minha_raposa

Thanks for the reply. It makes sense, but does not seem to jive with the FAQs from State Department:

Is There a Fee I Will Need to Pay for the Affidavit of Support Forms?

Yes, there is a $88 fee per case for reviewing the Affidavit of Support (Forms I-864, I-864A, I-864W and/or I-864EZ) when the form(s) is(are) filed in the U.S. See Immigrant Services - Other Fees.

Is There a Fee to Review the Affidavit of Support at a U.S. embassy or Consulate Abroad?

No, when the I-130 and subsequent Affidavit of Support (AOS) form is filed outside the U.S. a fee is not charged.

Question: Does the I864 form actually need to be sent back to the NVC for review, or just pay NVC a fee?

Also, in an email from NVC about 3 weeks ago, they said a Invoice was sent. However, she has never received it and they have not replied to her follow-up inquiries. Will NVC discuss her case with me if I call on her behalf?

Hello all. My USC sister-in-law resides in Brasil with her husband and has been trying to get questions answered from NVC but only receives boilerplate information that seems wrong (when she even gets a response). The latest information from NVC said they sent her an AOS Fee Bill Invoice with instructions how to pay the fee, but she has never received it.

From what I can tell, an AOS fee is only required if filed here in the US. Since she filed CR1, the AOS will be reviewed at the Consulate and no fee is required.

Am I correct in my understanding? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike

Green card receive today! Good luck to those still waiting...see you in the Citizenship forum in a few months.

Application Type: CRI89, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On October 24, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

On to the next step...

Congratulations! I will have my 10 year card approval on Monday (after my interview).

Thanks! And best wishes on your interview

Looks like VSC is moving!!!!!

Application Type: CRI89, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On October 24, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

A TSC transfer moving on to the next phase...

Prayers and thought to those still waiting.

M

How does a move from one service center jurisdiction to another affect a application already pending? Will it be transfered to the new service center? Will we go back to the end of the line?

Thanks for the help!

Mike and Luciene

I have yet to see USCIS go after someone who files the AR-11 and/or I-865 late. Just file it late.

Thanks. I'll just fill out the 865 with the actual move date and get it in. I would certainly hope they recognize it was an oversight and in no way intentional.

First, let me apologize for starting a new topic. I also asked this question in a previous thread but feared that responses may get lost in the thread. Here's the situation...

Oops! We moved from New Mexico to Kentucky in August 2007. We did file the AR 11 but I (USC) failed to file the I-865. Never dug deep enough to realize it was a requirement. anyway, I plan out putting it in the mail ASAP with a letter of explanation ( I screwed up).

Does anyone think I/we will receive any negative outcome over this????? Any thoughts on other actions I need to take? Now I'm concerned!

Thanks for your help.

Mike and Luciene

This card is to be used by all aliens to report a change of address within ten days of such change.The collection of this information is required by Section 265 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1305). The data isused by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for statistical and record purposes and may be furnished to Federal, State, localand foreign law enforcement officials. Failure to report a change of address is punishable by fine or imprisonment and/or removal.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf

The alien needs to notify USCIS that they have moved via AR-11 as well as anyone that filled out an Affidavit of Support for you if they have moved as well, via form I-865. If the address you live in currently is the same as the one they have on file, I'd assume you're fine...someone can correct me if I'm wrong. If this is a new address from the one they have on file it's best you send those in as soon as you can. I haven't heard of anyone actually being removed because of it, but I wouldn't want to test em!

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-865.pdf

Oops! We moved from New Mexico to Kentucky in August 2007. We did file the AR 11 but I (USC) failed to file the I-865. Never dug deep enough to realize it was a requirement. anyway, I plan out putting it in the mail ASAP with a letter of explanation ( I screwed up). Does anyone think I/we will receive any negative outcome over this????? Any thoughts on other actions I need to take? Now I'm concerned!

congrats! I had Direct for many years (since Primestar) but switched over to Dish network about a year ago because of the international programming packages. Now, the only thing I can see are those famous Brazilian "novellas!

You will like Direct.

A caption for that photo would be helpful....

