Will this hurt my chances of being allowed to immigrate?

[Scorpiankh 0]

I posted this in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa General Discussion, but someone told me I should post here too as people in this forum might be more knowledgeable about this type of situation.

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

Me and my hubby met about 3 1/2 years ago online (I am hoping to move to the US with my daughter so we can be with him), 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.

[annasherwood 0]

I posted this in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa General Discussion, but someone told me I should post here too as people in this forum might be more knowledgeable about this type of situation.

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

Me and my hubby met about 3 1/2 years ago online (I am hoping to move to the US with my daughter so we can be with him), 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.

i'm no expert (God knows) but i don't think you have anything to worry about...you have nothing (that you've mentioned) that would require a waiver...when you go for your physical, be honest but don't elaborate and be matter-of-fact about things; if (and i say 'if' because my husband wasn't asked) they ask if you've ever done drugs, say you experimented with them but don't use them now and haven't for at least 8 years---that is what our lawyer advised us to say, but in the end they didn't ask so my husband didn't mention it...my husband has a similar history but was unlucky enough to get convicted of possession of cannabis and that's why we need a waiver...i don't think you will need one so long as you're smart and keep your answers short

added: my husband and i met online (in a soccer forum) but we were never asked...i would say don't volunteer any information until it's asked and you should be fine

Edited November 25, 2007 by annasherwood

[HannahP 119]

No, your history of mental illness won't hurt anything.

(Although I've always wondered if my history of mental illness would impact immigration to Canada? but I digress...)

However, I wouldn't mention your drug use at all. People have been denied on here for admitting to past drug use.

[archie07 0]

http://www.gurfinkel.com/immigration_updates_2006.html

[Scorpiankh 0]

The more I look into it the worse it looks. Most of the info I can find points to a lifelong ban for even trying marijuana once.

I hate this! All I want is to be with my husband Are people not allowed to make mistakes?????

I don't think lying about it is even an option, I've never been able to tell a lie, whenever I've tried I might as well have a big flashing neon sign on my forehead saying "I am lying"

Is there any way around it? How do I know if I'm eligible for a waiver? and how does that work? when would I have to file that?

[Carlawarla 1]

The more I look into it the worse it looks. Most of the info I can find points to a lifelong ban for even trying marijuana once.

I hate this! All I want is to be with my husband Are people not allowed to make mistakes?????

I don't think lying about it is even an option, I've never been able to tell a lie, whenever I've tried I might as well have a big flashing neon sign on my forehead saying "I am lying"

Is there any way around it? How do I know if I'm eligible for a waiver? and how does that work? when would I have to file that?

No one is asking you to lie. Lying is not an option. You have to tell the truth. You're probably going to be asked about past drug use and your mental illness at the medical interview. You might be referred to a psychiatrist after your medical interview, so that it can be assured you have no outstanding drug use and that your mental illness is stablized insofar as you're taking medication.

I don't know that you will be denied. Honesty is always the best policy, and you will need to discuss this with your doctor at the interview.

If you require a waiver, you can have one prepared ahead of time and file it with the Embassy at your interview.

My understanding is that your partner would have to write a hardship letter. I'm not too familiar with the process, but you might want to look at the pinned threads at the top of this page and look into it more.

I'm sorry that this has caused you such worry and hope that by reading more about this process, and asking questions here on the board, you might find your anxieties calmed.

Wishing you luck in your continued journey!

Carla

[emt103c 10]

The medical exam is where they will ask you about "mental illness." Like someone else said, you must be honest, and they may refer you to have a followup after the immigration medical, or ask for a diagnosis, etc from your psychiatrist. They may ask for a medical waiver, though I don't see that as likely.

As for the drug use, mostly they want to know about arrests and convictions. They usually don't make general questions about drug use, especially when you were under 18 years old, I believe you said you were a minor. In the medical they will ask you about CURRENT drug/alcohol use.

DO NOT LIE, but don't volunteer any information that they don't need.

Telling them about the chat room will probably come up, don't lie, there is no reason to. Millions of Americans go to support groups or support chat rooms....look at us right this minute. No reason to hide it.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

The medical exam is where they will ask you about "mental illness." Like someone else said, you must be honest, and they may refer you to have a followup after the immigration medical, or ask for a diagnosis, etc from your psychiatrist. They may ask for a medical waiver, though I don't see that as likely.

As for the drug use, mostly they want to know about arrests and convictions. They usually don't make general questions about drug use, especially when you were under 18 years old, I believe you said you were a minor. In the medical they will ask you about CURRENT drug/alcohol use.

DO NOT LIE, but don't volunteer any information that they don't need.

Telling them about the chat room will probably come up, don't lie, there is no reason to. Millions of Americans go to support groups or support chat rooms....look at us right this minute. No reason to hide it.

I agree with this completely.

Be honest. If they ask about current drug use or any convictions, be honest and say no you don't use drugs and you've never been convicted and end it at that. Don't go into your whole history of PAST drug use, etc. As said before, people have been denied for prior drug use, even longer than you have used! Answer their questions directly and honestly but don't elaborate and give them information that they didn't even ask for.

Best of luck to you!!!

[TasksGirl 0]

You should post this on the other forum..

http://immigrate2us.net/forum/index.php