I'm outta here

[russ 1]

PlatyPius, don't worry, more than half of these bought Russian brides will have the last laugh when they divorce their spouses with a green card in hand in less than 3 years. A small price to pay to get out of Russia when you are a young, beautiful, and intelligent lady with a whole future ahead of yourself.

I guess my wife didn't talk to them Leaving before the AOS is probably too soon... I've been getting calls back from all the immigration lawyers she called the day she realized it was over.

I know that we didn't get married for a green card, and that the divorce was for the right reasons.

I think that I have a unique perspective on this, as I have been the recipient of immigration benefits due to a relationship (In Europe, the Dutch don't even require that you are married). I was the boyfriend of an American working in Holland, and was granted residence there on that basis.

Living in a relationship for several years, in a foreign country, learning a new language, and being dependant on your partner are not things that are easy to do. From my perspective, it is hard to imagine someone doing this without caring for the person they are living with greatly. I have been in the same situation as my wife, and it is humiliating and degrading.

America is a special place, as we make immigration and marriage so tightly tied together. The system almost invites fraud, since marriage is frequently the only legal option for someone to be here. I think that more liberal immigration laws, and more effective enforcement would greatly improve things for all of us.

[PurrSuede 0]

Wow.

I really shouldn't have wandered in here.

Russian women as a commodity.

"Hey Bob! I'm going to the Russian Babe Store! You wanna go with me?"

*wanders back out of the Russia forum in shock*

PlatyPius, don't worry, more than half of these bought Russian brides will have the last laugh when they divorce their spouses with a green card in hand in less than 3 years. A small price to pay to get out of Russia when you are a young, beautiful, and intelligent lady with a whole future ahead of yourself.

I have to say that "having the last laugh" doesn't exactly sum up my divorce situation from my ex... and I've been posting in another thread how post-divorce she's been "monkeying" with some of my financial documents, possibly to get her documentation for lifting conditions...

Of course, someone in that forum just couldn't ~believe~ anyone would go through the motions of a fraudulent marriage just to get a green card... I guess you could light up her eyes, indeed... because it does happen... and these women know how to do it indeed...

The thing is, I divorced her, and it was still another year to go before her conditions were lifted for her PERMANENT green card, so she's currently in a reallly really grey area with the USCIS anyway... and that small price to pay that you mentioned may become a LOT larger after I sit down with the USCIS officer tomorrow morning and attempt to explain some of her antics...

If nothing else, she may be paying a lot more than "nemnoga denghi" to an immigration attorney to get her off the hook...

-- Dan

[PurrSuede 0]

PlatyPius, don't worry, more than half of these bought Russian brides will have the last laugh when they divorce their spouses with a green card in hand in less than 3 years. A small price to pay to get out of Russia when you are a young, beautiful, and intelligent lady with a whole future ahead of yourself.

Living in a relationship for several years, in a foreign country, learning a new language, and being dependant on your partner are not things that are easy to do. From my perspective, it is hard to imagine someone doing this without caring for the person they are living with greatly. I have been in the same situation as my wife, and it is humiliating and degrading.

America is a special place, as we make immigration and marriage so tightly tied together. The system almost invites fraud, since marriage is frequently the only legal option for someone to be here. I think that more liberal immigration laws, and more effective enforcement would greatly improve things for all of us.

The thing is, you also say the system INVITES fraud (in terms of marriage) because of this, and this is quite true... and this is why there is an Anti-Fraud investigative unit of the USCIS...

And this is why the debate rages (elsewhere in the forums) about "is this a legitimate divorce or a fraudulent marriage?" and I don't mean just about my situation either...

And you say it is hard to imagine someone doing this "from your perspective", but considering the life and/or the future some people have ahead of them (not just in Russia, but in their native country) the things you say they are not so easy to do, may be MUCH MUCH easier to do than to try to survive in their native country.

The thing is, you say that "from your perspective". It's difficult, but if we look at things from THEIR perspective, walk a mile in their shoes, as it were... those things you mention may not be very difficult at all considering the alternative...

My immigration attorney indicated to me that bringing her to America was a "benefit" to her that some people would gladly PAY $25,000-$50,000 for (illegally of course), and in fact he said he knew of some people who would literally KILL for such a benefit...

