In you can't afford it ... then why?!?!?

[Fandango 1,440]

I'm not sure that everyone feels that way, otherwise they wouldn't suggest raising the income thresholds, right? I know it was AJ who said that not you. I don't understand why he would think that if he didn't feel that he was somehow personally negatively impacted by the current thresholds.

I read that as AJ just bein AJ Tho I could be wrong, lol.

[justashooter 430]

And yes, even poor people sometimes fall in love. Regardless of a person's reason for needing a sponsor it shouldn't concern anyone else.

To those that say it should be more difficult for those that need a sponsor to bring a spouse over...Perhaps they should make it more difficult for fat, balding, old men trying to import barely of age girls from high-fraud third world countries that then cause a huge backlog in visa processing while the legitimacy of their marriage is being questioned.

successful people have all kinds of opportunities that unsuccessful people don't have.

speaking in defense of fat old balding men (may i never be one) they have just as much "right" to find love as poor skinny young women, and the fat old bald men can often afford it.

seriously, co-sponsors are a weakness in the system. there are lots of poor people burdening the tax-payers already (obama's half-aunt, for instance), and there are lots of scam artists getting co-sponsors and then jumping onto the public dole. people ask about how to do it on this forum, and which benefits are "means tested", etc. we've seen through sound advice given that it can be done, and legally. of course, taxpayers foot the bill.

many public benefits such as food stamps, AFDC, and public housing are not means tested or cannot trigger an 864 enforcement if a person imports a spouse and then applies for the public housing as a USC who happens to be married to an LPR. the trigger only occurs with means tested benefits if the primary or sole applicant is the LPR beneficiary. the result is that lots of immigrants live for free in public housing and eat for free, and taxpayers foot the bill.

then there is the whole subject of free medical care. if a USC (or LPR) cannot meet the 125% requirement, are they likely to have private health insurance? not. therefore, they and their newly imported spouse will use hospital emergency rooms and public "free" clinics that are taxpayer funded. as a result, the taxpayers foot the bill.

in the 2nd and 3rd world fraudulent financial documents used to enable a process are common. 2nd and 3rd worlders living in the US are bringing the custom to USA. this kind of fraud creates another drain on our country's economic system. no surprise, taxpayers foot the bill.

for instance, chinese banks will give a graduate student with acceptance to an American university a letter of credit to enable them to temporarily immigrate to America as a student for a fee of about 2%. this with the understanding that the money will never actually leave the bank, but that they will get a piece of paper saying it is available to them that satisfies the consulate in guangzhou. i have personal knowledge of several cases in which this has happened. many of these students stay illegally after leaving school, and take advantage of government benefits. again, the taxpayer foots the bill.

similarly, immigrant families pool money months in advance to prop up bank accounts of family members importing spouses or children/parents, and provide them with overstated payroll through family owned small business that is never collected with the specific intent of qualifying to sponsor a beneficiary, or make co-sponsor promises that are entirely meaningless. again, this i have from personal knowledge of several cases. these new immigrants create new burdens, starting in the emergency rooms, and moving on to public housing. again, the taxpayer foots the bill.

don't tell me that immigrants can't get free housing. most larger cities run section 8 housing programs that do not ask for immigration status documentation of any kind. don't believe me? ask obama's illegal half-aunt.

Edited July 22, 2009 by justashooter

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There we go!

####### Lisa. A lot of people use cosponsors for many reasons. Example: you live abroad and make enough income; but it does not count since it is, duh, foreign income. If you are a stasy at home mom but foreign fiance is, say, a practicing lawyer. And even if the case is they are rotten poor, I fail to see how it is any of our damn business.

word

[ForeverAmen 0]

Thanks for the feedback.

Please allow me to repeat what I said earlier, "I am NOT trying to judge."

In our case, the individual that approached us has lived in the USA their entire life. They have financial issues (which I can understand, and relate to), is not a college student, nor have they worked outside the USA. In saying all of this, I know firsthand what it's like to love someone who lives out of the country. BUT .... knowing how expensive it is to immigrate (legally) to this country; how hard it is to manage on the income one does have; and now want to bring someone here who will have to get themselves established once they arrive, AND seek someone elses help in the form of a Co-Sponsor? Keep in mind ... this person is already struggling to take care of their ownself. To me it's just puzzling. For the most part I am a compassionate person, and I respect differences of opinion. But this matter here is .... puzzling.

[rebeccajo 14]

There has to be a threshold of some kind. What else would you suggest it be?

