ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
PhilippinesBar girl and K1
QUOTE (dbears @ Jul 24 2008, 03:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I beg to disagree on the highlighted statement. There may be former bar girls but I believe MOST of K1 petitions are for filipinas working in less questionable fields. There are lawyers, doctors, researchers, teachers, designers, web programmers, sales reps, entreprenuers, accountants, nurses, sales ladies in department stores, etc. Former bar girls constitute the minority.... well at least here on vj and also amongst the people who filed K1 or K3 visas outside vj that I know of. Saying somebody was a bar girl has negative connonotation but I agree with stuart, bar girls do not automatically mean they are/were prostitutes. And even if they were, if they are truly reformed then there is no problem giving them a fair chance in love right?

Perhaps this old thread could be of help: http://www.visajourn...h...109645&st=0


Thanks to all for the input.

As related to me, his GF/SO/fiance did in fact engage in prostitution. His concern is now related to crimes of "moral turpitude". I do not judge any girl for being a prostitute. I have on occasion been asked to talk with girls and see if I can convince them to leave the trade. A mother that I have never met in person is forever thankful for my intervention in her daughter's life. Most of these girls to use a Biblical analogy are like the "prodigal son".

The comments by nephew's "friends" are IMO are ex-pats speaking out their a$$.

the other link has a lot of good info as well. I'll send him the links
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-07-24 17:34:00
PhilippinesBar girl and K1
I have a nephew who wants to petition his girlfriend from the Philippinnes to the US on a K1 visa. I did a search of the forums to see if this issue had ever been brought up and have found nothing.

The following is the letter that was sent to me by my nephew

QUOTE
Hey Uncle Frank,
As you know I met this wonderful Filipina girl, Marla, 4 months ago. We’re pretty serious about our relationship and would like to get married. Mom said that you were in process to be married to a nice Mexican girl (BTW congrats) and said you were a member of website that was helping you in the process of bringing her to the US and if I had any questions to ask you.

I have a question for you: Marla and I met when she was a bar girl in Cebu. She said that she was doing it to help out her family. She stopped working in the bar a week ago because she felt our relationship was more important. If I want to bring her back to the US and marry her on a K1 visa will her being a bar girl affect the process? My friends say that it shouldn’t be a problem for me because most of the K1 petitions are for former bar girls. What do you think?


I have no experience with the Philippines but I do have experience with Americans trying to bring Mexican fiances to the US. The Mexican bar girls/ prostitutes have to register with the local police and they receive a health card that has to be signed off every month by the health authorities. The American consulate does a check with the local police authorities to see if the woman being petitioned has been or is registered as a prostitute.

Will her being a bar girl/prostitute derail the K1 visa?

Thanks in advance for the help good.gif

Edited by franklie, 24 July 2008 - 02:23 PM.

franklieNot TellingMexico2008-07-24 14:22:00
PhilippinesLearning and Teaching Tagalog/Filipino/Pilipino
QUOTE (beejay @ Sep 3 2008, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (EricC @ Sep 2 2008, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I want to learn Tagalog if only for the fact is I want any children to be bilingual.


While that is an admirable goal it is not necessary if you want your children to be bilingual, only necessary if you want to understand them. smile.gif Based on my experience and 'soft research' if you want your children to be bilingual your wife, from day 1, needs to speak to them only in Tagalog and you in English. In general for a child to be successful in two languages one of them needs to be dominant i.e. one that they learn to speak, read, and write in and the other that they just speak. Eventually they can learn to read and write in both but during development only one should be focused on.
Not that you shouldn't learn tagalog but all is not lost if you have kids and you aren't fluent smile.gif


Sorry for the intrusion here but I disagree with the bolded portion. Children with their infinitely moldable minds are quite capable of learning 2 or more languages simultaneously including reading and writing along with the speaking.

If a parent speaks to his/her child in a particular language from infancy, the child will respond to the parent in that language irrespective of whether or not the parent is fluent in that particular language. In the same way young children if they are accustomed to hearing a particular adult speak a specific language to them will become puzzled when the adult speaks another language to the child that the child also speaks. It's not that the child doesn't understand the adult it's more that the child has a particular mind's view of how that adult behaves/speaks.

