Don't flame me too much but... all these co-sponsers?

[rebeccajo 14]

I was below the poverty level for a household of three when we filed - based on my income alone. I was also 47 years old at that time.

I was a part-time working mom. I'd had a big career once but had 'retired' to take care of my son. Life changes and all, you know.

But I had a little wad of cash in the bank. Plus my house. I owed hardly any debt. Plus the cost of living around here isn't high.

I qualified without a co-sponsor by adding in my cash assets. I showed them my documented child support, but it wasn't used in the 'math'.

And yes - we had the money in the bank to file for Wes' adjustment of status before his visa was even granted.

You can be 'poor on paper' and still make a plan.

We're a lot better off now. Still not rolling in the dough, but he's working and a permanent resident. And I finally found somebody to hire me full-time (not an easy trick for a middle aged woman despite everything you think women have gained).

Oh - I'm almost 52 now. I've had times in my life where I ate potted meat and times in my life where I was rolling in the dough. I'd hate to think that I might have been very judgmental of others in the times when I was 'fat', you know?

If you aren't 'stupid' in the hard times you can recover. If you happen to fall for someone from overseas during the hard times, you might have to slow yourself down a little. But you can make it happen if you plan. Just don't bring someone over here and let them linger out of status. In my opinion - that ain't love.

Edited June 2, 2009 by rebeccajo

[baron555 934]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

Actually to take this one step further: What if every American marriage was to incur the 4-6-9 month delay to marry and then the inevitable subjective examination by an individual of the validity of the relationship?

I'd say we'd see far less marriages (that probably end in divorce and all the negative ramifications of that) than we do now. Just food for thought.

[JAPrincess 27]

On the other hand, having lived in Ukraine, I could make comments about middle aged guys with young blonde hotties that like to show off their bosoms just a little too much, but I won't. Yes I will. No...I won't. Who you marry and how you pay for it is none of my concern.

I will say you are correct that anyone trying to support a family on the 125% guidleines is going to have a really tough time of it. They are adults, I presume they know this.

[rebeccajo 14]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

Actually to take this one step further: What if every American marriage was to incur the 4-6-9 month delay to marry and then the inevitable subjective examination by an individual of the validity of the relationship?

I'd say we'd see far less marriages (that probably end in divorce and all the negative ramifications of that) than we do now. Just food for thought.

I doubt it would make a damn bit of difference.

I will say you are correct that anyone trying to support a family on the 125% guidleines is going to have a really tough time of it. They are adults, I presume they know this.

As people have said earlier in the thread, that depends on where in the US you live.

[rmncm 0]

Hmm, interesting thread....I hadn't worked for over a year before bringing my wife over...I was on workers comp and that pays #######. Before that I made a good living. My point is bad things happen in life...I dont consider myself middle aged, I'm 39 the end of this month. I was lucky to find a job that I could make over $1000 a week with only 1 week of training considering my family size for the AOS was 5 and I needed to show lots of income, but as all good things must end....the economy dumped. Thank god I qualified before the job dumped along with the ecconomy. I didn't bring my wife over for love anyway....she is my sexual slave and I am her's!

[Septembergold 0]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

[Susita 175]

Soooo.... what about people like me that meat and beat the 125% guideline but are still broke as a joke ? LOL

I obviously was able to petition for my husband by myself but I'm from Long Island, NY or as I like to call it land of rip offs.... here's a sneak peek of my monthly torture.

$1000 / month - 1 BR Basement Apt. Rent

$150 / month - Car Insurance (No car payment, I'd die)

$1100 / month - Full day preschool for my 2 boys

Keep in mind - we're still missing food, gas, and anything else that factors in to a month's expenses - 2 cell phones, home phone, internet, etc.

If I can buy a house one day it would be a miracle. I had money saved up for AOS but unluckily, before we were able to file my car had some serious issues and I had to use part of the AOS money for that. We still filed on time but had to save up some more.

I am currently applying for a bilingual position with the government & my husband doesn't make a lot of money because of the language barrier (he's studying English at the local community college but it takes time), so we're kinda in limbo hoping to make more in the future. My current job decided that because of the "economic crisis" they weren't going to give us raises this year, jerks. I want my .50 cents per hour.

Oh and I didn't go looking for my husband on a dating site or anything hahaha... PeruvianStudMuffin.com... We're responsible with our money and don't blow it on #######. I grew up with nothing and am used to it, I have a wonderful family who cares more about being together than any material things, so there ya go as if ya wanted to know... lol

[EZgoing378 0]

Isn't everyone entitled to be happy no matter how much they make? If they qualify, and get their visa, I wish them well. Love is a wonderful thing. Sometimes it happens to people who don't make a lot of money. That doesn't diminish it. I agree they should consider how they will get by but if they get a visa, I think someone has already considered that.

