hopelives
-
Posts
154 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Gallery
Posts posted by hopelives
-
-
I find it interesting that these human rights advocates have been so violent.
Of course the violence of the protestors pales in comparison to the level of violence inflicted by the chinese govt upon the Tibetans and the attempt to obliterate their culture by flooding the region with Han's is shameful
-
Checked with local utilty on process for adding wife to the account for the I-130, and I received an email requesting social security number. Oh Well, I will call on Monday, but a little "catch-22" action coming my way
Jim
You can explain to them she doesn't have one at this time and ask them to process the request. They are wanting to run a credit check on your wife.
Links at SSA:
Can a noncitizen obtain a Social Security number to get a driver's license?
Basically, if they can not provide one of the following, they can not require an SSN for the purpose of doing business with her:
- A federal statute or regulation requires the noncitizen to provide an SSN to get a particular benefit or service; or
- A state or local law requires the noncitizen to provide a SSN to get general assistance benefits.
Great Information thanks
- A federal statute or regulation requires the noncitizen to provide an SSN to get a particular benefit or service; or
-
Checked with local utilty on process for adding wife to the account for the I-130, and I received an email requesting social security number. Oh Well, I will call on Monday, but a little "catch-22" action coming my way
Jim
-
these 2 year timelines are making me sick, am I am offbase with the idea that a cr1 averages 1 year-jim
-
Waiting for that damn P2 almost killed me. I was one ranting/raving mad-man while the Kafkaesque process crawled along. It really does get better.Thank you for the above replies. Yes, of course, I will try my best to stay patient, but at times, I feel very discouraged. Good luck to brokenheart! Please advise here when you get P2!!!wow such a gap between P3 and 4 is that the switchover from CSC to Guz
-
Well, I can hardly blame the Mexicans and Central Americans, really. Who wouldn't travel somewhere else if life there was much better? We did the same thing here: our life living and teaching in Henan Province was the pits and now that we are living in Guangzhou and teaching at a university it's like we died and went to heaven. We just didn't have to break any laws to do it.
The confusion regarding their resorting to such absurdities as "not a bona fide relationship" comes from a fundamental misunderstanding regarding what GUZ does. For, instead of being the diligent, hard-working public servants we pay them to be, they are actually in the business of keeping as many people (Chinese and most other Asians) out of the US on whatever pretext they can conjure up. They are not working for the American people: they are working for the Executive branch.
If they were doing the job we pay them to do they would look closely at each person's (too many) application forms, check all of the information, cash our checks (again, way too much), and grant a visa to any and every foreign spouse of an American citizen who completed everything properly, paid all the (way too expensive) fees, and in whose applications there was nothing objective that raised doubts.
Since there's precious little of that stuff (objective, hard evidence that fraud or deception is going on), they work hard instead to offer any plausible denial they can and, if they had it their way, no visas would ever be granted. But the American people and Congress would raise the roof if they did that, of course, because Congress passed a number of laws that requires the Executive branch to issue immigration visas to the spouses of American citizens. So, they try to issue the minimum number possible ~ just enough to prevent raised eyebrows or Congressional investigations.
The real reason they offer us such drivel as "not a boa fide" relationship and the related bullshit is because they have NOTHING objective in the application upon which to base the denial they want to issue, so they resort to subjective assessments. They "don't like the way two people met" or there are not enough photos of the two of them in dreamlike adoration of each other. Meeting on the Internet is "bad"; meeting at a church social is "good." Even meeting through mutual friends is suspect: hell, the "mutual friend" was actually a sort of marriage pimp!
That's why all this primping and fretting about how to look and what to say in the interview is so silly, really. None of that matters. It is based on the assumption that getting an immigration visa is like getting a driver's license.
To get a license you pass the written test (objective), pass the eye exam (objective) and then pass the driving test (semi-objective) and they issue you a license. The driving examiners do not resort to such childishness as saying "I didn't believe the applicant was confident enough behind the wheel" or "They really don't appear to be old enough to drive." You pays your money and you gets your license.
The visa officials (and more to the point, their handlers) are intent on doing everything they can to cut down on immigration and "fairness" or objectivity are not in their vocabulary. Believing they are sincere or straight up in their work is a dangerous self-deception. We all just hope and pray we are among the ones they decide to let pass so they can keep congress off their backs.
The wonderful work that everyone on the Candle does is great, but it is focused entirely on the margins: helping people understand the (purposely-complicated and bizarre) process; learning about the time frames; helping fill out the many forms (one would suffice), etc. It definitely helps many people in these things, but a real impact on the unconscionable immigration process as practiced by the USCIS will not occur without a fundamental change of focus.
this hits it out of the park-process the paperwork-issue the visa-extensive interview before the 10 year-so simple
-
The wait for a child of an LPR is about 11 years.
