“U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn announced Friday that she has secured a review of the Oklahoma City violinist and music teacher Angelica Pereira’s denied application for permanent residency,” writes Brandy McDonnell in Saturday’s (10/3) Oklahoman. “A native of Colombia, Pereira was left in an impossible position in August when the coronavirus pandemic turned her path to U.S. citizenship into a dead end. A violinist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and music teacher at nonprofit El Sistema Oklahoma, Pereira’s application for permanent residency was denied, her work visa expired, and she was legally required to leave the U.S. and return to her native country—which she couldn’t do because international flights to Colombia had been grounded due to COVID-19…. After a phone call with Pereira last month, Horn contacted USCIS to request a review in the musician’s case. The case was reviewed by an official who determined it will be reopened by USCIS. For Pereira, her next step is to fill out a request for evidence…. Pereira said she also has applied for an O-1 artist visa, which would allow her to stay in the country for three years while continuing to work toward permanent residency.”
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