Austin_Volgograd

Waste of money.

Seriously, this VJ stuff is pretty simple.

I knew that then, and I still know that now. Lawyers: TOTAL waste of money. You're right. The visa stuff was very simple. All you need to be able to do is read, and follow instructions. Very simple.

The only reason I hired an attorney at the time was to help my (now ex-) wife feel better about the process. The lawyer had a representative in Russia that was a lot better than the lawyer herself! (At least I paid the lawyer by credit card which was discharged in my bankruptcy.)

It's not on the list but our attorney included it in the packet of docs they sent us (which were, as usual, full of errors).

Why is it that immigration lawyers can't get this immigration stuff correct? I had the same error-ridden documents from my immigration lawyer when I did everything for my (now ex-) wife. I ended up doing all the documents all over again because of all the mistakes, as well as submitting extra documents that she had no idea were needed. The night before the interview, I found out that another document was needed. I ended up running back and forth (in the snow) between the apartment and Marriot hotel in Moscow to get the darn thing printed. It was late October and a bit cooler than the usual 80+degrees I was used to in Texas. Been divorced over 3 years now. Don't know if I would ever want to go through all that again. All I do know is that I would *never* hire a lawyer to do it.

Hi everyone, I have some uncertainities on the paperwork:

I-130:

1) Line 19 "Your relative's address abroad" I've been in the US for a year and a half as a student, do I really need to put the foreign address. And should I leave the phone section blank, or put "N/A"?

2) Line 20 "Your relative's address abroad", should I put the address in the US order, or the order they list addresses back home(which is in Russia). And, can I use abbriviatures instead of full words (example in English: Street-St, Apartment-Apt,etc) writing address in the native alphabet, because it barely fits

3) When submitting bank account statement as proof of bona fide marriage, is one page enough(with our names and balances of accounts), or do we also need to submit pages with all the transactions?

1. Line 19. You should put your most recent foreign address. Include phone # if you had one.

2. Put in the US order, i.e. my wife's was: ul. Dvinskaya ##-APT#, Volgograd, Russia 400087

3. Include a full copy of the statement. I would also go to the bank, if possible, and have them write a letter that simply says that you and your husband share an account, and include the date you were added on the account. When in doubt, it's usually better to include a little more (i.e. full copy of statement, not just first page). You're less likely to get a request for more information that way.

G-325A:

1) "Applicant's residence last five years", my address abroad - "Province or State" , the problem here is: name of the state DOES NOT FIT(I know, it's funny), can I just leave it blank, or should I attach a note with the name of the state? The name of the state is "Nizhegorodskaya Oblast'", and the abbriviature like in the US (MO,AZ,CA) does not exist.

2) "Show below last occupation abroad if not shown above"- I only had 2 jobs back home and no jobs in the US, so should I put N/A or leave it blank?Or, should I say "student" since I was a student, I'm not sure what exactly they mean by "ocupation"?

3) My husband's G-325A, parents' info. His mom's current last name is different from both my husband's father's name and her maiden name, it id the name of her previous husband, but G-325A asks only for maiden name and "father's mother's" name has to be the same, is it a problem that her last name does not much both(she is filling out I-864A, so she will be provoding documentation showing her current name)?

1. Never leave anything blank that normally needs an answer. Fill it in to the best of your ability. If you're doing it on the computer, you may want to leave it blank and fill it in by hand. If you can't fit it in the blank, write "See attachment", include a separate piece of paper, and be exact in what you are answering. For example: G-325A, Province or State: Nizhegorodskaya Oblast

You could probably abbreviate a little: Nizhegorodskaya O., or Nizhegorod. O., but I'd rather provide a full name on another page.

2. Occupation will be the job you held back home. Since it is asking for last occupation abroad, it would be the last job you had before you cam to the USA.

3. I am looking at the current G-325A. You should have enough room for both current name and maiden name. Put the mother's current last name in the Family name box, with her maiden name in parentheses (maiden name).

I-485:

1)"Address C/O"- I'm living with my husband and mother-in-law, so she owns the house, should I put her name in this section, or it is not neccesary?

2)"Current USCIS status"- F-1, or F-1 Visa Holder, or F-1 Student?

