Wife's family's house in Taytay destroyed in storm

[jsnearline 2]

My wife just found out that her family's house was destroyed by the tropical storm on Saturday. Flood waters from a creek behind it caused the back wall to cave in and the roof subsequently collapsed. Fortunately, all of her family members there were able to climb out through the collapsed roof. However, one of her sisters wasn't there and no one has been able to make contact with her.

Is there any sort of temporary humanitarian visa my wife's family might be eligible to apply for since my wife is a US citizen and her family is now homeless? We'ret just trying to think of realistic ways we can help them.

We were talking the other day about have my mother-in-law and one of my wife's sisters apply for tourist visas to come visit here, but with their house destroyed, there goes any "ties" to Philippines they might have had.

Edited September 26, 2009 by jsnearline

[andrew&evelyn 6]

Is there any sort of temporary humanitarian visa my wife's family might be eligible to apply for since my wife is a US citizen and her family is now homeless? We'ret just trying to think of realistic ways we can help them.

I dont think there is anything like that. Alot of bad things happen in the world and the US wouldnt let all people come here just because of some bad circumstances. Pretty much the only thing you can probably do is send them money so they can get out of manila for a while. They do not want to be in manila for the next few weeks. Im pretty sure the sewer systems are completely flooded and its not going to be healthy to be there for a while.

[DEDixon 39]

My wife just found out that her family's house was destroyed by the tropical storm on Saturday. Flood waters from a creek behind it caused the back wall to cave in and the roof subsequently collapsed. Fortunately, all of her family members there were able to climb out through the collapsed roof. However, one of her sisters wasn't there and no one has been able to make contact with her.

Is there any sort of temporary humanitarian visa my wife's family might be eligible to apply for since my wife is a US citizen and her family is now homeless? We'ret just trying to think of realistic ways we can help them.

We were talking the other day about have my mother-in-law and one of my wife's sisters apply for tourist visas to come visit here, but with their house destroyed, there goes any "ties" to Philippines they might have had.

I'm surprised you are asking these questions as if you know nothing about immigration (how difficult it is to get to the US) and that you don't know that this sort of stuff in the RP happens all the time. If this stuff were a means to get to the US, most of the RP would be here by now.

Ties to the RP require a lot more than a house even if it is does have a tile floor.

Sorry for the blunt reply. Your only option is to folk over your paycheck which is still a lot less expensive than getting relatives here and caring for them if there were a special hardship visa.

[jsnearline 2]

My wife just feels helpless because she really can't do anything. I figured asking about non-immigrant visas for humanitarian purposes is a long shot, but I had to ask for her sake.

I wasn't asking if this would qualify them for immigrant visas. I was asking about temporary non-immigrant visas. Otherwise, like a previous poster said, half the RP would be living here now.

I could afford to buy a plane ticket for one or two of them here for a few months, but I can't afford to buy them a new house or rent on an apartment there indefinitely.

No offense, but please don't lecture me about how hard immigration is as if I don't know that. We put in our five years with USCIS and just got my wife's passport this week after she took her Oath last month.

[Loolie 56]

My wife just feels helpless because she really can't do anything. I figured asking about non-immigrant visas for humanitarian purposes is a long shot, but I had to ask for her sake.

I wasn't asking if this would qualify them for immigrant visas. I was asking about temporary non-immigrant visas. Otherwise, like a previous poster said, half the RP would be living here now.

I could afford to buy a plane ticket for one or two of them here for a few months, but I can't afford to buy them a new house or rent on an apartment there indefinitely.

No offense, but please don't lecture me about how hard immigration is as if I don't know that. We put in our five years with USCIS and just got my wife's passport this week after she took her Oath last month.

the plane ticket for one or two can definitely afford to rent an apartment there...or if they have a their own land finance them to build a new a house...

thats the only way you can help and not visa for usa

[GregwedsAngel 0]

My wife just found out that her family's house was destroyed by the tropical storm on Saturday. Flood waters from a creek behind it caused the back wall to cave in and the roof subsequently collapsed. Fortunately, all of her family members there were able to climb out through the collapsed roof. However, one of her sisters wasn't there and no one has been able to make contact with her.