Many people make more than the minimum income requirement but use a cosponsor to increase their chances if their line of work can be considered risky. Self employed people for example. Some self employed people have had some big problems with the economy. Should they use a cosponsor or just put their marriage on hold until who knows when the economy turns around.

Finally, when people apply only one of the two have income or assets that can be considered. Remember, the spouse can get a job and earn money too as well as posess assets.

I think your analysis of why people use cosponsors is flawed and not well thought out. People use cosponsors for lots of reasons other than they don't have the income.

[ErinMeetsJohny 0]

You cannot help who u fall in love with and when u do you do everything u can to be with them...

so stop trying to get attention by starting this stupid chat thread...

[Nicoxcx 1]

This is why it is important for the foreign spouse to also save his/her pennies. I did. It helped me and my USC Husband out alot. Plan for AOS, get 2 incomes coming into the household.

If a person making under 125% poverty falls in love and feels he/she can support his/her future Husband/Wife who are we to say otherwise? not everyone spends the same amount of money per month.

Immigration was both of our top priority, merging our funds meant easier living for the both of us.

Like susie says (Nice to see you again btw Susie! ) you can be making over the 125% limit then bam, unexpected car troubles, house troubles and you can't afford to keep both you and your foreign spouse.

It is the easiest thing in the world to forget that you are actually quite lucky to be making over 120% in today's economy where jobs are being lost daily.

Only the individual knows if they can support a family on 120%.

[bhajishah 4]

Most Americans realize the effort it takes to gain the American dream. Alot of people oversease it seem to have the Idea that it is poof walla there it is for you right off the boat. Many do have expensive tatstes see it on TV and want it, esp if what they married in order to come over here is butt ugly!!

[Abiding 0]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

There are double standards in every part of life. I'm living and working in my wife's country as amissionary. I receive $1,000.00 a month. You can do the math. That's well below the 125% poverty line in the United States. But here in El Salvador, it's about 500% above the poverty line. I understand there are certain exceptions made for missionaries about a US domicile but unless i'm mistaken, not for income. I don't plan to move back to the United States after we marry. I do want my wife to be able to visit with me. I'm sure it can be difficult for some to understand, especially the United States government, but my boss is God. I do not worry about money. I'm sure people would say this is foolish but I trust my Lord. Unfortunately, USCIS does not trust God. Because of this, I need to have a co-sponsor. Christian principles don't make sense to the world. The world says, "Do what you must to be financially secure." The bible says, "Seek God and he'll take care of the rest." The "rest" is evertyhing that I need. Of course, everyone should use wisdom in making life-altering decisions, including marriage.

It was not my intention to preach. Solely sharing my point of view.

God bless!

[Susita 175]

This is why it is important for the foreign spouse to also save his/her pennies. I did. It helped me and my USC Husband out alot. Plan for AOS, get 2 incomes coming into the household.

If a person making under 125% poverty falls in love and feels he/she can support his/her future Husband/Wife who are we to say otherwise? not everyone spends the same amount of money per month.

Immigration was both of our top priority, merging our funds meant easier living for the both of us.

Like susie says (Nice to see you again btw Susie! ) you can be making over the 125% limit then bam, unexpected car troubles, house troubles and you can't afford to keep both you and your foreign spouse.

It is the easiest thing in the world to forget that you are actually quite lucky to be making over 120% in today's economy where jobs are being lost daily.

Only the individual knows if they can support a family on 120%.

Hello!

Nice to see you again too

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Maybe they should apply the same income requirement to an American marrying another American.

So then what, exactly, would American women have to offer if they weren't cheap?

Awwww...c'mon, its a joke.

[lostinblue 1,989]

125% is difficult to get by on but it does not tell the whole story. If you have a business there are many deductions that can be written off. This can put you well below the poverty line. When I told my wife that if she worked we could live a decent life . Not the best one but a decent life. She was happy that I would like her to work.Are you involved with a partner that has command of the english language with a job skill say like a nurse that would enable her to find a decent job. One thing that often comes up on the chinese forums that she looks at is the husband who has children and most of that $60,000+ income is spent on HIS former spouse and children. The new wife is in worse shape money wise than someone who is at 125% of the poverty line. Maybe the requirement should be no one who has ever been married and has that monthly support check to write should be allowed to sponser someone. Everyone's situation is different .