What ever happened to Luther?

[robert angel]

Does anyone know what ever happened to Luther, please? Some of you might remember him from several years ago. Around 2004--2005, I was in and out of the forums here and had some cordial exchanges with "Luther". I no longer have any contact info with the gentleman.

I know he had more than his share of trials and tribulations and I hope he found happiness in the PI with Jovie, but I wasn't able to glean anything conclusive from the archives here.  They may have ended up in the states, for all I know. We were both going through some milestones in our lives back then and shared experiences with each other--he was very nice and it was easy to empathize with him. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Robert and Joy

[Bear]

Howard's brother-in-law my marriage.  You and I have very different opinions.  He made Howard's life pretty tough and last I heard things weren't so great in the R.P. for him/Jovie but that was at least 2 years back.

The Bear Family

[robert angel]

Thanks Bear,

I realized 'Luther' was an eccentric person with economic,  employment  and other challenges, but I wished the best for him.

Sometimes we try and move far, far away, hoping that we can leave our troubles behind, only to find that somehow, they still come along with us.

Sounds like you have a lot more first hand information about how things moved along than I did. I hoped for better things and apparently, as I was wary of, they didn't come to pass.

Thanks for sharing, Bear--I always enjoy your insightful posts--you've helped a lot of people over the years here--and I'm sure elsewhere.

[Bear]

Be careful you'll make Ray an enemy by liking any of my posts.

I'm hoping Howard will jump in but last I heard I believe Jovie inherited the family home in the R.P. and Luther kicked everyone out making the whole family mad at both him/Jovie and in some ways Howard/Gerlie.  Some of the other guys who have lived in the R.P. can better explain why thats such a big deal better than I can.  Still, that's all hearsay and hopefully Howard will give better details because I am not sure my information is accurate.

The Bear Family

[piglett]

Be careful you'll make Ray an enemy by liking any of my posts.

 

[Ray]

What’s the matter Bear, did you forget to take your meds again? 

[Dave H]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PR_rzF8ofw

[Howard]

Luther… there’s a touchy subject!

Guys,

Luther is my uncle-in-law.  He married my Wife’s aunt, her mother’s sister.  When they started corresponding I was involved and brought Luther to PL, which I later regretted. 

Luther has some sort of mental disability, for which he receives a government check for each month.  In the beginning he comes off as a pretty nice guy, but the more you talk to him the more you realize that there is something eccentric about him.  Nevertheless, he seemed to make my Aunt happy, so who was I to judge?

Luther was in a huge hurry, which so many are, and would do just about anything to fast track the marriage.  This in itself wasn’t a red flag, but definitely worked to his advantage in my opinion.  Because of his income he couldn’t bring Jovie here K-1 without someone else signing an affidavit of support, so the plan was to marry there and come back in a year on a K-3.  That was several years ago.

While preparing for the marriage he found out that Auntie Nene (which is what I know her as and Gerlie calls her) actually owned the big house at Mangahan as a pre-inheritance from her Father when he remarried.  As far as I was told, this didn’t change the plan at all.

In preparation for his yearlong stay in the Philippines, he made improvements to the house to make it more comfortable for him while he was still here in the states.  Nothing huge, nothing any one of us wouldn’t have done, just a window AC for what would be their living area and some other structural improvements.  This would all have been fine, except for the fact that there was a family already living there.  Of course, it was no problem for him, he just told his wife to have them leave. 

I need to back up a bit to explain this properly.  I don’t in anyway want to portray Jovie in a negative light.  She is a sweet, sweet lady and I care about her very much.  What you have to understand is that Jovie was in her mid-thirties at the time.  She was just about comfortable with the fact that she might never marry.  She took comfort in her family and showered her nephews, nieces and siblings with affection.  Jovie also had an excellent job with the City of Panabo in the city hall.  She made great money and was a major provider for her family.  She was a warm, wonderful, happy person who always had a treat for the kids and a little something when the family needed it for emergencies, or family gatherings, holidays… you get the picture. 

Then her favorite niece met me.

When I was there Auntie Nene joked with me a lot about “hooking her up with one of my friends”.  To be fair, several of her relatives did.  I simply explained that most everyone I know was already married and the ones that weren’t probably didn’t have what it takes to go through with an International realationship, but I told them all I would keep an eye out.  It’s been seven wonderful years since I met Gerlie – the best seven years of my life! – and I have yet to have anyone seriously consider my path, no matter how much they like Gerlie and think our marriage is great, which it is 

So you get the idea… Gerlie finds true love on the internet, so anyone she knows that isn’t married or in a serious relationship was looking for the same.  A cousin or two met guys on the net and asked for our advice.  I told them all to be careful, because not everyone has the best of intentions.  They had a habit of assuming every American would be just like me, just like so many who know one Filipina assume that every Filipina is the same.  I did my best to keep their eyes open and kinda feel responsible for them as a whole, being family and all, but I digress.

