ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaLesbian Couple Wants to be Together
QUOTE (SpiritAlight @ Jul 5 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If gays/lesbians can get married in California and Massachusetts then why can they not get married there and then apply for AOS?

Being that U.S. immigration is arcane and antiquated, perhaps the only one that is truly modern method would be Quebec's; they even recognize common law couples for immigration do they not?
Yes, Quebec's immigration is separate from the rest of Canada!!!

I wish for you that you find a way and be together.
Perhaps for now, it can be long visits to the U.S. for the CDN partner.
star_smile.gif


The federal government doesn't recognize same-sex marriages for the purposes of immigration. Each state gets to make their own decision.

Marrying someone else for the purposes of getting to be with your partner would be fraud. Better to move to Canada where it's legal. Alberta's quite nice but IIRC it's been dragging its heels over same-sex marriage. One of the other provinces might be more amenable.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-07-19 11:34:00
CanadaPlease help me make my fiancee feel more at home
On the directions point: we added C. to my cell phone plan as soon as we could, and bought the Navigator software (Verizon's GPS-like maps program) for his line. This meant that he could decide that he wanted to go out to shop or tool around or whatever without getting lost. It also helped because the software would allow him to put in the name of a store and it would map the route from where he was to the store.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-10-04 09:51:00
CanadaCanada Border Patrol
Right; obviously you'd have to be able to prove it (and I'm guessing fill out some paperwork.) But that might be a good reason that Canadian officials seem a little more calm about border visits. If someone married to a Canadian wanted to get in with immigrant intent, there'd be no reason to sneak in.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-10-20 07:28:00
CanadaCanada Border Patrol
I flew to Edmonton to help C. fly down; I cleared Canadian immigration in Toronto, and said that I was here to help my fiance move to the United States. The agent did a quick double-take -- "on this visit?" and I said something to the effect of 'Yes, ma'am, he has a U.S. fiance visa and we're getting married in July.' No problems.

(As a side note, isn't it true that if one is intending to immigrate to Canada as a spouse, one can declare that at the border as they permit 'inside Canada' adjustment? Anyone know the details of this, or if I'm at all in the ballpark? )
CaladanMaleCanada2008-10-19 20:52:00
CanadaHPV vaccine question
QUOTE (thetreble @ Oct 2 2008, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Okay am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

We are supposed to be checked for vaccinations that we have had for diseases we could potentially get that would be a threat to American society at large. This I totally understand. That is why we get tested for TB, for example. Why are they forcing women to get this vaccine? Should it not be your choice?

Furthermore, I thought that Gardasil was marketed towards like 11-13 year olds? I read this on a website:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Gardasil for all girls ages 11 or 12 years old. The vaccine is also recommended in girls and women ages 13 through 26 years old who have not already received the vaccine or have not completed all booster shots.

Booster shots? Are those not the shots we get when we are children?


I think it's ridiculous because I think that mandatory vaccinations should be limited to *public* health matters, and I'm not sure the handful of HPV strains Gardasil might protect against suffices. They don't check and bar men for carrying HPV; they shouldn't be barring women for not getting a vaccine.

(I don't think it's a public health issue, unlike TB, because they don't test men for it, and having HPV is not a bar to admission, so this is just a moneymaker.)
CaladanMaleCanada2008-10-02 08:32:00
CanadaCheaper healthcare in Canada?
QUOTE (trailmix @ Nov 17 2008, 05:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Deadpool, sorry you had a bad experience - but you and I both know that you are comparing apples and oranges here.

You are not covered by a provincial plan in Canada yet, therefore you are comparing the cost for going to the Dr. in Canada with zero health insurance coverage to going to a Dr. in the U.S. with health insurance.

As for the drugs, the doctor should have asked you if you have drug coverage and if not he should have offered a generic - much cheaper (for the antibiotics).

I really am sorry you are having a hard time.



This is a good point. Hey, guess what, if I'm not covered in the U.S., health care costs come out of pocket, too! That wouldn't prove anything about an American insurance plan, and it would be bad to take it as an indictment of the Canadian health plan when one isn't on the plan.

Deadpool, sorry you're having a rough time. Things will look up soon.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-11-18 08:56:00
CanadaAny one talking about the almost political crises in Canada?
On a lighter note, an analysis of the political shenanigans in Canada:
http://isharperprimeminister.ca/
CaladanMaleCanada2008-12-05 22:05:00
CanadaWe Need a Christmas Miracle
QUOTE (Emancipation @ Dec 9 2008, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (carslo @ Dec 9 2008, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have empathy for their children. With all the news about illegal aliens and those out of staus that appear almost daily on the news within the USA, both him and his wife were stuck with their heads in the sand regarding his status in the States.

