financialy fit the 125% poverty guidelines

[ilovemaya 0]

Hi everyone, now that we have our case done and I have the visa in my passport...it makes me wonder...and I thought I will share my thoughts...

My husband is a USC and I am from Czech Republic. We are 6member family. Two children are from my husbands previous relationship and since he has them in care I adopted them. We have also two children together. The story is long and I do not want to bother with it so will just make it short. Since we are 6member family, my husband was required to make $37.500 per year. My husband was only making $20.000 so thats where we were stuck the whole time. We certainly had an option to search for co-sponsor. But we found it hard to find someone who would financialy guarantee for me. It is quite a favor we were asking. We came to doubt the 125% poverty guidelines...me and my husband believe in a simple way of life...whatever he is making is just enough for us to be happy...we do not need big house nor big cars..we just wanted to be together and happy...when I was little my parents began from the scratch...while me and my sister we had a nice princess room, my parents still slept on the mattresses only, cuz they cldnt afford a bed...but we were realy happy family...home filled with love...so Im askin myself...why...even tho that we have only little to start with...why we cant be given a chance? Me and my husband stayed seperated due to not being able to find a co-sponsor for 4 years!!! not 4 weeks, nor 4 months...but 4 years!!! I found it quite difficult to find someone who does not even know me to financialy guarantee for me...what I did in a final...i contacted a guy who fights for human rights...he too thought that its very unfair...because...where did the value of a family go? We have four children who didnt even grew up together...I will never forget the tears of my daughter who kept cryin for her daddy...the whole family is pretty much broken from the separation...and why? just because we didnt fit the chart? Wold nowdays is too much about charts...onec u dont fit in...sorry...

I found it quite unfair that the 125% poverty quidelines do not consider at all that I as an immigrant onec entering the USA can higher the income of the family...it also does not consider the fact of the USC living...we live in a simple home out of lil town...we truly do not need more then what we need so why are we asked to make more in order to be together? My husband was never making the money he was required to make now...even if he had two jobs!

I do try to see their side too...I respect that they are trying to avoid the immigrants to become a "public charge" for the US government...I understand that...but still...where did the humanity go? why the cases cld not be handeled individually...for the value of the family?

The fighter for the human rights knows even ppl at the embassy and when i told him our story he right away took a phone n called the ppl at the embassy...they themselfes admited that the rules are "unlucky"...but claimed they cant do nothing about it...He even managed to introduce me to the ambasador for Czech Republic himself! I talked to him, he admited saying "we will do something about it" but eventually...nothing was done...there is bunch of people traveling to the USA daily to make a business or spend money...but when i was literaly standing at the door of the embassy with two lil children...btw US citizens...baging to be let in to reunite with my family...i was denied...

I just feel that more pressure shld be put on the door of the embassies all over so that this unhuman rule changes...

I appraciate any feadback...

For the value of the family....

[canadian_wife 1,827]

I am sorry but USCIS does not consider your lifestyle in making their policies. You do not HAVE to move to the US, I am sure your husband can move to Czech. I know it sounds harsh but there is no requirement for you to move to the US - if you choose to, then you have to follow their rules

While you assume that everyone is an honest, hard working immigrant, not all are. There are a lot of scammers and dishonest people who would do anything to get to the US. USCIS must protect the honest from the dishonest. One way is to prevent the dishonest from taking advantage of the system.

I am sorry you've been separated for 4 years, I hope your journey comes to an end soon

Good luck

[Ryan H 3,821]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.

[amyandjorge 76]

Honestly, Ive never met our cosponsor. Hes my husbands cousin friend, he is an immigrant and his wife is from Honduras so he understood what we needed and why. Otherwise we would probably still be waiting on that...It is especially difficult for large families and young folks.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi everyone, now that we have our case done and I have the visa in my passport...it makes me wonder...and I thought I will share my thoughts...

My husband is a USC and I am from Czech Republic. We are 6member family. Two children are from my husbands previous relationship and since he has them in care I adopted them. We have also two children together. The story is long and I do not want to bother with it so will just make it short. Since we are 6member family, my husband was required to make $37.500 per year. My husband was only making $20.000 so thats where we were stuck the whole time. We certainly had an option to search for co-sponsor. But we found it hard to find someone who would financialy guarantee for me. It is quite a favor we were asking. We came to doubt the 125% poverty guidelines...me and my husband believe in a simple way of life...whatever he is making is just enough for us to be happy...we do not need big house nor big cars..we just wanted to be together and happy...when I was little my parents began from the scratch...while me and my sister we had a nice princess room, my parents still slept on the mattresses only, cuz they cldnt afford a bed...but we were realy happy family...home filled with love...so Im askin myself...why...even tho that we have only little to start with...why we cant be given a chance? Me and my husband stayed seperated due to not being able to find a co-sponsor for 4 years!!! not 4 weeks, nor 4 months...but 4 years!!! I found it quite difficult to find someone who does not even know me to financialy guarantee for me...what I did in a final...i contacted a guy who fights for human rights...he too thought that its very unfair...because...where did the value of a family go? We have four children who didnt even grew up together...I will never forget the tears of my daughter who kept cryin for her daddy...the whole family is pretty much broken from the separation...and why? just because we didnt fit the chart? Wold nowdays is too much about charts...onec u dont fit in...sorry...

