The Horror of Deportation/Removal Story

[Neo Anderson 45]

my bad i got stucked  with a crazy inmate that we have to sedate him. (i worked in prison)😝

 

LOL i can't edit my first post so here comes part 2:

 

Continuation: 

 

July  2011 that we flew back to Philippines with the plan to have our children go to school and my wife stays with her parents in Davao. ICE gave her a piece of paper to board PAL and needs to be certified in the US Embassy  when  she arrive to her home country. After we arrived in Manila, we went straight to the US Embassy and i dreaded that we have to stay for a long line to get in. Mind you, we have 2 kids in tow and the youngest is barely over a year old. Fortunately, i have my green card and CA drivers license with me that the guard in the embassy let us in reserved for US Citizens only. My wife was told to go one of the interview room and she gave the ICE paper to the lady in charge.  We left Manila and flew to Davao the next day. It's was a surreal experienced for us since we never thought it could happened. Both of us come to the US legally, both professionals, no records of arrest or any shady dealings. And yet, we are being punished for an error made by her employers. But it is what it is, we have to moved on and adapt to the situation. 

 

After spending 4 weeks in Philippines, i have to go back to California  and leaving my family was one of the hardest things ive experienced in my life. It was really hard specially for my 4 year old and he keeps crying it was unfair and why i have to leave. It's a bittersweet goodbye but i choose not to give up but keeps moving forward. After i arrived in Stockton, alone in the apartment.. it just hits me that i'm pretty much by myself with my family thousands of miles away. Talked about my faith was tested that it almost reached to its  breaking point. I only have 2  options, give up or fight back. It's gonna be long fight since the incident triggers the 10 year bar. Still a lot of unknowns and i have to be strategic with my approach.

 

First, fired my worthless lawyer and hired a very well known immigration attorney. Retainer fee is $15,000 up front and a payment plan for another $15,000 but they have to asked me several times if there was fraud involved. I told the attorney, no.. it was just mistake of wrong filing of paper works from her previous employer.  My wife was just out of status for 3 months but for some reasons it triggered a deportation hearing. So they accepted the case and i have to submit all the necessary documents and have to pay all the fees filed through the INS. Needs to file those waivers I 601 and other stuff necessary to win the case. 

 

Fast forward: 

 

I dreaded the week end, being alone can easily consumed someones mental health. One of my lawyers paralegal recommended to see a psychiatrist to checked   if i suffered depression, that will help the case. I told her NO.. i refused to be a VICTIM. Im sure there are other positive ways to get it  done besides that diagnosis will be permanent on my medical records. So i have to send pictures and other documents that showed  im rooted in my area. 

 

2013 I received my US citizenship and went to Fresno ALONE for my Naturalization. 

 

Fast forward:

Albeit the distance between us, my family were thriving in Davao. My kids get high honors and were into sports. I come home once a year for 4 weeks that's our bonding moments and we treasured every time we were together. Coming back to CA was always bittersweet. 

 

Late 2016 when i was notified by my lawyer I 485 was approved and my wife was scheduled to be interviewed in the US embassy. 

 

Late 2017 when my wife was given an immigrant VISA. After she had the passport and visa in hand and i scheduled a flight ASAP. I arrived Friday in Philippines and flew back on Sunday with my whole family in stow. 

 

Fast forward:

My wife is back working and had her green card. In 2020 she will be eligible for her citizenship. 

 

Hard Lessons:

1. It was costly lesson for us. We lost our house and got hit big time financially from lawyers fees, lost wages, travel expenses etc. But in the end, Family matters most.

2. Take seriously and be on point with your immigration issues.

3. The US Government is not your friend but i still love this adoptive country and im a PROUD AMERICAN. 

4. Resiliency and mental toughness. Go get it. 

 

Edited June 21, 2019 by Neo Anderson

[Neo Anderson 45]

FOR THE RECORD: 

 

I'm not asking for sympathy nor looking for attention. Im sharing my story to give warning it can happen to anyone if you are not on point with immigration issues.  

Edited June 21, 2019 by Neo Anderson

[carmel34 3,626]

Good to hear the happy ending, and it must have been a huge relief to be reunited with your family after all those years living apart.  Your perseverance is impressive.  All the best to you and your family!

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Good luck to you and your family.

[mytruelove18 608]

14 minutes ago, Neo Anderson said:

FOR THE RECORD: 

 

I'm not asking for sympathy nor looking for attention. Im sharing my story to give warning it can happen to anyone if you are not on point with immigration issues.  

God bless you and  your family 

 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

It is a shame more people won't read and learn from this, people will only continue to make mistakes and, not intended to include the OP, but others will always try to blame others or the system.

[Cryssiekins 976]

@Neo Anderson

 

Based on part 1, I wasn’t expecting the end result to be positive.  While I know it certainly wasn’t simple, fast, or cost-effective, I’m glad your family is reunited  

[Ash.1101 1,756]

13 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

It is a shame more people won't read and learn from this, people will only continue to make mistakes and, not intended to include the OP, but others will always try to blame others or the system.

 

People don’t learn from it because they’re selfish and if they hear that 75% of people get away with it, they assume that they’ll never get caught because statistics are on their side.

 

even in a case like this, someone could just brush it off as a “well it’s fine, it worked out in the end” and take the risk.

 

the punishment isn’t constant enough for people to fear it. 

[Going through 5,671]

I'm glad  you finally came back to update---based on Part 1, I thought Part 2 was going to be a real doozy with deportation/hearings/etc.

 

It is good that she had another avenue to immigrate to the US through your marriage.

[Dashinka 24,494]

Thanks for sharing.  Immigration can be a long and arduous task as your story relates.  I am glad it turned out good in the end.

[Brittani 484]

Wow, your story really touched me. My heart aches that you and your family had to go through this. I got pregnant before me and my husband even started the immigration process for him so him saying goodbye to me and especially our daughter was always so heart breaking. I couldn't imagine going through what you guys went through. I commend you guys so much for sticking it out and doing everything right and now living a happily ever after. You definitely went through the ringer. More people need to read this and learn!

 

Sending all good vibes your way. I wish you nothing but the best in the future!

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, Neo Anderson said:

Late 2016 when i was notified by my lawyer I 485 was approved and my wife was scheduled to be interviewed in the US embassy. 

I'm curious. Why was an I-485 submitted after you naturalized?

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

3 hours ago, MariekeH said:

OP has been back online, but maybe he did not like the lack of sympathy expressed in this thread... I am afraid we will never hear part 2 or answers to the questions asked. 

happens  so often when an OP does not like the answers or comments

 

[geowrian 22,337]

12 minutes ago, HRQX said:

I'm curious. Why was an I-485 submitted after you naturalized?

Probably meant I-130

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

There was an episode on “Border Security” where they had a mother and two kids entered with their immigrant visas from the Philippines and they were also separated from their husband/Dad for a very long time. Probaby not yours but your story makes me think of that

Edited June 22, 2019 by USS_Voyager