Latest Update - for your amusements...

[JayJay 4]

So, here's what's been going on recently. We have our interview in less that two weeks (the Wednesday after next, to be exact). And I am about to vent - so don't read unless you like a good, long, ironic, slightly "conspiricy theory" infused laugh. I'll make a list:

1) My poor mother - bless her - has not sent my birth certificate until now. She forgot totally about it. So that's hopefully winging it's way across the ocean as we speak. God only knows what we'll do if it doesn't get here in time.

2) My MIL...pulled out of giving us a ride to the cities with less than two weeks to speare, suggesting we "re-book". The reason for this was because she didn't feel comfortable leaving the animals at home by themselves. When I said we couldn't re-book because messages didn't get through properly she didn't seem very concerned and asked "Why?". I then said that if by some miracle we COULD rebook, it'd be something like a few more MONTHS before the next appointment. She thought that wasn't such a bad idea. I nearly flipped my lid.

3) Our taxes have been taken over, and turned inside out and NOW, after I did them all PERFECTLY myself, the MIL has decided for us that filing seperately is a better idea, for the sake of a $300 low income thingy he could file, which we can't file if we file a foreign income exclusion "because TaxACT said so". Meaning we now have no joint income tax return. Either. and believe me, if I SAY anything, the money comes first. It ALWAYS comes first.

4) We have no joint bank account.

5) We have hardly any pictures.

6) Ben doesn't get that you can't argue with the immigration officers about the value of evidence. And that a letter from both our employers stating that we've put the same address for a contact address on our papers might not be enough. Which is just great *makes exasperated face at thought of an argument in the interview, and the subsequent plane ticket that would have to be bought...*

7) My sister in law (love her) has takent the entire day off work to take us into the interview. We have the following as evidence:

• A few pictures of us together (Ben hates having his picture taken...) at Xmas, our wedding and Thanksgiving (where I look depressed!)
  
• A joint health insurance policy.
  
• Letters addressed to su at the same address.
  
• Possibly a letter from my friend Em across the road saying we're a real couple.
  

I don't really know what else we can bring - every where we turn, this entire thing is being opposed. It's crazyness...I threatened to walk out and live elsewhere and send for Ben later on the other day because I cannot stand living here anymore - the next day, the ride fell through...see what I mean about conspiricy?

Anyone with any more "evidenciary ideas for the immigrationally destitute", please feel free to add them...

Edited March 18, 2006 by JayJay

[pri 0]

i just find it annoying and yr ranting is funny

I luv yr MIL she is great God Bless and all the best

[sparkofcreation 0]

Your mother-in-law re-did your taxes?!?!?!?! Um, how could she do that? I mean, you and your husband, personally, need to sign them before you send them. What did she do, forge your signatures?

[MaryandMian 1]

Sorry Jay Jay to hear of the headaches.

1. How about your auto insurance? A car in both or your name registered?

2. Any Christmas cards ?

3. Any bills of any kind that show you both on them? I know Ben got sick a while back.

4. Any more neighbors you could ask to write a letter showing you as married couple?

Just a few ideas and wishing you all the best on your interview.

Mary

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Hey fellow Minnesotan Sounds like things are pretty stressful. How about we trade interview times? Uh, except ours isn't scheduled yet

Hmmm, do you guys rent an apartment together and have both your names on the lease? Do you have a phone bill or cable bill or electricity bill together? Can you put your name on one of those bills? How about opening a joint bank account now?

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Marriage is hard enough without all of the added stress of moving to a new country and then dealing with all of this immigration stuff. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Cant you open a joint savings account...... do you have 401K at work with hubby as beneficery? does he has the same? house lease? or letter from the family member who you are living with confirming you both live there? Christmas cards addressed to you both...

JayJay I will be thinking of your both and I am sure you will be fine....

Hugs

Kezzie

[JayJay 4]

Oh, yes, they were taken over, re-done because I couldn't be trusted, apparantly.

We haven't signed them yet. I did them perfectly the first time 'round as well.

Things do get "taken over" around here, and if they're questioned, then you get screamed at or called "ungrateful". It's a bit like living in emotional Beirut - and there'snothing we can do about that until we move - believe me, we've tried.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

3) Our taxes have been taken over, and turned inside out and NOW, after I did them all PERFECTLY myself, the MIL has decided for us that filing seperately is a better idea, for the sake of a $300 low income thingy he could file, which we can't file if we file a foreign income exclusion "because TaxACT said so". Meaning we now have no joint income tax return. Either. and believe me, if I SAY anything, the money comes first. It ALWAYS comes first.

