My Children Were Denied US Citizenship
Is it still the land of the free? I am not sure, but I am standing by the values.
Last September this year, we celebrated the auntie of my wife’s birthday. It was an intimate gathering attended by relatives and close family in their farm.
It was a time to catch up with people they hadn’t seen for weeks, months, and even years. There was a lot of food, singing, and even dancing by guests out of the blue.
The place was a perfect scenery. Set your eyes on the greeneries and be in an empty box mode. The moment was relaxing and soothing while eating “lechon” and ice cream.
The enchanting discourse
My wife’s uncle called my attention for a short conversation. We call him Uncle Nes, who also happens to be a humorous Pastor full of wisdom.
He also happens to be a United States citizen, so topics surrounding it became part of our discussion.
Uncle Nes was checking on me about how things were and what my plans for my family were in the future.
I told him that I had no immediate calling to go to the US because there were no apparent signs from the Lord, but not closing the doors, at least for the kids in the future.
The Conveying of citizenship to the kids by applying for a CRBA (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) was something I thought of; I shared it with him.
But I told him I had done some research and knew I needed more residency for two years after I was fourteen, so there was no more reason to try and process the application.
He encouraged me to process it for the sake of processing it for the record.
In the event of my death, and the kids have plans to pursue things in the US in the future, Uncle Nes said that in the eyes of the Consul, their US citizen dad tried to apply it for them — for the record.
The reasoning is that the records would make it easier for the children to apply for US visas (or citizenship) later.
Finding the motivation
With all the news about the gun shootings, rising prices of rent and commodities, and homelessness — it does not move me to travel to the US, except for visiting my sister in New York or some relatives and friends in California.
I was trying to convince myself to take action. But the other part of me is saying Americans, Europeans, and other foreigners are retiring here because it is economical.
I was not into it, but I did not want to deny my children an “opportunity,” which I do not see.
Going back from scratch in terms of my career. Visualizing myself working there was like hitting myself with a brick since I already have a great life here.
I am not some billionaire or prince, but I am blessed to experience a lifestyle where I can focus on work and family, which I cannot carry on when I get there.
Some thoughts moved me like my kids entering other countries without needing a VISA to avoid probing like me. Going to college there can also be an excellent opportunity for them once they complete high school.
Because of this, it moved me to search for colleges for international students that we can consider to be mindful of our budget.
I browse over the University of Florida or Purdue University — whatever it is, it can be a possibility.
Investing emotions
Here I am, finding myself collating all the requirements.
My wife was supportive and helped me, mostly collating all the needed documents. We even had to retrieve memories of our love story and kids to establish that we were the natural parents of our two kids.
We went over the love letters between me and my wife back then. There were moments we cringe since those exchanges were mushy. It made us laugh and re-kindle the moments during our younger years.
Pre-natal and post-natal pictures were also included from birth until age five and ten.
I was also happy to see my US baby passport, which my father had kept since the 80s.
This is the day.
After assessing and completing the documents required, I have uploaded some of the needed online.
We initiated an email message, and after several days, the US embassy got back to us for the scheduled interview date; November 22 was either a make or break.
Come November 22, I got up at 4:30 am to shower and get dressed. I then woke up my wife and kids, hoping we would receive a miracle that day.
Our scheduled interview was at 8:45 am. We arrived in the vicinity around 7 am and had time to eat breakfast and even train the kids how to answer the Consul.
After having Chinese breakfast at the only restaurant opened near our parking lot, we headed straight across the street where the US embassy is located.
I was carrying a heavy bag full of documents and proof of evidence and needed to walk around 400 meters and climb the footbridge, but I didn’t mind even if the weather was too hot then.
My family and I fell in line, and it took us 15 minutes to enter the US Citizen Immigration Services office, which had a short line, versus those who were applying for US visas, which happened to have a very long line.
Deception or wrong impression?
While waiting for our family’s call, I saw a Filipino couple with a baby being told why they lacked essential documents.
On the other end, I found senior people in wheelchairs taking their oath of allegiance ( I think) and hoped that my kids were in their place.
Finally, our names were called, and we were told to submit all our documents.
Our papers were carefully checked a week before, and we were confident they were complete.
We did due diligence by going over the list over and over again. That gave us hope every second we were getting closer to the finish line.
The office consul asked me some questions about my proof of stay — such as mentioning states and dates and looking at my proof of document. Then, she instructed me to sign forms to attest to the truthfulness of the information.
We were asked if I had completed the DS11 (US passport application) forms, and she went over each and instructed us to pay to another window immediately.
So I had the impression that my kids were qualified and all good because after collating our documents and throwing initial questions, they would finally process the US application passports (wherein the requirement is a CRBA document) since we were told to pay it and give them the receipts after ($135 each kid).
The moment that we did not want to hear
We thought there would be no more interviews, but our names were again called for a closed-door interview.
My ten-year-old daughter was nervous, but my five-year-old son was always playful. It was also stressful since our names were called after I was running, coming off a two-minute break from the bathroom.
With a serious face, the second Consul asked us to sit down and sign another set of documents in front of him.
He reviewed the original documents I submitted earlier in the first window. And request pre-natal pictures for his review.
And then, he reiterated the three requirements I should hold. The two were good except for the residency piece, which I expected I lacked, uttered straight from his mouth.
I felt broken and turned around to my wife and eldest kid.
My spouse was trying to maintain her composure by asking for other alternatives. At the same time, my daughter was teary-eyed upon hearing the denial verbally.
The Consul softened his heart and said it was a pain for him to see us and process a denial letter.
If he had a choice, he would give consideration but emphasize that he had nothing much to do but encouragement since he was following the law.
He said that if the kids are keen to study later, there is a dedicated study visa for it, and they can work later on their own if they want to pursue work when they get there.
Truth hurts
I knew the results, but getting rejected directly by these people was a pain.
There was hope when we got there due to some stories we heard and learned that the embassy was not all about deciding based on what is written in the book.
There was always a discretionary element in making decisions.
But what resonated with me was the feeling of being deceived by the embassy.
Why do they have to let me pay money despite knowing beforehand that I do not qualify for conveying my citizenship to my kids?
They should have asked us to proceed with the application upon “passing the CRBA process.” If I failed, then they should have let us go.
But that didn’t happen.
They collected separately nonrefundable fees ($100 for each kid) for the CRBA process.
And pending the CRBA assessment, they instructed me to pay the US Application form pending the results of the former.
I felt tricked by the US government. Or was it just my sensitive Asian blood running into my system?
Where was the transparency here?
How about our fundamental values of honesty?
It was an emotional day for us all, and knowing that $470 went down the drain was a dagger.
The feeling was similar to experiencing death in the family, and you have to settle huge bills after.
Parting Words
In this world, it is all about the numbers; it is all about the money.
Will America be great again? Just like how my old folks defined it earlier
My dreams for my kids and spouse may not be entirely over. But it is no longer something I am keen to fight for.
We still want to visit the US because of our loved ones, and there are still opportunities, such as good education.
I am sure it is still an answered prayer. The result was negative, but we were sure it was God’s protection.
For now, we will be parking North American visitation plans with all eyes set on other countries, BUT particularly the United States of America.
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