Desperately seeking info for hundakleptisis and qnotku

[jmward14]

Does anyone know anyone who can help hundakleptisis and qnotku deal with the INS without hiring a (ruinously expensive) immigration lawyer?
Hundakleptisis (aka Stephen Smith) is British. He and qnotku (Teri) filed all the proper paperwork for legal residency when they got married five years ago. Unfortunately, INS cannot keep its Stephen Smiths straight. (At last count there were at least 11 in the system.)
SJ has been trying to get his green card for FIVE YEARS. But INS keeps losing the paperwork and blaming *them*. He has not been able to work in the interim, with the result that he and Teri can't hire an immigration lawyer to fix the problem. (Costs run around $10K--not a problem if you're sponsored by a church or business that routinely hires out of country, but devastating for individuals lacking a corporate or non-profit sponsor.)
Now the INS claims they have grounds to deport SJ based on failure to file documents for which Teri and SJ have proof of INS receipt. To add insult to injury, the case number on the order relates to a Stephen Smith who filed in Wisconsin--a state neither Teri nor SJ has ever visited.
So far, the office of our local Congressman (Jim Moran) hasn't been any help. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to who might serve as a better advocate within the government? Is there a British or immigration support agency they're overlooking? Anyone know a crusading journalist who might want to take up their cause? The situation's desperate. Thanks!
Love,
Jean Marie

Comments

[twisting-path.livejournal.com]

JM like everyone else i am beside myself not knowing what to do, how to help...can I tag this note and put it in my lj?

C (giving a hug to your mom too from the boy and I)

[twisting-path.livejournal.com]

JM here in texas there is a group set up to help disadvantaged people who need lawyers and can't afford them--lawyers volunteer to take on cases pro bono...my attorney i worked for took on several like that. Is there no such organization in DC??????? Texas Legal Services is what ours is called.

THere has got to be a way to get them legal help.

C

There are local organizations, but

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

very few do immigration work. Teri has a list, and some of my friends with lawyerly relatives are looking into it too.
Hugs,
Jean Marie

Please, feel free to tag it

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Big hugs and thanks on both counts, Jean Marie

Re: Please, feel free to tag it

[twisting-path.livejournal.com]

I wrote a note myself and tagged over to Teri's since it had all the details.

Thanks JM.

C

[whitemunin.livejournal.com]

I'm going to swing ladymontgomery your way. She just recently finished tangling with the INS after 4 years. She may be able to help with some advice.

That really sucks when the onus of all this falls back on the people doing the right thing. Leave it to the INS to feck it up and blame it on someone else.

Thanks!

[jmward14.livejournal.com]

Teri and SJ will appreciate it. So do I.
Yeah, it is the pits. The Fed isn't supposed to be like this. Usually it works well. But INS appears to be the exception to the rule. Unfortunately.
Hugs,
Jean Marie