Told joint sponsor needed for case by lawyers (split topic)

[chrisnjill 13]

Hello,

I'm new here and confused as to where to start. I'm a US Citizen. I married my Trinidadian girlfriend last year. (Sep 20) We married here in Trinidad and I am residing here with her and her daughter. Although my T&T residency is currently pending, I make trips to NYC when I need to.

I was told by 4 online attorneys (avvo.com) I will need a joint sponsor. I collect SS Disability as my only income, which seems to be too low by their standards. The joint sponsor is needed in order to guarantee my wife & stepdaughter do not need public assistance when we immigrate to the states. (Even though with my SSD, I am eligible for SNAP and Medicaid)

What the Hell? ILLEGALS collect welfare, given housing, jobs, and so on.

Anyway, I don't know anyone I can ask to be a joint sponsor, because I feel that's a HUGE responsibility! I've always supported myself since moving out on my own. Moved to NYC from the mid-west, and as hard as times got, I never called home for help.

I want the visas/green cards for my wife and stepdausghter to be approved because I don't have money to throw away. ($420 each?)

Because it's not mentioned on the Embassy website, my wife made an appointment for a Non-Immigrant Visa because we just wanted to travel to the US for a 2 week stay so she could see NYC. We paid the fee of $160 USD which is REQUIRED BEFORE the interview will be scheduled. The moment she told the interviewer she was married to a US Born Citizen, the interview stopped, and she had to leave.

What can we do to be sure our apps are accepted? If my wife can't live in the US, I'm not going to.

Edited April 29, 2015 by chrisnjill

[Boiler 45,519]

You can use savings to supplement your income.

[chrisnjill 13]

Boiler,

T&T, like NY is expensive. What would our savings balance need to be, approximately? We need a goal to shoot for.

Thanks

[Boiler 45,519]

3x the income shortage.

[chrisnjill 13]

Thanks, again. This helps a lot.

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Posts split into separate thread as poster is posting about their own case and not replying to the OP of the other thread. Please start your own threads with questions about your own case instead of hijacking threads started by other members.***

Edited April 30, 2015 by Ryan H

[chrisnjill 13]

Ryan H,

If I was able to better navigate this site, I would've done that. As you can see, I've been on here since late March and since then, I've been trying to figure this site out. I don't know how to ask my questions, starting my own thread, so I posted in the other one closest to what I needed to know.

From now on, I can just as easily (easier) call my US Embassy here in T&T to answer my questions.

[chrisnjill 13]

Boiler,

Is there a time-length the 3x amount has to be in the account in order to be accepted (i.e. record showing deposits over a period of time) or is it sufficient to just show the needed balance?

Thanks.

[mallafri76 1,012]

My husband and I are about to use assets for my visa. We're sending it in next week. I can let you know how that works out so you know for your case.

I've heard from others on here who've told me that they've used assets alone to get their spouse over. For some it works and others not. It seems to depend a lot on the embassy and the officer doing the interview. Some of the ones I've heard from have had the money/assets in the US and others have had them abroad.

[NikLR 13,227]

Ryan H,

If I was able to better navigate this site, I would've done that. As you can see, I've been on here since late March and since then, I've been trying to figure this site out. I don't know how to ask my questions, starting my own thread, so I posted in the other one closest to what I needed to know.

From now on, I can just as easily (easier) call my US Embassy here in T&T to answer my questions.

Boiler,

Is there a time-length the 3x amount has to be in the account in order to be accepted (i.e. record showing deposits over a period of time) or is it sufficient to just show the needed balance?

Thanks.

If liquid assets you need to show they have been there a while with bank statements. You cannot just get a deposit and call it a day. Non-liquid assets need professional appraisal to their value with proof of that included. A main home or only car cannot be used.

Edited April 30, 2015 by NLR

[chrisnjill 13]

NLR,

Thanks. I assumed as much. Appreciate it!

[chrisnjill 13]

Another concern has come up. It is an unfair situation. I'm a US Born Citizen. I married my wife after a long relationship, and now it seems, the governments are 'punishing' her.

Because she married a US Citizen (LEGALLY and because we love and care about each other, and NOT for any 'convenience' purposes, by the way!) it is next-to-impossible for her to get housing here for her and her daughter in Trinidad AND because my income is below poverty requirements with no joint sponsor available, the US Visas for her & her daughter are also next to impossible! (Until I can save the required amount)

Being married to a US Born Citizen makes the countries think you're suddenly a millionaire! It's unfair! Especially when so many others get Visas & Green cards from lotteries or because they know someone working inside the system to give their applications approval.

My wife was telling me this morning how unfair it is too, that I can easily apply for residency here in her country, BUT as I've said, it has messed her up on housing she's been working on for several years, before we even met. She feels really hurt by it, and I hurt over it too. I want to give her and her daughter a better life, one I know they deserve. What can I do about this situation???

[NikLR 13,227]

About her issue in Trinidad or about a US visa?

[chrisnjill 13]

Apparently, Americans are all rich. (A stereo type) Same as shopping here, I can be charged more for something if I didn't know the price already.

So now, being married to me has possibly messed her up on housing here. We already have the task of getting the US Visas. We know we need a joint sponsor or the required savings account balance.

I'm hurt that our marriage may have hurt her chances for new housing here in HER country.

[NikLR 13,227]

I'm sorry that's happened. On that subject, however, you may want to post in her regional forum to get like minded regionally specific answers as to how you can help her.

Out of curiosity (so you can choose not to answer obviously) on a US visa stand point, if you do not meet the poverty guidelines, and live in an expensive city, how exactly will you support your family once you all arrive in the USA?