PARENTS APPLYING FOR TOURIST VISA TO ACCOMPANY MY 3 YEAR OLD KID WITH K2...

[aaron2020 11,651]

I'll ask this of both of you, "Why the assumption that the OP is trying the sneak her parent to the US?"

The situation explained in her OP is very plausible for the Philippines. My wife lived and worked 4 hours from where Gabby (her son) lived for most of the first 18 months of his life. In the Philippines it's common for the parents to be off somewhere working to support their kid(s) while Lola and/or Lolo take care of the kid(s). This includes working in another country or on a ship.

If the OP uses some "ploy" or " stratagem" (which is just a $20 word for ploy) to bring a parent here just to go TNT (if you're so familiar with Filipino culture you'll understand the term) then she ruins the parent's chance of legally immigrating to the US in a few years after the OP naturalizes. Filipinos are capable of playing the long game too you know.

The "stratagem" post was just shy of accusing the OP of planning immigration fraud. If that wasn't your intent then maybe you should have said that it likely the CO would suspect such a scenario at the interview so they would really need a good case of strong ties. You are correct that the reason to come to the US is irrelevant if they can't demonstrate strong enough ties back home to ensure they'll return. One example of strong ties would be that Lolo will remain in the PH while Lola accompanies the small child.

Of course the OP's back-up plan should be for her to use Advanced Parole (if she applied for it) and pick her son up herself but I can understand her wanting Mom to visit during this time of adjustment.

If the US Embassy in Manila will approve a B VIsa for this I highly doubt they'd approve both parents.

I agree. Nothing in the OP's post suggests any fraud. Lots of people immigrate to the US first to establish themselves and then send for their children. It's not uncommon.

I know of several immigrants with kids back in their home countries. Most are working to establish themselves before bringing their kids to the US. Heck, some even send their US born children back to the old country for grandma to care while they work. It's not uncommon.

You can post a reply informing people about how their situation may be viewed skeptically and fraudulently by the IO without accusing people of it.

[Noah Lot 391]

I'll ask this of both of you, "Why the assumption that the OP is trying the sneak her parent to the US?"

The situation explained in her OP is very plausible for the Philippines. My wife lived and worked 4 hours from where Gabby (her son) lived for most of the first 18 months of his life. In the Philippines it's common for the parents to be off somewhere working to support their kid(s) while Lola and/or Lolo take care of the kid(s). This includes working in another country or on a ship.

If the OP uses some "ploy" or " stratagem" (which is just a $20 word for ploy) to bring a parent here just to go TNT (if you're so familiar with Filipino culture you'll understand the term) then she ruins the parent's chance of legally immigrating to the US in a few years after the OP naturalizes. Filipinos are capable of playing the long game too you know.

The "stratagem" post was just shy of accusing the OP of planning immigration fraud. If that wasn't your intent then maybe you should have said that it likely the CO would suspect such a scenario at the interview so they would really need a good case of strong ties. You are correct that the reason to come to the US is irrelevant if they can't demonstrate strong enough ties back home to ensure they'll return. One example of strong ties would be that Lolo will remain in the PH while Lola accompanies the small child.

Of course the OP's back-up plan should be for her to use Advanced Parole (if she applied for it) and pick her son up herself but I can understand her wanting Mom to visit during this time of adjustment.

If the US Embassy in Manila will approve a B VIsa for this I highly doubt they'd approve both parents.

First, the OP asked for opinions...she got one...second, she could have easily taken the child with her on her first trip and third, it does not require two adults to accompany one 4 year old, fourth, the OP could go back to the PI and pick up her child.

As I said at the beginning, this particular strategem has been tried often in many countries...and well known to embassy personnel in many countries....so the bar to visa approval will likely be quite high.

Apparently hearing the truth or hearing a strong possibility about the outcome of a case is not something that is welcome....but ignoring such input won't change the real world of visa adjudication.

And your statement about how Filipinos play the waiting game is easily offset by the vast proportion who don't. There is a reason that the Philippines is not on the VWP.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Apparently hearing the truth or hearing a strong possibility about the outcome of a case is not something that is welcome....but ignoring such input won't change the real world of visa adjudication.

And your statement about how Filipinos play the waiting game is easily offset by the vast proportion who don't. There is a reason that the Philippines is not on the VWP.

And stating these things in a manner that doesn't accuse the OP of attempting immigration fraud doesn't make you less of a person now does it?

Just because this is an internet forum that doesn't mean we have to be impersonal.

I've written many a post dealing out the reality of a situation to an OP who would rather think they aren't facing the kind of obstacles that their situation presents and I seem to find a way of doing it without even implying criminal intent on their part.

I've even managed to point some of the "issues" that are common at the US Embassy in Manila without once implying that everyone in the Philippines is looking to commit immigration fraud, imagine that...

The best most informative message in the universe is worthless if it's wrapped in bad tone, it really is just that simple.

Unless someone says something like "I know I'm not supposed to do this but what do you think my chances of gaming the system like this are?" (and there have been enough of those posts on VJ) I try to give the OP the benefit of the doubt and point out the perils of the path they are considering without overtly accusing them of wrongdoing.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

**** Several posts removed for personal bickering. This is not OT or the P/R forum. If you cannot discuss the OP's case, and do so civily, do not post. Next person to post sweeping general statements or personal accusations will be threadbanned. ****

[Boiler 46,008]

This is such a non issue.

Parents put the child on the plane.

Op meets the plane in the US.

Problem solved.

[aaron2020 11,651]

This is such a non issue.

Parents put the child on the plane.

Op meets the plane in the US.

Problem solved.

Most airlines will not allow a 3 years old to travel alone. Would you be comfortable sending your child on a cross Pacific flight? Heck no. As an airline, would you like to be responsible for a 3 years old? Heck no.

[Darnell 8,479]

this 'strategem' has been tried all too often...the first question the VO will ask is why the K2 didn't FTJ...

but the k2 DID FTJ.

[Boiler 46,008]

Most airlines will not allow a 3 years old to travel alone. Would you be comfortable sending your child on a cross Pacific flight? Heck no. As an airline, would you like to be responsible for a 3 years old? Heck no.

Nearly 4 but it seems 5 is the minimum age.

Having traveled with a child who was 3, deal was I was upgraded, it does sound a good idea.

[islandnook23 3]

thanks for all the replies, good or bad... i was able to read the posts which were removed earlier on my mobile phone, now they're gone.. :lol: i never thought that simply asking for some opinions from other VJers would make me look like im trying to commit an immigration fraud..

anyway, life in the philippines is not even as close as life here in the US is. nice warm weather all year round, not stressful, gooooood food, the luxury of having a lot of people to help you around the house (unlike here, you have to do EVERYTHING on your own), friends and relatives are always available to help each other out, and a lot more... i just dont know why some people would think right away that inviting my parents over for a vacation and having them bring my child to the US and making them try to apply for tourist visas is a strategy... but oh well, those are their opinions.....

thank you so much to BOB4ANNA and AARON2020...

:)

i guess i should be careful the next time i post... :lol:

hoping to hear more comments and opinions....

Edited January 19, 2012 by islandnook23

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

thank you so much to BOB4ANNA and AARON2020...

You're welcome.

I hope your little one is at home with you before too long...