A decision

[Emmalee25]

Hi all!
(deep breath) Today me and my hubby came to a decision! on monday we are withdrawing our E2 application!
"WHY" you may be screaming at the 'puter???? I cant do this anymore! its affecting every day life, i awake think of E2's i dream of E2's i cry over E2's, this is not the dream we wish to persue!
So 2 fingers up to the embassy WE SHALL NOT BE ATTENDING the interview!
My dream is still very real and will be persued in other ways! we have quite a few options that i didnt know existed until now!
After reading about Chris and his family and their problems 6 years down the line! i cant do it! i cannot live this Visa lark for the rest of my life!

So, i am no longer (well as of Monday anyway) persuing an E2 visa! There are many factors behind this decision and our decision is final now!

I feel like a weight has been lifted if im honest!
Im still a wanna be expat, i do not wish to grow old in the UK nor bring my son up there....... ill still be on here, although what advise i can offer i dont know??????? s'pose im a bit of failure throwing the towel in and all!

anyway off for a beer!!!!
hugs
Em x

[JulieC]

If you feel this is the right way for you, then all power to you. You can only do this for so long and if it starts to consume your life and is making you unhappy, then it is time to call it quits. I understand the relief you are feeling, you can only bang your head against a brick wall for so long before you start asking why you are doing it.
Personally I would have attended the interview to get closure. I think I would have always wondered what if. And I would have liked the opportunity to say stuff it if they turned me down! But you know your own heart and mind best.

[Susie]

Oh Em,

OMG

What can I say except I fully understand the emotional turmoil you have gone through, been there done it and still doing it!


Only Mick and you can decide what is best for your family and hope it works out. Remember I am here for you if you need me, just call

[Susie]

Maybe we could file a class action

Writ of Mandamus for all old E visa applications, what do you think Randall?

I will speak to James, see if he can come and meet a group of us who would be prepared to file a law suit (Complaint)

Maybe invite Kelly Griffiths from the Sentinel and Bill Rufty of the Ledger

[haytonmac]

oh Em ,good luck only you know what is right for you and your family ,but life is too short to have some numphties in London go on a power drive and for that I can understand your decsion,all the very best ,us

[lorraine]

Hi Em if you really want it you will find a way and succeed. There are loads of different options. Good luck to you and your family.

[Kriz1]

You are still very young....we thought about moving to the US when we were 24...it was a no go....but we got here at 39 with little trouble after a job offer...I would not of missed my years in the UK...great friends...great life....my kids had the best childhood ever....nothing to do with having stuff or sunshine....I hate to think of the things we would of missed out on had we moved to the USA so young....
I wish you tons and tons of good luck in whatever you do....

[Emmalee25]

Hi Julie,
we dont want to risk a denial as my mom and pops live out here and it would jeapodise(sp?) future holidays for us, i cant risk secondary questioning every time i enter the us all because i ticked the 'ever been denied a visa' box :(
Em x

[DebbieM]

Hi Em

Of all the people on here, I thought you would be the one to see it through to the end. You have always remained so positive and upbeat that the decision that you have made must have been a VERY difficult one.

That said, you have to do what you feel is right for you and your family and it is such a big step to make both emotionally and financially I admire your candor in saying enough is enough. The element of doubt was obviously great enough to recognize and you have taken a brave step in your decision. There are many people who would get wrapped up in the battle that they don't consider what happens when you've won the war.

In the USA the battle is constant and this is why sites like this are so valuable as they give you the full facts. Although you are probably feeling a bit bruised right now I believe in things happening for a reason and I hope that somewhere down the line you will realize why you made the decision you did.

I wish you and your family well in whatever you chose to do with your life. Stay in touch, your comments, honesty and input have been refreshing.

Take care.

Debs

[reecey]

Hi Em
I know how you feel dreamimg visa etc and i wish you the best
you will succeed, your a fighter but it shouldnt be this way just to follow your dream
take care
love julie

[britcan]

Maybe we could file a class action

Writ of Mandamus for all old E visa applications, what do you think Randall?

I will speak to James, see if he can come and meet a group of us who would be prepared to file a law suit (Complaint)

Maybe invite Kelly Griffiths from the Sentinel and Bill Rufty of the Ledger
Susie- please see my posting about Lou Dobbs we need your help- Please read attny lavigne... If everyone does this then perhaps CNN will take it forward..???