3)Part 3 "Current Occupation"- I don't work, but I'm going to school, should I put "student" or "None"?

1. This should be your current address. You live there, so it is okay to NOT put her name in this section.

2. I would probably just put F-1. The F-1 is a student visa and can't be anything else.

3. Student.

I-765:

1)Line 5 "State/Province"-again, the state's name is too long, is it fine to leave blank?

2)Line 14 "Manner of Last Entry"- just "student" or "F-1 student"?

3)Line 15 "Current Immigration Status"- "Adjustment applicant" right?Or F-1?

Thank you so much!

1. Same as for G-325A above. Use a separate sheet if you can't fit it in, and be specific what question you are answering. Use a separate sheet of paper for each, and make sure you get the right page with the right form.

2. F-1 Visa should be adequate. They know what F-1 Visa is. :-)

3. F-1 Visa Holder.

... I HATE that this happens to people. It makes me want to yell "the marriage didnt work, get the hell out! go home now!"

Its b.s really. I f I moved to another country to be with my spouse and we ended up in D... I would go the heck home to my family.

Even if I had been there for years.. I would have went to that country to BE WITH MY LOVED ONE. Not to live there afterwards. GRRRRRRRRRR

I cant stand the threads from people saying.. it didnt work out, what can i do?? answer: you came here to be with your husband/wife..thats over now.. go home

ok. I got that out of my system.

sorry that was a little more aggressive than usual lol

I agree with you. My ex-wife has remarried (VERY quickly after our divorce - within 31 or 32 DAYS - BIG red flag!) and is doing whatever it takes for her to stay in the U.S. - after I married her for love, brought her to this country, and got her Conditional Green Card. And that's when it really went downhill. Final count: Me: Bankruptcy - financial ruin after being forced to support her during separation before divorce was final - over 1 year. Divorce.

Ex-wife: Financial gain of about $45,000 to $50,000 in the past year. That would be equivalent to about 75 years' salary (at her most current rate - according to her) in her country (Russia).

I understand she's going to have a hard time getting permanent residency based on the quick (lightning) re-marry and because I filed for divorce less than one year after marriage (she had only been in the U.S. for two weeks when she physically abused me, have a police report about it). We had reconciled, but it only lasted long enough for her to get her conditional green card, then she went psycho again.

Just think positive, and I bet the love of your life is just around the corner:)

Looks like she found the next love of her life! I just found out she remarried already , after waiting the minimum 30 days after divorce (in Texas).

I do not know if she filed the Waiver for removal of conditions (her 2-year conditional green card expires April 24, 2009) prior to marrying this new guy. I understand she's "out of status" after the divorce and until filing for the Waiver.

Does anyone know what remarrying so quickly might do to her immigration status and/or waiver? I'm sorry I haven't scoured the site yet to see if there's other related postings.

Quite interesting... Just one week before the final divorce hearing, she was trying to reconcile with me to get back together - while she was "in congress" with her new boyfriend. She was trying to secure alternate arrangements in case her boyfriend weaseled out on her, I guess. Wow! Just reinforces that I made the right decision.

Austin,

[...]

5. maybe you can write a book or be in a documentary and make some money?

You wouldn't believe how many of my friends have recommended exactly that!

Just think positive, and I bet the love of your life is just around the corner:)

I'm just not holding my breath on that one! LOL!

Thanks!

Austin,

I'm so sorry to hear things like that happened to you.

It must be so hard. I can't even imagine.

Thanks. It has been difficult. I knew the possibility of a scam was possible before I married this woman. But with the background I had on her, I thought it was not very likely. Her best friend married my colleague at work and she really thought my wife would be true to me.

I know it's not my business, or yours anymore, but the woman sounds like she has some serious mental issues.

Maybe she grow up in not so peaceful environment that turned her into that person.

I kinda feel bad for her. she needs good psychiatrist to treat her condition.