Anyway, so Luther is barking orders from Oregon and love struck Jovie is doing what any good Filipina would, honoring her husband above all.  When told to evacuate the upper portion of the house – a house that she didn’t even live at because she worked in the city and stayed near work – she did so, displacing a family of four.  With nowhere else to turn, Gerlie’s Uncle had to turn to us for help.  He had some of the money to build a house nearby on his property – he was planning it – but not all he needed, especially when this happened in an instance.  Being one of my favorite uncles, we helped with the rest.

Luther hadn’t even married Jovie yet and was causing upheaval.  Way to get off on the right foot, Unc!  Somewhere right around that time he made some inappropriate political comments here on PL and started a heated discussion with a few of the regulars.  Aghast at his in ability to realize what was appropriate public conversation and what wasn’t, I kinda slipped into the background and let the guys he was arguing with beat on him.  I didn’t agree with him and these are guys I consider friends, what was I supposed to do?  Then I find out that he is pissed at me for not sticking up for him as a “family member” and is bad mouthing me to Gerlie’s Aunts and Cousins who he had contact with via the internet.  He never bothered to contact me directly, nor did it seem to bother him that I didn’t share his sentiments.  I was just supposed to stick up for him because he was marrying my Aunt.  He’s spouting some anti-government crap – cashing that government check each month – making an idiot out of himself in front of my friends and I am supposed to take his side?  He obviously didn’t know me very well   Luckily for me, the ones he was slamming me to also knew me pretty well and didn’t want to hear it, but I’m pretty sure it caused some damage with Auntie Nene, which is a shame.

So after a few months they got married in the Philippines and he settled in for his one year – nudge, nudge, wink, wink – stay. 

During that year Auntie Nene continued to work while Luther settled in.  There were several conflicts with various family members – my in-laws included – that were usually the product of Luther’s lack of tact and/or courtesy.
 
The dude amazes me.  He has often described Mangahan – the Barangay in which they live – as paradise, which is one of his exaggerations that I think is right on.  I am admittedly jealous that his choices have allowed him the privilege to live surrounded by some of the coolest people on Earth.  I love Gerlie’s family.  They are genuinely nice people and I miss them a great deal.  I would LOVE to be in Luther’s shoes to a point, but only to a point.  As is the Filipino way, they treated him like a king when he got there and he got used to it.  From what I am told he has made very little effort to become part of the family, he only enjoys the benefits, which are plentiful.  When asked to kick in, if he does at all, it’s the least amount possible.  I know of at least one instance where he agreed to pay for something for a family gathering – they all pitch in for their big parties, emergencies, family needs as a whole… it’s their tradition – and just never did.  To be fair, I’m sure Luther has been hit up from time to time for this or that, but it’s part of being part of the family.  He just doesn’t seem to get this.

Long after the first year was over, Jovie and Luther decided to try for a child.  During the process Jovie got very ill and was diagnosed with cysts on her ovaries.  The doctor said that she needed to have the cysts removed or risk serious complications, but that removing the cysts would just about guarantee that she couldn’t bear children and highly recommended a hysterectomy to avoid future cysts.  When Luther was told that she wouldn’t be able to bear a child, he suggested that she wait a while so they could continue trying.  During that time the cysts got so bad that she was rushed to the hospital, bleeding so badly that they were fearful of the worst, but she still wouldn’t get the operation without her husband’s approval.  Gerlie lost her mind when told of this!  I’m not sure how she decided to deal with the cysts, but I know she eventually did and that they began looking to adopt.

They couldn’t legally adopt a child – something to do with his status?  I don’t remember – so they found a brother whose wife was pregnant and convinced them to let them “adopt” the baby once it was born.  I know that that went through because they have been raising this kid for a few years now as their own, but can’t legally adopt him.

Oh yeah… remember the great job Auntie Nene had?  When they decided to adopt their son he had her quit it to be a stay at home mother.  Never mind that he is already at home all day and her job is one to kill for in the Philippines.  He decided, she complied and is now completely dependent on him.  Brilliant!

So it’s been just about 5 years now.  Luther has a wonderful wife, a child, a home, property and lives in a self described paradise.  Jovie, who desperately wants to visit the US can’t get a visa because she doesn’t have sufficient means to prove that she would return home without her job.  They tried to get a visa to travel to a family reunion of Luther’s in the US last year, but can’t take their son, because he is not legally theirs and Jovie got denied because she isn’t working and the house isn’t legally hers because of something pertaining to the will that would be expensive to correct.

