Their Story

WELCOME!

Thank you for visiting our site. A few minutes of your time could make all the difference in the lives of this wonderful family.

Every immigrant comes to America with the hope of a better life, with the expectation that further generations will benefit from their journey to this land of plenty. This story is about such a person, a man who believed in the American dream and still does.

Gaspar Hernandez grew up in a small town in Mexico, where the only available work was field work. When he was a teenager, he crossed the border illegally to escape a life of hopelessness. For 15 years, he worked hard, paid taxes and lived according to our laws and regulations - without so much as a traffic ticket.

In 1999, he met Sheryl, a student at Bowling Green State University. They fell in love and were married in June of 2002. Shortly after, they started the paperwork to obtain his citizenship.

Most Americans assume that getting a green card for a spouse of another nationality is a straightforward process. But after 9/11, the immigration laws changed. Families can wait three years or more for the paperwork to clear. Sadly, Sheryl and Gaspar became victims of an unscrupulous advisor who took their money and prolonged the process.

In February, 2004 their son Aidan was born, and Gaspar became the loving and devoted father everyone knew he would be. Just after Aidan’s first birthday, Gaspar heard that his grandmother had terminal cancer. She had been his primary caretaker, and Gaspar felt compelled to go back to his village to help her through her last weeks – even knowing he could have trouble getting back into the United States. It was a poor decision but it was solely driven by honor and compassion.

Upon returning to the United States, he was told by immigration officials that he would have to stay in Mexico until he was granted a green card by the American consulate. They told him that, because he had an American wife and child, he would be allowed to return to the United States with a green card "after a few months." On August 15, 2005, he voluntarily returned to Mexico with hopes of soon being reunited with his family. No one had any idea what lay ahead.

It was two years before the American consulate would review Gaspar’s case. Sheryl visited him in Mexico when she could, and, during one visit, she conceived a second child. Isabela was born in Ohio on June 19, 2006, without her father present.

In August, 2007, the American consulate finally scheduled Gaspar's green card interview. Despite his record, and 72 letters written by American citizens on his behalf, the green card was denied. They didn't even look at the letters. He was forbidden to apply for either a green card or a waiver until April of 2015.

The harsh punishment exacted upon Gaspar has taken its toll on Sheryl and the family. Without Gaspar, they have been under extreme emotional and financial hardship. Sheryl has Crohn’s disease but has to work full time to support the family. Aidan is now 5 ½, and Isabela, 3. Aidan does not remember his father being home. Gaspar has seen Isabela only a handful of times — and only time will tell what effect this missing bonding time will have on both of their lives.

Gaspar understands he was not here legally and must suffer some repercussions for this. He accepts full responsibility for his actions. However, the punishment should fit the crime. There is no way a 10-year banishment is appropriate for this case. All Gaspar wants to do is be an upstanding citizen of the United States and reunite with his family at home. He is a man with goals, a family, a home, and two job offers waiting for him.

And his is not an isolated case. Thousands of United States citizens are separated from their spouses because of the current immigration laws.

We are asking that you join us in our campaign to bring Gaspar home. Gaspar is not a criminal. He is a loving, honest person who made a mistake. Our country will only be richer for his being here.

Write or call those people who have the power to make the necessary decisions. Let them know that you want an immigration policy that keeps the country safe but also protects the American dream for those who deserve it. If immigrants come here and break the law, send them home, permanently. But common sense says that allowing worthy applicants to enter the country will do nothing but cut down illegal immigration.

Refer them to this web page and tell them to bring Gaspar home.