I think you're right. My colleague thought she might be bipolar (his son is and he has considerable experience with symptoms and treatment). She told me stories about how she didn't get along with her parents, that she was adopted by her dad, and they beat her. I almost believe her about some of it, but there is too much evidence that proves that most of it is fabricated lies, told to gain sympathy from whomever she is scamming. During our separation, she was telling another suitor in another country that I was not supporting her or giving her money (total lie as I was paying all her expenses AND force to pay her cash every week). He felt sorry for her and wired her over $1500 cash. Then, she had the audacity to tell him that it wasn't enough and she asked him for more. Additionally, about her parents... She always said they were so evil, yet she always went back to them, bought them gifts, and wanted to send them money. Personally, I find it hard to believe that someone would be that friendly to someone who treated her so badly.

One of the most amazing things was that she would repeatedly tell me that *I* was sick and needed a doctor. I suggested we see a marriage counselor, but she refused, saying that she didn't want others to know of our problems. Yet, she would tell everything to strangers on the airplanes (during all her extravagant traveling).

Oh i know you are just kidding, but don't drink too much.

I don't want you to turn into alcoholic cause you deserve better.

Thanks. Yes, I'm just kidding about drinking. I enjoy a beer once in a while, but never to excess. I know I'm not old yet, but I'm very hesitant about finding someone new. That's one of the worst feelings. I don't know who I can trust any more.

At this point, I believe a prenuptial agreement would have helped reduce the possibility of scamming. If they know that get nothing from the beginning, maybe they'll just walk away. I know... wishful thinking.

wish you the best,

nat

Thank you, very much! I appreciate it.

Wow, the results of your story are amazingly bad, I wouldn't think even in a typical marriage fraud situation that outright stealing would take place like that, no matter how poorly the fraud is disguised...

I've spent a fair amount of time researching how credit works in america, and while a bankruptcy is a pretty big flag, it's rarely that debilitating IF you re-establish some credit right away. After about 3 months you are likely to start receiving specialized credit offers specifically because you had a bankruptcy, credit companies want your business because they know it should be pretty easy to get, and because they also know you can't get it discharged in a bankruptcy any time soon. I'm not sure how your credit affects your job but if it's a matter of having good or bad credit score, then that shouldn't follow you for long if you work to improve it. If it's the fact there is a bankruptcy there, then I believe you can place some kind of 'flag' on your credit report and it can say whatever you want, but it may be somewhat space limitted, if you are worried you will be looked upon poorly as a result of having a bankruptcy there, it'd probably be a good idea to provide some details as to why. The law that pretty much forced you into bankruptcy is probably well known for doing so in your state and may be all you have to really say to explain the bankruptcy.

You're right about re-establishing credit. I've already started receiving offers from credit companies. The problem is that they all have exhorbitant fees and monthly charges for the privilege of having an account with them. They're all a limit of $250, with $200 of fees for the year. I refuse to be screwed over like that. My plan is to take $1000 and put it in a savings account, and take a loan out for $1000 - using the savings account as collateral. That should guarantee me the best possible rate, and get the credit reporting going again.

Fortunately, my previously great credit has several excellent accounts that all say "Never late" and has already raised my credit score into the 600s. low My previous score was 780. After the bankruptcy it dropped to 530, and I was shocked that it was so high.

It's not the credit score that worries me. As I mentioned October 11th, it's how it affects my employment. We're currently going through background checks at the office. This first round of checks isn't including credit, but the next round is threatening it. I may be forced into a significantly lower paying, undesirable job.

Yes, I can place a statement on my credit report. Yes, it's very limited in what can be placed. I already have. But the statement doesn't change the fact that I have a derogatory public record on my report. It's not the score that cause problems, but the fact that it happened - regardless of the reason.

Would be interesting to hear the wives's side of the story. My ex USC wife portrayed me as the most meanest, evilest, selfish, cruel, abusive, dirtiest man ever in the history of all mankind. But I had my side of the story as well, and somehow managed to gain full physical custody of our three children in a court of law after our kids underwent extensive background checking, professional counseling, and interrogation by court appointed attorneys.

Always two sides to every story, only reading one here.

NickD,

Yes. There are always two sides of the story. And I heard her side of the story from a couple of mutual friends, and from documents she left on my computer. They all said the same thing. She made me out to be a monster. She said I was abusing her mentally, treating her like a criminal in prison, and that our "relationship" was deteriorating. I was sad and very hurt to hear the accusations, especially when they were totally fabricated lies.

