do debts or bankruptcy affect green card immigration?

[dragonlady]

Please reread my post - key word then in sentence 4.

If Fred Smith buys a house and a car and has some credit cards and THEN loses his job some time later(assuming he is not psychic and does not have ESP) and he cannot pay for the items he bought - this is not fraud. If you don't pay your credit card bill - the creditor can usually figure that out!

It must be difficult to see bad ulterior motives in all that people do. 90% of the population are not criminals and so do not spend their time thinking of how to bilk others.

[Houston]

Fred Smith would have a hard time facing some creditors if he bought the items knowing he was not able to pay. Intent to defraud is present when a person knows he's not able to pay and knowingly accepts the obligation without informing of his situation to the creditor. However, damages have to be proven to establish fraud.

[dragonlady]

Key word: willingly/with intent. Not being able to pay your bills and filing bankrupty does not show a willingness to defraud anyone. If you run a scam and take money from people by lying about your product or returns - it is fraud. The airlines are filing bankruptcy but this is not fraud - even though millions of dollars are involved. Fred Smith buys a house and a car and has some credit cards and then loses his job and cannot pay for the items he bought- this is not fraud. Enron lying to peoplel about investments is fraud. A politician taking money under the table or not claiming political contributions may be fraud. Insider trading may be fraud. Stealing from your employer is embezzelment. Fraud is a deliberate deception practiced so as to secure unfair or unlawful gain. Many people buy things - and pay for them for while and then through no fault of their own are not able to continue to pay for the items. This is not deliberate deception. It is unfortunate circumstances. Look at all the debt consolidation companys that thrive on these situations. It is not up to us to decide if something is fraudulent. We do not have all the information. And if this person committed fraud, he would probably not be posting on this board - he would be paying whatever the price is in his/her own country.

[Houston]

Bankruptcy and debt are not crimes, fraud is. Entering into an agreement and willingly failing to comply is fraud. It could even be an aggravated felony depending on the amount of the damages.

[Sugarpuff]

No one is debating if other countrys have public retirement systems. The ONLY point of debate is regarding clairity. Do these other countries that issue numbers to their citizens call the numbers SS numbers?

[dragonlady]

Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program
(released )

Social Security Programs Throughout the World

This publication highlights the principal features of social security programs in more than 170 countries: old-age, survivors, and disability; sickness and maternity; work injury; unemployment; and family allowances. A set of tables in each volume provides information for each country on the types of social security programs, types of mandatory systems for retirement income, contribution rates, and demographic and other statistics related to social security.

Beginning with the March 2002 edition, SSPTW now appears in four volumes published on a rolling basis every 6 months. Each volume focuses on a specific region of the world: Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas.

To view the most recent information for each region, please select the appropriate link below:

* Europe
* Asia and the Pacific
* Africa
* The Americas

[marmaduk]

Well, I can tell that the citizens in several countries in dragonlady's list won't have a clue what the term Social Security Number refers to.

I think its pretty clear that USCIS won't consider debt in one's country of origin as a hindrance in the process of obtaining LPR.

[dragonlady]

Social Security Social SecurityInsurance
Algeria
Australia
Antigua/Barbuda
Austria
Argentina
Bahamas
Armenia
Barbados
Belize
Bahrain
Belgium
Bolivia
Botswana
Canada
Bulgaria
Cote de Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Finland
Chile
Hong Kong
China
Hungary
Columbia
Italy
Costa Rica
Latvia
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Denmark
Madgascar
Dominican Republic
Nigeria
Ecuador
Oman
El Salvador
Paraguay
France
Peru
Germany
Poland
Greece
Santa Lucia
Guatemala
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Guyana
Honduras
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
Senegal
Japan
Slvakia
Jordan
Slovenia
Kuwait
Sweden
Luxembourg
Turkey
Macau
United Kingdom
Mauritius
Uruguay
Mexico
Morocco
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Philippines
Saint Christopher and Nevis
Sierra Leone
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Unite Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Zimbabwe

The United States has bilateral Social Security agreements with 21 countries. The agreements improve benefit protection for workers who have divided their careers between the United States and another country. They also eliminate dual Social Security coverage and taxes for multinational companies and expatriate workers.

For information about other countries' Social Security programs, check the latest version of "Social Security Programs throughout the World".

We've also provided Links to Social Security Web Pages of other Countries and International Organizations.

[Sugarpuff]

What other countries use the term "social security number" or even ss#.

Just because you assume other people know what you mean does not mean they do.

[dragonlady]

Please re read the original question. Debts FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY ARE NOT AMERICAN DEBTS. You never have to claim them here.

AGAIN: If you have permission to work in your home country and the US as well - you DO NOT have more than one identity. If you are a PR here, you can still work in your home country. If you have dual citizenship you can also work in both countries. This does not give you more than one identity. If you have dual citizenship you can also carry two passports - this does not mean you have more than one identity. If my Green Card is in my maiden name and I use my married name in the community - it is legal and you do not have more than one identity. If you have a university degree your name does not change on the degree if you marry or take back your maiden name. This does not mean you have more than one identity.

Going before a judge means very little - it does not necessarily give you a criminal record. Some people go through a divorce in front of a judge, some people take oaths in front of a judge, some people contest traffic tickets in front of a judge. Some of us go to lunch with the judge and some of us are married to a judge.

Bankruptcy also means very little any more. Lots of businesses claim bankruptcy and are back in business the next day under a different name - Thousands of people claim bankrupty in this country and lose nothing.

The term Social Security (SS) is used in many countries and if another country uses a different name for cards that give you permission to work - well other members seem to be able to make the transfer to the possiblity that different names may be used for the same thing.

[Sugarpuff]

Again Dragonlady,

If someone has more than one SS# then that means they have more than one idenity and yes that is a concern to an officer at adjustment.

If you take the time to look at the new bankruptcy law you will notice that debts for those making above the median area wage are only extinguished through a judge. So while they may not put you in jail for being debt THEY WILL make you go before a judge now and HE will decide when your debts are behind you.

[dragonlady]

Bankruptcy and being in debt is not a crime. We no longer put people in jail for that. When you come here you are not asked for your previous financial/credit reports. (Or SS#) You do not have to even say you had a job in your previous country. A bank may ask if you are from a coutnry where your previous credit information is recognized but you don't have to provide it. Banks here want information on whether you are in the country with the correct documentation - if they even ask for that.

As for the question about not having American tax information actually requested YES - do bring your tax filings - I was asked for mine when I was in the meeting - I was not told beforehand that my taxes would be requested. Always better to be safe than sorry.

[marmaduk]

I don't understand why the conversation got so diverted. The OP ask whether having a debt or declaring bankruptcy in country of origin is a hindrance from obtaining GC. Personally, I think the answer is a resounding NO. What does got to do with tax return or IRS??

[sappyconifer]

I don't know where Houston gets this information! Inadmissibility on the basis of criminal activity is discussed in the Foreign Affairs Manual from the Department of State. Mind you, you'd have to have been charged in order for that to come into play and it would have to be a criminal charge.

[visaquestion]

thank you for clarifying this. so as long as one has come to an arrangement about debts, it is possible to immigrate as a permanent resident?

it sounds from what you say that even if one is declared bankrupt in the country one is immigrating from, that is okay? would one to wait a certain time after the bankruptcy has been done, before immigrating?

is the relevant form available to download, to see the exact phrasing? it'd be nice to see what exactly the requirement is, when it comes to financial/debt matters.