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I am genuinely curious and would like to know the basics in light of the new illegal immigration laws, deportation talk and protests going on lately. Don't really feel like doing a big Google search but does anyone here know what is involved? Is it extremely hard to do? If not then why aren't more illegals trying to do it?
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If one wants to be a legal resident or citizen AND if they are allowed to even begin the paperwork process then they can expect to spend around 25K with legal fees and everything. If someone is married to an American Citizen or the child of an American Citizen who lives in the USA and the person has a steady employment history making at least 20% over the poverty level for the size household they will have then they can expect to spend around 10 to 12K. These amounts are estimates for people who have competent representation, a bad attorney can make it cost a lot more and take a lot longer. There is also a big problem with "lost" paperwork where someone is almost finished with the process and basically has to start over again.

As for a person who wishes to just come and visit the USA then they have to have a reason (education, recreation, etc) and must be able to demonstrate that they have incentive to return home and no incentive to try and stay in the USA.

The above things are just the tip of the iceburg and you will not find out through Google all of the steps and requirements, a person needs an attorney for that.

Thanks everyone for the replies. It looks like one needs to live here at least 5 years and then take a test and pay some various fees. It also looks like it is not a quick and easy process. I can already see where the money could be an issue for many people. I'm gonna have to read up a lot more about it from your link canade. Thanks.

I have some Indian friends who own a lot of mini-marts, etc. One of the family (I didn't know him personally, but he ran one of the stores) returned to India to marry. He thought he could bring his wife over easily since he had enough funds, etc., and was a naturalized citizen. Nope. The last I heard she still didn't have even a visa and he had paid several thousand dollars to an attorney (not local).

 

She had a job waiting, was educated, certainly no criminal background, but still couldn't get even a visa? What is wrong with this picture?

She had a job waiting, was educated, certainly no criminal background, but still couldn't get even a visa? What is wrong with this picture?

 

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Nothing is wrong with this picture. They do get to come here, it takes about 6-8 months. Two brothers from iran have married since I've known them. One whose wife has been here four years, took about 4 months for her to get here, the other who just married about two months ago and says his wife will be here in about four more months. We had offers to buy our business from foreign parties. I have NO idea if it is true but we were told by the "go between" of the persons wanting our business and us that if they buy a business here they get to come automatically, no questions ask. I don't know if that's true, or how it works exactly since we weren't interested in doing that. How did so many vietnamese get here so quickly AND got low interest loans to start businesses, get housing etc when even natural born citizens struggle to get the same things? I have heard that there is a limit on the number of some immigrants from certain countries allowed each year. Again, that would call for a bit of research to see what that means. Could it be that even "legal" immigration has quite a few flaws and isn't quite as fair as it should be for all? But we are expected to embrace the illegals. Makes no sense at all.

As far as I know there is still a quota system in place--in other words, only so many from each country may receive visas. My problem with the system is that those with more money to invest in attorneys, get preferential treatment--just like those seeking a disability. It shouldn't cost exorbitant amounts to bring a spouse to this country. Now some in our country want to legalize those who haven't come in the proper manner?

 

There was a thread on this topic a short time after I joined the forum. It seems there are groups of Indian businessmen/women who will pay as much as 50% of the sale price of hotels/motels if other Indians will buy them. This is not in any way a government program, but I believe some tax breaks are also given. Interestingly, the thread became so heated that it resulted in the first bannings (temporary for two weeks).

Originally Posted by Bestworking:

She had a job waiting, was educated, certainly no criminal background, but still couldn't get even a visa? What is wrong with this picture?

 

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Nothing is wrong with this picture. They do get to come here, it takes about 6-8 months. Two brothers from iran have married since I've known them. One whose wife has been here four years, took about 4 months for her to get here, the other who just married about two months ago and says his wife will be here in about four more months. We had offers to buy our business from foreign parties. I have NO idea if it is true but we were told by the "go between" of the persons wanting our business and us that if they buy a business here they get to come automatically, no questions ask. I don't know if that's true, or how it works exactly since we weren't interested in doing that. How did so many vietnamese get here so quickly AND got low interest loans to start businesses, get housing etc when even natural born citizens struggle to get the same things? I have heard that there is a limit on the number of some immigrants from certain countries allowed each year. Again, that would call for a bit of research to see what that means. Could it be that even "legal" immigration has quite a few flaws and isn't quite as fair as it should be for all? But we are expected to embrace the illegals. Makes no sense at all.

The 6 to 8 month wait and that being the only requirement is not accurate and for the business thing there are minimum investment amounts. There is a case right now where a young Japanese lady who graduated from UNA, is married to an American Citizen, who before she married could pretty well come and go as she pleased from the USA, has a good job in Japan, husband has a so so job here (but he's still in college), and she has a job waiting here too BUT she can't come yet and won't be able to until the two of them have a much larger savings or the husband has a better job and they will still have to pay out the rear for an attorney.They are doing everything the right way BUT they didn't have to, they could have gotten married while she was living or visiting here and she could have stayed while they went through the legal process but people are not supposed to do that without the proper visa.

 

The 6 to 8 month wait and that being the only requirement is not accurate and for the business thing there are minimum investment amounts.

 

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I didn't say that was the only requirement. I said it took approx. 4 months for one wife, she's been here 4 years already, and the younger brother's wife of 2 months is expected to be here, according to them, in about 4 months. These are absolutely two cases I know of. I have no idea how it all works. I also said I didn't know the details of the business sales/purchases because we told them we weren't interested. He approached us, and when we said "no sale" he did persist a bit, because I'm sure he gets paid very well to arrange these business transactions, but he didn't push it to any extreme.

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