Bringing sister to help with baby

[skiptex 225]

Not worth my time

sometime its work coming in here!

[Boiler 45,500]

It has been quite a common question for those with relatives in third world countries.

I was not taking the original question as circumventing the immigration laws. A lot of people seem to assume that if you are not paid an hourly wage then it is not work.

[randolady 1]

I suggest you re read the OP's original post...in which she wants her sister to come for 6 months (NO ONE on planet earth gets six months paid vacation) AND take care of the newborn....pure and simple...and yet there have been suggestions that the future visa applicant lie about her true intentions...something that I do not condone...perhaps you do...but that's your issue....I know what my ethical standards are...I don't need to 'chill out' I smell something fishy....while it may be normal in many cultures for relatives to change diapers, etc, that does NOT apply to those seeking tourist visas in order to provide (nearly) full time child care...the US of A has something called 'au pair' visas (J1) but they have certain restrictions....as do H2Bs....but many people don't believe that they are subject to our laws, encourage their relatives to lie during their interview, then act outraged when said relative is denied....no doubt many people believe that our COs are naive.....they are not.

Don't presume you know anything about my family. My SIL is a student, and even if she had a full-time job, pretty much no one in Tanzania has ANY paid vacation. And it's not uncommon for young folks ANYWHERE to trek across the world to learn about other cultures for an extended period of time. Does that mean they have no ties to their countries? No. She still has family and opportunities back home. We are not looking for her to illegally immigrate here, and neither is she.

And you ride around on your high horse talking about ethical standards? If my mother was retired she would gladly help take care of our child for free for, as I mentioned, only about 20 hours per week. How does her nationality qualify her to do that? She is family visiting and helping out family. Your ethical standards are all out of whack if you think it's "fishy" that a family would like to spend more time together.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Kathryn41
to remove TOS violation without removing whole comment

[Noah Lot 391]

Don't presume you know anything about my family. My SIL is a student, and even if she had a full-time job, pretty much no one in Tanzania has ANY paid vacation. And it's not uncommon for young folks ANYWHERE to trek across the world to learn about other cultures for an extended period of time. Does that mean they have no ties to their countries? No. She still has family and opportunities back home. We are not looking for her to illegally immigrate here, and neither is she.

And you ride around on your high horse talking about ethical standards? If my mother was retired she would gladly help take care of our child for free for, as I mentioned, only about 20 hours per week. How does her nationality qualify her to do that? She is family visiting and helping out family. Your ethical standards are all out of whack if you think it's "fishy" that a family would like to spend more time together.

YOU were the one who mentioned child care...which is NOT allowed for B2 visa holders, under ANY circumstance, no matter whether for family or not...and what student gets 6 months away from classes? (Hint: a failing student). Now, if you can find that section of law that refutes what I posted...please....try to find it. I am not the one trying to circumvent the rules.....

Still ridin' high up on my horse....

Edited October 17, 2011 by Kathryn41
to remove TOS violation without removing whole post

[Noah Lot 391]

It's always amusing when those who want to try to circumvent our laws are told they cannot do it, how often they respond with name calling,,,as if they are exempt from our laws, or some other flimsy excuse....a tourist visa is for tourism, NOT for changing diapers.

[Noah Lot 391]

Not worth my time

Because you cannot refute the basic facts, and nothing in our laws support your point of view....which may be why you conceded....

[Noah Lot 391]

Don't presume you know anything about my family. My SIL is a student, and even if she had a full-time job, pretty much no one in Tanzania has ANY paid vacation. And it's not uncommon for young folks ANYWHERE to trek across the world to learn about other cultures for an extended period of time. Does that mean they have no ties to their countries? No. She still has family and opportunities back home. We are not looking for her to illegally immigrate here, and neither is she.

And you ride around on your high horse talking about ethical standards? If my mother was retired she would gladly help take care of our child for free for, as I mentioned, only about 20 hours per week. How does her nationality qualify her to do that? She is family visiting and helping out family. Your ethical standards are all out of whack if you think it's "fishy" that a family would like to spend more time together.

