randye80

There are no real numbers, but it is well-known by both the USCIS as well as the US State Department that a large number of K-1 applicants are marrying Americans for the sole purpose of immigrating to the US. This is especially true for applicants from third world countries, Ghana included. I'm not saying this case is fraud, but the sad reality is that the state department (consulate/embassy) rejects all applications in which they are not fully satisfied that the relationship is bona fide - This inevitably affects a large number of legitimate couples as well.In order to determine the legitimacy of the marriage, the interviewing officer at the embassy (who will be handling your fiance's K-1 application) will make a subjective decision as to the legitimacy of your relationship, and how likely it is to be real, or a sham in order for the foreigner to gain immigration benefits. The burden of proof is always on the intending immigrant.
The consular officers usually tend to look for red flags, especially in third world countries (where immigrants are statistically more likely to commit fraud for purposes of immigrating). "Unusual" relationships are usually scrutinized:
1. Relationships with huge language barriers.
2. Relationships with large age gaps, especially in which the female is significantly older than the male.
3. Relationships in which the couple has not spent significant amounts of time together.
4. Relationships with big, often "socially unacceptable" cultural differences.
5. Relationships in which the foreign fiance(e)/spouse is from a "high-fraud" country.
If any of the above are true, it does not mean the application will automatically be rejected, but the more red flags, the more difficult it becomes to show that a real, ongoing relationship exists. If more than one of the above is true, it becomes increasingly difficult to get a visa.
Again, I'm not saying this to be mean, or accusing you or your fiance of anything, I'm saying it to prepare you, because the better prepared you are, the better the outcome will be.

Schools have different requirements. So do employers. School districts and states have different requirements for teachers. Universities are actually usually easier to qualifier for as a teacher. Though the competition is greater.
We went with the "course by course" evaluation since some schools require it and for a little extra money you get something acceptable by everyone. It was FAR easier to do it when Alla was still in Donetsk and could take the tram over to Donetsk State University and get her transcripts. We were applying to several schools who had different requirements and went with the more detailed evaluation.
The schools may also require either a TOEFL and/or GRE test to establish her English ability. This may not apply to where she is applying now...but could apply to another school in the future. These are available overseas and both Alla and Sergey took these before they came. Cost was about $125 each for the tests. This is usually not needed for community college level courses or non-degree courses. Either test can also be taken here.
The thing is, she may decide she wants to apply to a particular job or decide she wants to continue education here. She will be up against application deadlines and suddenly have need for a course by course eval., or GRE or TOEFL results. Oops. Wait until next year, I guess. I just like to use this long period waiting for the petition to be approved to do useful things.
We covered all the bases....course by course evaluations for both and both GRE and TOEFL tests for both. Once you have one of these evaluations done, they keep it on their files for many years and you can call them and order more copies to be sent to schools or employers as needed in the future. Schools and employers usually prefer it to come directly from the evaluator.
FYI ...anyone who has less than 7 years of their education in English can use either GRE, TOEFL or SAT/ACT results for college entrance at most schools. Pasha took all the exams and we went with his SAT/ACT scores.
Google "TOEFL" and "GRE" for locations and dates and costs.

The problem is not the citizenship, it is the passport. Even with the N600 the minor will not get a passport unless you have sole custody. If the desired outcome is proof of citizenship, the N600 is fine. If the desired outcome is a US Passport, it won't happen without the other parent signature unless you have sole custody.
From the State Department website:

One Parent
(with sole legal custody)
MUST:

Appear in person with the minor Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent Submit primary evidence of sole authority to apply for the child with one of the following: Minor's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only the applying parent Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only the applying parent Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order) Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent) Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent Death certificate of non-applying parent

We live in California and traveled to Las Vegas to get married. Nevada makes it very easy to get a marriage license, no blood test, no residency requirements.
USCIS will accept your marriage certificate from Las Vegas, the same as any other place.

We live in California and traveled to Las Vegas to get married. Nevada makes it very easy to get a marriage license, no blood test, no residency requirements.
USCIS will accept your marriage certificate from Las Vegas, the same as any other place.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

This is completely off topic, but I would urge you to contact all 3 credit bureaus and freeze your credit report.
You have given him an incredibly complete dossier for identity theft.
Good luck.

Well, the overstay of 16 months COULD be used to determine that she abandoned her status. I know she has since been permitted entry but I'm not sure whether that really matters given her pattern.
The 11 month stays outside the US with 1 month in could be used to show she was abusing her LPR status and it could be revoked.
The stays outside of 6+ months break continuous residency. Have you been filing US taxes (both of you) and maintaining a residence here in the US? US bank account for both of you etc? Proof that she did not intend to break residency?
Qns:
1. Would she be applying based on 5 years as LPR or 3 years married to USC?
2. How long in the last THREE years has she been IN the US?
3. How long in the last FIVE years has she been IN the US?
From your OP it doesn't appear that she would be eligible yet and it also appears that she's been abusing her GC. I have no idea if USCIS would take the N-400 application as an opportunity to assess her absences and revoke her greencard but anything is possible.
The greencard is for LIVING in the US, not for visiting. It sounds like she doesn't need the GC and should give it up and reapply when you're both ready to settle in the US.

Si to Vanessa just above.
I settled on this Hierarchy of Happiness pyramid, listed from best to worst:
1. Happily married
2. Happily single
3. Unhappily single
4. Unhappily married
If #1 is unattainable (as it sounds), #3 and #2 are preferable.

