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One of Juan's 30 some nephews dropped by with his family Sunday morning to fix us breakfast. It was our first visit since the accident.
Things at home are returning to normal. Juan had several more tests done last week before returning to school this week. His appointment with the doctor was not until July 6th even though he would be working then and we wanted to know the results. We were able to find a cancellation and got in last Thursday. The MRI (number 4), revealed a slightly pinched nerve in the vertebrae that run up his neck. That may explain the nerve pain in his shoulders which is slowly reducing. Yesterday he went to his chiropractor and his shoulders were slightly dislocated. He feels much better now but all of this was due to the fall after he passed out. He looks great, has his energy back for the most part, and is at school in the mornings for a few hours. There are no classes but just the b.s. of teachers being there although nothing is happening. Wasted time.
I opened a can of worms recently at immigration. I thought I should check to see if I needed to give them an employment update as my Mexican pension is coming soon. Every status change requires that a 90-day notice be given to immigration for; a change of address, employment, marital status, and so on. They said my residency card was old and needed to be replaced. I mentioned this in a previous blog post. After being number 174 in line, and there were still many behind me, I could do the task. Well, almost. They tell me now that they made a mistake 24 years ago and assigned me a CURP as if I were a Mexican using both paternal and maternal last names.
Just an example of what it is like in line
Haitians, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Salvadorans, all trying to get a permit to transit to the U.S. border. They made it this far but can't go north of Monterrey without a permit.
This number is attached to everything you do in Mexico; purchasing property, bank accounts, AFORES (401k), automobile purchases, the list goes on. Immigration wants to change it which means I will have to go back and change all of the above and more, one by one. The timing stinks because I want to receive my pension in August but won't be able to until the change is made.
The big hold-up is getting an appointment with immigration. Online registration has been turned off because of the deluge of illegals coming through the country heading for the U.S. border where they are trapped indefinitely. Again, I will have to go and get in a line with a couple of hundred people and wait until 5 p.m. Friday afternoon just to see if I can get an appointment. That could take weeks if not more. Here is a very interesting and factual article that explains why all of this is happening:
I could just blow it all off and I asked about that. My weathered residency card is good for life but soon I will have trouble exiting and entering Mexico through airports that will no longer accept it for travel. Talk about screwed. I took the time this week to go to the state and federal buildings just to make sure the information I am getting is correct. It is and at the federal offices the guy in charge of the CURP division said, "immigration should not have access to this system".
Chris, with all the things on your plate right now, it might be wise (and easier) for a few pesos to find yourself an immigration "fixer" (Mexican lawyer) who has a lot of experience in these things and do all the leg work. But I wouldn't engage one without a high recommendation from someone you know. This also involves your pension, among other things; therefore, doing this as soon as possible is worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteI consulted a well-known facilitator and was told that the info I received is correct. Even with a facilitator, you have to go and wait in line and get your appointment like everyone else. Facilitators fill out the forms, dot the i's and cross the t's but they can't do much else. Things have changed considerably. It's a bit different in SMA but I can only do it in the city where I have my residency registered. Facilitators are great for people who don't speak the language.
DeleteI was thinking more in terms of that they "know" people which is an instrument of their trade, the same way the same issue exists in the US. We certainly know it's not a language issue.
DeleteWhen I was employed by the Law Dept. of Westvaco Corp. and we were attempting to secure Green Cards for new chemists for our labs who lived in South America, as the chemists' sponsors, I was SLOWLY getting it done. However, I found me a crackerjack immigration specialist attorney who knew the right people and called them by their first names; that Green Card project was over in half the time.
I went to INM and the person in front of me is a lawyer who has been doing this for 15 years. He taking turns with his secretary to hold a spot in line. He arrived at 10:15 and he and his turn partner will stay until 5 p.m. He says there are no more exceptions and everyone is equal and in line. He said he used to have preference as a lawyer/facilitator/representative. Moving to the new building was to create a mass detention center as well as the president's austerity programs. I go back at 3:30 hoping to get in. Supposedly they close off the line at 5 p.m. and process those that are in the line. Purpose today is to obtain a ticket that may get you one of 20 to 40 slots next Tuesday. Those slots are appointments on the other days of the week. Hmm, 150 people in line, 40 appointments, I wonder how long it will take? I got the lawyer's card and he was very helpful assuring me that it will get done and won't be as painful as I may think.
DeleteI have my fingers crossed for you. You have the patience of Job.
DeleteWow what a line.Wish you luck.
ReplyDelete