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> How to find a good immigration laywer?
justashooter
post Nov 3 2009, 10:28 AM
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i agree that your 4 years in afghanistan will result in some serious scrutiny on the part of USCIS. this is especially true in principle if the USC is an immigrant who has gained naturalisation by immigration from a muslim country, and if the intended bride is muslim. if so, i see a long period of administrative review.

i also see the issue of a home address in USA and sufficient income to sponsor as possible problems. the fact that your GF has been warned not to re-enter, even with a tourist vasa (as opposed to waiver) could mean that she appears to have immigrant intent - too much time in the states, looks like you will be married and adjust status, etc, or it could be a more serious issue, possibly related to her middle east connections (yes, iknow AFGST is not quite middle east, but most think of it as so)...

you can follow the guides:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...amp;page=guides

but you should prolly spend a few hundred bux in consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer first. could be you're just really nice folks, but with all the azzholes trying to get into USA and muslim terrorists flying planes into buildings and such, ANYTHING gets looked at these days.


--------------------
____________________________________________________________________________

My wife loves to get in on the action - "Yes. I come here for be married zis fat, nasty, greasy, stupid, primitive man whis no money who make me work for pay his f'king bills and live in $#!tty little apartment whis no heat and only cook and clean and take care about his fat @$$ and do nothing fun and have such a boring life and do nothing."

Slim
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rsn
post Nov 3 2009, 10:50 AM
Post #17


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QUOTE (pushbrk @ Nov 2 2009, 11:53 PM) *
QUOTE (Hopp @ Nov 2 2009, 06:13 PM) *
Do yourself a favor: don't get a lawyer. Just tune into VJ, and get help every step of the way. YOu will save thousand$ and get things done quicker than if a lawyer becomes your middle man. Good luck.


Here's an example of how things can go horribly wrong when people think it's easy to do it yourself or think they can get by asking questions when they have no clue what to ask.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=226644


I read that thread and had to bite my tongue when I saw some of the ridiculous claims in there regarding the guides on this site. Unfortunately, if the OP of that thread made it past #1 in the AOS guide, they would probably have an AP in-hand within the next week or so.


--------------------
Ray & Kat

Summary of our journey:
K1:
01/15/2009 (mailed I-129F) - 06/23/2009 (visa received)
AOS: 08/08/2009 (mailed I-485, I-765, & I-131) - 10/29/2009 (received GC)


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Krikit
post Nov 3 2009, 10:58 AM
Post #18


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Another option open to you -- since you are currently in the US -- is to stay and adjust status. You will find that forum here: Adjustment of Status From Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

Moving from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion.


--------------------


Canadians: Please read the pinned topic: Canada Immigration Guide
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houseon24
post Nov 3 2009, 11:49 AM
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QUOTE (Krikit @ Nov 3 2009, 08:58 AM) *
Another option open to you -- since you are currently in the US -- is to stay and adjust status. You will find that forum here: Adjustment of Status From Work, Student, & Tourist Visas

Moving from K-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion.



I think we might hve to do a gamble and do a quickie - and then AOS....

and
Just to clarify! We are both totally 'normal', 'nice' people - as are most people from Muslim countries smile.gif!
We both lived and worked in Afghanistan in the relief and support sector for Western (American) Companies. There is nothing fishy at all about it.
Regarding having sufficient income -that is not going to be a problem and everything in our relationship is totally legal and natural - except for the fact the we have probably waited a bit too long to get married.. But you know... some things you gotta be sure of before you make the final decision..

I was wondering if maybe it will help me that I actually have a Nato clearance and a security clearance from the Danish version of FBI? That means that they have gone through all my records (both financial and criminal) and found that I am one of the good guys (ehh... girls)...

I must say that I honestly don't understand how people go through this! I find it extremely depressing and what should be a beautiful celebration of love is now turning into legal mumbo jumbo... Blah! Not fun!

I am already addicted to this forum what a great resource!

Thanks
';l
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Magnolia31
post Nov 3 2009, 12:31 PM
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QUOTE (houseon24 @ Nov 3 2009, 12:01 AM) *
Hello Everybody

We are brand new to this forum and we are (as a lot of other people here) feeling very frustrated with what to do.
We have been together for almost 5 years - but have both been living and working in another country (not his or hers country) together.

