December 17, 2003

Finally! Our student will head to Chicago to begin his studies.

The best news we've heard in three and a half years: Anis got his visa! Anis had received a full four-year scholarship to study at North Park University in Chicago.

All of his paperwork was submitted on time, and he received his I-20 from Immigration in due course. Following his interview at the American Consulate in East Jerusalem, however, his paperwork was shipped off to Homeland Security for further security checks. This measure was instituted after September 11th, particularly put in place because the 9/11 attackers all entered the US on student visas. As the fall semester approached, we and others tried to contact Congress members or others who may be able to expedite his application, as is common practice for visa applications. The response was that Homeland Security is a hermetically sealed process, and senators/representatives or others have no sway. We'd just have to wait. Besides, he's a low security risk, which means he's a lower priority for getting through the system (a bit baffling and enfuriating to hear: so if he were a high security risk he'd get his visa sooner?!?!?). Freshman orientation came and went, classes began, and no word.

Eventually, Anis started to audit class at the nearby AAUJ, and we too started to lose hope that he would be able to take advantage of his good fortune to win the scholarship. The fall semester came and went. But today we are so happily surprised. Ilhamdulillah! Thank God.