Mina90

2 hours ago, DeParaquedasBrasi said:

This had me rolling in laughter. haha 

 

By the way mister [Don't speak unless you can help me], you won't get very far in America with that attitude. We love our freedom of speak and I guarantee you somebody will make sure you know that one day here in America. Lose the attitude.

That's if he ever gets to the US in the first place which seems unlikely at this point since it doesn't seem like him nor his wife is really interested in doing anything to obtain domicile.  

OP, members who have advised you wisely on how to obtain domicile; they even broke it down nicely for you.  It's a take it or leave it kind of thing.  If you take what others have advised of how your wife will need to obtain domicile, you will be fine.  If not, you will not be coming here.  It's pretty simple really. 

25 minutes ago, NigeriaorBust said:

   Once hubby gets to a point where he need a security clearance he will be required to truthfully answer question about his immediate relatives and their addresses.  So he will have to out her.   And he will most likely be asked about what sort of aid he has provided for her. Depending on the level he needs it will get nasty and he could be denied the clearance and thus the position.  

Very true.  When my husband was getting his security clearance, they even asked about his nickname that wasn't mentioned.  They found every little detail about his life and questioned even minor things that appeared even remotely like a red flag.  They dig deep.

When did you arrive to the US? The marketplace just opened up for enrollment for next year; although, rates are going up and are at an all time high. Does your spouse have health insurance? If you came to the US recently and your spouse has insurance already, you can be added on because it would qualify as a life event most likely. Going to the doctor's without insurance can quickly add up. This should have been something you and your spouse talked about before your arrival here. It's one of the most important things to deal with here. 

I live in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is not cheap. Not to mention the cost of birth is expensive too. 

Sorry, but this kind of thing grinds my gears a bit since most of the time tax payers do end up paying ultimately, but people will do what people want to do. 

Anyway, if the friend wants to come here to give birth and has the means to, she can, but as other members stated, she needs to provide proof of ties to her home country, have enough $$ to show, and it's 21 years before parent has any kind of eligibility for US status.

10 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Mrs. T-B. tells me that there's an entire large neighborhood in New York City (Ciudad de Nueva York) that's wholly Ecu -- when there, one cannot tell which country one is in.

 

I asked her if these people are legal, and she rolled her eyes and said, "Ask them."  That probably means that 99.44% of them are illegal.

 

It boggles the mind to picture (and envision) mass deportations of entire neighborhoods.

Probably, lol.  Well, I had heard about the "mass deportations" that they were doing in Cali in the "sanctuary" cities. Unsure if/when they'll do that in NYC, if not already. 

10 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Well, he can, without some Federal judge in California or Hawaii decreeing that he can't.

 

The guy's a socialist* like his predecessor, but unlike the previous clown, this one isn't grandstanding, putting on airs, and spending on himself like a drunken sailor, so the Ecus are apparently rather satisfied with him (for now).

 

*name is Lenin Moreno, so big surprise

Of course, those socialists haha. I mean, since he's better than the previous president and at least doing something, it's helpful to the Ecus. 

On 8/21/2018 at 12:35 PM, TBoneTX said:

Caucused in depth with Mrs. T-B. last night.

She's been interacting with many Latin Americans who are seeking asylum, etc.

Some of the below is new.

 

She reconfirms that the Central Americans (Hondureños, Salvadoreños, Guatemaltecos) are showing up at our southern border (often with children) because they're escaping gangs et al. in their countries.  These are, in her words, "poor people" ("poor" meant both literally & figuratively) who can't understand instructions in English or Spanish about how/where/when to show up in court, can't fill out change-of-address paperwork, don't understand the need for paperwork at all, don't comprehend the utterly crucial need for a lawyer, etc.  I asked her whether these people had anything to offer the U.S. if they're admitted, and she was uncharacteristically silent.  I asked her why they're not going to Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, or elsewhere, and she had no idea.  I asked her how they'd support themselves here if they're granted entry; she paused and eventually murmured "they're poor people."

 

I presume that these people are looking merely to "escape," with no plan beyond that.

