Headlines

U.S. Immigration Red Tape Preventing Jeweler from Visiting Dying Mother

Published

9 years ago

January 8, 2016

INSTORE Staff

He has been battling the immigration system for years.

Harold van Beek, owner of Jewelry By Harold in North Liberty, IA, says that he’s unable to visit his dying mother in the Netherlands because crossing the border would jeopardize his business, local news affiliate KCRG reports.

Van Beek, the report adds, has lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, but his visa only permits him to operate a small business and does not allow him to become a citizen. He told KCRG that by crossing the border, his visa would be voided and he may not be allowed to return to the country, putting his business and the immigration status of his family at risk. “The only thing that I am asking, let me come back in the same status that I am in right now just to say farewell to my mom, that’s the only thing that I am asking.”

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.