Proposed Restrictions on Parents/Family Members

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

Why does the task have to fall to the family member who has emigrated to the USA?

Simple. Because of the money-tree that grows in every US citizens backyard.

[mawilson 2,133]

I think a cap would be unfair to parents who are old, widowed and ill and canot live alone in home country.

And why exactly should the USA worry about that???

Because not everyone in the USA is a heartless #####?

[chri'stina 190]

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? I am not asking to transport all of my husband's family here. Just possibly someone who will really need us in the future. It wouldn't be easy for her to live alone in India.

We cannot ask her to just come visit for long periods of time. We don't have that luxury. It would be surprising to me if the embassies in India would actually approve a tourist visa for her. And if they don't allow sibling visas anymore, it puts a lot of pressure on us here on what to do about the future.

And already the sibling visas take forever to process, but at least there is a hope that it could happen one day.

[scarlethawk 0]

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? I am not asking to transport all of my husband's family here. Just possibly someone who will really need us in the future. It wouldn't be easy for her to live alone in India.

We cannot ask her to just come visit for long periods of time. We don't have that luxury. It would be surprising to me if the embassies in India would actually approve a tourist visa for her. And if they don't allow sibling visas anymore, it puts a lot of pressure on us here on what to do about the future.

And already the sibling visas take forever to process, but at least there is a hope that it could happen one day.

Well said. You speak for a lot of us.

[mawilson 2,133]

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? I am not asking to transport all of my husband's family here. Just possibly someone who will really need us in the future. It wouldn't be easy for her to live alone in India.

We cannot ask her to just come visit for long periods of time. We don't have that luxury. It would be surprising to me if the embassies in India would actually approve a tourist visa for her. And if they don't allow sibling visas anymore, it puts a lot of pressure on us here on what to do about the future.

And already the sibling visas take forever to process, but at least there is a hope that it could happen one day.

Well said. You speak for a lot of us.

I second that.

[Yodrak 7]

stina&suj,

Your young widowed sister-in-law cannot take care of herself? My young divorced sister-in-law is doing just fine on her own, and she's doing it in a 3rd-world country that is arguably less 'advanced' than your sister-in-law's country.

Yodrak

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? .....

[BJZags 17]

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US.

SOME of us know EXACTLY how difficult it is: In the case of the Phil, it is in effect impossible to get a tourist visa. But the immigrant spouse knows this good and well before he/she applies for visa. Then suddenly this being OK with the seperation from family in order to be with their spouses in the US evaporates when they become citizens, and the "let's bring the whole family over" sentiment starts for many. How should we define "immediate" family for immigration? My wife's parents because they will miss their youngest daughter and want to be with her in America? But wait, she's the youngest of eleven, so when the parents come over, the other 10 brothers and sisters will now miss their parents also. So should those 10 and their families be able to obtain a visa? If that were the case, it would not be very long before all of the Philippines was vacant since all were in America. I would wager that nearly every family in the Philippines has at least one "close" relative who has moved here with an American spouse.

Bottom-line, if my wife's parents can't visit, we will visit them in the RP. Sorta like when I visit my parents on the other coast once a year. With this whole global community thing, I really don't see the need for all this extended-family-based immigration. I too miss my parents in Oregon, but since I work in Pennsylvania, I can only see them when I visit. Maybe I should petition the commowealth of Pennsylvania for a visa for my Oregonian folks? We all make choices in our lives based upon the circumstances at the time, and sometimes the effect is to be seperated from family. I could chose to live with my parents in Oregon, but I chose employment and an opportunity to make a better life somewhere else. It is much like this when a couple enters the visajourney!

[rebeccajo 14]

I personally don't believe the myth of dreaded "chain migration". I've read a lot of articles on this subject and I've yet to see a statistic on the percentage of immigrants whose families follow them. Until I see such, I remain unconvinced that chain migration is a "problem".

For those that have come here legally, played by all the rules, and paid all the fees - I believe it's patently unfair to close the door against their native family.

It may very well be that many nations have immigration systems that favor skill and education of the intending immigrant over familial relationships. That argument doesn't wash with me when the same bill quashing familial ties in favor of skills/education also creates a special visa class for those who have only enough skills/education to pick vegetables and sweep floors.

[chri'stina 190]

stina&suj,

Your young widowed sister-in-law cannot take care of herself? My young divorced sister-in-law is doing just fine on her own, and she's doing it in a 3rd-world country that is arguably less 'advanced' than your sister-in-law's country.

Yodrak

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? .....

In the culture that my SIL is a part of, she cannot live on her own or else she will have a very hard time, and will face discrimination. Just because India is possibly more technologically advanced than other 3rd world countries, only some of the people live with "modern" attitudes, while much of the population still shows discrimination towards ppl like widows.

[Yodrak 7]

stina&suj,

Thanks for the explanation, I see the difficulty you face. What I fail to see is why it's US immigration law that's the villian rather than Indian culture.

Yodrak

stina&suj,

Your young widowed sister-in-law cannot take care of herself? My young divorced sister-in-law is doing just fine on her own, and she's doing it in a 3rd-world country that is arguably less 'advanced' than your sister-in-law's country.

