Making tracks to Mexico City...

So many things have gone on within the last few days it's been like whirlwind you know. Ok so as most of you read, Eduardo's visa was denied. Here's the deal, our previous attorney mentioned that there was a mistake in the denial and therefore we could file a Motion to Reconsider.

We can’t do a Motion to Reconsider. According to Laurel (the new attorney) the Immigration Officer was correct when they rendered the denial judgment. Eduardo’s waiver packet should have been about his rehabilitation (in fact 90% of the packet should have been about that). And that’s all because of his 5 arrests back in the days of him acting like a crazy gang banger. Which is hard to be the Pastor of Santa Rosa church was ever that. So we have do the entire process again. Sigh.

But in the meantime there something that is working to our benefit. His arrest are 13+ old. By the time it’s hits 15 years they really can’t say someone ISN’T rehabilitated. There are some arrests that Eduardo has that say something like “leave to reinstate” meaning that he can be arrested and tried for them. Laurel has recommended that I go find a criminal lawyer and get those cases closed. Currently it’s taking 3-5 months to get a new appointment with the Consulate. Under the new Pilot program (which allows for instantaneous approval) we will be referred to the backlog aka no instant approval. So that means I’m going to stay in the states to try to get Eduardo’s old criminal cases closed (with hopes they can be closed because of statue of limitations). After some thinking… by the time the appointment eventually comes Aaron will be in school. Which Eduardo and I discussed that we would/do not want to take him out until the school year was done. That may change...

My next obstacle is paying for Laurel. Normally she charges $6,000 for these cases, but Eduardo’s is “way to complicated” and therefore will be $7,900. And that doesn’t include the government filing fees. Maybe I’ll make some tamales or something but seriously it’s a lot of money that I have to pay off in 5 months. And I’m not even thinking about the other criminal lawyer. So that’s the news.

Does that mean Eduardo will get approved… nope she said it was 30-40% change of an approval. But we have to try.