Thread: Miles writes about bringing Foreign Nationals for Dance workshops

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Does Miles have HIS greencard?

Originally Posted by sblanck

Does Miles have HIS greencard?

..l;,

Better yet . . . does he pay all his taxes???? ..g.:

sigh.. i'm so sick of that guy

I really do think you need to take this issue seriously. You can have loads of trouble if this is not thoroughly cleared up.

there are two things which come forward for me when ever Miles writes an article. 1 - He generally does have a valid point, whether we want to admit it or not. 2 - Many times because of the way he writes, it really sounds as though he is trying to discourage EVERYONE who is not part of the BDSS machine.

Now, is #2 really what he is trying to do? I don't know. He could be completely altruistic in this. But then again. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

My only issue is people like him. His talent is managing talent which in my book means he doesnt have any talent but to figure out how to make money off of others talent. He does have a point you should pay uncle sam what he thinks is his share cause they dont like it when you dont.

[QUOTE=tahiradancer;506477]2 - Many times because of the way he writes, it really sounds as though he is trying to discourage EVERYONE who is not part of the BDSS machine.
QUOTE]

Actually, this time - it's not just MC's message, it is also the message of the immigration authorities to discourage people of "humble" means (ability, funds, degrees, recognition). Not my opinion, it's just the intent behind the laws and the implementation of them.

One lesson we can take from this is the knowledge that THE SAME things holds true for Americans in many other countries.
American dancers have been sponsored abroad without all the paperwork being handled and they have been turned away at the airport (performance costumes and workshop materials can be a dead giveaway).
Regardless of his motivations, it's good to have knowledge of what you are getting into whether as a sponsor bringing someone in or as a teacher being sponsored.

I think the intent behind the laws is to keep people from entering the country with tourist visas and then staying under the radar as illegal aliens, working and not paying taxes.

If you're talking about a rock band coming over from England to tour and play a couple of concerts, it's a huge amount of dollars and I'm not at all surprised that the gov't wants a share.

Sadly, when those entertainer work visa rules get applied to small potatos like a bellydance workshop, it's not very practical. But of course that's no excuse for breaking the law. It might be a good reason for several sponsors to work together to organize a worthwhile tour... otherwise it seems easier to hire Egyptians who are already living in the US, like Yousry and Faten.

Of course I am as realistic as anyone else about Miles' motivations for this article, but he does have a point.

I'm pretty sure this gets broken here too, from experience by the people that shout the loudest about how 'professional' they are. Also, I wonder how many teachers that have their students all dancing in restaurants make sure they are declaring their income to the HMRC? It pisses me off that I go through all the faff of doing it legit when so many people get away with not bothering.

Z

Lauren - you are right. What I meant was that if you look at the process required to be completed in order to obtain a tourist visa, work visa, non-immigrant visa or a immigrant visa; there is an intentional intimidation factor involved independent of the validity of your application. Again, I'm just sharing what my attorneys have been generous enough to share with me of information.

I am by no means saying that the rules are wrong. Considering the unique situation of the US in the world ("there people from every country in the world wants to come to the US") I have complete compassion for the necessities of such rules.

The reality of the implementation is where things can go whack - even for people with the noblest intentions. Also, there are some really bad advices given by some - supposedly qualified - immigration attorneys as well.

Anyhou - in essence the point in this matter is for only the *most* qualified people of the qualified people to be able to recieve the privelage of entering the US to share their knowledge. It is not to "make it difficult" for Susy or Scott Nippletassles to come hang out with their peeps and do a couple of moves...that accidently happen to be done in a studio...with other people present...that paid to be there...

I think that many approach it as "you pay your way here, I will help you cover the travel cost by doing a workshop". They start out thinking there is such and such amount of $$ on the minus side - and then start chipping away at that with whatever money comes in through workshops etc. Well, that's not really how immigration or the IRS approaches it :)

I personally am suprised at how seldom dignitaries in the dance such as Yousry Sharif or Faten Salama are engaged "over here". I realize cost is a relevant issue - however, these are some prettty VIP people in the Egyptian scene.... Or, maybe it is often, but I was just way too spoiled when I was living in Scandinavia with essentially 4 different countries in short distance from each other with at least 4 sponsors bringing international talent to their festivals - for multiple events every year... LOL

Originally Posted by zafirah

Of course I am as realistic as anyone else about Miles' motivations for this article, but he does have a point.

I'm pretty sure this gets broken here too, from experience by the people that shout the loudest about how 'professional' they are. Also, I wonder how many teachers that have their students all dancing in restaurants make sure they are declaring their income to the HMRC? It pisses me off that I go through all the faff of doing it legit when so many people get away with not bothering.

Z

Ohhh, or have their students know that they will need business licenses to work as a "professional" dancer.

Hey, David, I actually intended to end my first paragraph with the sentence '...but of course this is just idle thinking on my part, and David has more experience with the actual effect of US immigration policy than me.'

Something short-circuited between my brain and my fingers.

