yailukmuu

No offense, but theres something a little off about your fiances story. He believed his wife and child were deceased, yet continuously said yes on his visa applications. (claiming it was an emotional issue, even though he had a death certificate) Then when it came time to obtain the transcript, he had to have someone else obtain it for him, because he couldnt get off work... The death certificate he also had then turns out to be fake as well.
So now you have a fiance in possession of a two fake death certificates and two fake transcripts and there is NO sign of the wife or the child. He is claiming complete ignorance as to how these fake documents came about into his possession and youre posting how do I secure a future with this man??

Yes, I can see that in some cases, it could take that long. I just find it odd that she doesn't have anything more specific than that. It could be because a) she is being played, b) he doesn't want to admit why the petition was denied (in case of a Adam Walsh Act, for example), or c) she knows why it was denied but as you commented she was only a casual friend, she might not want to admit to you why it was denied.

So, either she knows exactly what's going on or she doesn't. Personally, my fiance and I have traded pictures and scans and emails of everything pertaining to this process and I wouldn't have it any other way. Long distance relationships are hard enough without total and complete honesty and transparency, in my opinion. But that's me. Your friend may feel differently, or, like I said, she may simply not be telling you all there is to it.

I don’t think anyone here on VJ does not feel for the illegal immigrants. But my wife will tell anyone what she had to go thru to get here legally, and so have I many years ago. It is not fair to us legal immigrants to help people for no regard of our immigration laws. They know exactly the law, and they brake it anyhow, under the pretense of bettering there life’s. I know many illegals living and working many years in the U.S. having many children, and getting many benefits. NOT FAIR

Form only and a check, would get it returned without cashing the check if he's lucky, or a denial after a wait if he's unlucky. The will not issue an RFE. An appeal can take years, but he'll still be denied on appeal. He failed to provide evidence and the petition was properly denied. For an appeal to work, USCIS must have done something wrong and they did everything correctly. And appeal is not an opportunity to correct your own mistakes, it's an opportunity to prove they made a mistake, which they did not. He's wasting his time on an appeal. USCIS would not have advised him to file an appeal, but it would state he has a right to appeal. In fact it sounds to me like he hasn't even actually filed an appeal, he's expecting that it just happened like magic because he told someone on the disinformation line he wants one.
Choice C: the petitioner is not too bright, has researched nothing, and did not even bother to read the instructions, and/or has serious comprehension issues. Or to continue further, is a spoiled and lazy person with an entitled attitude, who thinks just because he wants something, it will magically happen because he says he wants it. He's likely happy to wait forever and blame the system for not doing his work for him.
Of course there is still the AWA denial possibility, and he or her just prefers not to admit it.
In either case, is this really the type of individual she wants to be with? Of course love can be blind, and many will overlook serious problems and faults in someone they love until the day then entire relationship falls apart, then the eyes finally open.

To my knowledge VAWA claims are handled very carefully and It does take time (hopefully as much as possible)...the reason is obvious: too many fraudsters from certain countries come over here for immigration benefits and ruin the life of their American husbands by pretending they're beaten up.

Nope they don't accept dvd's, you've heard of shoe bombs and lately tooth paste bombs...well, as far as they know dvd bombs are next....
Send photos...

Not difficult at all. The person simply requests them thru IRS on line. IRS will mail, fax or in person at IRS offices.

No clue what any of this has to do with the K-1 process. As far as his obligations for immigration, he will still be on the hook for the I-864 until her green card is surrendered/abandoned, but if she is not in the US it doesn't matter. If she cannot remove conditions on her 2 year card, then her permanent residency will be lost. Since she is moving to another country, I do not think there is anything he needs to do. She will lose her green card by living outside the US, the I-864 will no longer be valid then, and he will be divorcing her.

