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Opinion: Puerto Rico Is American. We Can’t Ignore It Now.

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21 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

It is interesting, all the stories I have read say the supplies are flowing at least to the partially open ports and I believe the airport is up and running.  The governor of PR has praised this administration for its pre-planning and response so far.  Does  governor want more and want it faster?  Sure, that is always the case, but as with anything it takes time to clear the supply routes inland to get these to the more remote areas.  But of course this doesn't fit the narrative the Left Wing press or the DNC folks want to portray.

Please don't let the truth interrupt a good Trump bashing.  Since the Russian thing fizzled and it was proven he was wiretapped,  that don't have much to work with. 

 

I have read some blogs that support what you are saying. He is in constant contact with socom, trying to get help into OR, and is being praised by many PR.

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1 hour ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

If they are US Citizens they are Americans.  We are there to support in any way possible and should not back away from that position when the rebuilding effort comes.  

Qualified US citizens.

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59 minutes ago, CaliCat said:

 

Puerto Ricans are regular US citizens. They pay their taxes as does everyone else. If they pay less than others, it's something that may be looked into, but it should in no way or form determine the level or support and aid they receive from the country. In the context of their immediate needs, they are no different than TX, LA, or FL. 

Actually, they aren't regular citizens like anyone else, they are qualified US citizens. You can Google what the difference in citizenship is if you're not sure.

 

Lots of countries have immediate needs, but what's different about them and TX, LA, or FL is that TX, LA or FL are part of the United States of America is that these other countries (including Puerto Rico) do NOT pay full US taxes. Puerto Rico pays some, but it is my opinion that if they want full emergency resources, they should pay full taxes. You can Google the taxes that PR pays in comparison to US States if you're not sure. If the US gave money gave based on what the need was, the US would not have anything left to care for itself. There are always going to be needs, unfortunately.

 

Now if PR SHOULD be a state (with both taxation and representation, and thus more US emergency aid) is entirely another topic, and one that will hopefully be revisited and discussed as needed.

 

 

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Pay up or die PR, you are not American "enough" to get all the help you needs because money talks.
As long as they sing praises to king Trump all is ok though.

 

Totally ridiculous and callous to even talk paying taxes at such a horrendous and tragic time with thousands starving and the sick dying.

Spoiler

 

I-129F Sent : 3-31-2014, NOA2: 4-6-2014

NVC Received : some dinkelsberry yehoo in the house of clingons send our petition to the wrong consulate.

Consulate Received : July 30,2014 Transfer to right embassy complete.

Interview Date : Oct 22, 2014

Interview Result : AP , requesting another PC (not expired) and certified divorce decree (was submitted)Stokes interview via phone for petitioner 4 hrs after interview.

Oct 23 email notification visa approved.
Visa Received : Nov. 3 , 2014 VISA IN HAND.

US Entry : Nov. 21, 2014

Marriage : Dec 27, 2014

AOS send : May 12, 2015, received May 14, 2015 USPS priority

Email &text : May 18, 2015, check cashed May 19,2015, return receipt May 21, 2015 stamped USCIS Lockbox, NOA1 (3x) May 22,2015

Biometrics : June 1, 2015 letter received for appointment June 8, 2015, successful walk-in June 1, 2015

RFE : June 12, 2015 for income not meeting guideline. Income does ( ! ) exceed guideline.

RFE response : June 26, 2015 returned with a boat load full of financial evidence.

UPDATE: July 5, 2015 updated on all 3 cases, RFE received June 30, 2015.

Service request : Aug 12, 2015, letter received that it will be processed within 90 days from receipt of RFE.

UPDATE: Aug 24, 2015, EAD card being produced/ordered. ( 102 days from AOS receipt day and 55 days from RFE response received.) Thank you Jesus !

Emails : Aug 24, 2015, EAD approved, EAD card ordered.

I-797 EAD/AP approval notice received : Aug 27, 2015

EAD/AP combo card mailed : Aug 27, 2015, EAD/AP combo card received: Aug 31, 2015

Renewal application send for EAD/AP : May 31,2016 (AOS pending over 1 year). Received June 2, 2016,Notice date June7, 2016, emails,texts, NOA1 hard copy

Service request for pending AOS April 21, 2016, case not assigned yet.
Service request for pending AOS June 14, 2016, tier 2 said performing background checks.
Expedite request for EAD/AP Aug 3, 2016, Aug10 notification >request was received, assigned, completed. RFE letter requesting evidence for expedite, docs faxed Aug18

*Service request for I-485 Aug 3, 2016, Aug11 notification> request was assigned. Service request Dec 2, 2016.
AOS Interview letter received Aug 12, 2016

AOS Interview September 21, 2016.

