February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Kane and her husband, Chris Kane, have been separated by the Atlantic for over a year, their marriage less symbolized by confetti than seemingly endless immigration red tape.
While Mimma waits in New York, Chris is stuck in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal.
Mimma recently traveled to Ireland to be with her husband, who underwent yet another interview at the U.S. embassy in Dublin.
As his wife waited outside the embassy building in Ballsbridge, Chris Kane was told that he was facing a bar of 10 years from entering the U.S. This would be lifted only if the couple could convince immigration authorities that the bar would be a hardship on his wife.
Despite the fact that Chris Kane is an Irish citizen living in the Republic, the final decision on his case will not be made at the Dublin embassy. It has been referred to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services European headquarters in London.
“I went with Chris to Dublin to support him, but they would not allow me into the embassy. I waited outside for him,” Mimma Kane said, her voice rising in anger.
“This whole experience has been bad. We have never been treated well. They have always been rude and nasty and the Dublin embassy was the same way.
“This has been very frustrating. If Chris’s appeal is denied in London, there is no further appeal.”
The Kanes’ forced separation is rooted in a visit to Ireland in May 2003. Chris returned home alone for a funeral when his sister’s fianc