Alan and Gill Burrows moved to the USA from England in 2006 to start their business, Dogwood Kennel, in Catawba NC. Their hope is to become US Citizens. To that end they sold their home in England and moved here with the intention of remain in North Carolina indefinitely . They have since expanded the business and employ two full time and one part-time local staff. They live on-site and continue to invest their time and money in its maintenance and upkeep. Their kennel is a local treasure and their clients love how they genuinely care for their pets.

We are distressed to learn that the US consulate in Toronto has denied their visa renewal request. Their initial visa was obtained at that office. The consulate, after agreeing to the renewal and giving them (and their lawyer) letters of congratulation, reversed itself and ruled that the Burrows family is classified as "landed immigrants in Canada" and must obtain their visa from the London-based US consulate. That change of venue is contrary to published State Department policy. This is a problem as London has very long waiting times (made longer by the recent summer olympics), and the Burrows' six-month temporary visa may expire before they can get an appointment. Their immigration lawyer believes the consulate erred in its ruling, and has appealed to the US State Department.

The United States should be able and willing to welcome the Burrows and their business. Alan and Gill love the United States, hope to one day become citizens, and represent the qualities that have made this country great.

We respectfully request that, as a senator of NC, you would intervene in this unfair situation. Your influence would most certainly get the tangled administrative mix-up resolved so they can renew their visas without the risks inherent in waiting for the London office appointment. The best results for the Burrows family and the citizens North Carolina is that the Burrows family be allowed to stay in the US and become US citizens.