Dating Service/Criminal History/Income ?'s

[BOS_LHR 829]

Completely agree with previous posters re: your third question. It's best to be honest throughout the process, both to the government and your future spouse. If either catches you in a lie, the whole thing is going down in flames. Disclosing any incidents is the safest and best way to go.

[gigarange999 1]

Yoiu are correct about not needing to list your cimes on the 129 form......but you should inform your future fiance all about them...Your entire life record (even those decisions that are "sealed") are available to USCIS and will be disclosed to the Embassy. Your fiance WILL be asked about knowledge of them, you can count on that. If she has no knowledge, they very well may deny her visa to protect her.

Stop being so smug; we are trying to help you.

Again, no need to list on the form, but do need to disclose all to your fiance.

Thank you all for your responses.

To answer some of your questions as to why I wouldn't want to tell a potential wife about my criminal history is simple. I used to wear my heart on my sleeve and tell every girl I dated about my history. I felt they "DESERVED" to know so they can make an informed decision about being in a relationship with me.

I realize that is an immature way of looking at it. I don't need to disclose any information to anyone. After years of experience in disclosing, lately I have chosen not to disclose anything because it is none of anyone's business. My past doesn't define me and I choose to not disclose information regarding it. Just because I was caught for the crimes I committed doesnt mean that I am any less of a good person than the rest of us.

Using similar logic to those who feel I should disclose "ALL" makes me wonder if some of the people are disclosing the criminal activity they have done and not have been caught for. For example, if they have ever had illegally copied music on their ipod or mp3 player- that is a federal crime with punishments including prison time.

We could go back and forth regarding who is right and wrong for disclosing or not. It really depends on your perspective. I have not made up my mind just yet, but I am weighing out the options.

____

To reply to your reply, I may not list all the crimes that I have done. I more than likely will decide to disclose all of the information to her and possibly have a family member on skype with me so she can hear another perspective and know that I have changed.

I am hesitant to throw a wrench in this whole thing if I don't have to.

I am obtaining criminal history from fbi and local police stations so I can actually see what's on my record. I wouldn't want to leave anything out.

Also, I may not be responding to your post if you are trying to convince me the right/wrong of disclosure. I will read it and make my own decision, but I refuse to get into an argument over the internet with someone about what I choose to do with my own life.

I appreciate any suggestions you have to offer though. Thank you.

[RobBell 32]

Many people have met their fiance(e) or spouse on dating websites. I think its pretty much an every day occurrence. The dating websites are only an introduction and are much different than a marriage broker.

Personally, I have shared just about everything i possibly could with my fiancee. Honesty is absolutely the best policy.

Especially when dealing with the immigration there's no way I want to try to hide information from them or do anything else to make my actions questionable. If we run into trouble I don't want it to be because I tried to hide something. Having said that, I wouldn't volunteer information they didn't ask for, but I would be honest with my potential life mate about it.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I am interested in the K1 visa process for a future woman that I may meet.

1) I have been using a site called www.latinlovesearch.com and it is a free service to meet latin singles. I am not sure if this is considered a marriage brokerage firm because it is free and it is more just a site to meet people.

What do you think?

2) My income last year was around $29,000 under a sole proprietership with my business. I am the owner and even though I grossed $186,000, the profit was $29,000. The profit is all I am allowed to show as income with regards to buying a house and filing taxes.

Will I have any issue with my income or paperwork? I spoke with an immigration attorney for 60 seconds for free advice and he said that I may need to get a letter from my accountant. I really didn't understand why.

3) Im 31 now and when I was 19 I was convicted of a class 1 felony for selling drugs. Also, I was convicted of battery 5 years ago after getting in a fight.

Am I required to disclose any of this information to a girl that I meet? Am I required to disclose it on the k1 forms? From what I have read and from what the lawyer said, I will not have to. It only covers domestic battery and some other charges. What do you think?

Thank you so much in advance for your help.

1. You will have to write details of how you met. Brokerage is not necesarily a matter of money being exchanged. The purpose of the site (I'm sure it says that somewhere) is to have Latinas marry people they meet on the service, thus brokerage for marriage.

2. Depends on household size. For 2 only, is enough. You will need to provide tax returns and possibly other financial info during the process, but not initially. Thre is a document that lists income levels. It is listed with the information here about K-1's; that I'm sure willbe posted soon, or you can search for it.