Is there any sort of temporary humanitarian visa my wife's family might be eligible to apply for since my wife is a US citizen and her family is now homeless? We'ret just trying to think of realistic ways we can help them.

We were talking the other day about have my mother-in-law and one of my wife's sisters apply for tourist visas to come visit here, but with their house destroyed, there goes any "ties" to Philippines they might have had.

I am surprised why your wife isn't making immediate preparations to go home once the skies over Metro Manila is cleared for planes to land! This is the most honorable thing she could do or do I have to spell it out?

[af_phils 0]

...Is there any sort of temporary humanitarian visa my wife's family might be eligible to apply for since my wife is a US citizen and her family is now homeless? We'ret just trying to think of realistic ways we can help them.

We were talking the other day about have my mother-in-law and one of my wife's sisters apply for tourist visas to come visit here, but with their house destroyed, there goes any "ties" to Philippines they might have had.

Looks like it's called 'humanitarian parole'

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1____

[jsnearline 2]

My wife would be on the next flight over if she thought her presence there would belp the situation in any way. Right now, shw wouldn't be able to get close to where her family is because some of the towns on the route from Manila to there are completely underwater.

[Bluerose001 4]

Hi!

I'm sorry to hear this sad news.

This sad thing happens from time to time in the Philippines. I used to come to Taytay, Rizal back in college as my sister lives there. Its pretty ironic too that its so hot here in Colorado right now while Manila and its neighboring towns is being battered by typhoon and flood.

Unfortunately, I don't know any humanitarian visa for your wife's family but my prayers are with them.

Bluerose

[Richard90027 1]

My wife would be on the next flight over if she thought her presence there would belp the situation in any way. Right now, shw wouldn't be able to get close to where her family is because some of the towns on the route from Manila to there are completely underwater.

For the price of a round trip ticket you could replace the roof, a few months ago we had the roof on my wifes mothers house and an upper floor replaced for about $1000.00 including labor and materials.

[ccndyeth 0]

That's true..

Price of two round trip ticket can help rebuild the house.

[DEDixon 39]

My wife just feels helpless because she really can't do anything. I figured asking about non-immigrant visas for humanitarian purposes is a long shot, but I had to ask for her sake.

I wasn't asking if this would qualify them for immigrant visas. I was asking about temporary non-immigrant visas. Otherwise, like a previous poster said, half the RP would be living here now.

I could afford to buy a plane ticket for one or two of them here for a few months, but I can't afford to buy them a new house or rent on an apartment there indefinitely.

No offense, but please don't lecture me about how hard immigration is as if I don't know that. We put in our five years with USCIS and just got my wife's passport this week after she took her Oath last month.

But the reason USEM won't let Filipinos come to America is because they likely will not go back. Visiting the US for anything gives them the opportunity to stay in the US no matter who they are visiting and no matter the reason for the visit. USEM and other embassies don't trust a promise that they will leave the US as they should.

Really sorry for the situation. It happens all the time in the RP. They build houses that in no way can withstand big storms.

A 1000 dollars would likely go a long long way to get them back to where they were. You have to be careful, however. You can't let yourself be used for every emergency or else you'll be responsible for taking their survival skills away from them. With you around, they will simply wait until the money arrives rather than do what they would otherwise. It is a tough situation for USCs. We have wives we love and we don't want to appear insensitive to the needs of their loved ones, however all at the same time, we don't want to give because it hurts them in the long run (that's my reason actually). Anyway, this is my opinion. I help, but I'm careful not to spoil them even when their is a hardship I sit back and wait unless it is life threatening (usually not).

[PrinceandPrincess 0]

That's true..

Price of two round trip ticket can help rebuild the house.

[jsnearline 2]

From what my wife's family said, the house is a total loss. A concrete wall fell on it, causing a collapse. We're just thankful they're alive. If the rescuers had come ten minutes later, they would have drowned.

[-Cinnamon- 0]

Keep the faith burnin.

God bless us. xoxo