96accord

This is a terrible thing that happened. I am from Laos and I know that people who sponsor music video are doing a good thing for the people in Laos. The people in Laos are one of the poorest in the entire world. Most of them have no work opportunity so having in opportunity to make some money using their singing or musical talent is not illigal at any age. Do we not allow minors to audition for American Idol so they can become stars and make millions? I buy music CDs and movie CD made in Thailand and Laos because I want to support them. I am sure other nationalities do the same.

Accusing the OP for sexually exploiting minors because he is in the business of making Music Video in Laos is ignorant and irresponsible accusation.

Now what he is being targeted for is very serious and he should follow the advice of many on this Forum. Get a criminal attorney not an immigration attorney to help you get out of this mess before thinking about going back to Laos.

Marrying a wife from the old country of Laos and brininging her here to the US is not uncommon within our community. Unfortunately there are families who take advantage of the situation to con for money. There have been many instances where young girls and their families have gone through marital engagement solely for the purpose of extracting money. Some even engage their daughters to 2 or 3 at the same time and have the engagement celebrations at restaurants or places away from their villages or town districts so their neighbors cannot alert the poor fellow getting engaged that he is being conned. Unfortunately foreigners have no legal recourse from fraud or being conned in Laos. As a matter of fact during my first and only visit to Laos I was led to the left corner of the airport away from all other travelers and forced to pay a $10 bribe to the custom agents so they would let me out of the airport in Vientiane.

The fiance lied about her age, gave him their family registration book so he believed she was a legal adult, provided the altered documentations so he can get the Fiancee visa apllication processed. Did he know of her age? was he involved in altering the documents, did he lie to this forum? There are too many unknown variables at this time to lynch this poor OP.

Get an attorney and good luck in clearing your situation.

you can email again to reconfirm. I would do as the embassy request but if you feel they may be mistaken or that there was a typo then reconfirm with them.

my wife had to do the same

Congratulations! Zoo diab heev rau neb.

we were told we were approved the same day and we got her Green Card 6 days later

We had our interview on 07/29/13 and got the Green Card on 08/05/13 just 1 week later

If I remember correctly I forgot to check mark one question in Part C which had to do with wether or not I had been convicted of a felony. When NVC returned my file to USCIS no one would tell me what was goping on or the reason as to why it was sent back to USCIS. My file literally sat on someone's desk for over 4 months (July 18, 2011 to December 18, 2011). It took 2 emails, 1 fax, and 5 days from the date US Senate office got involved to rectify that situation. It my case it was both NVC and USCIS that refused to tell me what the problem was. My numerous contact to both USCIS and the State Department were very frustrating and fruitless. I feel that the little correction should not have hampered my application process by 4 months but that's what happened. Thanks for our US Senate office for taking care of the problem.

I had a somewhat similar experience. It really sucked. It delayed my application process 5 months. I never got anyone to answer any of my questions because all the reps answer froma script. Even when I pressed and got to speak to a Immigration Officer I was not given a real answer. It wasn't until I got my US Senator involved that I got an real answer and progress with my application. Get your US Senator's office involved.

Nice....next is the trip here, then getting married, then AOS....good luck

To be safe it's 5 times the GAP not 3. It sounds like you should be fine. Good luck to you and your fiance.

First you need to know that every Embassy is different when it comes to accepting a Co-Sponsor for the purpose of K1 visa (fiancé) and CR1 (spousal). US Embassy in Laos, Vientiane, does not accept a Co-Sponsor for K1 but will accept Co-sponsor for CR1. (I know because I’ve asked personally by e-mail) So you can forget about a Co-Sponsor for the purpose of the I-134 Affidavit of Support.

Don’t worry yet. You mentioned that for year 2013, 125% of poverty level for a household of 4 people is $29,438. That would be you, your fiancé, his father, and his brother per your previous posting. You mentioned that your husband makes $13.70 per hour x 40 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = $28,496. So if you do the math $29,438 - $28,496 = $942 the income your fiancé is short. You can show 5 times the amount in cash savings or asset for the amount you are short by income. So $942 x 5 = $4710. Your Fiance has $7K in savings. That should be sufficient to cover the income GAP.

You mentioned that his 2012 tax return is $39K, the CO will want to see that tax return, no need for 2011 and 2010 tax return. However you will need a letter of employment showing your fiancé has full employment with salary and is in good standing and you will need paycheck stubs.

