High School Student

[LEISEROM 32]

The kids parents were never married. They had a relationship 19 years ago and split up after he was born. Father has never remarried and lives with parents and has some marginal job. Frankly he doesnt care and isnt much of a father figure. Mother has remarried and has a 4 year old. She is now separated from that husband. Her focus is on the 4 year old and trying to survive economically. She thinks coming here is a good idea but knows nothing about regulations. The only real stable person influencing him is his grandfather(wifes sisters husband). He is pretty noncommital on this issue. He was an exchange student outside of Louisville in the late 70's so has lived in USA.

Going by HCC foreign student office this week to get some paperwork to prove to them is bad idea. I am all for coming here to college. Its the HS thats a bad idea.

Fathers father is some exec with tobacco company so they have lots of bucks.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Why are you even bother to help the kid commit immigration fraud? Whole family who did not abide US laws to come to US to study here on US taxpayers money

[jan22 3,056]

Why is a teenager driving this decision? It is your house -- and your responsibility to not allow a member of your househoid to commit fraud. When his visit is up, put him on a plane back to Brazil. Don't aid and abet a decision that a) he is too young to make because he doesn't understand the consequences, and b) could seriously affect him for the rest of his life, given his future plans/desires.

[LEISEROM 32]

Well these people have finally come to their senses in Brazil. Turns out they may be willing to pay for year of HS at a private school. The private schools(there are a couple of good ones in near north Houston) do accept international students and issue I 20's. . They seemed to think that just because mother came here and went to HS in violation of tourist visa in 1993 it would be okay. Big difference. She went home and never came back except for a couple of times with a boyfriend. No one knew no one cared. But trying to stay here and go to college after violating a tourist visa is a whole other matter. I posed to them this question. Would he rather go to hs for a few months and never come back or do it right and get an american education(assuming he can pass and doesnt flunk out). They saw my point.

So they are sending back a transcript which we will get translated and evaluated. Will see where it goes from here. The adults have realized they have to drive this not a 17 year old. Its the same all over. Kids think they know everything.

I told them he really needs to consider juco for a year to make sure he can handle american classes. The ones here are open admission. As long as you have a HS diploma or GED they have to let you in. however they do have a preliminary test to make sure you can speak english etc. Otherwise they make you go to remedial english before you can take regular classes.

[LEISEROM 32]

I just thought I would repost what actually happened on this issue. After they realized they couldnt get a F1 to go to HS here they went the J1 route. They are going thru one of the authorized J visa companies listed on the US immigration website. Although it said no relatives we discussed relationship with director of provider in CT. She said the our relationship is not a close enough relative to exclude him. Got email to that effect. So we are in the clear. so they have pressed on. Had interview today at home with designated local coordinator of firm. Just about wrapped up. I told his grandparents if he wanted to come without private school this is the only legal way. i also told them he flat out wasnt welcome if he came on a tourist visa and wanted to go to high school and not to even get on the plane. Was pretty blunt. Not mean to be ugly but no kids in my house without legal documentation and especially without health insurance. Looks like its going to work out.

Now do I think its worth the money for one semester. not really. But he is not my grandson. They have only this one(other than an infant). If they refused to pay would probably damage their relationship forever.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Thanks for the update!

[kweyol 0]

Why would he want to jeopardize his future chances? He only has a short time to complete high school in Brazil so he should do this then apply for f1 visa. That way they'll see he didn't violate his tourist visa when he came to the US so it will be easier for him. I agree that his parents need to take a stand here

[LEISEROM 32]

Why would he want to jeopardize his future chances? He only has a short time to complete high school in Brazil so he should do this then apply for f1 visa. That way they'll see he didn't violate his tourist visa when he came to the US so it will be easier for him. I agree that his parents need to take a stand here

He is not coming here to school on a tourist visa. He is coming on a J1. After one semester he will return to Brazil, graduate then return to college. In Texas no F1 for students in public hs. They had some sort of camp in Rio attended by US college soccer scouts. Guess a couple of coaches were interested. They mentioned SAT scores. So when he gets here maybe he can take a crack at that.

[LEISEROM 32]

Well the kid got to Houston all nice and legal. School starts Tuesday. So the HS he is going to has a dress code to stop gang attire. I send the code to the father and his parents. We are still in Rio leaving tonite. I asked his mother if they bought any clothes like the code said. the grandparents response was oh thats not important. I told them give us $$$ to buy clothes. They said why. Explained to them when the code is on paper in us you can bet it will be enforced. This isnt Brazil sorry. So off to Costco Sunday or Monday. You just have to laugh.