A reality tv series on k-1 visa on tlc (90 day fiance)

[Pennycat 880]

You bring up a good point here: if it is not something that you have to know, why would you. And I don't blame those not understanding the process. I do have a problem with, like others here have said too, the show completely disregarding the fact that there was a process before the "90 days." Now people who did not have a clue before, now have even less of a clue, while they think they know everything. But the show must go on, the ratings must go up. No time to bring reality into a reality show!

Yes, exactly. And I think that's a huge part of the reason that there's no urgency to improve the process. First of all, most people think that it's as relatively straightforward as a trip to the DMV. Or *maybe* as complicated as changing your last name in all the various places you need to change it after you get married (if you're changing your name, that is). No one has a clue, and why would they? I'm ::thisclose:: to making some index cards with frequently asked questions (and answers), I'm so sick of explaining things....and we're not even engaged yet! #1: "why doesn't he just come here to visit and live for a bit before you make that sort of commitment" ....and then multiple follow-up cards explaining what a visa is, and no, we as Americans don't tend to need them to travel, but we require them from all but a dozen or so highly-privileged countries. And no, they're not easy to come by, and no seriously, my existence makes his chances of getting one worse, not better. #2 "why don't you get married down there and bring him here that way"? Oh, gee, wish I'd thought of THAT one. It takes longer. Yes, even longer than the average 8 months for K1. Yes, they do expect married people to live apart for a year or more. No seriously, this is how it is. Yes, seriously.

Think about it: most Americans will never use this process. It is (allegedly---I'd want to see the math on that) a fee-funded agency, meaning that rather than funds coming from the taxpayers, it comes directly from those using the service. So the only people with any real stake in the process going smoothly and without waste/duplication of effort and in a timely fashion are the slim minority of Americans going through it. And because it is a transient process--meaning...you're not part of this "club" forever--just a bit of time, there's no permanent group to keep pointing out the terrible flaws and injustices (and obvious waste) of the process. You get through it and think "WHEW, SO glad I never have to deal with USCIS ever again" and forget about it. No politician will touch this, lest they be branded the type who "makes it easier for immigrants to come here".

I have some ideas on how to bring attention to the issue, but this TV show absolutely never will (and is doing "us" a disservice by making K1 holders look...um...irresponsible and of questionable motive).

[Pickle 65]

Haha, Catherine you seem frustrated, and I don't blame you! And you're right, that show does not do us foreigners any good. My husband hates the show, but did watch half of one episode with me and was like "is that how people see us??"

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

And because it is a transient process--meaning...you're not part of this "club" forever--just a bit of time, there's no permanent group to keep pointing out the terrible flaws and injustices (and obvious waste) of the process. You get through it and think "WHEW, SO glad I never have to deal with USCIS ever again" and forget about it. No politician will touch this, lest they be branded the type who "makes it easier for immigrants to come here".

At the end of the day, it really is a difficult year, but compared to other first world countries, the US does make it easier to bring a spouse in as an immigrant. They allow co-sponsors (not allowed in England and Scandinavia) and the chances of approval are higher. It is also much easier for a foreigner to stay in America in the event of death or divorce than a lot of other countries. All in all, even despite our problems, we found American immigration to be preferable to many other systems. I think you too, once out of the fire, will find similar backwards perspective.

Edited December 16, 2014 by N-o-l-a

[Pennycat 880]

Haha, Catherine you seem frustrated, and I don't blame you! And you're right, that show does not do us foreigners any good. My husband hates the show, but did watch half of one episode with me and was like "is that how people see us??"

Ha yes. Very. And again, we're not even started yet (I'll be there in 2 weeks for "kickoff" )

It's especially frustrating because I live in the DC area, I'm surrounded by policy "experts" and I work on the Hill and *still* I'm surrounded by people who seem to think that bringing a foreign born spouse to the US is about as simple as bringing home a puppy from the pound. But probably easier because a puppy needs all those shots hahaha...oh. wait, nevermind, he'll need his shots, too. .

