America what did I do wrong?
I immigrated from communist Russia to Israel with my family in 1971. We had to give up all our money to a few connected people in Russia to be allowed to leave. After living in Israel for two years there was a lot of talk about war! My mother afraid that my brother has to join the Army decided to leave Israel. After going to Canada and then to Germany we made it to America in 1974.
I grew up in America and experienced many difficulties. I actually did not attend school but worked since I as 12 years old to help support myself. My family did not have enough money to buy me clothes. When I turned 18, I took a GED and attended a 2 year community college and graduated with 3.8 average. I applied to NYU and was admitted. I did not have money to pay for school but received scholarships and financial aid. I graduated NYU in 1990 with a degree in Finance and Systems application.
The economy was in recession under George Bush, so it was very hard to find a job. I met my wife, who is Japanese in NYC. She came to visit and travel America. Together we came to Japan. I started my jewelry import business in Japan. But it is really funny how I started the business. During summer vacations while attending NYU I sold friendship bracelets that are made by indigenous Indians in Lake Atitlan Panajachel Guatemala. I use to buy this bracelets from a hippie lady Susana who lived in East Village NYC. Eventually I went to Guatemala and bought them from the people who make them.
In Guatemala I bought them for .02 cents each! I use to sell them on the beach for 1 usd each. It was a lot of hard work walking in the hot sand offering them to people. Anyway when we came to Japan, I had a small bag of these bracelets left over and I brought them with me! I wound up wholesaling them at Harajuku Japan at 1 usd each.
My first intent was to work as an English teacher in Japan, but seeing that I can make an import fashion accessories business I decide to do that. I did it for 10 years. So even though I applied for American citizenship before I went to Japan, I did not attend the interview when was called for.
One day while visiting Hawaii with my wife USA immigration told me that I must surrender my greencard because they did not consider me an American resident! I had a choice to give it up or go to court in USA and challenge their decision. I had my wife and my business in Japan! I decided to give up my green card!
What did I do wrong? I and my family came to America with nothing! We worked very hard all our lives to make ourselves better people. When I did not see a working opportunity in America I went to work in Japan! Am I being persecuted for trying so hard to be a better person?
Cuban Boat Refuges to America
Tags: america, freedom, human rights, immigration, usa
August 11th, 2008 at 4:16 am
I know this is tough for you with your mother’s sickness and all. It’s an odd situation. Just because you don’t have a green card is no reason to deny a temporary visa. It’s very odd. I have some ideas that could force the attention needed to your aide. I’ll contact you on my next off day to get some info and we can start some things rolling. It doesn’t seem like you are asking for much. And, honestly, that is probably you’re biggest weapon.
Best,
Jack.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Thank you Jack! Let me know what you need and I’ll try to provide whatever information that is necessary!
August 11th, 2008 at 5:10 am
My cousin has to be an american citizen because her green card has expiration.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Wow! That must be new! When I lived in America greencard did not have an expiration date!
So I guess if you do not have a good job when your citizenship interview comes you may not get a US citizenship!
And once your greencard expires you will be deported back to your country of origin as undesirable!
Sad news America!
August 11th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I think I might know a person whose father is an immigration lawyer (or was one). I will try to ask… he is a high school buddy… (but in all honesty I can’t guarantee anything). Try to keep politics out of the conversation if you know what is good for you. I have a strange feeling that you have left a lot of web residue and this is killing your chances.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Noah I came on the web to tell my story! I have nothing to hide and it has never been about politics!
I may not agree with some of the things America is doing but that does not make me a bad person - undesirable!
My story is about many thing! About how I immigrated from country to country, my travels, my sexuality, my business!
I am not telling people that they should be like me. I am just sharing my life experiences with others. Each person can decide for themselves how they want to live their life! That is the true freedom, true democracy!
August 11th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I don’t even understand what their issue with you could possibly be. I think the whole structure is just broken, a malfunctioning Kafka-machine that throws us around for no real reason but that it can.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Neal, yes! America the Kafka Castle - nothing less and nothing more!