Also, because your fiance’s father and brother are part of the household their income if any can also be counted in the affidavit of support as household income. One Petitioner that I know of was short on income and was able to use her mother and father’s social security income as household income. They had to prove that by home address. So your fiancé can use his father’s income and his brother’s income as well if they have income and there is a GAP in income.

Based on what you've shared, it sounds like your fiance has plenty of income to show so I wouldn't worry about it.

Hope that helps!

First you need to know that every Embassy is different when it comes to accepting a Co-Sponsor for the purpose of K1 visa (fiancé) and CR1 (spousal). US Embassy in Laos, Vientiane, does not accept a Co-Sponsor for K1 but will accept Co-sponsor for CR1. (I know because I’ve asked personally by e-mail) So you can forget about a Co-Sponsor for the purpose of the I-134 Affidavit of Support.

Don’t worry yet. You mentioned that for year 2013, 125% of poverty level for a household of 4 people is $29,438. That would be you, your fiancé, his father, and his brother per your previous posting. You mentioned that your husband makes $13.70 per hour x 40 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = $28,496. So if you do the math $29,438 - $28,496 = $942 the income your fiancé is short. You can show 5 times the amount in cash savings or asset for the amount you are short by income. So $942 x 5 = $4710. Your Fiance has $7K in savings. That should be sufficient to cover the income GAP.

You mentioned that his 2012 tax return is $39K, the CO will want to see that tax return, no need for 2011 and 2010 tax return. However you will need a letter of employment showing your fiancé has full employment with salary and is in good standing and you will need paycheck stubs.

Also, because your fiance’s father and brother are part of the household their income if any can also be counted in the affidavit of support as household income. One Petitioner that I know of was short on income and was able to use her mother and father’s social security income as household income. They had to prove that by home address. So your fiancé can use his father’s income and his brother’s income as well if they have income and there is a GAP in income.

Based on what you've shared, it sounds like your fiance has plenty of income to show so I wouldn't worry about it.

Hope that helps!

I filed form I-485, I-131 and I-765 on 05/03/13 and have not yet received a receipt either. My check did clear on 05/13/13.

I live in Las Vegas Nevada. I got a social security card for my wife within 2 weeks of her arrival but I neglected to get a Nevada State ID for her and didn't apply for one during the 90 days in which the I-94 was still good. I went to the DMV 6 days later and was told that because the I-94 was expired my wife was not eligible for a state ID. Where ever we go she has to show her passport which is somewhat of a hindrance. We don't fly anywhere because of her expired I-94. I suggest you take your wife to get a State ID before the 90 days are up since you will be waiting a bit to send in your AOS.

So happy for you man

Check if there is a community program in your area that has people who can translate it for you. I had my documents translated by the director of the "Center For New Americans" in Fresno, CA. It is a not for profit organization so they helped for free.

make sure you check the box that says you have never been convicted of a penalty.

that is a great question. Let me know your answer.

K1 fiance visa co-sponsors are not accepted by the US embassy in Laos. (This is specific to Laos as other consulate will take co-sponsors for I-134). They are accepted for spousal visa applications.

If you have the $$ and it makes you feel better hire the attorney. After all it's only a few thousand $$ for your peace of mind. Hope your fiance gets here quickly. All of us here at VJ know what the wait is like. I waited 14 months for mine. Go see him if you can. Wish you the best.

you could have asked me.....I did hand write some also and you know the result....

Is her valid Passport a Lao passport? or a US re-entry permit for GC holders?

thank you...so far the replies have given me some ideas. Yes we do speak the same language and the writting out phrases as well as printing out maps of the airport are great ideas.

I am thinking ahead to when my fiance will be flying here to the US. Because of work I will not be able to fly to my fiance's country and fly back to the US with her. My fiance does not speak nor read English. She has never flown nor traveled outside of her country. She will have 2 flight exchanges, one in Thailand and the other probably in China, Korea or Japan depending on the flight carrier. I am really concerned as to what to do to make sure she gets to Customs @ San Francisco airport from her home country. I tried to explain to her how to read flight #s and how to get to departure areas at the airports but it seems to just scare her. Has anyone had any experience with this dilemma and can anyone give me suggestions? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks VJers!

I just sent a request to the administrator to also add the US consulate at Vientiane, Laos to their Embassy listing. Hopefully that'll get the job done.