We’re better off having ‘resident alien’ Analisse Rios among us
S he was born in La Paz, Bolivia. A graduate of Connecticut College. She is married to Amy. She is a teacher at the Dual Language & Arts and Magnet Middle School in Waterford. She is an assistant coach of women's soccer at Conn.
Except that Analisse Rios isn't yet an American citizen. She is a "resident alien." Nonetheless a college educated educator and coach, self-sufficient and productive. This is her story. The story of how faith and hope defeated the demons of uncertainty, doubt and skepticism. The story suggesting that while rhythms of intolerance have been empowered lately, they still can't overwhelm civility and decency.
"She's an inspiration," Norm Riker, the (very) successful women's soccer coach at Conn was saying the other day about Rios, his strength and conditioning coach. "We need female role models. We are lucky to have her here working with us."
It's just that Rios, Riker and others familiar with the story know how close Rios came to losing touch with the beauty of the United States, following a clerical error that sent her back to Bolivia.
Rios, who scored the first goal in the history of the Bolivian National Women's Soccer team, attended American schools in her native country and spoke both languages. She discovered Conn on the Internet, never truly seeing it in person until the day she arrived on campus in 2004.
"I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I was interested in Division III so I could get playing time and focus on becoming a teacher," Rios said. "I found Conn. It definitely was a huge leap of faith. My brother went to Babson and I loved the pictures from New England he sent."
And so Rios came here on a school-sponsored student visa. After graduating, she found a job at what was called the Dual Arts Language Academy, which has morphed into Dual Language & Arts and Magnet Middle School in Waterford, where she currently teaches. Her job allowed her to secure an H-1B visa, which, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers.
It wasn't long until she met Amy Grammatica, a teacher at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London They dated and later planned a June, 2012 wedding.
"The marriage was recognized in Connecticut, but not federally at the time," Rios said. "So even though we were going to get married, I still needed to renew my work visa because I couldn't get a green card through marriage."
Rios was unaware that her previous lawyer submitted the work visa renewal improperly. And then the call came. "I got a call one Friday in April (2012), two months before we were getting married. My principal said 'you need to come back to school.'" Rios said. "I get there and she's crying. She hugged me. She said 'you can't come back to work Monday. Your lawyer just called me, there's a mess up on your visa and it didn't get renewed on time. You have to go back to Bolivia and do the paperwork there to reapply.'"
She had 10 days to leave the country, unaware of how, when — or if — she'd return. Two months before her wedding. With classes full of students. And a happy life. "It was tough," Rios said. "There was another layer, too. My parents were not supportive of my relationship with Amy. It was tough enough to go back to Bolivia with the pressure of planning a wedding. Now came the extra pressure of my parents. I wasn't sure I would ever be able to come back. Amy was researching moving to Canada or somewhere else. Because of the mess up, it's like you're under a microscope through the eyes of the government. We were scared they'd say no."
Rios would speak to Amy every day and Skype with her students.
Happily, a new lawyer and more complete paperwork ensured her return about a month later.
"It definitely made me appreciate the small things a lot more. They could be taken away so quickly," Rios said. "We got married in June. It was wonderful. A few years later, DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act that prohibited married, same-sex couples from collecting federal benefits) was repealed. I could apply for the green card through marriage. Now I'm in the process of getting my citizenship.
"I could have a green card. It lasts 10 years and you can reapply and basically have it the rest of your life. But you can't vote. Things like that. You're not a citizen, so there's still a difference. I do want to be a citizen. I want to go all in."
And can anyone out there disagree we're better off with someone like Analisse Rios among us? Educator, coach, role model?
Still, this question: What if Rios — same credentials, same story — tried to reapply in May, 2017 instead of May, 2012? Immigration issues and whether a particular wall should be built are more divisive than ever.
"There are more people who are empowered who make it harder for immigrants to feel welcome," Rios said. "The travel bans and all that stuff leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. Bolivia is a not a country the United States gets along with extremely well. So, yeah, it's scary to think if this happened in May of 2017, it may have been a little tougher for me.
"I was fortunate to come as a student and get a job right away and know the language. To be able to have someone sponsor my visa. It's a long, expensive, rigorous process. I've always said to Amy that I don't blame the people who aren't able to do this in a legal way. It's a hard process. You need money and a job and there are so many other details. Many people who come don't have that."
Lest you think that Rios hasn't seen the ugly side of this, keep reading.
"It was my first year coming back through customs on my work Visa," she said. "You have to show all your paperwork. There's a different line for people who aren't citizens. I remember one of the patrol officers said to me, 'I don't know why places hire people like you when we have so many other teachers who could be hired.'
"It was just one experience. But it crushed me that day to hear that. Granted, it's probably the only time I've ever felt that stigma, but it stays with you."
Ah, but Rios stays with us. That means we win. All of us who believe in faith and hope, education and decency. Social commentators may do well to consider her story next time they opine on immigration issues.
We're better off having this "resident alien" in our country. She's probably smarter and more productive than an alarming number who will pass judgment on her.
"We are very happy and thankful to have her," Riker said, as his Camels prepare for the league playoffs this week. "Our fitness level has never been better." This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro