Joe met Yumei, who is a Canadian citizen who was born in China, in 1996. Yumei was living temporarily in Lansing, Michigan from her home across the nearby border in Windsor, Ontario. Over the years, Joe and Yumei's friendship developed, and in 2002 they were engaged. In December 2002, Joe filed out the paperwork to invite his Yumei into the US with her daughter, then aged 16.
Joe and Yumei's first snag came with the processing of the fiance visa, which the government did not process until two years later, in January 2005. Normally that process should have been completed in weeks, not years.
Joe and Yumei were finally married in May, 2005.
Their second snag came in the processing of their daughter's green card application. Even though Joe and Yumei had filled out all the paperwork and paid all the fees to the government in June 2005, their daughter's case was further delayed for an additional 3 years while a background check was processed.
After a total of 5.5 years waiting, Yumei's daughter finally received word on her case: the government informed her that because she had turned 21 during the long delay, her case was denied, she could no longer immigrate, and she would be forced to leave the country.
Joe and Yumei:
Yumei is a member of the American Families United board of directors.
