Advice Re. American Citizenship ~ Complicated

paulineb_2

Sounds like shes being taken for a mug. Hes spinning her a sob story so she'll keep sending money, what a charmer.

Sparklyfairy

He clearly needs her money because he's in the US illegally & can't get a proper job without a green card.

The "concentration camp" idea has been a rumour that makes it's rounds over the years (check Google).

I think he got himself into a HUGE hole in the US running from his issues in the UK. Clearly money is an issue & honestly there is no financial hardship assistance to people that are in the US illegally. I believe UK citizens can stay in the US for 3 months max & he's outstayed that clearly. Also, you cannot just go & get married to someone from another country & not go through the proper channels (green card process). Your life will be hell & you will be "stuck" (unless you get divorced).

I think he's skint & scared to come back to the UK bc (his UK issues aside) he'd have to sort out the UK Home Office ILR visa for his new wife, plus there are now loads of stipulations they'd have to satisfy before she's be granted an ILR visa (indefinite leave to remain) bc she's not from the EU & they have to prove they have a UK job that earns quite a lot (exact amount I'm unsure but I was staggered when I found out). I am a US citizen, in the UK 14 years & currently undergoing the green card process for my husband

All I can say is that he is in one huge hole & I feel utterly saddened for those children - they didn't deserve this & adults can be so $£^&*% selfish sometimes! I wish I had some sage advice you could give your friend, my heart breaks for her, too. Perhaps he has a special skill that is rare & he's able to get a job, then that company can sponsor him for a green card?

Here is a really good forum - I suggest asking for help here (either your friend or her son). If there's a way to get out of this mess, they'd know! http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57 Good luck! xx

Sparklyfairy

Just wanted to add - if your friend can pay for the children to the UK, she should really try to do it. This is assuming she's willing & able to look after them. Their situation sounds dire - let her son sort himself out...

thorsoak

Does she know that they really are in the USA? Is she being told a tale?

gravitytolls

Thanks all.

Yesterday at work she couldn't afford to buy a cake reduced to 20p, she's past retirement age, receives her pension and ages for three jobs, and she's this skint! I feel so angry.

Anyhoo I told her I'd looked on the US embassy website and that he can apply for a work permit regardless of green card status.

He is there legally, the friend helped him by sorting out somewhere to live etc.

He has now told her that the LL told him 'he knows people and they have pigs....' Indeed, what a charmer!

I can't tell her he's playing her, but I do keep saying she can't give him any more, she's done enough and he needs to find a job and stand on his own two feet.

Oh, I bought her the cake, though due to her pride we had to have a mini disagreement to get her to accept it. She caught me sneaking it into her bag, I told her I'd be offended if she refused it. Bless her.

I also told her there's nothing about camps etc. in any US newspapers and that he must have hold of the wrong end of the stick. I'm hoping she's feeling a little better now, but I doubt it'll be long before he's scaring her with something else.

RAS

is this colleague internet savvy?

If so ask her to go on the web-site to which sparkly linked and ask them for help.

Sparklyfairy wrote: »

Here is a really good forum - I suggest asking for help here (either your friend or her son). If there's a way to get out of this mess, they'd know! http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57 Good luck! xx

If not, can you invite her round for a coffee and a chance to get on-line advice on her son's visa situation.

Sell it as her helping by getting advice so he can get his visa quicker, not as we all hope the posters explaining that what she has been told is bunkum.

Sparklyfairy

gravitytolls wrote: »

He has now told her that the LL told him 'he knows people and they have pigs....' Indeed, what a charmer!

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean here?

Look, unless there's much more to the story - he's NOT there legally. And it's not easy to "just contact the US Embassy & get his green card" so unless you're just saying this to your friend just to placate her, it's misleading her.

You sound like a very caring friend & I'm certain she's very grateful to have you thinking about her like you are. Sounds like there's not much she can realistically do & her money should be spent on herself. Poor thing, I hope they all are able to get past this mess!

claire16c

I don't understand how he can be there legally.

I could go live in a hotel in the US if I chose to, but after 3 months then it's not legal anymore. You can't just have a friend sort it out just like that!

Working and living there is virtually impossible unless you are transferred by a company here, are a millionaire, start a business there and employ a certain number of people, or marry a US citizen.
If it was that easy then why do millions of Mexicans risk their lives crossing the border illegally?

It wouldn't surprise me if he's living down the road, or he's over there hiding every time he sees a police car.

BritAbroad

The key to all this is the visa he's on. You don't need a green card to get a work permit (known as a EAD), but not all visas will allow you to get a work permit.

I also recommend the british expats link, there's a lot of very knowledgeable people on there.

duchy

Concentration camps and getting fed to pigs..... He's a piece of work isn't he..