DouglasFiel

No, it is not normal. I can understand some communication in regards to the children,,, and possibly some insurance with the CHILDREN
as the beneficiary with a third party trust (Not the ExWife).
Hope your husband will come to understand the destructive seeds he is sowing.
Regards,
dc

If your facts are correct and he has been married 10 years,,, And came her on a K1... That means he has been
here in the USA for 10 years... Not sure why he did not file for citizenship after 3 years (when he qualified).
However,, the only real thing the wife could do is charge immigration fraud... But, if they were together for
10 years that would be impossible to substantiate. As they have already been married longer then the average
American couple.
Just plan to attend the swearing in ceremony and it will be a done deal.
Regards,
dc

If your facts are correct and he has been married 10 years,,, And came her on a K1... That means he has been
here in the USA for 10 years... Not sure why he did not file for citizenship after 3 years (when he qualified).
However,, the only real thing the wife could do is charge immigration fraud... But, if they were together for
10 years that would be impossible to substantiate. As they have already been married longer then the average
American couple.
Just plan to attend the swearing in ceremony and it will be a done deal.
Regards,
dc

If your facts are correct and he has been married 10 years,,, And came her on a K1... That means he has been
here in the USA for 10 years... Not sure why he did not file for citizenship after 3 years (when he qualified).
However,, the only real thing the wife could do is charge immigration fraud... But, if they were together for
10 years that would be impossible to substantiate. As they have already been married longer then the average
American couple.
Just plan to attend the swearing in ceremony and it will be a done deal.
Regards,
dc

If your facts are correct and he has been married 10 years,,, And came her on a K1... That means he has been
here in the USA for 10 years... Not sure why he did not file for citizenship after 3 years (when he qualified).
However,, the only real thing the wife could do is charge immigration fraud... But, if they were together for
10 years that would be impossible to substantiate. As they have already been married longer then the average
American couple.
Just plan to attend the swearing in ceremony and it will be a done deal.
Regards,
dc

Since you have been married less then two years,,, The visa you are needing is the CR-1.
Your need to file the form I-130 to apply for the CR-1 visa.
Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides
Specifically:
Guides if you are married:
US Citizen lives in the US & Spouse lives overseas:
----- Option 1: CR-1 / IR-1 Visa and I-130 Petition Guide, NVC Flowchart
It is not so hard,,, just read and lean on the VJ family.
Of course things change,,, but, this is the I-130 cover letter that lists the contents I sent in with my I-130 app in 2009.
+++
DATE:04/07/2009
NATURE OF THE SUBMISSION: I-130 ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Dear USCIS,
Enclosed please find form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the supporting documents. The petition is filed by a United States Citizen (USC) on behalf of my
spouse a citizen of the Philippines.
PETITIONER:
{My Full name and address here}
BENEFICIARY:
{Spouses full name and address here}
Contents of I-130 package:
□ Check
□ I-130 petition filed by USC, petitioner on behalf of ALIEN, beneficiary
□ I-130 addendum (additional information in support of I-130)
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of USC
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of ALIEN
□ Copy of Divorce Decree {Ex Wifes name here}
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy from church – much clearer)
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy of the registered marriage license from the local register)
□ G-325a Completed by USC
□ G-325a Completed by USC - Addendum
□ Passport type picture of USC
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN - Addendum
□ Passport type Picture of ALIEN
□ Proof of Bona Fide Marriage (Note: Married on 3/21/09)
o Selection of Pictures that document relationship, wedding and marriage
o Affidavit
Thank you,
{My full name and signature here}
+++
Regards,
dc

If your facts are correct and he has been married 10 years,,, And came her on a K1... That means he has been
here in the USA for 10 years... Not sure why he did not file for citizenship after 3 years (when he qualified).
However,, the only real thing the wife could do is charge immigration fraud... But, if they were together for
10 years that would be impossible to substantiate. As they have already been married longer then the average
American couple.
Just plan to attend the swearing in ceremony and it will be a done deal.
Regards,
dc

