Libya and Immigration

In 2008 I had the good fortune to come to the United States from Libya to continue my education in the field of medicine. I had completed my medical degree in 2006 and was a practicing physician for two years in Libya prior to that. While in this country I studied for and ultimately passed the USMLE exams; and now am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Health. I expect to graduate within a month.  As well, since coming to America I also found my ideal mate. We married and now have a lovely three-year-old daughter whom, herself, is an American citizen. It is my belief that immigration is a human right.

My visa will be expiring soon which means I will be required to return to my native Libya. As the political situation in that country borders on anarchy, I am submitting this essay to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally requesting they review the circumstances of my personal situation and allow me to seek asylum here; remaining in the country for the present and foreseeable future. 

I believe it would be beneficial for the reader to be given a quick review of recent (and later) news and events as they have been unfolding in Libya. It might provide insight into my concerns about returning there with my wife and child in tow. Only hours before I began to pen this letter the breaking news out of Tripoli confirmed that clashes between protesters and militias aligned with the military in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi left 27 people killed and dozens wounded. 

The violence broke out Saturday after protesters stormed a base belonging to Libya Shield, a grouping of militias with roots in the rebel groups that fought in the country's 2011 civil war who are tasked with maintaining security. The deaths were caused by gunshots and explosive fragments; and, as one would expect - Libyan officials have provided few details.  Mind you, people are not living in homes but in encampments with makeshift shelters. 

The conditions are inhumane, to say the least, and the military is emboldened to act with impunity against its own people. In yet another (among many) report filed with Reuters only yesterday, at least 7 people were killed and dozens more were wounded in clashes between protesters and a Libyan militia operating with the Defense Ministry approval in Benghazi. If political strife is not proof enough of the dangers lurking in Libya -a week prior, five people died in tribal classes in Southern Libya. It would not be incorrect to say that Libya is highly volatile and hazardous in even the most innocuous circumstances. To make matters worse, Benghazi resulted in the death of four Americans.

Moreover, the economic environment does not allow for anyone to ‘make a living’ and support their family. Graft and greed can be found all the way through the highest levels of government. One recent report, again from Reuters, stated that the Treasury is “looking into claims that former Libyan leader Gadhafi and his family stashed money and other assets in the country” (CBS News 2013). The never-ending violence has also had an impact on the ability to seek or hold gainful employment. Inflation, unemployment and general chaos is the only norm across the tiny nation.  

It would not be incorrect to proffer that the country is awash in guns of all types. On a return visit there just last September I was met with a complete state of lawlessness. Everyone has firearms and are prone to ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ as Libyans of all political persuasions are ‘aggressively defensive’. Persons who have a skill, particularly physicians, are in greater danger than most of being abducted or seized to do the bidding of one group or another. There is no respect for human life whatsoever. This observation is not tendered out of paranoia but is, in fact, the very sad reality that is Libya today.

In addition, to add to our troubles my wife was recently diagnosed with cancer and is currently beginning a treatment plan. This is an arduous physical challenge in the best of circumstances; but with the possibility of her husband being required to return to Libya; halfway across the world and unable to provide physical, monetary and emotional support to her – my wife’s emotional state alternates between apprehension and depression. Then, of course, there is the added factor of having a caring person to look after my child while my wife undergoes the treatment and recuperation process. At this point, we have had little time to give this problem the attention it deserves as we attempt to find a solution to our other problems.

Finally, if I may, I would like to speak to my personal and authentic joy and hope that I experience with each waking day since I have had the good fortune to live and work in the U.S. for the past five years. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to relocate here; first, so that I could pursue my profession; and subsequently to set down roots, get married and have a child. No matter where one travels in the world; this is the nation that conjures up visions of freedom. It is the place so many speak of when they whisper prayers for personal, political and religious freedom. 

I believe that I have much to offer this country in the near future. I am a trained physician and desirous of relieving the personal physical sufferings of my fellow human beings no matter their age, race, religious persuasion or other personal qualities. Too, I would like to think I could serve as an ‘ambassador’ of sorts; sharing the horror stories of my country with empathetic ears; and putting a ‘face’ to the news stories that are happening halfway across the globe. To be required to return to Libya at this point would only put me at the end of a food line; unproductive and defenseless. I implore the USCIS consider my request to remain in the U.S.

Reference

CBS News (2013).  Dozens killed in Benghazi, Libya. Associated Press.