We are now looking into hiring an immigration lawyer to help us with this process but how do we find a good one?

When we google "immigration lawyer + the city the US Citizen live in" - we get a lot of hits - but when we look at each attorney's website - they don't appear to be specialized in immigration law or even write on their websites that they deal with it.

THe European fiancee in this couple is currently here on a tourist visa (visa-waiver) and we were planning to file for a K1 visa once she returns to Europe. Now we realized how long that can take - and are wondering if there might be other options for us.... (maybe a quickie and then go for the K3?) An immigration lawyer should hopefully be able to help us figure out the best way in this situation.

The fiancee can not return to the US again without it being a K-visa as she was barely allowed to enter the country on this last return t the US.

Any advice on this will be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance
Houseon24!


If you are looking for help with a K1 Visa, I highly recommend Jim Phair. We used him to get our fiancee visa and I was very thankful for all of his help. Some people prepare their packages themselves, but the process was a little confusing to me, and since I am a worry wart, I didn't want to take any chances on getting it done wrong. He prepares all of the paperwork for you and will submit directly to USCIS - you just have to sign the papers.

Here is Mr Phair's website:

http://www.fianceevisas.net/


--------------------


Timeline:
*Met in Tanzfleck, Germany October 24, 2003 - Continued dating until he got out of the ARMY in Nov. 2005. Continued LD relationship.
*Came to visit me in Germany for New Years 2006
*Filed for K1 Visa on 4/4/06
*NOA1 - 7/6/06
*I-129F NOA2 Approved - 9/14/06
*Came to see me Thanksgiving week in Nov. 2006
*K1 Interview - 2/2/07
*K1 Visa received - 2/11/07
*Date of US Entry (POE Chicago)- 3/5/07
*Wedding/Marriage - 3/17/07

AOS (My case was expedited due to husband going to Iraq):
*Filed for AOS - 4/20/07
*Found out in the beginning of June that husband is going to Iraq
*NOA for I-485 - 6/11/07
*Made Infopass appointment to get case expedited due to deployment (Infopass appt 6/12/07)
*Biometrics - 7/7/07
*Interview date - 7/11/07
*I-485 Aprroval date- 7/11/07
*Green Card Received- 7/19/07

Removal of Conditions:
*Filed petition to remove conditions on 6/9/09
*NOA- 6/15/09
*Biometrics Appt. in Birmingham - 8/6/09
*Lifting of Conditions Approval Date - 10/22/09
*Waiting for Green Card!

Had our daughter on 4/4/08 and have another baby due 11/19/09!!!
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justashooter
post Nov 3 2009, 05:48 PM
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QUOTE (houseon24 @ Nov 3 2009, 12:49 PM) *
I think we might hve to do a gamble and do a quickie - and then AOS....

Just to clarify! We are both totally 'normal', 'nice' people - as are most people from Muslim countries smile.gif!

We both lived and worked in Afghanistan in the relief and support sector for Western (American) Companies. There is nothing fishy at all about it.

I was wondering if maybe it will help me that I actually have a Nato clearance and a security clearance from the Danish version of FBI? That means that they have gone through all my records (both financial and criminal) and found that I am one of the good guys (ehh... girls)...


risky decision, but yours to make

most muslims are OK with me. i have several chinese muslim friends. there are so many different kinds of muslims it's hard to keep track, but wahibists have strong influence in the 'stan, so you will be scrutinised. finding a lawyer with relevant experience will be difficult, as your case is somewhat unique.

your nato clearance is worth nothing in this case. the USCIS has it's own rules, and will prolly hold you in "name check" for a long time if you were born in a muslim country or are of muslim parentage. you may also get administrative review. if you had been a caucasian dane, i think things would be easier. some say this is not fair, but it costs a lot of cash to put up 5 new buildings in new york, and to buy off the families of the dead.


--------------------
____________________________________________________________________________

My wife loves to get in on the action - "Yes. I come here for be married zis fat, nasty, greasy, stupid, primitive man whis no money who make me work for pay his f'king bills and live in $#!tty little apartment whis no heat and only cook and clean and take care about his fat @$$ and do nothing fun and have such a boring life and do nothing."

