BethBud

Very well said. I love being a US citizen, I love this country, on days like the Fourth of July I'm the one who brings out the American flag, not my American-born, military veteran husband. But I still love my home country, I miss it dearly. It's easy to expect foreign spouses and other immigrants to completely give up their home countries and traditions, but in reality it's not that easy. And if every foreigner did give up their traditions, food, etc, then there wouldn't be places like Little Italy, China Town, etc. Yet those naturalized citizens are every bit, if not more, as patriotic as many Americans who were born here.

You don't need sponsorship if you're on a green card though, you can get a job as easily as a US citizen can, provided you are qualified for said job. You have most rights a US citizen would have, except for no voting rights, can't get on medicaid for a certain amount of years, etc.

But what about those who use it for the right reasons? They are the very reason the K-1 should not be eliminated. Many immigrants, both male and female, went this route to be with their loved ones. They shouldn't have to suffer because of the actions of a few bad apples.

Not so strange. She needed a better job to provide for her family so she made the sacrifice. As for bringing her family over - it is really expensive. My husband and I spent thousands of dollars on my visa, green card (both conditional and permanent) and finally citizenship. We didn't use a lawyer, did it all ourselves and still it cost us thousands. It would be similar for children. She probably didn't have the thousands of dollars it would've cost her to bring her children, and subsequently her grandchildren, over. She would've had to show she can support them all or get a joint sponsor. It's not easy to come to the US even if you're family.

Yes there are but honestly, poverty in a country like the Philippines are a lot different than poverty here. It's worse. And very sad to see. I grew up in South Africa. There are areas that are first world but then there are areas that the poverty is horrific. I haven't seen anything like it here in the States. If Nikki came here to escape her life I can understand her reasoning. Doesn't mean I agree just that I understand. I've taken Americans and Canadians to South Africa and Mozambique and they are always shocked when they see how a part of those nations live. I know it's not the Philippines but they have the same type of poverty. Those girls would give anything to have a job at Walmart or Micky D where they actually earn a salary and do not have to sell themselves just to get a meal for themselves.

Didn't she say it's too expensive or she can't afford it (something like that) after being told that dress cost $2400? I think she was looking for a cheaper dress than that. Maybe she never had the fantasy wedding she always dreamed off and now is making up for it, which is why she's wanting a dress and all of that.

Maybe cringing because of her mom's behavior? Regardless, her mom was rather rude. Hoping it gets better from hereon out! :)

I thought that was really sweet. I'm from another country too and I so appreciate it when people try to do something nice for me and cook something from my homeland for me. They might not get it right but it's the heart behind it. Maybe they did ask for Aleksandra's help?

Yes agreed. So if she wanted to use him for a green card, she'd have to stick it out until after the conditions on her green card have been removed.

I'm sorry - I replied to okerry there :)

@okerry - you asked on the other thread what other ways there are - there is the spousal visa where the couple gets married in the foreigner's home country and he/she has to stay there and wait for the spousal visa to come through. Once it's approved, they take off for the States and get their green card upon arrival. In my case, I came to visit my sister in the States, had 6 months on my visa. Met my husband, we fell in love, talked about going back to South Africa to get married. We spoke with an immigration lawyer who said it's easier to just get married here and do an adjustment of status from visitor to family based green card. If we did get married in South Africa, we'd be separated for the first 8+ months of our marriage. I'd have to stay there and my husband would have to come back to the States to work and pay bills. No ways we'd be able to pay for his house and credit card on a South African salary (the South African Rand is very weak against the US dollar). We also thought about doing the K-1 but again we'd be separated for months. Since I only met him after I came here, we could legally do an adjustment of status. We had to prove that I didn't enter the US with the intent to get married. It took less than 4 months to get my green card after we got married. Three years later I was eligible to apply for citizenship. We now have two young children. Although I miss South Africa a lot, I do enjoy living in the US. I won't mind moving to Cape Town for a few years though with my husband and kids :)

I think the reason Fernando's papers are taking so long is because he didn't submit all the documents. I've heard that the couples have to show they are pretty far in the K-1 process to be considered for this show. Probably his divorce papers. They've asked for proof of divorce from my first green card application all the way up to my citizenship application. Neither my husband nor I were married before so it wasn't an issue, but it's standard. Seeing all of this makes me pretty glad my husband and I didn't go the K-1 visa route.