I hate my lawyer.

[ridejewel 0]

By the way, his name is J. Craig Fong out of LA. Whatever you do, do not hire him! This is our current situation as sad as it may be. On the 28th, Ngan and I went to Saigon to get her medical out of the way. During that trip, a friend of mine hooked us up with a service to help Ngan get her papers in order and such, he noticed our I-134 amounting to $14,000 and said, no, theres no way they'll take this little. Ngan pointed to the Co-sponsor form that my mother filled out. He looked at us and shook his head, saying that the consulate hasnt taken a co-sponsor since 2005. By the way, the whole time our lawyer knew the dire need for a co-sponsor and even a few months ago I confronted him on that, he told me that the consulate had no choice, if they deny her because of that, that's where he steps in to fight for us. Well, after we heard that news, I shot an email off to the chief consular in Hanoi, who happens to be a good friend of a family member of mine, he replied confirming the services story. Though, he said that if I had a sum of money and a couple prospective employment letters for Ngan that I could show the officer, that should be acceptable. To further confirm, I met with an expat friend of mine for coffee. Along with him he brought his friend, a woman who works as a foreign minister inside the consulate. We talked for an hour about our situation, she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa. We came too far to not fight this. Being the genius that I am, I asked my father to fill out a 1099 misc. tax form, stating he employed me in 2006 for the amount of $8,500. My 2006 w-2 from my current/past employer was for $9,500, so combined I now have a total annual income for 2006 of $18,000. Though, I did have to pay $954 dollars in income tax on that. Now, I have a brand new I-134 with a 2006 income which is suffice to the federal poverty line and her and I are now just hoping and praying that the officer will accept it without difficulty. I also have a couple prospective employment letters for her that are in the mist of being fedexed now. I'm also planning on attaching a letter explaining in detail why my 2006 income from my current/past employer was low for the year. The reason being that I was in Viet Nam with my fiancee for 6 months out of it. I still can't help but be nervous as hell. If the lawyer would have known anything about immigration, he would have informed us 7 months ago so we could have just done a co1. If all fails, I'm moving here full time to teach english. ###### America.

[edsperfect 25]

By the way, his name is J. Craig Fong out of LA. Whatever you do, do not hire him! This is our current situation as sad as it may be. On the 28th, Ngan and I went to Saigon to get her medical out of the way. During that trip, a friend of mine hooked us up with a service to help Ngan get her papers in order and such, he noticed our I-134 amounting to $14,000 and said, no, theres no way they'll take this little. Ngan pointed to the Co-sponsor form that my mother filled out. He looked at us and shook his head, saying that the consulate hasnt taken a co-sponsor since 2005. By the way, the whole time our lawyer knew the dire need for a co-sponsor and even a few months ago I confronted him on that, he told me that the consulate had no choice, if they deny her because of that, that's where he steps in to fight for us. Well, after we heard that news, I shot an email off to the chief consular in Hanoi, who happens to be a good friend of a family member of mine, he replied confirming the services story. Though, he said that if I had a sum of money and a couple prospective employment letters for Ngan that I could show the officer, that should be acceptable. To further confirm, I met with an expat friend of mine for coffee. Along with him he brought his friend, a woman who works as a foreign minister inside the consulate. We talked for an hour about our situation, she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa. We came too far to not fight this. Being the genius that I am, I asked my father to fill out a 1099 misc. tax form, stating he employed me in 2006 for the amount of $8,500. My 2006 w-2 from my current/past employer was for $9,500, so combined I now have a total annual income for 2006 of $18,000. Though, I did have to pay $954 dollars in income tax on that. Now, I have a brand new I-134 with a 2006 income which is suffice to the federal poverty line and her and I are now just hoping and praying that the officer will accept it without difficulty. I also have a couple prospective employment letters for her that are in the mist of being fedexed now. I'm also planning on attaching a letter explaining in detail why my 2006 income from my current/past employer was low for the year. The reason being that I was in Viet Nam with my fiancee for 6 months out of it. I still can't help but be nervous as hell. If the lawyer would have known anything about immigration, he would have informed us 7 months ago so we could have just done a co1. If all fails, I'm moving here full time to teach english. ###### America.

I find this post very interesting for two reasons. You are so damn proud of committing immigrations fraud that you list it in a public forum and`secondly you are getting married when you hav an income of $9,500.00. Both actions do notspeak well of yourintelligence.