Janet

That's a good point.. New Haven is a town that is considered a "refuge" for people who have no status. The city has issued ID cards to many who have no legal status, in the face of the Feds saying not to. ICE has responded in turn. wacko.gif


It's not that bad; the ID cards don't keep anyone from being deported, and it's a crime-reduction on the part of the city of New Haven. No bank accounts (because no ID) means immigrants carry more cash, which means more street crime and burglaries. I can't really fault the city because it's not like it has the power to deport people.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-12-09 15:25:00
CanadaWe Need a Christmas Miracle
I feel sympathy to the extent it has to suck to be separated. But I'm not sure why they didn't file for AOS, because this would have been a very easy fix since they were married. In any case, I'm surprised at the comments to the article saying "but he's not an illegal", as if it's a requirement one speaks Spanish or something. rolleyes.gif

And she doesn't waive her own rights to support. (Aside from the fact she hasn't signed for anything.) She can list him, and they *should* just ignore him as part of the household calculation.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-12-08 21:11:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
I believe roadtocanada.com is a Canadian equivalent of VJ.
CaladanMaleCanada2008-03-02 16:24:00
CanadaOff Topic Forum...
That must be such a relief, Emancipation. Good to hear that he is safe.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-12-18 15:48:00
CanadaMassive Road Trip Super Happy Happy Fun

Most people I know that have done the cross country drive generally did it through the US. The gas is cheaper, yes, also, they say that it is a shorter drive.

About his car though ... there are regulations on importing certain vehicles into the US - make sure his is on the 'safe' list. Otherwise, cars are usually cheaper in the US, no?

Mo


A 'safe' list? The car's only two or three years old. Where can I find this list? Will we need an inspection to prove it's in good shape?

That's a good point about gas, everyone. The earlier we cross the better, I suppose.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-02 10:21:00
CanadaMassive Road Trip Super Happy Happy Fun
C. lives outside of Edmonton. I live in Connecticut. When he moves down here, he wishes to bring his car (owned, title, no problems there), which is a 2600 mile drive.

We're thinking of road tripping it together, coming through Canada mostly and crossing in Manitoba. We have a planned stop in Pittsburgh, and probably one in South Bend, Indiana, but nothing westward of that because that's about where my mental map/friends from college runs out.

Anyone done a massive trans-Canada trip like this before? Would you recommend travelling mainly in the U.S. or Canada? Any suggestions on route? What about PoE?

We're not doing this till late May, but I thought I'd try to get a sense of the journey together sooner. The plan is for me to fly into Edmonton, hang out a few days, and start the drive back.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-01 23:45:00
CanadaShould I be panicking?
We interviewed in mid-February and used my 2005 return, 2005 W-2, and as I hadn't filed 2006, I just took along the 2006 W-2. They didn't ask for 2006 at all.

You haven't had to file taxes yet, so I don't think you should be panicking. If they ask, just say you haven't done your 2006 taxes yet and are still gathering the W-2s.

Relax. :)
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-17 08:35:00
CanadaThis makes me sick.
I should send that link to my mom.

"See, Mom? SEE! I wasn't making it up that he had to get a visa! I wasn't making it up that he had to get an interview and that we had to prove we'd met! EVEN THOUGH HE'S CANADIAN!"
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-21 17:55:00
CanadaHow Understanding is Your Family
My family still doesn't believe that C. needs a visa. I'm not sure if they think I made this whole process up to get out of wedding planning, but the whole 'you need to talk to someone, and not just research online' bit is getting very old.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-22 20:14:00
CanadaAny chance I'm already a dual citizen?
C.'s cousin, whose mother is British, had a problem like that. Not quite sure of the details, but it involves him thinking he has Canadian citizenship, moving to the UK to school, and discovering when he tries to return that he doesn't have Canadian citizenship (or resident status) and ends up over there for 9 months while they sort out the paperwork problems.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-03-28 16:58:00
CanadaWho else made plans before visa in hand?
We didn't. C.'s not moving here until the end of May, which blows, but also means we have plenty of time to save up, for him to finish up at work, and for him to get his life in order.

