LaurenR

Hi, Everyone:

This website is a useful tool for obtaining information but it seems to me that we're still operating as individuals rather than a group. With some targeted political activism, it seems to me we'd have a better chance of getting results.

I was spurred to try to stir up some action by an April 3 call to the USCIS - apparently the wait has now increased from six months to eight months for action on an I-129 application at the California Service Center. This despite the reported increases in personnel.

I'm also concerned about the apparent violation of statute when it comes to allowing fiances to work. An official with the Ameican Immigration Lawyers Association told me categorically that the K-1 visa allows the fiance to work the minute he or she sets foot on American soil. Yet the USCIS is requiring yet another fee and application, which delays the fiance's ability to work for another 3-4 months, while he or she waits for the agency to issue the permit. There are additional cost factors related to poor planning for this process, but you get the picture.

I'm sure those of you who are applying for other kinds of visas have similar issues.

The point is that, if my last phone call is any indication, things seem to be getting worse rather than better, despite the resignation of Emilio Gonzalez, the Bush appointee who has been responsible for many of the bad decisions that are affecting us.

I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest some kind of concerted political action. Can folks get me up to date on what's been done so far? Here are the ideas that spring to mind for me:

1. Letter writing campaign.

2. Demonstrations in several cities, with media outreach.

3. Website designed specifically to inform public about these issues.

Have these already gotten underway? If not, are people willing to volunteer a few hours to work on this? Does anyone have political organizing experience? Can we coordinate with immigrant rights groups?

Let me know!

Susan Zakin

I'm not sure if someone has already brought this to attention but I think it is a WONDERFUL idea! I'd be willing to volunteer support for this cause!

Sorry to hear that RYCK. As if the whole process wasn't stressful enough! I can't imagine how frusterating that is! It's good that you insured it though, hope you get that money back soon and without complication. Best of luck tou you!

I put other because there was no option for breast reduction/lift.

Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice! Does anyone know if there's a POE in TX (or somewhere near there) that does the work stamp thing?

What are the Ports of Enterance in the US? I feel stupid asking this but I've been looking over the guides and other questions asked and haven't foud an answer. Is JFK the only POE? Is there a POE in Colorado? If this is in one of the guides and I missed it, I'm so sorry. I was just curious about it since I've seen so many questions about POEs recently.

I didn't work in 2007 (because of my daughters medical needs). I've read that the petitioner and co-sposor need to provide their W-2s and income tax information. Since I didn't work, I haven't filed taxes. My question is, does the petitioner have to provide tax info if they didn't work?

I feel bad, I talk to my fiance everyday for about 10 minutes. But we're both poor lol. He gets phone cards in Guatemala in 10,15,or 30 min increments (sp?) and he doesn't have internet access. I can talk to him for about 45 min with $5.00. Lately I've been using Phone Hog though lol.

Lets see...

I secretly HATE the INS, USCIS, and anything related to them

I hate polls

I didn't get my cabel bill payed

She's known this man 6 years and has two children with him. I don't think it's fair to speculate on his character without knowing the circumstances of his arrest.

I would think you would want to focus your questions mostly on the waiver that will have to be filed. I'm quite sure there are others who have faced a similar situation here on vj. Try using the search to see if you can't find some answers from those who have 'been there'.

Good luck.

Thank you! KimandRuss

And for the record, I feel totaly safe with him, if I didn't, I wouldn't put in the effort but thanks for your concern melusine.

OK, the story:

Rodolfo and I met in 2002 in the US, he was here illegally. In 2006 he got arrested for assault and that's when we all found out about his status. He went to ICE and was released on $6,000 bond. The judge recomended that he leave the US voluntary and he did last March.

So... I'm meeting with a lawyer soon to go over our K-1 Visa application and help us out. I am curious what some of you VJers might ask the lawyer if you were in my situation. I am compiling a BIG list of questions and things I want to go over with him. Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated! Thanks .

I argue with my SO at least once a week but he pisses me off everyday

I think once all the stress of this journey is behind us, we'll have a hapier relationship.

Thaks so much for posting this! It's nice to see some light shed on this issue.

I don't know if I've offered any advice yet (since I'm pretty new to it all). If I did put my two cents in and didn't get a thank you, I don't think it would bother me much. I know how hectic all of this can get. I do however try to make it a point to thank anyone who offers answers to the questions I post (but I've probably forgotten to do this once or twice ) So... I put no but I think it's polite to post thank yous.

