The India Association of Greater Boston and Saheli organized a Visa camp at the Burlington Public Library on May 25, 2002 so as to make it convenient for people in the Boston area to get their Indian visa. As part of its services, IAGB has been organizing such camps in the past. The camp was a huge success. Staff of the New York consulate came and visas were issued quickly and efficiently.

“This is truly a valuable service, “ said Sangeeta Jain, President of the India Association of Merrimack Valley who was getting visas for her family. While majority of the people getting their Visas were Indian Americans, there were people of non-Indian origin as well. There were a few college students who were traveling to India on an educational program. Some others were traveling to India with Mr. Richard Cook of Lowell, who does philanthropic work in Chennai, India.

In conjunction with the Visa camp, Saheli organized a panel discussion by immigration lawyers, Amita Vasudeva and Monica Mody-Kant. The panel discussion was informal with lawyers fielding specific questions from members of the audience regarding their individual issues. “Since September 11th the visa rules are changing almost on a daily basis. Even the INS offices are not exactly clear about many rules”, said Monica Kant. “It is advisable to always allow a significantly higher lead time for any immigration issue you may have.”

The lawyers stated that the routine checks for green card applications had become more rigorous since September 11th and hence adjustment of status may take longer. There were a lot of questions on the legalities of the H1B visas. Saheli members posed questions about the legal status of women who sometime suffer spousal abuse after coming to the United States on a spouse visa. “There are VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) provisions that can help spouses of green card holders or citizens if the spouse is legally convicted of domestic violence. But there are no provisions for those that come on an H-4 visa (spouse of an H1B visa holder)”, said Amita Vasudeva.

Given the environment since September 11th, both lawyers urged permanent residents to apply for US citizenship if they are eligible for it. “If you have made a decision to stay in this country, it may make your life simpler to be a citizen,” said Monica Kant.

People also raised questions about the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card and dual citizenship. The officials from the consulate clarified that while dual citizenship has been accepted in principle, an implementation strategy had not yet been formed. Until that happens, dual citizenship cannot become a reality. They felt that the PIO card currently gives you all that you can get from dual citizenship except the right to vote. As a dual citizen, you still will not be eligible to vote since you need to be domiciled to be able to vote. The PIO card costs $1000.

Saheli had setup a fund raising food booth providing snacks at a nominal cost. This Visa event was perhaps one of the most useful and successful for people in the New England area.

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