why should I make my parents US residents?

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Let them come and visit for a while and see if they like it.. I wonder why anybody would want to move here for retirement. Lots of American retirees move out to somewhere else where there is less pressure.

A guy brought his mum from Nigeria and that old lady was ready to go back to Nigeria within 3 days...lol..Don't let these family member dictate what you do for your parents. The moment she gets away with this one, she gon be calling more shots.

[Cheezees 1,514]

Let them come and visit for a while and see if they like it.. I wonder why anybody would want to move here for retirement. Lots of American retirees move out to somewhere else where there is less pressure.

A guy brought his mum from Nigeria and that old lady was ready to go back to Nigeria within 3 days...lol..Don't let these family member dictate what you do for your parents. The moment she gets away with this one, she gon be calling more shots.

3 days? Poor lady! I can't imagine moving to another, more expensive and faster-paced country for retirement either.

[NikLR 13,220]

We plan on retiring in Canada or the south. (My preference is north.)

[almost_umrican 53]

Hi,

I became a U.S. citizen sometime in 2013 or 2014 by marriage (I'm still happily married ) - A few months ago, a family member started to get on my case/nerves asking me why I haven't helped my parents (Mexican citizens) to become US residents so that they can enjoy the benefits of it. When I ask what are the benefits of being a US residents, I get no answer from my family member. To my knowledge, the only benefit for my parents would be to avoid applying for a US visa every 5 years.

Can somebody enlighten me with some reasons why should I make my parents US residents? Pros, cons? Benefits?

Thank you,

Alan

one man's garbage is other man's treasure. Living in the US is the biggest benefit itself. especially when an alien is from a poor country.is it not big enough of a benefit that one is more safer, have access to luxury or have some of the basic living necessities like potable water, uninterrupted power and food. these are some of the basic stuff that one can't get in the poor countries. i am sorry but it sounded a little weird to me that you don't even remember the year you became a US citizen. seems like you are starting to have what they call the first world problems. on a lighter note, sponsoring your parents is a personal decision and what nature of advice from strangers here can help you on this topic ?

Edited June 22, 2016 by almost_umrican

[Alan_G 13]

one man's garbage is other man's treasure. Living in the US is the biggest benefit itself. especially when an alien is from a poor country.is it not big enough of a benefit that one is more safer, have access to luxury or have some of the basic living necessities like potable water, uninterrupted power and food. these are some of the basic stuff that one can't get in the poor countries. i am sorry but it sounded a little weird to me that you don't even remember the year you became a US citizen. seems like you are starting to have what they call the first world problems. on a lighter note, sponsoring your parents is a personal decision and what nature of advice from strangers here can help you on this topic ?

"Living in the US is the biggest benefit itself" <<< that's just your opinion. My parent will not necessarily agree with your opinion. Fortunately enough, they live in a place where potable water, food and all the stuff you mentioned is not an issue.. perhaps you have not visited Mexico and don't have na clear picture of the country.

Of course I know sponsoring my parents is a parent/me decision - The purpose of posting my original question was to be better informed as my parent have certainly asked me questions about why should they become residents...

so what I do not remember the date I became a US citizen... does that makes me a worst person or citizen of this country? I'm not perfect....

[observatorka 197]

Medical services and medications are much cheaper in Mexico. In the USA people lose houses, because they cannot afford medical bills.

Your parents retired and they are getting older. They might have some (minor or major) health issues in future.

If they will need help to pay medical bills or medications, it's gonna be easier for you to support them financially.

Those benefits everybody mentions are important for young people. For older folks there are different priorities.
And like I said it's easier to support them financially when they are in Mexico.

[almost_umrican 53]

"Living in the US is the biggest benefit itself" <<< that's just your opinion. My parent will not necessarily agree with your opinion. Fortunately enough, they live in a place where potable water, food and all the stuff you mentioned is not an issue.. perhaps you have not visited Mexico and don't have na clear picture of the country.