Story?

Long story short: My fiance was in the US illegally, got arrested left US voluntaryily, has been in Guatemala for a year. I knew we were going to need waivers and that it was going to be hard. I'm just glad I have a ray of hope now!

I have such wonderful news and wanted to share it with someone! I spoke with an attorney today and he said although our case is difficult, it's not immpossible! I was begining to lose hope but my prayers were answered today. Now I have the strength to continue on this journey!

Sorry, I just had to tell someone! Thanks to everyone for their wonderful advice!

While reading some older threads, I found one post that mentioned countries that participate in the VWP. I looked it up on the USCIS web site and Guatemala wasn't listed as a country that participated! This really upsets me because my fiance (a citizen of Guatemala) will obviously need a waiver. Does this mean that he can't get one? What else would we be able to do?? If we have a lawyer, would we be able to appeal a denial??

There are waivers and waivers...

VWP is Visa Waiver Program and means that the citizens of countries listed do not need a tourist visa to come and VISIT the USA for 90 days.

Waivers for inadmisibility are different and available to those who qualify no matter from what county they are coming.

Ook, thank you. I was starting to wonder if I had any hope in getting him home.

While reading some older threads, I found one post that mentioned countries that participate in the VWP. I looked it up on the USCIS web site and Guatemala wasn't listed as a country that participated! This really upsets me because my fiance (a citizen of Guatemala) will obviously need a waiver. Does this mean that he can't get one? What else would we be able to do?? If we have a lawyer, would we be able to appeal a denial??

Ok, my fiance left the US voluntary last year (he had entered illegaly in 2002). A year prior to him leaving he plead guilty to a CIMT. We have been told that the CIMT was off his record (never saw any actual proof of it though). I'm still concerned about it and wonder if maybe they just told him that giving us false hope. So my question is, am I going to have a ton of problems bringing him over on a K-1 and what waivers might need to be filed. Has anyone else been in a situation similar to this?

I'm speaking to a lawyer tomorrow and hope that he can address these questions for me but I just wanted to be prepared for any possible bad news.

I had a side question to add to this, when they say "having met within the last two years," does that mean the first person-to-person had to be within 2 years? What if you met prior to that?

"Met" is a bad word choice. You had to have just seen each other in person within the past two years, not meaning "met for the first time".

Oh good! Thank you.

I had a side question to add to this, when they say "having met within the last two years," does that mean the first person-to-person had to be within 2 years? What if you met prior to that?

Co-sponsor does not have to be related. Co-sponsor has to make enough to support his or her own household PLUS the fiancé(e).

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

So here is my predicament. I am a full time college student and work only sometimes, as I just had an internship with my friend's dad's eal estate development company. If I was to work a full year there, I'd make about 36,000 but from what I understand they don't care what I WOULD make, they want to see what I HAVE made. so with that in mind, i am getting a co-sponsor. My mom is a teacher, and she makes about 40-45k a year, while my dad makes well over 100,000, but I'm not using him as a co-sponsor. My question is, because from what I understand you have to make roughly 3 times the poverty limit, so would my mom be okay to use as a co-sponsor?

Also, what is IMBRA?

Thanks so much guys!

Well you only have to meet the poverty level by 125%. Which for a household of 2 is about 17,700 a year. It appears your Mother would have no problems being your joint-signer.

3 times the poverty limit, well this is if you do not meet the Poverty limit in INCOME and you need to meet it with ASSETS. Meaning you have some sort of investment or money in the bank or anything that you can liquidate quickly into cash form if needs be. Then you would have to make up for the difference for your shortness of income with the poverty limit to meet the standards.

That make better sense? I know this is very complicated #######. Took me a while to figure this stuff out.

In reguards to the sponsor question, I have a question of my own. Does the co-sponsor have to be directly related to the petitioner or the petitioners fiance? Can a friend sponsor and can they live in a different state then the petitioner? I've tried finding the answers to these questions but don't seem to be having any luck.

I'm sorry, I havent figured out how to quote yet but to rebeccajo: So I should plan for an automatic denial and going through the hole waiver process?

And to desert_fox: I've been talking to my father about being his co-sponser unless I am able to get on my feet any time soon.