US Immigration from Sierra Leone

Disclaimer. This question is fully for discussion purposes only. I don t have a friend going through this. I am just very curious.

We often discuss marriage fraud but generally through the lens of the visa holder, we know that if the fraud is discovered there are pretty clear repercussions. However my husband and I were discussing all the US citizens that may be complicit in marriage fraud. Either helping a friend or relative immigrate, or even getting paid to do this.

I found that if a US citizen is running a ring of some sorts or arranging a large volume of sham marriages that they are likely to be prosecuted by the law. But it seems that if they knowingly entered into a sham marriage to help someone , nobody is really going after them. My husband and I were discussing this and he reminded me a few years back that a politicians partner admitted to a sham marriage because she needed extra cash while in school. I don t think anything happened nor was she prosecuted. It seems wildly unfair and I hope my sense is incorrect . Would love to hear from others that may have other insight.

Hey all!
have a question that may be helpful for others as well. Few months ago I posted about an international student that may be having financial difficulties and challenges paying tuition. Luckily, seems as everything has worked out and they are all set with their tuition. But another question came up, are research studies that offer incentives such as amazon gift cards and visa gift cards allowed on a student visa? Or would that be considered work? The student mentioned they often see posters around their school asking for volunteers. None of the studies that they have seen offer cash but incentives such as lunch or gift cards and all are under $200.

I did a lot of studies when I was in college but never knew if it was considered work. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I ve received a harassing/offensive message in my inbox. I have flagged it with a note but just curious as to what will likely be the outcome?

Hi folks,

what have been your friends and family experience with b1/b2 visas?

My husbands senior staff member applied for a visa so he would be able to come to a training and a pitch meeting with my husband in New York and Boston. He was denied (we are not totally surprised), and consular office didn t look at any of the documents.

I ve read on many forums that folks have reapplied couple months later and got a different consular office who took the time to review documents and then were actually issued a visa after a refusal.

my husband is more disappointed than his staff lol and yes we know his staff has to apply and qualify on his own merits. Just wondering if it s worth him reapplying, he will miss the pitch meeting but there is another session of the training early next year that he could make.

Some background of the employee:

1) Senior staff member at my husbands large company

2) Sizeable salary relative to the country

3) No children but engaged to be married early next year

4) Owns his own plot of land but currently renting an apartment

5) young man 28 years old (I think this is his biggest barrier unfortunately in a West African country with poor development)

interestingly enough I know a woman with a very similar background who was recently approved for a visa, which is why I call it the most subjective and arbitrary visa ever

Hi all,

A friend of mine is housing an international student. He is not related to the student but more like a family friend. The students financial sponsor is ill. It is not clear if they are terminal or not and the health care systems in the country of origin are not good , so it s not looking good.

Either way, it doesn t look like the sponsor will be able to pay next semesters fees either because they may not be alive or may not be able to work/do business because they are recovering.

Does anyone have any experience in this? I ve advised the friend and student to speak to the DSO, the student has been doing exceptionally well in school and maybe the school can offer additional academic scholarship and perhaps help them petition for a hardship work visa. I was just curious if anyone has ever successfully done either or know of anyone who has done either. The friend is willing to increase their support of the student but wouldn t be able to cover the entire tuition.

thanks in advance!