[edsperfect 25]

By the way, his name is J. Craig Fong out of LA. Whatever you do, do not hire him! This is our current situation as sad as it may be. On the 28th, Ngan and I went to Saigon to get her medical out of the way. During that trip, a friend of mine hooked us up with a service to help Ngan get her papers in order and such, he noticed our I-134 amounting to $14,000 and said, no, theres no way they'll take this little. Ngan pointed to the Co-sponsor form that my mother filled out. He looked at us and shook his head, saying that the consulate hasnt taken a co-sponsor since 2005. By the way, the whole time our lawyer knew the dire need for a co-sponsor and even a few months ago I confronted him on that, he told me that the consulate had no choice, if they deny her because of that, that's where he steps in to fight for us. Well, after we heard that news, I shot an email off to the chief consular in Hanoi, who happens to be a good friend of a family member of mine, he replied confirming the services story. Though, he said that if I had a sum of money and a couple prospective employment letters for Ngan that I could show the officer, that should be acceptable. To further confirm, I met with an expat friend of mine for coffee. Along with him he brought his friend, a woman who works as a foreign minister inside the consulate. We talked for an hour about our situation, she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa. We came too far to not fight this. Being the genius that I am, I asked my father to fill out a 1099 misc. tax form, stating he employed me in 2006 for the amount of $8,500. My 2006 w-2 from my current/past employer was for $9,500, so combined I now have a total annual income for 2006 of $18,000. Though, I did have to pay $954 dollars in income tax on that. Now, I have a brand new I-134 with a 2006 income which is suffice to the federal poverty line and her and I are now just hoping and praying that the officer will accept it without difficulty. I also have a couple prospective employment letters for her that are in the mist of being fedexed now. I'm also planning on attaching a letter explaining in detail why my 2006 income from my current/past employer was low for the year. The reason being that I was in Viet Nam with my fiancee for 6 months out of it. I still can't help but be nervous as hell. If the lawyer would have known anything about immigration, he would have informed us 7 months ago so we could have just done a co1. If all fails, I'm moving here full time to teach english. ###### America.

I find this post very interesting for two reasons. You are so damn proud of committing immigrations fraud that you list it in a public forum and`secondly you are getting married when you hav an income of $9,500.00. Both actions do notspeak well of yourintelligence.

[dalegg 143]

I find this post very interesting for two reasons. You are so damn proud of committing immigrations fraud that you list it in a public forum and`secondly you are getting married when you hav an income of $9,500.00. Both actions do notspeak well of yourintelligence.

How did he commit immigrations fraud?

[Cha Gio 0]

How did he commit immigrations fraud?

I think he was referencing to the "fake" 1099.

[dalegg 143]

How did he commit immigrations fraud?

I think he was referencing to the "fake" 1099.

I think he was too, but so far as I can tell, there is no evidence in what he's saying that says it's fake. He may very well have worked for his father. The amount he's asking his father to state is only $8500.

I believe our buddy here is of Vietnamese decent, and it is very common for Vietnamese here in the So Cal area to have family owned businesses in which they pay their workers- including their children- cash. His father is actually taking a big risk here, because by making this statement he is admitting that he hires people without stating it. He could be opening himself up to an audit, not only by the IRS but also to the DHS, depending on the type of business. Paying workers in cash is a red flag for undocumenteds here.

Of bigger concern for the OP though, is the open slander of this attorney. He could be in big Ka Ka if the attorney reads this!

Edited February 3, 2007 by dalegg

[ding 1]

Of bigger concern for the OP though, is the open slander of this attorney. He could be in big Ka Ka if the attorney reads this!

I wasn't aware of that. Is this the case even if the statement is factual?

I'd like to learn more about the OP's income/VN connections/business myself, or I'd just be speculating and can't help. I do feel sympathy for someone caught in the pinchpoint of a technicality 100%.

[kitkat1 5]

she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa

What's a co1 visa and doesn't it have requirements to prove financial support?

[Lurker 0]

Ridejewel,

Please relax brother. There are times when I feel that I am going to blow my load all over this process. I know what you are going through and I am sure others here know what your going through. I wouldn't hold much water to any of the stuff that people are telling. 1) The Hanoi Chief is not working in this department. He doesn't and has no experience in dealing with these types of Visas. 2) Others here recently have been approved using a Co-Sponser. 3) Don't get caught in the endless lifecycle of drama/gossip/stories that people tend to throw out there in Vietnam and in the Vietnamese community.

Look past the garbage talk. FOCUS on what you have been doing. Keep a firm resolve, and your head UP!!!