There have been many good studies done in the area of multi-language acquisition. Google for the abstracts of the studies.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-05 18:08:00
PhilippinesMy horrible interview story at USEM
QUOTE (STEPHnRIA @ Aug 28 2008, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Inside the room was a male consul in his 40's. He introduced himself as the chief of the consulates there. He was nice, a complete opposite of the 1st lady consul. He apologized for the "rough morning" and explained that the lady consul was just scared to lose her job. After going through my papers again, asking me questions and typing something. He also asked my fiancee a few questions. Then back to typing again. I saw him writing something in blue sheet then I realized... ITS A BLUE SHEET! Oh my GOD! But my fiancee was smiling at me so I whispered to him... That's a blue sheet!!! Then he mouthed an Its OK! Don't worry! So the chief consul looked at my fiancee and said "Technically speaking, you're fiancee is not eligible for the visa because she was married when it was approved. But since it is annulled now, in Philippines, it is as if it never existed. "So based on your documents...(the chief consul turned to look at me), there is no reason why you won't be getting your visa in three weeks!" I was just stunned and for a moment, my mind went blank. My fiancee repeated " So you mean, they (my son and I)are getting their visas in three weeks?" Then he said," Well, if I could only give it now but the thing is, since this annulment is new, you need to have this registered at the NSO. So her record should say that she is free to marry and more or less that will take three weeks. So just pay the Php650 and the delivery." At that moment, my fiancee and I looked at each other and just hugged tight. We thanked the consul profusely and left the room.


Congratulations. As my wife would say "un abrazo fuerte". It read like a novel with a happy ending.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-08-28 13:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaAmerican soldier kill Iraqi child and then hug him
QUOTE (mohamed N melinda @ Apr 22 2008, 02:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
where is the picture you are talking about i went there and see nothing and why we should believe you as trusted source and why we trust your media and who know it is the one it lie!!!!!!!!!


TIME bought the photo rights from Michael Yon.

TIME: Pictures of the Week | Your Picks 2005

go to the 2nd photo in the slide show. you can get there by clicking the next button.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-04-22 15:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaAmerican soldier kill Iraqi child and then hug him
Before one puts "#######" on the internet, research first what the propaganda is that you are going to put.

The original photo was taken by Michael Yon in Iraq in 2005.

The following link Times picture of the week explains what the picture is and why it was taken.

From Michael Yon himself "It was an instant of clarity in a blur of chaos that, for many of us, frames and defines the nature of this war. Any US soldier who has ever served in combat can probably give countless examples of moments like this. I just happened to be on the scene that day when a terrorist who had been trailing a Deuce Four patrol in a car packed with explosives waited until a crowd of children had gathered around the soldiers and selected that moment to drive into the crowd and detonate. Although little remained of him to be shown in this frame, the image somehow still reveals the true nature of our enemy in this war."

His words give the lie to what Al Queda would have you believe.

Whether the war is right or wrong I have no desire to debate but I do resent people denigrating the US armed forces undeservedly.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-04-22 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMailing address of I130 petition
QUOTE (Urge To Race @ Aug 5 2008, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As others have said, use the PO Box for USPS certified mail/return receipt. The courier/express delivery is for sending without the postal service (DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc.)


Thanks
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-08-05 13:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMailing address of I130 petition
From the USCIS website here is the following instruction for mailing the I130 petition

"Any U.S. resident petitioner submitting a completed I-130 by courier/express delivery, should use the following address:
USCIS Lockbox
Attn: SAI-130
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517"

The relevant link:
http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD


If we mail the packet certified mail/return receipt requested, then this would be the address to where the packet would be mailed?
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-08-05 13:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS 230 Line 29
QUOTE (cmnb @ Aug 29 2008, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (franklie @ Aug 29 2008, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is the petitioner on Line 29 of the DS 230 29. Name and Address of Petitioner the US citizen or is it the immigrant?