Slim
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houseon24
post Nov 3 2009, 08:21 PM
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QUOTE (justashooter @ Nov 3 2009, 03:48 PM) *
QUOTE (houseon24 @ Nov 3 2009, 12:49 PM) *
I think we might hve to do a gamble and do a quickie - and then AOS....

Just to clarify! We are both totally 'normal', 'nice' people - as are most people from Muslim countries smile.gif!

We both lived and worked in Afghanistan in the relief and support sector for Western (American) Companies. There is nothing fishy at all about it.

I was wondering if maybe it will help me that I actually have a Nato clearance and a security clearance from the Danish version of FBI? That means that they have gone through all my records (both financial and criminal) and found that I am one of the good guys (ehh... girls)...


risky decision, but yours to make

most muslims are OK with me. i have several chinese muslim friends. there are so many different kinds of muslims it's hard to keep track, but wahibists have strong influence in the 'stan, so you will be scrutinised. finding a lawyer with relevant experience will be difficult, as your case is somewhat unique.

your nato clearance is worth nothing in this case. the USCIS has it's own rules, and will prolly hold you in "name check" for a long time if you were born in a muslim country or are of muslim parentage. you may also get administrative review. if you had been a caucasian dane, i think things would be easier. some say this is not fair, but it costs a lot of cash to put up 5 new buildings in new york, and to buy off the families of the dead.



hmmm... dont really want to get into a discussion over this but am a bit offended by your 9/11 comments. I am a totally Caucasian Dane - I only worked in Afghanistan... I think that was pretty clear from my first posts... but anyways - we will figure it out - thanks for your help.

Have a good day smile.gif
Houseon24
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Just Bob
post Nov 3 2009, 09:40 PM
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Firstly, the finance doesn't have a tourist visa. A tourist visa is a B2 and a visa waiver is not a visa.
Secondly, you do not have a clear cut, butter-smooth case.
Thirdly, there are cases where an experienced immigration attorney does come handy. I used one, and if I had to go back in time, would use the same one again.

Which attorney to use depends on where you live. I would almost always retain one I can visit in person, check out during an initial (and free of charge) consultation. Where do you live?

This post has been edited by Just Bob: Nov 3 2009, 09:41 PM


--------------------
My 18-Year Journey
    1992 Moved to California with a B1/B2 on Jan. 2
    1993 EOS (I-539) approved
    1994 Out of status starting April 12
    2003 Met wife in San Buenaventura
    2004 Moved in together
    2004 Won Green Card Lottery -- not eligible
    2005 Got engaged in San Francisco on November 26
    2006 Got married in Santa Barbara on August 25
    2007 Got 2-year Green Card as conditional LPR after AOS (I-130, I-485, I-765) approval on September 14
    2009 Got 10-year Green Card after ROC (I-765) approval on October 14
    2010 Eligible to apply for naturalization (N-400) and US citizenship starting June 14
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rebeccajo
post Nov 3 2009, 09:57 PM
Post #24


I have a short timeline. Let's not make it an issue.
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And remember, an attorney has malpractice insurance. You can sue him if your case goes south.

Visa consultants don't.


--------------------
45 million uninsured Americans is more than...

• 12 million more than the population of Canada (32.2 million)
• Nearly 5 million more than the population of Spain (40.2 million)
• 20 million more than the population of Iraq (24.7 million)
• Nearly five times more than the number of Americans living with cancer (9.2 million in 2001)
• 2.5 times higher than the number of Americans with diabetes (18.2 million in 2002)
• 7 million more people than those living with HIV throughout the world (38 million)

There are...

• Nearly 150 uninsured Americans for each physician in America
• Nearly 7,500 uninsured Americans for each hospital in America
• Over 84,000 uninsured Americans for each Member of Congress

45 million uninsured Americans is about the same number of Americans living in...

• West coast states (45.2 million in California, Oregon and Washington)
• Middle America (44.7 million in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming)
• Northeastern states (42.0 million in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont)

http://billionairesforwealthcare.com/Billi...Wealthcare.html
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rebeccajo
post Nov 3 2009, 10:06 PM
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I have a short timeline. Let's not make it an issue.
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QUOTE (pushbrk @ Nov 2 2009, 09:23 PM) *
Having both worked in Afghanistan for an extended period seriously complicates your case. Count in it. You have more than a paperwork filling issue.


