x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Tue, 26 Jan 2016 22:21:04 -0500 thread-index: AdFYscD86SP8DD9hQ0CujL7q7gjEQw== Thread-Topic: Struggling teacher and single earning member From: To: Subject: Struggling teacher and single earning member Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 22:21:04 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 27 Jan 2016 03:21:04.0269 (UTC) FILETIME=[C11B1BD0:01D158B1] CUSTOM Mrs Aruna Sagar Teacher Marion County School District 1867,Partridge circle Florence SC 29505 asagar@marion.k12.sc.us 843-496-1310 843-423-2571 IMMI Struggling teacher and single earning member 174.107.112.121 Dear Ms Haley, I am a science STEM teacher from Marion, a critical need rural area in the state of South Carolina. I was recruited as a science teacher from India in the year 2005 when South Carolina advertised for teachers. I have 2 children; my son Anunay who graduated from high school as salutatorian and is now a junior at USC, Columbia, and my daughter Rushali who is a junior in IB program at Wilson high Ms. Haley, I came to this great country with hopes of a better future for my 2 children. I am a H1 work visa holder for the past 10 years, with my husband who is dependent on me. He worked as a law professor in India and he does not have a job or rather is not employed in the US as he has to file for his EAD; which again is based on my H1 renewal (USIS has not issued to date after 6 months which is their usual period). As a single earning member of the family I had to take personal loans for my sons education as he did not receive any scholarships, nor was he eligible to avail federal loans; even with a GPA of 5.0.I feel so disheartened that working for my school district all these years to the best of my abilities I am struggling with my visa status and my green card. I read about that you too came here as an immigrant, and as immigrants we come here legally, put in all our efforts for the betterment of the community and also to make a better life for our children. But in our case we have our struggles that we thought we left behind when we left our home behind to come to this great country of opportunities which was home to so many immigrants. There are so many students who suffer as they age out and cannot be under green cards while waiting for green card to come; no scholarships are given to these bright students whose only unfortunate goal is to study. My son is trying to double major in molecular biology and biochemistry and he now has to become F1 to continue further. The university wants to put him on out of state tuition; how fair is that for a student who's stayed in the Carolinas for 11 years, and with all these visa rules and regulations is literally crushing his motivation to study? .Who should we cry out our hearts to, or who will listen to our plight here .Is there no end to this unfortunate condition for us H1 workers who want to educate our children, but still have to pay state and federal tax like US citizens. Considering the two pay checks I receive, which come up to $2,900, it's a miracle that I am running the house, and taking care of the enormous tuition fee to USC; which did not give any concession nor consideration to our situation on humanitarian grounds. My plea to the persons in authority is we are not demanding green cards or citizenship, but please allow our children to be educated fairly by availing the benefits of scholarships, and also to complete their college education as locals and not foreign students when they turn 21.There should be clear demarcation between student who have been residents in this country, having been schooled here, and those just entering the US for education after their schooling in their homeland. My primary grievance is that even the universities are merciless towards these H4 dependents concerning tuition fee and scholarships .I hope that by your kind intervention at this juncture something will be done for the sad plight of thousands of students who are facing the same problem as my son. Please overlook the political, legal issues and help these student to get an education without hassles so they can serve with pride, the country they and their parents made as their home. Thank you for everything you do for this state. Regards, Aruna Sagar Science teacher Marion High School Marion, SC Tel No: 843-423-2571 ext 3653 Email:asagar@marion.k12.sc.us