Of course I know sponsoring my parents is a parent/me decision - The purpose of posting my original question was to be better informed as my parent have certainly asked me questions about why should they become residents...

so what I do not remember the date I became a US citizen... does that makes me a worst person or citizen of this country? I'm not perfect....

you answered your question man ! the only reason people immigrate to a place different from where they were born to better their lives.if they are happy at where they are than why bother ? yes it is my opinion and is based on facts and you can't compare the standard of living in the US or mexico.Also, me commenting on your inability to recall when you became a citizen was said on a lighter note. you are taking it to a different level and missing my point. i am sorry if i offended you.lastly, what do you/parents consider a benefit ? welfare, medicare ?

[Alan_G 13]

you answered your question man ! the only reason people immigrate to a place different from where they were born to better their lives.if they are happy at where they are than why bother ? yes it is my opinion and is based on facts and you can't compare the standard of living in the US or mexico.Also, me commenting on your inability to recall when you became a citizen was said on a lighter note. you are taking it to a different level and missing my point. i am sorry if i offended you.lastly, what do you/parents consider a benefit ? welfare, medicare ?

Let's clarify some facts that I should of have included in my original post:

- Why should I make my parents US residents?

* They don't care about welfare, medicare, food stamps, social security, etc. (neither do I) Luckily enough, they live pretty comfortable and have everything they need.

* They are not interested in spending the rest of their days in the US

* They are perfectly fine applying for Visas at the US embassy in Mexico city every 5 years or whenever they have the need for it

* They are not interested in getting a working permit or anything that will allow them to work as they are happily enjoying retirement back home

* Whether one country is better than the other is irrelevant for this question

The intent of the post/question was for me to learn what are the "benefits" of being a resident considering the facts above. As stated in previous posts, there aren't any and it only reinforces my theory that my family member has no clue of what he is talking about.

Last but not least... what do I consider a benefit? I would consider a benefit the fact that they could come and go as they pleased without having to apply for a visa. I certainly don't consider a benefit welfare, medicare or anything along those lines.

-Alan

[almost_umrican 53]

Let's clarify some facts that I should of have included in my original post:

- Why should I make my parents US residents?

* They don't care about welfare, medicare, food stamps, social security, etc. (neither do I) Luckily enough, they live pretty comfortable and have everything they need.

* They are not interested in spending the rest of their days in the US

* They are perfectly fine applying for Visas at the US embassy in Mexico city every 5 years or whenever they have the need for it

* They are not interested in getting a working permit or anything that will allow them to work as they are happily enjoying retirement back home

* Whether one country is better than the other is irrelevant for this question

The intent of the post/question was for me to learn what are the "benefits" of being a resident considering the facts above. As stated in previous posts, there aren't any and it only reinforces my theory that my family member has no clue of what he is talking about.

Last but not least... what do I consider a benefit? I would consider a benefit the fact that they could come and go as they pleased without having to apply for a visa. I certainly don't consider a benefit welfare, medicare or anything along those lines.

-Alan

We are not going to go in circles man. fair enough, if they have a prosperous and comfortable lives in Mexico and the only benefit you can consider is like you mentioned is not having to apply a visa every now and than. let me tell you something,

once you sponsored them for a GC while they are not in the US, there visitors visa will become null/void. and they will have to wait unless a decision is made on the petitions.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Let's clarify some facts that I should of have included in my original post:

- Why should I make my parents US residents?

* They don't care about welfare, medicare, food stamps, social security, etc. (neither do I) Luckily enough, they live pretty comfortable and have everything they need.

* They are not interested in spending the rest of their days in the US

* They are perfectly fine applying for Visas at the US embassy in Mexico city every 5 years or whenever they have the need for it

* They are not interested in getting a working permit or anything that will allow them to work as they are happily enjoying retirement back home

* Whether one country is better than the other is irrelevant for this question

The intent of the post/question was for me to learn what are the "benefits" of being a resident considering the facts above. As stated in previous posts, there aren't any and it only reinforces my theory that my family member has no clue of what he is talking about.

