Do you take this Immigrant???

[NArocks 13]

Did they know the color of each other’s toothbrush? The pattern of the bathroom tile? What had they done last New Year’s? And were they ready to answer far more intimate queries from a government official hunting for signs their marriage was fake?

From New York Times

[NArocks 13]

Nationwide, the number of such petitions denied for fraud is tiny: 506 of the 241,154 filed by citizens in the last fiscal year, or two-tenths of 1 percent (an additional 7 percent were denied on other grounds, like failing to show up for an interview).

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/260574-ny-times-article-re-immigration-interviews/

[IndigoSkies 168]

You know one thing that made me cringe is how people in Visa Journey suggest taking your personal letters to the interview. You let the immigration officer see deepest, darkest and most intimate details about each other. Some people go a step beyond and say make sure to send greeting cards and letters so you can create a 'record' trail. People should send greeting cards to their spouse for genuine reason, out of love and compassion. Not to make paper trail. Disgusting!

The government ought to be blamed also. They should have a clear-cut requirement about what constitutes a marriage. Then they should abide by it and not ask Orwellian question like the color of toothbrush. If someone has a valid marriage certificate from a country, they are then married. If the document is fraudulent then US government should not accept those fraudulent documents.

[NArocks 13]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/260574-ny-times-article-re-immigration-interviews/

Yes but Mine is in OT for better comments

I too think it is a crock, I love to be paperless with bills etc, yet for 2 years I killed trees whether it be printing from internet or getting in the mail just to have a record to show I am married to my hubby in good faith. Really sucked, yet still need a paper trail if he chooses to file citizenship in the next year or so.......

[IndigoSkies 168]

Lol. Some people take in pictures of them having sex to prove their marriage.

They should start taking videos, stacks of DVD's.

Edited June 14, 2010 by IndigoSkies

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Lol. Some people take in pictures of them having sex to prove their marriage.

They should start taking videos, stacks of DVD's.

Thats actually a sign of visa fraud.

[IndigoSkies 168]

Thats actually a sign of visa fraud.

I can't take your word for it. I need to see the said pictures and videos myself before I can believe this.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

The government ought to be blamed also. They should have a clear-cut requirement about what constitutes a marriage. Then they should abide by it and not ask Orwellian question like the color of toothbrush. If someone has a valid marriage certificate from a country, they are then married. If the document is fraudulent then US government should not accept those fraudulent documents.

I agree with the rest of the post I deleted but this part is what I'm responding to.

There IS a clear cut requirement of what marriage is. The problem is proving that marriage is REAL... a real loving, co-existing relationship that is. The US bestows on it's citizens the benefit of allowing their loved ones to immigrate.. the term of importance being "loved one". Too many people are paid to get someone over here, or people using USC's for that benefit as well... they have to have some sort of standard of proving that marriage is a "real" one.

I personally know the colour of my husbands toothbrush... why wouldn't I? I mean I have to make sure I'm using mine and not his. I know the colour of the blinds, I stare at them. The carpet, the blankets, sheets, dishes.. all things a person in a co-existing relationship should know. There isn't really proof of "love".. how do you really prove that? But at the very least someone in love with someone notices things more, cares about their s/o.

[IndigoSkies 168]

I disagree. Love is a subjective. What constitutes love for one person doesn't constitute love for another person. Government shouldn’t meddle in this even if it’s to provide us with the benefit of immigration. Keep things objectively, factual, and matter of fact.

I love my wife very much. But I don't give a rat's ####### about her toothbrush color, or the blinds in her window, or the types of sandal she wears. Nor do I notice these sort of things about anyone.

Edited June 14, 2010 by IndigoSkies

[mawilson 2,133]

There IS a clear cut requirement of what marriage is. The problem is proving that marriage is REAL... a real loving, co-existing relationship that is. The US bestows on it's citizens the benefit of allowing their loved ones to immigrate.. the term of importance being "loved one". Too many people are paid to get someone over here, or people using USC's for that benefit as well... they have to have some sort of standard of proving that marriage is a "real" one.

I personally know the colour of my husbands toothbrush... why wouldn't I? I mean I have to make sure I'm using mine and not his. I know the colour of the blinds, I stare at them. The carpet, the blankets, sheets, dishes.. all things a person in a co-existing relationship should know. There isn't really proof of "love".. how do you really prove that? But at the very least someone in love with someone notices things more, cares about their s/o.

You don't, because "love" is not an immigration requirement. You will not find the word "love"

in any immigration-related legal documents. People get married for all sorts of reasons - there are

plenty of arranged marriages that are long and successful, and plenty of "love" marriages that fail

and end in divorce.

USCIS wants to make sure your marriage is real. They couldn't care less if you love each other

or you're doing it out of loneliness, boredom, guilt, pressure or any other reason.

[Gemmie 142]

Also, just to play Devil's Advocate, marriage is only based on love in Western cultures. It doesn't have to be about visa fraud, but there are other reasons that people wish to get married.

ETA: Just saw the above post.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Gemmie

[sachinky 464]

There is a difference between a LEGAL marriage and a BONAFIDE marriage/relationship.

USCIS wants to see the latter which is why a marriage certificate isn't enough. It should be and would be if the process wasn't rife with fraud.

It's also not about 'love' -- plenty of arranged marriages result in approved visas.

[IndigoSkies 168]

And you don't prove bonafide marriage by knowing your spouse's toothbrush color or taking in picturs of you doing IT.

[Fandango 1,439]

I agree with the rest of the post I deleted but this part is what I'm responding to.

There IS a clear cut requirement of what marriage is. The problem is proving that marriage is REAL... a real loving, co-existing relationship that is. The US bestows on it's citizens the benefit of allowing their loved ones to immigrate.. the term of importance being "loved one". Too many people are paid to get someone over here, or people using USC's for that benefit as well... they have to have some sort of standard of proving that marriage is a "real" one.

I personally know the colour of my husbands toothbrush... why wouldn't I? I mean I have to make sure I'm using mine and not his. I know the colour of the blinds, I stare at them. The carpet, the blankets, sheets, dishes.. all things a person in a co-existing relationship should know. There isn't really proof of "love".. how do you really prove that? But at the very least someone in love with someone notices things more, cares about their s/o.

Actually, I don't think it's the gov'ts job to prove that it's a loving relationship. Just that it's genuine.