Written by Ariel Yu 

At a tango university in Buenos Aires, Emmanuel first met Claudia. “It was like a dream come true,” he said. At the time, Emmanuel, a U.S. citizen originally from Comoros, had flown to Argentina to learn tango, hoping to teach it at senior centers in New York City. But when he met Claudia, who was also a tango student there, their relationship blossomed immediately. Emmanuel would invite Claudia to the U.S. or visit her in Argentina. With every meeting, they spent more and more time together until, one day, Emmanuel told Claudia he didn’t want her to leave anymore.

Four years after they first met in the tango classroom, the couple decided to get married. Claudia moved to New York City to formally begin their life together. The two began teaching tango in various senior centers across New York City. “I’m Argentinian. Tango flows through my body,” Claudia said with a smile, recounting the memories. Their lessons were filled with laughter and applause, and she felt like she had found another home.

However, the process of applying for Claudia’s green card was far more challenging. About five months after Emmanuel submitted the application, they were notified by USCIS that her paperwork had been mailed to a different apartment in Texas. The couple waited in anxiety and worry. In 2021, they decided to submit another application, but navigating through the enormous amount of documents and forms was exhausting and confusing. “We had to fill out paperwork all the time, and every time it cost money,” Claudia said.

Then the pandemic brought everything to a sudden halt. Emmanuel and Claudia danced one last time at an event celebrating Black History Month before pausing their lessons indefinitely under quarantine. Even more unfortunately, Claudia became ill and needed medical attention. However, when the couple went to hospitals across the city, they were repeatedly told that Claudia couldn’t be treated without a Social Security Number. Eventually, Claudia decided to return to Argentina for a minor surgery. She planned to return immediately.

When Claudia landed at a New York airport, however, unexpected problems arose. “It was the worst day of my life,” Claudia said. She wasn’t allowed to call Emmanuel or see him, even though he was just outside the airport. Carrying only a small travel bag since she had left for just a few days, Claudia was deemed suspicious. She was taken to a small room, where two women closed the door. They pulled her hair behind her ears, shook out her hair, and searched her entire body. Being told to remove everything and subjected to relentless questioning, Claudia felt scared and confused. “I was treated like a suspect,” she recounted.

It was also a horrible day for Emmanuel, who had been waiting at the airport. He asked to speak to supervisors and showed their marriage certificate, but nothing worked. He even had an interview with USCIS personnel, but somehow the system showed no record of his arrival that night. Claudia was held in custody separately for 14 hours without communication before she was finally sent back to Argentina. Upon landing there, she was returned her passport.

Emmanuel immediately began searching for a lawyer. After an unpleasant experience and many failed attempts to communicate with other attorneys, he visited a local legal service center, where he found a list of law firms and organizations. From there, he called Immigration Law & Justice New York (ILJNY), and his call was returned. An appointment with Managing Attorney TJ Mills was scheduled. “Mr. Mills is a whole different chapter,” the couple said. “He saved our lives. He gave us hope.” Upon taking on the case, TJ helped the couple file their I-824 form for consular processing in Buenos Aires. He communicated with USCIS, managed the necessary documents, and guided them through the forms. With TJ’s consistent, professional communication and guidance, Claudia was able to return to the U.S. with her immigrant visa within two years. On the morning of her arrival, TJ was on the phone with Emmanuel the entire time, ensuring everything went smoothly.

“It’s very emotional. I know how attorneys work. He would respond during the day, in the evening—he gave us hope,” Claudia said. She described TJ as not only a great lawyer but also a compassionate companion. His unwavering attention and support sustained them emotionally during such a difficult time, she said.

Now, Claudia has received her Social Security Number and is waiting for her green card to arrive. With this burden lifted from their shoulders, the couple continues dedicating much of their time to tango. In the coming years, they plan to keep teaching tango, salsa, swing, and soukous at senior centers. They also look forward to traveling, spending time with their grandchildren, and focusing on their health.

“Now I feel free, I feel legal, and it’s a beautiful sensation,” Claudia said. “And none of this would have been possible without Mr. Mills,” Emmanuel added.

*You could watch Emmanuel and Claudia’s tango at their YouTube channel here