Post: #1

I have been visiting the US for the past years which is very easy for a EU passport holder. But immigration has been on my mind recently. Seems like the easiest option to obtain permanent residency is through marriage. What are the risks during a divorce? Will I lose my assets outside of the US? Assuming no children are involved.

Post: #2

Just fly to the U.S. and stay there, screw the paperwork.

The worst that can happen is they don't deport you (that would be racist), you get free in-state college tuition, can apply for a drivers license, serve in the military, vote in local elections, earn tax-free paychecks in cash, and you can even bring over your grandparents and third cousins to benefit from our retirement and insurance funds!

(Sadly, none of this is sarcasm...)

Post: #3

Why take the easy way and risk a frivorce? Why not do it like the ones who just apply to become citizens?

Aw hell, you could just go to Mexico and go north.

Post: #4

(05-27-2015 05:12 AM)Every10GivesMeA10 Wrote:  I have been visiting the US for the past years which is very easy for a EU passport holder. But immigration has been on my mind recently. Seems like the easiest option to obtain permanent residency is through marriage. What are the risks during a divorce? Will I lose my assets outside of the US? Assuming no children are involved.

You should see a lawyer but from a layman's perspective, I can't imagine why your foreign assets will be affected.

Post: #5

Yes, a green card through marriage is the easiest. If you are married for less than 2 years when you apply for it they issue you a 2 year temp green card which you have to re-interview for in 2 years so they can test that it wasn't a sham marriage. After that they give you a 10 year green card. After 5 years you can apply for citizenship (which is virtually automatic) or just try to renew your 10 year green card again (which requires you to still be married).

My guess, because I'm not a divorce laywer, is that your assets in the EU or anywhere that you have prior to the marriage would be fine in the event of a divorce if you a) got married in a state that supported that structure and b) had a pre-nup exempting them.

The extra part that no one tells you that is unique to a marriage based permanent residence petition is that it forgives visa overstays. So if you came in on a 6 month tourist visa and were still in the US 10 years later but then got married they overlook the overstay.

Last, the difference between a mexican border jumper and lets say someone that arrives via plane or car at a border checkpoint is that the border jumper has no/never been documented as crossing a port of entry into the US and so is in this weird limbo of "not existing" in terms of US law. It can't be determined if they legally or illegally entered the US. The person that arrives by plane, or a canadian via car has a documented entry and time to remain in the US via visa or nafta agreement. If they overstay or break that agreement they have a verifiable trail that they are illegally present in the US and are actually easier to deport than a mexican...there is no difficulty in establishing their US presence and illegal presence.

Post: #6

Quote:Last, the difference between a mexican border jumper and lets say someone that arrives via plane or car at a border checkpoint is that the border jumper has no/never been documented as crossing a port of entry into the US and so is in this weird limbo of "not existing" in terms of US law. It can't be determined if they legally or illegally entered the US. The person that arrives by plane, or a canadian via car has a documented entry and time to remain in the US via visa or nafta agreement. If they overstay or break that agreement they have a verifiable trail that they are illegally present in the US and are actually easier to deport than a mexican...there is no difficulty in establishing their US presence and illegal presence.

Absolutely right, but like any other law, it's enforced based on resources and political mandates. The bulk of funding and manpower is spent combating illegal immigration and securing the Southwest border. EU nationals that overstay a tourist visa are unlikely to be tracked down, let alone deported.

I studied in Europe before moving here, and during that time (about 12 months) I forgot to register with the authorities and document my residency. On paper, I snuck in on a tourist visa and stayed illegally for a year. They asked me a few questions at the airport on my way out as a matter of formality (nothing about what I was actually doing in the country) and then stamped me through after a few minutes. From my experience, Europeans tend to treat Americans well as a matter of exception, and vice versa.

There's a tendency to overestimate the abilities of law enforcement; for example, police departments can only issue a handful of phone wiretaps per year due to budget constraints.

Post: #7

Lol. Buddy, we are all rushing out of the house on fire and you want to run in??

Post: #8

If gay marriages becomes a thing, you can marry me for an undisclosed sum of money to get the green card.

Post: #9

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is not necessarily the big bureaucratic dummy you might think it is. There are a lot of rules to crack down on the green card marriage machine and penalties that can keep you banned from the U.S. for a long time if you get caught.

Alternatively to having to marry someone for a green card, there are a number of different work and/or study visas that you can get to stay her for extended periods of time. As long as you have immigration status here you will be ok, and extending or altering your visa can keep you here for a long time.