I treated her like a queen. She had anything and everything she ever asked for - a vacation/honeymoon in Cyprus (when I pleaded with her that it was financially irresponsible to do so before she came to America. She bought clothes that she wouldn't even wear. She claimed that she needed them to get a job. However, she couldn't get a job because her English was still at a very beginner level and she had no experience that they wanted. They told her to improve her English and get a job at WalMart or something like that first, just to get U.S. experience for her resume.

You should have seen our pantry of food! She had over $500 worth of junk food (chips, chocolate, etc.) that she claimed was "necessary for life". I threw it all away last month as it was all old, expired, and inedible. During our marriage, when I questioned her about the junk food, she accused me of controlling her and everything she did. Even one of her Russian friends here in America pleaded with her to stop her behavior!

NickD, I understand you've been hurt also. I understand it's not always the USC who is hurt. And I'm sorry your experience has jaded your view.

Yes. I have only one side of the story. I wish you could talk to our mutual friends to get the other side of the story. And then see all the physical evidence that shows that she's been abusive physically and mentally, and lied to me all this time. Maybe then you wouldn't be cynical about what I've shared.

Also, good luck to you.

Tito and Austin please tell us how are your lives going??? Has it been any positive change??? It's always really sad to hear stories like the ones above, the heart is too delicate to play with, sorry that you got played! it's just a game for them and a LIFE for you, I am sorry

Sorry for the late response. Somehow I didn't get notifications that there were responses on this topic.

Divorce is final as of August 27th, 2008 (1 year, 9 months after filing for divorce; reminder: filed after being married for 10 months).

Total losses:

Over $41,000 in one year; includes financial support (house, utilities, home phone, cell phone satellite TV, high speed internet, and cash payments) and final settlement of $6,000 cash.

Bankruptcy on my credit record for 10 years. Severely damages my ability to keep my job and to apply for other jobs, due to security requirements of my position.

Divorce - never, in a million years, did I think I would ever have a divorce.

No more family: wife, beautiful and loving stepdaughter.

They "had it made" here, with me. A nice, clean, new home (new as in recently built). Food. Clothing. Restaurants. Entertainment. Gifts. But, I believe, her greed stepped in and took over and she decided to hurt me as much as she could in the divorce. I hate that the court rewarded her for her behavior, claiming her to be "helpless".

On the day of the final hearing, the ex-wife was late to appear. Later, I found out why. She and her boyfriend were at my house, trying to break in and take whatever they could before the judge signed the final decree. This is because the decree stated that anything in her possession or control is hers. She wanted to ransack my house and steal whatever she could. Fortunately, the decree allowed me back in the house as of 12:01am (that morning) and I changed the locks.

Even though she was awarded a complete bedroom furniture set and was supposed to pick up ONLY the bedroom set, she and her boyfriend stole other property, hiding it in the drawers of the bedroom furniture, and while I went to the restroom. I should have inspected their trailer before they left, but they disappeared without even saying they were done. I should have stood by the door, watching everything they took from the house. I know... Could've, would've, should've. Too late now.

Only one week before the final hearing, she called me up to plead with me to let her live with me after the divorce. She claims it was for her daughter to go to school and to help her find a job here. She put her daughter on the phone to try and make my feelings for the daughter sway my decisions about her. It was very sad because the daughter used to understand and speak English, but after being exiled in Russia for 7 months with the ex-wife's parents, she forgot nearly all her English. It was all gibberish and I couldn't understand anything the daughter said. The ex-wife kept repeating that she loved me, and missed me. Yet, when she and her boyfriend were at the house stealing property that wasn't awarded to her, she was kissing on him. That was enough to prove to me, without a doubt, that she was just scamming me, using me, and lying to me from the very beginning.

I believe I have enough evidence now to submit to USCIS and ICE to convince them that this marriage was a fraud committed by her. When I spoke with them, they told me that due to the short time we were married, because I filed for divorce less than a year after our marriage, she will have a VERY difficult time removing her conditions and obtaining permanent residence.

