Update

[remiel6]

Hi everyone.
I'm not sure how many here remember me. I haven't been on, life has been in the way. Anna and I are still married, four years now. She is pregnant with our second child, due in March. I passed the California and Wyoming Bar exams, so now we live and work in Wyoming. Anna became a US citizen this month. So that is exciting and now we go through the process of trying to get her mother here and eventually her sister.
Anna's family lives near Krasny Luch, so I watch the news wondering what Putin is going to do. Its not far from the border.
I hope everyone is well. To the newbies, there is a light at the end of the rainbow, and have fun with the thermostat wars. 

[tfcrew]

Yeah, it's been a couple of years?
Almost didn't see the post as everybody wants to open up dozens of threads on the Ukraine revolt.
  back.
Karl

[BillyB]

I'm not sure how many here remember me.

I remember you.

I haven't been on, life has been in the way.

Where's your priorities at? We're not important anymore?

Anna and I are still married, four years now. She is pregnant with our second child, due in March. I passed the California and Wyoming Bar exams, so now we live and work in Wyoming. Anna became a US citizen this month. So that is exciting and now we go through the process of trying to get her mother here and eventually her sister.

It seems as if life keeps getting better. Congrats on everything.

[remiel6]

Yeah, I get the talk about the revolt. My wife's family lives less than an hour from the Russian border. So I am worried about them. We are starting the application process to bring her mother hear, but I worry about her sister. Must admit I am nervous about Russia invading eastern Ukraine. My wife's family is certainly part of the Russian speaking eastern Ukraine. We can only wait, but Putin does not sound like Mr. Kumbaya.


Life is good otherwise. I hope everyone's family over there, and girlfriends, are safe.

[Wayne]

Since your wife became a US Citizen, she can petition for her mother, but the waiting time for an immigrant visa is probably two or three years. She should apply for the visa lottery also.

[whynotme]

Must admit I am nervous about Russia invading eastern Ukraine. My wife's family is certainly part of the Russian speaking eastern Ukraine. We can only wait, but Putin does not sound like Mr. Kumbaya.

Better worry about perspectives to live with mother-in-law under the same roof and how to support such a large family.

[remiel6]

The mother is considered an immediate relative and thus not subject to the wait times. There is no cap on the number of these immigrants that can be admitted. As for the sister, that is another subject. I have been advised that it would be best to bring the mother over and once she gets her green card she can apply to bring the daughter over. This also is considered an immediate family and without visa number restrictions because my wife's sister is only 14. The problem of course is the sister has to stay in the Ukraine by herself or with her grandmother until she can be brought over. I hope Russia does not invade because that would complicate things a lot. All I can do is hope. Its worth noting that my wife is apart of the Russian speaking Russian ethnic minority in the Ukraine.

[Muzh]

There will be no Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Tell your outlaws to relax.
 
Meanwhile, get them a tourist visa for them to come visit you so they can have a taste if they haven't done so yet. Also, you can have a "taste" of what's to come with them living with you. Heh.
 
Good luck and welcome back.

[remiel6]

Tried the tourist visa, they denied it.

[Muzh]

Did you applied recently?

[remiel6]

No we applied when we had our first baby about 3 years ago.

[Muzh]

Okay, here's the trick for getting a visa.
 
First, one at a time.
 
Next, on the invitation letter you make it as unpalatable as you can for their pending visit. For example, "I hope you don't mind sleeping in a bed of nails because that is all we have. Also, there is only one bathroom and hubby farts very stinky so you'll have to share that." Or "I know you don't want to leave (insert favorite family member here) home alone but is just for a few months."
 
Whatever you say, never, ever mention anything about them helping you with ANYTHING. That is considered work and that is the number one reason for a big NYET by the consulate.
 
Include in the invitation that you both will take care of EVERYTHING including food, medical if needed, bed nail sharpening, and copious quantities of Fabreeze.
 
And if that doesn't work, call your Congressperson. They DO help.
 
Notice I tried to inject a little humor above.
 
Edit: I forgot to mention they will get a multi-entry 5 year visa and once they get their visa, it is an automatic renewal.

[jone]

Hey,

It is an easy call to make to your Congressman.  If the consulate already knows that you've tried once, been rejected, and got your Congressman involved, they are MUCH more receptive.

But, hell, who am I to say?

[Muzh]

Hey,

It is an easy call to make to your Congressman.  If the consulate already knows that you've tried once, been rejected, and got your Congressman involved, they are MUCH more receptive.

But, hell, who am I to say?

I would show my Congressman that I really tried before contacting them.

[remiel6]

Congressman had to help us with the Citizenship deal and did a great job. Wyoming has ceremonies every other month and they had her scheduled to do her ceremony March 17, ten days before her due date. Cheyenne is 150 miles of almost nothing from where I live. So he arranged for us to do our ceremony in Denver instead.