pre aos question

[clueless_in_usa 8]

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And, hey, about MOBs - I love my demo-model

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I got myself a very low mileage one. Not right off the assembly line, but I love her shining new wheels and all the unused features. So far the maintenance charges have been very low. She is still learning the rules of the road. Fortunately I prepared myself for a "long and winding road."

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I got myself a very low mileage one. Not right off the assembly line, but I love her shining new wheels and all the unused features. So far the maintenance charges have been very low. She is still learning the rules of the road. Fortunately I prepared myself for a "long and winding road."

It isn't bad at all once you get past the used part.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Since one of them had filed for AOS, it shouldn't have happened to her then, right? In your example, neither woman had their ID with them. That has nothing to do with AOS or being Russian/Canadian/Mexican/American. It has to do with being unidentifiable at the time of stop.

If a woman was stopped but had a passport with a marriage cert. she would've been just fine. That is the law.

Saying it happens to Russians because you heard a story about two women who were carrying NO form of ID near the international border doesn't confirm anything about waiting to file for AOS causing problems.

How does me being stupid cause urgency on your part? (Or even directly relate to you at all?) If you're implying wating to file for AOS is akin to not meeting an obligation, you're incorrect. There is NO obligation to file for AOS. Let's also not forget that an adult person who is immigrating to a foreign country can be somewhat responsible for themselves without help from their sponsor. The burden is on the sponsor, but the beneficiary is still an adult - who is, in theory, quite capable of contributing to their own well being.

I couldn't find the "pat on the back" emoticon, but if they had one, it would be right here. Let's also keep in mind you didn't import an "average" MOB, your model has some miles on her.

I don't mean that in a disrespectful way, quite the opposite. I mean she has the ambition and drive to do it herself because she knows what she wants out of life and how to get it - probably even without you. Those of us with younger, less "life-savvy" MOBs didn't have the option of "halving" the process. Probably need another "pat on the back" emoticon here for your wise decision to buy a certified pre-owned model instead of one fresh off the assembly line.

I want govt. licensing of anyone on federal aid. (Sterilization would be better.) Want to have kids? Awesome! Get a f'king job.

Typo on my part. Yes, I meant EAD stamp and yes, it did apply to K-1s. As for the woman needing to work to support herself, I guess I just showed my progressive (read: liberal) side because I'm a firm believer in a woman working to supplement household expenses incurred because of her arrival. It's not a "gift" for me to support her, she can pull her own weight. She's an adult, afterall.

All this ####### about only importing a wife if you're rich enough to support her every whim is hogwash. She can show up and contribute as much as anyone else would be expected to contribute.

Yeah, I found it kind of odd that his daughter was able to pay for all that stuff - while still saving 15%.

You hear a lot of stories from people like that. "I don't understand why it's so hard for people to get by in this world. I mean, I did it. I worked my way through college and saved my money and now I'm taking care of all my responsibilities. I just don't see why everyone can't be like me. I mean, yeah, my dad helped me out a little bit, but I still worked and stuff."

Some good responses, Slim. Thanks. I disagree about the licenseing of parents, I would tend to want to eliminate government aid. What do we need licensing for if they pay their own way and they WILL pay their own way if they do not have government handouts.

Actually what you say is not true about the women that were detained. Sort of, but not quite. They DID have ID, the driver had a drivers license (valid, Vermont License) and the passenger had her school photo ID. Neither had papers showing they were legally in the USA, per se, and the local police had no way to verify it. They asked the women to follow them back to the station and then ICE verfied they were OK. Had she had her green card or the other woman her passport with visa, they would have been OK.

The old stamp that used to work for K-1s was never intended for K-1s and that was never anything but an unenforceable regulation. Who is allowed and not allowed to work in the USA is a matter of statute and no statutes were changed last year, ONLY some wording on the I-9 form was does not a new law make. DHS would not have the authority to legislate someone out of being able to work if the law did not already forbid it. The I-9 form in use then was vague and could not be enforced against a K-1 who obstensibly met the requirements, or at least could be interpreted to meet the requirements. The tsmp is still handed otu like candy at JFK and is meaningless unless accompanied with a work visa.

