Update on the fiance

[Kermit]

I'm so sorry. I don't even have words to say. I'm praying for both of you.

 

[LoraJ]

So sorry to hear

 

[totalia]

Thank you. I don't know what the Canadian gvt will do with this situation. I know they've sent help (so so glad they did) but everything is up in the air atm. I would imagine they will decide what to do. I guess it will depend on exactly how many people are moving to Canada to escape the devastation.

No. We can't just get married and have him stay. He isn't automatically granted that any more than I was in the US. I aleady talked to a lawyer before the hurricane. From what the lawyer said, the process is almost exactly the same as in the US. The time to wait is just shorter.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm so sorry totalia. How horrible to suffer such a loss.

Good luck with however your lives work out. Maybe someday after a lot of time and healing, you can both visit New Orleans again and have another great picture made on top of the Royal Orleans.

 

[Southern4sure]

So sorry to hear about your BF's loss. I know it seems difficult right now, but things do and will work out. I hope some good news comes your way soon.

 

[ducklite]

No. We can't just get married and have him stay. He isn't automatically granted that any more than I was in the US. I aleady talked to a lawyer before the hurricane. From what the lawyer said, the process is almost exactly the same as in the US. The time to wait is just shorter.

Actually, he can stay as long as he wants. He just can't work. I have a friend who retired from Florida to Canada, and lives there. She is a US citizen. She owns a house up there. But she gets no benefits from the Canadian gov't. (health care, etc.) and can't work. That's the difference. Depending on his job skills, he might be able to get a shorter term work Visa just for the asking.

Anne

 

[totalia]

He can stay yes. But we need him to be able to work. I don't make enough money to support both of us indefinately.Months maybe but not forever. And if we apply for an alien relative visa, he can't stay in the country while its processing because if he does and he's refused, there's no appeal process. If he stays in the US and its refused for any reason then there IS an appeal process. It takes about 5 months to get approved and then you can have the work permit almost immediately (takes about a month and no waiting period before you can apply which is totally different from the US) after you come into the country with the visa.

I wish things were so easy but they never are.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So sorry totalia.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thank you for sharing your fiance's story.

It is a sad, terrible story, but I am glad I read it. I am so sorry for the losses he and his friends suffered. I am glad he has you by his side to help him heal.

Best of luck to both of you in the future!

 

[snowy76]

We're pulling for you guys!

Take some small comfort in what your fiance said -you're both alive to try to figure this all out. Many others will have to figure out how to move on without those they love.

 

[totalia]

I know. I'm so happy I still have him. Its just the hurt he's going through. Its just so hard to see.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Actually, he can stay as long as he wants.

Unfortunately ducklite's information is incorrect. Just as a Canadian can't stay as long as they want in the United States, Totalia's fiance would be allowed to stay for up to 6 months under a visitor visa.

 

[totalia]

Actually, they don't generally look. Provided he doesn't cause any trouble, they wouldn't even know he was here.

But, on the other side, we still have the legal problems. We both need to work to live. We MUST do this legally just as we MUST do it legally to bring me to the US. There are too many problems it could cause that are simply not worth it.

I mean, even if he didn't do anything bad and get caught, if he got hurt, the hospitals and clinic have to report to the gvt who they have served.

The problems are just too huge to even imagine.

Incidentally, there is no visa required to visit the country unless its to stay longer than 6 months. Though, that may have changed recently that I'm not aware of.

They say border security is tightening on both sides of the border. Only, I really don't think so. It took 5 minutes to go both ways across the country border. They just asked us questions and took our ID's and that was it. That was only three weeks ago.

Anyway... I feel a bit better tonight. He's on the phone and seems to be doing much better. Apparently FEMA finally came through with a portion of the emergency funds. He just received $2000 in his bank account. We are both relieved. Maybe he will be ok until he is able to start working.

 

[ducklite]

Unfortunately ducklite's information is incorrect. Just as a Canadian can't stay as long as they want in the United States, Totalia's fiance would be allowed to stay for up to 6 months under a visitor visa.

Interesting. I have several friends who are Canadian who have been in the US for over a year at this point, no Visa. Also I know my friend doesn't have a Visa, and she hasn't stepped foot back in the US in five years--maybe because she's a homeowner in Canada?

Anne

 

[totalia]

That is NOT too brilliant on the Canadians parts. They are fine so long as nothing happens to them but without the visa and with how paranoid the laws have gotten since 9/11, they could be deported. If you get kicked out of the country, the waiting period to even be able to apply to reenter is about 10 years.

The new border crossings have computers at them. You give them your license and birth certificate. They type your name into the system, then all of your information pops up on computer, including whether you are allowed into the country or not.

Not to mention, there is this very large space (about 10 feet) on the American side. You have to stop at the yellow line and wait for them to motion you forward. The crossing guard told us that if they suspect anything of you, about 10 american soldiers with guns will pop up in that space and surround your car after they have looked up your information.

So sneaking by on the Canadian side is not as easy as it was. Though, it took only about 5 minutes for us to get through after they checked our information on their computers.

I hope your friends don't get caught. It could be very unpleasant for them.

 

[ducklite]

I don't think they are too worried about it. They are not working, and are spending money.

I have a friend who lives just over the border near Vancouver, the road he enters the US on each week to pick up the mail that arrives at a box he keeps on this side of the border has no INS/Customs.

My husband and I got a bit scrutinized on re-entry a few years ago, they searched our car but there weren't any armed guards pointing automatic weapons at us. I think the five foot inflatable Bruce the Shark which had been autographed by about thirty people maybe gave them a bit of concern. In the end they didn't even charge us duty on the three cases of wine and three cases of beer we had declared when we first got to the border. Of course they didn't find the other contraband of the um, smokable type (legal in Canada, not in the US, and not drugs) that we were bringing back for a friend. That was the only time I ever got more than a cursory glance at my passport.

I've crossed the border six times r/t in the past 4 1/2 years, at YYC, YYZ, WPG, and by car at Lewiston three times with no problem. I travel on a US passport, and I know I'm in the Canadian system, as I've held a temporary Visa and working papers in the past, and have a Canadian Social Insurance card. Like I said, they usually give half a glance at our passporst and wave us on. It's really not that big a deal.

Anne

 

[totalia]

*nods* I noticed. Its really easy to get across the border. I don't know what the gvt of both countries is talking about. On both sides we've been hearing about tightened border security. Maybe on a plane but not if your driving. Its still maybe 20 minutes unless your a trucker (my company sometimes has to wait 2 hours depending on how busy the trucking side is at the time).

Still not a good idea though. But I guess its up to them. I wouldn't take the risk. Its just not worth it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It has been almost a week since we had an update on your DF. How is he doing now? Has he found an apartment in Atlanta? Did he find a job? Is he allowed back into his house/apartment yet? I'm sure he has gotten money from FEMA by now, since they said on the news that about 400,000 households have received money. I also heard that those who cannot move back will be getting up to $600/month for 6 months to help pay for their new temporary housing.

 

[bsnyder]

It has been almost a week since we had an update on your DF. How is he doing now? Has he found an apartment in Atlanta? Did he find a job? Is he allowed back into his house/apartment yet? I'm sure he has gotten money from FEMA by now, since they said on the news that about 400,000 households have received money. I also heard that those who cannot move back will be getting up to $600/month for 6 months to help pay for their new temporary housing.

I think she mentioned somewhere on this thread or another one that he had already gotten the $2000 emergency assistance money from FEMA.

Hope he's doing okay, Totalia. Let us know when you get a chance.