If I had to do it all over again, we would have married last August and filed for a CR-1.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-02-24 20:58:00
CanadaCalgary Medical: complete in 13 days
Wow. Memo to Calgary residents: flights to Edmonton are cheap. ;)
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-04 17:45:00
Canadalate in the game (long post)
Where are you in the U.S., and where is she in Canada? If you're going through Vermont and she's going through Vancouver, and you filed today, you'd have a better than even shot of having your visa by September.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-10 08:19:00
CanadaPotential joint sponser issues
Honestly, if the U.S. government gets to the point where it's barring the travel of its own citizens to Canada, permanent residents are probably f*cked already. Seriously, that's a North Korea level of control. If that happens, we've probably already invaded Canada, so's no worries.

One thing to consider: You haven't yet applied for a K-1. How far is 'in the future' when you'll be making money? Are we talking a June 2007 graduation? June 2009? If the former, consider that you have six to nine months for the K-1, depending on your service center and consulate combination, and then figure another three months or so for her to move here.... lalala, so we're looking at between December 2007 and April 2008 when you file for a green card.

Will you have the income to prove it by then? Your dad can sponsor the I-134 without sponsoring the I-864. The I-134 isn't legally binding, and then you can take over for the I-864.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-11 17:07:00
CanadaList of Canada/US POE's that issue EA stamps
You've just saved me (er, well, C., since I'm making him do it) an hour of phone calls. Thanks so much!
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-13 23:48:00
CanadaThe work thing...
Thanks. We're driving from Edmonton to Connecticut, so we'll cross anywhere along that route that will give us a stamp.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-12 08:54:00
CanadaThe work thing...
90 days is about $10,000. That could be kinda useful.

I'm mostly just ranting. Not being able to marry until 60 days in according to church requirements is also pissing me off. He has to come here in June instead of working that month so we can go to marriage classes. We can't get married legally first because the priest is barely doing our ceremony as it is, so basically, between the church and the government, we've got all these delays in filing for AOS and while we'll be just fine financially (money will be tight, but we can pay rent and eat), it's likely I'll have to pick up a second job the longer this goes.

That's not a big deal, except that C. is really not liking the idea of me trying to finish my dissertation and support the family while he sits on his ###.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-12 08:37:00
CanadaThe work thing...
I get that, kitkat, but it's dumb that A) a one page form takes about 90 days to process and that B) you can bypass that at JFK and C) there's no way to clear customs in JFK if you're flying from Canada without routing through Mexico (only if it doesn't make a U.S. stop, I guess.) and D) you can't fly a minivan to Mexico anyway.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-11 23:34:00
CanadaThe work thing...
We're in the same boat. C. has an offer with his current employer, and as near as we can tell no way to get a stamp. This is possibly the most frustrating part of the whole process. Yes, you're work authorized. No, we won't give you the stamp even though it says on his consulate paperwork that he's work authorized and if he flew through JFK, he'd get a stamp. I mean, the only words for this are 'what the f*cking f*ckety ####?'

This area of policy and law is just weird, though. Go to the Social Security website and look up what to do if you're a foreign resident. First thing it says is that you need your social security card and work authorization to work. Scroll down the page. Next thing it says is "I'm an employer who wants to hire a foreign national and he doesn't have his SSN yet, what should I do?" "Collect all the biographical information about your employee and update his information as soon as you can." It's contradictory on one page!

This is about the only part of the process that really pisses me off.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-11 23:18:00
CanadaRain rain go away
Honestly, I'd be surprised if there was any water left in the sky after this past weekend.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-17 22:47:00
CanadaFun With Phone Calls -- Some POE EA stamp info
Everyone we've talked to has been very friendly.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-16 21:46:00
CanadaFun With Phone Calls -- Some POE EA stamp info
We'll be travelling from Edmonton: pretty much getting on the Yellowhead and making a turn somewhere around Winnipeg. :)
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-16 21:38:00
CanadaFun With Phone Calls -- Some POE EA stamp info
Lol. I figured out afterwards with google and couldn't edit. Will need to check a road atlas, though.

The employer won't care, but who knows if the employer will be ready on our timetable? :)
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-16 20:14:00
CanadaFun With Phone Calls -- Some POE EA stamp info
If you fly, you always clear U.S. customs in the Canadian airport. This is for the Detroit land crossing -- we're planning on driving.