The man pictured is Gons Nachman, former Vice Consul in Brasil, accused of pressuring hot female immigrant visa applicants into sex in exchange for US visas. It is suspected that this photo captures the "Gons" standing on a Rio beach with another Brazilian female victim in front thousand of markers commemorating his past conquests against other women (and even children) from Brasil and the Congo. It also appears from his expression that Gons is reminiscing of his past as leader in the Naturist/Nudism society. Gons longs for the days when he could drop his "skivies" and run the beach screaming "I'm free, I'm free!.

do companies REALLY check if you graduated from an accredited university

I'm an engineer in the Defense industry and I can tell you that we indeed verify the accreditation of degrees issued in foreign countries. Don't know anything about the process done though as that would be an HR task.

If he's a mechanical engineer it certainly would behoove him to obtain his P.E. The catch-22 here is that I believe that he requires an accredited degree to take the test.

Yes, since educational curriculum to obtain a degree differs by country, the education must be verified as equivalent to a degree obtained in the US. If the requirements for getting the foreign degree are found insufficient then catch-up courses are likely to be needed.

He should also get all of his academic records and transcripts sent to him from the school he attended and have them evaluated by a reputable credential evaluation service for US equivalence. Click here for a link to one such company that can provide the service.

I am not advocating this particular service, rather only providing it for reference.

Good luck!

Mike

LOL We think he might have been the guy who did our interview.

Is this the guy?

Not too far off! You can see the Gons man the following link. He's about half way down standing on the beach with a Brasileira.

Gons Nachman here

My wife also thinks we were interviewed by this guy. I not sure though, because the man she was thinking of was being trained by a woman and he was actually just sitting in on our interview. From the article Gons has already served a term in Congo so I would not think he would need training.

Link to article

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — A U.S. Foreign Service officer stationed in Brazil and Congo used his status to pressure female visa applicants for sex, according to federal charges.

Thanks, James!

Mike and Luciene

Hi all!

We received the letter for Biometrics today. Biometrics appointment for February 13. VSC seems to be moving along.

Question: If an RFE were issued, would it be issued before or after biometrics or does it matter?

Keep the faith, and take care!

Mike and Luciene

Updating sheepnfish's, dNelson29's, and minha_raposa's timelines...

UserName............Serv. Ctr.....Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.......Biometrics......Approved

tumbin..............TSC...........04/22/06..........05/04/06........--/--/--........--/--/-- (RFE 07-31-07)

onur ...............NSC.......... 06/15/06..........03/15/07........04/15/07........--/--/--

waiting4GC..........NSC...........07/06/06..........05/16/06........07/23/07........--/--/--

haozi101........... NSC...........11/27/06..........12/06/06........01/03/07........09/14/07

Bertrand............NSC...........12/19/06..........12/27/06........01/20/07........--/--/--

jennybirgitta.......NSC...........01/13/07..........01/18/07........02/14/07........--/--/--

dee.................NSC...........01/25/07..........01/29/07........02/20/07........--/--/--

chus................NSC...........01/26/07..........02/03/07........02/23/07........--/--/--

fragile093..........TSC...........01/27/07..........01/31/07........03/03/07........11/08/07

Staashi.............TSC...........01/27/07..........02/05/07........03/21/07........12/04/07

Peter T.............NSC...........01/27/07..........02/01/07........03/09/07........--/--/--

vumbi...............TSC...........01/28/07..........02/15/07........03/14/07........--/--/--

shahkr..............VSC...........01/29/07..........02/--/07........03/01/07........--/--/-- RFE

ven2lin.............TSC...........02/01/07..........02/05/07........11/14/07........--/--/--

bimmerboy...........TSC...........02/01/07..........02/09/07........03/13/07........--/--/--

JLR.................TSC...........02/06/07..........02/09/07........03/15/07........11/07/07

Dr. ZoSo............TSC...........02/09/07..........--/--/07........03/15/07........--/--/--

A_C.................TSC...........02/18/07..........02/21/07........03/19/07........--/--/--

Illinois............NSC...........02/19/07..........02/23/07........04/18/07........--/--/--

lovedolphins........TSC...........02/21/07..........02/28/07........05/14/07........--/--/--

moben...............TSC...........02/26/07..........03/20/07........03/28/07........--/--/--

kn687...............TSC...........02/27/07..........03/21/07........03/29/07........--/--/--

tweety..............TSC...........03/06/07..........03/09/07........04/06/07........--/--/--

westy77.............TSC...........03/10/07..........03/14/07........04/06/07........--/--/--

burs................TSC...........03/15/07..........03/19/07........04/12/07........--/--/--