And, by the way, I had my lawyer put a clause in the final decree that makes it impossible for the ex-wife to sue me, as allowed by the I-864 Affidavit of Support. The clause basically states that the cash settlement finalizes all financial obligation from me. I know it's not likely that the government will sue me for means-based services. So, this should get me off the hook with her.

Thanks to all for the kind words and concern. Even though she's out of my life, what she did to me is going to haunt me for 10 years (due to the bankruptcy). I'm trying to recover from all this as best I can. I still cry about losing my family, and I know it's going to take time. In the meantime, I just drink heavily to ease the pain. Just kidding. Actually, I surround myself with my friends and family who are supportive and caring. They are the best friends and family in the world!

I just wanted to reinforce the fact that the Affidavit of Support is between you and the Government - not between you and your wife/ex-wife.

Not entirely true. See below.

Basically, it states that if your wife or ex-wife - while the Affidavit is still in effect - applies to the Government for means-tested benefits and receives them, the Government has a right to require you to reimburse them for the cost. It doesn't mean that she has a right to come after you, necessarily, although there have been cases where during a messy divorce the foreign spouse has tried to get the Affidavit of Support used to give him/her a specific level of ongoing income. When you read over the Affidavit carefully, you will see that that is not its intent.

That may not be the original intent, but the "letter of the law" says she does have the right to "come after you."

Copied directly from the I-864 contract:

Page 3

Divorce does not end the sponsorship obligation.

Page 17

If an intending immigrant becomes a permanent resident in the United States based on a Form I-864 that you have signed,

then, until your obligations under the Form I-864 terminate, you must:

* Provide the intending immigrant any support necessary to maintain him or her at an income that is at least 125 percent

of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for his or her household size (100 percent if you are the petitioning sponsor and are

on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and the person is your husband, wife, unmarried child under 21 years old.)

Page 18

What If I Do Not Fulfill My Obligations?

If you do not provide sufficient support to the person who becomes a permanent resident based on the Form I-864 that you

signed, that person may sue you for this support.

Now, I read somewhere that the divorce Final Decree can make this difficult, nigh impossible, for the spouse to collect on, IF and ONLY IF it's written correctly into the decree. I don't have the verbage for this and am searching for it myself. I have a very vindictive woman who doesn't care how much I help her - she still wants to come after me to ruin my life more (already bankrupt, nearly lost my job, can't apply for new job that I wanted, losing ALL community property in divorce settlement because judges favor the "poor defenseless little woman" brought to the strange country of America - where she's already got a new boyfriend/victim.

If anyone has info or a link about the final decree verbage that helps release the affidavit of support, I'm interested. I'm nearing total financial failure because of my wife and need all the help I can get. I'm about to consider moving outside of the USA just to relieve myself!

Austin_Volgograd

I'm on a year marriage with conditional CG (entered as K-1). Now our relationship isn't so good and we're seperating and probably will get a divorce based on the reason that we're not getting along. I'm very worry about me filing waiver and removing conditional CG alone. Is it too weak reason to get divorce? Our marriage was in good faith and I have some proofs from when we were together for a year(joint account, joint tax return07, utility bills, pictures, cable bills)

Please suggest, thank you so much.

Wasn't this already posted in another thread? Here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=140772

Austin,

I hope you recover fast. Sounds like she did married for GC mostly. I wonder how old is she? Looks like young and spoiled (is she very very cute and used to male attention?).

Thanks for the good wishes. I know I will not be able to recover fast. The divorce settlement has her taking EVERYthing that has been purchased since our marriage - furniture, fixtures, everything. She's even taken the toilet bowl brush! My lawyer is of the belief that if I try to get it split 50/50, the judge will view me as one of those Americans who went overseas to "buy" a wife - which couldn't be further from the truth. In any case, I'm screwed - plain and simple - and she gets rewarded for her illicit and possibly illegal ways.

As for the wife, she will be 33 in less than 2 months, and is attractive and very used to male attention. She denies it, but every moment we were together, other men were always staring at her.

So, even if your wife is from poor family, her expectations would be--everything expensive dresses, cars, vacations...(that is why I asked about age-if she actually had to work and make her living, she would understand life better).

She did have a job, but had been married twice before me, and had a fairly easy life in that she's always been able to seduce men into paying for everything she asks for.