This is an attorney with over 25 years of immigration practice, including 20 years on the staff of the USCIS, I might add, so I would assume he knows what he's talking about...

-- Dan

[slim 1,525]

There's a reason there are 48,000 womens' profiles on internet websites looking for "a nice man from the U.K. or the U.S. ages 18-60."

It's not because things are so great at home.

There are 48,000 profiles on websites here in the U.S. too, only the difference is they don't have such a large gap in age, location, etc. As a matter of fact, they're pretty direct: "SWF seeks tall dark and handsome to kiss her ###."

[russ 1]

The thing is, you also say the system INVITES fraud (in terms of marriage) because of this, and this is quite true... and this is why there is an Anti-Fraud investigative unit of the USCIS...

The thing is, you say that "from your perspective". It's difficult, but if we look at things from THEIR perspective, walk a mile in their shoes, as it were... those things you mention may not be very difficult at all considering the alternative...

-- Dan

Well, everyone's situation is unique. In her current situation, life would be better in Russia than where she is now.

And my words were "almost invites fraud."

If my wife only cared about being in the US, she could have just overstayed her visa when she met me (this is not unheard of). When she went back home, she had no intention of being here.

She tried very hard to make the marriage work. For reasons I won't give here, it was very difficult for her.

[PurrSuede 0]

The thing is, you also say the system INVITES fraud (in terms of marriage) because of this, and this is quite true... and this is why there is an Anti-Fraud investigative unit of the USCIS...

The thing is, you say that "from your perspective". It's difficult, but if we look at things from THEIR perspective, walk a mile in their shoes, as it were... those things you mention may not be very difficult at all considering the alternative...

-- Dan

Well, everyone's situation is unique. In her current situation, life would be better in Russia than where she is now.

And my words were "almost invites fraud."

If my wife only cared about being in the US, she could have just overstayed her visa when she met me (this is not unheard of). When she went back home, she had no intention of being here.

She tried very hard to make the marriage work. For reasons I won't give here, it was very difficult for her.

I was not referring directly to your woman's situation, Russ... as you said, "everyone's situation is unique"...

My situation is different from yours, but I'm still separating fact from fiction from the past and (Special Note to Slim!) still moving forward with my life at the same time. Sometimes it's difficult to move forward without resolving the past. But at the same time, you can't walk forward easily when you're always looking over your shoulder, either.

And as I said, my situation was different than yours, but it can be and IS quite possible for ~some~ to maintain a masquerade long enough...

I had a friend (who shall remain nameless) who got abandoned by his RW approx. 26 days after his marriage. While that appears to be a much more clear case of "fraudulent intent" mine abandoned the marriage approx. 24 months after marriage... one tends to wonder if her unseen "coaches" were telling her "you just need to stay married two years... and then...".

Not quite correct, it's for two years AFTER the conditional status was granted... which will likely work against her...

My point was there ARE those who have done this with fraudulent intent. Not saying yours was among them Russ, but you said:

"From my perspective, it is hard to imagine someone doing this without caring for the person they are living with greatly"

Granted from your perspective, but it is VERY possible and some of these women have done this, and done so very successfully...

In fact, if you look at some of the "relationships" in Russia that they may have modelled their own behavior after, many couples "stay together" over there for reasons of benefits while not giving a rat's @ss about the person they are living with.

My only point is that this can and DOES occur amongst some of the women who do come here... and Slim can point out the type #1 and type #2 who would gladly do this...

Not picking on ~your~ specific situation, Russ, just saying there ARE a lot of situations where this does occur.

-- Dan

[Austin_Volgograd 0]

Hi everyone!

I'm heading back to Volgograd, Russia on October 18th to bring my honey back (after her K-3 interview on the 26th - YEA!).

Does anyone know or remember which mini-bus goes from Sheremetyevo-2 (int'l) to Sheremetyevo-1 (domestic) airport? I wanna say 48 or 49, but it's been a few months. I don't want to take an expensive taxi!

If ya don't know/remember, that's okay. I can read the signs on the bus. It's just easier looking for the number because it's sometimes hectic and the mini-buses have usually filled up pretty quick when I've been there.

Thanks!

[rushter 0]

Lol.

