Lemonslice

If I remember correctly, FBAR fines for non disclosure are also heavy $$$$$$ I agree that many people could switch to self filing after the first year/first year without a change in situation, by following what was done by the expert. Just don't forget FBAR. Good tax professionals can also advise on how to plan for the year(s) to come. I absolutely do not mind paying my fair share of taxes, but there is no reason to pay extra ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Many CPAs cost about the same as HR Block (only to file taxes), must have been a very fancy one to offset your whole credit.

Also applies to Canadians tourists who entered legally, if they're staying for more than 30 days.

Humanitarian parole, or advance parole?

@edmc, good that you guys registered. I've got a communication from Global Affairs Canada about it the other week... I think many Canadians are not yet aware. Copying the whole email below / can't copy the Links right now, but ready enough to Google. ......... (le français suit.) Dear registrants, You are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad service. Recently, the US Citizenship and Immigration has published guidance requiring foreign nationals aged 14 and over to register if they plan to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer. Global Affairs Canada has updated its Travel Advice and Advisories for the United States to inform Canadians of this new requirement. Please take note of the following important details regarding registration requirements: Registration: Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines and misdemeanor prosecution. You should consult the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to determine if you need to register with USCIS and how to do so. You can very if you have been automatically registered on entry to the US by looking up your I-94 admission form on the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) website. Useful links: Alien Registration Requirement | USCIS - US Citizenship and Immigration Services I-94 Official Website - Home Page Official Website of US Customs and Border Protection If you need help Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Embassy of Canada to the United States, in Washington at 1-844-880-6519 or by e-mail at ccs.scc@international.gc.ca during office hours or contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) in Ottawa directly: by calling: +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where available). by text message at: +1 613-686-3658 via WhatsApp at: +1 613-909-8881 via Signal at: +1-613-909-8087 by e-mail at: sos@international.gc.ca Complete list of Canadian offices abroad Stay informed Check our destination-specific Travel Advice and Advisories as often as possible for any important updates. Website X (formerly Twitter) Facebook Subscription - Travel Updates Unsubscribe If you have completed your trip and have no intention to return in the near future, simply access your file and modify the travel date and destination details by changing the departure date to today’s date. Access your registration file If you are unable to change the departure date, you may send an email to roca@international.gc.ca. Please share this important information with other Canadians in your area. Global Affairs Canada Bonjour, Vous recevez ce message puisque vous vous êtes inscrits auprès du Gouvernement du Canada à l'aide du système d'inscription des Canadiens à l'étranger. Récemment, les services américains de citoyenneté et d`immigration ont publié des directives ( anglais ou espagnol seulement ) exigeant que les ressortissants étrangers âgés de 14 ans et plus s`enregistrent s`ils prévoient de rester aux Etats-Unis pendant 30 jours ou plus. Affaires Mondiales Canada a mis a jour ses conseils et avertissements aux voyageurs pour les Etats-Unis afin d`informer les Canadiens de cette nouvelle exigence. Veuillez prendre note des détails importants suivants concernant les exigences d`enregistrement: Enregistrement: Les Canadiens et les autres ressortissants étrangers qui se rendent aux Etats-Unis pour une période de plus de 30 jours doivent être enregistrés auprès du gouvernement américain. Le non-respect de cette obligation d`enregistrement peut entraîner des pénalités, des amendes et des poursuites pour délit mineur. Vous devriez consulter le site web des services américains de citoyenneté et d`immigration ( USCIS ) pour savoir si vous devez vous enregistrer auprès de l`USCIS et comment le faire. Vous pouvez vérifier si vous avez été automatiquement enregistré lors de votre entrée aux Etats-Unis en consultant le formulaire d admission I-94 sur le site web du Service des douanes et de la protection des frontières des Etats-Unis (USCBP) Liens utiles: Alien Registration Requirement | USCIS = Exigence d`enregistrement pour les étrangers - Services de citoyenneté et d`immigration des Etats-Unis. ( en anglais ) I-94 Official Website - Home Page = Site officiel du Service des douanes et de la protection des frontières des Etats-Unis ( en anglais seulement) Si vous avez besoin d’aide Les citoyens canadiens ayant besoin d’une assistance consulaire d’urgence devraient communiquer avec l`Ambassade du Canada a Washington au 1-844-880-6519 ou envoyer un courriel à ccs.scc@international.gc.ca pendant les heures d`ouverture ou contacter directement le Centre de surveillance et d'intervention d'urgence (CSIU) à Ottawa : en appelant le +1 613-996-8885 (les appels à frais virés sont acceptés là où ils sont disponibles). en envoyant un message texte à l'adresse suivante +1 613-686-3658 par WhatsApp au : +1 613-909-8881 par Signal au +1-613-909-8087 par courriel à l'adresse suivante: sos@international.gc.ca Liste complète des bureaux canadiens à l'étranger Restez Informé Consultez nos Conseils aux voyageurs et avertissements spécifiques à chaque destination aussi souvent que possible pour toute mise à jour importante. Site Web X (anciennement Twitter) Facebook Abonnement - Mises à jour de voyage Se désinscrire Si vous avez terminé votre voyage et n’avez pas l’intention de revenir dans un avenir proche, accédez simplement à votre dossier et modifiez la date du voyage et les détails de la destination en changeant la date de départ à la date d’aujourd’hui. Accédez à votre dossier d’inscription Si vous n’êtes pas capable de modifier votre date de départ, vous pouvez envoyer un courriel à l’adresse roca@international.gc.ca. Nous vous saurions gré de transmettre cette information à tous les ressortissants canadiens se trouvant dans votre région. Affaires mondiales Canada