I have no quarrel with a woman working and contributing to the family if that is what the family chooses. Alla is more "old school" than a lot of younger women but also has a personal "need" to make some money and not feel "guilty" about spending money on cosmetics, manicures, new shoes and clothes, etc. That is a personal choice and she makes more than might be expected working just some occasional jobs doing modeling, translations/interpretation and she also makes and sells photographic greeting cards at local shops. Hey, it is enough to cover a couple trips to Ukraine each year (for a family of four) and all her "personal needs". Not bad. The rest of the time she is a student. She prefers the man have the "burden" of "caring for the family" and her income is more to feel that she is not "burdening" the family with silly woman needs. What I like, is that she is doing things she enjoys doing and making a little money at it, there is no need for her work and some terrible job she hates just to pay the electric bill or buy food. She makes the "fun money" for the family. She is always eager to pull out the cash for a night out, a dinner, theatre, etc. I do not get nervous when she goes shopping, she spends her own money and I do not even know what she has (or care)

I will freely admit that I have been very fortunate in life and had a good upbringing and education and a number of just good ol lucky breaks and more adventures and thrills than a man should have in 7 lifetimes and I sometimes very regret I am not in my 30s anymore, damn that was a good time . But hey, things are not bad now and I am not ready to be rolled up and dumped from a slow moving car yet! Could anyone do it? Maybe. I do believe you have the oppotunity to.

How two grown ups handle their finances are none of my business, just handle it.

[Martyshk 137]

Actually what you say is not true about the women that were detained. Sort of, but not quite. They DID have ID, the driver had a drivers license (valid, Vermont License) and the passenger had her school photo ID. Neither had papers showing they were legally in the USA, per se, and the local police had no way to verify it. They asked the women to follow them back to the station and then ICE verfied they were OK. Had she had her green card or the other woman her passport with visa, they would have been OK.

So by this logic, any of us can be stopped by a local police and be escorted to the station. I highly doubt anyone carries their passport on them (hell, lots of people don't even have one). So same for you and I, we just have a valid state DL on us.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

So by this logic, any of us can be stopped by a local police and be escorted to the station. I highly doubt anyone carries their passport on them (hell, lots of people don't even have one). So same for you and I, we just have a valid state DL on us.

I just do not see the need for anybody to carry anything other than the driver's license. On a trip to Montreal, I was pulled over by a cop in Vermont (of all places), just five miles from the border. I don't look like a typical American. Due to my speaking a few different languages, I also do not speak like a typical American (very few people believe me when I say that I am a USC). However, my status in the US was the last thing in the trooper's mind (he just wanted to make sure that I was not drunk). In fact, the trooper decided to give me advice about where not to leave my car in Montreal for it not to be stolen

I think that those cops just wanted to spend more time with those women.

I had more problems in Mississippi than five miles from the border with Canada. Despite that, even in Mississippi my status in the US was not questioned. The biggest worry these cops had (five cops in three different cars) was when I was going to leave their sacred state

I've had my runnings with the law in seven different states. Despite that, not even once have I been asked to show an ID, other than my driver's license. I am not so attractive for the cops to want to spend extra time with me.

[Martyshk 137]

I just do not see the need for anybody to carry anything other than the driver's license. On a trip to Montreal, I was pulled over by a cop in Vermont (of all places), just five miles from the border. I don't look like a typical American. Due to my speaking a few different languages, I also do not speak like a typical American (very few people believe me when I say that I am a USC). However, my status in the US was the last thing in the trooper's mind (he just wanted to make sure that I was not drunk). In fact, the trooper decided to give me advice about where not to leave my car in Montreal for it not to be stolen

I think that those cops just wanted to spend more time with those women.

I had more problems in Mississippi than five miles from the border with Canada. Despite that, even in Mississippi my status in the US was not questioned. The biggest worry these cops had (five cops in three different cars) was when I was going to leave their sacred state

I've had my runnings with the law in seven different states. Despite that, not even once have I been asked to show an ID, other than my driver's license. I am not so attractive for the cops to want to spend extra time with me.

When I grow a beard, I look like a terrorist (and every winter i grow a beard coz it's cold), yet, still, no questions anywhere about my usc status, even when flying inside continental US.

It's all bs and we both know it

[mox 298]

You are technically supposed to have in your possession your passport with I-94 before AOS, and your green card after AOS, at all times.

We made a color copy of my wife's green card, which is what she carries around with her. And just in case immigration ever thought it was a poor attempt at forgery, I wrote "copy" very clearly on it. That way if she ever loses her purse, at least we don't have to pay the exorbitant fee for a GC replacement. The odds of her actually being stopped by immigration are pretty damn small, so I think this is a decent concession. (somebody else on VJ recommended this, maybe even from the RU forum, so hats off to you and sorry I don't remember who first suggested it.)