It just goes on like that.  Bad decisions, luck of the Irish.

“So how is Luther”, you ask?  I’d say Luther is pretty darn good.

Feel free to ask questions if you have any 

Keep the faith!

H

[Bear]

I knew it was bad but I didn't know it was that bad.  Gee!  Takes all kinds.

The Bear Family

[piglett]

Wow Howard that's quite a story 
You said Luther couldn't get a visa or k-1 for his new wife??
do you know what the income requirement is ??
i have heard 14k, 17k, & i have also heard that it's 125% of 17k
any idea what the # actually is?

I was self employed for the last 5 years & i was amazed at the write-offs a good accountant can find you.
for example the last year i was out driving truck i could write-off $40 a day just for meals
i had a small refrigerator & freezer in my truck & a hot plate.
i would only eat 1 meal a week at a truckstop the rest of the time i ate out of the truck.
If i had consumed $40 a day in food i would have been so fat that i wouldn't have been able to fit into the cab of the truck.
I said all of that to say this, i payed almost nothing in taxes & my net income on paper was very small.
However all of my bills always got payed on time so i know i was making more than what my tax returns say i made.
I am no longer self employed so how far back do the immigration people want to look?
also if the lady your bringing over has a skill that is in high demand here in the US., does this help your chances of being approved?


thanks piglett

[Capstone]

You said Luther couldn't get a visa or k-1 for his new wife??
do you know what the income requirement is ??
i have heard 14k, 17k, & i have also heard that it's 125% of 17k
any idea what the # actually is?

Generally the petitioner must be able to show an income which is 125% of the established poverty level guidelines which tend to change from year to year - exceptions are sometimes made for military members who must only show 100% of their particular poverty levels. The Poverty levels increase for each dependent that will be living in the new household (Petitioner, Beneficiary, Petitioner's kids, Beneficiary's kids,etc). The Poverty Levels are also dependent upon the area of the country where you live - Alaska & Hawaii are a bit higher.

Currently for the 48 Contiguous US States the poverty level for a household of 2 people is $14,570, and 125% of that would be $18,212 - and of course it increases from there for every member that will be included in the new household

[piglett]

Thanks for the info Capstone
I don't see a problem with the 18K at all
BTW how many years back do they (the feds) look back?
or is it just based off of your last years tax return?


piglett

[Capstone]

Thanks for the info Capstone
I don't see a problem with the 18K at all
BTW how many years back do they (the feds) look back?
or is it just based off of your last years tax return?

piglett

You will eventually have to hand over your last 3 years of tax information to them. For my wife's K-1 interview, they only wanted to see my most current year's tax information (although many times they ask for the last 3 if your income is borderline). But once she got here and we submitted her Adjustment of Status paperwork then we had to provide USCIS with my tax info for the past 3 years.

[thekfc]

Thanks for that bit of info Capstone.

[piglett]

You will eventually have to hand over your last 3 years of tax information to them. For my wife's K-1 interview, they only wanted to see my most current year's tax information (although many times they ask for the last 3 if your income is borderline). But once she got here and we submitted her Adjustment of Status paperwork then we had to provide USCIS with my tax info for the past 3 years.

ok gross or net?

[Henry]

Generally the petitioner must be able to show an income which is 125% of the established poverty level guidelines which tend to change from year to year - exceptions are sometimes made for military members who must only show 100% of their particular poverty levels. The Poverty levels increase for each dependent that will be living in the new household (Petitioner, Beneficiary, Petitioner's kids, Beneficiary's kids,etc). The Poverty Levels are also dependent upon the area of the country where you live - Alaska & Hawaii are a bit higher.

Currently for the 48 Contiguous US States the poverty level for a household of 2 people is $14,570, and 125% of that would be $18,212 - and of course it increases from there for every member that will be included in the new household

What would they do with a guy like me?

For the first two years (of the last three), I have made >$18K. For the last one, I made less than $18K because I was in school full time. Now that I have graduated and passed the exams stating I can practice, my income will be much greater than the minimum.

So I was thinking I could work one year, file a tax return, and then see if they'd allow a visa. With my new job title and one full year of income, you think they'd overlook that massive dip in income from last year??

[Capstone]

ok gross or net?

Gross. Well Adjusted Gross Income actually. Here is the I-864 that you will need to fill out for AOS (you would also need to fill out a similar but non-binding I-134 for a K-1/K-3 interview first since those are technically classified as non-immigrant visas).

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-864.pdf

[Capstone]

What would they do with a guy like me?

