British 9/11 widow gets green card

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News - Homefront Preparations : One Thread

[But note it took 10 months, even with special treatment! They said they had to wait for the new Act, but knowing the main provision would be that foreign spouses of victism would be given preferential treatment, what was to stop INS from doing all the preliminary work beforehand?]]

NYPost

‘GREEN'LIGHTED By BRAD HUNTER

July 26, 2002 -- A British woman whose heroic husband was killed in the Sept. 11 terror attacks was given a gift from America yesterday - her green card and permanent residency. Deena Gilbey, 39, had worried about her status ever since the dark days following her husband Paul's tragic death. Her worries are now over.

"I'm absolutely thrilled, it's a dream come true," Gilbey said from her Chatham, N.J., home where she lives with her two boys, Max, 4, and Mason, 7.

Paul Gilbey was a currency broker with EuroBrokers on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center when the terrorists struck, and he died helping others escape. He and Deena had lived in America for 10 years.

Deena was awarded her green card under the USA Patriot Act - a law that allows foreign-born spouses and kids of Sept. 11 victims to apply for residency.

The INS said that contrary to reports, Gilbey was never in danger of being deported. And a spokesman said that the dark-haired widow was "expressly" told she was not facing removal from the United States.

The agency also said Gilbey was told of the benefits available to her under the Patriot Act and was treated with kindness and compassion.

INS spokesman Kerry Gill said Gilbey was told she was free to apply for permanent legal residence, travel overseas and work if she wished.

"We even told her that we would help facilitate her return if she chose to travel abroad," Gill said.

The INS also said they worked closely with New Jersey politicians, the British Consulate in New York and her lawyer to resolve the situation quickly.

The agency added that thousands of others are in the same situation and that in the name of compassion, they expedited her interview. Delays were caused by the agency having to wait for the new regulations of the Patriot Act.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2002


Moderation questions? read the FAQ