…of By-the-Books Immigration
Upendra Chowlera recently celebrated his wife Kishori’s arrival in Georgetown after many months of waiting for approval of her green card application. The Chowleras submitted, wrote, and made calls to the Departments of State and Homeland Security for more than two years with little to no word. Finally, two Sun City friends enlisted the help of Congressman John Carter to reunite the couple who had spent their newlywed years nearly 9,000 miles apart.
IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME
In 1968, when Upendra left India, he says there was a lot about America that was straightforward and simple. He remembers working at Wrigley Field in Chicago in the summertime and leaving change in an open coin box to buy a daily newspaper.
Having arrived as a student, he applied for his green card and received it shortly thereafter, and became a citizen just five years later. “My family had been filthy rich in India, but things changed and we went to the bottom of the barrel,” he says. “To restore our provision, we took a risk and came to the United States.”
Five decades later, divorced with two American-born children, Upendra returned to India and met Kishori through an introduction service. He recalls, “Kishori had been a widow for 20 years and I loved that she had dedicated her life to raising her son on her own. She was happy to be re-married and eager to see a different world.” They were married March 1, 2019.
COMING TO AMERICA
When Upendra returned to the United States, they both began the process of Kishori’s immigration. On May 6, 2019 they were told it would take six to eight months because Upendra was a naturalized citizen.
For obvious reasons, the United States is the only nation in the world that does not allow spouses to immigrate automatically. So, right away, Upendra had an agency review their documentation to ensure everything would be in place. Sadly, as six months turned into 12, and the questions and investigations grew somewhat redundant—Kishori not only had to provide her husband’s death certificate to the embassy but also Upendra’s divorce papers—they grew increasingly frustrated that they were unable to get any word or status update.
THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
In 2020, Upendra called on his friend Anne Marshall for help. He explained his wife wasn’t able to even visit him because she had already applied for a green card and they wanted to continue working through proper channels. He also contacted Congressman John Carter’s office, but, he believes, he did not pursue the matter persistently, so no progress was made. “It seemed very clear cut,” Upendra says. “I am a U.S. citizen, I am divorced, and I have no criminal record. I am in good health and I have resources to support us both. I wondered who on earth might think it was simply a green-card marriage at my age.” Anne had the same questions; “I made some calls and got Kishori an interview at the embassy in Mumbai but the questions continued to be about Upendra’s first wife.”
Anne then called her friend Betty Schleder, who made a call to Congressman Carter’s office and spoke to his Chief of Staff, August Alvarado. Betty says, “I immediately felt like this was a tragedy that didn’t have to be, and I have known Judge Carter to be a compassionate and vigilant public servant. I had difficulty understanding why it was difficult for a citizen, father, and businessman making contributions to the community to wade through these difficulties to have his spouse come to live with him.”
Mr. Alvarado presented the case to the Congressman for review. Upendra says, “I don’t know what happened behind the scenes, nor do I care to. The bottom line is that Kishori is here because of Judge Carter, with many thanks to Anne and Betty in the process.”
Kishori’s green card was approved Sept. 1, 2021 and she arrived in the United States just ten days later. Anne says she has never seen Upendra so happy and Kishori is looking forward to visiting her extended family in Boston. She is already learning English and is enjoying getting comfortable in her new way of life.
Betty and Anne, too, are already working on a green card for Kishori’s son who, like his stepfather, is eager to bring his education and global skills to bear in America. He also wants to be with his mother again soon. Betty says, “He has been alone in India for ten days, and already says he feels like a boat in the ocean alone. We will reunite this family; onward!”