By the way, his name is J. Craig Fong out of LA. Whatever you do, do not hire him! This is our current situation as sad as it may be. On the 28th, Ngan and I went to Saigon to get her medical out of the way. During that trip, a friend of mine hooked us up with a service to help Ngan get her papers in order and such, he noticed our I-134 amounting to $14,000 and said, no, theres no way they'll take this little. Ngan pointed to the Co-sponsor form that my mother filled out. He looked at us and shook his head, saying that the consulate hasnt taken a co-sponsor since 2005. By the way, the whole time our lawyer knew the dire need for a co-sponsor and even a few months ago I confronted him on that, he told me that the consulate had no choice, if they deny her because of that, that's where he steps in to fight for us. Well, after we heard that news, I shot an email off to the chief consular in Hanoi, who happens to be a good friend of a family member of mine, he replied confirming the services story. Though, he said that if I had a sum of money and a couple prospective employment letters for Ngan that I could show the officer, that should be acceptable. To further confirm, I met with an expat friend of mine for coffee. Along with him he brought his friend, a woman who works as a foreign minister inside the consulate. We talked for an hour about our situation, she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa. We came too far to not fight this. Being the genius that I am, I asked my father to fill out a 1099 misc. tax form, stating he employed me in 2006 for the amount of $8,500. My 2006 w-2 from my current/past employer was for $9,500, so combined I now have a total annual income for 2006 of $18,000. Though, I did have to pay $954 dollars in income tax on that. Now, I have a brand new I-134 with a 2006 income which is suffice to the federal poverty line and her and I are now just hoping and praying that the officer will accept it without difficulty. I also have a couple prospective employment letters for her that are in the mist of being fedexed now. I'm also planning on attaching a letter explaining in detail why my 2006 income from my current/past employer was low for the year. The reason being that I was in Viet Nam with my fiancee for 6 months out of it. I still can't help but be nervous as hell. If the lawyer would have known anything about immigration, he would have informed us 7 months ago so we could have just done a co1. If all fails, I'm moving here full time to teach english. ###### America.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Perhaps ridejewel is referring to a CR1?

STL_HCMC

she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa

What's a co1 visa and doesn't it have requirements to prove financial support?

[kitkat1 5]

Perhaps ridejewel is referring to a CR1?

STL_HCMC

she confirmed everything and advised we refile for a co1 visa

What's a co1 visa and doesn't it have requirements to prove financial support?

Well if that's the case, same financial requirements if not more so not exactly a smart piece of advice.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Would the CR1 require use of the I-864 instead of the I-134?

STL_HCMC

Well if that's the case, same financial requirements if not more so not exactly a smart piece of advice.

[ridejewel 0]

Okay, it wasnt a 'fake' 1099, i did indeed work for my father developing a lot which he sold for some good profit. The fact is that what messed up father would actually tax his own son? If it hadnt been for the urgent need to get my salary up, i would never have filed that income. As far as slandering my lawyer, what good is he? It's not slander if it's the truth. And, of course, edsperfect, none of my info here is correct, you couldnt find my identity if you wanted to...maybe if i was using a home computer that was in the states, but since i use a different internet cafe computer in Vietnam everyday, im not too worried. I hope Lurker is right and they will take my co-sponsor. Oh, yeah, I meant CR-1...I keep getting Co2 in my head when I write that. My uncle's an excellent accountant, there is nothing illegal with what we did at all! I was just hoping to get some input on the matter. Yeah, STL_HCM, a CR-1 uses a I-184. I dont get why the consulate doesnt just require those instead of the I-134's...kind of weird.

[kitkat1 5]

Okay, it wasnt a 'fake' 1099, i did indeed work for my father developing a lot which he sold for some good profit. The fact is that what messed up father would actually tax his own son? If it hadnt been for the urgent need to get my salary up, i would never have filed that income. As far as slandering my lawyer, what good is he? It's not slander if it's the truth. And, of course, edsperfect, none of my info here is correct, you couldnt find my identity if you wanted to...maybe if i was using a home computer that was in the states, but since i use a different internet cafe computer in Vietnam everyday, im not too worried. I hope Lurker is right and they will take my co-sponsor. Oh, yeah, I meant CR-1...I keep getting Co2 in my head when I write that. My uncle's an excellent accountant, there is nothing illegal with what we did at all! I was just hoping to get some input on the matter. Yeah, STL_HCM, a CR-1 uses a I-184. I dont get why the consulate doesnt just require those instead of the I-134's...kind of weird.

Your father didn't tax you - he provided the 1099 as required by law of employers. It's up to you to pay the tax.

Still, the advice about a CR-1 is completely incorrect. If you can't meet the income requirements of a K1, you can't meet the income requirements of a CR1. Applicants using the I-134 need to show income is 100% of federal poverty guidelines. For the I-864 it's 125% of federal poverty guidelines. So filing for a CR1 clearly isn't going to solve your issue -- more bad advice.

[David-Hien 11]

Now is too late to change anything on your paperwork which is submitted at the Consulate.

But the most important thing for them to decide is the real relationship. If you have your love, you can think out the way to solve this issue.

You should be calm and look for a better attorney to help for in case. I know the attorney of 3AD, you look at the post of 3AD for his case then you can understand, 3AD is a student with low income but his fiance can go to USA in Dec 2006.

I can give you this attorney's contact to ask for advise before the interview. Please send me message if you want.

Hien