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Please see the way the British are being treated that want to come to your country LEGALLY and create jobs for Americans- its disgusting. Click on the www.expatsvoice.org website and click onto North American, see all the postings there under E2 visa , in particular, 'E2 visa pressure group' thread and 'Renewals and Tears' thread. The Brits in the USA are at breaking point with the way they are being treated. YOU SHOULD DO A STORY ON THIS PLEASE!!!!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[chris]

EmmaLee,
I've been in and out of this forum in recent months, but your postings have always highlighted the British Bulldog spirit. You displayed an enthusiasm for Florida that said 'nothing will deter me from achieving my dream'.
I'm sorry to learn that you've decide to call it quits. I feel like Lorriane or was it Julie who felt you should at least go for the interview, if not for the privilege of 'sticking it to the man' as they say. I hope that my posting was not the reason for your change of heart. Whilst it ultimately is going sour for us and it isn't getting any easier, there are many who have made the move and it's all worked out for them. We weren't one of them, but that is not to say you would. Nothing in this life is ever meant to be easy and I don't think that making the move here ever should be. In many ways, it should be hard, because then it makes only the strong get through and the ones who only part thought it through (and there are many - will switch track).
Whatever you dod, I wish you well.

[punky]

Sorry to hear about your change of heart Em. I hope it works out for you.

Its sad when people have to turn their back on a dream that's been nurtured. :(

[Susie]

Hi Em,

Just a thought, would it make any difference if you withdrew your application tomorrow or eqrly new year? I know you have made your mind up and respect you for that, just thought if anyone could pull off an interview, you could

The reason I say this, I would hate for you to withdraw now then on xxx th Jan wish you had not withdrawn

I am here for you, just stop by

Suex

[anniefromessex]

Hi Em,

I am absolutely devastated for you, but can understand your reasoning. I think at times we could all throw in the towel, been there, seen that, done that, got the t-shirt. There have been so many times over the last couple of years that we felt the same way and still do to a certain extent. To be honest, if Daniel doesn't achieve his dream next year then we are done with this country once and for all.

When I think of the hundreds of thousands of dollars we have spent in this country since 1989, not to mention the people who have come over with us and all the money they have spent, it makes me want to be violently sick!! It makes me heartsore when I read about all the seminars they hold back in England promoting this country, they just love you to spend your hard earned money here, but just don't try to live here otherwise you get your arse put in a sling. I for one, after reading Chris's post this weekend, and then reading your post, am feeling very very aggrieved for each and every one of us, and I am not going to take this lying down.

You have been an inspiration on this forum; I only recently joined but reading your posts I felt that we all stood some sort of chance - what really makes you think you don't stand a chance? You can pm me on that question if you like!!

I really feel we should all stand up and fight now - I am sure there must be other people on different forums who feel the same way - we all need to stand together on this and go down fighting if necessary. I hate to think of you taking your little boy back to England - I hate the thought of my grandchildren being bought up back there. I'm sorry but England has had it as far as I am concerned - the more I hear the more frightened I feel for little ones back there. I know there are problems here, but to be honest with you I generally find the kids here better than the kids in England. My husband used to do work for the local Council and in certain areas he had to take along another guy to back him up - and we are not talking about the East End here, we are talking about Brentwood in Essex which is quite an affluent area!! Okay, I know some kids here have an attitude, with the crutch of their jeans on their knees and walking the walk, but I feel safer walking round our development here than I do in England

I have posted on Chris's plight, please read that and let us all stand together on this. I think we have taken the sh.. long enough from Immigration and now is the time to stand up and be counted. As stated before, we don't have a 'right' to be here, but we have the right to be given a fair hearing without them making it impossible. We are, none of us, asking for anything from this country, only the right to live and work here and pay back their faith in us - they can't even say there are not enough homes for us, Christ, you only have to look at every spare piece of land that is available and the houses that are built, not to mention the taxes they make from these houses to know they are making a pretty tidy sum from the likes of us - where would they be without us?

Come on everybody, you included Em, lets fight this for once and for all and get this sorted, I am sick of living my life in limbo. I am 55 years of age and want my life back!!!!! You have got to do it for the likes of Leigh and Tony, she has just lost her Dad and because of America's thinking she was not allowed to go back to England. I lost my Mum since living here, Daniel couldn't get back for her funeral and Ted, my husband, had to jump through hoops to be able to leave to be at her funeral. My Dad now has cancer and it is soo hard living here, not being with him all the time, but we made our choice in life, knowing that our parents weren't getting any younger, but it would make things so much easier if Immigration and America in general had a heart!!! So once again, come on, lets fight them with every fibre of our being; if not we might as well give up and die ourselves.

