Will this hurt my chances of being allowed to immigrate?

[Scorpiankh 0]

Ok, kind of a story here, bear with me.

Me and my hubby met about 3 1/2 years ago online, we both suffer from mental illnesses, hubby has PTSD from serving in the army, and depression and panic/anxiety disorder. I have suffered from depression and anxiety. Both of us have been on medication for it, and have been through therapy. When we met, we were both going through a pretty rough time and it was on an online support group chat room that we met.

Will they ask about this at any stage of the proceedings? either in a form or in the interview, and will it hurt our chances of myself and my daughter being able to move over to the US? Should I be up front about it, or not say anything unless they ask specifically? If they ask how we met do I lie and say it was through some random chat room?

Also I did a fair few drugs when I was a teenager, I was a bit of a wild child for a while, smoked a lot of marijuana, did LSD and magic mushrooms. I was never addicted to anything i don't think, I just decided one day I had enough and that was it, I haven't touched any drugs for about 8 years now. I've never been arrested or convicted of anything and am now a law abiding person. Will they ask about drug use? Will that hurt my chances at all being so long ago?

Hubby has never touched a drug in his life.

[irene 0]

Ok, kind of a story here, bear with me.

Me and my hubby met about 3 1/2 years ago online, we both suffer from mental illnesses, hubby has PTSD from serving in the army, and depression and panic/anxiety disorder. I have suffered from depression and anxiety. Both of us have been on medication for it, and have been through therapy. When we met, we were both going through a pretty rough time and it was on an online support group chat room that we met.

Will they ask about this at any stage of the proceedings? either in a form or in the interview, and will it hurt our chances of myself and my daughter being able to move over to the US? Should I be up front about it, or not say anything unless they ask specifically? If they ask how we met do I lie and say it was through some random chat room?

Also I did a fair few drugs when I was a teenager, I was a bit of a wild child for a while, smoked a lot of marijuana, did LSD and magic mushrooms. I was never addicted to anything i don't think, I just decided one day I had enough and that was it, I haven't touched any drugs for about 8 years now. I've never been arrested or convicted of anything and am now a law abiding person. Will they ask about drug use? Will that hurt my chances at all being so long ago?

Hubby has never touched a drug in his life.

Hello the anxiety is maybe ok but im not so sure also , maybe just tell them if ever they will ask , but about the drugs definitely NO , drugs is lifetime ban for entering the US either its long time , so just say NO to any vices. Sometime u have to lie just to be with the person u love . hope this will help a little

[Tussie 0]

Hello,

I read about a post sometime back where a US citizen who was trying to bring there fiancee from the philipines, was put on administrative hold I guess cause when it came time to the medical exam, they saw that the fiancee in the philipines had suicidal scars on her wrists. Im not sure if they were approved yet or what happend, but as long as you dont have scars you should be good to go I think.

But I agree with the comment before, dont mention about the drugs. But I would figure even if you were honest and did mention to them that you did use drugs when you were young, that they would not judge based on that, since if they were to do a drug test on you, you would not test positive. I wouldnt mention it, but I would be honest about how you and your hubby met. There is nothing to be ashamed about meeting through a chat room community. I have read other posts where couples met online and they were approved and able to come to the US. Im sure that they would not question your relationship as much do that your husband has served in the military and would understand how stressful military life is. But one thing that you might want to ask your hubby and think about, is he claiming through the Veterans Affairs for medical benefits for his PSTD or does he have some type of disability claim for it? They might look into that when they are looking into your hubbys income and stuff. Not that I know, but from what I have researched is that they want to make sure that you will not be a public charge.

I wouldnt worry to much about or stress over it. I feel depressed too since it is the holiday season and it sucks not to have my hubby. But we are getting close to finally living a life together. Hopefully. I wish you luck and hope that all goes well for your family.

