This has been a very frustrating time for Jaclyn and Autumn.....many tears and feeling helpless to make changes. Now decisions are being made on where to go next....what is best for Louvenet....how to support his best interests. Do we try again for a student visa in 12 months? As for right now, we will be supporting his education in Haiti and looking towards the future.
One thing that really stuck out during this time is how the US Embassy in running in Haiti. Jaclyn composed a letter and has sent it to multiple media outlets to bring awareness to the US public. Here is her letter:
My name is Jaclyn Owings. Autumn Kostelecky and I are RN’s who work for the Everett Clinic. Two years ago we met a Haitian boy named Louvenet Fertilus. He is an incredibly determined and driven young man who wants to effect change in his country and community. We were approached by long time French missionaries who have known Lou for several years. They asked if we would consider sponsoring Lou for a US education visa. We said yes.
Autumn Kostelecky and I are now Louvenet Fertilus's sponsors. We are American citizens. Over the last year Louvenet passed all pre-enrollment English testing and was accepted to Grace Academy. We have paid for Louvenet's tuition to Grace Academy and obtained all of the necessary SEVIS forms and paid all of the required fees. On December 7th Louvenet was seen for an non immigrant, F-1 visa. I accompanied Louvenet for his visit but was not allowed to enter my own embassy, which I found unacceptable. Subsequently, Louvenet was denied after a 5 minute appointment, although the form letter was not clear on specific rationale for his denial. Autumn and I then contacted House Representative Rick Larsen's office. Mr. Larsen's office reviewed our file and then sent a request to your office to have the file pulled and reviewed. Congressman Larsen's office sent a packet of information to Lawrence Jones which should have clarified the misunderstandings in regard to Louvenet's denial on December 7th. We were told to make a new appointment, which we did for today, January 5th 2011. We also had to pay a new $140.00 fee, which we did. We are dissatisfied with today's meeting, which was quite frankly, a sham. Louvenet was told that he was denied; again, today because, quite simply the consular officer's personal opinion was that he did not believe Louvenet would return to Haiti when he finished his education. This child's future is dictated by the whim of a 5 minute visit during which the evidence, careful planning, financial investment and clear dedication to the educational advancement and personal growth of a capable, compassionate and level headed future leader of his country, Haiti, is denied.
As a US citizen, we have been raised to believe that our government is just and fair. If we abide by the guidelines and laws of the government, which we have and then some, we should bear the fruit of its benevolence and justice, which we have not. We believe in Louvenet and his determination to better himself so that he can return to Haiti, stronger and wiser, to effect change in his country, his community and his family.
We expect this child's file to have an honest, unbiased review and for open and honest communication to occur on how it is that Louvenet can show his intent. We will not allow Louvenet to be dismissed. We intend to continue to advocate for what is right and just.
What we ask from you is that the social injustice occurring in Haiti, committed through by the US Embassy, be brought to light through your true, effective and insightfully candid dialogue. It is our firm belief that a miscarriage of justice has occurred in Louvenet’s case, but more importantly, for the Haitian community as a whole. Each day 100-300 Haitians, who have all paid non-refundable visa application fees lineup and are ushered though the consular office for their 5 minute visit. As you may imagine, the great majority of these applicants are not approved for visas and are treated in the same manner as which Louvenet has had to bear. When we called to find out the rationale for the denial we were told quite simply, “Every Haitian on the island wants to get out. And we just are not giving out visas, for anything, right now.” I wish we had the name of the individual who shared this information with us, but it is the policy of the embassy not to give out their names. What I find appalling is that the US embassy is taking money, upwards in some cases, of several hundreds of dollars, knowing full well that they are not giving out visas. The yearly average income in Haiti is roughly $600 USD. For our government to know, premeditatedly, that they are not giving out visas but to continue to take the visa fees is incorrigible and unthinkable. Louvenet is fortunate in that he has us to advocate for him, most of the other Haitian applicants do not. My desire is that the US public be aware of this travesty; that the US government considers their protocols regarding visas. If they are not giving out visas they should put a moratorium on applications and stop taking the money from these people. Please contact us and we would be happy to answer more questions. We need your help to us bring an end to this injustice.
Our contact information:
Jaclyn Owings 206-992-5754
Autumn Kostelecky 425-268-0385
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter,
Jaclyn Owings
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