I GOT IT!

Yesterday was one of the most important days of my life. I received an email from the US Immigration Service notifying me my application had been approved. I re-read this short paragraph in the letter, where it says my permanent residence status has been registered, about ten times over. My eyes got a little teary. My breathing grew heavier as my heart beat faster. I couldn't believe I finally got it.

I can still remember how excited I was when I got my first job offer after college. I remember that boss promised me the company would assist and sponsor my green card application in our interview. It did not happen. In fact, even applying for H-1 with them was a struggle. One year after writing and arguing with the management, I obtained the H-1 visa through work. Unfortunately I, along with Megan and another co-worker, were laid off just a few months after. That was April 2nd, 2001. That day I also met Eric online. Soon it would develop into a good, long distance, if not always perfect, relationship.

Six weeks later, June 19th 2001, I started working here. I needed to transfer my H-1 visa, but my lawyer informed me that my passport was expiring soon. This little problem immediately escalated into a major setback as the TW embassy refused to renew my passport, because I already finished my studies in the States and needed to fulfill my military obligations back in TW. Without a renewed passport, I would not be able to transfer or extend my H-1 visa, therefore no labor certificate, therefore no green card. For days, in a panic mode, I called and asked different lawyers' opinions. I asked a family friend who was an official at TW culture exchange for advice. Every corner I turned the answer was pretty much the same - Unless I got married or became a student again, I would have to leave.

I decided then I wanted to stay in the US and pursue my goals here, more than ever. I visited Cal State Fullerton and spoke with the Art Dept. adviser there. My work did not impress him. I re-edited my portfolio and put together a submission package, and applied for a MA program at an art school in San Francisco. I remember not hearing back from their adviser for days. I did not know what my next step was. Feeling so worried, seeing the time gone by and my passport approaching its expiration date, I emailed her again. A week later I received the news that I was accepted into their program. I asked her to mail me a copy of the I-20 document right away. Once I received it, I went back to the embassy with my acceptance letter and my new I-20, and renewed my passport just a week or so before its expiration.

I never attended the art school. I continued to work here. My H-1 was transferred and extended. Immediately I started the process for labor certification. I would pay and post job ads in a major newspaper for six months. I also paid for all of the legal fees, except for one year my boss actually helped me with my H-1 extension. The labor certification procedure unexpectedly changed after I submitted mine, and my case was sent to a "backlog" center. With the new process, applicants could get their certificate within months, I on the other hand did not get my approved labor certificate until June 19th, 2005. That was approximately 3 years and 10 months of wait.

Similarly the last two steps did not go as smoothly as I would hope. During the 2nd to last procedure, my case was suspended and sent back as I was requested to provide more "evidence." They asked to see my company's tax returns for 2005. Anytime asking my boss or my manager for any money related record or document was a pain. I always felt extremely embarrassed about seeking their assistance. I always had this image of me begging for their help in my head and I hated it. The wait was always excruciating. However, I trained myself get used to the wait and asking for their help. To their credit, my manager and my boss did come through for me each and every time. No matter how long or short the wait I endured, they had always helped me.

The last step was of course another bump in the road. Why would they want to see my I-20 from college after all these years? I couldn't find it. Thankfully, the combined "evidence" including the school issued verification letter, my optional practical training card, complete transcript, and re-scanned copy of my I-94 seemed to satisfy their final inquiry.

I finally got it. After 8 years of working towards it, I did it.

I went home last night after sharing the evening with Dave, Jose and PK. I sat by my desk, and I read that email again. My eyes started to get watery and I began to cry. I cried hard. I told myself I did it finally. I gave myself a good self-patting. That was the release I needed.

This journey has now concluded.