Boris and his wife Dina initially applied in 1976 for permission to leave. Dina had relatives in the United States and the Rifkins wanted to provide an atmosphere for their two children which would allow them to grow up free from religious discrimination. Their emigration request was refused on the basis that Borisbecause of his profession as an engineerallegedly had access to important state secrets. Of course. as is the practice in the Soviet Union. Boris was fired from his position once he applied for an exit visa. Since losing his job. he has worked as an elevator repair technician. His wife also paid the price for seeking permission to leave. She was terminated from her job as a surgical nurse and sought employment as an elevator operator for several years. Because of illness. she subsequently lost that position as well. In a desper3te bid for approval to emigrate. the Rifkins reached the painful decision to seek a divorce. hoping that their chances for approval would improve for Dina and the children if she were no longer married to Boris. The divorce was granted. and. in 1981. Dina and their children were finally authorized to leave. They are now residing in the United States. Boris. however. has still been denied permission to go. His repeated requests for visas have been denied because of his access to state secrets. even though he has not worked in his profession for many. many years. He has been told by Soviet authorities that they could keep him for another 10 or 20 years. He continues to live alone. now separated from his wife and children for almost 8 years. He has not given up the hope of being reunited with them and he needs the support of those of us who can keep his plight in front of the Soviets so that they will relent and approve his exit visa.
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emigrate emigration visas visa