Since you have been married less then two years,,, The visa you are needing is the CR-1.
Your need to file the form I-130 to apply for the CR-1 visa.
Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides
Specifically:
Guides if you are married:
US Citizen lives in the US & Spouse lives overseas:
----- Option 1: CR-1 / IR-1 Visa and I-130 Petition Guide, NVC Flowchart
It is not so hard,,, just read and lean on the VJ family.
Of course things change,,, but, this is the I-130 cover letter that lists the contents I sent in with my I-130 app in 2009.
+++
DATE:04/07/2009
NATURE OF THE SUBMISSION: I-130 ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Dear USCIS,
Enclosed please find form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the supporting documents. The petition is filed by a United States Citizen (USC) on behalf of my
spouse a citizen of the Philippines.
PETITIONER:
{My Full name and address here}
BENEFICIARY:
{Spouses full name and address here}
Contents of I-130 package:
□ Check
□ I-130 petition filed by USC, petitioner on behalf of ALIEN, beneficiary
□ I-130 addendum (additional information in support of I-130)
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of USC
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of ALIEN
□ Copy of Divorce Decree {Ex Wifes name here}
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy from church – much clearer)
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy of the registered marriage license from the local register)
□ G-325a Completed by USC
□ G-325a Completed by USC - Addendum
□ Passport type picture of USC
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN - Addendum
□ Passport type Picture of ALIEN
□ Proof of Bona Fide Marriage (Note: Married on 3/21/09)
o Selection of Pictures that document relationship, wedding and marriage
o Affidavit
Thank you,
{My full name and signature here}
+++
Regards,
dc

Since you have been married less then two years,,, The visa you are needing is the CR-1.
Your need to file the form I-130 to apply for the CR-1 visa.
Start here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides
Specifically:
Guides if you are married:
US Citizen lives in the US & Spouse lives overseas:
----- Option 1: CR-1 / IR-1 Visa and I-130 Petition Guide, NVC Flowchart
It is not so hard,,, just read and lean on the VJ family.
Of course things change,,, but, this is the I-130 cover letter that lists the contents I sent in with my I-130 app in 2009.
+++
DATE:04/07/2009
NATURE OF THE SUBMISSION: I-130 ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Dear USCIS,
Enclosed please find form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the supporting documents. The petition is filed by a United States Citizen (USC) on behalf of my
spouse a citizen of the Philippines.
PETITIONER:
{My Full name and address here}
BENEFICIARY:
{Spouses full name and address here}
Contents of I-130 package:
□ Check
□ I-130 petition filed by USC, petitioner on behalf of ALIEN, beneficiary
□ I-130 addendum (additional information in support of I-130)
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of USC
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of ALIEN
□ Copy of Divorce Decree {Ex Wifes name here}
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy from church – much clearer)
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy of the registered marriage license from the local register)
□ G-325a Completed by USC
□ G-325a Completed by USC - Addendum
□ Passport type picture of USC
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN - Addendum
□ Passport type Picture of ALIEN
□ Proof of Bona Fide Marriage (Note: Married on 3/21/09)
o Selection of Pictures that document relationship, wedding and marriage
o Affidavit
Thank you,
{My full name and signature here}
+++
Regards,
dc

Ask Imelda,,, she collected shoes...

Ask Imelda,,, she collected shoes...

Regarding unemployment,,, if you qualified,,, you should of applied. It is not welfare it is insurance paid by your employer and DOES NOT having any effect in regards to your affidavit of support.
Note: I think food stamps fall in a non-reimbusable category too,,, as it is funded under the agriculture dept and not considered
welfare... Might want to double check that one.
regards,
dc

