Mental Health in relation to coming the the U.S.

[Vynswake 4]

Hello,

 

I am unsure if this is the right place to ask, but I am currently working with my partner on the process of immigrating from Canada to the U.S. While looking into the k-1 visa process we looked a bit further ahead and saw that on the marriage green card level that they check medical history. I have also seen several posts on here that seem to confirm the situation, but I could not find anything exact to this situation nor many success stories. My partner suffers from BPD (borderline personality disorder) and attempted suicide several times over the course of the last 3 years. As well she has been wellness checked over 12 times by police to bring her to the hospital based on more suicidal and harmful thoughts though she has only ever acted on the suicidal part. Unfortunately she has been trying to get help but to no avail and continues to have bad mental thoughts. We know that when she visits in the U.S. she barely has any such symptoms and seems to be perfectly fine and has never caused problems (visited for about 7months total over the course of 5years not all in a row). We're unsure exactly how to navigate this process and if it is just doomed from the start.

 

I did meet with an attorney and they advised that this would be an extremely difficult case and that it was one of the kind for them. They also listed off various different costs that were pretty insane for even attempting this case. My question and reason for even posting on here and to see if anyone has dealt with this sort of issue before and were they actually able to get in to the U.S. and/or any recommendations for how I should proceed if it is at all possible?

 

Thank You!

[Edward and Jaycel 1,479]

Both the Spouse visa (IR-1/CR-1) and the fiancée visa (K-1) require medical exams where your partner will be required to truthfully disclose her medical/psychological history. Her history will likely gravely complicate the process as the attorney advised. My recommendation is that you both focus on doing whatever necessary to get her the help she needs and worry about immigration at a later date.

[smilingstone 363]

Your main challenge will be your partner having a very recent history of SH. From my understanding, and comments made directly from the panel physician at my medical, they are concerned with matters that have occurred within the last 12 months.

 

Clearly your partner continues to struggle with severe mental health problems, but the only way to combat this for visa purposes is to evidence an effort to seek help and trying to get better. If your partner is continually being given support but their circumstances are not improving, then I am not sure how you would go about this. USCIS' main concern here is that the immigrant won't be a public charge, and a strong pattern of requiring emergency medical assistance doesn't seem to indicate as much.

 

If it were me, I would be considering a move from US to Canada instead, to allow your partner to still have the avenues of support available to them as a Canadian citizen. You say they don't have problems while with you in the US, but let me say from first hand experience as a K1, the time that you move and find yourself at home alone, while your partner is at work, away from your family and everything you once knew, it can get hard. There's a chance that your partner may not fare so well when the "vacation mode" of visiting ends and real life sinks in.

 

Wishing you the best of luck in your journey.

[Crazy Cat 43,675]

18 minutes ago, smilingstone said:

the time that you move and find yourself at home alone, while your partner is at work, away from your family and everything you once knew, it can get hard.

Agree. That is very important..... and a secondary consideration is the cost of healthcare in the US.

[Vynswake 4]

Thank you all, this has given us a better idea of what to look into.

[JeanneAdil 6,924]

Panel physcians approved by USCIS not only need partner to disclose BPD but show prove of getting treatment from qualified Drs 

if you have not seen the person when the mood swings hit or the depression, you need to understand fully that it is overwhelming for both the person and everyone one close to that person

 

Also with K1 , check costs to acquire health care insurance , hopefully add to your work after marriage

Not a bad idea to talk to a real good Psychiatrist or social care worker to know the cost of treatments as treatments will be ongoing for life

 

Not only know what you may go thru but what this person will experience when leaving family and friends and everything familiar 

One of the things that happens to those with BPD is a feeling of abandonment so when left alone,  it is hard on them

 

With K1 the person can not travel back to Canada till AP (form I 131 ) is approved which does not help with depression and homesickness in this case 

 

If you continue with the process  and know all,  think of spouse visa  as it means person is not stuck in the home with no family support , has green card and all things that go with it

Plus all life issues can throw a BDP person into turmoil / these include someone back home is ill , loss of a pet, being alone ,  not being able to drive oneself,  etc

 

And also understand ,  you are in for the long haul if marrying a person with mental disability as many states will not allow u to divorce and i know no one thinks divorce but understanding this is important