Marriage-based Green Cards

[NatPatBen 3]

I ran across this article about marriage-based visas and thought you might like it!

"Hello, I Love You, Won’t You Tell Me Your Name: Inside the Green Card Marriage Phenomenon"

http://www.ilw.com/articles/2009,0218-seminara.shtm

I won't post the entire article here, but here are the key points:

* Marriage to an American citizen remains the most common path to U.S. residency and/or citizenship for foreign nationals, with more than 2.3 million foreign nationals gaining lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in this manner between 1998 and 2007.

* More than 25 percent of all green cards issued in 2007 were to the spouses of American citizens. In 2006 and 2007 there were nearly twice as many green cards issued to the spouses of American citizens than were issued for all employment-based immigration categories combined. The number of foreign nationals obtaining green cards based on marriage to an American has more than doubled since 1985, and has quintupled since 1970.

* Despite these statistics, marriage fraud for the purpose of immigration gets very little notice or debate in the public arena and the State Department and Department of Homeland Security have nowhere near the resources needed to combat the problem. Attention to fraud is not just for the integrity of the legal immigration system, but also for security reasons. If small-time con artists and Third-World gold-diggers can obtain green cards with so little resistance, then surely terrorists can do (and have done) the same.

* An overwhelming percentage of all petitions to bring foreign spouses or fiancés to the United States illegally (or to help them adjust visa status if they are already in the United States on non-immigrant visas) are approved — even in cases where the couple may only have met over the Internet, and may not even share a common language.

* Marriage to an American is the clearest pathway to citizenship for an illegal alien. A substantial number of illegal aliens ordered removed (many of whom have criminal records) later resurface as marriage-based green card applicants. Waivers granted to those marrying U.S. citizens can eliminate ineligibilities for green cards, including the 3/10-year bar on entry for those with long periods of illegal presence.

[daboyz 36]

The number of foreign nationals obtaining green cards based on marriage to an American has more than doubled since 1985, and has quintupled since 1970.

I can't find the statistics, but I would venture to say that international travel has probably doubled since 1985 and quintupled since 1970.

An overwhelming percentage of all petitions to bring foreign spouses or fiancés to the United States illegally (or to help them adjust visa status if they are already in the United States on non-immigrant visas) are approved — even in cases where the couple may only have met over the Internet, and may not even share a common language.

Yeah it's a real piece of cake. Only takes a year, and $1000 minimum for the G/C.

The decision-making authority for green card applications lies with USCIS officials who rely almost exclusively on documents, records, and photographs, with little opportunity for interviews or investigations. Consular officers reviewing cases overseas do live interviews and can initiate local investigations, but may only approve petitions, not deny them.

That's kinda funny. After denied at the consulate, and petition is sent back to USCIS, chances of successful immigration are slim and none.

I could go on and on. This article is a joke.

I lived in Asia for 3 years, and traveled extensively throughout the region. I never met anyone that wanted to visit the US, let alone come live here. People in this country need to get over themselves. I now there are fraud issues with countries in Africa, Vietnam, stuff like that.

I find it kinda odd that just since you are born here that gives you the right to citizenship. By that standard, the only people that have true right to citizenship, are American Indians.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The number of foreign nationals obtaining green cards based on marriage to an American has more than doubled since 1985, and has quintupled since 1970.

I can't find the statistics, but I would venture to say that international travel has probably doubled since 1985 and quintupled since 1970.

An overwhelming percentage of all petitions to bring foreign spouses or fiancés to the United States illegally (or to help them adjust visa status if they are already in the United States on non-immigrant visas) are approved — even in cases where the couple may only have met over the Internet, and may not even share a common language.

Yeah it's a real piece of cake. Only takes a year, and $1000 minimum for the G/C.

The decision-making authority for green card applications lies with USCIS officials who rely almost exclusively on documents, records, and photographs, with little opportunity for interviews or investigations. Consular officers reviewing cases overseas do live interviews and can initiate local investigations, but may only approve petitions, not deny them.

That's kinda funny. After denied at the consulate, and petition is sent back to USCIS, chances of successful immigration are slim and none.

I could go on and on. This article is a joke.

I lived in Asia for 3 years, and traveled extensively throughout the region. I never met anyone that wanted to visit the US, let alone come live here. People in this country need to get over themselves. I now there are fraud issues with countries in Africa, Vietnam, stuff like that.