I fail to see this as a serious complication.

Seriously.


--------------------
45 million uninsured Americans is more than...

• 12 million more than the population of Canada (32.2 million)
• Nearly 5 million more than the population of Spain (40.2 million)
• 20 million more than the population of Iraq (24.7 million)
• Nearly five times more than the number of Americans living with cancer (9.2 million in 2001)
• 2.5 times higher than the number of Americans with diabetes (18.2 million in 2002)
• 7 million more people than those living with HIV throughout the world (38 million)

There are...

• Nearly 150 uninsured Americans for each physician in America
• Nearly 7,500 uninsured Americans for each hospital in America
• Over 84,000 uninsured Americans for each Member of Congress

45 million uninsured Americans is about the same number of Americans living in...

• West coast states (45.2 million in California, Oregon and Washington)
• Middle America (44.7 million in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming)
• Northeastern states (42.0 million in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont)

http://billionairesforwealthcare.com/Billi...Wealthcare.html
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justashooter
post Nov 3 2009, 10:06 PM
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QUOTE (houseon24 @ Nov 3 2009, 09:21 PM) *
hmmm... dont really want to get into a discussion over this but am a bit offended by your 9/11 comments. I am a totally Caucasian Dane - I only worked in Afghanistan... I think that was pretty clear from my first posts... but anyways - we will figure it out - thanks for your help.


you can be offended all you like. it's my skyline and my tax dollars we're talking about.
the kill ratio has been about 100 to 1 since that day, so things are just about even. call it American justice.
hell, i still remember pearl.

it was not clear from your initial posts that you are a danish born caucasian. i understood that you were working for an American company that is attempting to change education and sentiment in the stan (my tax dollars since the 80's), and that we are losing to the wahibists hand and foot. i am aware that denmark has a strict immigration policy, especially in regard to muslims, but it seemed as though you were one, however unlikely that would seem.

in that case, you can reduce your concern for name check and administrative processing. good luck in your efforts to immigrate to USA, but don't complain when you get here that it's not like denmark. on the bright side, harleys are much cheaper in the USA. IIRC, my danish friend peter paid $40K euros to buy one in denmark in 2005. last i heard they threw him out of china for running the local girls, and FLS dropped him in egypt. he prolly has a thousand kilometers on that bike.


--------------------
____________________________________________________________________________

My wife loves to get in on the action - "Yes. I come here for be married zis fat, nasty, greasy, stupid, primitive man whis no money who make me work for pay his f'king bills and live in $#!tty little apartment whis no heat and only cook and clean and take care about his fat @$$ and do nothing fun and have such a boring life and do nothing."

Slim
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rebeccajo
post Nov 3 2009, 10:10 PM
Post #27


I have a short timeline. Let's not make it an issue.
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justashooter -

you really are just an ignorant piece of work.


--------------------
45 million uninsured Americans is more than...

• 12 million more than the population of Canada (32.2 million)
• Nearly 5 million more than the population of Spain (40.2 million)
• 20 million more than the population of Iraq (24.7 million)
• Nearly five times more than the number of Americans living with cancer (9.2 million in 2001)
• 2.5 times higher than the number of Americans with diabetes (18.2 million in 2002)
• 7 million more people than those living with HIV throughout the world (38 million)

There are...

• Nearly 150 uninsured Americans for each physician in America
• Nearly 7,500 uninsured Americans for each hospital in America
• Over 84,000 uninsured Americans for each Member of Congress

45 million uninsured Americans is about the same number of Americans living in...

• West coast states (45.2 million in California, Oregon and Washington)
• Middle America (44.7 million in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wyoming)
• Northeastern states (42.0 million in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont)

http://billionairesforwealthcare.com/Billi...Wealthcare.html
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justashooter
post Nov 4 2009, 07:22 AM
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QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Nov 3 2009, 11:10 PM) *
justashooter -

you really are just an ignorant piece of work.


boot camp should be worse than battle...


--------------------
____________________________________________________________________________

My wife loves to get in on the action - "Yes. I come here for be married zis fat, nasty, greasy, stupid, primitive man whis no money who make me work for pay his f'king bills and live in $#!tty little apartment whis no heat and only cook and clean and take care about his fat @$$ and do nothing fun and have such a boring life and do nothing."

Slim
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