It always confuses me when members talk about making this system 'harder'. Don't we all go through enough BS with the Service to bring someone over?

I can understand some of the 'practical concerns' some of you raise. But the cost of living varies widely in this country. Some folks with low incomes manage OK without ever taking assistance of any kind from the government. I kind of think that some of you simply cannot fathom living on what other people live on. I guess it's OK for you to wonder about it, but it's not OK for you to assume that lower-wage earners can't possibly live on what they earn. They just live differently than you do.

Edited July 22, 2009 by rebeccajo

[justashooter 430]

Keep in mind ... this person is already struggling to take care of their ownself. To me it's just puzzling. For the most part I am a compassionate person, and I respect differences of opinion. But this matter here is .... puzzling.

could be that the same "magical thinking" that got this person into their current mess is motivating the desire to import a "fantasy partner". if you accept the fact that their thinking is not the same as yours, and not rooted in acceptance of observed realities, it becomes understandable that they would make such endeavour.

[almaty 19]

i think a global endorsement or flaming of it is wrong..needs to be done on case by case ...when i was a nOOb here..i ahd a friend from ohio who was in college and fisnihing up and his parents were his co-sponsor...he got married graduated got a job and moved on...

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

successful people have all kinds of opportunities that unsuccessful people don't have.

speaking in defense of fat old balding men (may i never be one) they have just as much "right" to find love as poor skinny young women, and the fat old bald men can often afford it.

Yes, and successful people can very quickly and easily become unsuccessful people in the current economy. Not to mention the spouse of a successful person that was brought over can turn out to be a scammer and disappear at the POE and end up on the dole too. There are some that don't need a co-sponsor when they file but then after the process is complete they lose their jobs. I suppose those individuals should just hold onto the receipt and return their spouse to sender...

I used the old man analogy only to point out that those needing co-sponsors aren't affecting visa processing times or approvals any more than those whose relationship sends up a red flag due to large age difference and/or the beneficiary being from a high-fraud country. I wouldn't be surprised if those needing a co-sponsor hold up the system far less than those bringing in mates from more fraudulent countries because in the case where someone needed a co-sponsor there are two people to seek compensation from if the beneficiary ends up on the dole.

I've lived abroad for 5 years because I wanted to see the world and learn another language while doing it. So yeah, I need a co-sponsor to bring my husband over. My parents are sponsoring us and we will live with them when we arrive stateside until we find work so it isn't any skin off of your bones or anyone else but my parents and mine. Besides, I got my first job as a teenager and paid my taxes too. I don't know anyone that hasn't both paid and benefited from taxation.

Besides, like I said earlier, poor people fall in love too. What does it matter if they find love abroad or at home? They could just as easily marry a poor person from the states that doesn't want to work as marry a foreigner that does want to work instead of taking advantage of the system.

[NickD 203]

I think there are definite situations where couples, especially younger couples still finishing school, might find themselves in need of a co-sponsor. The knowledge of 3 months or so without 2 incomes can be daunting. Who are we to judge?

Son and daughter-in-law went through that, meeting in college, but had a three year engagement before getting married, then jobs, then bucks, before they got married. But did have the advantage of being together, at least on weekends. I could see how much they were in love, and if she was from a foreign country, would have been more than willing to co-sponsor him. That is the damned problem with immigration, not only money, but that long wait. We were fortunate that my wife-to-be had a tourist visa, and I was free to visit here. But still had work limitations, so we vowed to see each other for at least a week no longer than three months. Those were a very long three months in between.

Without a visa, have no choice but to go the K route which means, you have to get married within the USCIS timeframe, but still can't escape that time wait. It's a though situation with many man-made obstacles, but if you are truly in love, and you don't break up, that's a very good indication your marriage would last.

That I-864 additional burden almost seems to be the straw that will break the camels back. If I had that problem, would move to my wife's home country.

[amberdima 6]

i dont know about the couple that approached u, but perviz and i needed help from my family because it will take him about 11 month to get thru the usa testing so that he can continue to work as a doctor and im still in college. i know that most people can do it on their own but i dont see anything wrong with asking family for help with our situation]

sara

The income limits are very very low. I can't imagine the kind of person who can't even make that much thinking they should get married and take responsibility for a foreign spouse. Co-sponsors shouldn't even be allowed and those income limits should be multiples higher.

a college student who recently graduated with 2 BA's who's about to make big bucks.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

i dont know about the couple that approached u, but perviz and i needed help from my family because it will take him about 11 month to get thru the usa testing so that he can continue to work as a doctor and im still in college. i know that most people can do it on their own but i dont see anything wrong with asking family for help with our situation]

sara

The income limits are very very low. I can't imagine the kind of person who can't even make that much thinking they should get married and take responsibility for a foreign spouse. Co-sponsors shouldn't even be allowed and those income limits should be multiples higher.

a college student who recently graduated with 2 BA's who's about to make big bucks.

