New minimum income proposals - will it affect you?

I'm curious if there is anyone here in the same situation as myself and my UK GF. The new proposed minimum income requirements may have a huge impact on us if this gets implemented.
Are any of you who are not yet married with your UK significant other, and planning on it and moving to the UK, worried or concerned about this new minimum income requirement?

We were shocked to just read about this and are quite saddened and worried. We don't know what to do at this point. We've been 'together' for almost two years and planned on getting married in the US early next year (maybe even this autumn, 2012) and move to the UK where she is a citizen.
There's no way we could meet those new income requirements. We are now faced with a new reality that isn't pleasant. Do we keep fighting, keep our head's up and positive and go for it regardless, or...?
Anyone else out there faced with this?

We're married and I've been here since August, we'll have no chance of meeting the new proposed requirement, especially if they don't include my income too.

My bf and I have been together for almost 3 years and now with these new changes, there is no way we'll meet the requirements. He can't move here because he has to take care of his parents and so that leaves me to move. It's so depressing that I'm not sure we should even continue. We can't even afford visits at this point and these changes really make things impossible

bluepanda,
This really sucks, doesn't it. I don't know what we're going to do either. It almost seems there is only one solution - and not a pleasant thought at all.
I know it's been said over and over that even though the UK and America speak the same language, they are very different countries.
But we have been allies and good friends for eons. I know and understand why these new immigration laws are being made - but I'm pretty certain it's not the Americans causing the issues. I hardly think that an American marrying a UK citizen and moving to England is increasing the quality of life they are use to in the States - at the most it's maybe a lateral move. One may do so because of love of the culture or in love with a UK citizen, or both - not to try and take advantage of the system - heck, you can stay in the States and do that - why spend a ton of money to try and come to the UK to do it?
I really think there needs to be some exceptions for Americans - I know that sounds like a typical egotistical American comment - but for real - is it the American expats causing the issues that the UK is experiencing?

I don't know what we're going to do either. My bf is always trying to be optimistic, but because he's going through a lot at the moment with his family issues, I don't think he realizes the seriousness of all this. For him ending it is not an option, but really things look so impossible, I'm not sure I can keep going like this much longer. Well it would be nice if there were exceptions for Americans, but it wouldn't be fair for everyone else. It's unfortunate all of us who are in genuine relationships have to pay the price because of a few who decided to cheat the system

Ugh, it feels like it's seriously one thing after another. I can totally relate to this post. If this thing gets passed I'm sure my boyfriend and I will be S.O.L as many couples will be. He has a job but nothing that brings in that kind of income and I'm still particularly young, jobless and trying to figure out what exactly to do with my life. He'd never move to the US unless he had some kind of job already lined up, but this is just really disheartening. The money you have to shell out/prove you make that much money, to just be with someone you love is just disgusting to me. 

I hardly think that an American marrying a UK citizen and moving to England is increasing the quality of life they are use to in the States - at the most it's maybe a lateral move.

You're only speaking for your own situation, right?

If the new proposals are going to affect you negatively, please consider telling the JCWI your story: Arming the Resistance to the Family Migration Restrictions

To those effected, is it possible you can get married and apply before July 8th?  Last chance saloon and all that?

I was thinking along the same lines as Shandy--beg, borrow, steal, stick it on the credit card, whatever--just get yourselves to the Justice of the Peace, pronto! That's what I would do if I were in your situation.

You're only speaking for your own situation, right?

Perhaps - Is this true for everyone? - no, of course not. But I've read many posts on here (and other places online) about those that have moved to the UK from the US to be with their loved one and don't make anything near the money they made for the same work in the US...lower wages and higher taxes...and that is if they can find work. The motivation for moving to the UK in this situation is to be with the one they love - not to be better off financially.

Perhaps - Is this true for everyone? - no, of course not. But I've read many posts on here (and other places online) about those that have moved to the UK from the US to be with their loved one and don't make anything near the money they made for the same work in the US...lower wages and higher taxes...and that is if they can find work. The motivation for moving to the UK in this situation is to be with the one they love - not to be better off financially.

But lower wages and higher taxes don't necessarily equate to poor quality of life.
A lot of us don't feel our lives were better in the US, and for us, moving to the UK wasn't a 'lateral move at best'.
Sorry, this is probably best discussed in another topic (if it hasn't already been discussed to death!), but i really dislike being painted with the 'USA is so much better' brush! 

But lower wages and higher taxes don't necessarily equate to poor quality of life.
A lot of us don't feel our lives were better in the US, and for us, moving to the UK wasn't a 'lateral move at best'.
Sorry, this is probably best discussed in another topic (if it hasn't already been discussed to death!), but i really dislike being painted with the 'USA is so much better' brush! 

Ah, totally understand what you mean. Well, I know my quality of life would be greatly improved by moving to the UK because I would then be with the woman I love and wish to spend my life with. Personally, I prefer the UK for a multitude of reasons and never quite fit in with the American culture. I seem to generally integrate very easily into UK culture - at least in all the areas I've been and stayed.
I apologize if my comments came across as 'USA is so much better' (I can see where they would have). I certainly don't feel that way at all.

What I was trying to say (poorly) that I think for many US citizens that a move to the UK to marry and stay is not based on financial reasons, unless you fit into one of the highly skilled positions they are in need of. They might be better off financially just staying in the US. It appears that with Theresa May's new stringent rules, that it goes beyond simply 'making a living' and being happy, to one of proving that you are not trying to move there to take advantage of their system and public funds. How many Americans would go out of their way to do that? I think the focus ought to be on where the real immigration frauds, misuse and abuse is coming from - and not paint all of us wishing to move there with a broad brush. 

It appears that with Theresa May's new stringent rules, that it goes beyond simply 'making a living' and being happy, to one of proving that you are not trying to move there to take advantage of their system and public funds. How many Americans would go out of their way to do that?

What's so wrong with the government doing exactly what you say - stoping people from taking advantage of the system and claiming public funds (public funds that IMO, non-British citizens shouldn't have a right to, but I know there are many who disagree with that).  A lot of PEOPLE go out of their way to do just that.  You can't give American or anyone else special treatment. A non-EU migrant is a non-EU migrant.

What's so wrong with the government doing exactly what you say - stoping people from taking advantage of the system and claiming public funds (public funds that IMO, non-British citizens shouldn't have a right to, but I know there are many who disagree with that).  A lot of PEOPLE go out of their way to do just that.  You can't give American or anyone else special treatment. A non-EU migrant is a non-EU migrant.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the government preventing immigrants from using public funds, but shouldn't the "no recourse to public funds" bit in the visa already take care of that?

I haven't found any mention in any of the news articles or announcements that immigrant visa holders without indefinite leave to remain currently have no recourse to public funds including JSA, housing benefit, etc and that it's been like this for years. I think the public perception has been that immigrants come here and claim benefits so they can live off the UK taxpayer, but this perception doesn't really align with the reality immigrants face. If immigrants come and illegally claim benefits, that's an entirely different issue - the government should be better equipped to catch people trying to claim benefits they aren't entitled to. How many times have immigrants' UK spouses claimed JSA and been pressured by Job Centre Plus staff to claim extra for their immigrant spouse?