The wait for the child of an American citizen is about 5 years. (do a search for 'visa bulletin' on the DOS website to see the current figures)
If you file NOW, and then become an American citizen, the 5 years is from the date of the original filing
those figures are all the proof you need that the system is briken, that is obscene
-
I would say if there is a significant savings in filling a joint
income tax return for this year then I would file for
an extension until you receive either a SSN or a ITIN
for her...
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=98155,00.html
and you can always ammend it 3 years later like he said...
p.s. - Do you want the get the extra stimulation (Rebate Check)?
That's only available (the second one) if she has an SSN
yes bad luck no stimulus check for her, but that would have been just what China needed more US currency
-
you have to file a w7 for her tax id, I think i saw somewhere on this site that you have to declare her income and then deduct since it was overseas, but check with the IRS
-
I will attempt to change her mind if I am compelled, by my research, to conclude that pursuing a CR1 is foolhardy and change direction to a K1. In my heart, I want to grant her this wish
That is why I appeal to the wise old hands involved in this family of CVPL to point me in the direction of the light.
Since when is a short courtship a red flag? Maybe that's why the main color of the chinese flag is red... they are ready for a relationship so quickly? This is mostly urban legend... MOST filers through china are probably short courtships.
Here is the only concern I have
If she's ready to marry and you are not, then don't marry and don't file anything, including K1...
I see nothing wrong with her wanting to get married... and it may be that 'face' is not being figured in this at the start (she or family want this) and in the end (loss of face to family if she were to divorce anyway). So... IMO, based on 'face' issues, it doesn't add up as a concern or worry.
Just because says 'family wants this'... I would not necessary take that as 100% only famly... but it could be... it's really hard to know with some chinese who have a tendency to put the reason on someone else for something.
My opinion is.. if she is the right girl to file for, why is she not the right girl to marry? One year of filing will make her the right girl? She wants the right man and is ready to make that step now.
I'm not hearing any reason NOT to marry... except I'm hearing eastern pragmatism vs western skepticism so far...
great post-we are registering to marry in June with a formal ceremony later in the year-thanks to everyone for the information and the encouragement- and the wise old hands were right it is a face issue-Jim
We worked on them together so that we could get all of the paperwork correct. I purchased the Nolo Book on immigration and submitted the Petition just as directed, im May 2006.
Has anyone else used this book with success-Jim- Yanping great story and great success with the arrival of your wife-Jim
-
The "know-nothings" come around every 100 years or so, and their movement eventually loses steam waiting for the next revival, but in the hyper -competitve global economy their shortsightedness could have devestating effects
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/nyregion...&ei=5087%0A
We dominate the world's culture and don't think for a minute that is not a significant factor in our attractiveness as a place to live; does anyone think if we were a country of Wasp's we would still dominate the world stage. Pat Boone
instead of Jay-Z- nah I don't think so -
same for K-3 ?
not same for K3.
---
Each case is really individual and to go for either one is usually going to contain more issues and concerns than are shared or even understood at the time.
A K3 has served alot of people very well and was started for a good reason... mostly in the past but at least it is still an option now.
If the lady really has no need/desire to work and just wants to get over quickly as a spouse, then a K3 will probably be statistically faster. But realize that an SOs desire to get here 'faster' may simply be a desire to get life moving to the next step.. and if they get here and cannot move to a next step of work, then a K3 will be frustrating once in the US at a time you don't want petty issues.
But I would say that the decision should be as rational as possible and not get caught up in "faster is better"... this is very subjective and often looking at only one phase (getting to the US and not considering what the next steps will require once in the US).
Again, for the general spousal case, my personal opinion is that a CR1 is OVERALL the better path if one looks at the 2 year process of getting the GC. But the K3 is a good choice for some.
Yes David,
And also, it may not just be the wife that feels this way. It may in fact be the USC and/or it may be a joint view/decision. Others should not try to impart/transfer their individual life circumstance on those who may have differing life circumstances.
Shit, I will be fully retired on June 1st, after 33 hard years of honorable service. Therefore, I am not going to send Lao Po, freshly arrived in this country, off to work everyday. And in our situation, she will not be left home alone all day, as I will no longer be working 10 hour days.
I will have retired in the upper management ranks of my agency and I feel blessed that my retirement package is excellent, and includes medical and dental coverage for Lao Po and daughter. She too, has worked her butt off all of her life, and always as a single mom to boot.