Moz, I haven't had any luck finding Sarnia; which state/province?
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-16 19:24:00
CanadaFun With Phone Calls -- Some POE EA stamp info
This afternoon C. and I did some calling of POEs between the U.S. and Canada and here is what we learned, in brief:
1) Detroit land crossing is one place where the EAD stamps are.
2) The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

In more detail:
Based on the info from mozplay, we decided to begin calling POEs to see if they'd offer stamps. We started with Detroit, and a very pleasant man told C. that yes, of course they'd give the stamp, in fact all crossings that process K-1s would give out the stamps, and that we just need to be insistent if they wouldn't.

So, we called Sweetgrass next to confirm, as that is where we would like to cross. No, they said, we're not authorized to give out stamps. C. said, "But Detroit said..." The nice man got his supervisor who confirmed that they weren't authorized to give out EA stamps, and that the K-1 wasn't work authorized until they filed to adjust status.

Ha, I say. So we next call Grand Portage. They can't give out the stamp, either, they say, but they do say that the K-1 is authorized, it's just that, so we were told, they and Detroit are being administered by different departments at the moment, one USCIS and one DHS. I'm taking that to mean that Detroit is just bigger with more immigration-trained personnel, and so has to the staff to handle the request for the stamp, as I think USCIS is technically under the jurisdiction of Homeland these days. So Detroit thinks 'everyone should be like us' and everyone else says 'but we don't have the volume to keep someone qualified in the regulations on staff.'

No one answered the phone at the Peace Bridge number.

C. plans to call tomorrow to try to get a different person and see if he gets the same answer. :) Many thanks to mozplay and others for the linky goodness. I figured I'd post this here as an FYI.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-16 18:19:00
CanadaBest Wishes Autumnchik!
It's absolutely stunning here in New Haven today. Hope your day is lovely!
CaladanMaleCanada2007-04-21 10:13:00
CanadaWhat foods can I bring across the border?
I get the beef, but not the citrus fruits. Aren't the oranges available in Canada grown in the U.S. anyway? (Oh, the citrus groves of Whitehorse...)
CaladanMaleCanada2007-05-01 19:55:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US
That's definitely a regional thing. My roommate is from the South, and when she makes gravy, it's white. When my mom makes gravy, it's thin brown juices thickened slightly with flour.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-01-11 11:11:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US

LOL!!!! Hey, that was my headline too, except substitute "pagan" for "atheist". Luckily, I was able to spend one 5 month block down here before I emigrated, so I got most of my anti-organized-religion anger out of the way first. And, gf, you ain't seen nothin' till you've seen the hispanic women down in San Antonio, as far as weight goes. I'd be standing in front of my bathroom mirror, wailing about looking pudgy and then I'd go to the grocery store... Holy cow! Not only did they all weigh more than me, they all wore their clothes AT LEAST one size too small so there were rolls and rolls of fat hanging over the waistbands. The WASPy types all have streaked blonde ponytails and designer clothes and the hispanic ones all wear skin-tight Walmart stuff that shows every bulge. I'm gorgeous down here! :devil:


Oddly, that was my experience in Alberta, minus the Hispanic thing. Lots of very round people in tight expensive clothing.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-01-10 11:59:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US
If we're mispronouncing 'Newfoundland', so is, ime, everyone outside of Newfoundland, as my Canadian friends say it the same way I do.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-01-08 12:30:00
CanadaCulture shock for Canadians in the US
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the differences between Canada and the U.S. are no greater than the differences between a large American or Canadian city and small-town or rural areas in the U.S. and Canada. Not that there aren't differences, just that I could duplicate them by moving from Connecticut to Wyoming or from Vancouver to Grand Cache.

That includes the obesity problem. The racism problem. And even whether you hand someone a credit card or swipe it yourself. Or touch someone innocently. Or whether someone's going to get bent out of shape over generalizations. It really depends on the area.

My fiancé is from Alberta, and my old roommate and her boyfriend were from Toronto. They argued more than she and I did because they didn't agree on anything.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-01-07 11:51:00
CanadaBehaviors, manners and overall attitude
I don't think there is significant enough cultural differences between the U.S. and Canada for the broad stereotype to show up consistently individually.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-05-01 08:17:00
Canadaone more question....please

thanx kitkat....i check into that!!!

caladan...i might call them, but it says on the sheet only communicate via email/fax...i've already sent them and email.

I will post any info on here that I get.


You're going through Vancouver, right? I had a hard time getting them to respond to e-mails, so I called (using the number listed under "Embassy Info", extension 234) and they were very friendly.
CaladanMaleCanada2007-05-06 09:40:00