"about to" ?

How about we build that castle first.

[justashooter 430]

I used the old man analogy only to point out that those needing co-sponsors aren't affecting visa processing times or approvals any more than those whose relationship sends up a red flag due to large age difference and/or the beneficiary being from a high-fraud country.

I've lived abroad for 5 years because I wanted to see the world and learn another language while doing it. So yeah, I need a co-sponsor to bring my husband over. My parents are sponsoring us and we will live with them when we arrive stateside until we find work so it isn't any skin off of your bones or anyone else but my parents and mine.

speaking as a man who is not fat, bald, or old, but who is married to a woman who is 18 years younger (28/45) and who is from a high fraud country (china), i can say that our process was not awsted on a scammer. we lived together in china while i was working there for several years before we moved to America and married. we are quite dedicated to each other, and have a completely transparent and honesty based relationship like nothing i have ever experienced with an American woman.

i have to ask why you chose to live in iran and study farsi. perhaps you are looking for a government job? i understand that most iranians are secular, damned near to european in thinking and ethnicity, and i do not group them with arabs.

[sara..... 371]

i guess if u dont know the situation of some of the people that need co sponsors its pretty easy to judge.

i started my own small company at age 15 graphic designs soon found out that i would have to pursue college after graduation if i wanted to be taken seriously.

by the time i am finished i will have one associate and two BA

i lost about 80,000 that i had built up in 401k when everything tanked. thanks of God im young enough i can make it back.

im a full time student, also working to build my small company, just landed a two year contact with the state of oregon, so things are looking up

perviz is a doctor from india specialty is cardiac surgeon for children it will take time for him to pass the exams here in the usa to be able to work mean while he will pick up any work he can after he gets permission to work.

i think throwing a blanket statement that if u cant do it with out a sponsor u should not think about bringing someone from over seas to the usa is a little harsh but i do understand the right to have ur own opinion.

sara

[justashooter 430]

i dont know about the couple that approached u, but perviz and i needed help from my family because it will take him about 11 month to get thru the usa testing so that he can continue to work as a doctor and im still in college. i know that most people can do it on their own but i dont see anything wrong with asking family for help with our situation]

sara

The income limits are very very low. I can't imagine the kind of person who can't even make that much thinking they should get married and take responsibility for a foreign spouse. Co-sponsors shouldn't even be allowed and those income limits should be multiples higher.

a college student who recently graduated with 2 BA's who's about to make big bucks.

"would you like fries with that?"

seriously, good luck in your hunt for a decent job. these are tough times.

hopefully your degrees are in a field that will yield profitable and productive employment.

hopefully they will allow you to find work that you enjoy, and that causes you to continue learning and growing as a person.

[NickD 203]

i dont know about the couple that approached u, but perviz and i needed help from my family because it will take him about 11 month to get thru the usa testing so that he can continue to work as a doctor and im still in college. i know that most people can do it on their own but i dont see anything wrong with asking family for help with our situation]

sara

The income limits are very very low. I can't imagine the kind of person who can't even make that much thinking they should get married and take responsibility for a foreign spouse. Co-sponsors shouldn't even be allowed and those income limits should be multiples higher.

a college student who recently graduated with 2 BA's who's about to make big bucks.

"would you like fries with that?"

seriously, good luck in your hunt for a decent job. these are tough times.

hopefully your degrees are in a field that will yield profitable and productive employment.

hopefully they will allow you to find work that you enjoy, and that causes you to continue learning and growing as a person.

I did meet one girl when I was in the military that I thought I loved her and she loved me, but Uncle Sam had different ideas for my life and shipped me far far away, we wrote each other daily that switched to every other day, then once a week, until a Dear John came in. Was a very sad day, but got over it. But not enough to commit suicide for as some guys had. Ah, love and war, not much difference, but all is fair in either one.

We had a saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder, but if a day too long, your heart will wander. This gal I got now and I stuck it out for two years, and why is it the damned government always giving us problems, if not the military, the damned USCIS? IRS doesn't help either, but sure want to know, both of you are paying taxes as does the USCIS.