Infeld Family Three Year Journey to Reunio: Hey, how are you guys doing today?” Michael Finney of 7 On Your Side asked the Infeld family.
“Pretty good, pretty good, wonderful,” they responded.
“It looks like everyone got here, huh?” Finney asked.
“They got here OK, they were on the flight,” said Gale Infeld.
This is a family reunion more than three years in the making.
“We’re so happy we’re here now, and you guys helped us do that. We’re so thankful,” said Loren Infeld. “But we lost years of time that as a family, we could have been together.”
“At first, we thought it was the Thai government that was holding everything up. They would have more reason to hold things up,” Lou Infeld said. “Then we found out it was the US. government that’s holding us up. And now that really upset us.”
Loren lives in Thailand with his wife, Ariya, and their daughter, Lily.
It was important for everyone in the Infeld family to be all together in San Jose.
“A few years ago my dad was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative disease in which you slowly lose function of your body,” Loren explained of his father Lou.
“The problem was every time they applied for a visa they were denied a visa,” added Loren’s mother, Gale.
And they applied a lot. Loren is a US citizen and Lily has dual citizenship. But Ariya, a Thai citizen, was denied a visa by the US embassy.
Gale was working the system every way she could. She reached out to 7 On Your Side, and we went to work and suggested she also contact Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s (D-CA 19th District) office. She did – and boy, were the folks there wired in.
“There’s this thing called a humanitarian parole,” Gale said, “which means, if you’re coming to see someone who is sick or take care of them in the US, they give you time to go there.”
“They tried the visas to come here as a spouse – that didn’t work. We found this workaround, this I-131 parole, which basically allows them to come in for humanitarian purposes. Within four months we were able to get her visa to come in. This is a process that normally takes 7 to 16 months,” Congressman Jimmy Panetta said.
And that is how everyone ended up here, in San Jose, California.
“We really appreciate everything you guys did,” the Infeld family told 7 On Your Side.
The congressman singled out staffer Bertha Munoz by name, saying she is his office’s “immigration guru.” So if you need help, you know who to go to.
The Infeld family’s journey to reunite in San Jose after over three years is a testament to the power of perseverance, love, and the support of a community. The emotional rollercoaster began when Loren Infeld’s father, Lou, was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative disease that slowly robs individuals of bodily functions.
Living in Thailand with his wife, Ariya, and their daughter, Lily, Loren faced numerous challenges in bringing his family together in the United States. Despite being a US citizen and Lily holding dual citizenship, Ariya, a Thai citizen, faced repeated visa denials from the US embassy.
Desperate for a solution, Gale Infeld, Loren’s mother, reached out to 7 On Your Side, seeking assistance. The family’s plight caught the attention of Congressman Jimmy Panetta’s office, particularly staffer Bertha Munoz, renowned as the office’s “immigration guru.”
The turning point came with the discovery of a humanitarian parole option, allowing individuals to enter the US for compassionate reasons, such as taking care of a sick family member. Despite the usual lengthy process taking 7 to 16 months, the Infeld family’s case saw expedited approval within four months.
The emotional reunion in San Jose became a reality, marking the end of a tumultuous journey filled with uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles. The Infelds expressed profound gratitude for the support from 7 On Your Side and Congressman Panetta’s office, acknowledging the instrumental role played by Bertha Munoz.
The story not only highlights the complexities of the US immigration system but also underscores the resilience of families determined to overcome obstacles for the sake of love. As the Infelds gather in San Jose, their journey serves as a powerful reminder that, indeed, love knows no borders.
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