Post by Vault on Sept 6, 2009 18:50:41 GMT -5
In a correction from yesterday's report concerning Lauren Williams' (professionally known as "Angelina Love") sudden departure from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, it was noted that she had been working under a visa she obtained during her time under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment as a developmental talent a few years ago. This is incorrect as her visa would have been deemed invalid as soon as she was let go — her release occurred in May 2007. According to a person in the know, she has actually been working without a visa for the past two years, which is illegal.
Basically, if you are not a legal citizen of the United States, you must apply for a new working visa each and every time you start with a new employer. Seeing how Williams is a Canadian citizen working in the United States, she falls under this category. The person applying must initiate the matter themselves by either having: enough money in the bank to support themselves; a U.S. sponsor; or a company confirming they will employ them in the U.S.
In September 2007, Williams was contacted by TNA officials to appear at their annual October pay-per-view, Bound for Glory. For all of the debuting Knockouts — including Williams — the 10-Knockout Gauntlet to crown the first TNA Women's Champion was in actuality a tryout match. Williams passed with flying colors as she was signed to a contract a few days following the match and instantly became a regular television character. However, this is where the problem occurred.
From a legal standpoint, her work visa issues were supposed to be taken care of before she could sign her contract with TNA, but apparently weren't. Likewise, company officials carelessly ignored the issue as well. For instance, this explains why it took so long for Gail Kim — who like Williams is a citizen of Canada — to debut in WWE this past year as her work visa issues had to be resolved before she could legally start with the company. In Williams' case, she made a glaring mistake by starting with her new employer before first getting her visa situation taken care of. Considering Williams has been working without a visa for the past two years, both she and TNA could face serious legal ramifications should federal agents become informed of this alarming matter.
As far as possible punishment is concerned, Williams could be subject to deportation and banned from entering the United States for ten years. She may also be forced to pay back any money she garnered by working as an illegal immigrant in the U.S.
According to the source, when TNA president Dixie Carter was informed by her legal team about the amount of trouble her company could face as a result of employing an illegal immigrant, she hastily made the decision to terminate Williams' contract.
Basically, if you are not a legal citizen of the United States, you must apply for a new working visa each and every time you start with a new employer. Seeing how Williams is a Canadian citizen working in the United States, she falls under this category. The person applying must initiate the matter themselves by either having: enough money in the bank to support themselves; a U.S. sponsor; or a company confirming they will employ them in the U.S.
In September 2007, Williams was contacted by TNA officials to appear at their annual October pay-per-view, Bound for Glory. For all of the debuting Knockouts — including Williams — the 10-Knockout Gauntlet to crown the first TNA Women's Champion was in actuality a tryout match. Williams passed with flying colors as she was signed to a contract a few days following the match and instantly became a regular television character. However, this is where the problem occurred.
From a legal standpoint, her work visa issues were supposed to be taken care of before she could sign her contract with TNA, but apparently weren't. Likewise, company officials carelessly ignored the issue as well. For instance, this explains why it took so long for Gail Kim — who like Williams is a citizen of Canada — to debut in WWE this past year as her work visa issues had to be resolved before she could legally start with the company. In Williams' case, she made a glaring mistake by starting with her new employer before first getting her visa situation taken care of. Considering Williams has been working without a visa for the past two years, both she and TNA could face serious legal ramifications should federal agents become informed of this alarming matter.
As far as possible punishment is concerned, Williams could be subject to deportation and banned from entering the United States for ten years. She may also be forced to pay back any money she garnered by working as an illegal immigrant in the U.S.
According to the source, when TNA president Dixie Carter was informed by her legal team about the amount of trouble her company could face as a result of employing an illegal immigrant, she hastily made the decision to terminate Williams' contract.
