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Immigration Rip-Off

http://www.youtube.com/v/0Vq0FRUjSbA&rel=1 Dunno if this link works or if I did it right but its kinda relevant.

Im back across the pond beneath the dreary grey skies of Scotland once more. The flight back was uneventful if you dont count the fact that I was sat next to a 'french canadian' whose name was 'aman' and was on his way to Yemen before going to Africa. I could almost feel the CIA eyes watching me. lol Seriously though, he seemed like an okay guy and I hope his journey was safe and good.

So why am I 3000+ miles away from my wife? Because of the policies, substandard service and uncaring attitude of the immigration service/ Homeland Security in the USA!!

Whenever I have visited the states to see FMK, I have always been law abiding and adhered to their rules and regulations, following their instructions and leaving when I was supposed to. Of course, Danielle and I fell in love and got married and so, we put in the paperwork which should have started the ball rolling to 'allow' us to be together, to raise a family and spend our lives together as loving couples everywhere do. It should have taken a maximum of 30 days to process the initial application and move on to the next stage. Not so!

It was always the case that I was going to move across the Atlantic to be with Danielle. I would not take or ask her to come to the UK with me because that would be too great a strain on hr and her family. Despite this situation, it still is easier for me to travel back and forth as necessary to see and be with her until the matter is sorted out.

When we mailed our petition in, allegedly, there was unprecedented demand on applications and they had to take on an extra 1500 staff to deal with this. Despite this, the process has been put back three times. Once to 30 days, then to 90 days, then to 15 weeks and, finally, at the last count, to 'whenever'. Yes! They actually said that. It means nothing to government departments of course that two people, who love each other very much, just want to be together.

It also apparently means nothing that they are raking in the cash and screwing legal applicants with an attitude that screams, "We don’t give a f***!" The immigration service demands payment up front for processing everything and we’re not talking pennies here. In our case, the list includes 9 different and separate forms which they charge in the region of $7,000 dollars to process. This is NOT a plea for help or anything by the way, I just think it is important that existing Americans should know just how they, and we, are being royally screwed over by their government!!

Where else would you find a service company who demands an up front fee and then tells their customer base that the service will be delivered, “Whenever”? Of course that company would not last very long and it should be no different for a government service. If we accept that government provides an unacceptably low, substandard service then where is the line to be drawn, if anywhere? Do we just accept then that everything in and about the government will be so dismally poor?

If it takes an average $7,000 dollars per person to just apply for a visa to live and work in the USA, just imagine how many applications they have and how much money they are making from that. If its not going to the war…. … sorry, ’foreign policy’ effort then it must be lining somebody’s pocket. Remember they’re taking in millions from the immigration process alone, every year, and yet they STILL demand high taxes from the electorate and STILL refuse to provide health care or anything that will benefit the Nation. I really hope things like this are remembered come election day!!

I contacted two of the local representatives in PA who also offered a less than caring response, leaving us both wondering why, exactly, these individuals were being paid when they could not, perhaps even would not, do anything other than refer our queries on to more people who also gave the same response. The entire situation is unacceptable of course and even Danielle’s family are greatly surprised that the whole process is so bad.

You never really know how bad it is until you have personal experience of it. This is what I told some of those representatives. My personal experience as an ‘outsider’ coming to the USA has not always been one of a warm welcome in any way. The reverse is true in fact. There is a definite ‘ambience’ to people, (especially those who visit more than once in a year), of ‘we don’t want you here’.

Since 9/11, the normal customs representatives have been largely replaced by the black uniformed homeland security ‘boys’, who bear more than a passing resemblance to some black uniformed people who were around in the 1940’s! They are not all bad of course but the majority appear to have been recruited for their redneck ability to treat people with barely concealed contempt.

If you visit more than once in the year and, as in my case, within a couple of months of the last visit, you are immediately viewed with suspicion. The consensus of opinion appears to be that you…

A) “Must” be a drug pusher/ money launderer/ terrorist
B) “Must” want to get a green card and stay because America is ‘all that’!

When they find out you have actually married an American, stupid rhetorical questions are asked like…
‘Why did you marry an American, isn’t there any good looking women in the UK?’;
‘How and where did you meet your wife?’
‘How did she become an American?’
‘Where did her family come from’?
Yup! I have actually, personally been asked all of these, and more.

Not only that but, when you travel back within a short period of time, your passport and ticket are placed in a bright Yellow or bright Red folder and you are told to enter another office for ’further questioning’. This removes your dignity and makes all other travellers watching, suspicious of you too. This has been my experience on three occasions coming into the States. It doesn’t matter to these people that I am married, nor that those I am visiting in the States are voters who could make formal complaints….!

My point in all this is that…..
1. America is NOT ‘all that’. Only those who have never been out of it think so. If you don’t believe me, come to Scotland, see for yourself what a really beautiful scenic country it is. There are even some nice people here too.
My only interest in being in America is to be with my wife, whom I love with all my heart and soul, and who just happens to be a natural American too.

2. The ‘welcome’ for foreigners arriving in America is not a ‘welcome’ at all but more of a, “What are you doing here’ approach. This is the “face” of America that everybody sees on arrival and, I’m sorry to say, that face is ugly. I know that it doesn’t represent the majority of Americans, only its anal administration, but it doesn’t help other less accepting people to feel any more amiable towards the country and its inhabitants.

3. As I have stated before, the immigration process, the homeland security, the American government - all are working through a basis of ignorance, fear and hatred. They are all dark and because of that, I know that their way will not last and all that they are and stand for will pass away into nothing.

