STAYING TOGETHER

[The Meco´s 0]

Hi fellows,

I´m Newbie in VJ, green card holder since early 80´s living in Central America now married with 3 kids: 1 adult and 2 minors. The situation is as fallows.

Due to the uncertain political and economic future in the country we are living and looking forward to a better future for us I´ve decide to move back to the US now with my family.

My concerns is:

First, since it has been a long, long time I declare taxes in the US, what I have to do to update my taxes to uncle Sam?

Second, What is the best way to applied for my family resident status, is it better and faster being in the US or file for them in the country we are right now? The older kid has his tourist visa so has my wife, the other two kids since they are minors in order to get them a visa we´ll have to go to a interview to the embassy and my concern if this will put my resident status in danger.

Any ideas, advises are wellcome, I´ll like to keep my family together

The Meco´s

[bt1 42]

Hi fellows,

I´m Newbie in VJ, green card holder since early 80´s living in Central America now married with 3 kids: 1 adult and 2 minors. The situation is as fallows.

Due to the uncertain political and economic future in the country we are living and looking forward to a better future for us I´ve decide to move back to the US now with my family.

My concerns is:

First, since it has been a long, long time I declare taxes in the US, what I have to do to update my taxes to uncle Sam?

Second, What is the best way to applied for my family resident status, is it better and faster being in the US or file for them in the country we are right now? The older kid has his tourist visa so has my wife, the other two kids since they are minors in order to get them a visa we´ll have to go to a interview to the embassy and my concern if this will put my resident status in danger.

Any ideas, advises are wellcome, I´ll like to keep my family together

The Meco´s

You said you are a green card holder? And how long have you lived outside of the US? If longer than a year you may have "lost" your green card. I think we need to establish that first before helping you with other questions.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You have been living outside the US since the 80s? You no longer have a Greencard; sorry. A Greencard is for living in the US, and if you live for over one year outside the US, the GC is revoked.

[kzielu 1,149]

Also, even if you had a green card (which it doesn't look like you do anymore), you will have to pay taxes on your income for all years that haven't done that and bringing your family in will last at least couple of years - tourist visa will be irrelevant.

[The Meco´s 0]

You said you are a green card holder? And how long have you lived outside of the US? If longer than a year you may have "lost" your green card. I think we need to establish that first before helping you with other questions.

Went to college until 86´and since I´ve been commuting every six months, my green card as far as expiration date it´s ok. What I plan to do is to stablished myself back and for good in the US.

The Meco´s

[bt1 42]

Went to college until 86´and since I´ve been commuting every six months, my green card as far as expiration date it´s ok. What I plan to do is to stablished myself back and for good in the US.

The Meco´s

And you have filed taxes in the USA every year?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If you file for your spouse and kids it is about 3 years before they will get a visa. Filing will draw attention to the fact you have been abusing the green card and there is a very good chance they will take it away. You at least need to file back/bay back taxes and penalities.

[apple21 953]

Go back to the US and re-establish a life there. Find a job and pay your back taxes + penalties.

Filing for a petition now will most likely draw attention to the fact that you already abandoned your US permanent residency a long time ago. USCIS might and can take away your Green Card.

Going in and out of the US every 6 months doesn't count as maintaining LPR status.

Sorry but it will take years (2-3 years for the spouse and unmarried children below 21 years old), tons of paperwork and separation to get them there.