My husband is coming!!!

[ZARQA 0]

My husband just got the call from the IOM (International Organization of Migration) saying he was approved for refugee and will be flying to the United States on the 10th of December. I can't believe it. I went through so much trouble getting the expedite and then in the same 24 hours he gets the refugee visa. He is going tommorow to take his passport and start the final outprocessing for refugee. I began to wonder if this day would ever come. Thank God is all I have to say!

congratulations!!!!! I love to read post like this, I'm so happy for you sweety

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

WOW! When I read your awesome news I got chill bumps! Im sooo happy for you! What an awesome feeling!

[S and S 12]

Thanks everyone for all the congratulations. I can't tell you how shocked I was and happy. My husband still can't believe it either after all this time. You reach a point where you wonder if its ever going to happen. When he told me the date they are flying him it was even more amazing. Just over two weeks is all I have to wait which seems so unbelievable to me. My husband called at 2am so needless to say I didn't get any more sleep, but my happiness kept me going through work thank God!

As for the for the questions about refugee, there are some I still have to learn but I'll share what I have been told by the local office in my home area that called me months ago to confirm my husband would move to my home location. The plane ticket my husband is flying on is at a discounted rate which is on a loan basis. Meaning they have a special fare deal so it is less than what you would normally pay and it is taken care of by the United States as an interest free loan. My husband will have 18 months to pay it back. They will also pay all his overstay fines since his visa to Jordan expired in March and the fines are $2 a day until he leaves. Doesn't sound like much until you add it up, lol. My husband will not have to pay that back as the United Nations takes care of that. When my husband arrives here he will be given some spending money. I'm not sure of the amount though it should be under $1000 but over $300 if that helps, lol. They would normally set up a home for the refugee to live in once they arrive but of course in his case he has a home so they will sign the money they have alloted for his first months rent to me. I can then spend it in whatever way I see fit. My husband could initially qualify for medicare and foodstamps, but I have medical insurance he will be convered under and don't really need food stamps though if they give them I suppose they can be used if we wanted. He will also get a sponsor who can drive him around to appointments, help him get his SSN card and further medical check ups he may require. He will go through further orientations to America classes and resume writing classes as well. He can speak english fine, but otherwise they would pay for him to get classes. They also help with him getting a first job. He will not really qualify for some things as time goes on due to my income whereas other refugees would continue to get them. For instance most refugees don't have family to live with so the US can cover rent and living expenses for up to 8 months for Iraqis. Most other refugees only get 4 to 6 months aid.

He will not get a green card initially but will have work authorization right away. After one year he can apply for adjustment of status to get the 10 year green card. For refugees they don't have to pay the fees to adjust status and of course his marriage will not be scrutinized like it is with the CR1.

Okay, thats the basics of what I know and can always give updates as I learn anything else. At least this way if any of you know anyone in a similar situation then maybe you can help them with this info. Thanks to all of you again for the well wishes. It really means a lot to me.

[Hanna&Mohamed 0]

This is wonderful news !!! I wish u a wonderful life together.

[S and S 12]

This is wonderful news !!! I wish u a wonderful life together.

Thankyou

[S and S 12]

Woohooo girl! what an awesome early Christmas present!! best wishes to you both !

lol, that song "All I want for Christmas is you" keeps coming in my head, lol. I got so tired of that song and we mentioned it in a daily thread the other day. I never guess I would get my wish. Thank God. Its a great Eid present too since he is technically coming during the four days muslims celebrate! There just isn't a song called "All I want for Eid is you" lol.

[Staashi 371]

Thanks everyone for all the congratulations. I can't tell you how shocked I was and happy. My husband still can't believe it either after all this time. You reach a point where you wonder if its ever going to happen. When he told me the date they are flying him it was even more amazing. Just over two weeks is all I have to wait which seems so unbelievable to me. My husband called at 2am so needless to say I didn't get any more sleep, but my happiness kept me going through work thank God!