For the first two years (of the last three), I have made >$18K. For the last one, I made less than $18K because I was in school full time. Now that I have graduated and passed the exams stating I can practice, my income will be much greater than the minimum.

So I was thinking I could work one year, file a tax return, and then see if they'd allow a visa. With my new job title and one full year of income, you think they'd overlook that massive dip in income from last year??

It is my understanding that they will weigh what your current income is more than that from previous years. Your tax returns are not the only evidence that they request you to provide - they also request current pay stubs. In addition to that you can also provide them with an Employment  Verification letter from your current employer which lists what your current income is. So I would think that if you are making decent money at the time of the interview and when you file AOS then you would be fine, even though your previous year(s) income may be lower than the poverty guidelines.

[Henry]

It is my understanding that they will weigh what your current income is more than that from previous years. Your tax returns are not the only evidence that they request you to provide - they also request current pay stubs. In addition to that you can also provide them with an Employment  Verification letter from your current employer which lists what your current income is. So I would think that if you are making decent money at the time of the interview and when you file AOS then you would be fine, even though your previous year(s) income may be lower than the poverty guidelines.

Thanks, Capstone.

I have actually scrolled back to some of your posts on China and find them highly interesting. Thanks for sharing some of your experiences.

[Ray]

Generally the petitioner must be able to show an income which is 125% of the established poverty level guidelines which tend to change from year to year - exceptions are sometimes made for military members who must only show 100% of their particular poverty levels. The Poverty levels increase for each dependent that will be living in the new household (Petitioner, Beneficiary, Petitioner's kids, Beneficiary's kids,etc). The Poverty Levels are also dependent upon the area of the country where you live - Alaska & Hawaii are a bit higher.

Currently for the 48 Contiguous US States the poverty level for a household of 2 people is $14,570, and 125% of that would be $18,212 - and of course it increases from there for every member that will be included in the new household

Actually, that is not entirely correct.

For a K visa, the petitioner’s income must only meet 100% of the poverty level, not 125%. Affidavit of Support Form I-134 is applicable.

However, when the K visa holder adjusts status, the sponsor must file Form I-864, which requires him/her to meet an income of 125% of the poverty level.

Your numbers for poverty level income requirements are correct. Current poverty guidelines are published annually on CIS Form I-864P.

Ray

[Capstone]

Actually, that is not entirely correct.

For a K visa, the petitioner’s income must only meet 100% of the poverty level, not 125%. Affidavit of Support Form I-134 is applicable.

However, when the K visa holder adjusts status, the sponsor must file Form I-864, which requires him/her to meet an income of 125% of the poverty level.

Yes this is indeed true. I quoted the 125% because that is what is ultimately needed in order to get your fiancée/wife here and get her a green card. And if you are filing for a CR/IR-1 then you would need 125% from the very beginning.

[Ray]

Hey Howard,

Wasn’t Luther on SSI? According to the law, you are no longer eligible for SSI benefits after you have been out of the country for a month.

What does he do for income now?

Ray

[Capstone]

Wasn’t Luther on SSI? According to the law, you are no longer eligible for SSI benefits after you have been out of the country for a month.

I am not sure about the details but there is a way that you can still live overseas and collect SSI benefits. I have an Aunt & Uncle who are retired and now live in Mexico anywhere from 6-8 months out of the year and they are still collecting their SSI benefits. I do remember them mentioning something about how they had to change the way they collected the benefits though - something about it needs to be delivered via a direct deposit to a US bank or something along those lines.

[piglett]

Actually, that is not entirely correct.
For a K visa, the petitioner’s income must only meet 100% of the poverty level, not 125%. Affidavit of Support Form I-134 is applicable.
However, when the K visa holder adjusts status, the sponsor must file Form I-864, which requires him/her to meet an income of 125% of the poverty level.
Your numbers for poverty level income requirements are correct. Current poverty guidelines are published annually on CIS Form I-864P.
Ray

OK, what's this adjustment of status all about??
I for one don't really know what that is.
something to with your foreign bride being able to get her SSI card so that she can work in this country?
or is it something to do with her being able to stay here in the US.?


thanks for your help guys
piglett

[Ray]

Yes this is indeed true. I quoted the 125% because that is what is ultimately needed in order to get your fiancée/wife here and get her a green card. And if you are filing for a CR/IR-1 then you would need 125% from the very beginning.

Cap,

I do agree that anyone who wants to petition a fiancée with a K-1 (or a spouse with a K-3) should be looking for a “minimum” income meeting the 125% level, even though the law only requires 100%.

It’s better to resolve the income issues before filing, IMHO.

Ray