Hard to see my husband in a "fish out of water" situation

[Staashi 371]

I thought he came in through ATL? I didn't think you could get the temp EAD stamp there?

As far as the illeagal thing is concerned... no worries. Nothing is illeagal here. It's just frustrating! Too much drama (for no reason). It seems like whenever Tarik and I are together we're fine. As soon as anyone else interferes..... it's all down hill from there.

Thank you for all of your comments. Inshaallah we will be ok. We just need to breathe.

So he does have a temporary EAD?

That's what I thought, too - but I don't understand it not being illegal...is he a volunteer?

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

First off ... good luck to both of you in this year ahead.

Secondly, I donnot see how your husband can except or even want you to be "more" Moroccan. If he wanted Moroccan woman, why didn't he marry one?

Thirdly, it is bad manners to speak around you in Derja buuut something you will have to just used to ... since this is how they are. I am living here 2 yrs ... so I know!

2 1/2 weeks he has been in the US ... and both of you pressing for him to get a job? Without papers? Well congrats, if you find him one (halaal) one but if I were you I would thinking more in the lines of getting him "trained" on living in the US ... how things work (getting around, communicating, etc) so he gets the point where he can do without you around. Then go from there with training courses ... and then look for work (esp if he doesn't have his papers) ... But if you two are so stuck on getting him working ---> resturants are the most obvious way to go!

Also I donnot know the in-laws but I advise you --->stay away!

Best of luck!

When I get that speech.. I quickly ask.. Do they have to work all the way to the end of their pregnancies? Do they have to pay the mortgage and the house payments and work to support people? Did the "moroccan woman" have to fill out income affadavits for their husband and keep a certain level of income on paper so some particular someone can have papers in the first place? Then you want to tell an American that she needs to be more Moroccan? In what respect? Like they are all angels? A big NOT on that one.. check out the cabarets...I am not even going to touch on the booming sex trade in Morocco which is known as the playground for the gulf arabs. Then some poor 22 year old American has to be held up to ideals which frankly don't even exist half the time except in someones imagination.

Henia, he needs to have a real job, not risk his status working black jobs and getting arrested. Sounds like someone back in morocco is pressuring for money and the SIL is tired of sending it and wants to put it on the new guy. Yuck

[Staashi 371]

Henia, he needs to have a real job, not risk his status working black jobs and getting arrested. Sounds like someone back in morocco is pressuring for money and the SIL is tired of sending it and wants to put it on the new guy. Yuck

Hey K! You know, I didn't even think of it like that, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's part of the reason...insightful! Maybe not, but it doesn't seem too far off if this is the case.

[caybee 21]

I thought he came in through ATL? I didn't think you could get the temp EAD stamp there?

As far as the illeagal thing is concerned... no worries. Nothing is illeagal here. It's just frustrating! Too much drama (for no reason). It seems like whenever Tarik and I are together we're fine. As soon as anyone else interferes..... it's all down hill from there.

Thank you for all of your comments. Inshaallah we will be ok. We just need to breathe.

So he does have a temporary EAD?

That's what I thought, too - but I don't understand it not being illegal...is he a volunteer?

For what it's worth, working without an EAD has, at least in the past, been forgiven for immigrants married to a USC who entered the country on a K visa. I'm not saying I condone it or encourage it, but it won't get him in the same kind of hot water it would if he worked while here on a student visa, for example. Also, EA stamp or not, he's eligible to work for 90 days after entry; the stamp is just proof of that, and the employer would most likely be the one in trouble for not verifying his documents as required on the I-9 if that came to light. That said, if he's working with a lot of undocumented workers who entered the country illegally and ICE raids the place and he can't produce a green card, he may find himself caught up in something very unpleasant for a while. And he would still be responsible for paying income tax, which could become an issue if he decides to become a naturalized citizen down the road.

[Tunisia216 2]

I'm gonna go out, risking piercing arrows and all and say I thought the same thing

It just seems odd, outside of the pressure and stress it's put on this couple, or the possibility that he may or may not be eligible or advisable to work, can't the man even rest after a trip like that? Adjust to a new place or spend some time with his wife? I just don't get that push push push - but maybe it's a more innocent reason than what we are all thinking..... I hope so anyway!