I understand completely what you're saying here. This is a pretty common complaint of Filipinas in the USA. They're so close to family that being separated suddenly causes all types of problems with them dealing with the separation.
But to make a point towards the Philippines being a high fraud country, the Philippines is a country that runs on fraud, bribes and corruption. Everyone knows how to find a fixer for just about any thing. They might be a real fixer, or they may be just trying to take someone's money, so even the fraud creators are often scammers. I know a Canadian who lived in the Philippines. He married and had children with a Filipina and eventually the marriage went sour. A few years later he meets another Filipina and decides he wants to marry her. So he found a fixer to fix his marriage record showing him once again as single. The then married this new Filipina, which created quite a stir when he died and two wives showed up to collect all the assets from his business. But he was smart and left a will leaving it all to his daughter back in Canada.
Another Filipina, coworker of my sister in law. Meets an American and wants to come to the USA on a K-1. Only problem was she was married to a Filipino who left her a number of years earlier. At first she was going to use her sister's identity to get the K-1. But her sister decided she might one day get an American to. So the American pays for a Fixer within the NSO to fix her CEMAR and get it turned into a CENOMAR. She's been in the USA a number of years now, married to that American and they have children together.
Both of these are cases of fraud that happens constantly in the Philippines. In the later case if the marriage had failed I could see the husband complaining he had been a victim of fraud because she was already married. Even if he knew that fact up front and even paid to get it fixed.
How many people here with families or in laws in the Philippines haven't heard of the free rice handed out at election time? Or you want to get someone charged with a crime and arrested, but the cops do nothing until you pay them something?
Is their fraud in the Philippines? Its full of it, but that doesn't equate to marriage fraud. Although in a society that deals with so much fraud and corruption, can there really be any doubt that there will be scammers that will scam a person into marriage in order to get into the USA?
From what I've seen many cases of claimed fraud are angry spouses in failed relationships, and there was no intent to commit fraud at the beginning. But I'd be foolish to think a society with such a high level of endemic corruption, isn't going to see a higher percentage of scammers than from countries that don't see as corruption in their society.

i find it funny that you jumped on me because i was simply rebutting a claim (not argument) that such data didn't exist, when it obviously does. hey, it's great you're patriotic. my intention was never to paint all applicants from one country with the same brush just because of the acts of a group of scammers.
but the fact is, you don't solve problems by pushing them under the rug. ignoring and/or denying its existence allows the problem to perpetuate. i'm glad the fraud prevention unit in manila is facing pressure to up their productivity, and that someone is aware of and trying to curb the problem. it will make things much easier for those who do have genuine intentions.

I was just about to link to that...US embassy Manila has one of the largest fraud prevention units amongst the consulates (see: http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/206560.pdf page 18, 2nd last paragraph). It goes on to suggest that the fraud rates in Manila are actually under-reported:

You might have a chance to request withdrawal of your affidavit, maybe a 50% chance. This is based upon a cursory review of August filers, see:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/447870-august-2013-aos-filers/page-5
A few filed in August, one was approved 11/15, another 1/06, and there were several not listed as approved. This could be that the approval is taking a long time (~6 months) or it could be that these people simply have not updated their timeline. I get the feeling that if the Adj of Status went to the NVC it takes a long time, if however (I'm basing this on looking at Jan 2014 filers) it goes to one of the "other" (on Monday the USCIS supervisor in Manchester, NH stated: "we have no idea where they go, some are farmed out to private (?) processors, so there is no accurate time frame" (note: that's from memory and not to be relied upon as an accurate statement). But I found that there were Adj of Status that went from Acceptance to Approval in short times too...in one case listed an 11/25 Acceptance achieved Approval on 1/17--that's a mere 51 days! So variability seems from a fast 51 days to about 6 months.
Find the case number post haste, and use Darnell's link above--if it says still processing I'd move you butt at light speed. If the lady has a bf, heck, why not have half a dozen little ones and what better reason for daddy not to legalize the marriage, welfare benefits exceed in many states what many can earn working 40 hours per week.
You can't do an Infopass? For God's sake man----------why not? Your butt is on the line.
Close every Visa account, have them put a fraud watch on them and reissue you a new number.
Go to every bank, close and reopen the bank account with a new number.
Do not talk to the lady, do not call her, run... The complaint should be dismissed if possible. But the reality is that under VAWA the complainant can say or write anything and introduce anyone as evidence. So you call her and say: "Honey, I love you, come home," three or four times. Complainant writes: "He/She hassled me on the phone repeatedly and said he was coming to kill me and my boyfriend whose statement is attached echoes this."
Now let's say that for those four calls, you had mom, dad, your brother and your sister in the room listening. They all say: "rubbish--we heard you say: honey come home." But---------the kicker, neither you, nor anyone related to you can offer or submit testimony.
It is that bad.

