I'm a disabled USC. Questions about sponsorship.

[DandT14 272]

I did try to call and they told me to make an appointment at the local office and ask the question. Odd.

I'd interpret that as either they don't know, or they're not getting anywhere near the subject.

[Boiler 46,156]

ADA has nothing to do with immigration.

They can ask whatever they want.

The big plus in this case is that he is in the US in legal status and has apotential route to stay through OPT and work sponsorship.

[Anh map 2,098]

No offence intended to you lovely gentlemen, but if I needed or even wanted a caregiver, I would opt to find a lady to help. :-) I work out, take karate, snow ski...I don't need a caregiver at all. I'm sorry that I don't feel comfortable with a huge elaboration on my medical history, but suffice it to say, I don't need or want a caregiver.

ETA: It's not physically apparent at all. The only reason it will come up is if they ask specifically why I am on SSDI. In "normal" situations, this is a blatently illegal question. This was the reason for my original inquiry, as the interviewer, I assume, follows different rules.

You've asked us what the potential flies in the ointment could be. Take that info for what it's worth. The immigration "adventure" is very different from what we experience in the normal world. Lots of highly degreed, self assured people have been found themselves bamboozled. Use the VJ resource to get yourself in proper "immigration mode."

As you've peeled back the onion sharing new info, the topics/issues were addressed. Better to be taken aback here by questions or concepts than in the interview.

Do some more reading here on VJ to learn the experience of others. Keep the goal (obtaining the visa/adjustment of status) in mind. Have as thick a skin as needed if you are in an interview situation. The sensitive areas may not even come up.

From what you've told us you ought to be ok. As stated earlier, the biggest plus is that he is here now in lawful status.

Best of luck.

[charlie471963 3]

Hi juststartingout if i where you i would prepare myself for a grueling time and expect alot of questions about your illness and yes they will know of it and they will ask about it as they say prepare for the worst and hope for the best chances are they wont ask but you need to be mentally prepared for the worst because who knows who will be on the other side of that desk .but to tell the truth i think you have a strong case and all will go well .

[JoannaV 174]

You'll probably have a fine time of it. It's just that if they decide they want to clarify that a red flag isn't a problem, or if they decide they're in a suspicious mood and want to really make sure your relationship is genuine, they will ask any and all questions you could ever imagine as obnoxiously as they like. This probably won't happen, but no-one is guaranteed immunity from such a questioning.

[chaine1 116]

The fact of the matter is that things are changing.

I know this doesn't help your immigration journey, but I find the above quote (and corresponding post) interesting. I've lived in the Middle East for five years, and while I do see the desire for political change, I have yet to see any social or family structure changes. Where I am, it would still be extremely haram for an unmarried couple to live together (and, in fact, it is illegal here).

Anyway, I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Best of luck.

[juststartingout 0]

I know this doesn't help your immigration journey, but I find the above quote (and corresponding post) interesting. I've lived in the Middle East for five years, and while I do see the desire for political change, I have yet to see any social or family structure changes. Where I am, it would still be extremely haram for an unmarried couple to live together (and, in fact, it is illegal here).

Anyway, I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Best of luck.

I didn't mean to imply that governmental laws to do with family structure, which are based on Islam, are changing. I'm talking about changes in the minds and hearts of the younger generation. Some people call this globalization. Some people call it Westernization. Whatever you call it, I have noticed a definite shift in the attitudes of the under 30-40 crowd. However, this change is most manifested once they have the opportunity to live their lives outside of their home country. The desires to live outside cultural norms exist while in their home country, but cannot be exercised without opportunity. And, the way things stand, the opportunity does not exist in the Middle East. I will say that 10 years ago in the city I am most familiar with, you would never see an unmarried male and female chatting on the street. Today, you do indeed see this. So, change is happening.

My exboyfriend has been here for about 8 years and there are only tiny remnants of his birth culture in him. It's not so much that the US changed him. He was "Westernized" in his mind before he ever arrived on US soil. The US simply provided him the opportunity to live it.

