Immigration Law question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Immigration Law question
8
Tue, 04-18-2006 - 2:31pm
My ex married a foreign woman (who he knew for about 6 months)last spring. She still lives in her country. He told me today money is tight (BOO HOO!) because he had to pay for an immigration lawyer in order to have her move here. Is this normal? Should I be worried about my kids being around her?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 7:35am

is this normal? (i guess you meant to ask is this a normal procedure? not is your ex being normal lol)...

yes, i think that if someone wants to immigrate to the US, its usually better to use an immigration lawyer. i don't know how much they charge --- i suppose you could call up and ask.

is your ex marrying her 'for love' or is this a business deal? (you know, where people legally marry a US citizen just to get immigration status and then after a certain amount of time they get divorced).

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 9:29am
They are already married. She is supposedly the "love of his life". Then again, so was I...and the woman 15 years younger than him that he left me for whom he dumped to be with his new wife...and the other 6 women he had affairs with during our marriage.He will never change. I just hope he knows what he has gotten himself into. Her too, for that matter.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 10:56pm

I do think that's pretty typical (my uncle married a woman from another country who came here to live... in the past 10 years, she's learned fluent English (speaking and does very well reading and writing), she legally obtained a driver's license and is on the heels of obtaining her US citizenship--I do think that their situation is unique and positive.... but they were both very ready to do this... it wasn't a hasty thing).


I also know that part of what is customary..... it's just an expected tradition in many places.... that when a woman marries someone from the US... maybe other countries, too.... the "husband" is responsible for sending money back to her family (since she's no longer there to help support them because in many countries younger family generations do work to support older generations in the family).


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2005
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 11:14pm

It's pretty typical, actually. Using an immigration lawyer makes a good deal of sense given the nonsensical nature of US visa policy.

I shouldn't think you must worry about your children.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:18am


My kids already have their passports. He has taken them on 2 trips outside the US. I am not really all that concerned (although I have thought about it) because my kids (DD(16) & DS(12))would put up a big stink if he tried to keep them away from me. Besides my kids are always fighting and he (& the new wife) would not want to deal with that!

In understand the immigration process is long & difficult, especially in light of recent events. My concern is about his new wife's character. Is there a reason why she can't come over here? He made a hasty decision in marrying her, so there may be things even he does not know about. Of course, THAT would make me very happy. Serves him right!

Thanks for your input.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:51am

Well, the are lots of reasons why immigrants can't just, easily, come here... and thanks to recent events in our society, our government has placed a higher standard on screening... and not just the immigrants, but the US citizens who agree to be responsible for them once they do get here.


So, as with my aunt.... she genuinely had every intention to come here and become a citizen, earning wages, paying taxes, voting, etc.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2005
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 8:12pm

Immigration lawyers are not necessarily just used by people who would have troubles immigrating legally, or who have a checkered past.

I know several immigration lawyers who represent very influential and well-respected people. They want to consult with a professional to make sure that they proceed with obtaining the best possible visa for their circumstances. There are not only dependent visas and work visas, but also investor visas, for example. An immigration lawyer can help someone make sure they choose the best option for them -- not only in terms of ease of immigration, but financially, as well.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 8:47pm
I agree with what has been said so far, EXCEPT, I would add that if she is coming in from Canada or Mexico and maybe parts of S. America, an immigration lawyer may indicate a problem. In any case, the problem could be as minor as diabetes or another chronic illness. If it something that you would not want your children being around her for, well, it's unlikely that the U.S. Immigration Services is going to let her in anyway.

Photobucket