Ken Calvert: “In January of this year, my office received a letter from a constituent that hit a roadblock in his attempt to be obtain…”

“In January of this year, my office received a letter from a constituent that hit a roadblock in his attempt to be obtain U.S. citizenship. His father, who petitioned for my constituent's permanent U.S. residence over 8 years ago, suddenly passed away. He had long ago filled out the necessary paperwork and paid the required $1,000 fee. Last December, my constituent went for his interview with the INS. His paperwork was in order. He was asked if he had ever been in trouble with the law or accepted government assistance. The constituent, who had worked as a manager at a gas station the past 6 years and files his taxes every year, said no. Everything seemed fine. But a week later a letter from the INS came, notifying him that his permanent residence was denied because his petitioner, his father, was dead. Under current law, he has to go back to the end of the line and begin the 8 to 10 year process all over again. This roadblock only discourages legal immigration.”