Second Biometrics appointment letters received for EAD and AOS on Aug 15, 2016 for Aug 17 ( 2 day notice).

Second Biometrics completed Aug 17, 2016

Third Biometrics appointment letter received Aug 19, 2016 for Sept. 1, 2016. WTH ?!

EAD/AP (renewal) approval Aug 22, 2016, NOA2 received Aug 25, 2016

Renewal EAD in production notification text and online, expedite successful 4 days after RFE request response was faxed, Aug25mailed,Aug29received.

Sept. 21 Interview, 2 hour interview, we were separated and asked about 50 questions each for an hour each. IO was firm but professional, some smiles.
Several service requests made, contacted Senator and Ombudsman. Background checks still pending.
July 21, 2017 HOME VISIT.  Went well. Topic thread in AOS forum.
Waiting to skip ROC and get 10 yr GC due to over 2 year while pending AOS
AOS APPROVED Oct. 4, 2017 * Green card in hand Oct 13, 2017 !!!!!

First K1 denied after 16 month of AP. Refiled. We are a couple since 2009. Not a sprint but a matter of endurance.

 

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25 minutes ago, Daisy.Chain said:

Actually, they aren't regular citizens like anyone else, they are qualified US citizens. You can Google what the difference in citizenship is if you're not sure.

 

Lots of countries have immediate needs, but what's different about them and TX, LA, or FL is that TX, LA or FL are part of the United States of America is that these other countries (including Puerto Rico) do NOT pay full US taxes. Puerto Rico pays some, but it is my opinion that if they want full emergency resources, they should pay full taxes. You can Google the taxes that PR pays in comparison to US States if you're not sure. If the US gave money gave based on what the need was, the US would not have anything left to care for itself. There are always going to be needs, unfortunately.

 

Now if PR SHOULD be a state (with both taxation and representation, and thus more US emergency aid) is entirely another topic, and one that will hopefully be revisited and discussed as needed.

 

 

I will also point our the logistics of helping the PR are mu h more difficult.  You can't just roll power trucks and other supplies from neighboring states. This is nothing more than scumbag career politicians using a tragedy to help feed their soulless exsitance 

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30 minutes ago, Daisy.Chain said:

Actually, they aren't regular citizens like anyone else, they are qualified US citizens. You can Google what the difference in citizenship is if you're not sure.

 

Lots of countries have immediate needs, but what's different about them and TX, LA, or FL is that TX, LA or FL are part of the United States of America is that these other countries (including Puerto Rico) do NOT pay full US taxes. Puerto Rico pays some, but it is my opinion that if they want full emergency resources, they should pay full taxes. You can Google the taxes that PR pays in comparison to US States if you're not sure. If the US gave money gave based on what the need was, the US would not have anything left to care for itself. There are always going to be needs, unfortunately.

 

Now if PR SHOULD be a state (with both taxation and representation, and thus more US emergency aid) is entirely another topic, and one that will hopefully be revisited and discussed as needed.

 

 

 

What really matters is that millions of American citizens in PR are in need of help. Puerto Ricans are regular American citizens, even if some people may not like it. 

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13 minutes ago, Ebunoluwa said:

Pay up or die PR, you are not American "enough" to get all the help you needs because money talks.
As long as they sing praises to king Trump all is ok though.

 

Totally ridiculous and callous to even talk paying taxes at such a horrendous and tragic time with thousands starving and the sick dying.

 

I think Puerto Ricans pays all the taxes they are supposed to pay. I don't see anyone trying to make differences between TX, LA, and FL , and their taxes or the demographic composition of their population. But it helps distract from the horrible job the so-called president is doing lately.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/09/26/puerto-rico-may-not-be-a-colony-but-its-getting-treated-that-way/?utm_term=.2c650ba7cefe

 

Help never comes to the U.S. territory as quickly as it's needed.

