Our (Unfinished) US Immigration Story 🦅 It's Hardly 12 Steps 🤷♂️
We are only beginning to see a trace of light at the end of tunnel, but after nearly 4 years in pursuit of American passports for my Cambodian family, and stranded abroad in Suriname the last two years, at times we wonder if the hardship we've put ourselves through has been worth it.
All For Basic Freedom Of Movement
It's hard to believe it's already been 4+ years since @Sreypov and I decided it would be in our best interests to pursue an internationally recognized marriage certificate. In Cambodia we weren't allowed to marry because I was below the minimum $2,000 per month income needed for a foreign citizen to marry a Cambodian citizen inside Cambodian borders.
To be honest, I never even made close to that salary working 60+ hours a week in the USA, so it's absurd to think I could somehow legally earn that kind of monthly income in Cambodia. After I had visa issues in Cambodia, forcing a family separation of nearly a half a year, I returned to Cambodia with enough money to fly us all to Ecuador for a legal marriage, a country with zero red tape for Cambodians that want to stay less than 90 days.
More Like A Strandemic Than A Plandemic
Our lawyer stiffed us in Ecuador, and American friends and family never came to visit, defeating the whole purpose of choosing a country so geographically close to the USA. In the end, we wound up stranded in Suriname to avoid immigration violations in Ecuador, and then the pandemic came.
Unable to return to Cambodia thanks to COVID-19, barely able to survive here in Suriname thanks to an economic crash, COVID-19, and a hard-to-penetrate social network in Suriname, living in the USA actually seems like a good idea right now, something I never thought I would hear myself say.
Endless Preparation
It's taken three years just gathering documents in the USA, Cambodia, and Suriname to bring us to what the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services calls Step 1 of the 12-Step Immigration Visa Process. After three years of suffering and hardship, we sit at Step 4, currently arranging a sponsor to be economically responsible for my Cambodian family members.
'Mericans Will Never Understand
It is hard explaining our struggle to my fellow 'Mericans in the USA. Most of them still ask the question, "Why don't you just come back home Justin?", even after being told we are currently prohibited from entry to the USA for a plethora of reasons.
I recently shared one of my favorite movies, Idiocracy, in this post, and it very much reminds me of how impossible it is to explain to my local hometown rednecks that my family and I need to be at $33,000+ annual income (125% of poverty for household size) before the US government will allow us entry, but only after a mountain of paperwork and fees designed to break your spirit and make those who can't afford an immigration attorney, give up.
The End Is In Sight
It is a bit depressing to know how many tens of thousands of dollars we've lost to plane tickets and and pointless bureaucratic fees, all in a bid to simply gain the freedom to buy a plane ticket and travel from country A to country B without having customs agents questioning the legitimacy of our family. With American passports for all, we could also stop buying a series of expensive one-way tickets to get to our final destination, bearing in mind Cambodian citizens can't transit many airports of the world.
I could blab on and on, but I guess I just need to vent a little and get this stress off my shoulders by unloading it onto you Hivers. The end is in sight though, as it seems we now have a sponsor. After uploading this person's supporting documentation there will be nothing more left to do than submit the final petition and wait for a rejection notice or an interview date in Guyana at the US Embassy there.
We are still ready to be stranded in Guyana after should a visa refusal occur after the potential interview in Guyana. We know many Cambodian friends and family members that have interviewed and failed up to 10 times, but it wasn't an issue for them because they were from wealthy families with big pockets.
A Future In The USA Is Hard To Envision
One failed interview for us may end up with us looking to Venezuela as a potential home where we could have a better quality of life than we've had here in Suriname. The ability to use crypto for street-level transactions would be a game changer for us, plus Venezuela has an economy of scale, unlike Suriname. Due to this, many factory-produced items would be much more affordable there, as well as fruits and vegetables.
As far as what we'll do if we land in the USA, I can't even imagine yet, but it probably involves a lot of manual labor since we both have no formal education. When I lived there, I could barely take care of myself working 60+ hours a week, so I can't even imagine the hardship we'll have to endure.
Starting a business with $500 and a dream like we can in Cambodia will not be possible, so we'll likely end up losing our ability to be self-employed. But if we can survive three years there, our daughters will have American passports, and this will open a whole new world of potential for them far beyond the borders of the USA.
