Published: July 01, 2008 11:56 am      

Immigration bans former Barton woman from U.S.

BARTON - A former Barton couple who voluntarily moved to Canada in February rather than deal with deportation by the United States appear to have reached the end of the road in the effort to return legally to the Georges Creek community they love.

"I have been given a lifetime bar from the USA," Susan Neat told the Times-News on Monday. "Now mind you, I can do another form to get permission to enter, but the gentleman (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) told me it would most likely be denied because they do not want me in the States in case I stay. You would honestly think the way they talk I murdered someone."

Susan didn't murder anybody.

What she did was attempt to enter the United States in 2000 with Walter, trying to escape, she said, an abusive marriage. She was turned away at one border crossing. When the pair tried to enter the U.S. at another location, Susan was taken into custody and barred from America for five years.

After a divorce and the subsequent marriage to Walter, who is a Barton native, and the passage of five years, Susan obtained a temporary visa and the couple relocated to Barton where, according to many neighbors and two pastors, they became an integral and appreciated part of the community.

Attempts to obtain citizenship here were not successful and in February the Neats went back to Canada rather than face the grueling deportation process they were told would be coming. In leaving, they drove away from their Barton house, which has not yet sold, according to Susan, who is 56.

The Rev. John Park, retired from the Barton United Methodist Church, was one of several area residents who knew the Neats and tried to help them return to Maryland.

"I wrote to (U.S. Rep. Roscoe) Bartlett, but he said he had to follow all of the policies," Park said Monday from his Swanton home. Shortly after the Neats' departure in February, Park said he had never been more disappointed in his country.

"I've stayed in touch with them," Park said of the Neats. "Susan has gotten a cashier's job and Walter is being treated (heart condition and diabetes, according to Susan) under the Health Care Plan of Canada and getting the medication he needs."

Walter, 60, was an officer at the American Legion Post in Barton.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.