Thread: Widows gather at Capitol to urge change in immigration law

Widows gather at Capitol to urge change in immigration law
By Gary Martin
READcomments (2)


Web Posted: 06/23/2009 4:42 CDT

WASHINGTON — When Todd Engstrom died in Iraq, his newlywed, Diana, faced overwhelming grief with an added crisis. The U.S. government wanted to deport her to Kosovo.

A former United Nations translator from the Balkans, Diana lived in Illinois and had been married only nine months before Todd's death, far short of the two years needed for her to receive a green card and permanent residency.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started deportation proceedings, as required by law, despite the inhumane consequences.

“It's come to a point where I just wait for a phone call,â€

Many marriages do not last past four years. Are there any children in these 200 marriages? If not these immigrants do not need to be made US Citizens. Many of these service marriages were to gain citizenship or extra money from the government.

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

Many marriages do not last past four years. Are there any children in these 200 marriages? If not these immigrants do not need to be made US Citizens.

I agree on all but one category. That would be for a spouse killed on active duty, as in the case of Engstrom.