Almost a week after Hurricane Maria destroyed the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, President Trump paused from his weekend NFL obsession to share his thoughtsabout the 3.4 million American citizens who are now living with no power, no real communication, limited access to food and water, eight-hour lines to get gasoline, a collapsed infrastructure, and horrific stories of desperation and survival.

The federal government had already responded with relief packages for hurricanes Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida). But Trump didn’t sympathize with Puerto Ricans on Monday night. Instead, on Twitter he blamed the island for its problems, as if residents allowed a Category 4 hurricane to ravage their homes to spite him. Amid the worst humanitarian crisis in modern Puerto Rico’s history, Trump reminded the world that the commonwealth still had a $115 billion debt that Wall Street will still need to collect.

No power? No food? No way to communicate with others?

Just pay up, Puerto Rico, because according to Trump, your U.S. citizenry might not get you the billions and billions of dollars you will need to rebuild an island that, officials say, was demolished so badly, it set Puerto Rico back nearly 20 to 30 years. And despite reports that short-term federal aid is now being rushed to the island — nearly a week after Maria — White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday afternoon that plans to pursue a more comprehensive long-term relief package are premature.

The United States may not like to see itself as the type of nation that has colonies, but if you’re not treating Puerto Rico and its American citizens the same way as you treat states and theirs, that’s the only explanation. The island always struggles to get federal aid for natural disasters that flows virtually automatically to people on the mainland. Maria is the worst example, but it’s hardly the first.

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Cyprus
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The military needs to get in there to help with driving logistics and dropping food and meds from the air to the remote areas.

Spoiler

 

I-129F Sent : 3-31-2014, NOA2: 4-6-2014

NVC Received : some dinkelsberry yehoo in the house of clingons send our petition to the wrong consulate.

Consulate Received : July 30,2014 Transfer to right embassy complete.

Interview Date : Oct 22, 2014

Interview Result : AP , requesting another PC (not expired) and certified divorce decree (was submitted)Stokes interview via phone for petitioner 4 hrs after interview.

Oct 23 email notification visa approved.
Visa Received : Nov. 3 , 2014 VISA IN HAND.

US Entry : Nov. 21, 2014

Marriage : Dec 27, 2014

AOS send : May 12, 2015, received May 14, 2015 USPS priority

Email &text : May 18, 2015, check cashed May 19,2015, return receipt May 21, 2015 stamped USCIS Lockbox, NOA1 (3x) May 22,2015

Biometrics : June 1, 2015 letter received for appointment June 8, 2015, successful walk-in June 1, 2015

RFE : June 12, 2015 for income not meeting guideline. Income does ( ! ) exceed guideline.

RFE response : June 26, 2015 returned with a boat load full of financial evidence.

UPDATE: July 5, 2015 updated on all 3 cases, RFE received June 30, 2015.

Service request : Aug 12, 2015, letter received that it will be processed within 90 days from receipt of RFE.

UPDATE: Aug 24, 2015, EAD card being produced/ordered. ( 102 days from AOS receipt day and 55 days from RFE response received.) Thank you Jesus !

Emails : Aug 24, 2015, EAD approved, EAD card ordered.

I-797 EAD/AP approval notice received : Aug 27, 2015

EAD/AP combo card mailed : Aug 27, 2015, EAD/AP combo card received: Aug 31, 2015

Renewal application send for EAD/AP : May 31,2016 (AOS pending over 1 year). Received June 2, 2016,Notice date June7, 2016, emails,texts, NOA1 hard copy

Service request for pending AOS April 21, 2016, case not assigned yet.
Service request for pending AOS June 14, 2016, tier 2 said performing background checks.
Expedite request for EAD/AP Aug 3, 2016, Aug10 notification >request was received, assigned, completed. RFE letter requesting evidence for expedite, docs faxed Aug18

*Service request for I-485 Aug 3, 2016, Aug11 notification> request was assigned. Service request Dec 2, 2016.
AOS Interview letter received Aug 12, 2016

AOS Interview September 21, 2016.

Second Biometrics appointment letters received for EAD and AOS on Aug 15, 2016 for Aug 17 ( 2 day notice).

Second Biometrics completed Aug 17, 2016

Third Biometrics appointment letter received Aug 19, 2016 for Sept. 1, 2016. WTH ?!

EAD/AP (renewal) approval Aug 22, 2016, NOA2 received Aug 25, 2016

Renewal EAD in production notification text and online, expedite successful 4 days after RFE request response was faxed, Aug25mailed,Aug29received.