Boscouple...........VSC...........03/16/07..........03/21/07........04/10/07........09/19/07

Frances.............NSC...........04/02/07..........05/05/07........05/24/07........--/--/--

us1415..............TSC...........04/09/07..........04/18/07........05/12/07........--/--/--

Kearinne............NSC...........04/09/07..........04/30/07........06/02/07........--/--/--

gyuwono.............NSC...........04/17/07..........04/20/07........05/18/07........--/--/--

James...............TSC...........04/18/07..........04/20/07........05/31/07........--/--/--

charlie & yeng......NSC...........04/19/07..........05/01/07........06/02/07........--/--/-- (re-submitted 4/27/07)

Angel7422...........TSC...........04/20/07..........04/25/07........05/24/07........--/--/--

Gringa..............VSC...........04/27/07..........05/24/07........06/22/07........10/24/07

Big Papi............VSC...........04/30/07..........06/08/07........07/03/07........11/28/07

aussie girl.........VSC...........05/02/07..........06/14/07........06/27/07........12/14/07

Cassie..............TSC...........05/08/07..........05/09/07........06/04/07........--/--/--

baunzerbrudi........TSC...........05/11/07..........05/19/07........06/14/07........--/--/--

USnoiva.............VSC...........05/16/07..........06/08/07........06/29/07........11/28/07

rhenryv.............TSC...........05/17/07..........05/30/07........06/18/07........--/--/--

mirax...............VSC...........05/19/07..........06/11/07........06/29/07........11/30/07

debeselizz..........NSC...........05/24/07..........05/31/07........06/21/07........--/--/--

imailin.............TSC...........06/01/07..........06/07/07........08/01/07........--/--/--

Mr.Bigdog...........TSC...........06/06/07..........06/19/07........08/30/07........--/--/--

Joel'sWife..........VSC...........06/08/07..........06/08/07........07/07/07........12/06/07

thea................VSC...........06/09/07..........06/25/07........07/06/07........--/--/--

sandy2000...........NSC...........06/--/07..........06/12/07........07/13/07........--/--/--

pkmk................NSC...........06/18/07..........07/02/07........07/13/07........--/--/--

alice_awaa..........VSC...........06/18/07..........07/03/07........07/26/07........12/19/07

Silvanski...........TSC > CSC.....06/27/07..........07/12/07........08/17/07........10/02/07 (RFE 08/29/07)

Sweet Melissa.......TSC > CSC.....06/28/07..........07/10/07........10/10/07........--/--/--

wifiman.............NSC > CSC.....06/29/07..........08/05/07........08/15/07........08/25/07

andresamia..........CSC...........06/29/07..........08/01/07........08/29/07........--/--/--

ForYou..............VSC...........07/20/07..........08/06/07....... 09/08/07........--/--/--

Sami................NSC > CSC.....07/20/07..........08/04/07........08/15/07........09/15/07

stina&suj...........TSC > CSC.....07/23/07..........07/26/07........11/01/07........--/--/-- (RFE 12/18/07)

aussie girl (son)...VSC...........07/16/07..........07/30/07........09/07/07........--/--/--

Stefanie............NSC > CSC.....07/16/07..........07/25/07........military........--/--/--

Bree................TSC > CSC.....07/24/07..........07/27/07........09/13/07........09/25/07

6901................TSC > CSC.....07/24/07..........08/04/07........09/12/07........09/20/07

smushtaq............NSC > CSC.....07/26/07..........08/09/07........09/07/07........10/29/07

mahal...............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........07/27/07........09/28/07........11/22/07

Jo1973..............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/20/07........09/21/07........11/01/07

Widge...............NSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/22/07........09/12/07........09/24/07

Smoothsailing.......NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/17/07........09/10/07........09/15/07

dcl766..............NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/13/07........09/19/07

Lugn ...............NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/11/07........09/13/07