I found it quite unfair that the 125% poverty quidelines do not consider at all that I as an immigrant onec entering the USA can higher the income of the family...it also does not consider the fact of the USC living...we live in a simple home out of lil town...we truly do not need more then what we need so why are we asked to make more in order to be together? My husband was never making the money he was required to make now...even if he had two jobs!

I do try to see their side too...I respect that they are trying to avoid the immigrants to become a "public charge" for the US government...I understand that...but still...where did the humanity go? why the cases cld not be handeled individually...for the value of the family?

The fighter for the human rights knows even ppl at the embassy and when i told him our story he right away took a phone n called the ppl at the embassy...they themselfes admited that the rules are "unlucky"...but claimed they cant do nothing about it...He even managed to introduce me to the ambasador for Czech Republic himself! I talked to him, he admited saying "we will do something about it" but eventually...nothing was done...there is bunch of people traveling to the USA daily to make a business or spend money...but when i was literaly standing at the door of the embassy with two lil children...btw US citizens...baging to be let in to reunite with my family...i was denied...

I just feel that more pressure shld be put on the door of the embassies all over so that this unhuman rule changes...

I appraciate any feadback...

For the value of the family....

I am sorry for your plight. I truly am, but I disagree with you. I disagree with you about this being a "unhuman rule." The rule is the same for everyone who wants to bring a spouse and children over. The rule applies to everyone equally. The rule was made by the US government to protect the US taxpayers.

There is no human right to live in the US. Has your husband tried to immigrate to your country?

If we consider your lifestyle and let you out of the 125% guideline, then you are either asking to be treated special and better than others or you want the rule to be dropped because you can't meet it. If we had to figure out what every family needs individually to survive, then the process would be incredibly difficult. The poverty level is based on what an average family would need. The resources that the US Embassy or NVC has to expend to scrutinize every family's budget individually would be ridiculous and potentially arbitrary. Every one who don't meet the poverty level would argue that they have a frugal lifestyle and don't need much. Do we believe everyone? Would it be fair to believe some and not others? An objective standard is what is required.

Isn't reasonable for the US to say if you want to bring a foreigner to live in the US, you need to show us that you can sufficiently support them at a base level?

I believe in family value. I believe that my family shouldn't have to pay for your family if you find out later that you don't have the money to support yourselves here in the US. I just don't believe that I as a taxpayer should have to take a chance that I will have to pay for you or your children if you can't meet the poverty level to support yourself. That is your petitioner's responsibility, not mine.

======================

There is nothing inhumane about your situation. You have choices.

1. Your husband can immigrate to your country and you can all be united there.

2. Your husband can look for a better job or a second job or find a co-sponsor.

Edited January 13, 2012 by aaron2020

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I'm sorry but I too don't think this rule is inhumane. There is nothing stopping your USC children from re-uniting with their father. Assets can also be used to supplement income. You could be working and sending money to him in the US to save.

$37,500 DOES sound like a lot of money (esp when you realise that's $3125 per month) but living isn't cheap. Depending on where you live you need, at minimum, a 3 b/r house. Rent or mortgage on such a house isn't cheap. Then food, Schooling. Clothing . Extracurricular activities. Health and dental care ($$$). You'll need 2 cars (most likely), gas for both, cable etc.

Yes it sucks that your husband doesn't earn enough but he's got a family to support so he needs to find a way. I know you said you working would be another income but it takes time to find a job, if you can. Childcare isn't cheap and you'll need to find a job that works with your hours for picking the kids up from school and what not.

You'll find a way. He's had 4 years to save money to supplement his income and if his income really was sufficient for you all (you said you had little requirements) then he should have a tidy little nest egg built up.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I believe in family value. I believe that my family shouldn't have to pay for your family if you find out later that you don't have the money to support yourselves here in the US.

I don't think that's a "value". It's more like an opinion.

I'm sorry but I too don't think this rule is inhumane. There is nothing stopping your USC children from re-uniting with their father. Assets can also be used to supplement income. You could be working and sending money to him in the US to save.

$37,500 DOES sound like a lot of money (esp when you realise that's $3125 per month) but living isn't cheap. Depending on where you live you need, at minimum, a 3 b/r house. Rent or mortgage on such a house isn't cheap. Then food, Schooling. Clothing . Extracurricular activities. Health and dental care ($$$). You'll need 2 cars (most likely), gas for both, cable etc.

