Social Security and Employment

[ahmedahmadyar 41]

Just now, Jojo92122 said:

You choose your path, so accept the cons with the pros.  You are coming off as a whiner who wants the pros of the K-1 over the CR-1 but unwilling to accept the accompanying cons.  If you thought the K-1 route is unfair, then you shouldn't have taken it.

I think it's unfair that we are denied even getting a driving license until we get an EAD, because as far as I can think those two things have absolutely nothing to do with each other, which was my original comment. I was fully aware that I wouldn't be able to work for a good few months before coming here, and I accepted that 'con'. I was not aware that I wouldn't be be allowed to apply for a driving license.

[geowrian 22,337]

Driving licenses are issued by the DMV so you gotta follow the state's DMV's rules. If driving is important, then researching the ability to do before going through the process is critical.

Edited June 9, 2018 by geowrian

[Jojo92122 1,924]

3 minutes ago, ahmedahmadyar said:

I think it's unfair that we are denied even getting a driving license until we get an EAD, because as far as I can think those two things have absolutely nothing to do with each other, which was my original comment. I was fully aware that I wouldn't be able to work for a good few months before coming here, and I accepted that 'con'. I was not aware that I wouldn't be be allowed to apply for a driving license.

The difficulty of getting a driver's license is a well known con of the K-1 visa.  You could have researched this before going the K-1 route.  Just because you didn't make yourself aware of it does not make it unfair. 

[ahmedahmadyar 41]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

Driving licenses are issued by the DMV so you gotta follow the state's DMV's rules. If driving is important, then researching the ability to do before going through the process is critical.

I did, the DMV doesn't explicitly mention EAD which is what led me to believe I could obtain a license and at least get that out of the way during the 5 month wait. Yeah, I guess it comes down to my lack of research.

 

And yes driving is important but I don't need it for driving, my foreign license is still valid.

[ahmedahmadyar 41]

10 minutes ago, Jojo92122 said:

The difficulty of getting a driver's license is a well known con of the K-1 visa.  You could have researched this before going the K-1 route.  Just because you didn't make yourself aware of it does not make it unfair. 

It does make it unfair because what reason does the state have for denying us of a driving license? By not allowing us to take care of this earlier on in the process they make it pile up and that means multiple things need to be taken care of all at once.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

2 minutes ago, ahmedahmadyar said:

It does make it unfair because what reason does the state have for denying us of a driving license? By not allowing us to take care of this earlier on in the process they make it pile up and that means multiple things need to be taken care of all at once.

It doesn't matter what the reasons are for denying you a driver's license; you are not entitled to a reason why the law is the way it is.  It doesn't matter what your problems are because the difficulties of the K-1 are well known and you choose to not make yourself aware of the rules.

 

The rules are the rules.  You not making yourself aware of them is your problem.  You not checking on the rules does not make them unfair.  Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and it doesn't make the law unfair.

[Lemonslice 4,841]

6 minutes ago, ahmedahmadyar said:

It does make it unfair because what reason does the state have for denying us of a driving license? By not allowing us to take care of this earlier on in the process they make it pile up and that means multiple things need to be taken care of all at once.

You are not yet a legal resident, that's the reason why.   

You might want to read what happened to this person while driving on their foreign license in California:

 

 

 

[ahmedahmadyar 41]

14 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

You are not yet a legal resident, that's the reason why.   

You might want to read what happened to this person while driving on their foreign license in California:

 

So I'm considered resident enough that I'm required to obtain a CA driving license, however I'm not considered resident enough to apply for a CA driving license. That paints a wonderful picture of America and its lovely systems.

 

 

[ahmedahmadyar 41]

22 minutes ago, Jojo92122 said:

It doesn't matter what the reasons are for denying you a driver's license; you are not entitled to a reason why the law is the way it is.  It doesn't matter what your problems are because the difficulties of the K-1 are well known and you choose to not make yourself aware of the rules.

 

The rules are the rules.  You not making yourself aware of them is your problem.  You not checking on the rules does not make them unfair.  Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and it doesn't make the law unfair.

This might come across as a shock to you but did you know that a law can still be considered unfair whether or not one makes themselves aware of it? In Oklahoma sexual intercourse is not considered rape if the victim is unconscious from excessive alcohol consumption. Do you think that law is fair?

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, ahmedahmadyar said:

It's not about making money, I'm not struggling financially. Like I said, it's matter of wanting to start my career, to build my credit score, to move forward with my life, buy a house etc. Yes I could have been making money in my home country in those extra 4/5 months but none of that would help me when I come here. I have to start my career from square one. Does that make sense to you? So yes I will complain that the K-1 route is unfair, that's my opinion on it. The CR-1 route is no better, like I explained, and that is also my opinion.

Find a job, get an offer in writing, and apply for expedited EAD based on the job offer and financial hardship to your spouse. 

 

5 hours ago, ahmedahmadyar said:

It does make it unfair because what reason does the state have for denying us of a driving license? By not allowing us to take care of this earlier on in the process they make it pile up and that means multiple things need to be taken care of all at once.

The federal government cracked down on the states to check immigration status as part of an effort against illegal aliens.  When states were giving out long term licenses with little proof of immigration residency or state residency, people,would drive to the easiest state and get a six year license. Armed with that, they appeared to be just another American citizen, using their license as ID.  I don't know every state's rules but for many K1s, your first license will expire the same day as your EAD which is a one year term. Some don't have a greencard yet (slow process) and have to get the EAD renewed in order to keep driving. So your first greencard will expire in 2 years. So will your driver's license in many states. 

 

The whole point of a K1 is to allow you into the US as a visitor for 90 days in which to marry. Coming from the UK with visa waiver privileges, it is easy to visit....just get the ESTA. But for many countries not on VWP, the fiancé can't just hop on a plane like you can. And in those countries, visitor visas are next to impossible to get. K1 is merely a 90 day visit, but if you marry and apply for AOS, you get to stay while a decision is made. 

 

I drove on my UK license until I got EAD. I got stopped and got a ticket on my UK license. I did not say I live in Plano. (People disagree on this, so just telling my personal opinion. Not wanting to debate it.). The state and local cops do not really understand immigration laws and especially the whole K1 scenario. It seems huge to you on K1 forums online, but it is a small fraction of immigration and so different than most visas that you will find banks, social security offices, cops, etc haven't a clue what you are talking about. Just enjoy being together and the time will pass before you know it. You are going to spend a few months being a nothing, a square peg that doesn't fit all the round holes. Don't let anger and frustration get the best of you.