To: Bill Keating, Congressman

Congressman Keating: Extend Dr. Bharani's Visa Now!

Dr. Bharani is an exceptional neurologist who has been helping people in Massachusetts for 16 years. He has completed all of the requirements to achieve permanent residency, but due to a paperwork snafu, his visa is expiring December 28, 2013. Please extend his visa immediately! We can't lose him!

Why is this important?

Dr. Padmanabhan holds an MD-PhD (summa cum laude). The PhD is in Multiple Sclerosis.

Dr. Padmanabhan was admitted into the US on a J-1 visa in 1996 in order to pursue Residency Training in Neurology. The J-1 visa comes with a requirement to serve in a Medically Underserved Area before qualifying for a Green Card.

He finished his Neurology Residency and then completed a 3-year research fellowship, after adjusting his visa status to an O-1. The O-1 visa is for Aliens with Extraordinary Skill and Ability. It requires high degrees and expertise and is renewable for life, but the 3-years in a Medically Underserved Area are still required.

He was completing his 3-years in a Medically Underserved Area and would have qualified for a Green Card in June 2011. He actually worked in that area for 4 years, but due to paperwork delays by the hospital who employed and sponsored him, he lost one year.

Due to circumstances still in dispute, he has been unemployed since November 2010. Dr. Padmanabhan is still subject to the 3-years work in a Medically Underserved Area before he can adjust to Permanent Residency.

The tragedy is he has already served 3 years but he has not received credit for it.

Congress has the absolute authority to grant Permanent Residency to Dr. Padmanabhan and his family. Given the time constraint, getting Immigration to extend his visa would be immensely helpful.

Many of his patients have banned together to appeal to Congressman Keating. We also have a paper petition that we are circulating. It doesn't matter if Congressman Keating is YOUR congressman or not - he can help!

Thank you.