Danielle and I love each other very much and will be together, despite them all. I will be in the United States, with my wife and the family we will create. Together we walk in Love and light and those are powerful weapons against those who would rather sow seeds of hatred. I don’t feel anger at them, I pity them. Of course it does suck that we are being screwed over for time and money because of this but it will not be for long. In the UK, I am on my turf and I know how and who to deal with here, and I will.
I urge anyone who is sufficiently interested (in America) to contact their congressional representative and demand to know where the income from the immigration system is being used and how. I am sure the situation is similar in the UK so I’m not preaching. People generally complain about the illegal immigrants and how they break all sorts of laws and literally, ‘get away with murder’ but while that level of attention is focused on these criminals, those who abide by the law (as usual) are forgotten.

In the end, I only want to be with my beautiful wife and make our family and future together. Why should anyone stand against that?

Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-10 12:35:28 | Rating:

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		I admire you both. The love you have for each other is so strong that no amount of government issues will stand in your way. You will be together one day with your little family running around at your feet. Are the government so blind they can not see true love when it is staring them straight in their face. My heart and thoughts are with you both at this awful time.xx
Posted by bubblydi on 2008-01-10 12:54:06


		I feel whole-heartedly for your dilemma.. And can truly empathize.. It is bonkers that they said "Whenever.." .. I have some good news and some bad news.. The bad news is, the visa bulletin has Feb. 2003 as the priority date of the current applications being processed.. for your class which is a 2B... The good news is, they seem to be moving throught it a fairly expedious (now you laugh) pace... It takes them about 2 -3 months to clear a year. If you filed in 2007.. expect a waite time of about 6 months. Im sorry!
Posted by idreamt_iwas on 2008-01-10 17:06:11


		Thanks Di. They will not win over us.
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-10 22:12:32


		Thank you idreamt. That alone is more info than the official version so any litle helps
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-10 22:13:16


		I have a feeling that some where or other America has been refered to as 'The Land of the Free' Just fancy that now!
Posted by Triforium on 2008-01-11 15:54:01


		Though I can understand your frustration with the system and admire your patience, I must say that you present an unfair portrayal of the immigration process. For 1 thing, how many other countries have you tried to move to/become a legal resident/citizen etc.? If the answer is any less than say 2 or 3 (which i assume it is) then you really have nothing to compare the process of becoming a U.S. citizen to. For all you know the process you are going through might be easier than any other country and cheaper, and only if you had tried other countries would you know just how 'good' the United States process is. I'm not saying it is good, i'm just saying your situation and your portrayal of the system is not a convincing argument for rememebering these 'problems' come election time (as you referred). But anyhow, goodluck. Hopefully when everything goes through, you can put aside your frustrations and be a proud American, the country that raised your beloved wife.
Posted by NewYearREZ on 2008-01-11 17:17:05


		Exactly Trif. Thats just one of the myths.
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-11 19:37:24


		NewYearREZ, until you are in the position of having a country tell you that you can't be with your spouse, you really have NOTHING to add to this situation. Thanks though.
Posted by Forgetmeknot on 2008-01-11 19:45:47


		Thanks for your comments NYREZ but until you have personal experience, as I do, then your opinion is less than helpful. I appreciate the Good luck wish though. Namaste
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-11 19:51:39


		NYRez.. This is why we have friends.. So we dont have to experience all the ups and downs of life ourselves... Now.. to answer your question, from experience, the USA has one of the most drawn out - red taped - put together with crazy glue - sealed with duct tape.. method of immigration... I say this with the following experience: 1. I have immigrated to the USA (even as a Canadian). 2. I have helped people immigrate to the USA. 3. I have helped people immigrate to Canada, to India, to Austrailia and even the UK... No where in the world, do you find immigration policies as outrageous as the US.. pre and post 9/11.
Posted by idreamt_iwas on 2008-01-11 20:14:53


		Thanx idreamt but I think there's more to nyrez than meets the eye. This is something for the forums though, blog comments are not the place for debates
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-11 21:50:53


		I apologize to anyone who feels Im debating anything here.. That was not my intent.. I only wished to comment to a comment, and support your post.. ie. 1. People dont need to experience EVERYTHING in order to have an opinion about it.. Lessons and Opinions are shared. and 2. Your post makes an excellent point, in that the US needs to seriously consider immigration reform.
Posted by idreamt_iwas on 2008-01-11 22:02:52


		Try this one for size..my father fathered a child in the Phillipines and he is a natural born American citizen. His daughter is not even allowed a visitors visa to come and meet him. Our laws are so lovely. But, lets have the nation continue to allow others in and help them set up residency. Fight Fight!!! My prayers are with you both. Sadiee Lady
Posted by Thinks_2_Much on 2008-01-12 06:16:22


		S'ok idreamt. Thank you for your support too.
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-12 16:22:23


		Thanks for that Scar. Im sure Danielle appreciates all these good vibes too.
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-12 16:23:16


		Thank you Sadiee lady. Its unacceptable that State legislation can dictate who, where and how families shall be allowed to be together. I feel for your father and his absent child too. Namaste
Posted by scotslad60 on 2008-01-12 16:26:35


		I found this, which relates to the American idea as we understand it; "This nation was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the principle - among others - that honest men may honestly disagree; that if they all say what they think, a majority of the people will be able to distinguish truth from error." [Elmer Davis]
Posted by Triforium on 2008-01-13 12:29:31