Did they also request that he files form DS-5535?

I love your optimism. Trump himself has said he'd like to deport CITIZENS.

Ah good old xenophobia 😕

I am in a similar situation as @RalphieCanuck in that I have 4 first names, but only ever go by one of them. Most of my IDs (all but my birth certificate and second citizenship passport) show my preferred first name and my last name. I have disclosed all of them in other names used, but under current name I only put that one and my last name. That is what is shown on my green card too. No one raised the question, they just saw all my IDs/my passport in that name 🤷‍♀️ [or maybe it is so many characters that it wouln't fit anyway] I don't see it being a problem. As long as it has been disclosed, that is how you "use" your name.

Return to sender any and all mail delivered for her. Do not open, just return.

Does she have health insurance?

It wasn't sarcasm. Use what you have, now. If they accept it, great. If not, you'll have the instructions on how to get that they want.

Well, submit that then. You will be ok, until they request the Syrian birth certificate.

Then, from what is written in the reciprocity schedule posted above, it seems you will need to reach out to a lawyer to find these documents for you.

Make sure your name is in/on your mailbox, but you should get it very soon now (possibly this week).

Did she remove conditions, is it her unexpired green card? Otherwise, might be harder to board her flight.

How did you enter the US?

Save that link as it might be helpful if you encounter untrained airline personel: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2023-Nov/Carrier Information Guide ENGLISH.pdf

I know it is hard, but try to not overstress too much. This is a long process, rules (and news cycles) have time to change a million times before the interview at the consulate; keep your eyes open, reach to your elected representatives if you have an opinion to share. Focus on the rules when it gets closer to your turn. Please come back to keep us updated. Best of luck!

How would AI know? Seriously, AI can be a useful tool, but do not rely on it. Take a deep breath, until all the details are out, it will be a guessing game. Here is how it looked in 2017, might be totally different this time, but could also be similar. Notice the subtle differences for each "banned" country. https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/executive-order-travel-ban-nafsa-resources

If it is like the prior travel ban, then no visa will be issued until the ban is over. People with valid visa en route to the US during the announcement will be turned away after landing, and some permanent residents too. It is going to be a mess for a little while, and then things will hopefully settle down. If there is any way for her to travel early this week, have her jump on the plane. [that is a good summary of what it looked like in 2017: https://www.nafsa.org/professional-resources/browse-by-interest/executive-order-travel-ban-nafsa-resources ]

Forget about immigration, and think about it... who would not try to see the love of their life for four years? Long distance relationships mean some time apart, and some sacrifice (time, money, etc.) - but, visiting each other is part of the deal. Would you be able to help pay for her tickets to visit you? Has she looked into taking an extended leave from work to visit you for a few months? Have you tried to meet her in one of the Caribbean countries where you can travel without a visa? What efforts have you done to be together?

It depends on so many things, I am confident you will know what feels right for your family. If you end up staying long enough in Canada, Canadian citizenship is not a bad option for kids going to college in 10+ years...

I would apply a week or so before you May vacations. You might receive communication from them during your vacations, but you will be able to act on it when you are back. What are the current timelines at your local office?

You will have to apply for them and see. Realistically, it might not be possible for them to visit before having their immigrant visas in hand. About this "Crazy that Canada will welcome us as a family but the US will not!" - I don't find it that crazy, both countries have very different immigration policies. Are you guys planning to become Canadian PRs after a few years?