My name is Burt Murphy, and this is my story. I am an American-born citizen who fell head over heels in love with my Mexican wife, despite the fact that she crossed the border illegally twice. My American roots can be traced all the way back to the Mayflower on my grandma's side from my dad, and on my mother's side, I can trace my ancestry to Native American Indians in the state of Wyoming.
When I met my wife, Alicia, I had no idea what true poverty was like. She grew up in South Mexico, far from the city, where her family often struggled to put food on the table. Sometimes, all they could afford were a few beans, tortillas, and a small piece of meat each week. The contrast between her childhood and my typical American upbringing, filled with cereal and Saturday morning cartoons, was stark.
Our journey for legal immigration status has been a decade-long battle, filled with hurdles and setbacks. From 2007 to 2017, we navigated the legal system, seeking help from lawyers who, unfortunately, turned out to be fraudulent. Our case was lost, and those we trusted went to jail, falsely posing as a legal firm when they were just notaries.
The situation worsened when errors in our paperwork, including incorrect names and birthdates, complicated our efforts to secure Alicia's residency. Throughout this time, our family grew with the arrival of two beautiful daughters, now in their preteens.
In Colorado, life was promising. I owned my own home, had a great job as an IT technician, and our children were attending school. However, we were unable to resolve my wife's immigration status. Even writing to my local congressman yielded an unexpected response, suggesting self-deportation.
In 2018, we made the life-altering decision to move to Mexico, where Alicia had a home built. At first, it seemed like a dream come true, with the beautiful surroundings and a perpetual sense of spring. But then, COVID-19 hit, and it took a toll on our oldest child. We're still trying to mend the emotional wounds caused by the pandemic.
Our surroundings grew dangerous as well. Crime and murder escalated in the area, and in 2021, our home was invaded, and we were robbed of our belongings, including our work computers. Just three weeks ago, a mere two blocks away, a man was shot dead in broad daylight. Gunfire has become a grim routine, and we long for a sense of security.
I want to emphasize that I do love Mexico, its food, atmosphere, and its people. However, the safety situation has deteriorated, and I'm compelled to take action.
While in Mexico, we filed immigration papers in 2019 without legal assistance. In 2021, during our immigration consultation on the border in Juarez, Mexico, the Consulate officer instructed us to submit a waiver (i-601) This waiver is typically used in cases where an individual is deemed ineligible for a visa or green card due to specific immigration issues, such as unlawful presence, criminal convictions, or certain types of fraud or misrepresentation. She assured us that we were on the right path, promising that we would likely receive our green card in three months or less. Every 6 months we check the casa to see if we are going to get approved. Yet, here we are in 2023, with the date continuously pushed back to 44 months, leaving us feeling abandoned as American citizens.
Throughout these challenging years, I have been building my glass-blowing business as an artist, following in my father's footsteps. I've poured my heart into this art form and made significant progress. Last year was particularly remarkable, as my Amazon sales allowed me to visit my eldest daughter in Florida. She works at Disney World, and during my visit, I made connections with fellow glass artists at Disney.
Excitingly, I was recently offered a job as a glass-blowing artist at Disney World. One of my English students referred me to a lawyer in Miami, and it seems promising. She suggested we apply for a sponsorship visa with Disney. I asked my future Employer if they would sponsor my wife and I was told yes. Alicia my sweet Mexican wife is so happy and we had a good cry of joy. Even though we have been in Mexico for six years, do love the experiences of Mexico but to have some safety and security for my family in Florida is a huge relief.
Now, we have a way back to the United States, but we need your help.
As of now, I'm barely making enough to get by in Mexico with my Amazon sales and English classes. Alicia is just beginning to teach Spanish online. All the money we earn goes toward providing for our growing family. We need financial support to cover legal fees, travel expenses to Orlando, accommodations, transportation, and essential living costs to secure this job for at least three months.
Please consider making a donation to help us rebuild our family and pursue our dreams. Your generosity will be a lifeline, allowing us to overcome the odds and create a brighter future. Thank you for being part of our journey.
Please consider donating at https://gofund.me/af5e21e4