Grant PDX

People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.
Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.
In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.
Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.
Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.
By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.
Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.
In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.
Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.
Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.
By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.
Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.
In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.
Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.
Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.
By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.
Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.
In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.
Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.
Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.
By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

People can be so harsh. The OP is asking about an immigration issues and people have to throw judgement in, based on their own issues. There was some good advice, but a lot of folks being pretty judgemental.
Take out the immigration issues from her situation and it's an EXTREMELY common situation. Boy and girl break up, boy and girl meet new people, frequently within weeks. She was probably devastated. People offered to help. For all we know she met some totally genuine guy, who offered to help and they made some emotional connection. Who knows if they would ever marry but with some emotional connection they don't want to throw away the possibility by making poor immigration decisions.
In my experience, filipinas are very emotional people. They become emotionally attached deeply and quickly. To say that during a time of a devastating issue someone coming to her rescue built an emotional bond quickly is immigration fraud is just nuts.
Give them a break. If you don't have help to offer, stay out of it. It's easy to throw stones but you have no idea what her real situation is. I know I've been judgemental in the past too, but I've learned that real life tends to throw curve balls.
Edit: Wow, on rereading the original post it doesn't even say there is already another guy. It just says asks what she would need to do now so that it was possible for her to be petitioned again in the future. Not that she already has someone lined up. Other people must be projecting their own issues.
By the way, wanting to marry someone from another country doesn't mean there is immigration fraud. So some filipinas like kanos... I happen to like filipinas, some guys like Ukranians, some like hispanics, some like Vietnamese... Just because they know what they want doesn't mean they are committing immigration fraud when they get it. And just about everyone who gets married has been in prior relationships. Some moved on quickly, some not so quickly. Don't judge, most of us wouldn't look so good if the mirror was held up to us.

Translated: I am from Venezuela and my husband applied for me and our 2 children, I'm waiting for the NOA2 for the I-130 applications for each of us (we are September 2011 applicants), and I'm asking that someone who has applied for the Venezuela embassy tell me which documents I should send to the NVC and which documents I should take to the embassy on the day of the interview. And where should the $404 for each application be paid, in the NVC or in the embassy? I've read the embassy's web page and what it says confuses me... thank you very much, in advance.

People change their minds. I don't care how well you know someone or how long a relationship is, relationships DO end. I know a couple that ended a 5 year relationship on the wedding day, and they had lived together for 4 years and paid for a big wedding. To say that just because you were committed and went through the visa process means that you MUST marry the person regardless of anything that happens in the meantime is unrealistic. I think people shouldn't take marriage or engagement lightly, but I've been in relationships that have ended that I don't believe I did take lightly. People are going to break up... to say that they should be required to marry once they've gone through the visa process is not realistic... we are all constantly learning about the partners we've chosen. If a relationship is going to end, obviously it's best that it happen before the visa is secured, but it is also better it end before marriage than after.
I don't see the 90 days as a "getting to know you period" but if you do find something out in those 90 days that you weren't aware of before and is a deal breaker, then it's best it end then prior to the marriage. There is no way you will ever know everything about your partner even if you are together for years and years. It's not realistic to say that you have to know everything about them before applying for a visa. A person can be committed but still get to know things about their partner and those things could possibly be deal breakers.. it could happen at any time. It can and does happen to people married for years, and not just because of secrets but also because people change.
Getting to know each other before the visa process would be ideal. But it still wouldn't be a guarantee that the relationship will work long term as there are NO guarantees that any relationship will last forever, even after years of "getting to know you"...
I hate to see people hurt on either side of the situation... I know I've had my share of hurt and it wasn't all due to not knowing the other person...