When you file for the I130. They just need proof you qualify for the I130. Bio data for both, citizenship for you, you met and got married. A few PICs and a copy of marriage cert will satisfy that... During the interview you will need to prove that the relationship is bonifide and ongoing.
Here is what was in our I130 Package. I think better to send a simple I130... In my opinion easier for the government employee to review and approve.
DATE:04/07/2009
NATURE OF THE SUBMISSION: I-130 ORIGINAL SUBMISSION
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Dear USCIS,
Enclosed please find form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the supporting documents. The petition is filed by a United States Citizen (USC) on behalf of my
spouse a citizen of the Philippines.
PETITIONER:
{My Full name and address here}
BENEFICIARY:
{Spouses full name and address here}
Contents of I-130 package:
□ Check
□ I-130 petition filed by USC, petitioner on behalf of ALIEN, beneficiary
□ I-130 addendum (additional information in support of I-130)
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of USC
□ Copy of Birth Certificate of ALIEN
□ Copy of Divorce Decree {Ex Wifes name here}
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy from church – much clearer)
□ Copy of Marriage Certificate (copy of the registered marriage license from the local register)
□ G-325a Completed by USC
□ G-325a Completed by USC - Addendum
□ Passport type picture of USC
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN
□ G-325a Completed by ALIEN - Addendum
□ Passport type Picture of ALIEN
□ Proof of Bona Fide Marriage (Note: Married on 3/21/09)
o Selection of Pictures that document relationship, wedding and marriage
o Affidavit
Thank you,
{My full name and signature here}
regards,

My wife went through the NCLEX process here in Texas after she immigrated... By the time she attempted to take the NCLEX the first time... She was out of college for almost 3 years. Even though she passed her PI RN test with minimal review, she did not pass the NCLEX due to the Drug and Prioritization areas,, which is much different then in the Philippines. And, unfortunately the prep classes here in the USA are short,,, and are really focused on training recent US graduates to take the test,,, although there are some classes like Kaplan that have an international add-on I think...
I think the the US KAPLAN course was like $400 for 4 days. We decided, it would be best to take the course in the Philippines, Gapus (spelling?) or KAPLAN. She ended up going to a KAPLAN 12 week course (Gapus cancelled their review last minute)... Cost for 12 weeks about $400.
She did the first 6 weeks, which was mostly watching pre-recorded training materials and taking assessment tests,,, and the second 6 weeks would be in a class room setting with the instructors.
Since,,, she was only a couple of percent below passing on two areas,,, We decided to take the NCLEX in Manila mid-way thorough the training (March 09).
She passed the test, flew back to Texas, got her license Apr 8 and her first job offer two weeks later.
+++ The facts vs myth +++
Myth: Easy to become a nurse in the USA. In total probably cost $8k to get her license (with the return to the PI to get additional review)
Fact: The path is not so easy,,, every state has different hurdles. I am from Iowa,,, I looked at Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas... All part of the Nurse Compact... They all had different requirements. Texas was the easiest.
Myth: Our training courses are better
Fact: The Phillipine NCLEX courses are specifically designed to overcome educational gaps in the Philippine Nursing programs
+++ Bottom Line +++
Get all the review done there you can before she immigrates.
Get all the paperwork done you can before she immigrates. At least in Texas I think she could get eligibility to take the NCLEX before
she immigrates.
If I recall correctly for Texas she needed.
1. Submit Application to State of Texas (I think you can do this without an SSN)... Cost maybe $135
++ I think there was an FBI background check and finger printing that we had to provide... Not sure how that works
with out of country candidates
2. Get her transcripts send from her college directly to the Texas BON approved list of transcript review services... I used one in California. Cost like $400
++ They will provide Texas BON with results
3. Once approved... Texas BON will provide an ATT (Authorization to take test) with NCLEX.
4. Register to take NCLEX test at one of their centers. Not sure the cost,, maybe $339 for USA plus an additional $150 if overseas (Ie. Manila)
Bascially, that is it for Texas... If you fail the NCLEX, you need to reapply through the Texas BON (pay another app fee) and get anther ATT and
reschedule another NCLEX test (Pay again)... Note: For Texas you can retake the NCLEX every 45 days for up to 2 years from the first attempt. After
that you will have to retake your nursing education.
+++
In my opinion... Get her started down the path as soon as possible.
Note: The reason I decided to get her licensed her in Texas (they don't have the following additional requirement)...
Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota required her to use CGFNS
1. transcripts approved by CGFNS,
2. take an English proficiency test
3. take the CGFNS pre-NCLEX test (which is held only twice a year in Chicago and Houston)...
This adds a bit of additional hurdles, time and cost,,, travel,,, plus if you don't pass their test,
you have to wait another 6 months... And pay again. Once you pass the CGFNS test, then you get the ATT
and can sit for the NCLEX.
Also, Keep in mind, by getting her Texas license she can practise in any of the Nurse Compact states which includes
■Arizona
■Arkansas
■Colorado
■Delaware
■Idaho
■Iowa
■Kentucky
■Maine
■Maryland
■Mississippi
■Missouri
■Nebraska
■New Hampshire
■New Mexico
■North Carolina
■North Dakota
■Rhode Island
■South Carolina
■South Dakota
■Tennessee
■Texas
■Utah
■Virginia
■Wisconsin
Not Georgia,,, however, it is usually pretty easy to transfer a license from a compact state to a non-compact state through a process
called license by endorsement (i think). Traveling nurses do this frequesntly.
So, you could license in a more friendly state (check their requirements),,, and then transfer later. The most important thing is to get
any US RN License what ever the cost,,, the return on investment is definitely there.
Good Luck... And hollar if I can help... Was a long lonely road for us.
Regards,
dc