Yodrak

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? .....

In the culture that my SIL is a part of, she cannot live on her own or else she will have a very hard time, and will face discrimination. Just because India is possibly more technologically advanced than other 3rd world countries, only some of the people live with "modern" attitudes, while much of the population still shows discrimination towards ppl like widows.

[chri'stina 190]

Don't get me wrong, I also think Indian culture is the villain, or at least the discriminatory parts of the culture. I realize not all Indians think this way or act prejudiced, but there are still many over there who do. If that would change over there, then I would not worry about bringing her here. I wish that could be the case!

stina&suj,

Thanks for the explanation, I see the difficulty you face. What I fail to see is why it's US immigration law that's the villian rather than Indian culture.

Yodrak

stina&suj,

Your young widowed sister-in-law cannot take care of herself? My young divorced sister-in-law is doing just fine on her own, and she's doing it in a 3rd-world country that is arguably less 'advanced' than your sister-in-law's country.

Yodrak

I think some people do not realize how hard it is for some of our in-laws to even get a tourist visa to come visit the US. Many of you from European countries or the UK, I think it's much easier for your family to come visit here. Maybe having them move here isn't a big deal to you then.

If for some reason my husband's family has something bad happen to them, and already one of my sis in laws is now a young widow, if they cannot come here it would mean we would have to go there.

To me, if I am an American citizen, and my husband will be one day, is it fair that my country won't allow my relatives to ever come see where I live and visit, or to move here with us if they really need our help. Instead, we have to leave our good home and good living and working conditions in my home country of the US to go live where it will be much harder for me in many ways, because my country won't let me take care of my sis in law who will have no one to take care of her when my MIL and FIL die? .....

In the culture that my SIL is a part of, she cannot live on her own or else she will have a very hard time, and will face discrimination. Just because India is possibly more technologically advanced than other 3rd world countries, only some of the people live with "modern" attitudes, while much of the population still shows discrimination towards ppl like widows.

[Boiler 45,807]

As far as Parents are concerned I have always considered that those from 1st World Countries are at a disadvantage most have half passable Medical cover and face major issues in the US.

I may well be in the position of having to move back, not due to limitation on visa numbers but there is no way my Parents could move to the US and get Medical cover.

CMR is required more than CIR.

And being able to use the VWP is not of benefit if you can not afford the travel insurance or can not get it.

If you have nothing to give up, not such a big deal.

I can not rationalise being able to sponsor my sibling.

And if chain migration is not the issue, whats the fuss about? European evidence would suggest otherwise.

[taco2 0]

Yes, Health insurance for immigrating parents over 65 is a major issue.

They cannot get a proper cover before they complete 5 years in US (when they can buy medicare.)

MA state may have a solution, if you can move there and afford the premium.

Thnks to the new health insurance law they passed recently.

BlueCross MA will insure newly immigrated seniors and include pre existing conditions 3 months from start date.

Premium is about $ 500 pm .

As far as Parents are concerned I have always considered that those from 1st World Countries are at a disadvantage most have half passable Medical cover and face major issues in the US.

I may well be in the position of having to move back, not due to limitation on visa numbers but there is no way my Parents could move to the US and get Medical cover.

CMR is required more than CIR.

And being able to use the VWP is not of benefit if you can not afford the travel insurance or can not get it.

If you have nothing to give up, not such a big deal.

I can not rationalise being able to sponsor my sibling.

And if chain migration is not the issue, whats the fuss about? European evidence would suggest otherwise.

[Boiler 45,807]

And under 65, many would could be retired and not fancy 40 quarters work.

MA is the oddity, it will be interesting to see if it continues at $500 per person there has to be major subsidies.

And of course even in MA for 2 $12,000pa is just the starting cost.

And of course you have to pay for Medicare, cost unknow, cover unknown, and probably would be in the poor house by then.

Yes, Health insurance for immigrating parents over 65 is a major issue.

They cannot get a proper cover before they complete 5 years in US (when they can buy medicare.)

MA state may have a solution, if you can move there and afford the premium.

Thnks to the new health insurance law they passed recently.

BlueCross MA will insure newly immigrated seniors and include pre existing conditions 3 months from start date.

Premium is about $ 500 pm .

As far as Parents are concerned I have always considered that those from 1st World Countries are at a disadvantage most have half passable Medical cover and face major issues in the US.

I may well be in the position of having to move back, not due to limitation on visa numbers but there is no way my Parents could move to the US and get Medical cover.

CMR is required more than CIR.

And being able to use the VWP is not of benefit if you can not afford the travel insurance or can not get it.

If you have nothing to give up, not such a big deal.

I can not rationalise being able to sponsor my sibling.

And if chain migration is not the issue, whats the fuss about? European evidence would suggest otherwise.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Here in MA there are plans for over 65's without state help that cost $324.00 per month... with State help from $0.00 to $324.00 depending on income ....... they offer very good coverage and include RX... and as it is State law that everyone has to have health insurance even immigrants can benefit from the state assisted programs as long as you have a SSN...

Maybe other states will follow MA...

Kez