A-hem. And I clear my throat because I have something to say. A-hem. And I clear my throat because I have something to declare. Like I’m walking through customs, Homeland security stops me and asks “Do you have something to declare?” How do I explain that the luggage I carry will not pass through any metal detector? There is no monetary value to it and the only harm it has done is to me. Yes, I have something to declare. But I did not pick it up on any vacation Or purchase it from a gift shop. I left West Africa and I left him behind. I packed up all the strength I had and I said goodbye. A relationship that can no longer continue because immigration has different plans. A marriage that has ended because of pieces of paper and documents. Access denied to someone who wants something so bad that he would sacrifice much to get it. He was good to me. He had nothing to hide and displayed who he was. He was the truth, even if it was a lie. I wear this ring because I don’t want to forget. I wear this ring as a reminder. How easily he could be erased from my memory. An unfortunate incident, a difficult time. But it is not my struggle. I am a citizen. I have an American education. I am guaranteed a career. I can travel freely at will. How easily he could be forgotten. So I wear this ring as a reminder. That I was his wife, that we took vows. I don’t want to loose sight that he was my everything. And it is my struggle and it is my fight and I don’t want to forget. “Yes, I have something to declare.” I feel privileged because I have what many others don’t. I inherited a freedom based solely upon the geography of my birth and the color of my skin. But with that freedom comes the burden that no matter how lucky I am, the reality is not true for others. I wear this ring because I don’t want to forget. He was the truth, even if it was a lie.
2. "that's what I'm sayin" In response to Reply # 1
It's a very long story, but yea. I had to choose between him and staying in America, I hate putting it like that, but that's what it came down to. I didn't want to move to Senegal and away from my family and my life here, so I choose to stay. Its a lose-lose situation. I move to Africa and I leave behind my family, but get to stay with my husband / I stay in America, I am walking away from our marriage. He is unable to ever come back to America based on immigration laws. He came here in '96 on a student VISA and overstayed. Then worked without papers and had marked "yes" on a job application when asked if he was a citizen. Unfortunately, that is the only thing you can do as an immigrant that will get you banned for life. It's ridiculous- you can commit a felony and still request for re-entry, but say you are American and you're never allowed back in. After we were married and going through the process (it's been three years), they dug up the job application and deemed him ineligible for citizenship. He now lives in West Africa and is looking for work in the capital. Our marriage does not trump his working illegally in the states. Yet, he still paid taxes, social security, and obeyed laws, but they don't think he should stay. It is what it is on paper and they don't see it as a marriage and family and emotion. I've fought so hard for him and me and us, it has been very exausting.
3. "How come no one has anything to say??" In response to Reply # 0
Maybe because immigration has hit so close to me, but I thought someone would respond with some outrage or empathy or even happiness for my husband being banned - anything! This is my first piece that I've posted on here and I would like to do more, but I want to know that somone is reading what I write, thinking about it, responding to it - feeling it. Hey even if you think my words are painful, take a minute and let me know you're out there... hello?
thats a horrible choice. So many marriages go bad for all the wrong reasons. But to see it destroyed over something like this is just wrong. Sorry. powerful piece though!!!
R.I.P. Martin alexander (Marty Gra) Alston - my brother, my mentor , my friend-
8. "while reading your reply , i was thinking: he must have robbed someone," In response to Reply # 0
killed someone or did something like that to get banned for life.
but if all he did was overstay and say he was a citizen...a ban for life seems harsh.
this put a different spin on immigration reform for me tho..
'preciate that.
well written:
>A-hem. And I clear my throat because I have something to >say. >A-hem. And I clear my throat because I have something to >declare. >Like I’m walking through customs, >Homeland security stops me and asks >“Do you have something to declare?” >How do I explain that the luggage I carry will not pass >through any metal detector? >There is no monetary value to it and the only harm it has done >is to me. >Yes, I have something to declare. >But I did not pick it up on any vacation >Or purchase it from a gift shop. >I left West Africa and I left him behind. >I packed up all the strength I had and I said goodbye. >A relationship that can no longer continue because immigration >has different plans. >A marriage that has ended because of pieces of paper and >documents. >Access denied to someone who wants something so bad that he >would sacrifice much to get it. >He was good to me. He had nothing to hide and displayed who he >was. >He was the truth, even if it was a lie. >I wear this ring because I don’t want to forget. >I wear this ring as a reminder. >How easily he could be erased from my memory. >An unfortunate incident, a difficult time. >But it is not my struggle. >I am a citizen. >I have an American education. >I am guaranteed a career. >I can travel freely at will. >How easily he could be forgotten. >So I wear this ring as a reminder. >That I was his wife, that we took vows. >I don’t want to loose sight that he was my everything. >And it is my struggle and it is my fight and I don’t want to >forget. >“Yes, I have something to declare.” >I feel privileged because I have what many others don’t. >I inherited a freedom based solely upon the geography of my >birth and the color of my skin. >But with that freedom comes the burden that no matter how >lucky I am, the reality is not true for others. >I wear this ring because I don’t want to forget. >He was the truth, even if it was a lie.
I feel if the only positive thing to come of this situation is to spread word and knowledge on some laws of immigration, then I'll take it. Immigration is the topic du jour, yet I have never heard of a case similar to ours (though it apparently happens often). I figure I'll school people on this often overlooked, though life changing law. Again, it is what it is on paper and I understand they have to inforce laws, but I'm trying to figure out how I can get that law re-written. I can't believe felons can be admitted to the US, but not a person who has done no physical harm to someone and just wanted to make money and better his life. Funny how easy it is for an illegal immigrant to get involved / caught up in the dark side of society (drug dealing, blackmarket, etc.) and probably not get caught, yet god forbid someone trys to earn some money and make a life for themselves. Thanks for taking the time and learning something new, though.
10. "RE: Something to Declare" In response to Reply # 0
this is honestly the best piece i have read in a long time it is strong passionate political full of emotion and most of all true caught my attention thru out wow DECLARE what you will and fight for your's laws are meant to be changed updated abrogated do the work
"keep pennin till the earth birth's your rightful seed then nurture it wit more ink..." ASIEM "Kuun fiyah Kuun" Quran (Be and it is) " A writer takes his pen to write the words again that all in love is fair" Stevie Wonder
11. "Wow, thanks very much" In response to Reply # 10
It's been a while since I was in Freestyle and I just happened to see your response today. Glad I did. 6 months later and no laws have changed. I still have waves of heartache and anger, I suppose I always will.
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