mandarinstudent

There is a weird situation in my wife's old apartment complex back in China, where her parents still live. A woman that lives in the complex has been bragging to everyone that her daughter has been offered a singing job in Las Vegas that pays $10,000 per month for the first year and a bump to $17,000 per month if they decide to sign a contract in the second year. Admittedly, the girl graduated from one of the top arts school in China as a soprano singer and is said to be really beautiful, but something smells really fishy to me. The girl doesn't speak English and doesn't sing in English either. Also, on average, graduates from this school end up in Chinese production companies that pay 5-6000 RMB per month. If they are really excellent, they might get 12,000 RMB per month. I really don't understand why a performance house in Las Vegas would bother going to China to recruit a singer and pay her THAT much money given that there are plenty of wannabe singers in the US that would jump at the chance to perform for 1/5th the pay. The thing is, the girl has received a work visa, although it took a few attempts at the embassy. The parents didn't do any kind of research on the company, but the fact that the "talent agency" was able to procure a work visa for the daughter is all the proof that they need. Have you heard of any sort of work visa scam originating from Las Vegas? It seems to me like this girl is going to get to the US, the company will tell her something like, "You know, that job isn't available anymore...but you could do this for some cash in the meantime...," and she will end up a prostitute or something. What do you all think?

I know that there are Americans milking these programs, and those people are just as leech-like. It just seems a bit more unfair that people from other countries can do this sort of thing while my wife and I have to wait to have a baby. I'm the one that has paid into the US tax system, yet I'm not leeching. Why should they get to given that they haven't contributed? I know complaining won't do anything, but I was wondering if anyone else knew about the "graduate degree/baby" racket. I was so surprised!

I've discovered a weird situation and was wondering if anyone here has an explanation. I'm a doctoral student who lives in graduate housing. In our graduate housing complex, nearly everyone is Chinese. My wife (who is Chinese) has befriended a few of our neighbors and has found out that practically everyone in our complex is having babies on the government's dime. Basically, the man comes on a work/student visa and the wife cannot work. They then have a baby (or babies) and apply for every government program available. They don't pay any medical expenses. They don't pay for food. They don't pay for anything, yet one couple has managed to save up to buy a new car with cash! How is this possible???? Non-citizens can qualify for government hand outs? This really gets under our skin. We have to wait until near the time when I graduate to have a kid, as we can't afford to take care of a child on my PhD stipend and my wife's rather small salary. However, it seems like everyone in graduate housing is coming to the US, popping out 2 or 3 kids, and letting the government pick up the tab. They all proudly tell my wife, "Just have a kid now! Look at all this free stuff the government is giving us!" I'm a US citizen and I can't imagine using these kinds of programs unless I was in some sort of impossible situation (e.g., having 3 kids to feed with inoperable cancer that insurance won't cover), but people who come here to study can use US taxpayers' money to have babies? I'm really curious as to how these non-citizens are able to milk the government dry while here on a student visa. Apparently, it is a well known racket in the Chinese community. Anyway, just wanted to vent a bit. Any thoughts?

My wife and I were wondering about getting her parents a green card. She found out that we can get them a 1 year tourist visa, so the question is whether we can first apply for them to get the 1 year tourist visa and then while they are here apply for their green card. Does anyone know how this would work? Can we file an I-485 while they are here on a tourist visa or is that not allowed?

Please read this... http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28307 That post has to do with going to ACH before the interview to increase your wife's/fiance's chances of success during the interview. I am talking about going to ACH after the interview to give them evidence that the VO wouldn't look at during the interview but still asked for in the blue slip. Not quite the same.

Let's say you get one of those fabled VOs that refuse to look at evidence your wife has with her, then puts that same evidence on the blue slip. Is it possible to come to the next ACH after the interview and bring the evidence they requested and reverse the blue slip? My wife and I plan to bring any and every document that might be needed, but I have heard that VOs routinely give out blue slips asking for things that the applicant already has on her. Would my "ACH reversal" strategy work if we happen to be in that situation?

I am going to go to ACH before my wife's interview just to show my face. I know that there is no direct evidence linking ACH attendance to interview success, but I want to play it safe. The problem is, I don't really have any questions. 001 is pretty comprehensive regarding the documents you need to bring and the few visa questions I had have been answered here. I've heard that it is best not to really mention any specifics about your case to the ACH VO, so what kind of "softball" questions would you all recommend asking? Our case is CR1.

On 001 my wife and I have seen a bunch of cases where the girl gets a blue slip, but for no reason. They are asked to come back in 3 months, but they don't need to bring any extra proof or documents. When they are handed the blue slip, they are just told, "The case just needs to be investigated further (code 221 g)," or something like that. One girl was even told, "I believe your situation is real, you have all the documents. You just need to come back in 3 months because we need to further review your case." Why would someone get a "rejection" like this? Why would they schedule an interview if they aren't finished reviewing your case? Anyone have an experience like this?

