Can they deny you for being poor?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Don't feel this way. AOS isn't really optional unless you're okay living out-of-status. The immigrant can't work or leave the country, can't get a drivers licence, in some cases can't go on some health insurances... and if caught by ICE can be locked up in detention until they see an immigration judge who will order you to AOS immediately... not to mention legal fees associated with that.

As someone who waited a while I can tell you that while yes, there were lots i COULD have spent the $1010 on, I am happy that I will NEVER have someone threaten me with my lack of status (lets just say I don't trust my in-laws), I can work, I can leave and return, I am (almost) like everyone else. It was really depressing and stressful sitting at home UNABLE to work but totally willing... esp when we moved from TX to IA and how much that cost us.. and my father taking ill in June I was able to get a flight back to Australia without fear of my status and wasting all the money and time invested already...

I personally wouldn't wait if the money is there. I would look for co-sponsors, get a second job.. whatever.

Tony, I hope this/your words-O'-wisdom post is pinned in the AOS forum for everyone who says, "But there is no time limit for filing AOS."

Clearly, it is to everyone's advantage to file AOS ASAP and get it done! No time limit needed, just common sense.

Edited March 13, 2011 by Boing!

[extremerecluse 32]

Are you willing to think outside the box? I am going to give you some advice that will solve all your problems with income. I know you are a woman. I hope you don't think that is a barrier to what I am going to tell you. You mentioned this economy is in the dumper; true in most non skilled occupations. You sound desperate. I understand this. One industry that has always remained strong throughout all economic times is the trucking industry. Men and woman of all walks of life happen to drive big trucks. The pay is good and the work is steady. If you have any better ideas in order to support your loved one and most importantly, passing your AOS interview, I am all ears. Some larger companies will pay for your training and you will pay them back over two years. This might not be for you, but do you want to take the risk of being denied due to lack of income? You are inside a box now. Think outside that box! Food for thought; there are 10 jobs for every driver in the US now. Starting pay is about $35,000 and goes up and up and up with experience.

If you like, he can also do the same and you could make over $120,000 driving together. Can't beat that!!!

[Mike&Cherry 45]

You should try a temporary employment agency based upon the type of work your looking for. There are agencies that exist that even have office jobs. 9 years ago I went to a temp agency and they got me a job that paid $20 dollars and hour plus commission. No exageration. It was awesome. I was only 19 years old then.

[Lisamarie 79]

You can't get unemployment because you're not a minority? That doesn't make any sense. Maybe you should check into it again.

Have faith, you've gone this far and he is finally going to be with you. "God Willing" you will find a job soon, better than the one you had;)

He does have his K1 and I do not want to become a burden or him. I've worked hard my entire life and where I live, I cannot even get unemployment, Medicaid or food stamps because I am not a minority. So even if I wanted to depend on it, i could not! I have been trying for Medicaid on a PT job for 3 years now!

UGH, it just seems like we got so far and now it maybe all for nothing...

must stay positive!!

I'm not sure that a temp job would quality because the employer would actually be the staffing agency.

You should try a temporary employment agency based upon the type of work your looking for. There are agencies that exist that even have office jobs. 9 years ago I went to a temp agency and they got me a job that paid $20 dollars and hour plus commission. No exageration. It was awesome. I was only 19 years old then.

[JoannaV 173]

Every state is different, but in my state you can get unemployment so long as you didn't leave voluntarily and weren't fired for misconduct. (And if you were fired but don't think you should have been, you can appeal.) Food stamps...when I looked the only reason I could see that we couldn't get them was because we owned a vehicle worth more than $4000. Double, triple-check on umemployment, because you can use that towards the income requirement - don't know if it would be enough combined with your household's (ie parents') income, but certainly something to look at REALLY hard before you decide you definitely can't get it!

The recession punched the trucking industry to the ground :-s Though guess it is back on its feet now, but still.

I don't know much about adjusting status, so I am just going to ask this and hope someone else can answer. If you send off the AOS package with an I-864 that does not show sufficient income, will they straight up deny the application or will they send an RFE? If the latter, then could you apply for AOS along with the EAD, and then once the EAD was received the immigrant could also try to find a job and then his income could also be considered? How long would they have to reply to the RFE?

[Eve&Josh 5]

Thanks. I bought 1.5 tanks of gas with it.

You crack me up

Edited March 13, 2011 by Eve&Josh

[JoyDee 21]

I've worked hard my entire life and where I live, I cannot even get unemployment, Medicaid or food stamps because I am not a minority.

What is that supposed to mean? Your race has nothing to do with whether or not you get government assistance. As far as I know, Legally, your husband cannot take food stamps and other forms of government assistance once you are married because you have signed an affidavit saying that he will not become a burden on the state.

[Hicham♥Sara 15]

Are you willing to think outside the box? I am going to give you some advice that will solve all your problems with income. I know you are a woman. I hope you don't think that is a barrier to what I am going to tell you. You mentioned this economy is in the dumper; true in most non skilled occupations. You sound desperate. I understand this. One industry that has always remained strong throughout all economic times is the trucking industry. Men and woman of all walks of life happen to drive big trucks. The pay is good and the work is steady. If you have any better ideas in order to support your loved one and most importantly, passing your AOS interview, I am all ears. Some larger companies will pay for your training and you will pay them back over two years. This might not be for you, but do you want to take the risk of being denied due to lack of income? You are inside a box now. Think outside that box! Food for thought; there are 10 jobs for every driver in the US now. Starting pay is about $35,000 and goes up and up and up with experience.

This is good advice ! My Fiance is in school right now in Morocco training for International/Commercial driver's liscence so that this is an opportunity he can take here in the United States!

[Myopia 93]

thanks for the smile!

It was a joke.

