Our friends in Italy received the following email this morning explaining our situation:
Dear Francesca,
We would be happy to have dinner with you on Monday. We all enjoyed our visit with you and your family very much.
I also wanted to let you know about a problem we have. As you know, we’ve been trying for the last month to get my Italian citizenship by blood recognized here at the Comune in Saluzzo. It has been a little difficult, since Teresa, our contact, has only helped Argentines before. Because we are from the United States and the line goes so far back (Tony’s great-great grandfather), it is a more difficult process with a lot of work and hassle for her. Each time I meet with her, she finds a new set of problems with my documents (i.e., this one is too blurry, that one doesn’t look official, etc.). Friday when I had my appointment with her, it seemed quite possible that she would refuse to give us Permesso di Soggiorno for the time it will take to complete the citizenship process. Of course, without Permesso we cannot stay in Italy.
Needless to say, we would be devastated if she decided not to help. For years it has been our dream to re-connect with our Italian roots and raise our family here in Italy. We’ve put all our resources into this move to Italy. We don’t have an address to return to in the United States, nor would we want to return if we did. With three weeks left on our visa, we are running out of options.
Teresa will be reviewing and thinking about our case until she gets back with us on Wednesday. I’m not quite sure why I feel like I should tell you this. We’re just doing everything we can and not quite sure what we should do next.
-Tony
We asked our family to fast with us and keep us in their prayers too. We’re not sure what exactly will happen, but we still believe it will all work out. I’m sure our deceased Italian relatives know her deceased Italian relatives. Hopefully they’re pulling some strings. I keep having the scene from Star Wars in my mind:
Obi Wan:
Storm Trooper: These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.
Obi Wan: He can go about his business.
Storm Trooper: You can go about your business.
Obi Wan: Move along.
Storm Trooper: Move along! Move along!