Some of you have asked what's happening with my immigration situation.  So, here is how my last week went.

I was all ready to order my ticket and somehow I did not have peace within my heart about it..."the gut feeling"..... I like to describe this as, the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit within us. 

_ Next morning I decided to surf the net for my tickets again........... I clicked on a site concerning immigration.....Green Cards ........It couldn't apply to me, ???? I am a permanent resident, I pay my taxes faithfully, I am married to an American....... There is no expiration date on my card...???????... I was told my Green card was permanent.......

_ More search....can't reach the INS.......it's now USCIS, (U. S. Citizenship and immigration Services) I can't talk to anyone via telephone......... you have to an appointment and it's done via their web site.

_ Appointment made for Friday, 9:30 AM (15 minutes only, to ask questions).

 

This is what I found out:

_ My (forever) Permanent Green Card, (which I was told would never expire) is no longer acceptable. I need a new one; the cards have changed, they are like credit cards. Somehow I never heard of this before. If, it was on the evening news,  for some reason I missed it.

_ If, I go out of US with my permanent GC, I could be detained for questions upon my return to the US. They can cause a huge stink for me. I have read some sad stories about this in the Internet.

_ If, I apply for a new card, it can take 3-6 months before I receive the new one.

_ If, I apply for citizenship, it could take 6-12 months. By a cheer miracle, it could take only 3 months.

 

The officer showed me the law, and it says I have a valid green Card. Now, go figure this out!!!!!!....... Somehow, the government has not figured a way to deal with all of the permanent green cards lawfully issued before 1989. The last time I went to Brazil, which was 1992, this law was already established, why wasn't I told of this, when I entered the US then? I believe, things were OK with the old GC until 9/11 took place.

 

Ok, I want to make sure you all know, I am sad about it, but I also know this happened for a reason. I am so thankful for the security measures the US has taken. Freedom is a wonderful gift and it does not come without a price.

Pray with me, that somehow I can have this taken care of it. I'm thinking I should just renew my GC, and then when I return apply for my citizenship.

As you finish reading this, whisper a prayer for America. More then ever we need God in this country. Our security does not come from man it comes form Him. We need revival in the church.