Brining my Mom to the USA

[slim 1,530]

To clarify my previous post for those who just happened to once again "stumble" into the Russia Forum to "help" us, I did not mean the OP's mother should bribe the U.S. consulate. Nowhere did I type that.

I did, however, say that it was possible for the mother to "pay a fine" to someone in Russia to make documents for her that would artificially inflate her salary, thus making it appear to the U.S. authorities that she had stronger ties to Russia than what she really had.

For those not familiar with the way documents and government interactions work in Russia, please google the words "Russia" and "fake documents" before returning to blast this post.

Thanks again for the "help!"

[timelena 0]

timelena,

Our moms have every reason to overstay. Do you have any idea how many Russians overstay their visas and never go back? Especially in major cities like Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Chicago. The Russian community is large and supportive. They can earn a quick buck working for cash as baby sitters, maids, mechanics, or just construction hands. Plus because our mothers are immediate relatives their overstay will be forgotten when the kids are eligible to file I-130's on their behalf? What is there to return to Russia for, if your only daughter and and say grandson is in America living a life they never had in Russia?

Satellite,

I agree that many Russians overstay. But do our parents have every reason to do that? I would think that most of our parents are Russian middle class - they have SOME property and a job.

Why would my mother leave my father and my grandmother? Why would she quit her not-so-good paying but quite respected job? Is it for the privilege to work as an illigal baby-sitter in New York? (I do not live in one of the large cities with abundant jobs for illegals, by the way.) Is it to save 400 USD per month? I can send her such amount if she wants.

One more issue - health care. Is my mom supposed to see a doctor once in a while? She is not 20 now. Can illegals have health insurance in US?

What is the point of staying illegal when you have an opportunity to come legally? 2-3 years is not long, if mom decides she likes it here, she may use this time to prepare herself: learn English, learn to drive.

I don't see any logical reason to deny visas to our moms... You have a baby and your mom cannot come to visit simply because the Consulate considers that she does not have enough at her bank account???

[slim 1,530]

You guys are not looking at it from USCIS's point of view.

Their job is to screen people who could possibly stay in the U.S. illegally. Most Russians, even moms and grandmothers, fit the description of people who would stay here. Whether they would or wouldn't is a matter of personal choice. If the govt. has a fixed criteria that folks must meet (like we do with the 120% above the poverty line) then it must be met.

That's why I posted earlier about having the OPs mom "fix" her papers on the Russian side. The U.S. govt. doesn't know her salary, only she does. If there's a set standard that she must be inside of, then to reasonably expect to get a visa, she must get inside of that standard. If she's not inside, she won't get the visa.

Oppinions and immigration issues don't mix. There's a law, and that's it.

[Annabelle 0]

Thank you, everybody, for being so involved in this discussion though it might go to a little bit different direction - talking about russians, how bad they are and what cheaters and liers they are! I would like to agree with some of you that not all of russians are how they are being discribed here! And there are also people in America or other countries who live below poverty level! America is not such a piece of pie to leave everything in your place for coming here to leave illigally or even ligally. If you don't work here or if you have some kind of cashier job it's hard to live here, too! Especially for old people like our moms it's hard to begin everything from the very beginning in another country at their age! My mom doesn't really want to live here or at least she doesn't see her doing such a big change being almost 60! It scares her! I wish amer govt would look at them from this point of view, too! But I really didn't start this topic to discuss russians or any other cultures, just wanted some thoughts or help or advise from somebody's experience maybe how to solve my problem.

Thank you, everybody once again! And I would love to get some thoughts On topic!

[Boiler 45,932]

Seemed an interesting converstaion as to the reasons why.

I would add that just because somebody may be eligible in the future for an Immigration Petition, does not assist their application. It can be detremental.

1. She apples again with a stronger/luckier case.

2. You visit her.

Or both.