Gene&Maria..........NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/20/07........09/10/07........09/18/07

mcutchin............CSC...........07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/18/07........--/--/--

bsokny12............NSC > CSC.....07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/08/07........09/12/07

gwsmith01...........VSC...........08/03/07..........08/22/07........09/07/07........--/--/--

metta...............TSC > CSC.....08/04/07..........08/30/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

Gemma12nEl..........VSC...........08/07/07..........08/07/07........10/02/07........--/--/--

gandagirl505........CSC...........08/08/07..........--/--/07........09/19/07........10/31/07

moe_lisa............NSC > CSC.....08/09/07..........09/06/07........09/28/07........11/16/07

Alie................TSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........09/12/07........10/12/07........11/16/07

beggartl............NSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........08/13/07........10/09/07........--/--/--

pj1959us(K1)........NSC > CSC.....08/13/07..........08/15/07........09/29/07........11/17/07

pj1959us(K2)........NSC > CSC.....08/13/07..........08/15/07........09/29/07........--/--/--

guapitoyguapita77...TSC > CSC.....08/14/07..........08/30/07........10/12/07........--/--/--

mae.................CSC...........08/15/07..........09/06/07........10/04/07........--/--/--

annelizabeth........NSC > CSC.....08/15/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

bubibu..............CSC...........08/15/07..........08/20/07........10/04/07........10/15/07

ca_babe.............CSC...........08/16/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........11/15/07

sheepnfish..........VSC...........08/17/07..........08/23/07........09/04/07........--/--/--

eau_xplain..........TSC > CSC.....08/18/07..........08/21/07........10/11/07........11/14/07

nutmarg.............TSC > CSC.....08/20/07..........08/20/07........11/20/07........12/08/07

Kez.................VSC...........08/24/07..........09/01/07........10/02/07........--/--/--

maguilart...........NSC > CSC.....08/29/07..........08/30/07........10/26/07........11/30/07

kitty0657...........NSC > CSC.....08/31/07..........09/04/07........10/26/07........12/01/07

Inlove_tx...........TSC > CSC.....09/01/07..........09/05/07........10/25/07........12/05/07

DougandNancy........VSC...........09/04/07..........09/06/07........10/03/07........--/--/--

poppinslp...........CSC...........09/04/07..........10/01/07........10/30/07........--/--/--

dalegg..............CSC...........09/06/07..........09/07/07........10/11/07........11/14/07

mlspyl..............VSC...........09/06/07..........09/11/07........10/11/07........--/--/--

hopeful_laura.......NSC > CSC.....09/07/07..........09/10/07........11/01/07........--/--/--

tabbydrax...........CSC...........09/08/07..........09/10/07........10/24/07........12/05/07

Tegan...............CSC...........09/10/07..........10/01/07........10/20/07........--/--/--

FVA.................NSC > CSC.....09/10/07..........10/02/07........11/01/07........12/03/07

silent-whispers.....TSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Whodat..............VSC...........09/10/07..........09/19/07........10/16/07........--/--/--

pedroh..............TSC > CSC.....09/10/07..........10/04/07........11/14/07........--/--/--

dNelson29...........NSC...........09/10/07..........09/13/07........10/26/07........--/--/--

Aussielad...........VSC...........09/11/07..........09/12/07........10/10/07........--/--/--

Nina C..............VSC...........09/13/07..........10/04/07........11/01/07........--/--/--

Moldovandish........TSC > CSC.....09/14/07..........09/18/07........12/15/07........--/--/--

KTAN................NSC > CSC.....09/14/07..........09/17/07........11/21/07........12/18/07

sara535.............CSC...........09/15/07..........09/17/07........10/30/07........--/--/--

statman78...........NSC > CSC.....09/17/07..........10/15/07........11/08/07........12/27/07

BigPhil65...........TSC > CSC.....09/17/07..........11/09/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Spiderette..........NSC > CSC.....09/18/07..........09/18/07........11/08/07........--/--/--

steve_n_carolyn.....NSC > CSC.....09/19/07..........09/19/07........11/02/07........12/19/07

Wild Wind...........CSC...........09/20/07..........09/24/07........11/15/07........12/11/07

littlebear..........VSC...........09/20/07..........10/09/07........11/03/07........--/--/--