Minorities don't get more or less benefits than any other race. This country is predominantly white majority and the majority of those on welfare are white single mothers.

Welfare was created for white people. Blacks and ethnic minorities were denied the right to welfare until the end of the civil rights movement.

The fact is 27% of blacks live below the poverty line as opposed to only about 9% of whites.

If you qualify then you qualify regardless of what race you are and even if you don;t there are many agencies that will help you.

I wasnt trying to make you laugh. I thought it was ironic that you made that statement when you are engaged to a minority.

[Maxx121 14]

I cannot even get unemployment, Medicaid or food stamps because I am not a minority. So even if I wanted to depend on it, i could not! I have been trying for Medicaid on a PT job for 3 years now!

Im just curious as to why you think you cant get some sort of public assistance if you are not a minority?

[just phobulous 2]

Are you willing to think outside the box? I am going to give you some advice that will solve all your problems with income. I know you are a woman. I hope you don't think that is a barrier to what I am going to tell you. You mentioned this economy is in the dumper; true in most non skilled occupations. You sound desperate. I understand this. One industry that has always remained strong throughout all economic times is the trucking industry. Men and woman of all walks of life happen to drive big trucks. The pay is good and the work is steady. If you have any better ideas in order to support your loved one and most importantly, passing your AOS interview, I am all ears. Some larger companies will pay for your training and you will pay them back over two years. This might not be for you, but do you want to take the risk of being denied due to lack of income? You are inside a box now. Think outside that box! Food for thought; there are 10 jobs for every driver in the US now. Starting pay is about $35,000 and goes up and up and up with experience.

+1 I have had a CDL since 1991. I also have several forklift and equipment certifications. I can tell you from experience that there are literally tons of jobs in the driving/material moving industry. If you are a little sketchy about driving a large truck, I can understand. But, driving a forklift is very easy to learn and with a certification in hand, you could probably score a full-time job in less than a week. On Craigslist in our area there are over 90 openings just for forklift drivers alone. Most of these jobs are not extremely physically demanding. You won't get rich on the wages of forklift driver... But, any of these jobs would pay enough to meet poverty guidelines.

[alibekah 4]

First, I hope your job and financial situation makes a positive turn for the better, soon! Hey, they say the economy is picking up lately....

Second, the more I see posters here basically saying that AOS is optional because there is no time limit, it makes me feel like a sucker for coughing up the $1010 bucks for an AOS that really isnt necessary until it is convenient for the petitioner and beneficiary.

So be of good cheer, and just do that AOS at such time that it is convenient for you.

I could think of 1010 better things that I coulda done with my $1010

Thank you, goodness I hope so too. I have been doing a lot of volunteering tutoring and I hope that opens some doors for me somewhere. I was in tears last night and my man is telling me to please be positive. Everything has gone so well so far. I am just hoping!! You would think 2 college degrees would get you somewhere, you know??

Thank you again. I am still confused about how we cannot file for the AOS, but I guess it may be best to delay until I know for sure we will meet the guideline.

[alibekah 4]

It was a joke.

Minorities don't get more or less benefits than any other race. This country is predominantly white majority and the majority of those on welfare are white single mothers.

Welfare was created for white people. Blacks and ethnic minorities were denied the right to welfare until the end of the civil rights movement.

The fact is 27% of blacks live below the poverty line as opposed to only about 9% of whites.

If you qualify then you qualify regardless of what race you are and even if you don;t there are many agencies that will help you.

I wasnt trying to make you laugh. I thought it was ironic that you made that statement when you are engaged to a minority.

Funny thing is that I am a minority also. I am just emotionally exhausted and physically in pain. I still have no freakin' clue how anything works anymore. When you feel like you are at your wits end and tired of the lack of support from people (emotionally), it strains on you immensely. Which is funny because my mother came to this country legally 35 years ago and my sister is married to a Swiss man.

[alibekah 4]

You should try a temporary employment agency based upon the type of work your looking for. There are agencies that exist that even have office jobs. 9 years ago I went to a temp agency and they got me a job that paid $20 dollars and hour plus commission. No exageration. It was awesome. I was only 19 years old then.

I have put my resume in with a few of those actually. I keep updating my resume in hopes that they will call me. Before I moved back to where I am now, I had an awesome job that I did get through a temp agency that ended up keeping me (but after 2 years, my dept was closed down). This was 4 years ago. So I am hoping that I will have the same luck this time.

Im just curious as to why you think you cant get some sort of public assistance if you are not a minority?

actually I am one. Last night was a bad night. I hit rock bottom. My mother is am immigrant and my sister married a foreigner. The gov cares little for who it wants to help or not.

OP, unemployment compensation does not depend on your race. Have you bothered to see if you qualify for unemployment or welfare? Even rich white people can get unemployment depending on the reason they were let go. At least try for it.

I actually have been denied for unemployment. I do not know why and those papers explain very little.

[alibekah 4]

+1 I have had a CDL since 1991. I also have several forklift and equipment certifications. I can tell you from experience that there are literally tons of jobs in the driving/material moving industry. If you are a little sketchy about driving a large truck, I can understand. But, driving a forklift is very easy to learn and with a certification in hand, you could probably score a full-time job in less than a week. On Craigslist in our area there are over 90 openings just for forklift drivers alone. Most of these jobs are not extremely physically demanding. You won't get rich on the wages of forklift driver... But, any of these jobs would pay enough to meet poverty guidelines.

REALLY? I am absolutly willing to think outside the box (I am an artist, its all I do) when it comes to a job. Do you need to get your CDL to drive a forklift? How do you get the training for that kind of stuff? Right now, I am willing to consider anything except an escort service! ( I have to give myself a smile somehow!) Thank you for your response. Thank you.