Brandon Twp.-On April 18, 2003 Brigett Briggs and her mother Waltraud Wehr were on a return flight to Frankfurt, Germany with nearly all hope lost.
Now, four months later hope has returned.
Brigett Briggs, 53, a native of Neuhof, Germany came to Brandon Township with her husband Carl about 35 years ago. Her mother Waltraud Wehr remained in Germany with her husband Horst. Following his death in 1979, Waltraud’s health began to deteriorate suffering a stroke, contracting a degenerative eye condition and most recently breast cancer.
In November 2002, Briggs and her mother came to Brandon Township for the winter and in February 2003, with Watltraud’s health worsening, Briggs knew it was time for her mother to live in the United States with her.
‘We filed for naturalization in February. It takes about 2 years, she can’t survive that,? said Brigett.
So in February 2003 the two flew back to Frankfurt to sell Watlraud’s home and on April 18 returned to the United States.
After landing at Metro International Airport the immigration officials detained the pair due to time already spent in the United States. Waltraud and Brigett were sent back to Frankfurt, Germany.
‘We were in shock.?
Yet, despite the setback’Brigett never gave up.
After hiring an immigration lawyer, Brigett then contacted the office of Congressman Mike Rogers (R-8th District) and within a few weeks, ‘things really got rolling,? said Bridgett.
Rogers and his staff worked on the case for about two months dealing with the German government, immigration and naturalization.
‘It looks good,? said Rogers, who was in his Lansing office on Tuesday. ‘We take these cases seriously and no two are alike.? Rogers added that the Biggs family agreed to take all the financial responsibility for Watlraud’s care.
‘This is an 83-year-old woman, hardly a threat to the United States,? said Rogers, responding to questions regarding homeland security. ‘When you weigh all the factors and look at this case it’s a matter of a family caring for an elderly parent.?