On 1/8/2018 in less than two hours my husband was put on plane to Israel. Coerced by federal authorities while we were in the GREEN CARD process. Please help reunite our family by signing this petition TO URGE THE US GOVERNMENT TO REUNITE OUR FAMILY! 

On Jan 3, 2017 Shimon Avta, an Israeli citizen married an American Citizen, Esther. I am contacting you about the political theatre that my husband and I have recently fallen victim to. 

Prior to meeting my husband in 2017, my husband was issued a US Visa for 10 years in 2015. At the Visa interview he was asked what he does for a living ,which he stated he work for Tikun Olam. They asked for a letter from his company which he supplied them at his VISA interview. The embassy had full knowledge of what my husband does for a living prior to him receiving a 10 year US VISA. 

My husband was employed by a company called Tikun Olam, 1 of 6 companies in that state of Israel that is licensed for medical cannabis. Tikun Olam is the #1 Medical Cannabis Research Center in the WORLD. Shimon had been employed there from June 2014 to August 2017. His position during this time was agronomist,  Head Breeder and head of research and development. Tikun Olam chief scientist is Professor Zvi Bentwich - a leading AIDS researcher, chairman of Physicians for Human Rights, and one of the first doctors to treat with medical cannabis in Israel. Tikun Olam not only treats AIDS patients in Israel, also including Cancer, PTSD, Crohns, Colitis, Tourette, Parkinson, ALS, MS, Epilepsy, and Alzheimer's patients in the State of Israel. My husband has also been declared an expert witness in Israeli police cases regarding cannabis. My husband has traveled back and forth to the United States for the last year on a B1/B2 Visa for research/reporting on behalf of this company.

When my husband and I married Jan 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada, we started the green card process so we can build a life together. Shimon was issued an advanced parole card and his EAD when the US Government knew exactly what he does for a living. 

We had our interview at USCIS on December 15, 2017 with Officer Roman, who asked many marijuana questions to my husband. The officer had a misunderstanding of what my husband has done and was doing as an employee of Tikun Olam from June 2014 to August 2017. 

We received a denial letter on December 20, 2017 where Officer Roman wrongly labeled my husband calling him a “controlled substance trafficker” because of his work at Tikun Olam. My husband has never been involved with drug trafficking nor anything that remotely resembles this claim. He has never been involved in illegal activities.

We hired Attorney Ed Prudhomme to be present on 1/8/2018 for the summoning at the airport and for the appeal. My husband arrived at the Las Vegas airport on 1/8/2018 at 10 am in the morning where he was instructed that he had a flight at 4:30pm back to Israel. They stated that he either leave the country voluntarily or he be arrested as a controlled substance trafficker. My husband was escorted by two immigration officers to the plane. Upon arrival at the SFO airport my husband reported that he was arrested and put in handcuffs by border control. My husband has been nothing but compliant with the US government. My husband asked the arresting officer why he is being put in handcuffs and he said repeatedly "shut up"...  “it is standard procedure for all Israelis...all Israeli's are rude”. I had not heard from my husband until he landed in Israel because the officers at border control denied him access to make a phone call to me. I even called SFO border control and asked about them and they refused to give any information to me and denied me to talk with my husband. 

My husband's 10 year US Visa was revoked and marked inadmissible because we got married. If we would have never gotten married or gone through the green card process legally, he would have never had his 10 year US VISA revoked. The US had no problem issuing him a VISA in 2015 knowing what he does for a living.

My husband has been taken away from me and our Jewish community that we are actively apart of on false accusations. My husband is not a drug trafficker, he is an expert in his field of research on medical cannabis in Israel. He is a scientist. Shimon has helped many people with their chronic diseases in the State of Israel and has helped the police in Israel crack down on illegal cannabis testifying as an expert in court cases. Our Jewish faith affirms if this saves a life you can do it. The OU (Orthodox Union) has certified medical marijuana if it saves a life to use it. 

 The State of Israel states what my husband does is legal, the state of Nevada states that medical cannabis is legal but the federal government deems anyone working in that field a felon, a drug trafficker. This is unfair to have the people be put in the middle of a State and Federal conflict, especially those people such as my husband who did nothing against State or Federal laws.

Shimon is a baal teshuva and former IDF Commander who served Israel faithfully. My husband is not only a medical cannabis scientist but had spent several years volunteering with Fair Planet in Ethiopia to help a village flourish by teaching them agriculture, how to grow their own food and crops to sell. He has improved thousands of people's lives because of his contributions in this world. 

We are seeking your help that my husband's name would be cleared of these false accusations. 

Rabbi Harlig, Rabbi Attal, and Rabbi Shuchat of #Chabad Las Vegas, Nevada stand with my husband and my family as well as many members of the Las Vegas community.

We are asking you to STAND with us!

 

Thank you in advance for your help,

The Avta Family