I know some Russian girls who walked on USC after less than a year of marriage.

We were married less than 1 year when I filed for divorce (after she physically assaulted/batteried me).

These women were irritated almost every day of marriage due to small things (like budget, etc). While they liked their husbands in the begining, once they started to live together, it all fell apart (like one Russian friend of mine could not understand why she should not buy $20lb cheese if her husband is a cardiosurgeon; why he does not buy better car since he can afford it, etc; when I talk to husband, he just dont get it why she needs that cheese if she can get a very good one for $10, etc.)

I have been through that. Just because a friend bought his wife an old junker used car, my wife wanted a newer car to learn to drive. And she had "thrown away" $400 that I had sent her to learn to drive in Russia. All she did was bribe them to give her a driver's license. She never learned to drive, and never told me what she did with the money. I'm sure it went to buy candies and other junk food. (She has a VERY sweet tooth!)

My understanding is that most Russians get married in hopes to have a good family. But very soon they understood that the lifestyle is not what they hoped for (they need to show off their lifestyle; for many USC this is very alien). Some leave right away, some wait for GC to arrive.

Yes, that's how they lure the USC to marry them - to have a good family. Unfortunately, we don't always see through their disguises and how evil they can be.

PS: but I cold never understand one thing-what 40-50 years old USC guy expect when he brings cute 20 years old Russian girl to this country?

My wife and I are not that much different in age. She's just too greedy and has already found her next "victim", I think.

I'm still fighting the divorce battle. Hopefully ending soon, but I've got to make sure the Final Decree has the correct wording to prevent her from filing a suit against me for financial support (a la I-864 affidavit of support). I have heard of someone successfully executing a Final Decree that prevented this. Does anyone have a link or know more about this?

thanks!

Austin_Volgograd

How did you go about withdrawing the Affidavit of Support? I am in the middle of the legalities and want to make sure I get this done ASAP. Please let me know. Thank you!

First, as Tito wrote, the Adjustment of Status must NOT have been approved with the "temporary" green card issued. Once that has happened, it's too late.

Next: Without doubt, you will need to send certified mail, with return receipt requested. At that point, I recommend a consultation with an immigration attorney, or two. I had a detailed consultation for only $50, so call a few and ask what they charge.

I've ended up in bankruptcy because of my wife, and now my employment options are limited and my life is just going to be more difficult for everything I do. I only wish mine had walked... It would have made the divorce (still pending) more in my favor. I'm paying over $2000 a month as ordered by the county court in support and benefits. I don't even have access to my own house!

To All in this process: NEVER, EVER add your spouse's name to your deed! It's not a requirement for the Adjustment of Status and just screws everything up in a divorce! Yes, experience speaks.

alej5: Don't delay on this, and Good Luck!

Does anyone know (or can point me to the information) how long of time is permissible to leave the country with a conditional green card?

thanks!

A CGC holder can leave for up to a year without the need for a re-entry document, but re-entering within a certain timeframe does not guarantee that PR has been preserved. They are two separate functions.

Thanks for the quick response.

And, of course, USCIS et al. don't have any guidelines as to what is acceptable because each CGC holder is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Well the standards are consistent, but the decision discretionary. The alien must demonstrate that he or she is maintaining the USA as his or her primary and permanent residence. There are many ways that this can be accomplished, but some crucial ones are to file US tax returns, maintain US residence and address, spend more time in the USA than elsewhere, if there are children register them in school, participate in voting when applicable, if a job is taken outside of the USA, the job should be of a temporary nature etc.

Then my soon-to-be-ex-wife may have some problems getting her conditions removed. Her child is registered in school in Russia. While her Texas ID card has her address here, she's been gone for over 3 months - her daughter over 5 months, and has no bills, utilities, or any other documentation that she is maintaining the USA as her primary and permanent residence. I pay all the utilities as part of the temporary orders until the divorce is final. Then she has no home or address here. She is on the tax return (just because we're not divorced yet). Dunno about job, but she's living off of me and spousal maintenance $$$ for now, so I really doubt she has a job. The only job she had here was maybe a month - and she abandoned it without telling them so she could go to Russia for the holidays (and is still there). Not exactly a beacon of hope. Couple that with the police report filed for domestic violence (assault and battery), I'd guess she's looking at a somewhat difficult removal of conditions.

