expired Passport

[mr3d2000 0]

I am facing a problem that I hope you might be able to assist me with, or guide me in the right Direction as to how I might be able to reach a solution.

I have for the last 3 years been in the process of bringing my now wife from Russia and getting her a green card to accompany me here in Singapore.

After two years of paperwork I had finally been granted a K-1 visa allowing Tamara (my Wife) to come be with me in the states so that we can be married. We were married on the 20 of May. I left on assignment to Singapore in late July with the hopes that Tamara will be able to join me once her adjustment of Status had been granted (green Card). Once this was granted she would be able to leave the country and join me here in Singapore.

While waiting for all the paperwork to move thru the system Tamara's Russian Passport had expired. We have an Appointment for our final interview with USCIS on the 21st of November, we have been trying to get her passport to be extended in order to make it a VALID passport so that it may be stamped by the US Immigration department granting her conditional citizenship to the US and allowed to leave and return freely. When we have gone to the Russian Embassy in Seattle we have been told that in order for her to get a new passport she needed to have a green card. I can understand this, but we were not looking to get a new passport with her now last name of Bragg but an extension or renewal of her old passport so that she CAN get a Green card.

I am faced with a dilemma. I am in Singapore she is in the Seattle. I asked her to return to the Russian Embassy and try to get them to understand the situation. We can not get a green card till she has a Russian Passport that is valid. I.E. not expired. She was again told that she can not get a passport until she has a green card. Tamara is not sure enough in her actions to argue with the people in Seattle and have them understand that she doesn't want a NEW passport with her new name on it but an Extension of her old passport to make it a VALID passport in order for it to be stamped by the USCIS.

I have attempted to call the Embassy in Seattle and I am not granted access to anyone. Machines that tell me how to make an appointment and such. I do not have a person to contact there so I have no Extension to dial. I am at a point were next to Flying back to Seattle and going to the Russian Embassy hoping I will be able to convince the People there to give her this extension or to Do as I am now and send out a cry for help of any kind.

This is my cry. Is there anything that I can do from here? Is there any assistance you can give me in solving this problem? As I have said Tamara and I have been following the rules of the system and doing everything that is required and for the last Three Years we have been faced with one dilemma after another one incompetent person after another, lost paperwork, documents that we were told we did not provide yet were in fact provided. If I could write down all the hurdles we have had to cross in this it would take pages and pages. Please know that we are looking for nothing but to be together and happy. I ask for your assistance in helping us achieve this.

Thank you for your time

[Kez/JWolf 6]

There are not many offices that are issueing I-551 stamps anymore... so she does not need a valid passport at the time of interview.... she only needs to take her expired passport so the I-94 can be removed if she is approved.... most people get there Greencard with a few weeks... so once she has it she can file for a new passport....

I take it you are aware of the conditions of residency that she will need to comply with....

Responsibilities

You are required to obey all of the laws of the United States, the States, and localities. You are required to file your income tax returns and report you income to the US Internal Revenue Service and State IRS. You are expected to support the democratic form of government and cannot attempt to change the government through illegal means. If you are a male, age 18 through 25, you are required to register with the Selective Service.

International Travel

A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration.

You can find more information about travel documents from "How Do I Get a Travel Document?"

Maintaining Permanent Residence

Maintaining Permanent Residence You may lose your permanent residence status if you commit an act that makes you removable from the United States under the law in section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you commit such an act, you may be brought before the immigration courts to determine your right to remain a Permanent Resident.

You may be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status if you:

* Move to another country intending to live there permanently.

* Remain outside of the US for more than one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

* Remain outside of the US for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa. However in determining whether your status has been abandoned any length of absence from the US may be considered, even if it is less than one year.

* Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the US for any period.

* Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns.

You can read the ful text here

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm

Good Luck

Kezzie