Missourians, I have some troubling news.. READ THIS

[Diane and Chris 651]

9 hours ago, Loren Y said:

I suggest, just to be safe a quick trip to Vegas if your from Missouri. I'm here to help 😁

I’m assuming your services are free?

[Diane and Chris 651]

6 hours ago, rhumphres01 said:

Unless the state changes all marriages to civil unions. Imagine USCIS says, "Hey Missouri! Is this person considered married?" and Missouri responds "Hey USCIS! These people are considered to have a civil union!". Then USCIS says, "Ok! But is that civil union business you got there considered marriage?" and Missouri responds "What we have here are civil unions, not marriages." As it is, Missouri does not officially recognize civil unions under Missouri Marriage Statutes. Then what my condescending friend?

I would bet the chances of that happening are about zero. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

25 minutes ago, Diane and Chris said:

I’m assuming your services are free?

Correct. Free for any members of VJ. Least I can do to help out fellow members of the immigration game.

[rrobin0609 387]

9 hours ago, JFH said:

Then don’t support it. The state makes money from marriage license fees. Take your money and your betrothed elsewhere that will perform a proper marriage ceremony. Job done. 

Missouri's two largest cities border other states, so for a chunk of Missourians it wouldn't event matter that much. More annoying if you're in Springfield or Columbia though. I would think the majority of visa recipients moving to Missouri are going to fly in through KC or St. Louis and then drive to their respective city or town.

 

There isn't much information on HB2173, but its currently in the in committee phase and would still have a long way to go before it would be signed by the governor, if it were to pass the house and senate. It seems like many Missouri representatives, both Republicans and Democrats, are opposed to this bill in its current form. A news station did interview the Representative who proposed the bill- [1] "I do not believe marriage is the role of government,” Schnelting said. The bill would eliminate the legal requirement for pastors or judges to officiate at wedding ceremonies. “You can still have one, it’s just not a legal requirement,” Schnelting added.

 

Another article says- [2] According to Schnelting, the proposal would not attack government benefits for couples with a marriage license or a civil union contract. If so, he says he would change the bill to ensure those benefits would work the same way as they do now.

 

As a Missourian, and it looks like the only one on this thread so far, I don't see any reason to worry about this.

 

[1] https://www.kmov.com/news/missouri-lawmaker-wants-to-replace-marriage-licenses-with-domestic-union/article_6f806e06-51fe-11ea-8c8b-d3de5d90a8be.html

[2] https://www.missourinet.com/2020/02/17/domestic-union-instead-of-marriage-missouri-bill-would-reduce-the-nuptial-definition/

[Crazy Cat 41,898]

8 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Correct. Free for any members of VJ. Least I can do to help out fellow members of the immigration game.

Really? That is quite a generous offer.   You are very gracious......

[Marieke H 2,512]

11 hours ago, Loren Y said:

Correct. Free for any members of VJ. Least I can do to help out fellow members of the immigration game.

You're awesome!

[implife 318]

22 hours ago, rhumphres01 said:

So if you are married in Missouri and you want to bring your spouse to live there, you might be in for some trouble pretty soon. The HB 2173 bill will turn all existing marriage licenses and future marriages into contracts of domestic union. USCIS will not recognize these as marriages, making you unable to get them a visa through marriage. If you are married in Missouri and you plan of helping your spouse immigrate then you need to call your representative asap!

I'm sorry, but don't you have, like, real problems to worry about? Why make stuff up? 

First, you've to fix the Kansas City Chiefs debacle. They're in the wrong state, as we all know. 

[Ontarkie 14,231]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from IR1/CR1 P&P~~