Originally Posted by david

I personally am surprised at how seldom dignitaries in the dance such as Yousry Sharif or Faten Salama are engaged "over here".

Yes! Strange, isn't it? Oddly (to me), it seems the perception that master teachers like Faten and Yousry are easily available keeps some US sponsors from hosting them. Occasionally I've heard the argument that Faten is somehow less "exotic," desirable, marketable as a workshop teacher because she lives in the US, which to me is just nuts. I'm lucky enough to have her teaching right down the road here, but I still take every workshop I can that she teaches, and I imagine the same is true for students who live near Yousry in NYC. Why would someone from another part of the country be *less* likely to shell out for a workshop with them just because they're US-based? Even if you couldn't charge quite as much for a workshop with Faten as you can for one of the Egypt-based greats -- an premise I'm not sure I accept -- the fact that she's a US citizen who lives near two major airports ought to go some way toward improving your margin, right?

Originally Posted by Zana

Yes! Strange, isn't it? Oddly (to me), it seems the perception that master teachers like Faten and Yousry are easily available keeps some US sponsors from hosting them. Occasionally I've heard the argument that Faten is somehow less "exotic," desirable, marketable as a workshop teacher because she lives in the US, which to me is just nuts. I'm lucky enough to have her teaching right down the road here, but I still take every workshop I can that she teaches, and I imagine the same is true for students who live near Yousry in NYC. Why would someone from another part of the country be *less* likely to shell out for a workshop with them just because they're US-based? Even if you couldn't charge quite as much for a workshop with Faten as you can for one of the Egypt-based greats -- an premise I'm not sure I accept -- the fact that she's a US citizen who lives near two major airports ought to go some way toward improving your margin, right?

I wish Faten would be brought to Dallas more often as I thoroughly enjoyed her classes the one time Little Egypt brought her. Yousry has been here a few times when Tambra brought him. But seriously, sometimes it seems like "festivals" are the big thing now so you can't have just one instructor . . . think the idea is to maximize the dollars brought in by having many ppl come???

OK, that's a bit off topic but I thought I'd chime in.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

One lesson we can take from this is the knowledge that THE SAME things holds true for Americans in many other countries.
American dancers have been sponsored abroad without all the paperwork being handled and they have been turned away at the airport (performance costumes and workshop materials can be a dead giveaway).
Regardless of his motivations, it's good to have knowledge of what you are getting into whether as a sponsor bringing someone in or as a teacher being sponsored.

Yes! A lot of dancers from everywhere going anywhere do not have proper visas. I know a lot of the talent that is brought to South Korea-DJs, indie bands etc do not have proper entertainment visas for various reasons.

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

Error

Hey look, something was posted under my name then removed and only says "error". The reason for deleting was "mistaken identity". What does that mean? I wasn't even on bhuz all weekend. Maybe I left myself logged in on a public computer somewhere?

Anyway... back to your regularly scheduled debate. Please let me know if you see any strange posts from me.

Originally Posted by zafirah

Of course I am as realistic as anyone else about Miles' motivations for this article, but he does have a point.

I'm pretty sure this gets broken here too, from experience by the people that shout the loudest about how 'professional' they are. Also, I wonder how many teachers that have their students all dancing in restaurants make sure they are declaring their income to the HMRC? It pisses me off that I go through all the faff of doing it legit when so many people get away with not bothering.

Z

The main thing is that if all laws are not complied with, however, it will end up costing YOU, as the sponsor and/or employer. This goes for any kind of employment. Because if the government finds out you are not complying with it, you will be in very big trouble, Mister/Mistress. Miles, aside, it's in your own best interests.

And we all know how much Miles knows about keeping things in his own best interests. ..l;,

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

Hey look, something was posted under my name then removed and only says "error". The reason for deleting was "mistaken identity". What does that mean? I wasn't even on bhuz all weekend. Maybe I left myself logged in on a public computer somewhere?

Anyway... back to your regularly scheduled debate. Please let me know if you see any strange posts from me.

A wannabe!! Seriously, I will let you know as well. Sounds scary, like a stolen identity thing. Like we all need a worry like that. . ..w.:

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Hey, David, I actually intended to end my first paragraph with the sentence '...but of course this is just idle thinking on my part, and David has more experience with the actual effect of US immigration policy than me.'

Something short-circuited between my brain and my fingers.

Now worries :)

....you will have to teach me that skill....the short-circuiting thingy, that is. lol

And just to be on the safe side.... again pointing out: I am very much understanding of why these measures are necessary and have no objection to them. Implementation is always an issue in any matter an can cause passionate/discomforting/less pleasurable experiences - just look at how many discussions we have about technique on here and how "heated" they can get!

Originally Posted by Fotia

A wannabe!! Seriously, I will let you know as well. Sounds scary, like a stolen identity thing. Like we all need a worry like that. . ..w.:

Haha - maybe I can use this an an excuse to get out of every time I've ever made an ass of myself on bhuz! Okay - thread hijack over...