BRADENTON, Fla. – Keith Campbell and his Japanese-born wife spent his 47th birthday half a world apart because of an immigration dispute. Critics say the case illustrates how making mistakes in getting visas and permanent U.S. residency can lead to life-changing consequences for families. “It's kind of a surreal thing,” Campbell said recently as he waited to have his daily Web-cam chat with his wife, Akiko, and their two sons, ages 4 and 1, who are in Nagano, Japan. “We haven't done anything wrong.”
Immigration officials say Akiko Campbell, 41, committed fraud in 1998 when she entered the U.S. with a fiancee visa after she had already gotten married to Keith. Now she's now prohibited from re-entering the country for 10 years.
Since she left in January, Keith Campbell has spent time furiously writing lawmakers, printing bumper stickers, talking to anyone who would listen and putting up a Web site – www.bringakikohome.com – to tell their story.
Mailing address
Bring Akiko Home Headquarters
5110 44th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34210-2970
5110 44th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34210-2970
Thank you so much for posting our story on your blog page. It's hard to believe, but it's already been four years since the nightmare being separated in two different countries. We are back together under one roof, I received a permanent residence card n 2007. so... No more worry to travel between Japan and US. Thanks again. People like you made a big difference in our life, made impossible possible.
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