Can anyone help our Israeli post-doc with INS today!?

3/16/02 | self

[kickme]

Our Israeli post-doc is being detained in a holding cell by INS at LAX apparently due to some complication with the VISA requirements. She has been employed, and working in our lab at UC for almost two years. She recently left the country to visit relatives and some thing is wrong with her documents now upon her return.

Does any one know how to raise the Israeli Consulate in LA on Saturday? We are being told that she will have to take a return flight back to where she was visiting at eleven tonight PST. Any one know of any way to stall this process until Monday when the offices open, or????????????

Help Freepers!

[kickme]

I've called every number at he LA and SF Israeli Consulate offices and only get answering machines. I'd think someone would be working somewhere? INS is just recordings, too. Thanks for any help.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Maybe see if you can find a Wash DC number?

[BCrago66]

Sorry I don't have something better at this moment, but can you try the Isreali office in New York City and maybe they will give you a local contact?

[lsee]

You might try emailing all of these people...one of them may be near their computer...Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

[dennisw]

Get an immigration laywer on the case! Open up your phone book. Will cost some money though. Try to find a Jewish one who will take pity and do it for not so much money!

[kickme]

I think your difficulty was similar to hers, but now the INS isn't taking any filing fees. It seems so crazy - why can't she take care of the forms here Monday instead of going back over seas to the country she was visiting (not Israel)? Thanks for your note.

[kickme]

Good idea , but no one answering in NY or DC either, thanks. Should I try to raise the embassy on this one? I'll probably be talking to the chancellor Monday trying to explain why I got Sheron on the phone. But, hey, he was the only one answering the phone, chief....

[kickme]

Another good idea - I fired off four emails.

[VOA]

I'd think someone would be working somewhere? INS is just recordings, too. Thanks for any help.

I think dennisw's idea of finding a immigration lawyer (preferably Jewish) is the
best idea for immediate help...seing how you have a deadline looming.

And, I am serious about this...if I couldn't get one in by phone and was in your desparate
situation, I'd consider going to the waiting line at some of the good restaurants on
the Westside and start calling out "is there an immigration lawyer here?!"
I'm not joking...if I was desperate, I'd try it.

Any chance tha there are El-Al personnel at LAX you could go beg for info/help?

And, as the world is turning, in a few hours maybe a call to an actual official in
Israel might get some wheels rolling...maybe that's the sort of thing somebody
with El-Al might help you with (in an unofficial capacity)

[kickme]

My friend at Jewish Family Services said get a lawyer, too. I guess trying to get this done on their Sabbath is not going to happen.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Bumping

[lsee]

Scatter your search to include Jewish organizations in the area...perhaps this one? Bay Area Council for Jewish Rescue and Renewal

Someone at this or another site might have a contact within INS who could help.

Possible contacts at the Israeli Consulates of North America Perhaps even contact some of the local synagogues Los Angeles synagoguesIt is likely that this is not the first time someone has had trouble returning from Israel...someone may have a contact name for you.

[VOA]

another "stray voltage" suggestion...
Whether your post-doc is "observant" or not, if you can't find a lawyer...
I'd call a rabbi, especially if your post-doc has attended any synagouges in the area.

That might be a good way to directly connect with a lawyer or other influential person.
Good luck. You'd think after the "student visa" mess th is week that the INS
would start using their brains.
If they have any.

[dennisw]

The sabbath is over at sundown anyway I don't know how many Jewish lawyers observe it.

http://directory.findlaw.com/lawyer/lawyer_dir/search/jsp/stdSearch_process.jsp?target=FIRM&state=CA&city=Los+Angeles&practice=FL29

 

[kickme]

Just got off the phone with her husband. He was in contact with the consulate and embassy. She's leaving at 11 pm. No body can do a thing! Just for the want of a stamp from a US Embassy. Dude. Bureaucracy at its finest.

Thanks for your help!!!!!

[kickme]

Two attorney we called said they couldn't even slow this process down. Wow. This whole thing is amazing to me.

[VOA]

bump for publicity

[dennisw]

Law Offices of Carl Shusterman Address: One Wilshire Bldg Suite 1608 624 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90017-3335 Phone: (213) 623-4592 Fax: (213) 623-3720 E-mail: carl@shusterman.com