People change their minds. I don't care how well you know someone or how long a relationship is, relationships DO end. I know a couple that ended a 5 year relationship on the wedding day, and they had lived together for 4 years and paid for a big wedding. To say that just because you were committed and went through the visa process means that you MUST marry the person regardless of anything that happens in the meantime is unrealistic. I think people shouldn't take marriage or engagement lightly, but I've been in relationships that have ended that I don't believe I did take lightly. People are going to break up... to say that they should be required to marry once they've gone through the visa process is not realistic... we are all constantly learning about the partners we've chosen. If a relationship is going to end, obviously it's best that it happen before the visa is secured, but it is also better it end before marriage than after.
I don't see the 90 days as a "getting to know you period" but if you do find something out in those 90 days that you weren't aware of before and is a deal breaker, then it's best it end then prior to the marriage. There is no way you will ever know everything about your partner even if you are together for years and years. It's not realistic to say that you have to know everything about them before applying for a visa. A person can be committed but still get to know things about their partner and those things could possibly be deal breakers.. it could happen at any time. It can and does happen to people married for years, and not just because of secrets but also because people change.
Getting to know each other before the visa process would be ideal. But it still wouldn't be a guarantee that the relationship will work long term as there are NO guarantees that any relationship will last forever, even after years of "getting to know you"...
I hate to see people hurt on either side of the situation... I know I've had my share of hurt and it wasn't all due to not knowing the other person...

I understand where you are coming from. I am going through a break up with a current fiance, who was not a bar girl, and I was previously married to a girl who was a bar girl. My wife (the bar girl) was very difficult, very similar to your stories. We have 2 beautiful children (one who was hers before we met) and I do have custody of the kids, although she is trying to change that since she needs the child support to live on. I know it is terribly difficult, and people will give you the coarse advice to "Just leave her". While that is very easy to say, and easy to accept in our minds, our hearts have a tough time letting go (the fear of being alone, the investment we've already made). Your mind knows what to do, your heart is struggling...
As others have said, focus on your child. My advice, which is worth everything you pay for it (not much), is to stop the relationship with your wife. Having gone through it I understand your pain, but I also understand what you would be signing up for and I don't believe it is worth it.
That said, my second relationship is having cheating issues. My mind says walk away. My heart isn't ready yet for that. My second isn't due to a wild woman with low morals, it's due to unresolved feelings with an old boyfriend... I am in the same struggle you are. It is not easy.
Since there is nothing that needs to be done urgently, since she couldn't come back immediately anyway, I would recommend to you that you take some time to think. Time, as they say, heals all wounds. In 3 months or 6 months you will have a lot clearer perspective. Then follow your heart. Your heart right now today is not in any position to be dictating to your mind.
Best of luck.

A person either has respect for others or they don't. Some people have no respect for anyone other than those they consider "equals". Some people respect everyone, regardless of race, nationality, income, social standing, etc. If you respect someone, and they know it, anything you call them can be a term of endearment. If you don't respect someone and they know it, anything you call them can be offensive.
There are too many people who lack respect for others. Some of them are marrying people they have no respect for. That, to me, is offensive in itself. It's not what they call them, it's how they see them and treat them in general.
I have a large group of very good friends who are American husband/Filipina wife couples. I see more respect in some relationships than others. It's a fact of life. Some husbands could say "my filipina" and really get under my skin. Others could say the same thing and bring a smile to my face. It's how they see each other, and how I see them. If my fiancee called me "her kano" I would feel great. Just belonging to her makes me feel good. And I don't see a lack of respect. Again, other people I know could say the same thing and it would bother me.
I understand what you are saying in the OP but it's because there IS a lack of respect or YOU SENSE a lack of respect (both are potentially valid). But, in my opinion, it's the respect that's the issue, not the terms used.
I have black friends who refer to each other using the "n" word, and sometimes "my n...". They have no lack of respect for each other. As much as they know and love me I would never use that word with them, as there is a lack of respect implicit in the term. I don't feel there is something implicitly disrespectful in the terms "my Filipina" or "my Kano". I would defend your right to see something implicitly disrespectful in the terms, but I don't see it. Again, I don't think I've used the term, but I feel lucky to have a Filipina fiancee (and soon wife) and if I were to use it, it would be will all affection and respect and if my wife doesn't see a problem with the term, there is no problem with its use. With that said, there are people who see an implicit lack of respect with the term, and I would be highly unlikely to use the term in their presence, in respect to their feelings.
In my humble opinion, it's not the terms, it's any feeling of superiority or disrespect behind them that's the real problem.

