Can fiancee bring employee to States

[elcolombiano]

My fiancee wants to bring her house keeper to the US. Is this possible? I know that when my family emmigrated to the US in 1963, we brought our house keeper with us. What is the procedure to do this? Do we have to wait or can this be done now?

[Z]

... in response to Can fiancee bring employee to States, posted by elcolombiano on Mar 4, 2004

Don't know if the question is serious or not, but nevertheless, I see some value in it. Last time I was coming back from Colombia, I met an American citizen on my flight (think he was originally from Puerto Rico) living in Miami and married to a Colombiana. The husband had been to Colombia to make arrangements to bring a nanny back to Miami to care for their child so his wife could go back to school. He said the approval process was not that difficult and the rate he would have to pay for her service was not that high, by US standards. So, if there are cases where it makes good economical sense to pay someone to do the housework, cooking, etc so that the wife can increase the family income beyond what she could do just staying at home, it may not be a bad option. Also, from my limited conversation with the guy, it sounded like it's easier to bring domestic help into the states than it is to bring in a fiancee. I thought that was curious. Maybe that's how some of the sex rings get their victims in... don't know? It would be interesting to know all the facts pertaining to bringing in domestic help.

[greg]

... in response to Re: Can fiancee bring employee to States, posted by Z on Mar 5, 2004

would go into the trouble to pay the expenses, etc for bringing over domestic help when that is already availble here cheaply without the hassels. Doesn't cost much to hire their help. Not worth the Hassel to save a few bucks, as I said..a housekeeper, nanny, etc can be hired for less than 10 bucks an hour, and she's already here.

[Pete E]

... in response to Don't understand why someone in His righ..., posted by greg on Mar 5, 2004

Well,
My maid in Cali is $7.50 a day(8 hrs).And I gave her a 30% raise from her last employer.But that would get you in trouble in the states.
I think the maid or someone who calls themselves one wants a free pass to the promised land.

Pete

[DavidMN]

... in response to Re: Don't understand why someone in His ..., posted by Pete E on Mar 5, 2004

I got out my trusty abacus and determined that the minimum wage in Colombia is 2305 pesos per hour or about 85 US cents. That assumes 2080 paid hours per year; I don't know if the typical minimum wage earner gets paid for those 16 or 18 national holidays and I kind of doubt they earn vacation pay...?

So you're paying the maid a little bit more than minimum wage (as calculated above). Out of curiosity, does she get free meals on the days she works?

The thing I find interesting is that you gave her a big bump from what she was getting. I wonder if a lot of middle class or upper class households pay terrible wages because they can get away with it...and then b**ch and moan about poor service, minor theft or someone leaving the doors open for the career criminals.

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Maids in Colombia, posted by DavidMN on Mar 5, 2004

Yeah,she gets free food.She always wants to cook for us and if nobody wants to eat I tell her go ahead and make something for herself.I don't know what she had today,it was slim pickings untill we went to the store.But there was still eggs,cheese,bread.
I also give her 2000 pesos a day for transportation.She actually asked for it.I thought I had it covered in the salary,but she claimed,through an interpreter that she was not getting paid 15,000 a day by Margareth but thats what margaret says and I believe her.
She has it made(no pun)here but would like to work 5 days,not 3.I think 2 would be OK but for the kitchen that gets pretty messed up.My girl friend talked me in to adding the 3rd day.
She also comutes about 2 hours each way to get here,so that makes it a 12 hour total day.

Pete

[harleyman]

... in response to Can fiancee bring employee to States, posted by elcolombiano on Mar 4, 2004

All you hound dogs worried about this maid situation are barking up the wrong tree.
Just marry a Russian, problem solved.
Any real former soviet union MOB will clean her own house and cook all your meals...any mention of a maid would be an insult to them.
You want a latin princess? Hire a maid or keep doing it all yourself.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Can fiancee bring employee to States, posted by harleyman on Mar 5, 2004

Never thought of it that way, but to marry a middle-class Colombiana is - to marry a latin princess.  It just takes a while for them to come back down to earth in the good 'ole USA.  There is an exception - keep all interior paints and painting equipment out of their reach - they'll shock with those artistic adjustments "en casa".

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: Re: Can fiancee bring employee to St..., posted by cancunhound on Mar 5, 2004

Hound,

LOL, man I'm rolling.  That was my wife's first request.
-TNC

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Can fiancee bring employee t..., posted by thundernco on Mar 8, 2004

I'll never forget when I came home from work - this is just only a couple of weeks after my wife was up here and adjusting - I looked out into my perfect backyard with mature oak and elm trees - !!#$?!! - each one had been painted white around the trunks to a height of 4 feet.  My mistake - I had a 5 gallon can of paint in plain sight in the garage.  What was even more astonishing is that word got around my "barrio" and she was generating income by painting neighbors trees - amazing the drive these Colombianas have.

I recall a movie about the cultural clash of these marriages - I believe it was called "Fools Rush In" - that flick is pretty damn accurate!  A must see for anyone considering such an endeavor - take it with a grain of salt and a smile (I'm still a little pissed about my trees).

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: And it extends beyond the "casa..., posted by cancunhound on Mar 9, 2004

When she did the interior did she paint over all the electric outlets and light fixtures?

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: And it extends beyond the "..., posted by HeyNow on Mar 10, 2004

Nope - but I did provide some direction inside.

[harleyman]

... in response to Re: Re: Can fiancee bring employee to St..., posted by cancunhound on Mar 5, 2004

With all due respect if you are sure that she is what you want in a wife aside from being your servant and if you have no problem with a maid then go for it. I would not let anybody on this board alter your decisions with their smart ass opinions.
You are right..they could very well make the adjustment and figure out that the money they save on a maid if mom and dad or new hubby are not paying could buy a real nice toy.
If you are self employed put your new maid on payroll and you will not even notice it.
The time in the kitchen could be better spent in the bedroom.    
If they want to redecorate..great, why not if it makes them feel more at home. Just block the Martha Stewart channel and you will be fine.

[burbuja2]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Can fiancee bring employee t..., posted by harleyman on Mar 5, 2004

Oh well, I guess I can see why a dumb ass would take umbrage at "smart ass" opinions.

[harleyman]

... in response to U.S. Immigration Advice from a Canadian?, posted by burbuja2 on Mar 5, 2004

Dont lawyers read before they shoot their mouth off?
I dont recall giving any US immigration advice in my post.
Some of you need to learn a little respect.
I guess that is why all those lawyer jokes are so true.....