In Santa Rita there is only one school, it’s called #### and it only goes to the 6th grade. If my older children were to go to school in Mexico we would have to pay for it and we will not have a way to pay for tuition do to the lack of work. If I decide to follow my husband Enrique to Mexico in order to keep our family together, my children’s education would be ruined and in my opinion my children will not have a chance of succeeding if I move them to Santa Rita, Mexico.
If xxx had to move to Mexico and I stay here alone with our Children, I would have to move out this school district and my children would be at risk for falling behind in school work due to the emotional problems they could suffer due to moving them to a new school, leaving their friends and teachers that they have become so used to and understanding the fact that their Dad moved away, I think it will be too much for them to handle. I also fear that moving them to a new school would get them mixed up in the wrong crowd and become peer pressured into doing bad things. The school that my older children would have to go to due to my inability to pay more for rent in a better neighborhood has lots of gang and drug crimes and pregnant teenagers and that is exactly what xxx and I have worked so hard on avoiding and preventing.
Safety in Mexico
I worry constantly about what could happen to my husband, our children or myself if we were visit his family in his hometown let alone live there. There is a gang is Mexico called Las Zetas, the area where this gang is, is very close to Santa Rita, the ranch where my husband is from. xxx & I have always feared taking the children to meet his family for this very reason. My mother in law xxx has never met her granddaughter xxx because I’m too afraid that something will happen to us on our way there. A threat was put upon my husband’s brother xxx, someone claiming to be associated with Las Zetas threated to harm his whole family whom all live on the same land and this would be where my husband, my children and I would live in Santa Rita if we did have to move there in order to stay together. I would be putting my children’s lives at risk.
Personal Considerations
My Biography
xxxx Too personal to post xxxx
6 pages (is this too much?)
Conclusion
I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my extreme hardship that I and my family would suffer he xxx waiver was not approved. My husband and my children are my life and I have felt broken inside of just the near thought of being separated from husband and having to deal with our daughters medical condition and finances alone, I feel will just make my depression and anxiety even worse. I often feel like I wasn’t given a fair hand in life because of my short childhood and having my husband and my children with me every day makes me feel so normal and blessed. I would like to respectfully ask you once again to please consider approving my husband’s 10 year bar waiver petition as I and our children need him in so many different ways.
Sincerely,
Thank You!