I'm not saying that I don't know traditional young people. I most certainly do. But, the majority I know have desires to live vastly differently than cultural norms allow.

I hope that is more clear. I realize now that I was vague.

[juststartingout 0]

Hi juststartingout if i where you i would prepare myself for a grueling time and expect alot of questions about your illness and yes they will know of it and they will ask about it as they say prepare for the worst and hope for the best chances are they wont ask but you need to be mentally prepared for the worst because who knows who will be on the other side of that desk .but to tell the truth i think you have a strong case and all will go well .

Thank you for your note. I agree that, yes, they will know of my disability due to my tax return showing SSDI income. However, I don't think they will know of my specific medical records? Seriously, I know immigration operates under a different set of rules, but, wow, I'll be really sad for Americans if certain branches of government are allowed medical records are allowed to be accessed without permission....

[juststartingout 0]

You've asked us what the potential flies in the ointment could be. Take that info for what it's worth. The immigration "adventure" is very different from what we experience in the normal world. Lots of highly degreed, self assured people have been found themselves bamboozled. Use the VJ resource to get yourself in proper "immigration mode."

As you've peeled back the onion sharing new info, the topics/issues were addressed. Better to be taken aback here by questions or concepts than in the interview.

Do some more reading here on VJ to learn the experience of others. Keep the goal (obtaining the visa/adjustment of status) in mind. Have as thick a skin as needed if you are in an interview situation. The sensitive areas may not even come up.

From what you've told us you ought to be ok. As stated earlier, the biggest plus is that he is here now in lawful status.

Best of luck.

I appreciate it. Really. I hope you know that my statement about a choice for a caregiver was meant to be lighthearted. (Thus the smilies...)

I'd interpret that as either they don't know, or they're not getting anywhere near the subject.

They stated that it "wasn't in their system" and to get the answer, an appointment woud have to be made.

[DandT14 272]

Thank you for your note. I agree that, yes, they will know of my disability due to my tax return showing SSDI income. However, I don't think they will know of my specific medical records? Seriously, I know immigration operates under a different set of rules, but, wow, I'll be really sad for Americans if certain branches of government are allowed medical records are allowed to be accessed without permission....

I don't think they can. Medical records are protected, no one can just go pick them up without proper authority (i.e. your consent, warrants, etc.) I'm certainly no expert on immigration, but I'm pretty sure immigration officers aren't above the law.

[Kazulie 132]

I appreciate it. Really. I hope you know that my statement about a choice for a caregiver was meant to be lighthearted. (Thus the smilies...)

They stated that it "wasn't in their system" and to get the answer, an appointment woud have to be made.

Did you talk to a tier 2 person?

[Kazulie 132]

You can try to convince us that times are a changing until your fingers bleed, but ultimately it is immigration that you will have to convince. And I'm willing to bet that they are going to need a lot of convincing.

In immigration, our relationships are frauds. It is up to us to prove to them that our relationships are real. They are looking for any reason to deny us. That is their job. Basically, we are guilty until we prove ourselves innocent.

[juststartingout 0]

You can try to convince us that times are a changing until your fingers bleed, but ultimately it is immigration that you will have to convince. And I'm willing to bet that they are going to need a lot of convincing.

In immigration, our relationships are frauds. It is up to us to prove to them that our relationships are real. They are looking for any reason to deny us. That is their job. Basically, we are guilty until we prove ourselves innocent.

I wasn't expecting to convince immigration. I was just clarifying my statement with someone who lives/lived in the Middle East.

[Kazulie 132]

I wasn't expecting to convince immigration. I was just clarifying my statement with someone who lives/lived in the Middle East.

You should be expecting to convince immigration. That's exactly my point. When they look at your case, when they look at my case, they see fraud. Our jobs are to convince them that our relationships are real.

[juststartingout 0]

You should be expecting to convince immigration. That's exactly my point. When they look at your case, when they look at my case, they see fraud. Our jobs are to convince them that our relationships are real.

To clarify: I expect to convince immigration of my relationship. I do not expect to convince immigration about social change. Once again, I was unclear. Sorry.