(Ok, done being sarcastic). We do know that the spouses/fiances need the med exam and vaccinations. It's actually one of the only funny bits to this daunting process for us. One: we get to call him "export quality", which for some reason we think is hilarious and two: the pound puppy/shots thing. Helps with the needle phobia.

[Pennycat 880]

At the end of the day, it really is a difficult year, but compared to other first world countries, the US does make it easier to bring a spouse in as an immigrant. They allow co-sponsors (not allowed in England and Scandinavia) and the chances of approval are higher. It is also much easier for a foreigner to stay in America in the event of death or divorce than a lot of other countries. All in all, even despite our problems, we found American immigration to be preferable to many other systems. I think you too, once out of the fire, will find similar backwards perspective.

Oh, this I don't doubt. That for all America's faults, we are pretty open to immigrants and immigration as both a government and a society. But there is a lot of waste in the process (duplicate biometrics appointments spring to mind) and there is zero incentive for USCIS to prevent and then address backlogs. This is more a rant about government inefficiency and the politics of who gets paid attention to than it is about policies-as-written.

[av8or1 246]

But maybe they can generate some drama out of what went into the process before the fiance's got here. "On the next episode...did Mohamed get his K-1 visa, or will Danielle have to visit him so that they can get married and file for a spouse visa?"

Good thought but it wouldn't sell. That would be more like a documentary, not "reality tv."

[av8or1 246]

Oh, this I don't doubt. That for all America's faults, we are pretty open to immigrants and immigration as both a government and a society. But there is a lot of waste in the process (duplicate biometrics appointments spring to mind) and there is zero incentive for USCIS to prevent and then address backlogs. This is more a rant about government inefficiency and the politics of who gets paid attention to than it is about policies-as-written.

Well I'd agree regarding immigration in general, we are more open to that, yes. But not international marriage immigration. It's far more difficult here than in other countries, as I mentioned in an earlier post today. I wish we could do a DCF like other countries allow, but nooooo. We must do the fiancé visa (which was created for an entirely different purpose) or the spousal visa. Unless of course you've been living in that country for X amount of time, then a DCF is possible, depending on the country in question. Don't get me started...

And I agree completely regarding the lack of incentive to prevent or repair backlogs. And the inefficiencies involved in the process. What a pain. And it'll never be brought to light in a show like 90 day fiancé. They care less than the USCIS does, if that's possible.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I frequent the boards on IMDB as well and people have already suggested Mohamed having his own dating show in wake of the marital issues. Hmm how about Bringing the Mountains to Mohamed. Too insensitive?

[Caryh 5,206]

Yes, I also had some people thinking that I got the green card instantly when I got married. And yes, judging by the comments from some of the families on the show, they have no clue of the process and the show is not helping to correct that skewed view.

What only a green card? I kept getting people thinking my wife got citizenship.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

What only a green card? I kept getting people thinking my wife got citizenship.

My husband thought that at first! I had to educate him.

[Pickle 65]

What only a green card? I kept getting people thinking my wife got citizenship.

Oh yes, you are right! Haha! I've gotten that too now that I think about it. Either way, people don't realize you actually have to apply for something and pay a lot of money. And then apply again...and then one last time. And wait a long time!

[UK_Fan 192]

did anyone else notice that Mohammed didn't look Dani in the eye (whichever one was looking back at him at the time) when he was saying his vows?

and then... it's my time of the month.. sorry, year... i can't kiss my sexy hot wife right now... i can't even with these people....

[UK_Fan 192]

you're welcome, peoples

[Pickle 65]

did anyone else notice that Mohammed didn't look Dani in the eye (whichever one was looking back at him at the time) when he was saying his vows?

and then... it's my time of the month.. sorry, year... i can't kiss my sexy hot wife right now... i can't even with these people....

HAHAHA! Yea, and he had to say it during the "ceremony?!" Guess it wasn't cringe worthy enough yet.

[Pickle 65]

Good thought but it wouldn't sell. That would be more like a documentary, not "reality tv."

Just give it to TLC, they will turn it into gold!