 

The Venezolanos who are showing up here are escaping Maduro's socialistic governmental oppression.  They're typically educated and were middle-class or better.  Many had or have tourist visas.  They're typically able to articulate their cases for asylum.  Most have plans to use their university degrees or to start businesses.

 

Conversely, the Venezolanos who are overrunning Colombia, Peru, & Ecuador are typically from the lower classes.  At least Peru & Ecu are now requiring passports from these refugees, and anyone without one will be refused entry.  Mrs. T-B. said that the incoming Venezolanos are taking jobs from the native Ecus, and a couple of Ecus have been murdered so far, so Ecu's president has put his foot down:  no Venezolanos without a passport.  This is going to create problems on a yet-unknown scale at a Colombia-Ecu border crossing.

Mrs. T-B has provided some very interesting insight.  I never thought of it like that, but yes, now it begs the question of why not escape to a country, such as the ones you listed, where Spanish is spoken and has a better quality of life? Very good point.

Oh wow. Is it bad that I'm kind of glad the Ecuadorian president put his foot down and is requiring passports? 

4 hours ago, LeesaMarie said:

respectfully, I didn't think this thread was about opinions on illegal immigration and effects people think it has, it was providing reasons for why people from all over the world might enter illegally. this is just a story I thought I'd share as the only illegal immigration stories that you tend read or hear about are people fleeing bad situations. important to remember that this isn't always the case, furthermore it's definitely not my place to comment on another country's immigration policy.

Agreed. I was just adding a side-note. 

2 hours ago, YecaCruz said:

uffdah! hope that never happens. I only speculate but I think most would just surrender based on what they've said in conversation as far as "if I'm caught I don't think I'd try to come back" -type stuff. Maybe one or two of the younger ones might shoot for the emergency exit. They'd have to run through shelter belt, crp, and random people's sporadically placed backyards to go hide in the area's 1 cornfield (because who hides in soybeans!) that could maybe hide them since there's only one entrance/exit to the parking lot.

 

For the few that have asked my husband as the pastor like "what should I do if I get caught" he tells them something like 'the Lord has allowed you to be here for this time. You have to be prepared to face to consequences of your breaking the law, even if it means getting sent back, and be thankful for the time that the door was open for you to be here and make some money to support yourself/family.' That happened to one of our church comers. Got caught driving without a valid license in fall of 2017 and is now in line for the judge which they keep moving back. Right now his hearing is scheduled for 2020. He still drives and works though since he was able to pay the 7k bond to get released. We know of some others from Peru who's bond to pay was something like 17k per person. Crazy bond money the government gets from illegals!

 

Husband knows a guy from Serbia he met from playing soccer. Nice guy and started a delivery business from scratch and is very successful. He was at our house talking about greencards and playing Mariokart on N64 and dropped the bomb that he's paying a lady to be his wife so he can get citizenship. I'm like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? He says he feels bad since his first "marriage" is not even real and I'm thinking what do you even say to that!?

OhMyWord. Unfortunately, I heard a similar story from my mother. She had an old co-worker (who was a widow and a US citizen around the age of 50ish) some guy from Pakistan (the guy already had a wife back in his homeland and kids) convinced the co-worker to somehow to marry him so he could get a green card and he will pay her for it. Apparently, the co-worker's son was outraged when he found out what his mom did and completely cut all ties with her. My mom was saying how the co-worker was expressing her regret of doing such a thing (the fake husband guy had what he wanted by that time). I don't know what happened with that lady afterwards since my mom said she quit and no one heard from her again. 

8 hours ago, LeesaMarie said:

Just posting a story I know.

 

About 15 years ago, a person I knew in the UK just got up and left, decided they did not want to be here anymore. Booked flights to the US, and overstayed their VISA intentionally. No economic issues, no criminal past, quite a stand up person. They just did not want to be in London anymore, or even the UK. This person has remained in America, owns their own house (he would never have had such luck in London), works, and contributes to their community. (I didn't ask how they have managed to remain so I can't provide any other details). 

 

But yeah, sometimes people just decide they want to leave their environment, and want a different type of life. To my own surprise they settled in the deep south. 