If your serious put a little money into talking to a lawyer and finding out the options, a lot cheaper than any kind of marriage- and you won't be looking over your shoulder the whole time if you play by the rules.

Post: #10

(05-27-2015 09:30 AM)eljeffster Wrote:  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is not necessarily the big bureaucratic dummy you might think it is. There are a lot of rules to crack down on the green card marriage machine and penalties that can keep you banned from the U.S. for a long time if you get caught.

Alternatively to having to marry someone for a green card, there are a number of different work and/or study visas that you can get to stay her for extended periods of time. As long as you have immigration status here you will be ok, and extending or altering your visa can keep you here for a long time.

If your serious put a little money into talking to a lawyer and finding out the options, a lot cheaper than any kind of marriage- and you won't be looking over your shoulder the whole time if you play by the rules.

I agree, marriage route or not use an immigration lawyer. Having my dude help me navigate the mind boggling paperwork and do immigration officer coaching was well worth the money for peace of mind.

Post: #11

Ah, the "Green Card Marriage".

Here in South Florida, it's quite the thing.

There's actually a cottage industry here regarding that type of marriage. Just know that the person seeking the green card pays big. Down here, it's between $5k and $10k. It could be worse, you could end up married to a hot Puerto Rican gal... with three kids and emotional issues.

Your mileage may vary.

Post: #12

(05-27-2015 07:56 AM)John Galt2 Wrote:  Lol. Buddy, we are all rushing out of the house on fire and you want to run in??

According to the internet the USA is a neo fascist hellhole, and we should all get out before it's too late. It's amazing any of us survives even another day in such a dystopian place.

However, according to my personal observations and day to day real non internet life, it's pretty fucking awesome.

You can always find work, the water is safe to drink, the air is mostly clean, and with the exception of certain parts of major cities, it is safe to walk around day or night. If you are the victim of a crime, you can reasonably expect the police to try and help you instead of extort money from you.

Government services are mostly honest and efficient.

If you want to start a business and have hustle/intelligence there are lots of opportunities you can seize without paying bribes or the mafia or the prime minister's relatives. If you have a business dispute, it is customary to have lawyers involved, instead of hitmen, molotov cocktails, and vigilante justice which is nice.

There is a huge variety of landscapes and entertainment options.

Post: #13

For Non canadians

Student F1 visa for a one year certificate program + OPT is the way to go. Those programs are easy and you get a whole year of OPT(you are able to work for that year). Technically you are supposta work only in a field thats related to your studies but nobody gives a shit, you can work anywhere. If you find a decent job, you u can then ask your employees to sponsor you or at least give a long term visa, after which you can apply for greencard.

For canadians- Tn1 is the way to go, americans do the same thing up north.

Post: #14

I'd give America a solid B. Not bad, but not good either. The only thing you have to really worry about is the US military, police, and intelligence folks.

I expect some sort of false flag operation on American soil to get the sheeple all fired up for a war with China or Russia. Blame it on Russian terrorists.

All it takes is one black swan event for the business climate to completely change.

Post: #15

(05-27-2015 07:25 AM)Dr. Howard Wrote:  Yes, a green card through marriage is the easiest. If you are married for less than 2 years when you apply for it they issue you a 2 year temp green card which you have to re-interview for in 2 years so they can test that it wasn't a sham marriage. After that they give you a 10 year green card. After 5 years you can apply for citizenship (which is virtually automatic) or just try to renew your 10 year green card again (which requires you to still be married).

In reality it's more like you have to wait a year to get your temp card, then go two years, and then wait another year for your re-interview. So in all you are looking at four years before you get a "real" green card. Even then you are in a vulnerable position if the shit hits the fan. Be advised, for example, that virtually any arrest tagged "domestic" anything will get your file stamped "deportable" from and "indamissible" to the United States, even if you end up with no jail time and no permanent record. In essence, as long as you are not a citizen, you are always one crazy bitch's phone call away from getting kicked out and barred from the country by the white-knighting federal government.

Post: #16

(05-27-2015 01:15 PM)8ball Wrote:  For Non canadians

Student F1 visa for a one year certificate program + OPT is the way to go. Those programs are easy and you get a whole year of OPT(you are able to work for that year). Technically you are supposta work only in a field thats related to your studies but nobody gives a shit, you can work anywhere. If you find a decent job, you u can then ask your employees to sponsor you or at least give a long term visa, after which you can apply for greencard.

For canadians- Tn1 is the way to go, americans do the same thing up north.