As for the for the questions about refugee, there are some I still have to learn but I'll share what I have been told by the local office in my home area that called me months ago to confirm my husband would move to my home location. The plane ticket my husband is flying on is at a discounted rate which is on a loan basis. Meaning they have a special fare deal so it is less than what you would normally pay and it is taken care of by the United States as an interest free loan. My husband will have 18 months to pay it back. They will also pay all his overstay fines since his visa to Jordan expired in March and the fines are $2 a day until he leaves. Doesn't sound like much until you add it up, lol. My husband will not have to pay that back as the United Nations takes care of that. When my husband arrives here he will be given some spending money. I'm not sure of the amount though it should be under $1000 but over $300 if that helps, lol. They would normally set up a home for the refugee to live in once they arrive but of course in his case he has a home so they will sign the money they have alloted for his first months rent to me. I can then spend it in whatever way I see fit. My husband could initially qualify for medicare and foodstamps, but I have medical insurance he will be convered under and don't really need food stamps though if they give them I suppose they can be used if we wanted. He will also get a sponsor who can drive him around to appointments, help him get his SSN card and further medical check ups he may require. He will go through further orientations to America classes and resume writing classes as well. He can speak english fine, but otherwise they would pay for him to get classes. They also help with him getting a first job. He will not really qualify for some things as time goes on due to my income whereas other refugees would continue to get them. For instance most refugees don't have family to live with so the US can cover rent and living expenses for up to 8 months for Iraqis. Most other refugees only get 4 to 6 months aid.

He will not get a green card initially but will have work authorization right away. After one year he can apply for adjustment of status to get the 10 year green card. For refugees they don't have to pay the fees to adjust status and of course his marriage will not be scrutinized like it is with the CR1.

Okay, thats the basics of what I know and can always give updates as I learn anything else. At least this way if any of you know anyone in a similar situation then maybe you can help them with this info. Thanks to all of you again for the well wishes. It really means a lot to me.

That is wonderful! I would just give you one bit of advice, take everything that you can for aid like the food stamps and maybe even the Medicare...use the money that you would have to pay for his coverage and pay that towards the ticket. Also, the food stamps just help with some extra money for groceries. Take it as a gift. This will also be good for your taxes, as you can file as married with his social security #. I just give these few tips because even if you have a good salary, it can be a financial strain in the beginning as you rework everything and he doesn't have any income.

I wish you all the best!

[S and S 12]

That is wonderful! I would just give you one bit of advice, take everything that you can for aid like the food stamps and maybe even the Medicare...use the money that you would have to pay for his coverage and pay that towards the ticket. Also, the food stamps just help with some extra money for groceries. Take it as a gift. This will also be good for your taxes, as you can file as married with his social security #. I just give these few tips because even if you have a good salary, it can be a financial strain in the beginning as you rework everything and he doesn't have any income.

I wish you all the best!

I appreciate the advice. You are probably right that it is better to use what benifits he gets to save money. Its also nice that I can claim him for taxes as that should bring back a bigger return. Thanks for your help!

[Staashi 371]

That is wonderful! I would just give you one bit of advice, take everything that you can for aid like the food stamps and maybe even the Medicare...use the money that you would have to pay for his coverage and pay that towards the ticket. Also, the food stamps just help with some extra money for groceries. Take it as a gift. This will also be good for your taxes, as you can file as married with his social security #. I just give these few tips because even if you have a good salary, it can be a financial strain in the beginning as you rework everything and he doesn't have any income.

I wish you all the best!

I appreciate the advice. You are probably right that it is better to use what benifits he gets to save money. Its also nice that I can claim him for taxes as that should bring back a bigger return. Thanks for your help!

You are welcome. I remember that my income tax return jumped by almost $1700 that year...we married at the court house on 11/17 and in the church on 1/8...guess which one counts for immigration and taxes - the courthouse! I know that his benefits will be somewhat limited, but take the ones that you can get. There is no shame in receiving a little bit of public assistance, especially in these difficult economic times.

Edited November 26, 2008 by Staashi

[Y's_habibitk 2]

yeahhhhh!

Wishing you the very best life together!

Lisa

[SaadBell 0]

[Eternnitty89 0]

congrats!

[Nagishkaw 510]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

[S and S 12]

Thankyou so much!

[nunyab 0]

ahhh didn't think about Tax returns ####### it's going to be that time of year again...