Henia, he needs to have a real job, not risk his status working black jobs and getting arrested. Sounds like someone back in morocco is pressuring for money and the SIL is tired of sending it and wants to put it on the new guy. Yuck

Hey K! You know, I didn't even think of it like that, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's part of the reason...insightful! Maybe not, but it doesn't seem too far off if this is the case.

[doodlebugg 10]

I thought K-1's automatically got a temporary EAD??

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I thought K-1's automatically got a temporary EAD??

It depends where they enter. I understand that if they come through JFK they do and they have to ask for it. Other places ,no. K3s and k1s have to apply fo ead when they get there. But ironically, my husband got here with a cr1 and it took 1 month to get his social and about 6 weeks to get a florida id which frankly is required where I live to enter english classes at the public schools so the ss card wasnt enough

I firmly believe someone back home is pressuring him for money or pressuring him to hurry up and get a job... or the SIL has everything and everybody on her back and is tired of it and is eager to spread the love. My husband has a similar situation but there are several overseas ( sisters and mom) and they all send money back home. He also did nothing to start working and still isnt working yet until about 2 months of being here/ He is just now kind of trying to get out and look and go to school and not act lethargic. Now no one is calling as the economy dips farther and farther into the toilet. Anyway, I am too tired and too pregnant to nag, I am just working like I am not pregnant kind of dragging myself here there and everywhere. I am vert close but it will be a working labor.... lol like answering my cell in labor. lool

[Staashi 371]

I thought he came in through ATL? I didn't think you could get the temp EAD stamp there?

As far as the illeagal thing is concerned... no worries. Nothing is illeagal here. It's just frustrating! Too much drama (for no reason). It seems like whenever Tarik and I are together we're fine. As soon as anyone else interferes..... it's all down hill from there.

Thank you for all of your comments. Inshaallah we will be ok. We just need to breathe.

So he does have a temporary EAD?

That's what I thought, too - but I don't understand it not being illegal...is he a volunteer?

For what it's worth, working without an EAD has, at least in the past, been forgiven for immigrants married to a USC who entered the country on a K visa. I'm not saying I condone it or encourage it, but it won't get him in the same kind of hot water it would if he worked while here on a student visa, for example. Also, EA stamp or not, he's eligible to work for 90 days after entry; the stamp is just proof of that, and the employer would most likely be the one in trouble for not verifying his documents as required on the I-9 if that came to light. That said, if he's working with a lot of undocumented workers who entered the country illegally and ICE raids the place and he can't produce a green card, he may find himself caught up in something very unpleasant for a while. And he would still be responsible for paying income tax, which could become an issue if he decides to become a naturalized citizen down the road.

Actually Caybee, he's not eligible to work - not without an EAD. He's eligible to apply for an EAD...he's also eligible to receive the EAD stamp at a POE - but he would have had to come through JFK to receive it.

From the USCIS Website (My favorite resource):

Will I Get a Work Permit?

After arriving in the United States, your fiancé(e) will be eligible to apply for a work permit. (You should note that USCIS might not be able to process the work permit within the 90-day time limit for your marriage to take place.) Your fiancé(e) should use Form I-765 to apply for a work permit. Please see How Do I Get a Work Permit? for more information. If your fiancé(e) applies for adjustment to permanent resident status, your fiancé(e) must re-apply for a new work permit after the marriage.

I'm gonna go out, risking piercing arrows and all and say I thought the same thing

Girl, can't you just feel it - daggers flying everywhere.

[caybee 21]

Actually Caybee, he's not eligible to work - not without an EAD. He's eligible to apply for an EAD...he's also eligible to receive the EAD stamp at a POE - but he would have had to come through JFK to receive it.

From the USCIS Website (My favorite resource):

Will I Get a Work Permit?

After arriving in the United States, your fiancé(e) will be eligible to apply for a work permit. (You should note that USCIS might not be able to process the work permit within the 90-day time limit for your marriage to take place.) Your fiancé(e) should use Form I-765 to apply for a work permit. Please see How Do I Get a Work Permit? for more information. If your fiancé(e) applies for adjustment to permanent resident status, your fiancé(e) must re-apply for a new work permit after the marriage.

I know there has been a lot of debate about it, and the safest policy is, "When in doubt, don't." But for what it's worth, from the

Social Security Administration website:

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of admission:

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following sections list nonimmigrants, by alien class of admission codes, who are authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS. The person’s I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp and the alien will generally not have an EAD.