When doing your taxes, money should always come first. That's what it's all about. If it is to your joint advantage to file separately, then that's what you do. Why would you want to pay more taxes than you actually owe? If the USCIS has a problem with that, you explain that you filed seperately because it was to your advantage. There's no rule or law anywhere that says you must file a joint return even if that results in you ending up with a larger tax burden. You still filed each using your joint residence as an address, no?

[UmmSqueakster 54]

If the USCIS has a problem with that, you explain that you filed seperately because it was to your advantage. There's no rule or law anywhere that says you must file a joint return even if that results in you ending up with a larger tax burden. You still filed each using your joint residence as an address, no?

Plus, you'd still be filing as married filing seperately right? Lots of couples file married but seperate.

[JayJay 4]

Yup - but here's the thing: we don't really have any other evidence.

We can't even open a joint account, because of credit issues. We have no 401k, we don't have our own place, or any joint bills. The only thing we have jointly is medical insurance. We have two christmas cards we could add, but that's it.

The main issue is that we're so stressed as well, that this is just terrible timing, and of course then these obstacles keep coming at us as well.

I suppose you'd have to "be there" to get what a mind bendingly weird situation this is...

And then the thing is, USCIS will look at this very differently than us - they will see a couple who file married, only seperately, who share no bills, expenses, who don't own their own home or rent a place together and therefore have a lease, who's co-sponsor has also simply not bothered to get hold of a copy of her birth certificate for the interview (same person who pulled out of the ride...), should we need it, and who look mostly depressed in pictures together (which are few) except the wedding pics.

See why I'm worried? I'm also really, really stressed - so I do apologise if I sound down, and non-positive. I do love y'all

Edited March 18, 2006 by JayJay

[Donna A 4]

start snapping pics real quick to add to the few u have.

if he has a bank account already have him just add u to it. if that bank wont allow it then withdrawl everything and find a bank that will add u. or at least threaten them to take it out and that might change their minds.

just relax and good luck.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Jayjay... you can get a copy of her birth certificate just go to the town hall in the town were she was born you fill in a slip with her name and her parents names her date of birth and they will give you a copy.... I did it for my husband even before we were married and I did it for my father inlaw for our interview....

Kezzie

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yup - but here's the thing: we don't really have any other evidence.

We can't even open a joint account, because of credit issues. We have no 401k, we don't have our own place, or any joint bills. The only thing we have jointly is medical insurance. We have two christmas cards we could add, but that's it.

The main issue is that we're so stressed as well, that this is just terrible timing, and of course then these obstacles keep coming at us as well.

I suppose you'd have to "be there" to get what a mind bendingly weird situation this is...

And then the thing is, USCIS will look at this very differently than us - they will see a couple who file married, only seperately, who share no bills, expenses, who don't own their own home or rent a place together and therefore have a lease, who's co-sponsor has also simply not bothered to get hold of a copy of her birth certificate for the interview (same person who pulled out of the ride...), should we need it, and who look mostly depressed in pictures together (which are few) except the wedding pics.

See why I'm worried? I'm also really, really stressed - so I do apologise if I sound down, and non-positive. I do love y'all

Relax, will ya'? We didn't have most of the things you mention either. Yes an apartment leased together and joint bank accounts and medical but that's it. No joint bills or any such thing. I simply refuse to make a big deal of getting two names on a bill that only needs one. No married couple does this why should we?

Just relax. It'll be fine.

[rebeccajo 14]

Credit rating has nothing to do with opening bank accounts. I realize you may not want to keep a great deal of money in a joint account because you have some fear that a creditor could take it.....they can't just do that over here btw there would have to be a suit first, then a judgment, then a lien filed - by that time you could move all your money....but a joint account to show the USCIS man sure would be a good idea.

Yes birth certs can be ordered online. That's how we got Wes'. Hope your mother is sending the long form one and not the little short form variety.

Edited March 18, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I agree... even a joint account with $100 is still a joint account... could not do any harm to open one... even if you close it the day after your interview...

Kezzie