One cannot "help" out a family using a tourist visa....period. Now, if you doubt that (which you obviously do), then have your sister tell the CO why she wants to spend 6 months in the US...("helping out with child care")...if the denial takes longer than about 4 seconds, I would be surprised.

My ethics are pure because I am not trying to defraud my own government, nor do I think myself above our laws. And neither does my horse.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Kathryn41
to remove TOS violation from quote

[beejay 123]

"help" is the euphism for "work"...and other posters suggested she tell the CO she is coming to visit...thus, hide the truth....AP so what? No one knows your reputation....but what I do know are our immigration laws...from page 1 onward.

ZeeBee has been on VJ for a long time and has a reputation for being kind, respectful and helpful. I believe she was trying to expand the culture of kindness that she exhibits but letting you know that your comments were bordering on insensitive and were unnecessarily rude. An opinion you can obviously choose to ignore as you forge your own reputation on VJ, it will certainly be a different one than ZeeBee's.

[randolady 1]

One cannot "help" out a family using a tourist visa....period. Now, if you doubt that (which you obviously do), then have your sister tell the CO why she wants to spend 6 months in the US...("helping out with child care")...if the denial takes longer than about 4 seconds, I would be surprised.

My ethics are pure because I am not trying to defraud my own government, nor do I think myself above our laws. And neither does my horse.

So if you had a family member outside of the US who came to visit, and he helped you build a deck while visiting, that would be defrauding the government? Sorry, I don't buy it. And yes, we will let the embassy decide.

[randolady 1]

Anyway, I did not mean for this to be such a hot topic. I am not going to return to this thread. Thank you to those who have been helpful.

[Noah Lot 391]

So if you had a family member outside of the US who came to visit, and he helped you build a deck while visiting, that would be defrauding the government? Sorry, I don't buy it. And yes, we will let the embassy decide.

What you and most others don't seem to understand is the definition of 'work'....if your sister was not here changing diapers so you and your husband could go back to work, you would (likely) have to hire someone to do so...hence, her actions are defined as work, whether you pay her with cash, a check or room and board....and B2 visa holders are, by law, NOT allowed to work...period...there is no asterisk next to the INA chapter on tourist visas that reads something like..."if one is coming to 'help' a family member, that is just peachy keen"...you will not find the exception to the rule.

Of course, you and others don't want to hear this...you think perhaps that whatever your personal situation might be will override the law....but it does not.

One cannot even do volunteer work as a tourist....as many applicants have discovered. That's why we have certain types of work visas, au pair visas, unskilled worker visas, etc. But B2 visa holders are not allowed to work....under any circumstances.

ZeeBee has been on VJ for a long time and has a reputation for being kind, respectful and helpful. I believe she was trying to expand the culture of kindness that she exhibits but letting you know that your comments were bordering on insensitive and were unnecessarily rude. An opinion you can obviously choose to ignore as you forge your own reputation on VJ, it will certainly be a different one than ZeeBee's.

My comments are factually accurate, and while perhaps blunt, they are based on our laws.

[Boiler 45,500]

So if you had a family member outside of the US who came to visit, and he helped you build a deck while visiting, that would be defrauding the government? Sorry, I don't buy it. And yes, we will let the embassy decide.

The US has Carpenters capable of undertaking that work for a wage.

Actually take it further, say you wanted to build a whole house, ditto.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Boiler

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Please be considerate with your choice of words when advising someone of something of which they are unaware but need to know. Being sarcastic and accusatory does not help and only incites angry responses. If you wish to help and offer advice please do so in a supportive and understanding way. I have edited out one TOS violation from a response and have left the response as it contains valid information to an unkindly accusatory comment rather than removing all of the posts quoting the response.

If you can't respond in a positive and constructive manner, then please do not participate in this thread.