 

I think maybe for someone who feels utterly lost in their life, being told to wait x amount of months to be approved or denied is just too much to tolerate, so perhaps this factors into this choice that they make.

That person might have thought he was making a change just for his life, but he is part of the problem because his choice indirectly impacts others who want to migrate here or visit here from his country and it adds more time to the process. Likewise, for all countries. 

39 minutes ago, Umka36 said:

The US politician likes to make laws they don't really get enforced. We keep talking about overhauling our immigration policies because it's "broken", yet repeat the same thing once a new law passes.

 

If you take away incentives like being able to work illegally, serious crack down on employers who hire illegals, fully implement E-verify or some other for of universal check for employers, and things like that you'll probably put a better dent on illegal migration.

 

I honestly don't blame the illegals as I have no clue what I would do if I was in their shoes, but if word spreads that doing so provides not economic incentive that may help deter one from coming illegally. In regards to safety/security, that's something that needs to be addressed by the UN in my opinion.

I agree, that is a very valid point. You're right, the employers that aid in this are as much to blame. 

While I absolutely feel sympathy towards those in terrible living situations in their home countries, I don't agree with helping aid those who choose to engage in any illegal activity. I know some people think that by giving shelter, aid, and ability to live in any country illegally is somehow doing something good or it benefits them somehow, it actually causes more harm, IMO, because it isn't helping change the situation in those countries. If everyone just flees their home countries to elsewhere, who's going to be around to help change it to be better? Of course, this is applicable only to the political and economic immigrants and not the criminal immigrants (I like the terminology TBoneTX used). 

1 minute ago, AshMarty said:

 

I think people try all different countries have issues.

 

The US happens to be a pretty easy place for a lot of people to enter because of our proximity with other countries. My husband is Australian and they are so isolated than no one is going to walk the over the boarder to Australia (so it is easier in that way to contain). 

Absolutely. Although, I read an article that said that the the quantity of most illegal people in the states are usually people who have once entered on a non-immigrant visa (i.e. B1/B2) and never left more so than those who hop the border (don't know where I had seen this since it was a while back so can't find the link, could just be hearsay).

31 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

I wonder whether this is still true (don't know, but presume changes as stated below).

 

Part of the current flap about how to handle the influx of asylum-seekers at the border is that current laws and protocols involving the processing of illegal entrants were chiefly designed with "lone adult males seeking employment" in mind; the second group of concern was the criminals.

 

These illegals sought to avoid detection.  Conversely, most of the recent border-crossers seem to be families (or fake families with someone else's children) who want to be caught after crossing, so that they can apply for asylum or at least be held in safe circumstances and receive shelter, clean clothes, and three square meals per day.

This is true.  A few years ago, I saw word from a reliable source (specifics since forgotten) that most illegal economic entrants had jobs in their countries but sought more income.

 

Even among legal immigrants, foreign remittances are a chief focus.  I know that it's prevalent among Mexicans and Central Americans, and we periodically read here on VJ about Filipinas (with the consent or acquiescence of their U.S. husbands) sending money to the immigrants' families on a special or routine basis.  This might be the case for "any poor country."  I read somewhere (again, specifics forgotten, but probably findable) that remittances are the second-greatest form of income for Mexico, or at least in the top 3 of same.

All very interesting info. 

Also, why do you think US is the primary choice of country for most? Distance? Accessibility? 

Other countries (Australia, most of Europe, Dubai/UAE, Canada, etc. are good places to live, at least IMO) Most folks choose the US. Is it because of the stories about the US being a land of opportunity (i.e. Nuestra pointed out the technologies the US has created and believe the US is the best place to earn money and send to their homeland/families).

As illegal immigration is such a hot topic, I ask all members who respond to please be respectful.

This is something I always wondered but never really figured all the reasoning behind it. There are members on this forum who have spouses/family members or themselves who have entered the US illegally and I never really understood why. I would like some insight on how people reason with entering a country illegally and continuing to live a life in the shadows.  