Maybe we could start an official DCF thread. I have found that most of the people here on this forum are living in the US while the wife is in China (K-1, K-3, etc). Their main obstacle is proving the relationship. We DCF'ers living in China have the opposite set of difficulties such as proving domicile in the US and income (due to the fact we are earning RMB and the exchange rate is low). I think all the DCF people should consolidate their posts/concerns in one place to see how the process went for the other DCF members. I have yet to file my I-130, but when I do I will be sure to report my progress (for my particular situation look here: http://candleforlove...howtopic=25693) or any problems I encounter in this thread. What do you all think? Start a Living in China DCF thread/subsection, or are there too few of us to even bother?

Well, I guess I have my answer to my original question...don't say anything unless asked. Thanks for all of the replies. If any others have experiences with this sort of situation, please post.

Ok, thanks.

When you submit your I-130, do you give them the notarial marriage certificate "white book" or a copy of each page of the white book? The notary office gave us 2 white books (we are in China now). One for us and one for the I-130?

This is why I am thinking the way I do about "household issues": From the I-864's "How do I count household size?" section: "If necessary to meet the income requirements to be a sponsor, you may include additional relatives (adult children, parents, or siblings) as part of your household size as long as they have the same principle residence as you and promise to use their income and resources in support of the intending immigrants" From the I-864's "What if I cannot meet the income requirement?" section: If your income alone is not sufficient to meet the requirement for your household size, the intending immigrant will be ineligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of staus, unless the requirement can be met using any combination of the following: -Income from any relatives or dependents living in your household or dependents listed on your most recent Federal tax return who signed a Form I-864A It seems from the first part, I can count my parents as part of my "household" because they are willing to say that my residence is their home and then in turn, from the second part, because they are part of my "household", I can use their income to overcome the income requirement. Does this make sense?

I am all for listening to advice, but advice like "You cannot use your parents' income on the I-184" or "You cannot count your ex wife just as a member of your household, she is something entirely different"? These things are clearly stated on the I-184. Come on now... Ok mandarinstudent. I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong. But you need to carefully read things again. I do not think you're understanding everything correctly. I will let others bring you up to speed. But allow me to correct you when you are wrong. It's I-864, not I-184. Good luck. Ok, you got me there.hehe Point taken. I can take it as well as give. I've fixed the typo. What exactly am I not understanding here? It seems pretty cut and dry. If I am missing something, please let me know. Thanks.

I am all for listening to advice, but advice like "You cannot use your parents' income on the I-864" or "You cannot count your ex wife just as a member of your household, she is something entirely different"? These things are clearly stated on the I-864. Come on now...

Hello again. As you're living in China, you can't have them do the I-864A. You have to be living with them or they living with you to share your household income on an I-864A. Additionally, I believe you can't count your ex-wife like the way you're doing. You're divorced. She's not counted as part of your household. You're liable for her individual support of 125% of poverty level, not as if she's a marginal extra one person in the 4 to 5 example you gave above. But that assumes your ex-wife doesn't make anything. If your ex-wife works and makes $20,000 or more, then you should be ok. But this prior financial sponsorship is very critical IMO. I think this will factor on the minds of the VO at least as much as the fact that they may think your marriages are fake. I would also suggest you prepare for at least one blue slip. Your case will be scrutinized, IMO. Best wishes. Well, your advice goes counter to what I have heard from others. I have heard that your "Household income" can come from where your domicile is in the US. If your domicile is NYC, but you take a 3 year vacation in Greece, your domicile is still NYC. My parents are willing to say that my domicile is their home. I have registered my address in the USCIS system (form I-185 change of address) as their home. Regarding sponsorship, what my ex-wife makes is inconsequential. If you look at the I-864, you can see the conditions upon which you are no longer held responsible. I will be held "responsible" until she is a citizen. As her "sponsor", I pretty much am just guaranteeing that she isn't going to go on welfare or anything. If she does, the government might ask me to reimburse them. This isn't going to happen because last I talked to her she was doing quite well. I'm not worried. If you look at the I-864 (question 21), you will also see that when calculating household size, if you have sponsored another alien, you just add them to the total number. There is no special calculation for "ex-wives". An alien is an alien. Thanks for your input, but please don't freak me out any more than I already am without some facts to back it up..hehe

Regarding the I-184, I am having my parents fill out an I-184A so that I can use their income for "household income". Yes, I am still liable for my ex wife, but that is not a big deal, I am 100% sure that she is not going on welfare or anything. Since my parents are filling out an I-184A and I am putting their income as my "household income" on the I-184, the people that would be "dependent" on the household income are myself, my current wife, my mom, my dad, and my ex wife, or 5 in total. The difference between the poverty level for 4 people and the poverty level for 5 people is something like only 3 or 4 thousand dollars. My parents' income is well above the level we need. My parents are also writing a nice letter saying that we are welcome to stay with them and that my domicile is in their home. I'm hoping that should take care of things.