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Well, It really is difficult, But there is little left, Everything is for a better future for your two daughters
I am from Venezuela, and well in part I agree with what you say
Compared to where you live in my country #Venezuela, here it would be much better for your whole family,
We are a country full of very friendly people, Despite everything the media says, here it is very good to live in many aspects, There is a lot of equality, And nobody is really denied entry
I am only an 18-year-old boy, but at my age I know a lot, Something that if I see an error in Venezuela is its economy, But, here there is a much better future for those of us who work with cryptocurrencies as well as you and me
There are no limitations of anything, and the $ Reaches more to make purchases, Example here with $ 100 You can eat you and your whole family for a whole month, Of course, if you want to have a KIND OF VERY GOOD FOODS THAT WOULD BE WHAT YOU WOULD SPEND in money
I only work with #HIVE and with 30 $ Every two weeks We can all eat and we are a family of 5
So you can imagine, here for those who work with cryptocurrencies are the gods in the economy,
I do not know if I can explain, I hope you understand me, I liked your post and good luck in everything you think to do Goodbye !LUV
I have definitely learned through the years to not let other's opinions sway me from visiting a place. All the Vietnam War era Americans like my parents tried to stop me from going to Cambodia, and the all my European friends in Cambodian tried to stop me from moving to Albania, and all my Dutch friends told me stay away from Suriname.
I know the reality of life in Venezuela by seeing it through the eyes of so many Venezuelan Hivers, and it's nothing like what is portrayed in the media. I think there is much more access to goods like quality fruits, vegetables, et., than there is here in Suriname. For now unfortunately visas are temporarily suspended to Venezuela, and the borders are closed as far as I know.
However, if things don't work out and we can't go to the USA, we will give life in Guyana a shot since we will already have moved there for the US Embassy interview. Thanks for the kind and sincere words my friend. This country should take crypto seriously, it's been more than a year since banks, ATMs, and Western Union are almost always out of cash.
@justinparke, you were given LUV from @zonadigital21. About LUV: https://peakd.com/@luvshares
Venezuela is always a good option, this is a very generous country despite all the difficulties that we are currently going through due to different circumstances. With a small capital here, anyone starts a business without major obstacles, there are thousands of opportunities here. I hope everything goes well for you
I think our daily life would be much better in Guyana or Venezuela, especially with the limited funds we have. It's a shame the borders are closed there right now, but if things don't work out in Guyana, we may see if a backdoor into Venezuela is possible. Give thanks my friend.
I love the photos you chose for this post. The words break my heart and the photos show your strength to keep on keepin' on. I wish for you all to have that light at the end of the tunnel get brighter and brighter!
Every day is another step closer, we'll get there with a lot of efforts and a even more patience. Much love from my family to you.
Amazing what these bureaucrats put you though most of it unnecessary stay strong bro !! Venezuela, sounds good 👍
I really feel it's unforgiveable, but yet it's a system we must deal with. Venezuela gets an unfair bad wrap, but I would never let that jade my vision in making any migration decisions.
Well hopefully I can see you blogging from Venezuela in the near future .....good luck bro 👍
Damn, I can't believe things are so rough you're considering moving to Venezuela... a country totally bankrupted and where money is worth less than the paper it is printed on. 🙄
I hope you can find a nice place for you and your family.
The local currency is a hot mess in Venezuela, but unfortunately the Suriname Dollar is hyperinflated and on its way to being worthless. Venezuela has an economy of scale with an agricultural industry and the ability to produce their own goods, things Suriname lacks. It takes nearly $800 a month in Suriname just to live a miserable life, and I know that money could go further in other locales, we just have to get there. Give thanks my friend.
Very beautiful and peaceful place.
Our immigration journey hasn't been very beautiful or peaceful, but we hope for opportunities to use these adjectives in the near future, thanks my friend.
There is always hope my friend. All we have to do is believe. 🤗
Seriously man, wishing you enter a state of overflowing abundance for your whole family. Remember to stay grateful for what you have and may this crazy ride enter a more peaceful, pleasant stage.
Yes, we are grateful we remain together despite the awful circumstances we find ourselves in. Give thanks my friend, better times ahead.....
I just left a message for your wife asking about the visa situation and then I saw this post… I feel like you guys story could make a movie or documentary… it’s so unreal but it is the reality your guys ( and I believe there are many more ) experiencing. One thing for sure whenever I see your wife and little girls’ posts I feel fun vibe and positive sprit! At least you are with the most beautiful people in this journey!!
It's experiences like this that make the old expression "We are all born equal." really have no meaning. Right from the start, which imaginary boundaries (nation-states) we are born inside of or outside of have a huge role on our life trajectory.
Well, a sense of humor has helped us get through the worst of it, and I thank Monkey-B for being the clown that keeps the family supplied with silly energy.
Dude I can feel the frustration from here, by carefully reading through the whole article. I may not understand the magnitude of how hard it is, but your words really give me a chill. Let's not lose that hope. A prayer a day for you and your family.
2 more thing
That picture of Monkey-B was taken so long ago that it's hard to remember, but I think I said I was going to eat all the mangoes, so that explains the face. Srey-Yuu has been know to spit fire, but only when I sneak a chili onto her spoon while she's not looking.
Thanks for keeping us in positive vibes and prayers my friend.