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An Olympic medal winning gymnast who's lived in Columbus for the past several years says she's in danger of being deported - and separated from her two young kids. Natalia Laschenova won gold as part of the Soviet Union's women's gymnastics team in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, and moved to the US in 2000 from what is now Belarus. She now lives and works as a gymnastics coach in Columbus. Laschenova is asking US Senator George Voinovich and the federal government to reform immigration laws so she can stay in Ohio.
Laschenova has worked steadily since arriving in the US, but her last application for a green card was denied. She has four kids - two are under the age of three, and one has a full college scholarship which could also be revoked because of her immigration status. Her lawyer says she's spent $30,000 on fees and paperwork, and that her situation shows how difficult immigration laws are to navigate. |