Steve, Sorry to hear about that. Are you trying again? We are currently working on the "Blue-slip" overcome. I believe that this time around all their requirements will be satisfied. It can be a screwy, hurtful, and painful process. Please take care. Steve and Ying If you dont mind me asking, what did they say was the problem? You are in China living with her, right? How could they possibly deny you?

Steve, Sorry to hear about that. What happened? Are you trying again?

I agree about the interview part. Of course my wife knows of the whole situation and she is ready to answer any questions. Actually, she was the one I was confiding in as my first marriage was going sour. I knew my current wife well before I even met my first wife. I just want to know if any of the other members of this forum have encountered this problem and whether or not they took the "pre-emptive strike" or if they just hoped and prayed that it wouldn't be an issue.

Crap...I was thinking that someone would say that. Does anyone here have any experience with this sort of thing? I mean, what do they have on me? The first marriage was in good faith, as is my current marriage. We are close to the same age (3 years difference, not like I am 60 and she is 20) and have been living together in China for quite a while now. What objections could they have? How could they possibly think that this marriage is fake when I have evidence proving otherwise?

There's another website (001 I think) that has a list of 100. Dunno if it's 'official' though. I have it buried in mountains of e-mail, but I'll try to find and post it later. Stay tuned.... What is "001"?

Another over analyzing question... I previously sponsored an alien (not from China) when I was younger. The alien filed for divorce (my fault) and shortly after I moved to China. I fell in love with a Chinese girl and after the divorce was finalized I married her. We have been living together in China for a year and have been married for 7 months. Right now we are preparing the I-130 to file DCF. Should I write one of those "Evolution of relationship" letters and include it with the I-130 to address this issue...kind of a "pre-emptive strike", or will that just bring attention to an issue that would not even be noticed otherwise, causing us more trouble?"

From my perspective the content of your letter looks great. Just a few very minor comments: You might want to change the word ¡°temporarily¡± to temporary unless you insert an 'a' before resident ?? Also, for ease of review, you might want to consider breaking out the sub-components of Item #11, into a. b. c. d. etc. in outline form, and tab them accordingly in the case file. Normally, the passport photos would not be listed separately in the table of contents; they are affixed to, and become a part of the Form G325A, either in a plastic baggie, or as I did, with two of the large size paper clips. You can word it as, "Form G325A, (for self or spouse) with required passport photo attached." Don't forget to put the name on the back of each P/P photo. Also, another idea for the organization of your personal photos, would be to group them by year, with a tab for each year, rather than lumping them all together. I did it this way grouping them by each visit, for continuity. Last, I would double check the address ?? I believe it is no longer referred to as the USINS, it is now the USCIS. Moreover, the Embassy is run by the DOS, so I am not sure if it is the DOS that this would be directed to or if, in fact, there is a cadre of USCIS staff at the embassy, which handles this function ?? And, don¡¯t forget the postal code for the address. Most Beijing PC¡¯s start with 100.¡­ Best wishes and best of luck !! Thanks for the tips. Regarding "resident", here it is used as an adjective that means, "residing; dwelling in a place". The address is something I copied and pasted right off of the I-130 info sheet that the embassy emailed to me. Maybe it is a bit old...I found the address online and put that in. Thanks for catching that.

Ok, thanks again for all of your tips. Below is what I have come up with. Actually, I practically stole it off of VJ and changed some details..hehe Am I missing anything? Everything seem ok? (Date) Officer-in-Charge U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service C/O American Embassy Kerry Centre, South Tower No.1 Guang Hua Lu 23rd Floor Room 2320 Beijing, China To the Immigration Office in Beijing: I am a United States citizen temporarily resident in China. I am married to a Chinese citizen. I wish to return to the United States in July 2008 and to have my wife come with me to make our residence there together. Please find enclosed my I-130 Petition for Alien Relative on behalf of my wife X. In support of my petition please find included: 1. A copy of my birth certificate 2. A copy of my US passport visa and biographical pages 3. A copy of the divorce decree of my first marriage 4. Form G325A for myself (see attachments for additional employment and residence info.) 5. A passport photograph of myself 6. Form G325A for my wife 7. A passport photograph of my wife 8. A copy of my wife’s passport 9. A copy of our marriage certificate 10. A notarial translation of our marriage certificate 11. Proof of a bona fide marriage as follows: -Affidavits from both my employer and my wife’s father -My employment contracts that show that my wife and I receive an apartment and paid utilities as part of my compensation as well as a plane ticket for my wife to the US after the completion of the contracts (see highlighted sections). -Photos of myself with my wife along with friends and family. Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date. Thank you for taking the time to review this petition. If I could be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at ******** Sincerely, mandarinstudent