I have the same question every time because I forget. Just go to the Aeroflot ticket counter and they'll tell you.

Actually there's two different ones but I forgot. Need to find my last trip notebook...

[Satellite 1]

Does anyone know or remember which mini-bus goes from Sheremetyevo-2 (int'l) to Sheremetyevo-1 (domestic) airport?

It's been exactly two years so I don't remember such details. But you should not only go by the sign / number, but always confirm before getting on. That is what I do. Because sometimes the drivers do different routes and forget to change the signs or lose their signs all together.

[Neonred 3,564]

Hi everyone!

I'm heading back to Volgograd, Russia on October 18th to bring my honey back (after her K-3 interview on the 26th - YEA!).

Does anyone know or remember which mini-bus goes from Sheremetyevo-2 (int'l) to Sheremetyevo-1 (domestic) airport? I wanna say 48 or 49, but it's been a few months. I don't want to take an expensive taxi!

If ya don't know/remember, that's okay. I can read the signs on the bus. It's just easier looking for the number because it's sometimes hectic and the mini-buses have usually filled up pretty quick when I've been there.

Thanks!

I think it is 49, but why not take the FREE bus? Picks up the same place as the mini bus, and is easier to get on with your luggage. It's the new, clean bus with Aeroflot written on the front. The first time I tried it I stuck my head in and in terrible Russian said "Sheremetyevo adiene?" Bus driver understood me and nodded. Was very easy.

[Oregonfiancee 0]

I guess all buses there go between Sheremet'evo 1 and 2 (they go to the city and back, but always pick up people at both airports). You need the exact number only if you need to go to the city to a certain subway station. You will not be able to pass those buses because they stop right near the entrance of the airport (arrival zone). There are many of them. Just make sure the bus is on the way to Sheremet'evo 1 and not to the city. I took minibus for 30 rubles and a very nice bus (without number, just nice bus which goes between Sheremet'evo1,2) for 15 rubles. Usual buses are of the same price. It's CHEAP, and no need to spend time to try to find free bus if you are in a hurry.

[akdiver 3]

"SWF seeks tall dark and handsome to kiss her ###."

Hahahaahahaa

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Neonred 3,564]

I guess all buses there go between Sheremet'evo 1 and 2 (they go to the city and back, but always pick up people at both airports). You need the exact number only if you need to go to the city to a certain subway station. You will not be able to pass those buses because they stop right near the entrance of the airport (arrival zone). There are many of them. Just make sure the bus is on the way to Sheremet'evo 1 and not to the city. I took minibus for 30 rubles and a very nice bus (without number, just nice bus which goes between Sheremet'evo1,2) for 15 rubles. Usual buses are of the same price. It's CHEAP, and no need to spend time to try to find free bus if you are in a hurry.

The Aeroflot bus does not go to the city. It is a dedicated bus for transport between terminals 1 and 2. Can't miss it as it is well marked. Also a lot easier to get on with luggage than a mini bus and a lot more room. This bus, and the mini buses, pick up outside of the lower level (arrival).

[Oregonfiancee 0]

The Aeroflot bus does not go to the city. It is a dedicated bus for transport between terminals 1 and 2. Can't miss it as it is well marked. Also a lot easier to get on with luggage than a mini bus and a lot more room. This bus, and the mini buses, pick up outside of the lower level (arrival).

As I said before, there is no need to look only for Aeroflot bus or any special numbers. ANY buses there go between Sheremetyevo1,2 (mini, big, huge - plenty of them). They are all well marked (I hope you can understand letters 1 and 2, that's all you need). I had a very nice bus (BIG) for 15 rubles from Sherem. 2 to 1.

[Austin_Volgograd 0]

I think it is 49, but why not take the FREE bus? Picks up the same place as the mini bus, and is easier to get on with your luggage. It's the new, clean bus with Aeroflot written on the front. The first time I tried it I stuck my head in and in terrible Russian said "Sheremetyevo adiene?" Bus driver understood me and nodded. Was very easy.

Yeah, I know about the free bus, but I seem to *just* miss it every time. Plus I gotta go to the Aeroflot office to pick up my ticket to Volgograd, and I'm sure that's gonna take some time. I want to have my options ready in case I can't make it to the free bus.

Thanks for the info.