Valley native awaiting permission to bring Ukrainian wife back to U.S.
Poland - 21 News was the first to tell you about Kaisi Berick, the son of local realtor George Berick, as he helps his wife escape Ukraine.
As of Monday, they are continuing to stay safe in the country of Poland. Now, the question is if and when they can come back to the United States.
Kaisi and his family reached out to local lawmakers, including Congressman Tim Ryan, to see what can be done in efforts to make it home.
"This process is ridiculous," Berick said. "There's nothing happening. Nobody is doing anything. The Biden administration is on T.V. is saying one thing, but nothing has changed yet."
Berick and his wife have been staying in Poland as the Biden administration considers expediting the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees with U.S. family members if they are already living in the U.S.
"The process is just ridiculous that the administration in America and even in Canada claims one thing, but the facts are different," Berick added.
Berick and his wife are also traveling with his wife's teenage brother. Congressman Tim Ryan's office told 21 News on Monday, they are in touch with the state department to see if anything can be done.
"I have eight more months before my wife finally can become an American citizen or be in America to start that process," Berick explained. "Our immigration lawyer said that's our fastest route to get back to the United States. What about all the refugees?"
On Tuesday, the three leave for the Netherlands solely to find cheaper housing, as their fate awaits on just when their feet can touch American soil once again.
"We have other places in Spain that we're looking at because it's even cheaper there," Berick said. "So, this process could go on forever."
Berick said he and his wife are experiencing PTSD symptoms after experiencing sirens and bombs going off around them while in Ukraine. The three currently share one bed in a small apartment while waiting to see if the U.S. will allow refugees to seek asylum.
Berick said they could stay in Amsterdam for a few weeks before traveling to Spain. He could return back to the U.S. without his wife to continue working, while he extends his efforts to bring his wife and his wife's brother to the U.S.
After Berick's GoFundMe was frozen by the company for security purposes, the donation page is now active again and accepting donations.