We plan on jointly doing some part-time internet importing business here in the US, facilitated with her family members in GZ, who are principals in varied manufacturing companies in that region, and otherwise just enjoy life and our children together. Also we plan on a lot of RV travel within the US.
Moreover, in about two weeks, we will have been married for 17 months. By the time she arrives and our AOS paperwork is processed, we will have been married two years, and she will be eligible for the ten year GC. Also, as has been discussed, the K-3 and K-4, allow for travel back and forth to China without AP; therefore, all of [our] needs are met with the K-3, pending AOS.
Yes, we are ready to get on with the rest of our life, and as soon as possible.
K-3 and K-4 works for me/us, in my/our situation. For those who do not care about a longer wait, and wish to have their spouse fully adjusted and eligible to go out in the job market, shortly after arrival; then the CR-1 will work for them, that is their joint choice/decision.
Congratulatuions on your well earned retirement Roger- 33 years in the same organization, tragically you are the part of a dying breed -jim
-
This one has been written about, sounds much like this scenario:
http://www.ilw.com/articles/2006,0323-ellis.shtmLawyers ¨C Be Careful Here!Now in many cases where a K-1 has been delayed, refused or denied at a US Consulate, lawyers have advised clients to simply get married and file and I-130. That is not good advice, unless the attorney also advises the petitioner to pay close attention to the K-1 that has been sent back to the Service Center from the consulate.
If a Service Center begins a revocation proceeding for that K-1 petition, a petitioner¡¯s failure to respond will mean that DHS will revoke the approval of the petition. When that happens, the 212(a)(6)(c )(i) that is pending in our beneficiary file, will become hard finding of Misrepresentation, under 9 FAM 40.63 N10.1 (above).
A Rude Surprise at the Second Consular Interview
Our love birds have followed their lawyer¡¯s advice and forgotten about the K-1 petition. A NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) letter comes in the mail and petitioner calls his lawyer. The lawyer says,
¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. She¡¯s your wife now. The K-1 petition is irrelevant.¡±
The lovebirds have taken the plunge and married. The petitioner has made another costly visit to the foreign country; bought another round trip airplane ticket, and maybe he has even sprung for a costly wedding ceremony.
An I-130 Petition for his new bride has been filed. And it is approved by the DHS Service Center. What will happen when his new wife appears at the US Consulate for her next interview?
Because the petitioner did not respond to the K-1 revocation notice, the beneficiary has a 212(a)(6)(c )(i) finding on her record. Even if the petition for her is approved, she is permanently barred from entering the US, unless she can obtain a waiver to that ground of inadmissibility.
this is critically important advice! Any thought or maybe it has already been done of pinning a list of top flight lawyers that know the inner workings of Guangzhou-jim
-
wow such honest forthright assesments by all of you, I really do appreciate your advice, and please keep the information flowing. I spoke with the SO today and she said life is to important to make a mistake in such a momentous decision so no timetables, more important to put our relationship in the best possible place for success, so when and if we are ready. we will marry.
-
Jim,
Understand your point, but it is family that wants this- mother primarily. Look I know never say never, but I am highly confident she is not a scammer. The driving force for early marriage is me. She is hesitant, but unserstands the baby part.
jim
-
My Yanzi does not want to come to America unmarried. For me, I will do anything I can to support her decision. Now for those of you who tread cautiously, I am convinced she is not a "green card scammer" we were introduced by a mutual friend a prominent CPA in my city. She has never advertised on websites for foreign man, and she has told me many times; that six months ago the thought of a foreign husband would have been unthinkable. Like that counting crow¡¯s song she reluctantly fell in love.
Here are the facts:
My income level is well above the poverty line
Own my own house
I have never been married
She owns her apartment
Modest income
Sells insurance
She is from a city that as far as I know is not notorious for green card scammers (Liuzhou)
Divorced with daughter
Father has custody
He is moderately successful business man
Language gap, at this point significant but she is taking night classes and her teacher has publically announced her as the best student in the class, but given the quality of instruction in China. I know high competency in English will not occur until she arrives
Plan is for marriage on my next visit which will be my second
Third or fourth visit will be for interview
Age difference; 10 years my favor
Steps to help prove legitimacy of relationship
1, Shared bank account in China
2, If possible add her to utility bills here in America (saw that suggestion on this site)
3, File a joint return for 2008, which given the length of this process will apply before interview
4, Affidavits from her relatives
5, Plenty of pictures, emails, chat etc
Now why are we moving so fast, both of us are not getting younger but both of us are still young enough to start our own family. Yanzi is 34, as some on this site know all to well, a women¡¯s ability to conceive decreases dramatically past the age of 35. I am reaching an age where my ability to produce offspring begins to decline.
