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Rebekah Hubley is in the fight of her life as she battles with the immigration process in the United States. The Indiana mom met her son, Jonas, when he visited from Haiti on a medical visa. After the horrific 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Hubley adopted Jonas as he was seeking refuge.
Nearly 14 years later, Jonas is still not a U.S. citizen. Through no fault of Hubley’s, his citizenship application was denied. According to CBS News, in 2023, she submitted a Petition for an Alien Relative with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but was denied. Hubley told the news outlet that the denial letter stated she did not submit all required documents.
Hubley is adamant that she sent in the information that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services claims are missing. Both Rebekah Hubley and her son Jonas are in a peculiar situation. Hubley has legally adopted Jonas; he even has an Indiana birth certificate. However, because Hubley’s petition was denied, Jonas faces deportation.
Hubley fears that her family will be separated.
Jonas is 17 years old, nearly an adult, but still needs constant care. He has autism and is also blind. Hubley is concerned that her son will be deported to Haiti, a country that the U.S. Government has deemed unsafe. If he is to return to Haiti, Jonas’ health may suffer greatly. Additionally, Hubley loves her son and doesn’t want to see her family torn apart.
“We have adopted him,” Hubley told 21 AliveNews. “He has an Indiana birth certificate, and parts of the government have recognized everything, but then immigration won’t.”
Seemingly, the Hubleys have been getting the run-around since the adoption process for Jonas began. Because the earthquake in Haiti was so devastating, a lot of Jonas’ paperwork was lost. Many government agencies were not sure how to proceed. Due to Jonas’ disabilities and medical needs, the process became difficult.
Hubley also told 21 AliveNews that she believes that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services did not take the time to read their entire application. In the denial letter, they stated that several things were missing, including his school records. Hubley says that the records were included in the application, but they neglected to turn the page.
Where do the Hubleys go from here?
Since Jonas’ petition was denied, within 33 days after the decision, he will either be “deported or must return to Haiti” by choice, Hubley told CBS News. Although the situation is not working in their favor, Hubley still has hope.
A GoFundMe has been organized to cover legal expenses on the family’s behalf. Hubley also advocates for her son on social media. She wrote an open letter to President Joe Biden on Facebook. According to CBS News, she has also contacted the White House personally. Additionally, the mother of four has contacted her congressman and local representatives.
Hubley told CBS News affiliate WANE, “I’m not just fighting for Jonas this year; I am fighting for all the other Jonas that are going through this same situation.”
We’d like to wish the Hubley family all the best with their pursuit.
Source link : theblackwallsttimes.com