My apologies if this seems like an ignorant question but I wish to get it correct the 1st time.


petitioner is the US citizen...for further info u may want to review the example forms by clicking on the example forms on the top of the page.


thanks for the info. I could not find the form earlier. good.gif
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-02 12:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS 230 Line 29
Is the petitioner on Line 29 of the DS 230 29. Name and Address of Petitioner the US citizen or is it the immigrant?

My apologies if this seems like an ignorant question but I wish to get it correct the 1st time.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-08-29 19:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel to U.S. while IR-1/CR-1 in Process
QUOTE (metavisa @ Sep 8 2008, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi there! I went through the exact same situation with my husband. I was the US citizen-petitioner- and my husband was in Colombia, we filed for CR1. He had a tourist visa well before we met. Since he had to come to the USA for work meetings while our case was in process, we didn't have a choice but to try.. (I must admit we were nervous at first... but nothing out of the ordinary happened)...he came at least 8 times to Houston before our case was completed by NVC. At POE he did not mention at all he was visiting his wife or if he had a wife (I also live in Houston). He just said he was either on tourist purposes or for a meeting. He stayed about 1 week at a time. This is our xperience, I hope this helps and she doesn't have any inconveniences. Thanks.


My experience so far is similar to MetaVisa.

My wife, as we wait for the IR-1 visa process to move ahead and then terminate, carries a copy of a letter of employment, a copy of her rental agreement, and a copy of the NOA1 and later the NOA2. The purpose of the documentation is to show that she has ties to her home country and that she is doing things legitimately if she is asked.

At the POE when asked why she is here she states that she is either visiting friends (which I am) or going shopping (which she definitely does). She does get questioned on occasion about the frequency of her visits to the US; she only visits 3-4 times a week. crying.gif (I know - cry me a river...)
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-08 11:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresThe Ultimate IR1/CR1 Guide
Is this now the definitive guide? The Guide

It is a cleaner version than Loto's guide and seems easier to use.

I appreciate all who have contributed their expertise in improving it. good.gif
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-24 11:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisiting USA on B1/B2 while currently doing I-130 CR-1 / IR-1
QUOTE (Ryan H. @ Sep 10 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife and I just received NOA1 and are undergoing the I-130 process for IR-1 visa. She currently has a B2 visa and wishes to visit next month to attend a wedding. Can she visit me on her tourist visa and what are the risks of this? Is her B2 cancelled after we start the IR-1 process? Thanks in advance.


Please review this recent thread:

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=149176

I believe all your questions will be answered there.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-10 14:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNOA1/NOA2 spreadsheet tracking
add me, just received NOA1. My timeline is accurate.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-09-05 12:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAny August Filers???
Received NOA2 on Jan 5. yes.gif 132 days from NOA1 to NOA2

It was a total surprise because the intel I had is that everything was slowing down for the NOA2 but someone else had said that after the first of the year the approval rate would pick up. That someone else was right.
franklieNot TellingMexico2009-01-06 09:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan wife visit here on a visitor's visa while I-130 pending?
QUOTE (steve&mary @ Feb 6 2008, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey guys,
I'm in the same situation as Brian&mel. I am travelling to Texas on Monday for a conference (expenses paid by an American organization). I have a return ticket for 8 days.

I have travelled before to the states while married to USC, but we hadn't applied for the I130/I129F yet, so I was never nervous. I know the precautions to take, and establish that I am returning right away (although, if I can get away with it, stay two extra weeks with my husband, but that would be icing on the cake)

My concern is this: When I reach the POE and they scan my passport, fingerprints, ect. will it show on their computer system that I've applied for immigration I130/I129F? Will the only way for them to know is if I volunteer the information? Yes, it is true I am married to a USC and plan to immigrate, but this trip is BUISNESS/ACADEMIC, and technically nothing to do with even seeing my husband. What do you guys think? Should I volunteer this info? Or only show my evidence of returning if asked? I am very nervous about being returned at the POE, it would be humiliating because these people are paying my way to attend (I am presenting a paper on my research)...and these are the people I hope to be working with once I am able to live and work in the states. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!


