flicker said:
Thanks. It doesn't make sense to me but I will take you on your word. I guess if Joe had the dinero he could have his child brought here. I am very sorry to hear about that situation. It is common in Latin America.
What is common in Latin America?
Oh, let me guess-you have no idea what you're talking about (yet again) but since it sounds logical to you then it must be true.
An American with a child born in Latin America doesn't automatically receive duel citizenship.
That's always been a myth, but moreso now that Homeland Security is in charge of immigration.
One needs to take a DNA test to prove the child is yours. Then the proper paperwork must be submitted to the US Embassy in said country. Then the child needs permission from the mother to travel to the US.
The mother has to stay behind, unless she is married to the father of the child and the proper paperwork is filled out by the husband. He has to prove he has a sufficient enough income to support both wife and child, and tax returns for the last three years need to be submitted as proof.
Proof of the relationship also has to be submitted, and questions will be asked during the residency interview. Legitimate relationships have been turned down due to simple mistakes made during the interview process. For example, if the wife says they had an omelet for breakfast the morning of the interview and the husband says something else.
With Papp's child living in Cuba (which is a whole 'nother ball game entirely) and since his wife has already been arrested and imprisoned for attempting to defect, you can pretty much forget about it. His legal problems and subsequent infamy do him no favors either, even if all other circumstances were ideal.
What sets Cuba apart is that Papp's wife would have to qualify for political asylum in the US. Nowhere else in Latin America is this a requirement. Also, the US Embassy has the final say on granting visas to the US. In Cuba, the Cuban government has final say-so.