:: Argentine model/actress Dorismar fights to return to USA

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

Dorismar - aka Dora Noemi Kerchen - has been many things: Playboy Playmate, calendar pinup, performer at a Democratic National Convention party and purveyor of sophisticated soft-core videos inspired by Girls Gone Wild.

The sexy 29-year-old Argentine model and actress, who is blessed with copious curves and a seemingly boundless capacity to promote them, was deported with her husband/manager Alejandro Schiff on January 5, 2006 after five years in Miami as an illegal immigrant.

Even qualifying as an ‘'Alien of Extraordinary Ability’' may not be enough to get her back into the United States.

There had been much talk that her rival Sissi, a similarly voluptuous Latin model, betrayed her to immigration authorities after Dorismar landed Sissi's former calendar client. Sissi, whose real name is Isabel Fleitas, has denied it. The supposed tiff between Dorismar and Sissi is a footnote in the saga that thousands of immigrants across the country are facing post-September 11, 2001.

The government has stepped up enforcement of immigration rules, making it more likely that foreign tourists who overstay their visits will face dire consequences. Dorismar came under a special program, which ended for Argentines in 2002, that allowed tourists from certain countries to enter with only a passport - no visa - and stay 90 days. Many stayed longer, banking on lax enforcement of tough penalties. Those who stay even one day over are subject to immediate deportation without recourse and generally barred from the United States for 10 years, according to Barbara Gonzalez, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman.

Immigration officers actually were targeting Schiff the day they were arrested, said Gonzalez. ‘They checked her paperwork because she was there and they discovered she had overstayed her visa.’' Despite all this talk of the rival and Sissi's reference to Dorismar on Spanish-language TV, Dorismar's lawyer Michael Feldenkrais said in an interview that he does not believe Sissi caused Dorismar's deportation.

As for Dorismar‘s plight, she said from Buenos Aires, ’‘I have a lot of faith, and I'm praying every day that I will be able to return. God is great, and I'm never going to abandon my dreams.’' Already a celebrity in her native Argentina, Dorismar quickly cracked Hispanic television when she arrived in the US. For a year she had her own music show, and went on to appear regularly on Univisión's El Gordo y La Flaca, where she alternately played the roles of scantily clad maid, naughty nurse and others.

In March 2003, she was on the cover of Playboy, and she performed at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. In 2004, the Panamanian singer Edgardo Franco, also known as ‘'El General,’‘ sponsored her ’‘extraordinary ability’' petition. It is a special employment designation given to those who are considered to have risen to the top of their field. As her lawyer, Michael Feldenkrais, works toward gaining a pardon, Dorismar continues her career.

One of her latest ventures is as the first headliner in a new line of sensual videos called Latinas Gone Crazy. ‘'Girls Gone Wild is just a bunch of drunk college girls, and we wanted to provide more than that,’' said Roly Rodriguez, who co-owns the venture with Miami rapper Pitbull, aka Armando Pérez.

Also recently, a conglomerate of trucking companies - South Kearny Truck Repair, Florida Truck Repair Centre and CPQ Freight System - contacted Dorismar about being the exclusive face for the company, including appearing in their 2007 calendar. Sissi did the 2006 calendar, and the conglomerate is currently suing her because of problems with the calendar's production, said Paulina Fatima, the conglomerate's creative director.

The switch from Sissi to Dorismar sparked the rumours that Sissi had ratted her out. In a prepared statement read on Spanish-language television, Sissi denied the allegations. ‘'As an immigrant in the United States, as a Latina, as a Cuban, I am extremely hurt and offended at the source that gave birth to this vile lie.’'

Dorismar and her husband won‘t discuss whether they believe Sissi was involved in their abrupt ejection. ’‘I don't want to think that someone could try to do such damage to another,’‘ Dorismar said. Dorismar was getting ready to sign the trucking company modeling contract on January 5 when she heard pounding on the door of her peach town house in Doral. She jumped out of the shower and ran downstairs, only to find her husband and one of his friends handcuffed and surrounded by immigration officers. ’‘They tried to handcuff me right away, but I asked them to let me get some clothes,’‘ she said. ``They were surprised. I don't think it ever occurred to them that I would come out in a towel.’' Eight hours later, she and her husband were on a plane to Buenos Aires.

Immigration attorney Michael Feldenkrais, a partner with the Miami law firm of Adorno & Yoss, is filing for a waiver to request the United States Government to pardon and return the Argentine-born model, actress and singer to the United States. “Dorismar is safely in Buenos Aires anxiously awaiting her return to Miami,” said Mr. Feldenkrais. “She deeply misses Miami, her friends and colleagues. She is however optimistic that the situation will be resolved in a timely manner and appreciates all of the support she has received so far from her beloved fans.”