Edited to add: Sorry for the long rambling post below. This has been an ongoing concern of mine, as well, for a long time.
Honestly I don't think I've ever used the phrase "my Filipina" refering either to my ex-wife or my fiancee. However, if I did use the phrase it would be with great pride. If my fiancee every called me "her kano" I would be proud as well. I am happy to be in the relationship I have. My apologies to everyone else here, but I believe I've found the most amazing woman there is. I am a lucky kano.
I believe that when people of either gender look for a mate they look for someone who has the qualities they value in a spouse. For some people the qualities they value aren't the qualities I would value. I do see objectification and "hunting" in a number of the Fil-Am couples I know, and it does bother me, a lot. There are qualities that are very common to a specific country or region, that might be called "stereotypes" but are really just recognition that there are cultural differences from region to region.
When I met my ex-wife I was not looking for a wife. I certainly was not looking for a filipina wife. I met my now ex- on a business trip and we got involved. I just happened to be in the Philippines, instead of Belgium, the Netherlands, Tennessee, Texas, or any of the other countries I was visiting. The relationship didn't work out, but I came out of the relationship with 2 beautiful sons (one pinoy, one fil-am, and i have custody of both, due to the nature of our relationship "not working out"), a lot of pinoy and pinay friends. I also have a lot of respect for differences in the filipino culture and was fairly certain that any future relationship would be with a filipina. There are cultural aspects of the philippines that I find superior to anywhere else in the world. And it's NOT a deferential spouse I'm looking for. Now, some of these are generalizations that are not true in every case, but these are things I find very attractive about filipinos: command of the english language, strength of familial relationships, general happiness (I've never met a happier nationality, in general), and for a foreign country, they are very "western" in morality and ethics. I am in love with the Philippines.
With that said, I've always have discomfort with those who see the Philippines as a buffett. There are guys who want to go sample every girl that might be available. Unfortunatly, the economic situation of the Philippines AND many other countries means that there will be a lot more girls available in the Philippines than the US or many other western countries. Yes, the economic situation does drive all of us (even American and Western European women see the ability of a guy to earn a paycheck as a "good" quality; but the economic difference in the Philippines means most any paycheck is a "good" thing). I didn't go "shopping" in the Philippines. I did start to look at sites to "meet" online and try to figure out who had the right mix of qualities to fit me AND who could stand to live with my qualities, good and bad. I found one. We spent months getting to know each other before I traveled to meet her. She is the only one I went to see, I knew before I went that it was all or nothing, not a chance to try several on for size. She knows my history, good and bad, she knows my anxieties, my fears, my baggage and my personality issues, and she likes me anyway. Although income factors in (it has with every woman I've ever dated) it is not the only factor.
I love the fact that I found someone who is a good fit for me. The culture in the Philippines means there were a lot more possible fits there, on average, than most other places I might look. Call it stereotype, I call it recognition of cultural differences, and appreciating that there are places that are superior, in many aspects, to the place where I live.
The economy of the Philippines, Africa, and eastern European countries leaves people of both genders open for abuse by those from weathier countries. It's unfortunate, but I've always seen abuse of anyone based on economic need, even here in the US it happens, as a "bad" thing. There will always be those who abuse it, and the poverty in the Philippines leaves many open to abuse. I don't like it, but it is a reality. I wish those of us who care could change it. I guess we do, one person, or family, or community at a time. But those who abuse the disparity likely see us as doing exactly what they are. They're wrong, but they are "wrong" in so many things...

I think the issue is that it is a Fiesta, not very American.
Better buy a proper truck, with a gun rack.

