FINALLY A UNITED STATES CITIZEN--THE STORY OF FR. LAGURA
With these lines I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida’s Immigration and Refugee Office for their valuable assistance in securing the documents I needed towards my getting the ‘green card.’
When I arrived here in Florida, in Crestview to be precise, in April 2004, I had in my possession only a B1-B2 visa which would be valid for a stay of 6 months at the most.
Since I had been appointed Parochial Vicar for Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, which at that time did not have any resident priest, I was looking for help in getting my papers upgraded to the status of Religious Worker (R1 Visa). Msgr. Micheael Reed, the diocesan chancellor, advised me to go to the office of Immigration and Refugees of the Catholic Charities Pensacola.
Fortunately, My-Dung Do helped me as best as she could to obtain the necessary documentation so that I can stay in the country longer and work legally. With her kind help I was able to get an R1 Visa and a permit to stay as a religious worker.
Three years later, she advised me to apply for a renewal of my visa and permit. Once they were renewed, she advised me once again to work for the processing of my ‘green card,’ the official document granting me permanent residence in the country.
In the meantime, she also worked for my getting Parole for Travel so that I could go to the Philippines in March 2008 and return to this country without difficulty.
Finally, after nearly 5 years I received notice from USCIS dated April 4, 2009 notifying me of the approval of my application for permanent residence. On the 15th of April 2009, I finally received my green card.
For their valuable support, I would like to sincerely thank My-Dung Do and An Nguyen for helping me in the processing of my papers.
May God bless them for their kind help.
Signed: Fr. Florencio L. Lagura SVD
Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church