[FortLaudy 10]

I disagree about the licenseing of parents, I would tend to want to eliminate government aid. What do we need licensing for if they pay their own way and they WILL pay their own way if they do not have government handouts.

I was all for the licencing of parents too, but Good point, less government interference !

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So by this logic, any of us can be stopped by a local police and be escorted to the station. I highly doubt anyone carries their passport on them (hell, lots of people don't even have one). So same for you and I, we just have a valid state DL on us.

Mart

it isn't logic, it IS what happened. Neither of us needs to think it is logical. Your non-US citizen spouse would do well to carry her passport with her. I doubt it would happen to me as I do not have a Russian accent as both women did and I doubt my citizenship would comeinto question, which may be profiling and you may not like it, but them's the facts. And yes, in the United States any police officer can detain you for 48 hours without stating a reason...can detain anyone for 48 hours without a reason and then must charge you with a crime OR release you IF you obtain a writ of Habeas Corpus. On the other hand, Alla has been stopped in traffic stops and has offered to show her green card and been told "No, I don't need that". Go figure. But two chicks with Russian accents sitting in a car waiting for a friend 5 minutes drive from the Canadian border on a Friday night...yep, they want to see the green card or visa.

For that matter I ALWAYS carry my pasport with me when I am in a foreign country, what exactly is the problem?

My advice to immigrants is always carry your passport/visa/I-94/I-797C OR your green card once you receive it. There are lots of illogical police officers out there, you can prepare for it...or not. Your choice.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You are technically supposed to have in your possession your passport with I-94 before AOS, and your green card after AOS, at all times.

We made a color copy of my wife's green card, which is what she carries around with her. And just in case immigration ever thought it was a poor attempt at forgery, I wrote "copy" very clearly on it. That way if she ever loses her purse, at least we don't have to pay the exorbitant fee for a GC replacement. The odds of her actually being stopped by immigration are pretty damn small, so I think this is a decent concession. (somebody else on VJ recommended this, maybe even from the RU forum, so hats off to you and sorry I don't remember who first suggested it.)

A copy of it is probably a good idea.

[Martyshk 137]

There are lots of illogical police officers out there, you can prepare for it...or not. Your choice.

I imagine if some VT police officers had relocated to, let's say Philly... they'd have a heart attack from all the people with foreign accents

Also, just because I have an accent, I don't feel like carrying a passport. I am not in a foreign country.

So basically, point taken - don't go to Canada through VT or they will stop and detain you for having a russian accent (oh god I hope you don't twist this too - it's a joke, here in bold - joke )

All in all, I know the law, I understand that as an immigrant, you have to carry proof with you (I carried my GC for 5 years), end of story.

Another point is - maybe a Russian accent in VT is something out of an ordinary to hear, so the cops just freak out OMG ZE RUSSKIS ARE COMING, RED DAWN, RED DAWN.

[slim 1,523]

I was all for the licencing of parents too, but Good point, less government interference !

I probably should've been more clear - "while receiving govt. handouts, parents will be licensed to have children." If you don't like the licensing process, fine, don't have kids or don't take handouts.

I doubt it would happen to me as I do not have a Russian accent as both women did and I doubt my citizenship would comeinto question, which may be profiling

Or which may be illegal. I don't know VT's laws, but I do know in most places a simple traffic stop (what were they stopped for?) is usually not enough cause for checking the status of their immigration/visas/etc. Also, if the driver had valid VT ID, why were they further ID'd anyway?

What probably happened is the cop checked the driver, heard the accent, said "where is your greencard?" When it couldn't be produced he asked the passenger for ID. When she couldn't produce ANY form of ID (school ID w/picture is not valid ID) either, they took it to the next level.

If one or both of those women would've had valid passports on them, they would've been fine. Once again, this was not an incident that happened because one of the women didn't file for AOS, this is an instance of neither woman having their passports or any other visa-related ID on their person and the one woman not being able to be identified at all.

maybe a Russian accent in VT is something out of an ordinary to hear,

Any cop worth their weight is going to ascertain the status of someone who could be a foreign citizen. They may or may not have the authority to do so on a simple traffic stop, but they will probably do it anyway. If a passenger in a car CANNOT be identified, especially after the driver admits to being a foreigner without proof of status, of course the situation is going to escalate.

