The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN woman who worked as a volunteer with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Louisiana yesterday claimed she was barred from the US after immigration officers said she had over stayed her time.

Wanting to maintain anonymity, the woman insisted that extreme circumstances prevented her return from New Orleans, which should not have warranted a 10-year denial from the US.

In the wake of the August 29, 2005, category three hurricane, which ultimately caused more than 1,400 deaths in Louisiana and millions of dollars in damage, the woman said she could find no immediate escape.

"When we found out that Katrina was headed for New Orleans, the governor declared it an emergency and ordered everyone to get out," she said.

"Not long after, all ports of entry were closed. We were told to go to the New Orleans Super Dome."

Furthermore, the house she shared with a friend for eight consecutive summers was about 10 blocks away from the left side of the levee.

The levee, which controlled water flowing through the Gulf of Mexico, eventually broke, causing many persons to be stranded on roof tops.

Upon arriving at the Super Dome, the woman said she became quickly aware the shelter would be filled with thousands of people relocating from government housing complexes.

"The line was so long and we could tell that the majority of the people were from the projects. I knew that not so good things would take place once a military officer told me we would be sealed in.

"I told my friend I didn't want to go in."

With housing options thin, she said they resorted to returning home.

"I went back, trying to have faith that I would make it through. By the end, a part of the roof had been torn off and other condos around us were totally destroyed.

"I found shelter in the bathroom, where I prayed my way through."

A while later, her friend died, leaving her not only alone, but to settle his estate.

"I engulfed myself into volunteering to take my mind off of his death and off of my own blood condition."

The woman said she helped to gut buildings, feed hungry people, and saved many lives.

Almost two years later, when she could see a clear way out, the woman said she returned home.

Two weeks later, while trying to get back to New Orleans to recover her belongings, the woman said she was told by US immigration she would not be allowed re-entrance to the US.

"The officer told me that he did not care what I did in America. He said I over stayed my time, and I would not be allowed back.

"They are treating me like a terrorist. Bahamians are not that way and we've played a role in American history. Not to mention, I was there, helping people who were far worse than I was," she said.

Last night, US Embassy's spokesperson Erica Thibault issued the following statement in response to the woman's claims.

"Although the applicant's volunteer efforts following Hurricane Katrina are laudable, if she remained in the US beyond the terms of her visa she accrued unlawful presence in the United States.

"Applicants with unlawful presence after 1997 regardless of the reason are ineligible under Section 212(a)(9)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This ineligibility applies to those applying for non-immigrant (tourists and students) as well as those for immigrant visas.

"Applicants with unlawful presence between 180 days and one year are inadmissible for three years after departure from the US. Applicants unlawfully present in the US for more than one year are inadmissible for 10 years after their departure.

"Depending on the circumstances, there are waivers available for these ineligibilities. Additional information on ineligibilities and waivers can be found at www.travel. state.gov

"It is important to note that there are options for extending stays in the US. Applicants entering the US with a visa can apply to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust or extend their stay by submitting Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before the authorised stay expires. Additional information on this process can be found at www.uscis.gov."