US Veteran's German wife forced to leave the US

[Robert&Karen 264]

Another example of thinking the world bows to the whims of a US citizen. My Army ID card would get me in and out of plenty of countries (pre 9-11) as a courtesy, and I could travel at will. Having travel orders makes it even easier. So as military we are kind of used to the world being one small place.

The funny thing is that the military is articulate. So is the German culture. I'm surprised that together they were not poster children for "How to enter the US legally."

[JoannaV 174]

Maybe someone should make a flyer and distribute it to every US citizen. Need only say, if ever you are in any situation that could even vaguely be described as related to immigration GO TO USCIS.GOV FIRST.

Gah.

[JoannaV 174]

And also, USCIS do appreciate that families may wish to live in the US in order to care for family or friends who are sick. Or even just live near healthy friends. Which is why we can indeed immigrate based on marriage to a US citizen. But that does not mean that USCIS should go out of their way to accommodate any and all appeal based on family need. 1) If you marry a foreigner it is just a plain fact of life that you cannot expect all your family to be together. One of you will have to live far away from cousins etc. And friends. 2) If you are married, you can immigrate to be with your spouse. That's all that is needed, that you are married. It may take a while. Maybe you have to be apart for a little while. If there is a real and urgent need for expedition they will do that. If you do not follow the correct procedure and end up having done various wrong things that mean you are denied, USCIS is still nice enough to provide a process allowing you to still immigrate despite all the illegal things you have done if you can demonstrate clear hardship etc. But you should not expect to be given a free pass if you've gone about it the wrong way multiple times. If you're married you can be with your spouse. But if you abuse the system, even if only through ignorance, then being married is no longer enough and to claim it should be is the wrong attitude.

I feel sorry for this family, I really do. I wish that I could have met them years ago and helped them. But I do not think USCIS should have treated them differently. The outcome is sad, but deserved.

Having said all that, I do think USCIS could afford to provide a little more information in some cases. You know, take the initiative to tell people a little more. Email them a reminder to remove conditions with a link to the webpage, you know? Tell anyone who is sent to secondary to check out visajourney.com.

[katiemanny 64]

"The system almost requires that you have legal representation for something that should be able to be done by any citizen," he said. "If you don't have a lawyer and can't afford a lawyer," you're doomed.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

The point is that the US government is effectively stealing money and deceiving its citizens into thinking that the process works.

Legal family based immigration is fundamentally broken and needs to be fixed NOW. Someone needs to slap the State Department for forcing anyone to go to Juarez, Mexico.

Is your whole problem that Mexicans have to interview in Juarez?

Edited September 16, 2011 by Bob 4 Anna

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Is your whole problem that Mexicans have to interview in Juarez?

All I can think of is Cocaine Blues by Johnny Cash lol.