I find it kinda odd that just since you are born here that gives you the right to citizenship. By that standard, the only people that have true right to citizenship, are American Indians.

Good points All, Daboyz. I have read this article and my take on the whole thing is "ho hum". The USA can (and DOES) deny any visa that they think could represent a threat to the country, and they should. Other than that stay the HELL out of my business! I demand the right to be seduced and taken advantage by beautiful foreign women!!!!!!!!! (my wife may take exception to this, but it is none of the government's business!) We could tell sob stories of poor (or rich) dumb idiots who were swindled by "Bond Girls" all day long and at the end of that day, I do NOT give a damn. We can tell stories of dumb widows swindled by handsome Brazilian boys all day long, and I do not care. Because it can all happen here with the local girl or guy you meet at the bar...or at church. Spare me the heartbreak, OK? Don't care. We can talk about immigrants who use the system to get into the USA for green cards. SO what? At least they did it the legal way and were checked out and found not to threaten our security. They could have just climbed the fence in the dark.

This kind of article plays into the hands and small minds of really ignorant people. It bothers me a bit because I do not want someone thinking ill thoughts about my wife, or the thousands of others, but hey, I will deal with that. I know the truth and that is all that matters to me. Anyway, this is another case of "Uncle Sam knows best"

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The number of foreign nationals obtaining green cards based on marriage to an American has more than doubled since 1985, and has quintupled since 1970.

I can't find the statistics, but I would venture to say that international travel has probably doubled since 1985 and quintupled since 1970.

An overwhelming percentage of all petitions to bring foreign spouses or fiancés to the United States illegally (or to help them adjust visa status if they are already in the United States on non-immigrant visas) are approved — even in cases where the couple may only have met over the Internet, and may not even share a common language.

Yeah it's a real piece of cake. Only takes a year, and $1000 minimum for the G/C.

The decision-making authority for green card applications lies with USCIS officials who rely almost exclusively on documents, records, and photographs, with little opportunity for interviews or investigations. Consular officers reviewing cases overseas do live interviews and can initiate local investigations, but may only approve petitions, not deny them.

That's kinda funny. After denied at the consulate, and petition is sent back to USCIS, chances of successful immigration are slim and none.

I could go on and on. This article is a joke.

I lived in Asia for 3 years, and traveled extensively throughout the region. I never met anyone that wanted to visit the US, let alone come live here. People in this country need to get over themselves. I now there are fraud issues with countries in Africa, Vietnam, stuff like that.

I find it kinda odd that just since you are born here that gives you the right to citizenship. By that standard, the only people that have true right to citizenship, are American Indians.

And another excellent point, Daboyz. I lived in Ukraine. Judging from the "Ukrainian Bride" websites you would think every girl in Ukraine is jumping on any foreigner to marry them. Hardly. Like you, I never found anyone clamoring to come to the USA and I was in Ukraine BEFORE and DURING the Orange Revolution. Most of the brides offered would just LOVE to find a good Ukrainian man and get married and move across the street, rather than across the world. Most really just want to find a good man and have a happy family. Most of the people I discussed it with are scared to death of the USA. Probably not a reasonable reaction either, but they are certainly not lining up to run away. Yes, there are a LOT of people at the embassy for visas, very many of whom are students wanting to come and study English. English is the official language of the EU and most people want to learn it, it is a European economic reality now.

Hey, I love my country (that is why I choose to live here after having lived in several foreign countries) but really there are not so many people scrambling to be here, at least not from eastern Europe.

[daboyz 36]

Hey, I love my country (that is why I choose to live here after having lived in several foreign countries) but really there are not so many people scrambling to be here, at least not from eastern Europe.

I live here for financial reasons. I would be on the next flight back to Thailand, if I could make a decent living there. And you're right, the US is nice, but all this USA is the best place in the world.... Get a grip.

Before the crazies jump on this, I voted for Bush twice.

[panterchen 1]

I also hate how friends and family of my fiancé always think it was 'natural' to move together to the US. As if any other way was stupid or impossible.