[trailmix 77]

There are several things that can make you inadmissable and these might be 2 of them. The thing is, I really don't know. I have read different threads where people have been banned or they had to file a waiver to overcome the drugs issue (I believe there is a 3 year clause, ie: you must not have used drugs for the last 3 years). That said, they don't always follow that guideline from what I understand.

I would recommend that you post your question in the Waivers and Administrative Processes forum as the folks there are generally quite knowledgable about this type of situation.

Good luck to you

[archie07 0]

PTSD does NOT disqualify your husband from petitioning you even if he is collecting benefits from the VA. Those benefits can be listed on the I 134 or the I 864 also. Prior drug use would disqualify you if you disclose it.

[Cassie 8]

I get VERY nervous when people advise others to lie during this process.

[Scorpiankh 0]

Hubby does get a VA benefit and all of his medical bills are paid by the VA.

As far as I'm concerned the drug stuff isn't even a relevant part of my life, just something I did when I was young and stupid, something I've put behind me.

For the depression and anxiety I don't think it's a problem for me anymore, I've been fine for 18 months now and I'm putting that behind me as best I can too. I don't think I'm likely to become a public charge.

For me personally, these things aren't relevant, they're not an issue in my life anymore, but they might be for the powers that be in the immigration world. I don't want to lie, I HATE lies, but if the truth will stop me from being with the man I love ...?

[Marlita 0]

I would not disclose the info about you being on drugs when you were younger. It most likely will get you a ban for at least 3 years. I have met many VJ'ers who found this out the hard way! It doesnt matter how long you have been off the drugs, once on them that all they are looking for...past drug use....no matter how far into your past in may have been. I don't think the Chat room info is a cause for a ban but the drug use is definitely!

I know people may say not to lie, but hey if you know in your heart that you are past that drug stage of your life then sometimes you gotta lie so that others can stop judging you.

[TinTin and Samby 11]

Hello,

I read about a post sometime back where a US citizen who was trying to bring there fiancee from the philipines, was put on administrative hold I guess cause when it came time to the medical exam, they saw that the fiancee in the philipines had suicidal scars on her wrists. Im not sure if they were approved yet or what happend, but as long as you dont have scars you should be good to go I think.

But I agree with the comment before, dont mention about the drugs. But I would figure even if you were honest and did mention to them that you did use drugs when you were young, that they would not judge based on that, since if they were to do a drug test on you, you would not test positive. I wouldnt mention it, but I would be honest about how you and your hubby met. There is nothing to be ashamed about meeting through a chat room community. I have read other posts where couples met online and they were approved and able to come to the US. Im sure that they would not question your relationship as much do that your husband has served in the military and would understand how stressful military life is. But one thing that you might want to ask your hubby and think about, is he claiming through the Veterans Affairs for medical benefits for his PSTD or does he have some type of disability claim for it? They might look into that when they are looking into your hubbys income and stuff. Not that I know, but from what I have researched is that they want to make sure that you will not be a public charge.

I wouldnt worry to much about or stress over it. I feel depressed too since it is the holiday season and it sucks not to have my hubby. But we are getting close to finally living a life together. Hopefully. I wish you luck and hope that all goes well for your family.

I would not disclose the info about you being on drugs when you were younger. It most likely will get you a ban for at least 3 years. I have met many VJ'ers who found this out the hard way! It doesnt matter how long you have been off the drugs, once on them that all they are looking for...past drug use....no matter how far into your past in may have been. I don't think the Chat room info is a cause for a ban but the drug use is definitely!

I know people may say not to lie, but hey if you know in your heart that you are past that drug stage of your life then sometimes you gotta lie so that others can stop judging you.

[Jasman0717 9]

I get VERY nervous when people advise others to lie during this process.

It is illegal and violates the TOS of the website

[rjp44 1]

I don't think that prescription drugs will be any problem. Illegal drugs is another story and admitted use of them, or if they are detected in the bloodstream is cause for a lifetime ban for a resident visa in the U.S. You can read in the Phillipines section a thread that tells of a woman being denied just recently for admitting using drugs 2 times 4 yrs ago.