Still in Ukraine

[Jimmy]

I have just found enough time to read through some of the more interesting messages since my last time and want to respond to some and ask a question or two.

First I would like to give my personal experience concerning visiting Chernobyl and the effects of radiation on anyone doing this tour.  I work on the Chernobyl project for an American company and I have been numerous times to the Chernobyl site including inspecting the Unit 4 control room.  I have lived approximately 40 km away from the site and have been here for one year.  My recent whole body count using the highest technology available shows no significant radiation and neither does my dosimeter readings that are analzyed from the dosimeters that I wear when onsite.  I can only agree with the comment that it would be a waste of time when it could be better spent visiting the ladies in Kiev.  Therefore if you are interested in this type of disaster and want to tell your grandchildren that you saw the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history then you should have no fear of coming here.  It is about three hours by car from Kiev and not much to see in the way of large cities.  Bring a lunch and enjoy the tour.

Next I would like to ask the board about the visa process now adopted my INS for bringing Ukrainian spouses to the US.  It is more or less difficult for those that are currently married to spouses now in Ukraine?  I know many of you are trying to gain K-1 visas but I am concerned about those that have wives now in Ukraine.  With the current turn of events is the INS giving priority to those that are married and need to return to the US?

Next I want to say that I occassionally run into an AM in Kiev seeking a Ukrainian wife.  Many that I meet and talk to are ready and willing to bring one of these women to the US based upon a very short stay and meeting with one of them.  The Warsaw US Embassy is generally full of older US men with very young Ukrainian women.  Losing your head over the beauty of these women and marrying them may cause future problems when back in the US.  These women are very desparate and see the US as the only way out.  Please think about your situation and use the right head when making your decision.

I would like to say hello to all that know me and hope all are well.

Best Regards,

Jimmy
Ukraine, Kiev Region

[Sean T]

... in response to Still in Ukraine, posted by Jimmy on Oct 20, 2001

Hi Jimmy:

Haven't heard from you in a while. As a matter of fact I just hired an immigration attorney the other day. You and I are in a different boat than the rest of the guys because we live overseas. I'm told K1 isn't a proper option for us. Basically, get married over here and file an I-130 at the embassy in Kiev. Since you live in Ukraine they might do it for you - everybody else they send to warsaw. You'd have to call the embassy and ask - yes or no. I'm told that the I-130 takes minimum eight months or more. The benefit is that she gets an immigration visa and is a resident when she hits the ground in the USA. You don't have to jump through some of the hoops that the K1 folks do.

Drop me a line whenever. I'll pass on whatever I can to help you out. Frogs still being a pain in the arse???

Sean

[Johninm]

... in response to Still in Ukraine, posted by Jimmy on Oct 20, 2001

I very much agree with you Jimmy...using wrong "head"..I`ve been there, ..`ve lived few months in Lithuania, Latvia , Russia, Belarus..traveled lately to Ukraine ,...seen it..   all . Yes, many women are desperate to leave FSU . Young , physically beatifull FSU women wanning to go US or Western whatever country ..Opening "gates" after Perestroyka ..You be the judge..I`m sure there are some  sincere women in FSU...just take your time ..get to know her ..her family   John