[Susie]

Hi Bernadette

Please call me I feel an urgent meeting coming on and have great ideas

[Emmalee25]

WOW!
Thanks guys, your all great and the replies were so too. I am still more than willing to help with this immigration battle AND i most certainly havent given up hope! just deceided that E2 is not for us!
Basically i received a letter from the embassy stating that because my parents (mum and STEP-DAD) are GC holders then they felt i had 'grand intent' (grand indeed...lol) to become a perminent resident and they wanted to do more checks etc on my ties to the UK and Blah Blah Blah!!!
load of old tosh to be honest!
If Big brother IS indeed watching then my plea to you is "Please get a brain"!!! ;) honestly, has anyone here sold up in the UK, invested their life savings and come over with the intent of NOT staying!!!!! :) makes me chortle really!
E2 is NOT for us! and dont worry Chris, your post was just the icing on the cake, the decision had already been made. I want security for my son and for me and my Husband, the E2 route is flawed beyond belief and i refuse to become a part of a corrupt and flawed process.
Am all for kicking arse tho!!!!
Bring em on!
Em x

[JulieC]

Corrupt and flawed process. well said, Em, I like that one.

[Ron]

OMG, So sorry for everyone, my prayers are with you

[anniemm]

Hi Em

Hope everything works out for the best and you still get to follow your dream, one way or another;)

Fingers crossed for you
take care

[mandybenn]

Hi Emm

Heck!! I too thought you seemed very positive, What about your business?

I have to say we were applying for an E2 initially until we saw an Immigration Lawyer, who stated it is the worst visa at the moment to apply for. She advised us on the L1.

The paperwork was sent to the Lawyer on Friday but she has had us do lots of work. For one, we have made our business' Ltd Companies to make them stronger. This seemed a bit silly as my business is a Hair Salon (this is the L1 Company) and my husband is a self employed Plumber. Although we have done everything possible I still have doubts to our success. What does it take?

We have a Villa (4 yrs) we pay our taxes on time to the IRS, $5000 in Property tax and are willing to bring £100k to the US as well as any savings. I wish Britain had people like that. I have said it on another thread, the word on the street is that the UK (Govt) do not want their affluent population leaving. That would make sense and I think your right Emm! there is no rime or reason to their decision.

Don't give up!! Look at other options, our Lawyer will take us down the Hb1 if our L1 is denied. She states that most cases are having to be appealed but her success rate is 95%.

A friend of ours (who referred us to our Lawyer) applied through L1 and is currently applying for his Green Card, he has had no problems.

Feel free to Pm if you want any further info!

Good Luck in whatever you decide.

Mandy
(Bradford)

[Sharon]

Hello Em

I am so surprised, you seemed so full of determination to get your E visa. This system really sucks, worry about getting first visa, then worrying about renewing visa, then worrying about the kids, worrying about being land locked. Cannot understand what difference it makes what your parents do as you have invested and complied as far as I can see.

Keep your spirits high, even if it means drinking a bottle, or two or three

[lorraine]

Hi all we need to get this site out to everyone I have e mailed all the papers in the UK and the richard and judy show, and this morning and oprah we will get heard and most americans are 100 percent behind us. Everyone I have spoken to about all of the problems here on our site cant believe that British people have to go through all this C..P!!!!!! you keep your dream em and you will get it. I have been invited to a new show which is being aired live begining of december if I can get expats voice in I will. love lorraine

[Grumpy]

wow, well done lorraine

[Emmalee25]

What show is it Lorraine????

Em x

[Susie]

Hi all we need to get this site out to everyone I have e mailed all the papers in the UK and the richard and judy show, and this morning and oprah we will get heard and most americans are 100 percent behind us. Everyone I have spoken to about all of the problems here on our site cant believe that British people have to go through all this C..P!!!!!! you keep your dream em and you will get it. I have been invited to a new show which is being aired live begining of december if I can get expats voice in I will. love lorraine


Hi Lorraine,

Thanks ever so much for helping.

I am curious, well not really, just downright nosey

What show have you been invited to? Hope it's not Jerry Springer, hehe

[lorraine]

Hi I am going to a new live show for NBCs village live. Goes out live Monday to Friday 12pm eastern time on Bravo. Starts on Monday 4th December and I will be in the audience for live interaction. Its a new show for women talking about all different issues. I shall hopefully get talking with them and try to get expatsvoice in. Even if I have to give someone a letter, I do my best. If it is Jerry I have assetts I will work it he he xx

[punky]

Thanx very much for that Lorraine :)