Last but not least... what do I consider a benefit? I would consider a benefit the fact that they could come and go as they pleased without having to apply for a visa. I certainly don't consider a benefit welfare, medicare or anything along those lines.

-Alan

For your parents, LPR status would be a burden.

They would not be able to come and go as they please. An LPR is required to live in the US. Your parents don't want to do that.

An LPR must have state health care under federal law. Your parents would need to pay for US health insurance.

An LPR is required to file US tax returns on worldwide income. Your parents' pensions would be reported on US tax returns.

Stick with the visitor visas.

Edited June 22, 2016 by aaron2020

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Let's clarify some facts that I should of have included in my original post:

- Why should I make my parents US residents?

* They don't care about welfare, medicare, food stamps, social security, etc. (neither do I) Luckily enough, they live pretty comfortable and have everything they need.

* They are not interested in spending the rest of their days in the US

* They are perfectly fine applying for Visas at the US embassy in Mexico city every 5 years or whenever they have the need for it

* They are not interested in getting a working permit or anything that will allow them to work as they are happily enjoying retirement back home

* Whether one country is better than the other is irrelevant for this question

The intent of the post/question was for me to learn what are the "benefits" of being a resident considering the facts above. As stated in previous posts, there aren't any and it only reinforces my theory that my family member has no clue of what he is talking about.

Last but not least... what do I consider a benefit? I would consider a benefit the fact that they could come and go as they pleased without having to apply for a visa. I certainly don't consider a benefit welfare, medicare or anything along those lines.

-Alan

^^ Then you should ask that relative who brought this up, the "benefit" she was talking about.

I wonder why you couldn't answer that question with everything you posted in this quoted comment.

Why are you asking us?

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

"Living in the US is the biggest benefit itself" <<< that's just your opinion. My parent will not necessarily agree with your opinion. Fortunately enough, they live in a place where potable water, food and all the stuff you mentioned is not an issue.. perhaps you have not visited Mexico and don't have na clear picture of the country.

There are definitely some people living in shacks in Mexico, but there are also normally suburban and really nice areas too. People sometimes forget about those just like they forget about the Americans also living in abject poverty.

I personally don't think there is a benefit given their situation, just like I don't think there would be a benefit for my in-laws to come over.

[kris&me 572]

If you have to ask, then you have answered your own question.

We thought about it for my mother in law

1. she does not read and write

2. she does not speak English

3. her other family are there and we can not bring them all

4. her friends are ther and making new ones here would be hard

5. she can visit for 90 days and really enjoy her time / living here she would be lonely

6. we really can't afford all the insurance and changes

7. most important / she doesn't want to

8 it is easier for us to financially help her in her country / bought her a new apartment

Edited June 22, 2016 by kris&me

[mallafri76 1,012]

The pros would be:

- Close to you, their child

- Access to great medical care (if paid for)

- Not having to re-apply for a tourist visa

The cons (IMO) are:

- expensive compared to where they live now

- ridiculously expensive health insurance and health care

- away from other family members

- having to file taxes with IRS each year

- possible language barrier (do they speak English?)

- having to spend a minimum of six months a year in the US or risk loosing their GC

- going through a lengthy and expensive immigration visa process

Unless they are wanting to actually move to the US and live here on a permanent basis, there are NO BENEFITS for your parents to try and obtain an immigration visa.

[NikLR 13,220]

We are not going to go in circles man. fair enough, if they have a prosperous and comfortable lives in Mexico and the only benefit you can consider is like you mentioned is not having to apply a visa every now and than. let me tell you something,

once you sponsored them for a GC while they are not in the US, there visitors visa will become null/void. and they will have to wait unless a decision is made on the petitions.

No it doesnt. They can still visit with a visitor visa while immigration is happening.

But the point is moot. There is no advantage fo the OPs parents.