***snip***

K-1 Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

Several VJers on K-1 have reported being told at the POE that they did not need the EA stamp on their I-94 in order to work legally for the first 90 days, that their I-94 itself was proof of authorization. The SSA document above says the same thing. Now, the SSA does not grant employment authorization, so USCIS is the final authority, and something in writing from USCIS outweighs what someone is told at the POE. But that contradiction makes for a lot of debate and confusion. I wish USCIS would make the language clearer, especially since all POEs don't follow the same procedure with regard to the EA stamp.

As for consequences, unauthorized employment is generally forgiven by USCIS at AOS for the spouse of a USC. But the immigrant should answer truthfully if asked about employment by USCIS, and they should follow the income tax laws. The other issue is the responsibility of the employer to verify employment authorization documents required on the I-9. Not doing so could get the employer in trouble.

All I'm saying is the employment issue for someone who entered on a K-1 is not as cut-and-dried as it is for someone who entered without inspection or is here on a student visa, for example. I'm not recommending it, just saying it's a gray area.

[Staashi 371]

Actually Caybee, he's not eligible to work - not without an EAD. He's eligible to apply for an EAD...he's also eligible to receive the EAD stamp at a POE - but he would have had to come through JFK to receive it.

From the USCIS Website (My favorite resource):

Will I Get a Work Permit?

After arriving in the United States, your fiancé(e) will be eligible to apply for a work permit. (You should note that USCIS might not be able to process the work permit within the 90-day time limit for your marriage to take place.) Your fiancé(e) should use Form I-765 to apply for a work permit. Please see How Do I Get a Work Permit? for more information. If your fiancé(e) applies for adjustment to permanent resident status, your fiancé(e) must re-apply for a new work permit after the marriage.

I know there has been a lot of debate about it, and the safest policy is, "When in doubt, don't." But for what it's worth, from the

Social Security Administration website:

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of admission:

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following sections list nonimmigrants, by alien class of admission codes, who are authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS. The person’s I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp and the alien will generally not have an EAD.

***snip***

K-1 Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

Several VJers on K-1 have reported being told at the POE that they did not need the EA stamp on their I-94 in order to work legally for the first 90 days, that their I-94 itself was proof of authorization. The SSA document above says the same thing. Now, the SSA does not grant employment authorization, so USCIS is the final authority, and something in writing from USCIS outweighs what someone is told at the POE. But that contradiction makes for a lot of debate and confusion. I wish USCIS would make the language clearer, especially since all POEs don't follow the same procedure with regard to the EA stamp.

As for consequences, unauthorized employment is generally forgiven by USCIS at AOS for the spouse of a USC. But the immigrant should answer truthfully if asked about employment by USCIS, and they should follow the income tax laws. The other issue is the responsibility of the employer to verify employment authorization documents required on the I-9. Not doing so could get the employer in trouble.

All I'm saying is the employment issue for someone who entered on a K-1 is not as cut-and-dried as it is for someone who entered without inspection or is here on a student visa, for example. I'm not recommending it, just saying it's a gray area.

Normally, when a non-LPR/USC gets a SS card, it will read at the bottom "Not eligible for work without DHS Authorization" - or something to that effect. So then, when they go to get work if they don't have a DHS document they will be considered ineligible. If it was me, I'd get cracking on filing for AOS - have my hubby get into ESL classes and just try to take it one day at a time. I sure as hell wouldn't want him getting picked up in any type of raid, because he'll be detained and get raked over the coals with INS, which is something I would never want anyone to experience. But that's just me.

[caybee 21]

Actually Caybee, he's not eligible to work - not without an EAD. He's eligible to apply for an EAD...he's also eligible to receive the EAD stamp at a POE - but he would have had to come through JFK to receive it.

From the USCIS Website (My favorite resource):

Will I Get a Work Permit?

After arriving in the United States, your fiancé(e) will be eligible to apply for a work permit. (You should note that USCIS might not be able to process the work permit within the 90-day time limit for your marriage to take place.) Your fiancé(e) should use Form I-765 to apply for a work permit. Please see How Do I Get a Work Permit? for more information. If your fiancé(e) applies for adjustment to permanent resident status, your fiancé(e) must re-apply for a new work permit after the marriage.

