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

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Get a better JOB! Or start givin some!

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Wheres that HOPE and CHANGE?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Get a better JOB!

or take a chance, be an entrepreneur.

[msu17 0]

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.

And you obviously didn't read what lady or I wrote. We weren't talking about illegal immigrants. The OP asked about those of us who needed a co-sponsor and I simply explained my husband was working and I wasn't, but his $ wasn't counted since he wasn't the USC and Lady explained her husband had money and didn't move here and become a drain on society. Stay on topic or start a new one.

And Rogue, I did get a better job, that's why I went to college and med school. Last time I checked that's expensive and you can't work, putting you below poverty level. Sorry I didn't want to wait to start my life for 4 years with my husband so I didn't need to get a co-sponsor. Must be nice to not have to worry about things like that...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

And Rogue, I did get a better job, that's why I went to college and med school. Last time I checked that's expensive and you can't work, putting you below poverty level. Sorry I didn't want to wait to start my life for 4 years with my husband so I didn't need to get a co-sponsor. Must be nice to not have to worry about things like that...

he doesn't believe in college and all that fancy book larnin'

[HannahP 119]

he doesn't believe in college and all that fancy book larnin'

Don't be such an ivory tower **.

I can do surgery on myself!

[sachinky 465]

My husband and I graduated college recently. We are both working but since my income can't be counted, we fall just a little short of the poverty line. So we're using a co-sponsor. I'm not ashamed of it because we wanted to start this process -- which takes a helluva long time anyway -- right away. We didn't want to wait around for another year or so till he found a higher paying, more stable job. We can pay for our filing fees and trip airfare by ourselves from what we saved up from our campus jobs, graduation presents, and current employment. I come from a relatively well-off family in India but again, those assets/income can't be counted. Besides, we're both college-educated, and I'm certain we'll find decent jobs that will tide us along. We are not extravagant spenders and live well within our means. My husband doesn't need to "support" me. It's not like I will sit on my butt once I get over there. I will be working as well and we will support each other.

My point is: don't make a blanket statement without knowing all the salient facts in a particular case.

[NickD 203]

Two issues here, having the funds to pay for the immigration fees and qualifying for the stipulations of the I-864. With the latter, the immigrant can file a I-864A to help meet those requirements, with the former, it cost money to get married, immigrant or not.

I had huge debts after my divorce and unless I met a rich woman that I could love, like Kerry or McCain did, but I am not sure about the love in their situation, no way in hell could I think about getting remarried. But found how quickly I could pay those off without a wife that could spend money faster than I could earn it. And also had a sizable bank account. Also got my ex to agree on a one time alimony settlement so I wouldn't be plagued with that the rest of my life. Then I was finally free.

Then I met this wonderful woman with a courtship period of two years before tying the knot, was a lot more careful this time. But was quite a shock when I was told I had to sign the I-864, was kind of like putting my neck in the noose again. My attorney suggested she sign the I-864A so if things when wrong, and they do, she would share the responsibility. Felt since we were making a lifetime commitment, she read both forms we filled them out and signed them together. You can read about sponsoring USC's that got stuck with this if their marriage ended up in a divorce. A means where our government is not really protecting us, and not only threatening the USC with fraud if things don't go right, but putting the USC in a very bad blackmail type of a position if that ex starts hitting the welfare trail. My wife to be in her willingness to sign her I-864A was proof that she had good intension's. After all, a marriage is a commitment between two parties.

It also helped that my future mother-in-law seeing how happy her daughter was in meeting me wanted to sell her investment property so we would have enough money to get married. Told her that wasn't necessary, we had plenty of money and gave her a really big hug for offering it. It's nice that everything falls into place.

We are still very much married, and with my wife's USC, the I-864 and the I-864A are now history. None of us has a crystal ball for the future, can be walking along on the sidewalk and get hit by some drunken hit and run driver that can up with huge medical expenses. Hey, I already had a kid with a pre-existing medical condition that was kicked off my health insurance plan, you can go from riches to rags in no time flat. Stuff like that happens. Almost lost everything, and it sure doesn't help living in a country with a rotten economy, that sure happened in a big fat hurry.