3. Disclosure: absolutely! You wouldn't be trying to hide things from your future spouse, don't you?

Put yourself in her shoes, Would you not want to know of any potential issue in her past? Additionally, you will have to disclose it as part of the immigration process -and lying to USCIS is a no no; they will find out, they are the government- Your fiancee could be ask about those things in the interview, and if she didn't know, would be a flag that something is not legit; not that is isn't, but USCIS will use against your case.

Rule number one about lawyers: assume they do not know what the heck they are talking about.

There is much more know how and real life experience in this forum than any lawyer could dream to have. And in the chance that someone has incorrect information, there will be others that will point that out. If your case and/or question seems to indicate that you really need a lawyer, you will unequivocally be told so by more than one person here.

Your best bet is to ask here and make your decision. What you can get here is personal advice and opinions, but not legal advice, unless it comes from a lawyer, and there are a couple in this forum, good ones by the way.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Gosia & Tito

[baron555 934]

I wouildn't necessarily disclose this past info on the first date.....but definitely you must inform your fiance before their interview. They WILL most likely be asked about it.

USCIS has access to information on you that you don't even know about. Trust us on this.

[gigarange999 1]

Ok, well I listened to many of your opinions and just told her the truth about me getting in trouble. All of the times. She is a little worried but she understands that I am who I am now and I am changed. She appreciated my honesty too btw.

[ppihtr123 68]

Great to hear. You can't change what was done. Only what you are doing now and what you will do.

[gigarange999 1]

Great to hear. You can't change what was done. Only what you are doing now and what you will do.

yes I agree. Now I will try to pull my records from the government databases to see how many convictions for marijuana I have. I don't know how many exactly. I want to say one or two even though I have been in trouble for it more than that, but they did not result in conviction.

Do you guys think I should get an immigration lawyer? I dont want to list items on my form if I dont need to. I don't want it to cause any delays.

Can anyone reccomend a good one who has experience with criminal history.

Also, what is the process?

1) Get to know her

2) Ask her to marry

3) Get fathers permission

4) Her set up interview w embassy

5) File k1 visa

6) Wait 6 months till approved

7) have her move her and decide to marry within 90 days?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

yes I agree. Now I will try to pull my records from the government databases to see how many convictions for marijuana I have. I don't know how many exactly. I want to say one or two even though I have been in trouble for it more than that, but they did not result in conviction.

Do you guys think I should get an immigration lawyer? I dont want to list items on my form if I dont need to. I don't want it to cause any delays.

Can anyone reccomend a good one who has experience with criminal history.

Also, what is the process?

1) Get to know her

2) Ask her to marry

3) Get fathers permission

4) Her set up interview w embassy

5) File k1 visa

6) Wait 6 months till approved

7) have her move her and decide to marry within 90 days?

Most VJers opt to go without a lawyer, but that's completely up to you. You mentioned you were doing a consult with one soon, so go and make the decision after that. We don't know all the details of your life, but you do, and you'll need to weigh whether or not an attorney will be able to assist.

On the process, start by reading the guides on this site, http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide, and the forms on the USCIS.gov website. And then read them twice more. Even if you do choose to hire an attorney, you need to know this process forwards and backwards.

Finally, before you start this process, you should both be sure that her moving to the U.S. and marrying you is what you want to do. For one, that will be something you'll need to state as part of the initial petition package. The K-1 visa isn't a "get to know my fiancé better" visa.

Edited May 4, 2013 by LeftCoastLady

[gigarange999 1]

Most VJers opt to go without a lawyer, but that's completely up to you. You mentioned you were doing a consult with one soon, so go and make the decision after that. We don't know all the details of your life, but you do, and you'll need to weigh whether or not an attorney will be able to assist.

On the process, start by reading the guides on this site, http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide, and the forms on the USCIS.gov website. And then read them twice more. Even if you do choose to hire an attorney, you need to know this process forwards and backwards.

Finally, before you start this process, you should both be sure that her moving to the U.S. and marrying you is what you want to do. For one, that will be something you'll need to state as part of the initial petition package. The K-1 visa isn't a "get to know my fiancé better" visa.

Ok thanks for the info. If anyone else has any experiences on criminal history and the processes involved please feel free to include.