Does anyone know (or can point me to the information) how long of time is permissible to leave the country with a conditional green card?

thanks!

A CGC holder can leave for up to a year without the need for a re-entry document, but re-entering within a certain timeframe does not guarantee that PR has been preserved. They are two separate functions.

Thanks for the quick response.

And, of course, USCIS et al. don't have any guidelines as to what is acceptable because each CGC holder is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Well, if you offered to pay for her mothers heart surgery and she has not taken it...it does sound like a feeble excuse to get away.

I think you need to find out how to withdraw your Affidavit of Support.

Too late to withdraw Affidavit of Support. That must be done before a green card is issued. And because they were married for two years prior to applying for the green card, she was entitled to the 10-year permanent green card. There are no conditions on this green card.

four weeks and she's talking like this, divorce her and let her go home. on a K-3 she can't even work legally I know you love her and it's hard to let go, but fours weeks is no time to be talking about, I might not want to be with you.

Absolutely, under no circumstances, file for Adjustment Of Status (AOS)! This will likely bind you legally to support her after divorce, if she chooses to sue you for support. Still a hot topic with much controversy, but the verbiage in the I-864 helps make it possible for the immigrant to sue for support. Until the AOS is approved, the I-864 can be revoked.

And don't file for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) either. This will let her get a Social Security Card.

IANAL: Please consult a knowledgeable immigration attorney about this.

If the alien chooses not to surrender the green card, the trickle down of information takes much longer. For example, USCIS would have to come to the conclusion that the alien has relinquished the USA as his or her home, by way of being outside the country longer than is permissible as an LPR.

Does anyone know (or can point me to the information) how long of time is permissible to leave the country with a conditional green card?

thanks!

I'd send it to every single place that's ever touched the file...where you had the interview, the service center where you applied, the offices who sent you notices of action...all of them. Here's the buzzwords...the key is DISAVOWAL of agreement to act as sponsor. You can do this at any time BEFORE the green card is issued. Otherwise, you're on the hook. Good luck!

And that includes the conditional (2-year) Green Card! Not just the permanent (10-year) green card.

I just hope Austin V can recover soon financially and be able to put his life back together for himself first, for no one deserves to go through what he is going through.

Thanks for the good wishes. I hope so, too! It's going to be tough... but I'll persevere.

My immigration attorney and USCIS (San Antonio office) at the InfoPass appointment I made to inform them of our divorce both said she's going to have a REALLY difficult time proving her case to get a waiver for her conditions. 1. Married less than a year when divorce was filed. 2. Very little mingling of finances (practically none). 3. No job, i.e. can't afford to pay an immigration attorney or the fees associated with the waiver. Though I expect she'll be swindling the money out of any man she knows and can make feel sorry for her.

In the cases that I read, including the one DM posted the link to, awarded the the decision in favor of the alien. One of them had the USC give $19,000 and continual support until the requirments of the Affidavit were met....

In my case, if that were to happen to me, it would make her richer than me. Only time will tell what will happen to those of us in this situation.....

I used to think this country took care of its citizens. Now, I see otherwise. If my soon-to-be-ex gets a monetary award and continual support, I think I'll be forced to move to another country! I've already been forced into bankruptcy because of her. This woman DOES NOT deserve to be made "rich" because I was stupid and married her for love, when she married me for a green card! I wish I had the proof that she scammed me. I do understand that it is VERY difficult to prove that she married me for a green card. All the evidence I have would be considered circumstantial. What bothers me the most is that she'll get away with it. Any reasonable person would agree, but unfortunately the law would possibly be in her favor.

I just have not gotten any concrete info as to how the Affidavit of Support will affect me. There is a poster "Austin Vangoord" (sorry if I mispelled it), that got slammed by the courts and was obligated to maintain her and give her money. I was reading that he filed for Bankruptcy. Very sad situation.

Perhaps that was me? Austin_Volgograd?

The court that slammed me is the local County Court (Travis County of Texas). They have "standing orders" that are applied to ALL divorces filed in our county. It's not due to the Affidavit, and I hope it never does come to that.