- couples still together 5-10 years down the road? Heck you can do that one with couples within the USA (don't even need to look at USA/Philippine couples) and get some dramatic (negative) results. But I would tend to believe over all there would be fewer divorces with the USA/Philippine marriages.

@avery cates - just because someone did that to somebody you can say in general that philippines can now be called Nigeria junior. I think being in this kind of forum we should be more sensitive and careful in making comments specially when you only hear one side of the story...

All done long ago. Divorce papers served long ago. Documents and letter to USCIS at proper address (receipt shows Jan 21), followup visit at Infopass, a week later. Another visit to Infopass yesterday got only a "we can't tell you anything." Request and document to staffer who deals with USCIS both to Congresswoman and to Senator done. There is now only hope left.
As for annulment, State law rules, and virtually every state is different. Three lawyers in NH now have said; "You cannot annul in NH unless you can show she was married and never divorced," and she wasn't. I imagine she won't respond to the divorce papers and sort of hope she doesn't. NH Court in this case is not likely to give someone married for 35 days, who abandons and then tries to hide her location a thing.
As far as the green card, if she gets one--I'll never know. If she files a VAWA case I'll never know. Unless someday she receives public funds for something and then *poof* I'll get a bill, for $2,000 or maybe $22,000.
I think that I need to create a webpage and enlighten every potential scammer in the world on exactly how to scam and tell them just how USCIS will not even adjudicate. I should include every agency and explain all the benefits. They don't even allow the accused to say "boo;" they allow no evidence and America is full of well funded enablers who, if you read documents, essentially coach. Then when we start getting 3000 of these attempts a day--then something might be done. Otherwise it's status quo. C'mon we have 11,500,000 illegals here. Does anyone really think our government takes this seriously?
Don't get me wrong about VAWA, at the base of it it's a good law. The problem is that retroactive USCIS investigation show that evidence only proves that the case has merits in less than 20% of cases. As it stands VAWA is a travesty. I'll bet that there are now 240 cases a day or more based upon the only data that I can find which is 2002 and 2006, extrapolate the curve and it's pushing 200 scam actions. And this ignores people who just use Americans to get here and don't even care if they are legal and who don't or can't use VAWA. Places like Phoenix, AZ have entire billion dollar economical systems that illegals work within. For every one of those theoretical improper VAWA claims--there is a trashed human, trashed emotionally and physically. For the 40 cases that have merit--well, that is a good thing.
There are plenty of immigrants with good intentions and good hearts and I fear that the % of those without is growing year by year and will continue to grow as the world economy sinks.

The poor today have blackberries, ipods, an so on. There was a time people would actually sell stuff they own in order to eat. What a concept. If it came to me being on food stamps I'd sell my computer first because the few bucks I'd get for it will buy a lot of Ramen noodles.