I know there has been a lot of debate about it, and the safest policy is, "When in doubt, don't." But for what it's worth, from the

Social Security Administration website:

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of admission:

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following sections list nonimmigrants, by alien class of admission codes, who are authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS. The person’s I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp and the alien will generally not have an EAD.

***snip***

K-1 Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

Several VJers on K-1 have reported being told at the POE that they did not need the EA stamp on their I-94 in order to work legally for the first 90 days, that their I-94 itself was proof of authorization. The SSA document above says the same thing. Now, the SSA does not grant employment authorization, so USCIS is the final authority, and something in writing from USCIS outweighs what someone is told at the POE. But that contradiction makes for a lot of debate and confusion. I wish USCIS would make the language clearer, especially since all POEs don't follow the same procedure with regard to the EA stamp.

As for consequences, unauthorized employment is generally forgiven by USCIS at AOS for the spouse of a USC. But the immigrant should answer truthfully if asked about employment by USCIS, and they should follow the income tax laws. The other issue is the responsibility of the employer to verify employment authorization documents required on the I-9. Not doing so could get the employer in trouble.

All I'm saying is the employment issue for someone who entered on a K-1 is not as cut-and-dried as it is for someone who entered without inspection or is here on a student visa, for example. I'm not recommending it, just saying it's a gray area.

Normally, when a non-LPR/USC gets a SS card, it will read at the bottom "Not eligible for work without DHS Authorization" - or something to that effect. So then, when they go to get work if they don't have a DHS document they will be considered ineligible. If it was me, I'd get cracking on filing for AOS - have my hubby get into ESL classes and just try to take it one day at a time. I sure as hell wouldn't want him getting picked up in any type of raid, because he'll be detained and get raked over the coals with INS, which is something I would never want anyone to experience. But that's just me.

No disagreements here.

[Nutty 2]

Wahrania,

What did your husband do at home for work? Does he have a skill or educational background that can be transferred here.

As for my husband, he is trying to find work, BUT, I think it is his lack of having an IELTS or TOEFL certification (advanced English language certificate) on his resume that is the hold up.

Because of this, I am encouraging my husband to apply for lower level jobs.

quote]

It depends where they enter. I understand that if they come through JFK they do and they have to ask for it. Other places ,no. K3s and k1s have to apply fo ead when they get there. But ironically, my husband got here with a cr1 and it took 1 month to get his social and about 6 weeks to get a florida id which frankly is required where I live to enter english classes at the public schools so the ss card wasnt enough

I firmly believe someone back home is pressuring him for money or pressuring him to hurry up and get a job... or the SIL has everything and everybody on her back and is tired of it and is eager to spread the love. My husband has a similar situation but there are several overseas ( sisters and mom) and they all send money back home. He also did nothing to start working and still isnt working yet until about 2 months of being here/ He is just now kind of trying to get out and look and go to school and not act lethargic. Now no one is calling as the economy dips farther and farther into the toilet. Anyway, I am too tired and too pregnant to nag, I am just working like I am not pregnant kind of dragging myself here there and everywhere. I am vert close but it will be a working labor.... lol like answering my cell in labor. lool

[mandixon 9]

Salam and I'm happy that you have been feeling great. Your husband is not mature and all the weeping reflects that and he needs time to adjust to his new life. It took me about 2 months to find a job. If his sister and her husband know English, they should speak English in your presence unless they are saying some culturally specific which they cant talk about in English (because the vocabulary doesnt exist in English). I'm from Morocco and I can understand his behaviour and culture. You are such an awesome person! You helped him as much as you could but I think he needs a little bit more self-confidence to survive in the USA. I'm not being harsh with him. I'm just being fair...we all have vulenrable moments but our reactions differ depeding on our experience in life. Wish you good luck...both of you.

[Henia 11]

I firmly believe someone back home is pressuring him for money or pressuring him to hurry up and get a job...

I would have to agree here. Most people who come to new countries want to EXPLORE in the first weeks maybe even month ... not start working! Anyway, I don't know either of these ppl so I can't say for sure!

[Henia 11]

Nutty it amazes me how immigrates (even the educated ones) seem to think they will just stroll into the US ... go to some office and score the BIG TIME paying job! OMG I came to the US with degree (very good one in my home country) tried my best to "convert" it ... but ended up working in resturants while going to school for a whole new profession! So basically 2/3 of the time I lived in the US, I had "low paying" jobs ! And I found out real quick no one was going to give me those million bucks jobs LOL!