Another bad experience, not once but three times, you work your butt off for a company with promises of great success, go to work the next day and find out your company was sold and you are without a job. That caused me to set up my own business, screw those dirty rotten lying b@stards. But they call it business, just met a friend last night I haven't seen for awhile, that happened to him, no waring whatsoever, no severance pay, his company no longer existed.

Finding a mate that also experience this and knows how to be calm is a miracle, but so far, we been lucky.

Is your partner willing to make an equal commitment? If not, keep on looking. The USCIS certainly gives us an extra test, but I still feel it's unfair to the USC, can end up either deep in debt or in prison if hung by a dishonest attorney, the immigrant just goes home.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Don't be such an ivory tower **.

I can do surgery on myself!

That's what Chuck Norris would do.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

#######

Expect 50-100% across the board fee increases sometime in 2010 for USCIS. I have it from a very good inside source. Also expect nearly 300% fee increases in visa fees at the consulate and medical exam fees (depends on country) This will be particularly devastating for those foreign fiancees/spouses with children

Change you can believe in! Also as promised by Obama, no tax increases for people making less than $250,000 per year.

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

They never have any problems getting approved either!

How is it a problem for an established person who makes many times the poverty guidelines to bring his wife/fiancee here? High maintenance or not? You have substituted one stereotype for another and that is OK? Becauwe you throw rocks at established finacially secure people, it is OK? But if someone questions someone that does not have the means to support a family, it is somehow wrong? What a bunch of horsesqueeze.

Either argue your point sensibly or bow out. Hurling one form of pejorative is hardly better than another.

As for me, one of those established "old guys" with a high maintenance wife that had no problems getting approved (not even one question at the interview or AOS) here is my take...

I couldn't possibly care less how anyone pays the fees or the bills or how they raise their family and pay for it. They are adults and need to make such decisions for themselves. It affects me not one iota and I do not care. I wish everyone luck and demand my right (and yours) to do stupid things financially and otherwise as a free adult.

Individual freedom and individula responsibility rule. Do what you want, just pay for it yourself.

[NickD 203]

How is it a problem for an established person who makes many times the poverty guidelines to bring his wife/fiancee here? High maintenance or not? You have substituted one stereotype for another and that is OK? Becauwe you throw rocks at established finacially secure people, it is OK? But if someone questions someone that does not have the means to support a family, it is somehow wrong? What a bunch of horsesqueeze.

Either argue your point sensibly or bow out. Hurling one form of pejorative is hardly better than another.

As for me, one of those established "old guys" with a high maintenance wife that had no problems getting approved (not even one question at the interview or AOS) here is my take...

I couldn't possibly care less how anyone pays the fees or the bills or how they raise their family and pay for it. They are adults and need to make such decisions for themselves. It affects me not one iota and I do not care. I wish everyone luck and demand my right (and yours) to do stupid things financially and otherwise as a free adult.

Individual freedom and individula responsibility rule. Do what you want, just pay for it yourself.

Bottom line is that the USCIS makes that decision for you. They want cash in advance for your forms and even tell you they can reject them and keep your fee. Also not good to tell any fibs on the I-864, that can get you into some deep trouble. It's that simple.

[Susita 175]

I wanted to say that I don't think getting a co-sponsor is wrong or irresponsible (in case it came across that way in my prev. post) - we just didn't want to put that burden on any of our family members or friends. That's why I took some extra time before filing and got better employment and made the sacrifice of cutting down my courseload.

I couldn't possibly care less how anyone pays the fees or the bills or how they raise their family and pay for it. They are adults and need to make such decisions for themselves. It affects me not one iota and I do not care. I wish everyone luck and demand my right (and yours) to do stupid things financially and otherwise as a free adult.

I would have to agree with this

[Ban Hammer 14,573]

Don't be such an ivory tower **.

I can do surgery on myself!

we know

[rebeccajo 14]

Expect 50-100% across the board fee increases sometime in 2010 for USCIS. I have it from a very good inside source.

Oh blah blah blah blah.

What a pompous a$$ you are.