Where's the +100,000 button?I was going to say -- to emphasize what Part IV has said above: Are you often (or always) walking on eggshells around him?
What's the reflection of yourself that you get as a result of being around him? Do you feel like a million bucks, or do you feel like two cents?
Others may have different standards, but if anyone cheated on ME, the relationship was immediately and permanently over.
Finally: With all the normal, respectful, monogamous single men in the world, THIS is the best that you're settling for?

The reason people are asking WHY you care is because it helps give the correct answer. There is obviously something specific you want to know, outside of "will he be approved or not?" because that's simply not up to us. It appears you're dancing around exactly what you want to know.
USCIS takes everything into consideration. He could try claiming you were abusive and controlling and he had to "escape". He could claim that you didn't LET him get a joint bank account with you, or let him leave the house. That you wanted to control him. That it took his friends/family months to save up to help him escape, which is why he waited, and that he went back to earn more money to start his life here properly. Whether that would work ... don't know. But it's been tried before.
If your concern is the I-864, you will NEVER KNOW whether he is approved or not, unless he tell you. USCIS will not tell you anything.
If you simply want to know if he'll be successful or not, we don't know. We don't know what evidence he will submit, we don't know what story he will tell. There are people who have been approved with very little evidence. With very little evidence he will get an interview. They will ask him what happened. Whether he gets approved or not is up to the IO. If he's not he could try appealing... doesn't mean he leaves right away.
Like the others I agree that you should try and distance yourself BUT if you've been used though that's going to be hard to do. I'm sure you want to see him kicked out and punished but the anger will just eat you up. If you're concerned for your safety and that's one of the reasons why you're concerned, see an attorney (or the police or court house) about an Order of Protection (or whatever it's called in your state).
We all wish we could tell you more I'm sure, but unfortunately the only answer is "it's up to him what kind of evidence he presents and what story he goes with". Could he be denied? Yes. Could he be approved? Yes. You'll never know unless he tells you.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

Two bits of advice, Ron:
1) Try to dissuade Sveta from changing her name in the passport, there is no good reason to do so, and it is a pain in the ####. She can still travel freely to the FSU with original passport, green card and marriage certificate for the next few years, and later with her Ukrainian and US Passports.
2) Repsectfully, lose the attitude. Your posts really ARE difficult to understand, it would be tremendously useful if you put a little thought into what you write. People here are very helpful, but there are limits. The post may have been sarcastic and maybe even rude, but he had a valid point.
Good luck.

SD: I stumbled upon your dilemma, and I was so intrigued yet simultaneously incredulous that I read through all your threads. I really have to say that I think your manipulation is rather shameful. You seem very well educated, but you make statements that are either blatantly false (Canada is too cold for my children, but NYC is fine) or deceitful (I have no idea where my wife is, can't figure out if I'm divorced or not, yet out of all the billions of photos online I have found smutty photos of her on the internet and seen her around on the train). You refuse to discuss your own citizenship, yet you reference your mother being in the states and having an Order of Protection against your (ex?) wife. What?? She jumped ship from Canada too?
I worked for a DV program and translated for our staff attorney as the only bilingual staff member who does pro bono work for VAWA, U, and T visas. I saw victims of abuse who wanted to use these options for immigration relief to get out of a dangerous situation and away from their controlling abuser. You got out! You've been fine for nearly a decade
Furthermore, these people I translated for do not have the many privileges you have. I read your delight in paraphrased comments like "I'm a white Canadian passport holder. I won't get racially profiled and pulled over for driving w/o a license. I went to the DMV and tried to trick them into saying Canadians don't have an I-94. I wooed the woman at the counter with chocolates so she'd fraudulently renew my drivers license". The clients for which my former employer advocated don't have these LUXURIES and PRIVILEGES. They are undocumented, unable to speak the language, and truly living in the shadows...yet...they have documents. Lots of them. Every pay stub, lease, phone bill, encounter with the police. You conveniently have ACS reports, which you quote word for word, from this time period....but NO evidence of commingling of resources from 9 years ago. Are you not aware of the possibility of calling creditors, utilities, housing, anything with which you interacted to get old records? Perhaps the real story is there ARE no evidences.
Same with the marriage certificate. You need an official, certified copy. Period. Not a photocopy. Not a story about a ripped up copy. These are the rules that everyone plays by. Why are you exempt? I just read so much arrogance in your posts, and I think its really sad. I pray justice will prevail in your case.
Finally, on a side note, I'm a Court Appointed Special Advocate in cases of child abuse and neglect. I work nearly exclusively with Latino families, and I can attest to many cases where an undocumented parent is deported, their rights terminated, and the children are put in foster care or adopted. I remember you went on and on about this...saying "how many of the deported 46,000 parents of USC children were single parents? Good parents? Lived in NYC?" It was inane. MANY are single parents and good parents. If you utilize your intelligence and do a simple Google search, you can find evidence of this. Some cases recently have even been in national news.

Run, do not walk, to the nearest AILA-certified immigration attorney for a consultation at the very least.
A false claim of US citizenship (which is what you did when you filled in the voting form) carries a lifetime bar from the US and there is no waiver.

Registering to vote implies claim of US citizenship. I have no doubt that you did this in error, but you are required to read what you sign. Spend some time on the computer and google "false claim of US citizenship."
You have a problem now.

If someone like Gary Johnson or Jill Stein could win, absolutely. Since they can't, I have to go with the guy who offends me the least.