While San Diego certainly was harsh, he (or she?) does represent a substantial portion of the populace who sees immigrants as a drain on the system, and questions like this don't help. If a USC can't afford to support his or her spouse--knowing that said spouse won't be able to work for some time after arrival--maybe immigration should wait until a better financial situation is achieved? Even if the LPR doesn't qualify, it seems likely in some of these situations that the USC could have supported (and was supporting) him/herself without any government assistance, but having added another person to support into the equation means they now need food stamps. So while the food stamps are in the USC's name, they wouldn't have been paid out unless someone else came along to further stretch an already-limited budget. I can understand the frustration. I don't necessarily agree, but I can see that POV.

Perhaps it’s because we Americans owe the Republic of Philippines a debt of gratitude.
Filipino soldiers were WWI veterans. During World War II over 7,000 Filipinos fought for the USA in the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as well as Navy and Merchant Marine personnel, the latter sent to liberate the Philippines. In addition the Filipinos, as American Allies fought in the Vietnam War, as well as the recent Middle East “conflicts.”
Five percent of the entire Philippine population was killed during WWII. The Filipino people were integral to our retaking the Philippines.
Nigeria too had soldiers fighting in WWII but mostly for the British.
The Philippines (excepting early Fil-Am history) have been strong allies of the USA excepting the Philippine-American War (1899-1913) which lasted three years and resulted in the death of over 4,200 American and over 20,000 Filipino combatants. As many as 200,000 Filipino civilians died from violence, famine, and disease. In 1907 things started to change. The first elected assembly was in 1916, the Philippines became an autonomous commonwealth in 1935 and was granted independence from the US in 1946.

Perhaps it’s because we Americans owe the Republic of Philippines a debt of gratitude.
Filipino soldiers were WWI veterans. During World War II over 7,000 Filipinos fought for the USA in the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion as well as Navy and Merchant Marine personnel, the latter sent to liberate the Philippines. In addition the Filipinos, as American Allies fought in the Vietnam War, as well as the recent Middle East “conflicts.”
Five percent of the entire Philippine population was killed during WWII. The Filipino people were integral to our retaking the Philippines.
Nigeria too had soldiers fighting in WWII but mostly for the British.
The Philippines (excepting early Fil-Am history) have been strong allies of the USA excepting the Philippine-American War (1899-1913) which lasted three years and resulted in the death of over 4,200 American and over 20,000 Filipino combatants. As many as 200,000 Filipino civilians died from violence, famine, and disease. In 1907 things started to change. The first elected assembly was in 1916, the Philippines became an autonomous commonwealth in 1935 and was granted independence from the US in 1946.

Why: Still active in consulting.
There seems to be some incredulousness over a ship captain.
If his linkedin profile is fake then he's made several other mighty fine profiles so he can recommend himself, here's one
"I have known Captain xxxxx xxxxx for over 20 years. He is the consumate Unlimited Master Mariner with a broad range of experience. I greatly respect and highly recommend Harald. He is above all else, a professional." That's not the only one, there are other professional recommendations, that's how Linkedin works. There are plenty of ship captains about, my uncle was captain of the SS Eisenhower during the 60's and early 70's. Heck does it matter, he could be a Norwegian physicist, or an Australian podiatrist, I don't think that this guy is made up. It is curious that his linkedin has no contact details. Mine does, but that in itself means nothing.
About the sister, I agree... on one hand since she comes and goes--she must have documents. On the other my spouse has told me she has been there illegally. I really don know... the H1-B was a guess, maybe I'm wrong. And I'll probably never find out.
Indeed, the whole thing was fishy. And how can she buy houses? That's simple. "If" she works as a healthcare worker for $20/hour, under the table, and clearly the couple own a nice house, so living expenses are little. That's $42,000/year. In Cebu, Philippines there are plenty of what I'd call "nice" houses in that range. If any one thing is certain that is that Ate (elder sis) is plenty smart, and setting herself up quite handily, maybe legally, maybe illegally.