Don't get me wrong. I am genuinely curious as to why people choose this route in the first place. The US has many legal options and paths to enter the US with appropriate visas, then why do some choose to enter otherwise?  I want to know thoughts on what people think on why people choose to do this. I come from a family of immigrants (all who legally entered the US with proper visas) and my family is from a highly corrupt, highly political, and poverty-stricken country, so I understand that some people want to any means to escape (but my family/friends never chose this route no matter how bad it was).  However, I don't think that is the only reason people could choose to do this. Is it because some just don't know how to file proper visas? Is it because some think it's expensive? Too long of a wait? Disregard for laws/rules? 

**Disclaimer: This thread is not in any shape or form to condone illegal immigration nor will I tolerate anyone giving advice on how to do so ( I will report those giving advice as such). This thread is just to gather some insight on what people think and how they feel about this.**

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

I believe its not just the documentation required for the ID that must comply with the REAL ID requirements, but that the ID card itself has to have several extra advanced security features, making it more difficult to create a forgery.

Yes, I saw that when I was researching some info on the REAL ID.  I'm all for it. I'm a real stickler for following rules and added security. 

3 hours ago, Neonred said:

It means your state is dragging it's feet, and 10 years after the REAL ID act became effective they still do not comply.  Makes them look bad.

Maybe. VA tends to do that, but I checked the requirements for REAL ID and all the documentation to meet the standards are things we normally do submit. I guess they are just enforcing it since the DMV folks weren't asking for all those documentation from everyone?

I think this is will be good for security reasons once all states start properly enforcing REAL ID. 

6 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

You will have to use Govt issued ID which meets the REAL ID requirements. Many states have already made their DL Real ID compliant, others are working towards that goal. But yes, if you do not have a REAL ID complaint DL, you will need to use passport or passport  card. This has been in progress for a few years already 

I understood. It gave me the option of getting my license "REAL ID" compliant, but my license would expire the following day so it wasn't reasonable for me to get it. I suppose I will just use my US Passport for travel. It's not that big of a deal for me; wanted to know how others felt about it. 

I was renewing my license today and this note was on my DMV account.

DRIVER'S LICENSE OR ID EXPIRING ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2018

CONSIDER UPGRADING TO A REAL ID COMPLIANT CREDENTIAL

Starting October 1, 2018, DMV will offer customers the opportunity to obtain optional REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and IDs. If your driver's license or ID expires on or after that date, you may want to consider waiting to renew until REAL ID compliant credentials are available. 

Beginning October 1, 2020, the federal government will require you to present a REAL ID compliant credential or another form of approved identification, such as a U.S. Passport or Passport Card, in order to board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal facility. To find out if a REAL ID compliant credential is right for you, please visit dmvNOW.com/REALID.

So, I'm guessing that this means, starting 2020, we will be required to use US Passports or Passport Cards to go on domestic flights too? Any thoughts?

44 minutes ago, kemm360 said:

Big problems here. Or are you a 10 year permanent resident? 😏

I don't think the OP has a 10 yr GC since they applied for I-751(Removal of Conditions) which is only applied if they were here on a 2 yr conditional GC.

OP, your timeline is off. Can you please elaborate? 

I'm going to agree with Teemo, though, because it appears you have most likely abandoned your status in the US.

I really wish people would take the "learn from others' mistakes" to heart. 

It would save so many people from "marriage fraud", broken homes, "used for immigration", etc. 

Unfortunately, too many people think, "well, bad things or those things can't happen to me. I am different; I am invincible."  Wish that thinking would stop and start thinking rationally and realistically.

For years, we had been going to a tax professional (who had been doing taxes for over 40 years) that we trusted. However, once I got married and had applied for my spouse at that time, I went to file my taxes and the professional told me I needed to file single. After she argued that was the correct way to file, I let her do what she wanted and then I amended my taxes to married filing separately. Needless to say, I stopped going to that tax professional. 

It is pretty simple. Married=married. Single=Single. You can't file for something you aren't. I didn't have the most knowledge about taxes but even I did a basic IRS website search and found what was correct. You can put your faith into CPAs/tax professionals blindly, but at the end of the day, it's you that it affects whether taxes are filed correctly or incorrectly, not the CPAs or tax professionals.

8 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

"Streets paved with gold" and all that.

Yes, that and also the mythical belief that all US Americans have a "tree in the backyard that rains money". 

