<p>I think that the trip to Germany is a small problem compared to his legal problems.</p>
<p>I think he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. We had several employees from Singapore whose kids went back to do their service before starting US colleges. They take the service to the country pretty seriously, and these kids did the service knowing gong back would not be possible for the rest of their lives if they didn’t do so. I’d be very, very surprised if the embassy doesn’t pull up this information.</p>
<p>Holding a Green Card he can become an American citizen and no need to get married. It will probably take more time than a few months though.</p>
<p>^^^ 5 years permanent residency with green card</p>
<p>really a legal problem only arises if he decides to return to Singapore, even for a visit.</p>
<p>Well, he can’t leave the country and better not do anything to get deported.</p>
<p>I think that he’s been here for a while so it might not be too much longer.</p>
<p>That’s an interesting thought. I wonder what happens if a greencard holder does get deported but does not have a valid passport. I guess I’d better make sure I keep my passport up to date (not that I have any imminent plans to commit any crimes).</p>
<p>Well, he won’t be doing science research in Germany this summer, and if he ever gets deported, he’s going back to Singapore where he will be doing his NS (assuming he is still of serving age) and maybe a small jail sentence. </p>
<p>I suggest not doing anything to get deported.</p>
<p>Galoisien’s laughing his head off right now, since we’ve only just figured out it’s him using a different alias.</p>
<p>Actually my godmother (she apparently is in the Civil Service) offered to pay 5k-7k to sort of pay “reparations” to the govt or something so I could keep Singaporean citizenship without fear of being prosecuted as long as I put up a front of apologising profusely as though it were all a big misunderstanding.</p>
<p>She also said time was of the essence – the more I waited, the more troublesome it would be.</p>
<p>I politely turned her down because at the time I had a lost a lot of interest in keeping my Singaporean citizenship (or doing NS later) and also I have a lot of my pride in my self-sufficiency and didn’t want a family friend paying so much money for my sake. Plus the apology and the self-prostration I would have to do before the govt seemed kind of over the top.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s not too late to take her up on her offer (in conjunction with some legal aid)? </p>
<p>Maybe I’m too proud for my own good. It’s just that I like to earn everything on my own merit, you know?</p>
<p>Reading your messages is like drinking from the fountain of crap.</p>
<p>^^ hey finance was apparently never a problem for your family</p>
<p>you’re also a girl. what do you know?</p>
<p>you’d be singin’ a different tune if you had been in my situation and faced the draft as well.</p>
<p>??? Just because I go to college in the US and I’m not a green card holder, you conclude I’m rich ???</p>
<p>I know enough Singapore law to know that either (1) Your godmother is Ho Ching or (2) That situation is not going to occur.</p>
<p>Oh, and you should also tell me, no, everyone here, why you’re going by an alias.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Unless you president’s scholar lah. (then respect++) all the overseas Singaporeans I know here come from big-shot rich families. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I prolly got something wrong lah. never memorised the entire procedure you know. I know a “fine” is involved (maybe it’s a bribe – but then again we’re talking about the spotless Civil Service) and I would still have to do NS, just later. she seemed fairly confident.</p>
<p>Kind of interested in the option, but not sure if I still want to commit to it. </p>
<p>the thing is, you have never been a green card holder. you are not a third culture kid. you have never lived half your life in another country. you do not feel American.</p>
<p>and oh yeah, you’re still a girl yet you talk cocky about NS. still want to talk big? come back when gahmen start drafting females.</p>
<p>I’m going to college on financial aid from HMC. Happy now?</p>
<p>I’m not ‘talking big’ about NS. IF I said ‘NS is a total cakewalk and you guys should totally like love it’, THAT would be out of place.</p>
<p>why are you insisting on it as my obligation </p>
<p>look I agree, NS is part of the SG social contract or whatever, until gahmen change party </p>
<p>stop making fun of my dilemma. I’m not trying to stay Singaporean and not do NS.</p>
<p>also thank your lucky stars (or God, whatever you believe in) you were born a girl.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>happy for you.</p>
<p>not many schools do international financial aid. Trying to get my own school to do it for AccessUVA.</p>
<p>look I’ve met so many ****ing spoilt rich international kids ok. so many have i-banker parents or oil money in their family or something. Spend 500 USD decorating their room. Eat out every night. sorry for stereotyping you lah.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So basically you DO have a way out, but you reject it BECAUSE YOU’RE PROUD? </p>
<p>And there are plenty of kids who have green cards and can’t visit their home countries because of the draft. They either sit here in the US and don’t poke their noses into trouble, or wait until they are eligble to apply for citizenship, which doesn’t involve such an unmanageable fee.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I mean it’s more appealing now!</p>
<p>My godma basically calls me randomly on the phone one day while I’m trying to cram for 3 exams. (my first thought: oh ****, international phone bill. “do you skype?” “what’s skype?”) Details this offer. Wants to wire me money on top of that and asks for bank info. I don’t know how to react to random offers of money. It’s kinda awkward. </p>
<p>Also years ago, we were abandoned when we were most destitute and in our greatest time of need. Recently, everyone suddenly wants to reconnect with us. Secretly, I’m very angry lah. Where were you all years ago? Do I really want to exchange my pride for a German internship?</p>
<p>I dunno, I get the feeling I’ll have to eventually repay with “favours” or something. Even if she says I don’t have to pay her back, Chinese culture dictates that you have to.</p>
<p>focused more on the exams. I politely said I’d consider it. maybe I should call her back.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It is actually more like S$70k or 25% of your family income, whichever is higher. It is kept until you come back to Singapore to serve out your NS. If you decide to acquire American citizenship then that money is forfeit and you are still a draft dodger under the Enlistment Act so you still can’t come back.</p>
<p>wah. really ah. this woman very familiar with Singapore law too. I had a feeling it was a backchannel but w/e.</p>
<p>and I dunno, the gahmen’s desire to micromanage everyone’s personal life ticks me off.
“Singaporeans are not yet mature/cosmopolitan enough to hold two passports” or something. When we mature enough ah? In 100 years time? After the 10,000 years of LKY’s Reich?</p>