These are very good questions. I hope someone can answer them as I have similar concerns for my fiancee.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-08 12:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Spouse's children connected to IR-1/CR-1 Petition???
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Feb 14 2008, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (franklie @ Feb 14 2008, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what happens if the children of your spouse don't wish to come to live in the US but would rather stay in their home country?

Does one still list them on the I-130 and if so because the children don't wish to come, one just doesn't fill out an individual I-130 for each of them nor a I-864?

I have carefully studied the directions for the I-130 and this particular situation is not addressed.


Actually, it is addressed in that an I-130 petition is for an individual. You would not petition for an individual who has no intent to immigrate to the US. The issue you describe comes up on the I-129F where listing children implies but does not confirm they also intend to immigrate.


C. Information about your alien relative (continued)
17. List husband/wife and all children of your relative.
(Name) (Relationship) (Date of Birth) (Country of Birth)

this is from the .pdf of Form I-130 (Rev. 07/30/07)Y Page 2

You are correct. It is also on Form I-129F (Rev. 07/30/07) Y Page 2 as shown below.

Part B. Information about your alien fiancé(e). (Continued.)
13. List all children of your alien fiancé(e) (if any)
Name (First/Middle/Last) Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) Country of Birth Present Address

So the basic idea is fill in what is requested but to NOT send in a completed I-130 for each child, no?
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-15 16:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresForeign Spouse's children connected to IR-1/CR-1 Petition???
what happens if the children of your spouse don't wish to come to live in the US but would rather stay in their home country?

Does one still list them on the I-130 and if so because the children don't wish to come, one just doesn't fill out an individual I-130 for each of them nor a I-864?

I have carefully studied the directions for the I-130 and this particular situation is not addressed.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-14 14:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm i allowed to go to the USA to visit my husband??
QUOTE (A & M @ Jan 12 2009, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am from Canada and we normally get 90 days unpon arrival. If you need a tourist visa to enter normally it may be much harder (maybe impossible for you). I can say that as a Canadian I was able to visist my US husband although it is up to the immigration officer at the POE. They will likely take you to secondary questioning and explain that as a pending immigrant you cannot be a tourist too. So technically the cannot let you in because you do not fall into a catagory of visa while your immigrant visa is pending.

To put it simply - it is possiible depending on what country you are from but you will need proof you intend on returning such as:

-proof of job that you are going back to - letter from employer etc.
-lease, deed to a property or something that shows you have ties to your home country and are returning
-dependants in your country help - proof of children, parents someone you hav eto look after helps
-all applicaiton papers filed eg. i-129F or I-130 to show you are following the rules
-proof of return flight
-proof of funds and or spouses funds
-list of all past visits showing how much time you have spent in the US compared to your home country (this helps show you have gone on visits in past and always returned - if you have already been there a long time they will probably deny you entry if you try again)
-any other commitments that you can prove you have in home country will also help

They may still deny you even if you have all of this - I was unemployed, I own nothing, and I have no dependants but had all my paperwork with me and could explain everything so they let me in for a visit although they gave me 30 days instead of 90 Canadians normally get. They basically want to be sure you are spending more of your time at home and not in the USA before you are approved - and eliminate the risk of those that may try and stay in the USA.

There is no clear answer to your question - because like everything else - it's all up to them on the day!


A&M has a pretty good answer IMO. My wife is Mexican, she has a border crossing card/ tourist visa and she comes a couple of times a week and spends weekends as well here with me. Our I130 paperwork is currently at the NVC and she has had NO problems crossing. She was once sent to secondary and questioned about why she was crossing so frequently. Her answer was truthful - she visits friends and goes shopping. She had the tourist visa before we started the I130 process, before we got married so perhaps that makes a difference.