1 hour ago, jg121783 said:

There's a way to fix that. Get rid of mandatory minimums and release all the people guilty of petty crimes that shouldn't be there in the first place. Then we will have plenty of room for real criminals.

+1

1 hour ago, Unidentified said:

Yes and stop putting life sentence on non violent crimes and drug charges.

Agreed! 

6 hours ago, Amelmahbub07 said:

Thanks sister😊😊😊

Anytime, brother.

8 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

I have it on good authority that, in asylum hearings, the USCIS officers do not ask, "If we grant you asylum and let you stay, what do you have to offer the U.S.?"  That would be chief among what I, and perhaps many others of us, would want to know.

Absolutely. I would also want to know the same. 

7 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Whole bunch of articles all the time in the Texas newspapers about the plights of individual illegals.

Long one today about a 5-year-old who was separated from his illegal father.

Yes, heartbreaking that the little ones -- who can't understand -- have to suffer.

However, I have no clue why these people don't head to Costa Rica, Panama, or South America instead of here.

That is a good suggestion. Those places are beautiful too. I guess for some reason people think US is where the life is at. US has its perks, but other countries do too plus the scenery.

2 hours ago, IDWAF said:

Bear in mind that though there appears to be a rise in arrests, the numbers are actually way down because of the change in language under Obama.  Starting in 2012, it became the norm to NOT go after illegals unless they were engaged in illegal activity.  So if an illegal was arrested for a minor infraction, the police were not allowed to contact ICE.  

 

ICE removals overall are actually down this year, but ICE interior removals (not a border catch) are up.  I posted about this several months ago, but there was so much to hate about the fat orange Nixon that it wasn’t important.

Some simple numbers and charts might explain it better:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/dec/19/have-deportations-increased-under-donald-trump-her/

Oh, wow. I did not know that. Thought-provoking, really. LOL at your description of Trump. I understand people have differing opinions on the president, but shouldn't let that dictate their judgement on the important things.

3 minutes ago, jg121783 said:

Agreed. I think we need have a zero tolerance policy for illegal aliens but at the same time we need to streamline the process for people doing things the legal way. Having gone through the immigration process with my wife and step son I see a lot of room for improvement and streamlining in the process.

 

As I said I would like to see a zero tolerance policy for illegal aliens. We need a system that provides zero incentive for someone to come here illegally and punishment for repeat offenders. No government assistance whatsoever at the federal, state or local level and any politician at any level violating that in any way is charged with a felony and goes to prison. Anyone who employs or aids an illegal alien in any way financially gets charged with a felony and goes to prison. The first time you come here illegally you simply get deported with a warning to not come back or there will be consequences. The second time you get 6 months in prison then your deported. Any subsequent offense would be double the prison time of the previous offense then deportation. That coupled with a streamlined legal process open to anyone who can prove they are financially self sufficient or have means to become financially self sufficient (education, ect.), don't have a criminal record and don't pose a health risk to anyone would solve at least 90% of our illegal immigration problem.

 

I think our legal immigration system needs a major overhaul. Things take longer than they have to, it's expensive, redundant and inefficient. A lot of the paperwork could be converted into an online form that could at least in part be processed by computers. That would make things faster and maybe less expensive. With my wife and step son we had to deal with multiple government agencies which all essentially asked for the same information. If they could share the information between agencies more efficiently or better yet have one agency that does everything that would speed things up. I'm sure other things could be done but you guys get the idea. Basically make it easy for people that won't be a drain on our society to come here legally and make illegal immigration so prohibitive it won't be practical for most people.

Really good points and I absolutely agree with you. It's too bad that we probably won't see such a drastic overhaul anytime soon (I'm thinking I won't live to see it lol). This will probably take a long time to even see a difference in the immigration system. 

1 minute ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

exactly. I dont see all the cry me a river, for the children of criminals that go to jail here. Happens every day 

I agree.

I think we should be turn our focus towards all the LEGAL people in our country rather than worry so much of the consequences for those who choose illegal routes. 

We can't really help those people who choose not to help themselves, right? Nor can we help those or their families that choose the wrong way to do things.