However, once again, this has absolutely nothing to do with filing for AOS or not and everything to do with two women who decided not to carry proper ID.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I imagine if some VT police officers had relocated to, let's say Philly... they'd have a heart attack from all the people with foreign accents

Also, just because I have an accent, I don't feel like carrying a passport. I am not in a foreign country.

So basically, point taken - don't go to Canada through VT or they will stop and detain you for having a russian accent (oh god I hope you don't twist this too - it's a joke, here in bold - joke )

All in all, I know the law, I understand that as an immigrant, you have to carry proof with you (I carried my GC for 5 years), end of story.

Another point is - maybe a Russian accent in VT is something out of an ordinary to hear, so the cops just freak out OMG ZE RUSSKIS ARE COMING, RED DAWN, RED DAWN.

LOL Well let me put you at ease. Russian is the third most spoken language in Vermont, albeit a distant 3rd behind English and French. (Serbo-Croat is number 4!!! And actually number 3 in Burlington) Spanish is spoken by, maybe, 3 people in the state. I know one of them and he tells me there are two more but it is yet to be seen. Middlebury College has, perhaps, the premier Russian language program in the country (all our spies are/were trained there ) and The University of Vermont is anything but shabby in its Russian language department. Our local libraries carry Russian language newspapers and magazines and books. The Lake Champlain Ferry fleet is staffed largely by Russian and Ukrainian crew. (and a few Moldovans) Many of the ski resorts use J1 holders for seasonal help. Most popular countries...Russia and Ukraine. When we go skiing Alla can always speak to the staff in her native Russian. Alla is an interpreter for a local hospital and gets calls 3-4 days per week to interpret for Russian speaking patients...this in a city of less than 50,000 population, and she isn't the only Russian interpreter, though she IS good and she IS attractive and many of her clients are Russian men. Go figure. She also interprets for the CBP on call as needed., the County Sherrif in two counties, local police departments.

However we also have a large amount of illegal immigration from Canada in this area...none of which are Canadians but they are other nationalities which immigrated to Canada (Canada has more lax policies) and then jump the border into the USA or arrive in boats on Lake Champlain which straddles the border and there is no border control on the lake. We see more CBP vehicles than state police and nearly the ONLY aircraft (outside of float planes in the summer) are CBP helicopters.

In general though the cops couldn't care less and have refused on several occasions to even look at Alla's green card (in her driver training period she did get stopped a few times but never got a ticket ) So Clueless's experience makes perfect sense, normally a Vermont cop will not care if you are legal or not. Get too close to the border, have foreign accents, don't have your documents showing legal presence and (just possible) be attractive women and it can be a different story.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I probably should've been more clear - "while receiving govt. handouts, parents will be licensed to have children." If you don't like the licensing process, fine, don't have kids or don't take handouts.

Or which may be illegal. I don't know VT's laws, but I do know in most places a simple traffic stop (what were they stopped for?) is usually not enough cause for checking the status of their immigration/visas/etc. Also, if the driver had valid VT ID, why were they further ID'd anyway?

What probably happened is the cop checked the driver, heard the accent, said "where is your greencard?" When it couldn't be produced he asked the passenger for ID. When she couldn't produce ANY form of ID (school ID w/picture is not valid ID) either, they took it to the next level.

If one or both of those women would've had valid passports on them, they would've been fine. Once again, this was not an incident that happened because one of the women didn't file for AOS, this is an instance of neither woman having their passports or any other visa-related ID on their person and the one woman not being able to be identified at all.

Any cop worth their weight is going to ascertain the status of someone who could be a foreign citizen. They may or may not have the authority to do so on a simple traffic stop, but they will probably do it anyway. If a passenger in a car CANNOT be identified, especially after the driver admits to being a foreigner without proof of status, of course the situation is going to escalate.

However, once again, this has absolutely nothing to do with filing for AOS or not and everything to do with two women who decided not to carry proper ID.

But Slim, it DOES have to do with filing AOS. If you do not file AOS how will you have proper ID to show your legal status? granted, the one needed only her passport with J1 visa and the other needed her green card. It isn't like they were deported or even put in the slammer, they just had to sit in the lobby at the police station for a while. No one treated them like criminals but they were checked out by people able to do that better than the local police.

[mox 298]

But Slim, it DOES have to do with filing AOS. If you do not file AOS how will you have proper ID to show your legal status?

For a K1 entrant without AOS, passport + I-94 is the proper documentation.