by angel_prias

Hi! I've been a reader of allnurses.com for more than two years now. I went here when I was just thinking whether to take up nursing instead of taking up law. I weighed things carefully and I'm glad I chose the former. I feel that I will only fulfill my mission in life if I become a nurse. Right now, I'm a 3rd year nursing student; a second courser. And I'm loving nursing. I'm glad I found this site. You have all been very insightful and enlightening.

I want to ask for your opinions. This may be a long post but I hope kind souls, particularly Suzanne, will have the patience in reading this. I thank you all in advance.

Like most of the Filipinos I know, I want to work in the US, too, when I finally graduate and pass all the necessary exams. I'm a mom of two angels. I got separated from my husband after 6 months of being married to him. Now, we seldom communicate but my kids are both with me. My babies (3 and 4 years old) still use my maiden name as I gave birth to both of them when I was not yet married to their father. Although I have all the papers necessary to have them legitimized, I'm still having qualms whether to make them use their father's surname instead of mine. I am now using my husband's surname in my legal documents (except for my passport). But I am planning to have our marriage annulled. Annulment is very expensive here in the Philippines, FYI. When I finally get to work in the US, I would want to bring my kids with me and eventually my parents and brothers (all are still single). Now, here are my questions:

1. Can I still bring my children with me even if we have different surnames -- they're still using my maiden (sur)name, I'm using my husband's?

2. Would my application for petition (for my bros and parents) be granted "faster" if we are all using the same surnames, meaning if I had my surname reverted back to my maiden name (which means that I have to be annulled before applying for a work in the US).

3. Can I still get my brothers and parents even if I use my husband's surname at the time (assuming) my US visa is granted? Or will this setup cause more probs?

4. I know I can bring my kids along with me if I get granted with an immigration visa but how long does it take before I can get my parents and bros?

Basically, what I primarily want is to be able to bring both of my kids, my parents and my brothers with me when I go to US. I can file for annulment if that would help or change things but I would have to work hard for it as annulment can cost and arm and leg. I know I still have a long way to go. I haven't even finished nursing, I know. But I just want to prepare for it as early as now. I hope you can enlighten me about this. Bless your hearts. Thanks.

Re: Can I Bring Them With Me?

1. Can I still bring my children with me even if we have different surnames -- they're still using my maiden (sur)name, I'm using my husband's? I don't think the difference in surname will really matter as long as you can prove you are legal guardian

2. Would my application for petition (for my bros and parents) be granted "faster" if we are all using the same surnames, meaning if I had my surname reverted back to my maiden name (which means that I have to be annulled before applying for a work in the US).Change in surname again doesn't really matter, many married people petition their family

3. Can I still get my brothers and parents even if I use my husband's surname at the time (assuming) my US visa is granted? Or will this setup cause more probs?

4. I know I can bring my kids along with me if I get granted with an immigration visa but how long does it take before I can get my parents and bros? My understanding is petition for family can be done once you have gained citizenship (which can be done after you have lived inthe US 5 years) but you need to be aware that parents will be a lot faster than siblings, with siblings you are looking at 10+years before they can move to the USA


Hope this helps

Re: Can I Bring Them With Me?

Originally Posted by angel_prias

I want to ask for your opinions. This may be a long post but I hope kind souls, particularly Suzanne, will have the patience in reading this. I thank you all in advance.

Like most of the Filipinos I know, I want to work in the US, too, when I finally graduate and pass all the necessary exams. I'm a mom of two angels. I got separated from my husband after 6 months of being married to him. Now, we seldom communicate but my kids are both with me. My babies (3 and 4 years old) still use my maiden name as I gave birth to both of them when I was not yet married to their father. Although I have all the papers necessary to have them legitimized, I'm still having qualms whether to make them use their father's surname instead of mine. I am now using my husband's surname in my legal documents (except for my passport). But I am planning to have our marriage annulled. Annulment is very expensive here in the Philippines, FYI. When I finally get to work in the US, I would want to bring my kids with me and eventually my parents and brothers (all are still single). Now, here are my questions:

1. Can I still bring my children with me even if we have different surnames -- they're still using my maiden (sur)name, I'm using my husband's? Good question. If your children carries your unmarried last names, it's better to stick to it, if you are still in doubt, you might want to check with U.S. Immigration.

2. Would my application for petition (for my bros and parents) be granted "faster" if we are all using the same surnames, meaning if I had my surname reverted back to my maiden name (which means that I have to be annulled before applying for a work in the US). first, how are you going to enter the U.S.? Are you applying via VisaScreen? or somebody is petitioning you? and if you ever get in the U.S., it will take a while before you even able to petition your parents..If you choose to bring your children with you, you have to ask yourself if who will take care of your kids..If you have children underage, you cannot leave them alone by themselves, because they need adult supervision at all times. and yes, annullment is in PI is costly, and it takes forever to process. It will not make any difference wether you, and your parents and your siblings have the same last name or not, to petition a family member takes a while to process.

3. Can I still get my brothers and parents even if I use my husband's surname at the time (assuming) my US visa is granted? Or will this setup cause more probs? I beleive you need to wait until you settle yourself first in the US before petitioning them, regarding your husband's last name, You might want to consult the US immigration for that just to be sure.

4. I know I can bring my kids along with me if I get granted with an immigration visa but how long does it take before I can get my parents and bros? As far as I know, American citizen is allowed to petition their parents, and in order to be a U.S. citizen, you need to be a legal resident in the U.S. for at least 5 years. and to petition your parents will also takes a while to process.

Basically, what I primarily want is to be able to bring both of my kids, my parents and my brothers with me when I go to US.
You need to read the requirements for application for Immigration via www.uscis.gov. it will answer most of questions regarding petitioning a family member. honestly, I think you should consider establishing yourself first before getting all your family members to come.
I can file for annulment if that would help or change things but I would have to work hard for it as annulment can cost and arm and leg. divorce, maybe?
I know I still have a long way to go. I haven't even finished nursing, I know. But I just want to prepare for it as early as now. I hope you can enlighten me about this. Bless your hearts. Thanks.

study hard, do things one at a time. the retrogression is still going on. You have a lot of time to prepare. anyways, goodluck to your studies