When an Exemplary Member of the Armenian-American Community Falls Through Immigration Cracks
Our immigration system is widely described as “broken.” But that does not explain how it can disregard upstanding members of the Armenian-American community, allowing their cases to fall through the cracks, even after determining a member is fully eligible for the lawful permanent residency, or green card, they seek.
The United States Citizen and Immigration Services, known as USCIS, had a backlog of 4.3 million cases at the end of its fiscal year 2023. The agency, under President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, has recently reduced that backlog by a welcomed 15%. In another improvement, the government says it is currently taking about 19-20 months to make a decision on green card approvals, and it decides the cases on a first come, first served basis. And yet, the government routinely allows cases to simply fall through the cracks to remain forever undecided.
A case in point: Dr. Mikayel Abrahamyan, is a medical doctor from Yerevan, Armenia. He is part of a respected family of doctors who have dedicated themselves to caring for the poor, the disabled, and the victims of war and natural disasters. Dr. Abrahamyan lives in Los Angeles with his U.S. citizen wife, and their two small children, also citizens. They have been waiting, not 20 months, but five years for final approval of his green card. He is the kind of man this country should be proud to call a resident. His long history of charitable works includes creating free medical clinics in impoverished regions of Armenia and delivering free medical care and basic necessities to war orphans – with a hug for good measure. As a musician for social justice, he has performed at, or organized, charity events raising money to build accessible playgrounds for disabled children in California, and access to the arts for disabled and underprivileged children in Armenia. He is a dedicated husband and father, has obeyed all laws and immigration court orders – has never even gotten a parking ticket, has no convictions anywhere in the world, and actively creates a positive influence on his community. Dr. Abrahamyan and his wife, a graduate of UCLA and an entertainment producer, are business owners in Los Angeles. In addition, after earning several certificates of achievement in computer coding and algorithms during the pandemic, Dr. Abrahamyan is working with investors developing an app to help people access medical care more easily and economically. Dr. Abrahamyan and his wife are upstanding and appreciated members of the Armenian – American community in Los Angeles, yet they been left unjustifiably languishing for five years, awaiting final approval of Dr. Abrahamyan’s green card.
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Pontifical Envoy-at-large, of the Armenian Apostolic Church knows Dr. Abrahamyan well, and has worked with him to bring medical care and the arts to disadvantaged areas. The Archbishop calls Dr. Abrahamyan “a man of impeccable credentials who lives, not just speaks, a life of charity, kindness, integrity, caring for the less fortunate among us.” The Archbishop recounts how the doctor “has cured people who felt no hope, shown orphaned children that there were still people who cared, used his medical training, artistry and intellect to put together ways to make life better for people who need to be lifted.”
The US government itself has said exemplary things about Dr. Abrahamyan. They state, “You showed great professional character by providing crucial services to extremely needy patients.” And they have called him “a positive role model for many.” Using the legal term for obtaining a green card, the government has unequivocally confirmed that, “USCIS has determined that you are eligible for adjustment of status.” Moreover, the government has assured Dr. Abrahamyan that he and his family have provided the government with everything they need to make the decision on his green card, assuring the family that nothing more is required in order for such decision to be made. And yet, the government has still failed to approve his green card, keeping Dr. Abrahamyan and his family in a state of anxiety and uncertainty for years and years. It has fallen through the cracks.
During these long years, Mr. Abrahamyan’s wife has been admitted to the emergency room while pregnant because she suffered panic attacks over the uncertainty of their family’s future. Dr. Abrahamyan, normally a picture of calmness, has also been diagnosed with a resulting stress-induced medical condition. While trying to raise a family and build a normal life together, they face the existential question of whether they may continue to build a thriving life here in Los Angeles as prominent members of the community or will they be forced to leave everything behind and move to a third country where they don’t know the language or the culture or have any family? This is due to their fear of moving their young family to Armenia after receiving threats when Dr. Abrahamyan spoke out about the corruption and undue influence of Russian-backed oligarchs in Armenia. The latter possibility seems impossible to imagine, a punishment even, for such respected members of the Armenian-American community here. The anxiety for this Armenian-American family of not being able to truly put down roots, or plan for their future is more than anyone should be expected to bear.
Unsurprisingly, the courts have often agreed. Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, in a case called Muñoz v. United States, determined it was “beyond the pale” for our government to leave a family hanging for years, while USCIS failed to comply with its legal obligations regarding decisions on granting residency. The Court ruled that these types of extraordinary delays violate a family’s Constitutional due process rights – one of our most cherished rights.
Dr. Abrahamyan and his family do not deserve to be treated this way. The Armenian-American Community doesn’t either. The government needs to approve the green card of this man who they have already found to be “eligible” for his green card and a “positive role model [of] great character” in the community. And let this family live in peace and certainty.