Zephod..............TSC > CSC.....09/20/07..........09/20/07........12/19/07........--/--/--

cinci22.............CSC...........09/22/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Germerican..........NSC > CSC.....09/22/07..........09/24/07........11/17/07........12/07/07

Serenity............NSC > CSC.....09/25/07..........09/25/07........11/23/07........12/07/07

rrp.................VSC...........09/27/07..........10/14/07........11/09/07........--/--/--

Buckeye6976.........NSC > CSC.....09/27/07..........10/01/07........11/23/07........12/13/07

AfricanQueen........TSC...........10/05/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

supersonic..........VSC...........10/09/07..........10/10/07........11/29/07........--/--/--

RS330...............VSC...........10/13/07..........10/19/07........12/07/07........--/--/--

wife_of_mahmoud.....TSC > CSC.....10/15/07..........10/17/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Christephanie.......NSC > CSC.....10/16/07..........10/18/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

dmaddox74...........TSC...........10/17/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

arijit..............VSC...........10/18/07..........10/23/07........12/18/07........--/--/--

michaelp............NSC > CSC.....10/09/07..........10/11/07........--/--/--........12/11/07

neiman..............CSC...........10/29/07..........10/30/07........12/14/07........--/--/--

tdegrenier..........VSC...........10/29/07..........11/02/07........12/20/07........--/--/--

noone...............VSC...........10/30/07..........11/05/07........01/15/08........--/--/--

gatorubio...........VSC...........10/31/07..........11/05/07........12/13/07........--/--/--

Sheryll.............NSC > CSC.....10/31/07..........11/19/07........12/12/07........12/18/07

RichardS............TSC...........11/05/07..........11/08/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

jsnearline..........NSC > CSC.....11/03/07..........11/05/07........12/14/07........--/--/--

Debra&John..........NSC > CSC.....11/05/07..........11/07/07........12/20/07........--/--/--

myfellah............NSC > CSC.....11/05/07..........11/07/07........12/21/07........--/--/--

derekkj.............VSC...........11/05/07..........11/07/07........01/10/08........--/--/--

884ever.............CSC...........11/05/07..........11/07/07........01/02/08........--/--/--

Ephesia............ NSC > CSC.....11/12/07..........11/13/07........01/15/08........--/--/--

babonsi.............CSC...........11/17/07..........11/19/07........01/04/08........--/--/--

MichelleandCraig....NSC...........11/--/07..........11/23/07........01/07/08........--/--/--

ashleyernesto.......VSC...........11/26/07..........12/10/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Angel_Anmar.........NSC > CSC.....12/04/07..........12/05/07........01/09/08........--/--/--

missmariemc.........VSC...........12/01/07..........12/07/07........01/12/08........--/--/--

bettenan............VSC...........12/10/07..........12/14/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

tnh9479.............TSC...........12/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

jodyangel...........VSC...........12/12/07..........12/23/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

minha_raposa........TSC > CSC.....12/13/07..........01/03/08........--/--/--........--/--/--

Bootylicious........TSC...........12/14/07..........12/27/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Erica&Terry.........TSC...........12/19/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Thanks for adding us...however, we were transfered to VSC not CSC

I have high hopes for a fast response from VSC...from my (historical) perspective, they always seemed to have it together more than the others.

tnh9479:

I can understand the anxiety...you will get the NOA! Removal of conditions is forthcoming...keep us posted.

Mike and Luciene

We can be added too!

Sent I-751 to TSC on 12/13

Signed for on 12/16

Check cashed on 12/27

NOA-1 from VSC on 01/03

Thanks! Mike and Luciene

Our 751 packet was sent to TSC and signed for on 12/16. However, today we received the NOA 1 with a Vermont mailing address on the bottom. Looks as though we were transfered not to CSC but to VSC! I hope VSC is as fast now as they were back in 2004 we I watched all of the 129s flying through the system! Not that it really matters much.

Congratulations to everyone getting approved wherever you file! Happy New Year.

Mike and Luciene

I just noticed...TSC is still our center of record for filing; however, we now live in Kentucky. Not New Mexico. I guess I should update my information. Gosh, it's been a while since I've been to VJ.

