Immigration: REAL ID is now law (Long)

[Tommy]

... in response to Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now law (Lon..., posted by Cali MD on May 12, 2005

No flame here, but if someone wants to pay $1200 for a secretary to fill out simple paperwork after you gather it all and send it to her, to be neatly typed, be my guest.  $1200 is actually (if you can believe it) low compared to what some other attorneys sucker guys into paying with outlandish scare tactics on their websites (Not Gary's).  NOBODY is going to do a better job than the person who wants the woman to be here as soon as possible.

Visajourney.com lays it all out, step by step.  Anyone can do it.  Document, document, document everything in your relationship, fill out the simple forms, pay the government and follow the next steps as they come up.  

Of course, if money is a non-issue, then by all means throw your money away.  I think most guys dont really want to do that, but are scared to do it themselves.  $1200 can buy her a plane ticket here, and maybe even one for you to go down for the interview.  

As for the immigration issue.  This country has a bad habit of waiting for bad things to happen before taking any action.  ie. WWI, WWII, 9-11, etc.  I suppose that after more terrorists walk across the Mexican border and start blowing up shopping malls, machine gunning people in the streets, taking hostages and be-heading them, etc. etc. etc......then the USA will finally take border security seriously.  This bill will NOT stop determined individuals from making their way into our country who want to kill Americans.  Its only a matter of time, its been three and a half years since 9-11 and sooner or later the shit will hit the fan again.  K-1 and K-3 visa petitioners have no worries, dont even think about it.  

Tommy

[littlebhuddha]

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now law ..., posted by Tommy on May 12, 2005

Speaking as some one did it myself I can say that it is NOT a no-brainer process. I have a lot of experience with SEC filings that make USCIS filings look tame but I found filing my I-130 and I-129f to be a very daunting task. The fear of making a mistake that could cost you months puts it in perspective. That being said it can be done if you are willing to put the effort into research and if you are detail-oriented. I learned a lot from the Visa Journey website and it helped me avoid a lot of mistakes. However with all the research I did and the filling in the forms and redoing them 10 times I put at least a 100 hours into the process. It is not easy. And there are differnet factors in everybody's case that are not always as straight forward and are hard to find answers too. I ended up consulting with Gary on some issues that were extraordinary to my case and that saved me a lot of headaches and money. If I had it all to do over again I think I would have just paid the $1200. And you are right. $1200 is not much compared to some other attorneys. And the stories of incompetent attornies abound on the Visa Journey website. I really think that Gary is a real bargin. He knows the process inside out and uniquely understands the issues faced by the men on this board. The whole process of marrying and bringing my wife here cost me between $15-20k. The extra $1200 amounts to about $1 an hour for the sleep I lost worrying about if I was going to get an RFE.

[Tommy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now ..., posted by littlebhuddha on May 13, 2005

If there are circumstances that are difficult to resolve then a good attorney that charges a fair price is probably worth it.  My petition was fairly straightforward so I felt confident filing it myself and it went smoothly.  However, things like divorces or a child are not really that much more difficult.
If a woman has a criminal background or other similar difficulties then I would have probably sought out an attorney. (not saying your girl had that problem, I am sure there are other problems I am not aware of that would entice someone to consult an attorney)  

For example, I know a couple guys who petitioned ladies of the night that they "inadvertently" fell in love with. LOL  Somehow, the embassy found out, or the girl coughed up the info when the interviewer questioned her.  

Personally, I would most likely never petition these types of ladies, but to each his own. Never say never I suppose.  I am not referring to your case at all here, just some other ones that I am aware of.

I am curious though.....I wonder if a "working girl" who is found out by the embassy could still be issued a fiancee visa, or a K-3?  I definitely would hire an attorney at that point if I, for whatever reason, still had to have her after finding out about this information.  I think many guys who go to the Philippines run into this sort of problem more often than others, but that is mere speculation on my part, nothing to back it up.  

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with hiring an attorney.  I think my main point was that its not necessary in most circumstances if you want to do it yourself and can follow simple instruction, and research a bit.  The main thing is to find a good girl who is truthful with you from the start, then you need not worry about anything coming later that will cause rejection by the Government.  I guess thats the hardest part of all in this endeavor, finding someone you can trust with the limited time most of us have for face to face time.

Good luck to all no matter what decision you make on how to go about it.  No sense losing sleep about it if it makes you feel more confident about the outcome.

Tommy

[doombug]

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now law ..., posted by Tommy on May 12, 2005

Great points, Tommy.

"...then the USA will finally take border security seriously."

I think most Americans take border security seriously.  The cluster that don't--and those who most contribute to the detriment of the majority--are composed mostly of ultra-lefties and the headlines-oriented "Immigrant Rights" groups.

"This bill will NOT stop determined individuals from making their way into our country who want to kill Americans."

For sure.  But every little bit counts.  I work in an office that issues identity documents of the very nature the REAL ID Act intends to secure.  Though, many Americans might think the Act a trivial step, it will have a profound impact in many areas where the law breakers had previously encountered no barriers.

