The petition
Request for a humanitarian visa for Awa Russell.
While serving as U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Togo, Lori and Michael Russell formed a unique relationship with Awa, a neglected child in their assigned village.
Awa lived with the Russells, solely under their care and guidance for over a year and has become an integral part of their family. The Russells were granted legal custody by Togo in March 2007. The adoption was finalized in June 2007.
Awa's birth parents wholeheartedly ceded all parental rights in front of Togolese judges on two separate occasions, and Awa has not been in their physical custody since October 2006. Her father is very old and very ill and her mother cannot care for her.
The United States recognized the adoption as full and final in October, 2007. However, USCIS has said that Awa does not qualify for an orphan visa.
We all know that the best thing for Awa would be to come to the United States where she and the Russells will have a stable, loving home with numerous people who love and support them. That is why I support the issuance of a humanitarian visa for this child. As a fellow citizen, I ask you to please encourage USCIS to see this as so many of us do – a unique situation of urgent humanitarian need. This family needs your support.
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Petition sponsor
Our Story
My husband, Michael, and I grew up together in Elon, NC and are now living in Durham. Michael is working at the Global Health Institute at Duke and I am at Duke Law School.
From 2005 to 2007 we served in the Peace Corps in Togo (West Africa). While there we formed a very strong and unique relationship with Awa, the little 6 year-old girl who lived in the compound next to ours. She claimed us from day one and was a constant presence at our home. Awa is an incredible kid – she’s bright, funny, and loves everyone. Unfortunately, her life in Togo was very difficult: her father was old and very ill and her mother did not have the capacity to care for her. Since she began living with us in October, 2006, she has blossomed physically, emotionally, and educationally. She has had many new opportunities from going to school and riding in a car to watching Blue’s Clues and learning to swim. Most importantly, she has a family who loves her more than anything in the world.
It has been an incredible rollercoaster. We were granted legal custody in March 2007 and finally secured the adoption in June. Her parents were very in favor of this adoption and ceded all parental rights before a judge on two occasions. The Embassy recognized the legality of the adoption under Togolese laws in mid-September.
Unfortunately, our little family has continued to meet difficulties. I came back from Togo in late July to start law school at Duke. At the time, we were optimistic about the prospect of getting her here within a few months. Michael stayed with Awa until October at the home of a friend. After the Embassy recognized the adoption, Michael returned with the hopes of completing a home study and quickly finishing the visa process. We have still not been able to obtain a visa for her. Awa is still living in the capital city with our friend. While we feel so lucky to have a wonderful American taking care of her, it is not permanent by any means. Her term of employment will soon expire. If we cannot obtain a visa before then, I will have to go live with her in Togo. Awa would be best served by joining Michael and I here in North Carolina.
The three of us, along with everyone here, are anxiously waiting for her arrival in North Carolina. It is a heartbreaking experience to be separated like this while our eight year-old daughter grows up. Please give us your support.
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