[CIMC-work] Chicago Immigrant Pledges Hunger Strike for Justice from INS

[DCPGolightly at aol.com]

GIVE ME LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH!
- Chicago Immigrant Pledges Hunger Strike for Justice from INS –


I hereby declare my decision to enter a hunger strike in solidarity with all immigrants fighting INS red tape and injustice. My request is that the government gives our situation immediate consideration, and our cases be revised within a REASONABLE timeframe.


Years ago, I was involved in the movement to achieve democracy in a country deeply wounded by decades of dictatorship, repression, brutality, and the political and social unrest that followed a popular revolution paid for with the blood of thousands. I fled to the United States of America given the persecution, including death threats, that I experienced at the hands of certain political interest groups that were determined to stop my work. 

The year was 1991, and upon stepping on American soil, I was filled with the hope and promise of freedom, a concept that this country had been known for holding as its most cherished symbol. 

I had fourteen dollars in my pocket, no support system, and much hardship followed. Nevertheless, the bright star of freedom led my way and kept the candle of hope burning even in my darkest hours. 

October 1, 1992, was the happiest day of my life. On that day, the news came that I had been granted political asylum. I could hardly contain my excitement. "I am free!" I wanted to shout from the rooftops. 

The letter stipulated that after one year I was eligible to apply for permanent resident status. I did. But the wall of bureaucracy proved to be the biggest challenge yet. Endless forms that took me days to fill out were returned with notes stating they were obsolete. I waited in line for hours on end, trying to obtain new ones. Then, one day, on one of my trips to the INS office, my legs gave out while approaching the building. I leaned against a wall. I could not breathe. My whole body was shaking. I was terrified. My nerves finally gave in, and I began my descent into the abyss of despair.

My health deteriorated. I was diagnosed with Depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Panic attacks always loomed around the corner, and flashbacks were a frequent occurrence. At 5'6" tall, my weight had dropped to 90 lbs. 

It took much therapy and medication, and the dark veil of hopelessness slowly began to lift. I once again filled out forms. They were returned. I sent out "updated" ones. On August 23, 2002, they were finally accepted. The notice sent from INS on August 26, 2002, states: "The above application or petition has been received. It usually takes 390 to 420 days from the date of this receipt for us to process this type of case."
However, the INS website indicates, "It is taking between 570 and 600 days for us to process this kind of case." According to my calculations, the 600 days expire sometime in mid-April. 

Then, on March 20, 2004, an official letter arrived. "How great!" I thought. I had to read it three times to comprehend what it announced: "The timeframe to process your case is between October 1, 2011 -- September 30, 2012. We emphasize that these dates are APPROXIMATIONS; unforeseen occurrences may delay processing." 2012...2012...2012...I cannot even think that far into the future. 

There are hundreds of thousands of people in this situation. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have lived in the United States of America, under legal status, for years and years, have done everything that is asked of us, obeyed the law, and in spite of being Americans in our hearts and minds, we live in fear, and our future is a blur of uncertainty. 

This treatment of immigrants is inhumane, and in my view, not only unacceptable, but also inexcusable. In February of this year, U.S. District Judge Richard Kyle called the government's treatment of asylum holders "nothing short of a national embarrassment." 

It is estimated it will take 12 to 13 years to clear the backlog for permanent resident status. Delays in getting permanent residency mean delays in getting citizenship because a permanent resident must wait five years before becoming a citizen. 

A class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 150,000 asylum holders by the American Immigration Law Foundation of Washington, D.C. While I strongly believe this action is absolutely necessary, I do not think it is enough. I am doubtful of the government’s willingness to better its treatment of us in light of this lawsuit. Matters of the law take many years; matters of conscience and good faith are immediate.

I hereby declare my decision to enter a hunger strike in solidarity with all of my brothers and sisters who are fighting INS red tape and injustice. Most of us have come to the United States because of traumatic events that we lived through in our native lands. I believe that the current treatment we receive from the government adds insult to injury, and amounts to psychological torture. My request is that the government gives this situation immediate consideration, and our cases be revised within a REASONABLE timeframe. 

We are not America's enemies. We are just like the millions of other immigrants before us whose shoulders have helped build this country. We are human beings; please treat us as such. 


Dorina Prisacaru
 - Immigrant -

 

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter to me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.