SALINA — A Salina man has been reunited with his wife after a Kansas congressman helped her become a permanent U.S. resident.
The Salina Journal reports that 71-year-old Carl Hardesty thanked Rep. Roger Marshall Thursday for helping return 49-year-old Maria Hardesty to the United States. Maria Hardesty was born in Mexico.
Marshall represents Kansas’ “Big First” District, which includes Manhattan.
Marshall’s office says Carl Hardesty spent more than $10,000 in legal fees over four years attempting to get legal status for his wife without success. Maria returned to Mexico in April to pursue legal status, but she wasn’t allowed to return to the U.S.
Carl Hardesty’s daughter told Marshall’s office about Maria’s immigration status, and staff worked with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department to resolve the case.
Maria returned Aug. 13 and hopes to eventually become a U.S. citizen.