Your first responsibility in my opinion is to your family,,, If you are in debt and giving the in-laws a premium lifestyle that is not balance.
Personally,,, I would only send enough money to cover basic neccessities (they can not pay themselves) until I was in a better financial
position.
Good Luck,
dc

From what I understand,,, it is Philippine Law,,, Has to do with posting your intention to marry publically for 10 days.
Keep in mind he also, needs to get an affidavit of legal capacity to marry from the US consulate in Manila before you two can apply
for a marriage license.
You can get all of this done in 2 weeks,,, but, will require a bit of coordination.
Good Luck,
dc

You state you can't afford to travel to the US... Keep in mind, Guam is considered US soil,,,
Regards,

You can always file for an extension,,, If you will owe taxes,, just need to send in the estimated taxes... Then file
your 1040 when you get her SSN..
Regards,
dc

Yes, Chicago POE... It is a pretty good POE... I never spend more then 30 mins getting through... Even adding in the immigration paperwork.
She should be good to go. Have her call you when she gets to her departure gate... Someone will definitely let her use their cell phone
for a few minutes.
Congrats!!!

It could pose a problem in the future,, as Nursing positions and licensing require background checks, And if you professional name does
not match your other official documents. It could cause some unintended consequences.
You might want to run this question by your State Board of Nursing.
Regards,

I do get the point the OP is being very generous. The standard of living for the family in the Philippines is being maintained or in this case exceeds
the standard before the marriage and subsequent immigration of the wife.
I also,,, think it is a discussion that the husband and wife need to have,,, regarding the level of support (if support is needed)... Is it to...
1. Maintain their current standard of living
2. Elevate their standard of living
3. Help them become self sustaining
So,,, for option 1,,, give them a fish,, option 2,,, give them two fish,, option 3,,, Buy them a fishing boat.
FYI,, that was a lame attempt at a joke...
Regards,

I do get the point the OP is being very generous. The standard of living for the family in the Philippines is being maintained or in this case exceeds
the standard before the marriage and subsequent immigration of the wife.
I also,,, think it is a discussion that the husband and wife need to have,,, regarding the level of support (if support is needed)... Is it to...
1. Maintain their current standard of living
2. Elevate their standard of living
3. Help them become self sustaining
So,,, for option 1,,, give them a fish,, option 2,,, give them two fish,, option 3,,, Buy them a fishing boat.
FYI,, that was a lame attempt at a joke...
Regards,

Lots of red flags here,,, and some of making your own bed and now you have to sleep in it.
However, all is not lost just need to scale expectations and move forward cautiously.
Perhaps, start with income replacement (Her leaving could leave a hole in the extended
families finances).
My wife a new nurse,,, in the Philippines could make 10 to 15k pesos per month. That
might be a good target (if you can afford it) to start with. Once she starts working
in the US,, then she can send a mutually agreeable monthly stipend to help her family.
Just a thought.
Regards,

You can go with her to the interview (they will let you in the US consulate w/your passport)...
It does not mean you will get to attend the interview. That is up to the consulate officer.
In our case, he invited me into the interview and spent most of the time asking me questions,,,
just some light conversation.
YMMV...

St Lukes will put a protective lead apron over the area to protect the fetus... My wife was pregnant during the exam.