Unfair Situation

[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???

[apple21 953]

Lottery winners are required to present income/savings requirements too.

Stop whining and find another job or try harder to find a joint sponsor. Being US born doesn't make you special in the eyes of the government. We all had our share of "unfairness" in this immigration process too.

Good luck!

Edited May 3, 2015 by apple21

[chrisnjill 13]

It's unfair because being married to a us citizen has hurt her chances of getting another home IN HER COUNTRY!!!

Also unfair is, had we married later, she could've traveled to the states with me for vacation. Now we need a joint sponsor because my DISABILITY income isn't enough.

Before you advise someone to "find another job", know the facts, first.

Now she's a millionaire because she married a us citizen and doesn't need anything. All Americans are not rich.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from IR1/CR1 Process to Caribbean Regional Forum~

~Commentary about issues and immigration concerns in Trinidad~

[apple21 953]

It's unfair because being married to a us citizen has hurt her chances of getting another home IN HER COUNTRY!!!

Also unfair is, had we married later, she could've traveled to the states with me for vacation. Now we need a joint sponsor because my DISABILITY income isn't enough.

Before you advise someone to "find another job", know the facts, first.

Now she's a millionaire because she married a us citizen and doesn't need anything. All Americans are not rich.

Gee your post is confusing. She wants to buy another house in her country but couldn't because she's married to a US citizen?

You mentioned going to the states for a vacation. FYI a joint sponsor is not required for applying a tourist visa. She must prove that she has sufficient funds for the trip and reasons to return to her country in order to be approved.

Your facts are not straight either. I'm only basing my advice on what you wrote. People here are not mind readers.

[chrisnjill 13]

She had applied for housing through govt programs/grants. Now they won't let her qualify. (Married to US citizen.)

The embassy denied her a non-immigrant visa to go on a trip because we are married. They claimed her ties are too strong with US (because she's married to me, a US citizen)

sorry for the confusion but I'm just very frustrated over this whole thing.

[Boiler 45,417]

Sounds racist?

[Fan_Dancer 171]

So she wants to be on some sort of welfare in her home country, you are on disability here ... maybe move there?

[chrisnjill 13]

No, she works full time for the Ministry. Not sure what the housing thing is exactly, but Foreigners have different rules for buying property here. She said a house that would normally cost her $1million TT being a Trinidadian, will now cost double, because of her marriage status to a US Citizen.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Lottery winners are required to present income/savings requirements too.

Actually that's incorrect. Lottery winners do not fill out a financial sponsorship form or show proof of income/assets. All they need, to prove that they won't be a liability to the US government is a high school diploma or two years work experience in an accepted field.

An old colleague of mine is a permanent resident in the US based on winning the green card lottery and she can't believe how much trouble I'm going through getting a green card through marriage to a US citizen. She said her process was a walk in the park compared to what I'm going through. So yeah, I agree with the OP, what's the fairness in that process?!??

OP, can you maybe get a friend to be a joint sponsor? You know it doesn't have to be a family member?! I know it's a huge responsibility and my husband and I are going through issues with our joint sponsor too, so I know how you feel. I don't understand why US immigration don't take into consideration the beneficiary's ability to find work after entering the US? Why do they assume that the foreign spouse will need to be supported by their US spouse once they enter the US?

[Hardfacts123 50]

Sir, I believe that you have been given some missed guided information from your wife regarding how her government works. If she reported to her government, that she is married and her new husband has an income, which I will say if you are getting disability income fome the US government, than your income is probably 50 percent higher than the average worker in TT. This income is now being counted as joint income, which will put her in an higher income bracket.

The US government did not force your wife to report your income. This seems to be a problem she created. In all fairness to those in TT who are on the same waiting list as your wife, who doesn't have the support of a US husband, why should they suffer behind those who have gain additional support.

If seems as if you and your wife didnt look at you'll situation and plan accordingly. Poor planning on others parts should be no reasons for others to suffer.

If you are trying to petition your wife for a spousal visa to the US, maybe you'll should focus on one thing at a time.

A small piece of advise, is for you to verify all questionable statements before you make them facts to cause you angst. The policies in most developing countries are lot different than what we are use to in the USA. They have so little resources to give to so many that have a greater need.

Good luck on what ever decision that you and your family shall journey unpon.

[madtownguy 164]

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???

You could get a job. The poverty line is set incredibly low. Why do you think it would be fair to bring someone into the country that you can't afford? I think it is unfair that you think you are being punished. It is incredibly hard to find good help, if you put the effort to work hard you will make money it is that simple.

[chrisnjill 13]

Mallafri76,

I've talked to a friend today and told him our situation. He gave me some suggestions, but I only hinted at being a joint sponsor. It's not something I really want to put onto someone else. I'll talk with him again this week, though.

Thanks!

Hardfacts123,

No government forced either of us to do anything, but it's just how the system works which makes it frustrating. You would think being married to a US citizen, you can travel together with less trouble, but it's not. She was also frustrated that I can easily apply for residency here in her country, (currently pending) but yet, my country won't let her in without all the red tape. That's the most frustrating thing, actually.

Thanks!

TraumaDoc,

If you have nothing nice or helpful to say, don't say anything at all! Trinidad & Tobago doesn't have a US Immigration SCAM going on! Whereas China does! Next time, read the full post of the OP you comment on!

"BEIJING — Business is booming here for companies that coach pregnant women on how to deceive U.S. immigration authorities so they can enter the United States for the sole purpose of giving birth to American citizens."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/04/01/china-usa-birth-tourists-business-strong/24887837/

[tomyka81 95]

If all you are going to do is insult this person, why even reply?

[cdneh 3,112]

Life's not fair. It's harder when you do not make yourself aware of the way things work.

Every last person posting on VJ at one time or another, has been separated from their partners. Your situation isn't unusual or unfair. It's reality.