Yes it sucks that your husband doesn't earn enough but he's got a family to support so he needs to find a way. I know you said you working would be another income but it takes time to find a job, if you can. Childcare isn't cheap and you'll need to find a job that works with your hours for picking the kids up from school and what not.

You'll find a way. He's had 4 years to save money to supplement his income and if his income really was sufficient for you all (you said you had little requirements) then he should have a tidy little nest egg built up.

I think the OP is entitled to her opinion without princess judgment calls.

[ceadsearc 516]

While I agree it sucks for people who are genuinely living fine on less money, USCIS has to draw a line somewhere as making individual judgements calls on everyone would be difficult and time consuming.

Personally, I think it should be a higher required income - or done on a state-by-state basis taking into consideration local cost of living. Where I live, it is pretty much impossible to live at 125% of the poverty level and still pay bills.

[ilovemaya 0]

Well I do understand all those arguments...although it is realy hard to explain when our lifestyle is so different...we do not need Tv..as a matter of fact we do NOT WANT the TV...., we do not need two cars, if we can make it with one n walk...even better for our health...we do not need babysiter cuz I want to care for my children...and we do not need many other things that most people more likely consider IMPORTANT n MUST....

I do respect the fact that there should be drawn some line...I guess maybe there just could be another column in that chart called "others" where IF the requirements are not met...the officers could take it to the consideration if the family WILL or WILL NOT become a public charge for the USA...I do not ask to be treated "special" im just asking for the simple human right such as living as a family together...

I do understand we live in the world full of dishonest people...another thing that is comming to my mind..maybe there could be something like a "list of restricted rights" for such an immigrants who would not be allowed to get any benefits for some period of time....I dont know...but I am sure there is some way how to get this done...all I know is that it is just not fair, that due to our simple lifestyle and our beliefs our chidren have to grow up seperated...

Our case is difficult, we did considered my husband moving with his two children to my country, but there are few problems....one..he is taking care of his family...his mother and father are pretty much dependent on him with help...two his two children can not get thier passports untill the full custody is dealth with...three.. the children not being citizens of my country wld not be able to get health insurance here...means we wld have to pay each doctors visit!...four..the schooling wld be difficult too for the kids not knowing my native language..they speak only english n spanish....n it goes on n on...we just thought it would be much easier for us if we are given a chance in the USA...

I just see it unfair...Im not a bad person and my family suffers a big time from the separation only due to not making what they think we need to make...

[aaron2020 11,651]

Well I do understand all those arguments...although it is realy hard to explain when our lifestyle is so different...we do not need Tv..as a matter of fact we do NOT WANT the TV...., we do not need two cars, if we can make it with one n walk...even better for our health...we do not need babysiter cuz I want to care for my children...and we do not need many other things that most people more likely consider IMPORTANT n MUST....

I do respect the fact that there should be drawn some line...I guess maybe there just could be another column in that chart called "others" where IF the requirements are not met...the officers could take it to the consideration if the family WILL or WILL NOT become a public charge for the USA...I do not ask to be treated "special" im just asking for the simple human right such as living as a family together...

I do understand we live in the world full of dishonest people...another thing that is comming to my mind..maybe there could be something like a "list of restricted rights" for such an immigrants who would not be allowed to get any benefits for some period of time....I dont know...but I am sure there is some way how to get this done...all I know is that it is just not fair, that due to our simple lifestyle and our beliefs our chidren have to grow up seperated...

Our case is difficult, we did considered my husband moving with his two children to my country, but there are few problems....one..he is taking care of his family...his mother and father are pretty much dependent on him with help...two his two children can not get thier passports untill the full custody is dealth with...three.. the children not being citizens of my country wld not be able to get health insurance here...means we wld have to pay each doctors visit!...four..the schooling wld be difficult too for the kids not knowing my native language..they speak only english n spanish....n it goes on n on...we just thought it would be much easier for us if we are given a chance in the USA...

I just see it unfair...Im not a bad person and my family suffers a big time from the separation only due to not making what they think we need to make...

I am sorry about your situation and I wish you the best, but you and your husband got yourself into your present predicament.

The financial requirements to bring a spouse over has been on the books for a very long time. It is not new. Your husband and you choose to marry and have children while the law was in effect. These were your choices.

Who created the situation that separated your children? You and your husband. You created children knowing that you cannot immigrate because you cannot meet the financial requirement. The US citizen children can come to the US. The real problem is that your husband does not meet the financial requirement to bring you and any separate children you may have to the US.

The immigration system affords you an opportunity to immigrate to the US. So, the system is not unfair if you are afforded the opportunity to immigrate to the US. You find it unfair because you cannot meet the financial requirement.

Edited January 17, 2012 by aaron2020