There’s a downside to this - a lot of employers do not sponsor for Green Cards and prefer to hire legal US permanent residents. A lot of my international class mates had to go back to Asia because they couldn’t get a job from anybody who was willing to sponsor them. The legal fees can be as much as $10k.

I came into the US on an F-1 visa and I was lucky to get a Green Card via my employers. I’m now eligible to apply for US Citizenship.

On an F-1 you are not allowed to work at all for a year, and you won't be able to get a social security number for a year.

Another shitty situation is to work for employers who never end up filing for Green Cards. I remember talking to a Japanese lady who had been in the US for 10 years on a H1-B work visa. Her employer laid her off and she had to return to Japan. Japanese citizens can get a Green Card very fast, but she got fucked over because her employer never filed for her. If they had filed when she was eligible, she would have been a US citizen a couple of years beforehand.

I was once offered $35,000 by a Chinese female (illegally in the US and a friend of my coworker) to marry her so she could stay in the US, I turned her down.

A Lebanese guy I used to work with me told me that he married an American citizen when he was 19 (over 20 years ago) and first entered the US as a student. He said he met her in a bar and she was an alcoholic. He paid her $3,000 for her to marry him, and they got divorced once her got his citizenship. He only ever met her 3 times.

Post: #17

(05-27-2015 12:13 PM)Private Man Wrote:  Ah, the "Green Card Marriage".

Here in South Florida, it's quite the thing.

There's actually a cottage industry here regarding that type of marriage. Just know that the person seeking the green card pays big. Down here, it's between $5k and $10k. It could be worse, you could end up married to a hot Puerto Rican gal... with three kids and emotional issues.

Your mileage may vary.

If you're a U.S. citizen married to a hot Puerto Rican girl, you're married to a U.S. citizen who happens to be hot.

Post: #18

(05-27-2015 01:15 PM)8ball Wrote:  For Non canadians

Student F1 visa for a one year certificate program + OPT is the way to go. Those programs are easy and you get a whole year of OPT(you are able to work for that year). Technically you are supposta work only in a field thats related to your studies but nobody gives a shit, you can work anywhere. If you find a decent job, you u can then ask your employees to sponsor you or at least give a long term visa, after which you can apply for greencard.

For canadians- Tn1 is the way to go, americans do the same thing up north.

I was on a TN visa and its ok for a while, but after each renewal and each border crossing I caught more and more hassles from border agents. There also isn't a 'foolproof' way to switch off of it to permanent residence, so you still need to keep ties in Canada as a plan B.

Then, if you keep ties in Canada as a plan B, you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes and get fucked in the ass on taxes.

Post: #19

(05-27-2015 12:33 PM)VolandoVengoVolandoVoy Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 07:56 AM)John Galt2 Wrote:  Lol. Buddy, we are all rushing out of the house on fire and you want to run in??

If you want to start a business and have hustle/intelligence there are lots of opportunities you can seize without paying bribes or the mafia or the prime minister's relatives. If you have a business dispute, it is customary to have lawyers involved, instead of hitmen, molotov cocktails, and vigilante justice which is nice.

There is a huge variety of landscapes and entertainment options.

America is like the world's biggest casino. It really pays to play if you have nothing to begin with and are willing to put in a little hard work. It can be very lucrative if you choose the right occupation or business or just plain luck out.

However, just like with any casino you have to know when to sweep your chips off the table and cash out before you lose it all or get too caught up in the toxic social web.

Post: #20

(05-27-2015 12:33 PM)VolandoVengoVolandoVoy Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 07:56 AM)John Galt2 Wrote:  Lol. Buddy, we are all rushing out of the house on fire and you want to run in??

According to the internet the USA is a neo fascist hellhole, and we should all get out before it's too late. It's amazing any of us survives even another day in such a dystopian place.

However, according to my personal observations and day to day real non internet life, it's pretty fucking awesome.

You can always find work, the water is safe to drink, the air is mostly clean, and with the exception of certain parts of major cities, it is safe to walk around day or night. If you are the victim of a crime, you can reasonably expect the police to try and help you instead of extort money from you.

Government services are mostly honest and efficient.

If you want to start a business and have hustle/intelligence there are lots of opportunities you can seize without paying bribes or the mafia or the prime minister's relatives. If you have a business dispute, it is customary to have lawyers involved, instead of hitmen, molotov cocktails, and vigilante justice which is nice.

There is a huge variety of landscapes and entertainment options.

Galt and Voy are both right.

The thing is, it depends on what part of the USA you're in. This is a big continent. Some parts are 3rd world (not joking) but other parts are some of the richest places on the planet.