Sept. 21 Interview, 2 hour interview, we were separated and asked about 50 questions each for an hour each. IO was firm but professional, some smiles.
Several service requests made, contacted Senator and Ombudsman. Background checks still pending.
July 21, 2017 HOME VISIT.  Went well. Topic thread in AOS forum.
Waiting to skip ROC and get 10 yr GC due to over 2 year while pending AOS
AOS APPROVED Oct. 4, 2017 * Green card in hand Oct 13, 2017 !!!!!

First K1 denied after 16 month of AP. Refiled. We are a couple since 2009. Not a sprint but a matter of endurance.

 

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6 minutes ago, Ebunoluwa said:

The military needs to get in there to help with driving logistics and dropping food and meds from the air to the remote areas.

 

And we have the capability to do so. Our military has done many drop missions all over the world, delivering much needed help to people in need. Our guys are willing, ready, and able, but alas, we had more important and pressing issues in our country. There were elections in Alabama, and NFL kneeling players to be dealt with. These two issues must rank higher in the so-called president's list of issues to tweet about. 

Edited by CaliCat
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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Cyprus
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Just saw that PR has no available drivers to distribute the supplies, they are sitting there waiting to be delivered.  No drivers, no communication to the drivers,
some bus drivers are volunteering. Hospital patient are dying.....

Spoiler

 

I-129F Sent : 3-31-2014, NOA2: 4-6-2014

NVC Received : some dinkelsberry yehoo in the house of clingons send our petition to the wrong consulate.

Consulate Received : July 30,2014 Transfer to right embassy complete.

Interview Date : Oct 22, 2014

Interview Result : AP , requesting another PC (not expired) and certified divorce decree (was submitted)Stokes interview via phone for petitioner 4 hrs after interview.

Oct 23 email notification visa approved.
Visa Received : Nov. 3 , 2014 VISA IN HAND.

US Entry : Nov. 21, 2014

Marriage : Dec 27, 2014

AOS send : May 12, 2015, received May 14, 2015 USPS priority

Email &text : May 18, 2015, check cashed May 19,2015, return receipt May 21, 2015 stamped USCIS Lockbox, NOA1 (3x) May 22,2015

Biometrics : June 1, 2015 letter received for appointment June 8, 2015, successful walk-in June 1, 2015

RFE : June 12, 2015 for income not meeting guideline. Income does ( ! ) exceed guideline.

RFE response : June 26, 2015 returned with a boat load full of financial evidence.

UPDATE: July 5, 2015 updated on all 3 cases, RFE received June 30, 2015.

Service request : Aug 12, 2015, letter received that it will be processed within 90 days from receipt of RFE.

UPDATE: Aug 24, 2015, EAD card being produced/ordered. ( 102 days from AOS receipt day and 55 days from RFE response received.) Thank you Jesus !

Emails : Aug 24, 2015, EAD approved, EAD card ordered.

I-797 EAD/AP approval notice received : Aug 27, 2015

EAD/AP combo card mailed : Aug 27, 2015, EAD/AP combo card received: Aug 31, 2015

Renewal application send for EAD/AP : May 31,2016 (AOS pending over 1 year). Received June 2, 2016,Notice date June7, 2016, emails,texts, NOA1 hard copy

Service request for pending AOS April 21, 2016, case not assigned yet.
Service request for pending AOS June 14, 2016, tier 2 said performing background checks.
Expedite request for EAD/AP Aug 3, 2016, Aug10 notification >request was received, assigned, completed. RFE letter requesting evidence for expedite, docs faxed Aug18

*Service request for I-485 Aug 3, 2016, Aug11 notification> request was assigned. Service request Dec 2, 2016.
AOS Interview letter received Aug 12, 2016

AOS Interview September 21, 2016.

Second Biometrics appointment letters received for EAD and AOS on Aug 15, 2016 for Aug 17 ( 2 day notice).

Second Biometrics completed Aug 17, 2016

Third Biometrics appointment letter received Aug 19, 2016 for Sept. 1, 2016. WTH ?!

EAD/AP (renewal) approval Aug 22, 2016, NOA2 received Aug 25, 2016

Renewal EAD in production notification text and online, expedite successful 4 days after RFE request response was faxed, Aug25mailed,Aug29received.