The father's name on the birth certificate does not indicate it is false. Please stop claiming it's a false birth certificate because he's not the biological father. I adopted my previous wife's son and his birth certificate now has my name not it. There are children all over the world whose biological father is not on the birth certificate. The birth certificate it absolutely fine, his wife had a baby and he claimed the child as his own.
Now, there will likely be legal issues pertinent to the immigration and citizenship. The OP and his wife need to be clear about it. This process is very limited in scope for the OP, there are not many people in his exact situation so most advice will be recommendations based on people's best guesses about what will happen. Frankly, a blood test would prove he's not the biological father, but once the child is in the US gaining citizenship should be relatively easy. My adopted son's post-adoption birth certificate showing my name and my birth certificate were all that was required to get a US passport for my son. That's the easy part. Getting the ability to travel will be the more difficult part. There are a lot of women who give birth while in the visa process. I'm not entirely clear on how the child gets added.
Since he can't prove the biological side, it might best be treated as if it was a child she had before the marriage, as far as processing. Once in the interview she should be totally upfront about the situation. She should also have a letter from the OP stating he is aware of the situation, but claiming the child as his own. He should be clear also about the exact situation, so the CO doesn't think she is keeping anything from him. His claim on the child will be that of a biological parent once the visa process is complete.
Since the child was born after the petition was filed, I believe there's a process to add the child to her processing. Alternatively he could file separately, although they would have to wait through the full processing of the petition, then the visa.
My biological son was born 12 days after my ex was given her visa, and 10 days after she arrived in the US. Luckily I didn't have to deal with this process, but I know there are ways to deal with it.
Best of luck. Just because he took her child as his own doesn't make him a sucker. I love my adopted son as much as I do my biological son. When I divorced my ex I ended up with custody of both. Doesn't make me a sucker at all, but it sure makes me a proud papa to have them.
Edit: I would recommend an info pass appointment. Who knows how immigration will see it.

I got divorced last year from a K-1 beneficiary I petitioned for several years ago. I wouldn't say it was fraud or all done for a GC, we were together here for 5 years. However I would absolutely say you need to file ASAP and protect yourself. My ex moved out of my house and bed and directly in with her new boyfriend. Because of her guilt in that situation I was able to get a very fair separation. Now that she is realizing that I won't be financing her life, and her boyfriend lied about his financial situation, she is trying to get me to finance her lifestyle. She had a fairly lavish lifestyle with me. Her new boyfriend's felonious background and unemployed status doesn't allow them much now. If she could do it over, she could very well have me paying for a reasonably comfortable life for the two of them.
Getting the divorce done quickly was the absolute key. You must move forward now, or you could end up paying for a whole lot more in the future than you have in the past to support this woman who doesn't want you in her life right now, other than as a stepping stone to life in the US and potential paycheck while she is here. If you are happy to continue to support that for her, and pay for that life she wants, then by all means don't do what previous posters have said.
But if you don't want to be used, potentially for years of cost and aggravation to yourself, talk to an attorney ASAP.
Good luck.

I got divorced last year from a K-1 beneficiary I petitioned for several years ago. I wouldn't say it was fraud or all done for a GC, we were together here for 5 years. However I would absolutely say you need to file ASAP and protect yourself. My ex moved out of my house and bed and directly in with her new boyfriend. Because of her guilt in that situation I was able to get a very fair separation. Now that she is realizing that I won't be financing her life, and her boyfriend lied about his financial situation, she is trying to get me to finance her lifestyle. She had a fairly lavish lifestyle with me. Her new boyfriend's felonious background and unemployed status doesn't allow them much now. If she could do it over, she could very well have me paying for a reasonably comfortable life for the two of them.
Getting the divorce done quickly was the absolute key. You must move forward now, or you could end up paying for a whole lot more in the future than you have in the past to support this woman who doesn't want you in her life right now, other than as a stepping stone to life in the US and potential paycheck while she is here. If you are happy to continue to support that for her, and pay for that life she wants, then by all means don't do what previous posters have said.
But if you don't want to be used, potentially for years of cost and aggravation to yourself, talk to an attorney ASAP.
Good luck.