The entire officers on Norwegian cruise lines are... Obviously Norwegian... As well as many container ships and ship technical and safety officers hold captain licences and are Norwegian... And most of the cruise lines have programs for senior officers to obtain green cards as it makes it easier for them when they need to come to the office for meetings and travel in/out of the USA... I highly doubt that he is illegial (regardless of what the scamming wife says)... So if he were to be granted a green card, his wife could have gotten one as well... This however has no bearing on how the OP should proceed with his wife who obviously had alterior motives for coming...

Good web site showing countries minimum wages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country

Hello ! I do agree with most of the above observations and advices. These are very helpful comments. I am a Filipina and not offended with your thoughts. And I still believe that not majority of Filipino women are scammers. There are still many Pinays who have good intentions and have kind hearts and souls. Most of the stories of successful and loving Fil-Am marriages aren't posted here.
I also would like to say that the above observations could also be helpful to some beneficiaries, not just for the petitioners, regardless of country of origin. Scammers are everywhere. lol.
I also have seen some stories here at VJ that some petitioners have maltreated and taken for granted their beneficiaries when they arrive in the US. We always just hear one side of the story/ies.....so we cannot make a sound, rationale and fair judgement / conclusion.
However, just a little concern for beneficiaries.....
Beneficiaries should also ensure that your petitioners are demonstrating, not just saying, the kind of person he or she is, even before you arrive and stay in America.
Your petitioner should demonstrate commitment to love, care and support you in the US as you know it will take a little time for you to end up working and earning to be able to contribute to the household, especially if you are on K-1 route. It is imperative to discuss and agree this thing ahead, so when you reach in the US, you will not regret and start wondering and becoming bitter about your relationship, which might lead to misunderstanding, argument, anger, separation then divorce. In some instances, since you want to continue living in the US for some reasons, you will be misunderstood of committing "fraud" or being a "scammer" of GC. Some petitioners will really make it so hard for you to acquire legal residency -- once changes in relationship occur.
To stay safe, please know very well the background and character of your petitioner... COMMUNICATION is always the KEY.
I say this cos it is not easy to give up on everything especially if you have a good job, loving family and friends in your home country and will find out later that your petitioner is unkind, mean, not committed and worst of all -- abusive and manipulative in your immigration journey, as it is not wise and advisable to stay illegal in the US.
I've been there, learned my lessons well, and thanking so much God for bringing me back home safely without overtaying in the US. Just sharing to all beneficiaries with good hearts and intentions. Keep the faith. God bless and thanks !

The immigrant is not supposed to receive benefits during the first five years. A lot of places don't know that and give them benefits anyway. Or what if she has some potentially deadly disease or accident. Who is going to pay for that? I hate to say it but a lot of people who are here without any status receive benefits everyday.

No offense to all Philippines people but USCIS should be really careful with Philippines ladies that US citizens bring to the US and they fall in a scam. This isnt the first incident I read in here nor the 10th!! Please before falling in the "exotic" " not your typical american" type of girl straight away, make sure she is the RIGHT WOMAN. If you be careful, you will save yourself tons of money and headache. Philippines is a poor country and high fraud so OPEN your eyes. This is a message for everyone and not just the OP. NO OFFENSE to any other people from the Philippines who came here with good intentions but we cannot just NOT talk about this. It became a new fashion and its very disturbing. I think rising awareness should be no offense to anyone.
Some tips :
- Meet your Girlfriend more than 2 times before filing K1. Live with her and tell her you want to settle in her country and see what she says.
- If she asks for a lot of money for her mom, brother and sick friend then open your eyes and see where your money is going (probably to her boyfriend)
- Meet all her family and always be aware of how they act.
- If she is in a hurry to move to the USA then that might be a red flag.
- This is probably wrong but dont give full trust straight away and always make sure you know who she talks with when you are away at work ( she might talk with the other guy she originally came for)
- Scams happen all the time but rarely you find a smart scammer ( meaning that you are just NAIVE not to notice that).
if anyone has other tips then write them down. this is a serious problem and I hope the OP will find a solution for this.