[akdiver 3]

You know - you could always just go visit HER and avoid the U.S. visa process entirely.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Annabelle 0]

I just called my Mom and we discussed her future application for a guest visa in July of this year. I have read a lot of info on a lot of sites today and mostly all of them say when you apply for the second time you need to provide additional documents which you didnn't show last time and they have to be good!! I am so don't know what to do because I don't think my mom can provide any change in personal ties (she is a widower and I am the only child in the family; she can't come up with the second child or have her husband alive). Her parents died so according to "american embassy understanding" she doesn't have any ties with Russia here/ But she can't change these facts not today not tomorrow! I hate to think she will never get her visa! She can show some financial changes (she bought another appartment and is renting it) but I am not sure this is what they are looking for and this is what will change their mind. How else can she prove that even not being able to demonstrate personal ties with Russia she doesn't have intentions to stay in America!!!!

[Annabelle 0]

You know - you could always just go visit HER and avoid the U.S. visa process entirely.

Cheers!

AKDiver

I visited her in September of last year and I'm going to have a baby so I need her here with me for the first months now!!

[akdiver 3]

Fact is, some people will NEVER demonstrate to the satisfaction of embassy officials that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. the second they get a non-immigrant visa. Sad, unfortunate, or otherwise, this is often the case. The embassy website even says something to the effect of, "you can try to get a visa as many times as you want, but there is really no sense in doing so unless you have something significantly new to show us".

I'm going to have a baby so I need her here with me for the first months now!!

Why? MANY people have babies without having their mother come stay with them for several months. Besides, couldn't you just go stay there for several months instead? Seems like it might be easier.

Good luck!

AKDiver

[Boiler 45,932]

You know - you could always just go visit HER and avoid the U.S. visa process entirely.

Cheers!

AKDiver

I visited her in September of last year and I'm going to have a baby so I need her here with me for the first months now!!

Why?

I am sure she would like to see her Grandchild, but this does not seem to be the issue, I ask this as a Grandparent who has been there, admittedly not at the messy end.

[akdiver 3]

I am sure she would like to see her Grandchild, but this does not seem to be the issue, I ask this as a Grandparent who has been there, admittedly not at the messy end.

Ah, but once again, this can be achieved by visiting the grandparent, rather than having the grandparent visit you.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[slim 1,530]

That's why I have suggested what I have suggested before. ON TOPIC!

I'm not implying that Russians are cheaters, liers, etc.; and I'm not even implying that you should attempt to "fraudulently" apply for a visa.

All I'm saying is USCIS has a standard for determining who is a "threat" for overstay, and who is not. Your mother only needs to prove that she's in the category that will not overstay. If she can't do that, she may never be issued a visa. If she can, chances are increased significantly that she may indeed get a visa.

Did she buy 1 new apartment.... or did she buy 10 new apartments?

To paraphrase from a great movie: "She bought as many apartments as we say she did."

[Boiler 45,932]

I am sure she would like to see her Grandchild, but this does not seem to be the issue, I ask this as a Grandparent who has been there, admittedly not at the messy end.

Ah, but once again, this can be achieved by visiting the grandparent, rather than having the grandparent visit you.

Cheers!

AKDiver

But not if you wanted a bit of domestic help. Which requires a work visa, not a visitors visa.

As far as any property investment is concerned, you do not need to be in country to do that. Phone/Fax/E Mail, do not need to be there.

Money can be transferred over as and when, no problem.

[kitkat1 5]

Unless your mother has something new to provide, it could just be a waste of time and money.

You'll find more information here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

The consular officer will reconsider a case if an applicant can show further convincing evidence of ties outside the United States. Your friend, relative or student should contact the embassy or consulate to find out about reapplication procedures. Unfortunately, some applicants will not qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, regardless of how many times they reapply, until their personal, professional, and financial circumstances change considerably

[chili74 0]

Hi Annabelle- I really sympathize with you in your situation! I have Russian female friends who have been successful in inviting their mothers (but now that I think about it, my friends already have PR or citizenship- but the mothers are NOT in USA permenently!), and it seems so unfair that it hasn't worked for you.

We are going to invite my husband's daughter as a tourist, but I have to say my hopes aren't too high. Best of luck to you and your family.