The price of getting green

This morning I went with my husband to his lawyer appointment. Now that I am finally 18 (in december) he can apply for his green card. It is rediculous how much immigrants have to go through just to be here legally. I can almost understand why people run across the boarder :). The lawyer first gave us a list of fees totalling $5,000. I honestly thought it would cost a lot more than that, but I guess $5,000 is a lot just to file some paperwork.
Next he handed us a list of things we need to get together to make our case. I had to laugh when I read we had to prove that we were in a "real marriage" not just so he could become a citizen. We need to submit pictures of us together at our wedding, our son's birth, vacations, graduations etc. and then any invitations or cards that were addressed to the both of us. We also have to prove we live together, pay bills together, and like a million other things. I have to send immigration our "Merry Christmas" cards for gods sake.He obviously has to submit legal documents like birth certificates but also letters from his pastor, teacher, and coaches saying that he is a good person. There were probably 50 items on that list, some pretty ridiculous.
The most shocking part about all this, is after about a year of filing paperwork he finally gets an interview. We both have to fly to El Salvador, where my husband is from, and get interviewed. And that's not where it ends. We have to STAY in El Salvador for a YEAR while the paperwork is being processed!! I find this completely insane. At least I'm not at a point in my life where I have a house and steady job. How could they expect people to just pack up and leave for a year. I am free to come back to the US but theres no way I could support myself and my son without him so I will just live there. I have to admit that it sounds like an fun adventure. But its a very fun inconvenient adventure. But I will do whatever it takes to help him get a green card. It's a huge accomplishment for someone from another country because it is such a difficult and lengthy process.