Prison Record

[rwberk4673 0]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. Let me just say that I havent' sent her a dime, nor will I except to fund this process and of course her travel to the US. The question I have regards my own indescretions from 20 years ago, I have 2 felony convictions for drug posession, will that hinder my chances of marrying someone from a foreign country? I served prison time in 1988 and completed all programs mandated by the judge. In fact, I went onto become a counselor for many years and today have 19 years clean. Suffice it to say that I went on to build a good life for myself and have been on the same job for 8 years earning in excess of 100K. Not your typical ex-con story by any means, I worked very hard to get where I am and don't want to mislead through this process just to be rejected at the end. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. How does the INS view the US citizen with a criminal record that is 20 years old? Thanks

[Dan J 277]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. Let me just say that I havent' sent her a dime, nor will I except to fund this process and of course her travel to the US. The question I have regards my own indescretions from 20 years ago, I have 2 felony convictions for drug posession, will that hinder my chances of marrying someone from a foreign country? I served prison time in 1988 and completed all programs mandated by the judge. In fact, I went onto become a counselor for many years and today have 19 years clean. Suffice it to say that I went on to build a good life for myself and have been on the same job for 8 years earning in excess of 100K. Not your typical ex-con story by any means, I worked very hard to get where I am and don't want to mislead through this process just to be rejected at the end. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. How does the INS view the US citizen with a criminal record that is 20 years old? Thanks

This should not prevent you from getting a visa for your fiancee. However you may be faced with extra hurdles. In general with these cases, most people here would recommed that you consult an immigration attorney. You will have to disclose it and you may have to file a wavier. A good attorney will be able to give you a better advice than most people here.

As far as your fiancee, there are certain trades that can cause her to be banned from entering the US. Has she traveled to the US before?

[JoeMama 0]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. Let me just say that I havent' sent her a dime, nor will I except to fund this process and of course her travel to the US. The question I have regards my own indescretions from 20 years ago, I have 2 felony convictions for drug posession, will that hinder my chances of marrying someone from a foreign country? I served prison time in 1988 and completed all programs mandated by the judge. In fact, I went onto become a counselor for many years and today have 19 years clean. Suffice it to say that I went on to build a good life for myself and have been on the same job for 8 years earning in excess of 100K. Not your typical ex-con story by any means, I worked very hard to get where I am and don't want to mislead through this process just to be rejected at the end. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. How does the INS view the US citizen with a criminal record that is 20 years old? Thanks

This should not prevent you from getting a visa for your fiancee. However you may be faced with extra hurdles. In general with these cases, most people here would recommed that you consult an immigration attorney. You will have to disclose it and you may have to file a wavier. A good attorney will be able to give you a better advice than most people here.

As far as your fiancee, there are certain trades that can cause her to be banned from entering the US. Has she traveled to the US before?

Has she got a criminal record from the "illicit trade" she's been working? If she has, that may be a problem for you both depending on what it was. Please excuse me. I don't want to know what she does or did. I, personally, don't care what a person does with their life.

[mRx 16]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade

Not quite sure what the US Embassy in Brazil will think about the "illicit trade" profession so you better get ahold of a immigration lawyer.

[DA BOMB 1]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. Let me just say that I havent' sent her a dime, nor will I except to fund this process and of course her travel to the US. The question I have regards my own indescretions from 20 years ago, I have 2 felony convictions for drug posession, will that hinder my chances of marrying someone from a foreign country? I served prison time in 1988 and completed all programs mandated by the judge. In fact, I went onto become a counselor for many years and today have 19 years clean. Suffice it to say that I went on to build a good life for myself and have been on the same job for 8 years earning in excess of 100K. Not your typical ex-con story by any means, I worked very hard to get where I am and don't want to mislead through this process just to be rejected at the end. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. How does the INS view the US citizen with a criminal record that is 20 years old? Thanks

Your criminal history doesnt matter....what does matter is your fiance's record. My thoughts to you - first of all dont go into details on this board about the illicit trade - you can already see from the responses that these people want you lay it all out to "help" answer your question. Its not a bad idea to get a criminal record in advance to see what you'll be dealing with on her end however even if clean, the nature of her employment will be questioned throughout the visa process so be prepared for that. Good luck. Oh and congrats on your 19 years of reform.

This edit added to make note that we're not allowed to type A*D*V*I*C*E - the word actually auto edits to the word "thoughts"...that just goes to show the kind of responses on here should never be taken seriously.

Edited April 16, 2007 by MRS BILLY BONG

[buck501 0]

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. Let me just say that I havent' sent her a dime, nor will I except to fund this process and of course her travel to the US. The question I have regards my own indescretions from 20 years ago, I have 2 felony convictions for drug posession, will that hinder my chances of marrying someone from a foreign country? I served prison time in 1988 and completed all programs mandated by the judge. In fact, I went onto become a counselor for many years and today have 19 years clean. Suffice it to say that I went on to build a good life for myself and have been on the same job for 8 years earning in excess of 100K. Not your typical ex-con story by any means, I worked very hard to get where I am and don't want to mislead through this process just to be rejected at the end. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. How does the INS view the US citizen with a criminal record that is 20 years old? Thanks

The fact that your fiance has worked in a "illicit trade" need not come up, unless there has been some kind of police involvment. They do not need to know anything about it. You are surely not the only one who has ever applied for a visa with this issue and been accepted. It is not uncommon for people to be unemployed. People in less fortunate countries then others are very creative at getting by. My novia has worked several jobs, including being a nurses aid, and has always been paid under the table. I am pretty sure that many of the ladies that respond to the marriage angencies and dating sites are "opportunists". Good luck to you!!!

[Yodrak 7]

rwberk4673,

I agree, buck is surely not the only person whose petitioned for an ex-prostitute. But it is not a good idea to assume that police involvement is the only thing that might alert a consular officer to the person's past. Consular officers are not stupid, and unless very new at their post they know their host country. There are many signs that can make them suspicious about a visa applicant's past, especially if it is a recent past, and to go into an interview unprepared is asking for trouble.

Matt had the best advice - consult with an immigration attorney who knows the country and has experience with the consulate. Discuss the details of the visa applicant's background and get advice as to how best to procede.

Yodrak

I am wanting to marry a Brazilian girl who sadly has been working in the illicit trade there but has more than proven to me her devotion and committment to find a better life for herself. .....

The fact that your fiance has worked in a "illicit trade" need not come up, unless there has been some kind of police involvment. They do not need to know anything about it. You are surely not the only one who has ever applied for a visa with this issue and been accepted. .....