Time is running out. Mia, a nine-year-old girl, is in a hospital in California, battling aggressive myeloid leukemia. Her only hope for survival was a bone marrow transplant, and her father, Massimo Amendolagine, was the perfect match. But a wall of bureaucracy and relentless laws has stopped this desperate father from reaching his daughter.
A Family Divided by an Ocean... of Paperwork
Massimo, 49 years old, is an Italian businessman originally from Bitonto, in Puglia. In his youth, he moved to Tuscany, where he met Elisa Marie Chambers, an American citizen. They fell in love, and soon after, two beautiful daughters arrived: Mia and Eva. In 2012, they decided to move to the United States, seeking a better future for their family.
For years, Massimo regularly traveled between Italy and America, until, in October two years ago, he was stopped for a routine check at the airport. Authorities discovered a criminal record from 1997: a robbery, a youthful mistake for which he had already served his sentence. However, for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), his past is an insurmountable obstacle. His visa request was denied.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In April 2023, fate struck hard: Mia began to feel unwell, with a high fever and fatigue. After several tests, the devastating diagnosis arrived: aggressive myeloid leukemia. She was immediately hospitalized at Valley Children's Hospital in Madera, California.
The first round of chemotherapy was brutal, but Mia fought bravely. However, when her body became too weak to continue the treatment, the doctors determined that only a bone marrow transplant could save her. Tests confirmed what Massimo already suspected: he was the most compatible donor.
He immediately took action: contacting the Italian Consulate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and immigration lawyers. Even the American hospitals sent letters to the authorities, stressing the urgency of his presence. But the response from USCIS was ruthless: the process would take between 90 and 120 days.
Time Is Running Out, but Bureaucracy Is Slower Than the Disease
While the father remains stuck in Italy, Mia’s condition worsens. Video calls with her dad become more and more painful. "Dad, when are you coming?" she asks with an ever-weakening voice. Massimo, devastated, tries to reassure her: "Soon, my love, soon." But in his heart, he knows that time is running out.
After weeks of waiting, the family receives a positive update: another compatible donor has been found. But just when it seems like hope has returned, the unimaginable happens: after the transplant, Mia's body rejects the marrow.
The disease returns, more aggressive than before. A new transplant is needed, but the only person who can donate is still Massimo.
The race against time begins anew. The lawyer submits a new request to enter the United States. The response is the same: it will be evaluated in 90-120 days. An eternity for someone fighting death.
The Desperate Attempt and the Rejection of Authorities
Faced with the indifference of the authorities, Massimo makes a drastic decision: he tries to enter the United States with a fake passport. He is stopped at the border and immediately sent back.
"I was afraid Mia would die without me. I tried everything." he says through tears. "I don't want to live with the regret of not doing enough."
But now, after his attempt to enter illegally, his chances of obtaining a visa are even slimmer.
The Last Appeal
Meanwhile, Mia continues to fight. But her greatest pain is not just the illness, but the absence of her father.
Elisa, the mother, makes a desperate cry for help: "Let Massimo come. Mia doesn't have time to lose."
Massimo calls for help from the Church, the President of the Italian Republic, the Pope, and international leaders. "I don't want to stay in the United States, I just want to say goodbye to my daughter."
But bureaucracy has no heart. And Mia continues to fight. Alone.
"我的女儿在与生命抗争,但官僚主义让我无法接近她"
时间无情地流逝。Mia,这个 九岁的 女孩,目前在 加利福尼亚 的医院与 侵袭性髓性白血病 作斗争。她唯一的生存希望就是进行 骨髓移植,而她的父亲 Massimo Amendolagine 是最合适的捐赠者。但一座 官僚主义的高墙和无情的法律 阻止了这个绝望的父亲与女儿团聚。
一个被海洋隔开的家庭……充满文件的海洋
Massimo,49岁,来自意大利 比通托 的商人。年轻时,他移居托斯卡纳,并遇到了 Elisa Marie Chambers,一位美国公民。两人相爱,随后迎来了两个美丽的女儿:Mia 和 Eva。2012年,他们决定移居美国,寻找一个 更好的未来。
多年里,Massimo 经常在意大利和美国之间往返,直到两年前的十月,他在机场被拦下进行例行检查。当局发现了1997年的刑事记录:一次抢劫,一个年轻时的错误,他已经服完了刑期。然而,对于 美国公民与移民服务局(USCIS) 来说,他的过去成为了无法逾越的障碍。他的签证申请被拒绝。
改变一切的诊断
2023年4月,命运狠狠打击了这个家庭:Mia 开始 感到不适,伴随高烧和疲倦。经过一系列检查,毁灭性的诊断终于揭晓:侵袭性髓性白血病。她立即被送往 加利福尼亚州马德拉的 Valley 儿童医院。
第一轮 化疗 非常艰难,但 Mia 顽强地与病魔斗争。然而,当她的身体因无法继续治疗而变得过于虚弱时,医生们判定 只有骨髓移植才能拯救她。检查结果证实了 Massimo 的预感:他是最兼容的捐赠者。
他立即采取行动:联系 意大利领事馆、外交部和移民律师。甚至 美国的医院 向当局发送了紧急请求,强调他必须尽快到场。但 USCIS 的回应冷酷无情:这个过程需要90到120天。
时间流逝,但官僚主义比疾病更慢
在父亲被困在意大利的同时,Mia 的病情日益恶化。与父亲的视频通话变得越来越痛苦。她用越来越虚弱的声音问:“爸爸,你什么时候来?” Massimo 满怀痛苦地安慰她:“很快,亲爱的,很快。” 但他心里知道,时间已经不多了。
几周等待后,家人终于收到 一个好消息:找到了 另一个匹配的捐赠者。但当一切似乎重新充满希望时,无法想象的事情发生了:移植后,Mia 的身体排斥了骨髓。
病情比之前更为严重。需要进行 新的移植,但唯一能提供捐赠的人依然是 Massimo。
时间的赛跑再次开始。律师再次提交入境美国的请求。回应依然是:将在 90到120天 进行评估。对于与死亡斗争的人来说,这简直是一生的等待。
绝望的尝试和当局的拒绝
面对 当局的冷漠,Massimo 做出了一个极端的决定:他尝试用假护照进入美国。他在边境被拦截并立即 被遣返回国。
"我害怕 Mia 会在没有我的情况下死去。我尝试了所有办法。" 他含泪讲述。“我不想活在没做够的悔恨中。”
但现在,在他尝试非法入境后,获得签证的希望 变得更加渺茫。
最后的呼吁
与此同时,Mia 继续与病魔搏斗。但她最痛苦的不是疾病,而是 父亲的缺席。
Elisa,母亲,发出了绝望的呼救:“让 Massimo 来。Mia 没有时间再等。”
Massimo 请求 教会、意大利总统、教皇和国际领导人的帮助。他说:“我不想留在美国,我只想和女儿告别。”
但官僚主义 没有心。而 Mia 继续与病魔抗争。独自一人。