SHS grad seeks answers to visa issues

SANDPOINT — For 20-year-old Jule Paul, Sandpoint is home.

Unfortunately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services doesn’t see things the same way.

A German citizen who has lived in Sandpoint since the age of 12, Paul’s imminent 21st birthday in February is set to trigger visa issues that could result in her deportation. The unexpected legal issues have demolished her plans to live, work and study in the United States.

Paul is now seeking assistance from Idaho’s congressional representatives to continue chasing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in America — and the community is mobilizing behind her.

“I have family in Germany, and it will always be a part of who I am, but (Sandpoint) is home to me,” she said. “All my friends and everything I know is right here.”

The problem originates from her father’s visa, which she depends on to live legally in the country. Once Paul turns 21 in February, her dependent visa is no longer valid, leaving her with few options.

First, she could attempt to get a visa of her own. Those come in two varieties: an immigrant visa and a non-immigrant visa. An immigrant visa would allow her to work in the United States, but in order to qualify for one, Paul would need an employer to sponsor her — a very expensive process that also requires proof only she is willing and able to do that particular job. Alternatively, Paul could start the process by marrying an American citizen, but she isn’t interested in that option.

“I want to marry for love, and I only want to do it once,” she said.

On the other hand, a non-immigrant visa is easier to obtain, but it wouldn’t allow her to work. For Paul, that isn’t an option — she needs a job to afford a college education.

Finally, Paul could simply allow her conditional visa to expire, making her an illegal resident. At that point, she could either be deported or granted amnesty with the possibility of obtaining citizenship many years down the road.

That’s also not an option, Paul said. For one thing, she still wouldn’t be able to work legally. For another, she isn’t interested in breaking the law.

“I’m not considering it at all,” she said. “Being here illegally goes against everything I believe in.”

Her tricky legal standing has cost her both time and money. It scuttled her plans to attend Boise State University and also cost her thousands in scholarships. She is in a limbo where she can’t earn money and, as a result, can’t advance her education.

Paul may find her options expanded if Congress passes the sweeping immigration reforms introduced in the Senate this spring. The legislation overhauls the system with new methods for distributing work visas and a new point-based system designed to identify attractive candidates for permanent residence. Furthermore, the proposed laws ease restrictions on family-based immigration, making the children of lawful permanent residents immediately eligible for a green card, according to the American Immigration Council.

The immigration overhaul was passed by the Senate in late June with bipartisan support. However, the legislation is stalled in the House of Representatives. According to a report by USA Today, immigration activists are worried the bill could fail if the House doesn’t act by the end of the year.

In the meantime, Paul is researching potential solutions to her problem, including seeking help from Idaho congressmen. In particular, she’s reaching out to Rep. Raul Labrador based on his Puerto Rican background and his experience as an immigration lawyer. She hopes a face-to-face meeting with him will yield additional options for her.

She’s receiving extensive community support in that effort. Members of her church, professional mentors and teachers are writing up letters pleading Labrador to turn an eye onto her case.

According to Todd Winer, communications director for Labrador, the office doesn’t comment on constituent issues and declined to discuss the nuances of Paul’s case. However, he did say that Labrador holds immigration reform as a major issue.

On his website, Labrador places an emphasis on securing national borders and enforcing established immigration laws on the topic of reform. However, Labrador also recognizes the need for a more flexible employment system for non-citizens.

“I believe that we need a guest worker program that actually works because guest workers play an important role in the American economy and more specifically in the state of Idaho,” the site states. “This guest worker program will not include a pathway to citizenship or amnesty.”

While she’s eager to get on with her life, Paul is engaging the issue with a level head, she said. Even if she is ultimately forced to return to Germany, she doesn’t expect to take away any hard feelings. She simply wants an a legal avenue to make Sandpoint her home in law as well as spirit, eventually seeking American citizenship.

“The system isn’t the enemy here,” she said. “I’m not angry or bitter — I just want to move past this.”