Another consideration:  Deny anyone the ability to register, rent, or own a vehicle unless they can verify they are a legal resident of the country.  I've yet to see the idea floated in the media, but it is critically important.  It is negligence unforseen on a mass scale.  Many would be shocked to discover how simple it is to own and operate a vehicle in many states with NO evidence of legal presence or liability coverage.  In fact, in California there's a float period that lasts up to 14 months wherebye the registered owner of a vehicle is under no obligation to show evidence of insurance before receiving their vehicle tags.  Furthermore, anyone over 18 years of age--no matter their nation of origin or residence status--can buy a vehicle and title/register it WITHOUT a driver license.  A wreckless driving record, multiple DUI's, or criminal record are of no consequence.  

Why?  

Driving records and vehicle records are entirely separate data bases, and there's no move by the public to push for legislation on something that even the politicians--those who craft the state's vehicle codes--are unware of.  

The chasm of a loophole:  A terrorist may need to show a license to RENT a U-Haul truck, but he certainly doesn't need one to buy and register such vehicles.

[Jamie]

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now law ..., posted by Tommy on May 12, 2005

“NOBODY is going to do a better job than the person who wants the woman to be here as soon as possible.”

Tommy this is not true. Qualified professionals can do a better job. They are less likely to make a mistake, they know the latest rule changes, and they know the extras that can play a role depending on the guy’s situation. I know of many guys who did not feel comfortable tackling this process and wanted someone experience doing the job they certainly don’t want their woman here any less than someone who does it themselves.

“Of course, if money is a non-issue, then by all means throw your money away.”

It continues to amuse me that those that object to how others spend their money because they can not appreciate the value the spender is receiving define such spending as wasteful. By your definition anyone who buys a first class airline seat is throwing his money away. He arrives at the same destination at the same time as the guy 10 meters back but for so much more.  These people are somehow smart enough to make more money but not very smart in how they spend it. Seems like a strange pairing.

One does not have to be scared in determining that for them the preference is to have the expert do it.

Engage the Exotic - Latin Women
http://International-Introductions.com

[Tommy]

... in response to Did someone say fire? , posted by Jamie on May 12, 2005

If someone wants to throw their money away be my guest, its your money.  I would say persons that buy first class airline tickets have that type of money and paying a lawyer is chump change to them.  Most of the guys that I have met do not have this kind of money and this is a money saving alternative for them.  Money better spent on things that HAVE to be paid for.  Its not difficult to learn any new changes to the format.  If I can do it, anybody can do it.  (I had a girl come here, but things did not work out and she returned, post 9-11.)  

However, your opinion is valid for anyone who does not want to hassle with the paperwork, has extra cash, or just prefers to have a lawyer do it  To each his own. As my mother always said, waste not, want not.

Take it easy,

Tommy

[Jake]

... in response to As I said....., posted by Tommy on May 12, 2005

tommy ........... you will never win any debate with Jamie .... he claims to be the expert on just about every subject ... When I had the extra cash I would fly first class ... the seat and leg room is much greater .... maybe if Jamie ever rode first class he would know this ......... I need to catch a flight ... I will be in touch when I get back from Brazil ... I wonder if it is the same lady pre 9-11 ? I also sent one back after 3 weeks.  take care

[Tommy]

... in response to Re: As I said....., posted by Jake on May 12, 2005

I dont think it was the same girl, that would be quite the anomaly.  My girl was ok, she became disallusioned when she arrived and was here for a period of time, about two months.  She said she didnt  expect life here to be like it was, despite my painstaking attempts to explain in micro detail what it was like. She also missed her family tremendously.  Or perhaps it was me that was not what she expected.  When in country, we all become somewhat different, full of energy and hormones bursting at the seams.  Here, we are working and have our lives and routines, and its hard to change if you really dont want to.  Especially when the girls say she doesnt want you to change and simply wants what she had in the person she came to know in her country.

I think that is what many of us fail to realize.  We do become different when we travel and meet these ladies.  We are not all that we seem to be in their eyes.  Once here, they see us as we really are in our lives and sometimes is not what they want.  Perhaps not anyones fault, just the way it is in this chance that we take.  The devastation can be real thought, to the girl when she goes back, and for the man who is suddenly alone again. It sucks.

Choose carefully....not only for yourself but for the girl as well.

Suerte

Tommy

[Jamie]

... in response to Re: As I said....., posted by Jake on May 12, 2005

"I also sent one back after 3 weeks. take care"

Another proud moment in Jake’s epilogue of disastrous adventures with women.

"the seat and leg room is much greater .... maybe if Jamie ever rode first class he would know this ........."

Jake you are a real wiz, nothing gets by you.

[Fuzzyone]

... in response to Lady Killer, posted by Jamie on May 13, 2005

You should know Jamie that Jake has made a ton of trips to S.A. so he knows
about those evil agencies. What I was wondering if they are so bad why keep
using them? Could it be the person complaining and not the Agencies?  I have
read post from other people that complain all the time about the agencies and
have been doing this for years, but still have not found their girl.

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration: REAL ID is now law ..., posted by Tommy on May 12, 2005

:-)