NC-Green card scam victims fight deportation

American-ized

Green card scam victims fight deportation

WRAL
February 9, 2010

Cary, N.C. — Luis and Sandra Vulcan are citizens of Venezuela but have been living in the United States for about 10 years.

They work and worship at Grace Bible Fellowship Church, at 9043 Chapel Hill Road in Cary. Luis Vulcan is an associate pastor and wife Sandra is the church’s administrator.

Even though their visas are valid, the couple discovered a year ago that they were in the country illegally.

“My heart was pumping when I saw and heard what he (immigration official) was saying to us. It was devastating,” Sandra Vulcan said.

In the late 1990’s, the couple was working as missionaries in Venezuela. Church friends introduced them to a man they thought was an immigration attorney from Florida.

The attorney said a church in Florida could sponsor them for green cards. He filed cases for them with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2000.

“We paid him about $12,000,” Luis Vulcan said.

But the Vulcans later learned that the man who promised to help them legally obtain U.S. citizenship was in jail for fraud. Federal agents told them their green cards were denied.

Now, the couple could soon be deported.

“This is the most tragic situation I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been practicing law in this area for over 20 years,” said Gerry Chapman, Vulcan’s new attorney.

Chapman’s lawyer said it's a hard case to win on the legal merits.

“This is just one of those cases where we think they deserve special consideration in view of who they serve, and the kind of work they do, and the suffering they've already had to go through,” Chapman said.

Members of Grace Bible Fellowship Church are hoping something can be done to keep the Vulcans in the U.S.

“They're story is devastating, and it's devastating to our church family,” said Sr. Pastor Norman Peart, with Grace Bible Fellowship Church.

WRAL News contacted immigration officials about the case and were told Monday that it was being looked into. A hearing on the couple’s deportation status is scheduled for March 3 in Charlotte.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6989733/

miguelina · ALIPAC Super Hero Joined: Oct 01, 2007 Posts: 7412

Oh please! It's the immigrants responsibility to keep on top of their status. If they had not heard from their lawyer about their green cards, why didn't they check into it? If I spent $12k to get documents, I would not rest until I got those documents! They waited nearly 10 years???? Methinks they knew what was going on and ignored it. Ignorance is no excuse!
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"If you love our nation, STOP illegal immigration!"

partwerks · ALIPAC Adept 3 Joined: Sep 20, 2008 Posts: 245

Didn't they check to see if this guy was legit that they gave $12,000.00 to. That should have been a red flag already.

Why do they always hide behind churches? They should be given the left foot of fellowship.

melena29 · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject:

Judy · ALIPAC Super Hero Joined: Apr 17, 2005 Posts: 12752

Send them home, deport, deport, deport! They aren't supposed to be here. The fact that they were allegedly "defrauded" has no bearing on the fact that they weren't supposed to be here in the first place. They've enjoyed our country for 10 years illegally, now it's time for them to return to beautiful and needy Venezuela and do God's Work in their land of citizenship legally. What kind of missionaries would prefer to be in Cary, North Carolina, a town of plenty, instead of Venezuela where the people need so much?!

Rolling Eyes

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"A Nation Without Borders Is Not A Nation." Ronald Reagan "SAVE AMERICA, DEPORT CONGRESS." Judy