I just want the two of us to go our separate ways and return to our normal lives as best we can. She doesn't have a bankruptcy to deal with, and she can go back to Russia and resume her normal life. Only, she doesn't want to. She's tasted the "good life" of me supporting her in America, and she wants to stay at all costs (all to me, of course)! And I don't think that's right. I had to work my A$$ off for 30 years before I could buy a house. Now I may lose it because of her! That's just plain wrong!!

That is a terrible story, Austin. I have come to learn that many of these immigrants are well-schooled before they come here in how to work the system. But to be on the hook like that for such a short marriage? Get a better lawyer! That just doesn't seem right!! It's not your job!!! The role of the affidavit of support only goes to the fact that you agree to make sure she does not slip below the poverty level...if she's making $1,200 a month, that's all you are on the hook for...basic poverty level, and social services that are afforded to her up to that amount if she does not make enough.

It's not the lawyer... It the stupid Travis County Court standing orders for ALL divorce cases in the county! Any divorce in this county automatically gets hit with these orders that basically say you can't change any of the living conditions of or levels of service to the other spouse. So automatically she gets the house ($1300), utilities ($300 'cause she runs the aircon/heat as much as she wants and I can't tell her otherwise), satellite TV ($75), etc. etc. etc.. It's a nasty law and the only way to change right now is to finish the divorce. But those temporary orders have forced me into bankruptcy; the court and the wife don't care about that. I know... It's not fair, but it's my curse for living here.

As for her being well-schooled... I believe it! Though she emphatically denies it, she's getting coaching from others. Only problem is, she is listening to them too well. She's asking for alimony for her and for child support for her child. Texas is not an alimony state. Her friends in California or some other state are telling her to fight for that. And the child is not mine. As much as I love her daughter (beautiful 3 year old, innocent of all her mother's wrongdoing), I cannot and will not allow my life to be ruined more than it already is. This woman (soon-to-be-ex) doesn't understand or, more likely, just doesn't cared that she's ruined both our lives to this point. At least she can return to Russia and resume the life she had before. I CAN'T! I'm forced into a bankruptcy that's going to take years to recover from! I'll recover; it just won't ever get back to the point I was at before the marriage.

Why do they get so greedy when they get here? Is it because they had so little for so long in Russia, that they feel they have to grab it all at one time and hoard it (my wife has about $200 of candy, chips, and other snacks in the pantry that she'll never even eat!)? I mean, why can't people just be happy with living a normal, wonderful life with someone who loves them? It's not like we were poor or anything close to that. I make a good salary; have (for the moment) a good home, good vehicles; always put good food on the table (not living like a pauper); bought nice clothes (not expensive, but not rags either!). I will never understand some people's need for greed and power.

Wow, your story should be used as a precaution to anyone looking to bring a wife to America. Although most end up happily married, unfortunately it is not that uncommon of a story. I brought a woman from Ukraine to America, but luckily for me she wasn't smart enough to hide her true self. It was quite apparent from the early days that she had only planned to get here for herself and her son. I was lucky and really dodged a bullet on that one. Because we never married she did return without any green card. I see she is back on the foreign wives circuit looking better than when she arrive to me. I feel sorry for the next guy she suckers.

At least I was lucky to discover the truth and not go through with the marriage. I am now very happily married to a wonderful woman from Kyiv, Ukraine. Next time maybe you will try Ukraine just as a different way to go. At least you don't need to jump through the visa hoops for Ukraine.

Best of luck with the settling of your divorce. The best advice is to distance yourself from her and keep it that way. Then give yourself time to heal before searching again. There are some very nice women in Russia and Ukraine that are just looking for a nice, loyal and hardworking husband. These women will keep you happy the rest of your life. Hang in there, you will get through this.

I will get though this. I've got great family and great friends. Thanks!

As for trying Ukraine, I'd do it for the sake of visiting another country, not because of the visa hoops for Russia. I've gotten VERY good at handling all that stuff! I'd still love to go back to Russia and visit. I actually MISS the place quite a bit. I've spent at total of about 10 or 11 weeks there, and enjoyed it quite a bit... even in -25deg snow and ice.