Life after waiver approved

[Ginger]

It has been long time since I visited this board.
Tomorrow is 2 years like I am in US after our waiver was approved.
I would like to hear from people, to know how is everyone doing.

I will start from myself.

Our waiver was approved in February 2006 and in April 3, 2006 I was back to the US.

I have to admit that my husband and I had a very difficult time readjusting to each other. Surprisingly there were lots of fights between us. I was very scared remembering some horrifying stories from this board (before it crashed) on how people broke up after waiver was approved due to too much time apart.

Nothing went easy for us. My green card came on my Maiden name (instead of married) and it took us a while to prove to the immigration that they made a mistake (I know, I can not just have it easy like a “normal” people).

Today, 2 years after I am back I still have unbelievable fear and I am scared when I have to leave the country to go somewhere, still have terrifying dreams that I cannot come back. I hope that it would ease up with the time.

Before we went to waiver process my husband thought that the best for me would be to keep permanent green-card and not to take citizenship of the US. Now he has changed his opinion. He told me that until I get my citizenship (still long way till I can even apply), he would not relax.

But we are together now and it is all that matter.

Everyone, have a great day and hope to hear your stories.

[adeildo]

Welcome back to say hi to us,we really need people like you!!!!!!!!!! thanks!! GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

[samantha]

Hi Ginger, I don't know if you remember me, but we email each other back in days.
I have my appointment date finaly I will be traveling to Poland in May, keep your fingers cross for me!!!!
Nice to see u back!

[christytorres]

Welcome back..thanks for sharing your story...its only been a few months for us..but its coming along..hubby has green card and SSN..its always nice to know how the person feels getting the green card..my husband does not always share his thoughts..but I am sure he thought the same thing..wondering if he left can he come back..well we do it all the time..cross over and come back no problem..best wishes...

[MMGCA]

Yeah its good to know stories...i never thought that people would separete after the approves waivers. But now that i think about it yes....it could happen..all that time apart!....well i hope everything is well....im in the second step (i guess) but its nice to know!!!

[SES]

I am 1 year and 2 months back home.
My waiver was in Vienna first and later in Frankfurt.
I didn't have any problem with my husband. We are in love... and he was visiting me every two months. We have been apart for 14 months... very sad and I was very depressed. I was loosing hope but... I was so wrong!!!
When I came back to US I lost custody of my 14 years old son ( my son was 12 years old when I left US).
I am with my husband but I don't have my son from previous marriage. I never want to write about this. I didn't want to write sad story but my ex told me I can take my son back when will be the end of this school year. We are going to court. I talked to my lawyer and after the hearing I will have my son back.
I was very happy first few weeks when I was home and I stop to smile. I lost the custody...
I did pray a lot and God is helping me.
So, my story didn't have the best end but I hope everything will be fine in next few weeks.

[Glühbirne]

Congratulations! I can understand your husband's point of view. I want my husband to become a US citizen as well, because citizenship can't be taken away and a greencard can, plus people seem to have more respect for a US citizen than a resident. Also, as a US citizen he will be able to work government jobs, which he doesn't qualify for as a resident. In the area we live, government jobs are the only good ones.

In June we will complete two years since returning. Since I lived in Mexico while we were awaiting the approval of the waiver, we didn't have as many adjustment issues in our marriage, although we have been going through a rough spot.

[Ginger]

Gluhbrine, you are correct about government jobs and that citizenship can not be taken away. I have hared a horror story that woman had an accident and judge revoked her green card. Again that was an extreme story but still…

SES, thanks lots for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear that you lost custody, however from your post I can feel that you will win second hearing ( plus there are only couple of months left till the school year is over). My hubby and I so each other only once when we were waiting for the waiver ( money issues) but we talked on the phone at least once a day and were emailing each other countless. Later on I was also able to have a video conferences ( where he could see me thru the internet). It was all very expensive but we were trying not to loose a connection.

MMGCA, I think as long as both parties willing to be patient and understand each other – everything will be fine ( and of cause LOVE each other).

ChristyTorres, when I am crossing a brother with my husband, it is fine. But twice I had to do it by myself – I was flipping out. I do not think that it would easily go away ( the fear). Also I have notices that often my husband acts like I am illegal in this country ( fear to be caught). For example, I got situation when car in front of me stopped and guy was walking to my car ( driver thought that I was driving too slow in the school zone, cut me off, stopped traffic and decided to have a “power talk” with me). When I called my husband and told him that I am calling a cops, he (husband) started to scream at me that we do not need any troubles and when I asked him what kind of troubles can I get into if I am inside my car and got cut of and huge guy is staying next to my car and trying to open my door? Only then my husband told me that somewhere deep in his mind he feels like we are still in “pre-waiver” times when were afraid of any moves.

Samantha, girl, GOOD LUCK to you and hope to see you back to the US very very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May will be a beautiful time in Poland. Try to think positive!!!!!!


P.S. Did anyone hear anything from Spouse?

