How do folks under 125% of poverty pay these fees?

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

No...I got it and I responded to it. You just don't like what I had to say.

For Val to insinuate that 21st century America must have open borders and unregulated immigration because of 18th and 19th century American frontier era policies is absurd. The America of 18th and 19th centuries does not exist anymore and is not relevant to modern 21st century immigration policy. Apparently that went right over your head.

There's a difference between a general attitude and policy. When some people are so married emotionally to policy, you've got to wonder what winds their clock.

[ScottThuy 140]

Or who is winding their clock...

[NickD 203]

Wife was a bit shocked when I showed her the total it cost to bring her and her daughter here, that included legal expenses to get her daughter permission to come over here due to their strange laws. Also a few extra bucks the judges wanted in those Latin American countries to hear our case in a timely manner, otherwise you have to wait 3-4 years. But then I showed her what I paid for a German Shepard Show Dog, LOL, they were both cheaper than that dog, and I don't even have to clean up after them, both were housebroken when I got them. So I felt I got a very good deal.

Still think USA immigration fees should be tax deductible. Since our daughter turned 18 right before my wife could apply for USC, another 675 bucks has to be sent this spring. That isn't too bad as the extra 1.350 miles and time off to make those three trips and at their convenience, not ours. We also sent more money for my wife's over 21 year old unmarried son, but not expecting to hear anything for the next five years according to their processing dates. Once we get him here, we can severe all our relations with Venezuela, providing we don't go to war with them first.

[ScottThuy 140]

Wife was a bit shocked when I showed her the total it cost to bring her and her daughter here, that included legal expenses to get her daughter permission to come over here due to their strange laws. Also a few extra bucks the judges wanted in those Latin American countries to hear our case in a timely manner, otherwise you have to wait 3-4 years. But then I showed her what I paid for a German Shepard Show Dog, LOL, they were both cheaper than that dog, and I don't even have to clean up after them, both were housebroken when I got them. So I felt I got a very good deal.

Still think USA immigration fees should be tax deductible. Since our daughter turned 18 right before my wife could apply for USC, another 675 bucks has to be sent this spring. That isn't too bad as the extra 1.350 miles and time off to make those three trips and at their convenience, not ours. We also sent more money for my wife's over 21 year old unmarried son, but not expecting to hear anything for the next five years according to their processing dates. Once we get him here, we can severe all our relations with Venezuela, providing we don't go to war with them first.

So many other gov fees are already deductible.. why not? I suppose its just another attempt to limit immigration.. start with the legal ones... svcks!

[NickD 203]

So many other gov fees are already deductible.. why not? I suppose its just another attempt to limit immigration.. start with the legal ones... svcks!

I can only think positive in bringing my wife and her daughter here, has been the happiest years of my life. But financially, picked up one exemption, and deduction, and the marriage breaks on federal and income tax, so getting some of my money back from that.

Besides the wonderful companionship from my wife, some very enjoyable fringe benefits that come with that, only the companionship with my dog. I do also get fringe benefits from the IRS, but have to bend over for those, and that hurts.

[Susita 175]

If you can do that then that's great but most people below (and many above) the poverty level can't manage to live on very modest means. The Federal poverty guidelines were meant to be the bare minimum to survive without the frills. In general, bringing another child or spouse into the home is a drain on a family's resources.

By myself alone, I make above the federal poverty line for a family of 5 (which we will be soon) but the federal guidelines don't mean squat here in New York. However, my friend who served in the military and now lives and works in OK makes just above the poverty line (he is married, stay at home wife, with a 3rd child on the way as well) and he does quite well with frequent visits to NY to visit family.

It's all relative. It's the difference of paying 2500 a month or 400 a month for an apartment/mortgage, insurance costs, food costs, gasoline costs, etc etc. People wonder how my husband and I make ends meet with the kids & everything and the answer is that we're not frivolous spenders and we save our money.

As far as the immigration costs are concerned - I used tax return money and my husband used his savings for all the trips / immigration fees. It's not easy but you do what you have to do. I was making under the poverty line, so I got a better job, worked overtime and cut down on my courseload to bring in more income. You do what you have to do. I would have never relied on a co-sponsor. I figured if I got a job that paid enough, we could do it on our own. And we did.

[Ladylethal 12]

Not that it's the OP's interest but we were recent college graduates and were below poverty line on the year I came. Still we could afford it and we lived in our means and still do, we owe nothing to anyone. As for the fees, we paid for the K-1 and then after we moved here and those first few months getting our lives going (buying furniture, etc) my parents paid for my AOS fee. They're quite rich in Brasil (and even for american standards) so just 'cus a couple started the process out below the guideline and used a sponsor don't assume they're ####### or poor and not able to support their families. And like others said in some cases the foreigner is wealthy and can afford it and support themselves and their USC SO, so don't assume the poor immigrants are invading your country.

[ValerieA 350]

No...I got it and I responded to it. You just don't like what I had to say.

For Val to insinuate that 21st century America must have open borders and unregulated immigration because of 18th and 19th century American frontier era policies is absurd. The America of 18th and 19th centuries does not exist anymore and is not relevant to modern 21st century immigration policy. Apparently that went right over your head.

Um, I did not realize that that was what I meant. Hmmm. I have never believed unregulated borders are a good idea. I just don't think that poor people are a blight on society; I actually believe that they work harder to make their way in life.

[panamania79 2]

They should raise the fee's to help stop the flow of more welfare recipients....

That's not going to stop it because most of the "lifers" I grew up with were born here!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Why do you care? People can save even if they make next to nothing - it's dependent on your priorities.

yup

[panamania79 2]

Ugh, this topic bothers me every time it comes up.

I think the biggest factor is where you live. I'm in the midwest with fairly low rent and utility fees. We had to use a sponsor but easily slipped by on below poverty wages without help from anyone.

It's these old dudes who bring over their high-maintenance foreign brides that are to blame.

They never have any problems getting approved either!

[alienlovechild 75]

And like others said in some cases the foreigner is wealthy and can afford it and support themselves and their USC SO, so don't assume the poor immigrants are invading your country.

You obviously have never been been to the U.S. southern border before.

Sure there are wealthier immigrants coming to this country but they are a minority just as surely as there are more poor than rich people in this country. Poorer countries aren't large immigration destinations unless there's war or natural disaster in a neighboring country. It's not a case of all living conditions are roughly the same throughout the world so if we had open borders migration flows would even out. Not a chance.

[Ladylethal 12]

All I said was don't assume all couples that use co-sponsors are poor overall or will have to live beyond their means.

[Staashi 371]

So you still needed help because with no jobs you had no money. My wife was below the limit and we paid everything so far without any monetary help from anyone.......anyone!

Actually, we didn't need to file for citizenship - he had his 10-year card, so we were cool. Alas, my mother wanted him to have his citizenship so she gave it to him as a gift. It was quite a generous gift, but we weren't "in need" so to speak.

Do you want a trophy for that? WTG - Harley's wife!

[justashooter 430]

They should raise the fee's to help stop the flow of more welfare recipients....

+1000.

truth is that a lot of people live grey market, raising cash in ways that are not taxed.