I got citizenship but suddenly parents refused! Devastated.

[botwanajim]

Hello reader.

I got GC and then citizen. This is my life after Green card - feeling good until today.

I applied for my parents to come to the USA from Saudi Arabia as immigrants [immigrant visa - instant GC]. They are at retirement age, and are citizens of India. They just had interview at US embassy, Riyad - and were 'not accepted'.

I am a US citizen as I've stated and am over 21. My income is low, but importantly meets the 'minimum' income requirement that is stipulated.

My parents were given a letter stating that the US Embassy need them to get another 'co-sponsor'! The US embassy wants 3 years of Fed. Tax returns from this 'other' co-sponsor; a I-184 form. The letter stated, that they do not have to re-appear for interview, but merely need to send the above within a year. I think this is ridiculous, because I fulfill all the pertinent requirements.

According to my Mom, their oral reason was because my Mom had already had a heart by-pass operation last year, yet even though she is well, they fear she may become a burden on the State, and due to her age, can not 'work' either. Also my Dad is 72 - of good health.

Questions and problems:

1 - According to all forms, I have/had fulfilled all legal requirements! Can the US embassy stipulate these extra requirements all of a sudden, as they have done so ? Is it in their rights to do that?

2 - Is there a easy legal way for me to get my parents to get 'in' without above condition? [For example, can I argue that the US embassy have made an error of law and can not ask for extra provisions to be fulfilled ?]

3 - I notice that the US Embassy did not even take the 'visa fees' and have not asked for them! I fear, that even by turning in the above documents [assuming we got a co-sponsor family friend], they may still refuse immigration visa - afterall, 'if' my parents still have a 'chance' , then why haven't they processed the fees yet?

4 - Has this or anything similar ever happened to anyone here? And how to get around it in a just manner?

5 - What is the best course of action? We have only found one family 'friend', who is a Green Card holder in the USA, that is willing to give his Fed Tax returns and is willing to be a co-sponsor.

A- So this is one course of action. However, if this family friend suddenly changes his mind at the last minute, then what can I do? Is there a way I can force the embassy to accept my parents' application? Afterall I am a US citizen and surely "I" have the "right" to bring my aging parents here to live with me [particularly as I do fulfill the above 125% poverty guideline minimum requirement]

Thanks a lot for your answers!!

In a state of semi-sadness - I look forward to your ideas.

Jim

 

[botwanajim]

Thanks Joe

It feels a relief to hear it is not just my parents that are affected.

So your friend, also had her husband's application refused unless she got a co-sponsor; even though she independently fullfilled financial requirements!

Why do the US Embassy do such a thing? It places a very hard burden on people, our own US CITIZENS that are bringing in loved ones legally and even though they fulfill financial requirements themselves; to find a non-related co-sponsor !!

Truthfully, most non-relatives have no reason to co-sponsor someone else, and take on mighty potential financial responsibilities!


It is not fair. I am whinning and complaining. Sadly, it is the situation. And you don't think there is anything I can do - which makes it extra sad! That means that the US Embassy can do whatever the heck they like - and that is not fair!

any other thoughts on this one?

 

[botwanajim]

Joe or anyone, please help with your experience!

Just to summarise thus far again: I am US citizen. My parents at US Embassy in Middle East, were told to find a co-sponsor, even though I meet the minimum financial requirements. The consular justified it on the grounds that my parents will probably not work in USA because of age and health.

Simple question: As I meet financial requirements and because it is hard, very hard to find a co-sponsor - what ideas can you give me to strongly get the US Embassy to a/ change their minds and b/accept me as sole sponsor ?

BTW- one extra information, my parents have house in India, from which they get rent. They also have $50k in US stocks! But embassy didn't even look at these as evidence.

My ideas:
I can write, fax and phone them and beg to change their minds ! I can state that I have sufficient income and show pay stubs; show that I intend to get extended health insurance for parents when they get here [and show evidence of costs and company]; show evidence that I have found house to house all 3 of us [cut-out from real estate magazine!], and show evidence of likely costs. And tell them once again, that parents intend to live off rent they collect from India AND they have $50k in US stocks BUT that even if that didn't work out, that "I" can single-handedly support them.

Please give me more ideas... It would be great if there was a way to avoid finding a co-sponsor, and getting Embassy to empathize with me [US citizen] and 'ok-ing' my parents' immigration.

 

[brb2]

sponsorship

Medical bills can run up huge particularly for non working people (parents) and in the absence of medicare bills the hospitals (and then the federal government - ie tax payers pick up the bills. In most US states the insurance companies can deny health insurance if the risk is high (people over 65 without medicare coverage). Thus a 125% of average salary would by no means cover health expenses in an unforseen circumstance.

Like Joef I would strongly suggest getting a co-sponsor who is willing to sign up.

BTW, in MN new immigrants denied health coverage can buy health insurance at 125% of the market rate through the state agency health insurance plan. The risk of bankruptcy to the sponsor in states like this are very low.