We are great together both of us are goofballs who share an innate ability to make the other laugh. She is the kindest, warmest person I have ever known and what a beauty. When I first arrived, we had a translator for 2 days then we had dueling electronic translators (go with besta they kick everyone else¡¯s ass) for the remaining three weeks.
I know that a short courtship is a huge red flag for GUZ, but I am hoping my middle class income, home ownership, and fanatical preparation, with this sites help, gives us a fighting chance for what statistically is the hardest visa: the CR1. I have read the statue that applies to our case, and the standards for rejecting our application is suppose to be very high once we get NSC approval, but we all know that we are at the mercy of GUZ.
I will attempt to change her mind if I am compelled, by my research, to conclude that pursuing a CR1 is foolhardy and change direction to a K1. In my heart, I want to grant her this wish
That is why I appeal to the wise old hands involved in this family of CVPL to point me in the direction of the light.
Thanks in advance
Jim
-
This wonderful news-congratulations-Jim
-
Dale, at the risk of boring those who have heard it before, our family has some experience here that might offer some insight to your family to be.
First, the birth father is no problem. Your daughter will be 18 by the time the real decision comes and at 18 it's her decision, as Randy mentions.
Second, you may be overlooking an opportunity. We had the same birth father problem with our daughter so she took the K-2 follow to join route. She finished high school in China and then came to us in California about 11 months after her mother. Not sure what your exact time line is, perhaps the daughter will finish high school prior to her mom getting a K-1.
I'm also not sure why your intended wants her daughter to do college in China when she could easily go to college in the US. Getting into a good college in China is very very tough. Unless you have political pull you must score very well on a difficult and comprehensive examination.
Our daughter was in a two year community college here in California about 40 days after she entered the US. As long as you're a high school grad you get in ... it's how you perform once you're there that counts. Our daughter is now in her second full time semester carrying a 3.88 GPA and loving it. She takes a mix of American College English (ACE) courses and "regular" college courses. It will take her 2.5-3 years to complete the combined curriculum at which point she'll have an AA degree and will have completed the first two years of a four year degree in any University of California or California State University program. In California they "save spots" for two year college transferees and if she maintains a high GPA she is sure to get a spot.
I would urge you and your new family to strongly consider such a plan. It keeps the family together, is much easier from a visa perspective, and winds up with a US college degree which would be valuable even if your daughter returns to China as a young adult.
If your ladies are a little apprehensive about the idea of the daughter going to college in the US, PM or e-mail me and we can get them talking to my wife/daughter.
Good luck!
Wow this is why this site is so great, and insightful post and an unsolicited offer of help-jim
-
When two Chinese women are hand in hand or arm in arm, it only means they were born and raised in mainland China.
When two Chinese men put their arms across each other's shoulders, it also means they were born and raised in mainland China.
A Chinese man will never kiss another man like they did in Backbroke Mountain unless you pay him good money cuz he needs the money to purchase another woman of his grand children's age.
Cynical but very funny
Great stuff
jim
-
Lucky I noticed the small print on the USCIS website-
jim
Note: Applicants who reside in the jurisdiction of the Baltimore, MD USCIS District Office need to file their concurrent Form I-130/Form I-485 package with the Chicago Lockbox according to the filing instructions on Form I-485 for family-based adjustment of status applicants.
If I am getting stuck with an additional 1000 dollar fee even though I am going CR1, then this really sucks
-
Lucky I noticed the small print on the USCIS website-
jim
Note: Applicants who reside in the jurisdiction of the Baltimore, MD USCIS District Office need to file their concurrent Form I-130/Form I-485 package with the Chicago Lockbox according to the filing instructions on Form I-485 for family-based adjustment of status applicants.
-
i know the sample is low, but that CR1 approval rate is scary. Is it the automatic green card bringing the average down, a higher burden or proof-jim
-
I am sorry for confusion -our options are k3 or cr 1
thanks
jim
-
Seems to be some anecdotal evidence that the time gap between a CR1 application and a K1/K3 application is shrinking. Any hard evidence to support this hypothesis
thanks
Jim
Olympic torch
in Culture & Language Discussion
Posted
I have been to Lhasa, I have seen with my own eyes the rapid influx of Han's into Tibet. You would have to be naive if you don't believe part of the reason is to overwhelm the Tibetan culture in order to control the population. As far as the first point, Dozens being killed pales in comparison to some thugs interrupting a procession I think not. By the way, the poor young disabled women who was assaulted has come under cyber attack for having the temerity to suggest a boycott of the French retailer Carrefour is ill-advised
http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/index.html