need advise

[Lori]

Hi Everyone---here's the problem---My house got broken into. They took the ring Thai gave me----well, 3 rings actually that his family gave me. I don't want to tell him because I know he's going to worry alot. But I need to tell him so that he can replace the one ring that matches his. If I don't we won't have a ring for me to exchange on our wedding day. Why wasn't it on my finger?? I just not a jewlry person and sometimes I forot to put it on.
give me all your advises---thanks

[Lori]

... in response to need advise, posted by Lori on Jan 12, 2002

I guess I knew I'd tell him before I even posted this. He said as long as we love eachother, that does'nt matter. I knew he would be understanding. I just did'nt want to worry him.
Talked to him sunday. His Interview is on Feb. 7th.
I'm wondering about his working here. Does he have to have some sort of stamp on his visa?? Does he take care of that at the interview?? Or does that wait till he comes to america?
Thanks again.
You guys have been great!!!I don't know what I'd have done without this board.
--lori

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Lori on Jan 14, 2002

Hi Lori,

Thai can start legally working as soon as he gets his Social Security Card. The I-94 stamp (Departure Record - showing admittance into the US) in the passport, next to the Visa, is accepted as proof of INS work authorization by the Social Security Administration. He must apply for the SS card within 90 days of arriving in the US. If he goes beyond 90 days to apply for the SS card, he will have to wait for the AOS and obtain his EAD (Employment Authorization)...then apply for the SS card. You do not have to be married first, so I would do it ASAP.

One word of advice: Don't accept "No" from the local Social Security office. The man said that my wife was not work authorized, so I presented him a copy of a memo I got on Mag-Anak concerning work authorization with the I-94 stamp. The man looked up the memo and said "No problem!" Work authorization with an unexpired I-94 is now listed on page 3, under "Alien Status" on the newest (3-2001) "SSA Application for a Social Security Card" document.

Good Luck!

Dave H.

[Bob S.]

... in response to Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Lori on Jan 14, 2002

As a fiance on a K-1 visa, Thai is entitled to a temporary 90-day work permit the moment he steps off the plane.  If the INS does not provide him one when he steps off the plane (and odds are they won't), you can request one in person (do not mail in the application as the time to process it is longer than the 90 day visa limit).  So, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to, before Thai gets on the plane over there,

1.  Locate your local INS regional office (http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/index.htm) and request an application for an Employment Authorization Document.

2.  Locate your local office of the Social Security Administration (http://www.ssa.gov/).  You will need this later.

3.  Locate your local Department of Motor Vehicles (or whatever they call it in your state).  If possible, obtain a copy of the Driver's Handbook in Vietnamese.  Often you can find them in a variety of languages. (If they do not have one in Vietnamese in your state, let us know as myself, Jeff S., or Stephen can no doubt get you one from here.)

When Thai gets off the plane, I suspect he will not be offered an EAD (work permit) there.  No problem.  Soon after he's arrived and y'all'ved settled in (maybe wait a few days?), fill out the EAD application and take it IN PERSON to the INS office.  You may have to take a day off from work to get this done.  If all your paperwork is in order (note, there may be a $100 fee, see the INS web site for fee prices), he will be able to get a temporary EAD then and there.

After that, you can then go down to your local SSA office (again a lot of waiting around) to get Thai his SSN.  Be sure and take his work permit with you.

With his passport and SSN, and hopefully having adequately studied the Driver's Handbook, you will be ready to go down to the DMV to take the test for his learner's permit and maybe full driver's license.  If he already has a driver's license from Vietnam, your state may simply grant him a new one.  Laws vary a bit from state to state on that.

Now he is all set to join the rat race with the rest of us workin' stiffs! ;-)

Note, his temporary work permit does expire about the same time as his visa.  So when you file for his Adjustment of Status, you will also need to file for a new Work Permit at the same time.

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Lori on Jan 14, 2002

are one of the benefits of having this board available to ask advice and get some feedback, when there is none in your own home.

Me?  I think I know everything so I don't need any help right?  haha! (yeah right).  This place is a LOT better than the corner cry-babies bar!  
I'm just waiting for the day when I need some help... Its coming soon.  One things for sure, I definitely know I'll get it, in rapid fire succession from at least 16 posters!

I'll say this much, it's nice to know you got folks that'll hold your friggin hand and not bite it off when you stick it out! lol..

[Jeff S]

... in response to Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Lori on Jan 14, 2002

Hi Lor.

Sad to hear of your situation. I thought you lived in crime free middle America. Only us city folk living in the corners had to put up with that kind of nonsense. I guess it's everywhere. I'm sure Tai will want to know what happened so you're right, having a solid marriage means sharing the good with the bad. I remember back in the early days of my marriage I didn't tell my wife about a bad thing that had happened and when she found out, got angry with me, put her hands on her hips and with an indignant glare told me "I not child!" It's hard to argue with that logic, so I supressed a giggle and apologized. Marriage is a learning experience and hopefully you never stop.

BTW, I believe Tai has to wait for your AOS (adjustment of status.) That means he goes from a sort of visitor status (K1 fiance) to an immigrant status (conditional permanent resident) so you'll probably have to get married before he can work. My info is pretty old though, but I'll bet Dave can answer that. I heard Marife has a job and has only been here a couple of months, though they did get married.

-- Jeff S.

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Jeff S on Jan 14, 2002

Hey Jeff,

Marife got the job before she even set foot in the US. LOL I was trying to keep her presence in the US a secret, but my friend found out and called one day, begging her to begin working.

Dave H.

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Re: Thanks Guys, posted by Jeff S on Jan 14, 2002

I've seen it posted on the russian thread that you can actually have the docs stamped at the airport, the moment he gets off the plane, which will allow him to get ssn and go to work right away.

Could be totally hosed about this, but that's about par for the course sometimes.

[Dave H]

... in response to need advise, posted by Lori on Jan 12, 2002

Hey Lori,

I am sorry to hear of your recent misfortune. If you have mentioned the incident to Thai's family, then he already knows. It's best to tell him about it. Sure he may worry a little more, but he will deal with it.

It won't be long now! ;o)) Good Luck!!!

Dave H.

[Ray]

... in response to need advise, posted by Lori on Jan 12, 2002

Tell him exactly what happened and exactly the way it happened.

Ray

[BrianN]

... in response to need advise, posted by Lori on Jan 12, 2002

Hey Lori, thanks for responding to my post from last week.  Just tell him the truth, (men are easier with these things  than women).  Crap things happen in this country, just as they do in his.  He should be understanding.

Don't hide this.  If it creates a "problem", you need to know it now, rather than later. You guys should be strong enough to get over this situation.  I'm in your same shoes... tired of being alone... actually jealous because you have someone, on the up and up.

Define it now, confide in him as you would your best friend(s), (us here), and hopefully all will work out well for you.  Nobody's perfect, don't even pretend to be ok?  Guys are easy.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Brian
PS: thanks for spelling my name right... lol...