[Dana]

Hi, Ginger! You really squared me too. Now that I have my waiver approved and I will have to live in US, I'm squared about you told us. I have two questions.
1. When I will flight to US, at the port of entry I will have troubles with the INS officer because he will see that I needed an I 601 waiver? I want to say if the officer put strange questions, make you problems just because of the waiver?
2. When you start your new life in US, the INS is looking for you, control you,coming at your home, they have you in their eyes because you appear in their system with an I 601 waiver?
I'm really squared because I want to start a normal life without fear. Thanks everybody and God bless you!

[SES]

Ginger, thank you very much. I know your story and it wasn't easy for you and right now you are giving courage and hope to many people.

Dana,
1. You will not have any trouble. For me it took 10-15 min. They have everything on the computer and the officer didn't make any problem and didn't ask any question.The officer was very nice.
2. No, nobody will ever check on you. You can have a normal life.
You can enjoy every day without fear.

[Dana]

SES, thanks a lot for encourage me. Like you know, this process will remain a trauma for life.
I will pray for you and your son, God will help you because He knows that the place of a child is near his mother. God bless you!

[Ginger]

Dana,
Please do not fear. It took us about 3 hours to go throw the process at the airport. But I think it is because it was JFK, NY and there were lots of people before me and only one officer who deals with it.
I was entering on CR-1 ( immigrant) visa.

To be honest, I do not think that lots of officers even understand what waiver means ( at the airport). I did not have ANY questions. Only had to wait a lots due to people in front of me. Then they took my passport, filled out form, fingerprint – and off I go.

We did not have INS or anyone checking us at home. I frankly do not think that they care at all – just pay money.

Do not be scared- waiver and separation is the scariest part. The rest – just a normal life.

Everyone, have a great the rest of the day,

[sandra191406]

Thank you for posting this Ginger. I often don't get to hear about life after an approval. I'm glad to see that you and your husband kept strong even though there were still some obstacles after the approval. Best wishes. :)

[arctictaha]

He there, I am very new to this site and I just read your post. It is very hopeful to read about others getting a waiver and it makes me feel like my husband and I still have a chance. I have been going through this for two years now, and there are times I feel I can not go on. I just returned from Israel after 10 very long months, where the embassy found my husband 'Unlawfully present" and gave him a ten year bar. We had a attorney and everything and left the U.S. in a timely manner so we thought, and never realized we go through this. After a advisory opinion failed as well, I decided to return and file the waiver, and I am very afraid that they will deny him again in Athens. I have children from a previous marriage and I feel like someone is pulling me between two worlds. I try to remain positive but I guess the truth of the matter is your always thinking of the outcome. What if they say no. How do I go on, and do I just pretend he is not the love of my life? Anyway, thank you for giving me a small spark of hope, it is good to hear of others who have finally put this nightmare behind them.

[aprilstorm]

Next month will be the one year mark since my hubby touched US soil legally!!! he was gone for 2 years and 9 months. I saw him a total of 5 times counting the time we picked up his visa. We are doing great. We still have bills we need to catch up on but we are looking forward to the future!!!

[Hopeful...]

My hubby's only been back for 2 months now, but our "funny" (yet not so funny moment) was on his third or fourth day back, we had a knock at the front door of our home from two men in suits. We both went to the door, saying nothing, but both thinking the same thing... immigration is here and a mistake has been made! Turns out it was two salesmen trying to sell some new cable system to us. The second we closed the door, my husband burst out laughing, saying, "Oh my God. I thought they were coming to get me." Now that he has his green card, license, and is working full time, he's feeling like this is for real and forever! Though, I'm not quite sure unexpected knocks at the door still won't make our hearts beat just a bit faster for a while anyway...

He and I were really fortunate that we got to live together through much of our process. I relocated to Egypt so we could be together throughout much of the process. However, me being able to drive for the first month or so and he being unable... now that was an adjustment!


It has been long time since I visited this board.
Tomorrow is 2 years like I am in US after our waiver was approved.
I would like to hear from people, to know how is everyone doing.

I will start from myself.

Our waiver was approved in February 2006 and in April 3, 2006 I was back to the US.

I have to admit that my husband and I had a very difficult time readjusting to each other. Surprisingly there were lots of fights between us. I was very scared remembering some horrifying stories from this board (before it crashed) on how people broke up after waiver was approved due to too much time apart.

Nothing went easy for us. My green card came on my Maiden name (instead of married) and it took us a while to prove to the immigration that they made a mistake (I know, I can not just have it easy like a “normal” people).

Today, 2 years after I am back I still have unbelievable fear and I am scared when I have to leave the country to go somewhere, still have terrifying dreams that I cannot come back. I hope that it would ease up with the time.

Before we went to waiver process my husband thought that the best for me would be to keep permanent green-card and not to take citizenship of the US. Now he has changed his opinion. He told me that until I get my citizenship (still long way till I can even apply), he would not relax.

But we are together now and it is all that matter.

Everyone, have a great day and hope to hear your stories.