Italian_in_NYC

By the way, I'm looking into insurance options for my mom (her interview is Tuesday so she might make the cut lol) and I'd be much better off getting her travel insurance in Italy. It'd reimburse pretty much everything up to whatever cap I choose.
Yes, you have to advance cash, but you get it all back. Something to think about it. The cost would be much much lower.

The sponsor of the DV lottery was none other than Rep. (now Sen) Chuck Schumer.

Also, there would be long-term visas available for parents, basically some sort of green cards without work permits and potential access to welfare (and obviously no path to citizenship).
What's the problem with that? I'd be fine with it (I am sponsoring my mom as matter of facts).

I am an immigrant and I see my native country being totally destroyed by uncontrolled immigration.
Welfare state collapsing (like there weren't enough Italian citizens gaming the system). Young educated people leaving Italy (one of the most beautiful countries in the world and still one of the wealthiest) to find opportunities somewhere else.
I do not want the US (which is my second and adoptive country) to become the same.
And Germany has it good. Italy is basically a giant landing port in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, it is literally being invaded.

There are tons of US citizens gaming the system, TONS. Unfortunately, the Govt has to keep those, no choice.

True, although some countries have social security totalization agreements where you can unify credits from both countries and elect to get a check from one of the two. This should be known among immigrants.

It's the US Constitution, not just a rule.
CBP agents only have jurisdiction when you are crossing a border (they can strip search for no reason).
Otherwise they are bound by the IV Amendment of the US Constitution.
Do they routinely violate the Constitution? I don't doubt it at all. Some people do fight back though. We should all do.

Any judge will dismiss the case because of the unlawful search. An unlawful search is inadmissible in Court and can't be considered probable cause.
It's the other way around.
It's the US Constitution.
I don't doubt it happens, I'm just saying it is not legal.

They need to have probable cause too for further questioning. And they can't detain you. You could sue them and it would be an easy win (although meaningless).
This is (not yet) a police state.

In my case it was NYPD, but the US Constitution I'm talking about is the same one, and it applies to everyone. Btw, you can NOT be held unless they detain you. And they can't detain you just for the sake of it.
Sure, we can always go along and go our way, but we should all be fighting this.
This is not law enforcement, this is a police state.

In my case it was NYPD, but the US Constitution I'm talking about is the same one, and it applies to everyone. Btw, you can NOT be held unless they detain you. And they can't detain you just for the sake of it.
Sure, we can always go along and go our way, but we should all be fighting this.
This is not law enforcement, this is a police state.

No, that would absolutely NOT be probable cause. Probable cause means they have reasons (to be supported by objective facts) that you are committing a crime. So, if your car smells like you are carrying 500 lbs of weed, then that would be probable cause.
Them having a dog sniffing your car without probable cause is not admissible. Even if they find drugs on you, that evidence would not be admitted in Court.
Most of us just answer and go on the way, but we should all refuse, otherwise we are quietly let them turn the US into a police state.
I was stopped in NYC and the cop asked me if he could search me. I said no and I went on my way home.

Why would it be?
They will just go through the same process.

They need to have probable cause too for further questioning. And they can't detain you. You could sue them and it would be an easy win (although meaningless).
This is (not yet) a police state.

True, although some countries have social security totalization agreements where you can unify credits from both countries and elect to get a check from one of the two. This should be known among immigrants.

You do not have to show any ID. You do not even have to carry it (unless it's a driver's license and you are driving, obviously).
You can refuse to answer any questions at those so-called checkpoints. You are free to go unless they detain you. And of course they have no legal ground (probable cause) to detain you.

I'm sponsoring my mom and it looks like she will (barring problems with the interview) make the cut (interview is early next week).
However, I'd be totally fine with her getting a long-term visa.
She is not coming here for the welfare (in Italy is much more generous and she is entitled to it as a citizen) and probably not for the lifestyle. She just wants to see her two small grandchildren grow.
Unfortunately, this category is subject to much abuse, I've seen it on my wife's side (came here as a young kid from the former USSR and all her grandparents made it too and they were all on welfare).

These searches are against the IV Amendment. And the Constitution trumps any Federal law, so I'm against this. And you could refuse to be searched without probable cause (which they obviously do not have).
Deportation of the overstay is good though. That's why most (legit) applicants in the world go through hell to get a visa.

I'm sponsoring my mom and it looks like she will (barring problems with the interview) make the cut (interview is early next week).
However, I'd be totally fine with her getting a long-term visa.
She is not coming here for the welfare (in Italy is much more generous and she is entitled to it as a citizen) and probably not for the lifestyle. She just wants to see her two small grandchildren grow.
Unfortunately, this category is subject to much abuse, I've seen it on my wife's side (came here as a young kid from the former USSR and all her grandparents made it too and they were all on welfare).

To the OP:
I traveled 4 times on my expired GC + extension letter.
I boarded my flight to the US from:
- Dubai
- Milan
- Moscow
- London
Ironically, the only hassle (minor anyways) I had was in London with a very English-speaking employee.
You have nothing to fear, you have a document issued by the US immigration authority which says that your status is extended for 1 year and travel is allowed.
When you clear customs and immigration in exit all they check is your passport and boarding pass.
It will be the airline that checks your status in the US. They're all familiar with the extension letter and they all speak English.

Tax reform was all talk as well, and it happened in a blink of the eye (and they made our holiday season - as accountants - extremely busy)
They will need 60 votes in the Senate this time, true, but Dems know they will be shamed for another shutdown and that Trump would totally let DACA expire if he doesn't get (at least most of) his wishlist done.

These searches are against the IV Amendment. And the Constitution trumps any Federal law, so I'm against this. And you could refuse to be searched without probable cause (which they obviously do not have).
Deportation of the overstay is good though. That's why most (legit) applicants in the world go through hell to get a visa.

This is a bit of a grey area...
There are Proposed Regs (I think 1.898), but they were never finalized by the Treasury.
You are supposed to allocate the income till 12/31 (Australia is easier than UK - UK has an April 5 FY).
If not practical, you can pro-rate. I usually do this if the income is steady (say, salary) and never had a problem (knock on wood here) with the IRS.
If you have subpart F income it's much better to be accurate on the dates.
Exchange rates: if you prorate the income, you can use the average exchange rate for the year (Treasury, IRS, or other commercial websites like oanda or xe are all good).
If you know the exact date you received income (i.e.: dividend), then use the spot rate.

In Italy you can't sponsor parents, actually.
And Italy's immigration laws are lax, and I'm being kind.
Having said that, I'm sponsoring my mom, I spent over a thousand dollars in fees and actually already bought her an apartment in NYC, so I don't think they can retroactively cancel pending visa applications (she has her interview next week, so hopefully not affected).
I think this is their first offer, they will negotiate and meet in the middle.
we can all agree that the system needs some changes. I came to the US for work almost 20 years ago and I was extremely frustrated, so difficult to get a work visa even with my skills.

Just give a green card to the DACA kids, build the wall (so there will be no more - or many less - DACA kids in the future), reform immigration system (no lottery, more limits on chain migration, heavy scrutiny for some countries) and everyone should be happy.
Of course, I have a feeling that come Feb 8, there will be another shutdown.