Up here in New England, life is grand. For now. I'm not stupid enough to think things cannot change, hence why I educate those when I can. I see the mounting debt and know what's coming.

Post: #21

(05-27-2015 05:12 AM)Every10GivesMeA10 Wrote:  I have been visiting the US for the past years which is very easy for a EU passport holder. But immigration has been on my mind recently. Seems like the easiest option to obtain permanent residency is through marriage. What are the risks during a divorce? Will I lose my assets outside of the US? Assuming no children are involved.

If you already have an EU passport you don't want a US one.

Main reason is that the US, unlike pretty much every other nation on earth, taxes you on your global income whether you are a full-time resident or not. There are small exemptions but if you make over $100,000 per annum you pay US federal taxes on all income earned, whether at home or abroad.

US divorce laws are also notoriously anti-male/provider, so you can lose half your assets or more in a frivolous divorce. This is a serious risk and the reason I will never get married in the US. I've seen too many friends and family get screwed over - the divorce system is too corrupted by the lawyers and court system (watch "Divorce Corp" if you want to learn more).

The only people getting US passports these days are mostly from other countries with poor legal & economic systems or who need a 2nd way out in case their country clamps down too hard on them (China, Russia, etc.).

In sum, don't do it...you have an EU passport which allows you basically the same visa-free travel as a US passport does, and if you live and work abroad you won't get taxed by your home country.

Post: #22

(05-27-2015 06:13 AM)Blick Mang Wrote:  Just fly to the U.S. and stay there, screw the paperwork.

The worst that can happen is they don't deport you (that would be racist), you get free in-state college tuition, can apply for a drivers license, serve in the military, vote in local elections, earn tax-free paychecks in cash, and you can even bring over your grandparents and third cousins to benefit from our retirement and insurance funds!

(Sadly, none of this is sarcasm...)

They WILL deport you if you overstay a visa and you're not a refugee(or rich). When you come in on a visa, you essentially accept a contract that says that you are only here as a tourist(or other reason specified by the visa) and by overstaying, you breach that contract. "Undocumented immigrants" on the other hand don't have visas, and thus are in a legal loop hole of sorts in comparison to those who overstay visas. If you really want to come to the USA as an illegal immigrant, fly to Canada and sneak across the border. It's the largest undefended border in the world and there are dozens of places where you'll find an American road and Canadian road separated by a mere median or gate.

Granted, the second easiest way to get into the USA after marriage is to have an investor's visa(ie rich man's visa). You only have to be worth like $1 million but it's still out of reach for most.

Post: #23

The scam on EB5 investors visas is it is not $1M cash but a $1M plus net worth and so people of India, China, Pakistan etc 3rd world dumpsks and pay their local banker for a financial statement that shows several millions in assets and cash... They then put say $10K cash down on a building with a mini mart and apartments using their financial statements as collateral and hire family members to fulfill the 10 sustained jobs requirement of the H1B and viola investors visa granted and fulfilled.

Post: #24

(05-28-2015 04:43 AM)Icepasian Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 06:13 AM)Blick Mang Wrote:  Just fly to the U.S. and stay there, screw the paperwork.

The worst that can happen is they don't deport you (that would be racist), you get free in-state college tuition, can apply for a drivers license, serve in the military, vote in local elections, earn tax-free paychecks in cash, and you can even bring over your grandparents and third cousins to benefit from our retirement and insurance funds!

(Sadly, none of this is sarcasm...)

They WILL deport you if you overstay a visa and you're not a refugee(or rich). When you come in on a visa, you essentially accept a contract that says that you are only here as a tourist(or other reason specified by the visa) and by overstaying, you breach that contract. "Undocumented immigrants" on the other hand don't have visas, and thus are in a legal loop hole of sorts in comparison to those who overstay visas. If you really want to come to the USA as an illegal immigrant, fly to Canada and sneak across the border. It's the largest undefended border in the world and there are dozens of places where you'll find an American road and Canadian road separated by a mere median or gate.

Granted, the second easiest way to get into the USA after marriage is to have an investor's visa(ie rich man's visa). You only have to be worth like $1 million but it's still out of reach for most.

People say this about the canadian border fairly often but I haven't found it to be the truth. It seems like, because there are so few people crossing the border at non-entry points they are easy to spot. We would work near a remote stretch of river that was on the border and would see helicopters. There were regular stories from fishermen that would drift too far across the river and soon be met with a helicopter or border patrol boat telling them to go back.

Post: #25

This thread is real good.. Now I know what my options are. If I do a masters degree in usa can that lead to citizenship? This would be the best way for me and after that marriage.