If he could get a decent paying job here and living costs wouldn't be as high we would for sure live in Europe. But as a starting point the US just seems to give us more flexibility and financial freedom. However, I have to say that those ignorant statements come mainly from people who have never been outside the US and think it is the greatest, the best, and the only place worthing living at.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

USA is a great nation that does attract millions of people. Though people may come for the benefits economic and social mobility, it is our principles that stand out. Has the operation of these principles dimmed over the past forty years? Without a doubt, we have seen the corrosive effect of political expediency as well as the deleterious effect of negative media on our country, however the founding principles are still always available to us.

It started in the Declaration of Indepedence with the line, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Here is the principle that all humans are equal not due to some secular authority, but by birth. This acknowledges the divine right of the ruled, in contrast to divine right of the ruler. This concept reemerges in the Constitution as well as during Lincoln's Gettysburg Address where he states, "this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government : of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

It is interesting to note to all secularists that although our government was strongly against a state supported religion i.e. theocracy, our Founding Fathers were deeply spiritual, and intuitively if not rationally knew the difference. All 50 of our States' Constitutions reference God as supreme sovereign, by whom all earthly rights are bestowed. Even the Free thinkers [non-religious secularists] who signed the Constitution, respected and accepted this principle.

America is not a saint. Like all countries, we look out for ourselves first, yet we have contributed more to the relief of human suffering than any other nation. Refridgeration, telegraph, radio, television, electricity, computer, automotive and aviation industries, on and on all emerged from America, spreading across the world, providing a higher standard of living for all. Although Alexander Flemming was British, it was the US Government's interest in saving GI's lives during World War II that brought penicillin into the light, again saving untold millions of lives. Though the media has hardly given it attention, President George W. Bush has done more for African people than anyone, including all the wonderful work being done by the Gate's Foundation.

God Bless America!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

USA is a great nation that does attract millions of people. Though people may come for the benefits economic and social mobility, it is our principles that stand out. Has the operation of these principles dimmed over the past forty years? Without a doubt, we have seen the corrosive effect of political expediency as well as the deleterious effect of negative media on our country, however the founding principles are still always available to us.

It started in the Declaration of Independence with the line, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Here is the principle that all humans are equal not due to some secular authority, but by birth. This acknowledges the divine right of the ruled, in contrast to divine right of the ruler. This concept reemerges in the Constitution as well as during Lincoln's Gettysburg Address where he states, "this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government : of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

It is interesting to note to all secularists that although our government was strongly against a state supported religion i.e. theocracy, our Founding Fathers were deeply spiritual, and intuitively if not rationally knew the difference. All 50 of our States' Constitutions reference God as supreme sovereign, by whom all earthly rights are bestowed. Even the Free thinkers [non-religious secularists] who signed the Constitution, respected and accepted this principle.

America is not a saint. Like all countries, we look out for ourselves first, yet we have contributed more to the relief of human suffering than any other nation. Refrigeration, telegraph, radio, television, electricity, computer, automotive and aviation industries, on and on all emerged from America, spreading across the world, providing a higher standard of living for all. Although Alexander Flemming was British, it was the US Government's interest in saving GI's lives during World War II that brought penicillin into the light, again saving untold millions of lives. Though the media has hardly given it attention, President George W. Bush has done more for African people than anyone, including all the wonderful work being done by the Gate's Foundation.

God Bless America!

You might want to re-check the nationality of the inventors you have listed most were from UK and Europe, they may have worked in the US but they were not USC so NO America can not take credit for their inventions.

Until the US opens its eyes and sees that the USA is not the beginning and end of the world, attitudes will not change. After all this is the only country in the world where we hold a World Series that only contains US teams, and we proudly call our champions "World Champions" although they have never competed against people from other countries.

[NatPatBen 3]

Hmm. Some of you seemed to take away something different from the article than I did (which is natural, of course).

I didn't find the author to focus on how great America is. Nor did he even say that most people are itching to come here. He even stated that he knows several couples personally (family/friends) who've married people from other countries.

I took the following messages from the article:

• USCIS doesn't have the resources to perform thorough investigations.
• Local offices that can interview both parties would be better equipped to spot fraudulent relationships.
• It is the fraudulent relationships that cause the long wait times for real relationships.
• Almost anyone, including terrorists, who wants to move to the USA via a marriage-based visa can find a way.
• There are several different methods people can use to get over here via a marriage-based visa, with examples of each method.