Congratulations! Wish we were all so quick.

I have no idea what you should or shouldn't do. I do, however, think you put your wife in a position where nothing she could do would satisfy you.
You required that she be honest in the beginning; but you admit that if she had been honest, then you wouldn't have married her. Now that she is being honest, you want to leave her.
Maybe honesty isn't really what you were looking for in a wife.

You can only judge your wife on being a liar if she's lied to you about things during your marriage. She was not obligated to tell you about that relationship or any other. You kept digging for what you wanted to hear and now that you heard it you are crying fraud. Since this was an arranged marriage not one of chance meeting or true love couldn't you also be accused of perpetuating a fraud? Perhaps she was ashamed and she knew that that relationship was going nowhere. It's not something she would not disclose to you, your family, or her family.
If you want to challenge moral turpitude you must also call your own into question.

When my previous fiancee came to the US on a K-1 visa she was 6 1/2 months pregnant at the time of the medical. She had the x-ray, but with the stomach shielding. Absolutely no problem.
You can always point out what the online requirements are and tell them absolutely not. They can then point out that their procedures absolutely require it and deny you a completed physical. Good luck trying to win that pissing match. I don't know about the DR, but the Philippines website for the medical clearly says that the x-ray will be required in ALL cases. So I could have told them "no" (I was there for the medical) which would absolutely have meant a failed physical. I could have then fought tooth and nail for them to accept what the website says. Again, that is most likely not a winnable fight.
The possibility of having problems as a result is miniscule. So minor that 10 other things your wife does today will be worse. Don't worry about it. The stress won't have any positive impact so I'd let it go.

Put the horse in front of the cart. Figure out your personal life going forward first. Then make the appropriate immigration decisions.

If you made 50k per year, I hope you filed taxes. Your tax returns are a big part of proving your income. Also, they paid cash but they had to give you, if not check stub, at least something that shows your periodic income. If you never filed taxes you might have bigger problems.
But, for purposes of your I-134, you will need to show more than a letter from your employer, IMHO. Anyone can write a letter. If that is all you have, hopefully you have assets to cover the amount required. If not, you may need a co-sponsor.
The guide says that you need at least 2 items. Check it out. My guess (and the CO can do whatever they want) is that you'll need more.
good luck

It takes less than 200 days to receive the NOA2 approval, not the K-1 Visa. Again, I suggest you review the K-1 Flowchart and the timelines from others.
It seems as if you're just looking for someone to justify your plans and to tell you to go ahead with what you have planned in spite of the advice and recommendations of others on this board. If that's what you want, I doubt you'll find it in this forum.
And if I sound condescending, perhaps that's true, but when someone comes on with the expectation that everyone will justify their ignorance, it annoys me. Have a good evening and good luck with your visa journey.

She doesn't have a ban. She entered legally and she is here legally. The requirement for the K-1 is to be married within 90 days. They did that. She is totally fine. However, she can't re-enter the country, apply for citizenship, work, drive (in most places) etc. until she does the AOS. She could stay here as long as she wants legally at this point. But with some significant limitations.
With that said, the rest of the information above is correct. Apply for the AOS and get your GC before traveling. Anything else would be painful, expensive, and time consuming in comparison to getting the GC.
At this point there is no ban and she is legally in the country. She just can't come back if she leaves.
Good luck

She doesn't have a ban. She entered legally and she is here legally. The requirement for the K-1 is to be married within 90 days. They did that. She is totally fine. However, she can't re-enter the country, apply for citizenship, work, drive (in most places) etc. until she does the AOS. She could stay here as long as she wants legally at this point. But with some significant limitations.
With that said, the rest of the information above is correct. Apply for the AOS and get your GC before traveling. Anything else would be painful, expensive, and time consuming in comparison to getting the GC.
At this point there is no ban and she is legally in the country. She just can't come back if she leaves.
Good luck

Got the stamp he needed. All is good now.