Is There Life After Marriage???

G

Greg2010

New Member
I have a MAJOR problem. Here are the facts: I am from the Dallas, Texas area, 64 and am on 100% VA disability. I met a wonderful lady from Ukraine, lived with her for 6 months in Ukraine, returned to Texas for 6 months and we then decided to marry. I returned to Ukraine and we were married 3 months later or last January. I was extremely excited to take her back and introduce her to my family and they were looking forward to meeting her. Now I find that I am not able to take her back to the US because I don't make enough money. US Immigration requires that my income be 125% of the federal poverty level. My VA disability does not meet that amount. She has been a nurse for 26 years but is not able to work as a nurse in the US until she passes an exhaustive English exam and must pass the NCLEX nurse proficiency exam. These are appropriate as nobody would want someone taking care of them without being medically proficient AND be able to communicate with patients and medical staff. I was sure it would be no problem as she could study at home in Texas and when she felt she was ready simply take the exams. Apparently immigration will not let this occur.

So my question is this: Because I am a 100% disabled veteran and so don't make a basketfull of cash, does that mean I no longer have the right to have a wife and/or family in this country? Has anyone else experienced this contempt for a veteran and their cash flow? Does anyone have any ideas where I might turn next?

I apologize for the rant but am VERY angry over this and thankfully have managed to keep most of my inner most thoughts to myself. "ANY" help at all would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Greg
 
That`s crazy!
Maybe You need to contact Your congressmen.
And thank you for your service to our country!
 
You can also meet the requirements with assets and a co-sponsor. For example, if you own a home, that will count.

I suggest you speak with the vet resource center in your area for assistance. You might also see if the Military Helpline at the USCIS will assist you even though you are not active duty.
 
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Greg2010 said:
So my question is this: Because I am a 100% disabled veteran and so don't make a basketfull of cash, does that mean I no longer have the right to have a wife and/or family in this country?
Click to expand...

The US government wants some assurance that you can support any immigrant family member(s) you bring into the US, so the taxpayers don't end up supporting them.

You can meet the requirements with some help from a co-sponsor and/or your assets. Every $5 of liquid or sellable assets reduces the income requirement by $1. Your wife's assets can be included. Then if you still don't have enough after accounting for the assets, you can get a co-sponsor to make up the difference.
 
Jacko - would you please elaborate on this - you can get a co-sponsor to make up the difference. As far as I know, a co-sponsor (unless the co-sponsor is a household member) has to meet the requirement solely - not just make up the difference.
 
Greg, how do you intend to support a new immigrant? What if she can't get a job because of her limited English? She will not be entitled to public assistance or welfare. Will your income of less than $18K a year be enough to sustain both of you at a level when both of you get to eat more than Ramen noodles? Is she eligible to be a dependent on your medical insurance? If not, can you afford to buy it for her?
My dad has been unemployed for 2 years now, so I know firsthand what it's like - no money, no insurance.

I also know of a family that almost fell apart because the husband made only $40K a year and it wasn't enough to provide a family with all the necessities the wife was accustomed to. The family moved to Ukraine, because she was making more money in Ukraine that her husband made in the US.
 
Yes, it depends on whether the co-sponsor meets the "household member" criteria for the I-864A. The household member can combine resources with the sponsor and immigrant to make up the required total, otherwise the co-sponsor would file I-864 and they have to meet the full requirement on their own.
 
Greg,

Do you receive SS as well as VA benefits? Are there other benfits that you receive because of your disability that are not direct payments to you but are viewed as support?

You really need to consult with an immigration law specialist. If the other resources I mentioned previously are unable to assist you, look to Catholic Charities immigration services and a similar effort by the Lutheran Church. Since you are in an area with a large immigrant population, both of these groups should be available to you.
 
There is another possibility ... if upon turning 65 you are eligible for Social Security benefits and/or a military or private pension on top of what you're already being paid for VA disability, that can be added to your income and be counted towards the requirements of the Affidavit of Support.
 
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