Oi, gente

Nos casamos aqui nos EUA, mas gostariamos de registrar o nosso casamento no Brasil. Estamos indo em menos de um mes e ja sabemos que e necessario enviar o documento original (Marriage Certificate) para o Consulado do Brasil para que eles autentiquem, e depois esse papel vai ser traduzido por um tradutor ligado ao Cartorio no Brasil. Enfim, minha pergunta: alguem sabe quanto e a taxa para eles registrarem o casamento no Brasil, e tambem por quanto esta trabalhando um tradutor?

Aguardo uma resposta de voces

Valeu

Luciene & Mike

I was listening to this right wing radio show, don't remember the name, but i was listening to this guy talking of u know the typical extremist agenda.. abortion is bad, no gay marriages because it's wrong (#######? according to the law or god), and he was talking how if US want's to enforce their border security they also have to look at their lives and say 'am i doing the right thing? thats right, we shouldn be against spanish classes' and i was #######??! since when the border fence has to do with learning diff languages..

now.. I don't want to start a flame war... but, during my short living in USA, I've found IMO that American's take foreign languages too personal, technically, they are probly one of the few countries I know who are against foreign languages and see them as an offence.. my question.. why?

I'm not gonna say 'well to help the illegal immigrants u have to learn their language' and all that bs.. most countries like mine don't have government services in other languages than spanish, and I'm pretty thankful that US Govt has spanish services, thanks to it, I fixed a mistake with the IRS (wrong last names) that could have taken 2 hours in english, 30 min in spanish... but why is it wrong to learn other languages (not only spanish).. I mean, I know languages are not for everyone, but, I've been to other countries and people don't seem offended for knowing 2 or 3 or even 4 languages, and using them constantly, and the funny thing is, those countries (like Holland) require a 100% understanding of the local language, but they still learn more than 1 (besides their dialect)..

yes yes, USA is too big, and probly some of the citizen will never have the need to leave, as in any other countries, but I would think a foreign language looks pretty impressive on a resume, and yes, due to the situation with Meheeco and los amigos, most businesses don't seem language as a barrier, and will hire bilingual personnel..

my point is not to tell everybody to learn spanish.. but, if the next most used language weren't spanish, and were, I dunno, freakin swedish.. I'd be learning swedish right now!! maybe there's not a direct benefit of being bilingual, trilingual or whatever, but hell, it won't hurt u (unless u cuss someone in their language lol)

thoughts anyone? and please let's not turn this into a flame war-'dem illegals must learn amurkin'-ayy if u don't like America leave.. plis

pce out

Hello Pedroh. I understand what you are saying and, in principle, I agree with you. Learning a second language can do nothing but help any person regardless of who it is. I myself am working very hard to learn Portuguese ( damn sure ain't easy at my age) out of respect for my wife and her family and just because I want to add it to my life's accomplishments.

My wife, with Portuguese as a first, and English (90% fluent~) second also speaks fluent Spanish, and some french and italian! She also goes to school to learn English grammar (level II) courtesy of the local community college ESL program. Her classmates are mostly hispanic with two russians and her. The first night of class the hispanic people asked the instructor if she would speak to them in spanish if they could not understand. My wife was terribly upset by this and reminded the class and teacher that everyone of them were in the class to learn English and not Spanish. She won the argument and the teacher made a rule that everything MUST be in English.

My wife (Brazilian) considers it lazy for these folks to join an English class and want to speak Spanish. I think this is really the point...it's about putting forth the effort to do something that is not so easy.

If any person moves to a foreign land, I think they have the responsibility AND obligation to make every effort to learn the language, customs, and culture.

Americans really tend to get impatient when they are trying to get a service in their own country and the people helping them can't even speak english. This is very common and may contribute to the backlash directed typically at hispanics.

Take Care!

Mike

My wifes name is Valdicea (Val for short) . Her sisters names are Vania, Vanisy, and Valginea (I am sure i spelled them wrong but you get the picture).

A few names if you like VVVVV's.

"Valginea" is just....too close.

I was thinking the SAME thing! Had to look twice.

And if i were you i wouldn't be so certain that you are not going to take my name.

Ok, then you have to take my 2 last names too. I'm not going to be the only Jewzilian of the two of us.

My wife kept her full name and decided she wanted my middle name and last name...she insists on using it all and it does not fit in any american computer system that cannot accomodate more letters than the alphabet. USCIS was really pissed about that too.