Sept. 21 Interview, 2 hour interview, we were separated and asked about 50 questions each for an hour each. IO was firm but professional, some smiles.
Several service requests made, contacted Senator and Ombudsman. Background checks still pending.
July 21, 2017 HOME VISIT.  Went well. Topic thread in AOS forum.
Waiting to skip ROC and get 10 yr GC due to over 2 year while pending AOS
AOS APPROVED Oct. 4, 2017 * Green card in hand Oct 13, 2017 !!!!!

First K1 denied after 16 month of AP. Refiled. We are a couple since 2009. Not a sprint but a matter of endurance.

 

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2 minutes ago, Ebunoluwa said:

Just saw that PR has no available drivers to distribute the supplies, they are sitting there waiting to be delivered.  No drivers, no communication to the drivers,
some bus drivers are volunteering. Hospital patient are dying.....

 

Trump is busy deleting tweets. He can't do everything, ya know?

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36 minutes ago, CaliCat said:

 

Trump is busy deleting tweets. He can't do everything, ya know?

my fingers have plenty of things to do

ftiq8me9uwr01.jpg

 

 

 

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9 hours ago, Ebunoluwa said:

The military needs to get in there to help with driving logistics and dropping food and meds from the air to the remote areas.

The military is already helping.

 

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/09/26/damaged-ports-and-airfields-limiting-puerto-rico-aid-effort-dun.html

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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10 hours ago, Ebunoluwa said:

Pay up or die PR, you are not American "enough" to get all the help you needs because money talks.
As long as they sing praises to king Trump all is ok though.

 

Totally ridiculous and callous to even talk paying taxes at such a horrendous and tragic time with thousands starving and the sick dying.

Horrible things happen all over the world every day, unfortunately.

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9 hours ago, CaliCat said:

 

I think Puerto Ricans pays all the taxes they are supposed to pay. I don't see anyone trying to make differences between TX, LA, and FL , and their taxes or the demographic composition of their population. But it helps distract from the horrible job the so-called president is doing lately.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/09/26/puerto-rico-may-not-be-a-colony-but-its-getting-treated-that-way/?utm_term=.2c650ba7cefe

 

Help never comes to the U.S. territory as quickly as it's needed.

Almost a week after Hurricane Maria destroyed the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, President Trump paused from his weekend NFL obsession to share his thoughtsabout the 3.4 million American citizens who are now living with no power, no real communication, limited access to food and water, eight-hour lines to get gasoline, a collapsed infrastructure, and horrific stories of desperation and survival.

The federal government had already responded with relief packages for hurricanes Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida). But Trump didn’t sympathize with Puerto Ricans on Monday night. Instead, on Twitter he blamed the island for its problems, as if residents allowed a Category 4 hurricane to ravage their homes to spite him. Amid the worst humanitarian crisis in modern Puerto Rico’s history, Trump reminded the world that the commonwealth still had a $115 billion debt that Wall Street will still need to collect.

No power? No food? No way to communicate with others?

Just pay up, Puerto Rico, because according to Trump, your U.S. citizenry might not get you the billions and billions of dollars you will need to rebuild an island that, officials say, was demolished so badly, it set Puerto Rico back nearly 20 to 30 years. And despite reports that short-term federal aid is now being rushed to the island — nearly a week after Maria — White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday afternoon that plans to pursue a more comprehensive long-term relief package are premature.

The United States may not like to see itself as the type of nation that has colonies, but if you’re not treating Puerto Rico and its American citizens the same way as you treat states and theirs, that’s the only explanation. The island always struggles to get federal aid for natural disasters that flows virtually automatically to people on the mainland. Maria is the worst example, but it’s hardly the first.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2014/07/04/hate-taxes-move-to-tax-free-puerto-rico-stay-american-avoid-irs/amp/#xxri=10

 

This is a link explaining some of the differences between taxes that Puerto Ricans (qualified US citizens) pay and those of full US citizens.

 

Horrible things happen to countries every day. Should we fix all of the world's problems? Should PR be entitled to full US citizen benefits when they are only qualified citizens? The discussion continues.

 

I have to work now (and pay full US citizen taxes on my income), now, so if anyone is still confused on the taxation and representation differences between PR and the US, or does not understand what QUALIFIED citizenship means, please PM me and wait a few days.

8 hours ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

my fingers have plenty of things to do

:jest:

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