Her being able to cross definitely makes this long drawn out process more bearable. biggrin.gif

franklieNot TellingMexico2009-01-12 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSending in I-129F on Monday..last sec advice
QUOTE (KGSodie @ Feb 1 2008, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I thought all translations had to be done by someone 'officially' certified to perform document translations, though this is just my impression and is by no way the final word on the subject. Hopefully other VJ members will chime in on this issue.



I translated for my friend, from Spanish to English, all documents in his application that needed to be translated. His K1 had no problem being approved. biggrin.gif
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-01 11:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Laser and Inmigration Options
QUOTE (eric_and_teresa @ Feb 1 2008, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
For what I understand the Visa Laser works as a B1/B2 and the visit should be for tourism or bussiness not to move permanently to the U.S. if she comes to "visit" while the K-1 or K-3 is processing you should be fine, but if she says she is living with her fiance or husband in the U.S. and working in Tijuana there might be some trouble.

The problem wont be going to Tijuana to work, the problem will be entering the U.S. every day if they think she is doing that because she is living in the States.

For how long is her I-94 good everytime she crosses the border?


I just spoke with her. The Visa Laser is good for 10 years. In her case it allows her to cross the border with no problem. She can travel in San Diego but she needs to have an I-94 to travel beyond San Diego county. For instance, for her to legally travel to Los Angles, a city roughly 100miles north of San Diego, she needs an I-94 and it is good for 6 months. If she is traveling to Los Angeles, immigration will ask her where she is going, how long she is going and for what she is going when she crosses into the US at the San Ysidro border crossing.

I bolded "the problem" in your response, Eric and Teresa, and that in fact is the problem. Almost every time she enters the US, her Visa Laser is scanned. Upto now there has been no problem, she typically comes to visit me 3-4 times a week.

I am currently avoiding traveling to TJ due to the inability of the police forces to maintain a secure environment there.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-01 13:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVisa Laser and Inmigration Options
Good day to all,

I was introduced to this forum by a friend who used it to successfully bring his fiancee to the US. He said that there is a lot of good info here. I have spent the last 2 days scouring the forums trying to find a response to my situation and have been unable to anything similar.

I live and work in San Diego, California. My fiancee lives and works in Tijuana, Mexico. The 2 cities are on either side of the US-Mexican border. My bride-to-be has Visa Laser that enables her to cross the border at will.

We wish to marry and make our home in my house here in San Diego (it's a bit safer here than in TJ and I can satisfy my other commitments). She needs to be able to cross the border daily to go to work. She has no wish to get a job in the US at this time.

The questions: Is there a way that she can continue to go to work in TJ if she has a K1 or K3 visa? Will a K1 pr K3 visa supercede her Visa Laser? Is there another option? helpsmilie.gif

I appreciate, antemano, any help given good.gif
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-01 09:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdivorce and proof of relationship
QUOTE (pushbrk @ Feb 1 2008, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
While that's true, there's far more to obtaining a fiance(e) visa than "meeting requirements". There's a lot of subjective judgment on the part of Consular officers. On the USCIS end for "approving a petition" meeting the requirements and clearing security checks are pretty straight forward, as is the evaluation of evidence of meeting in person in the last two years.

Things are far more objective at the Consular stage. That's where evidence of an ongoing bona fide relationship is evaluated. People with potential red flags are wise to be very diligent in presenting evidence of bona fides and be prepared for tougher questioning.

After all that, you'll probably sail through with ease.


Pushbrk, I completely agree with what you wrote. My response addressed only the part of the USCIS requirements regarding elegibility to marry. If you are not legally able to marry someone in your locale you definitely will not be able to receive a K1 visa. That is why they ask for signed final divorce decrees in the K1 application.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-01 12:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdivorce and proof of relationship
The only requirement. as far as I am aware, is that both individuals are free to marry based on the local laws of where they live. IOW, if you are free to marry based on the laws of Italy and your fiance is free to marry based on the laws of Virginia when the application is sent in to USCIS then there is no issue for the USCIS.

The requirements of marriagability (I hope it is a word) are to prevent bigamy which is a crime in the United states.
franklieNot TellingMexico2008-02-01 11:42:00