BINATIONAL SAME SEX COUPLES !! Show up!

[Davesings 30]

We were happy to have finally heard something from USCIS today. Not a text or email as I expected but a telephone call from the TSC officer reviewing our petition. She asked for a Letter of Intent from my fiance stating he plans to marry me within 90 days. She said she was doing me a favor by not calling our attorney first which might cost us more money, which I thought was very nice. In short order my fiance faxed the letter from London to Texas, so we are hoping that means NOA2 will be soon. However, for anyone who has not sent in the I129-F make sure both petitioner and beneficiary provide a signed letter of intent. My fiance had already provided a statement about wanting to be married, but a) it was not signed and b) it did not specifically state the 90 day intent. We were a bit disappointed that our attorney had not known this was required...Anyway, we are happy that things are moving forward!

[zuluweta 250]

We were happy to have finally heard something from USCIS today. Not a text or email as I expected but a telephone call from the TSC officer reviewing our petition. She asked for a Letter of Intent from my fiance stating he plans to marry me within 90 days. She said she was doing me a favor by not calling our attorney first which might cost us more money, which I thought was very nice. In short order my fiance faxed the letter from London to Texas, so we are hoping that means NOA2 will be soon. However, for anyone who has not sent in the I129-F make sure both petitioner and beneficiary provide a signed letter of intent. My fiance had already provided a statement about wanting to be married, but a) it was not signed and b) it did not specifically state the 90 day intent. We were a bit disappointed that our attorney had not known this was required...Anyway, we are happy that things are moving forward!

@Davesings

Sounds like an RFE over the phone. Interesting. Now you know your application is being looked at. Just a little more waiting until that coveted NOA2.

[kmiami15 8]

@kmiami15

Thanks. Are you currently living apart from your fiancé? I know how difficult that is. Oh yes, you bet. But at least you've begun the process of being reunited so you can look forward to that.

When my partner and I had to first live apart from each other, DOMA was reigning supreme, there was even talk by the homophobic right-wing politicians and their media boys and girls carrying water for those devils about introducing a federal anti-gay marriage amendment to the US Constitution, and no legal same-sex marriages had been performed in any state of the nation. That's how bleak the situation was for us then. It really seemed hopeless.

@TicoLover

Thanks. Sorry but I'm not familiar with Procomm. I was a student living from paycheck to paycheck on my on-campus jobs. I could only afford the free Internet through my student and research accounts at the university.

Yes, I am in Miami and he´s in Mexico..... you are right, things have not been easy, but I think that´s what gives us more hope and helps us move forward.... and I complain about the situation now and wow! you really were in the peak of everything... congrats on keeping it up...

[jordan85 8]

Hi all!!

Australian half of a binational same-sex couple here.

Anyways, I'd been meaning to post for a while, but have been in celebratory mode these past two weeks after my AOS was approved!!

Thought I'd do a little write up on our experience...

We arrived in downtown WAY too early (just to be safe!), so we had lunch across the road in the Los Angeles Mall (what a dump!). The we made our way over to USCIS and through security and met our lawyer in the lobby and then we went up to the eighth floor. The eighth floor waiting area looked basically abandoned, must have been a quiet day. We dropped off our interview notice at the window, and soon later, we were called over by the interviewing officer to check our IDs. She asked for Drivers Licenses and our lawyer’s bar card.

As soon as we went to sit back down and wait, the IO called us to her room. The three of us went in and the officer swore in my husband and I. The IO then asked our lawyer for bona fides, as none were submitted with the application (take note people- it seems perfectly ok to submit your application with only the marriage certificate, then present proof at the interview). Our lawyer then handed the IO a big stack of our supporting documents- rental agreement, bank statement, health insurance, auto insurance, credit card, cell bill, photos, travel itineraries and letters. Our lawyer was amazing, she told the IO how comprehensive our documents were, etc. and established a very good rapport with the IO. Our lawyer basically sold our case to the IO and said “my gay couples are so organized and have so much proof because they’ve had to wait so long”. It was then the IO said how happy she was that they were now approving same-sex petitions. Our lawyer had hole-punched all our documents at the top, apparently this is how the IOs like it, makes assembling our file easier. No fancy folders, no binders, no plastic sleeves, just a big stack of papers hole-punched at the top. The IO then, very casually, asked us how and when we met, and how long we’d been dating before getting married (we’d been “dating” since the minute we met!), while she organized our papers.

The IO then went over our forms (I-485, I-130, G-325A), asking us to verify each answer. She verified our birthdays and noticed our large age difference (my husband is 17 years older than me).. It wasn’t an issue at all, she just said to my husband “lucky you” (we could tell our IO was very liberal). She noticed my date of most recent entry and the date on my I-94 were different… My last entrance was via land crossing from Canada, as my husband and I visit family in Canada each Christmas… There’s nowhere to surrender your I-94 when you cross into Canada by car, and CBP don’t stamp your passport when you drive back home if your I-94 is still unexpired. Our lawyer explained this and it wasn’t a problem (I was a little nervous about this before the interview, re “proof of legal entry”). The IO noticed my answers on the I-485 regarding organization/association memberships. I was politically active in my college years (member of a very mainstream political party) and have been in various employee unions. She asked about the nature of those associations, and I explained each of them. Then she asked me the silly yes/no questions from the I-485. She asked my partner how he was naturalized (employment). She also noted how I’d previously applied for permanent residency, as I won the 2014 green card lottery, though my visa number was not yet current. The IO said “well, congratulations anyway”.

She then skimmed through our supporting documents, then said the magic words “I am approving your application”, and then I started tearing up! So embarrassing... All that time having to get by on a student visa with no employment rights, putting my career on hold, no pathway to permanence, and the huge financial difficulties and emotional stress imposed on us by DOMA… it was over. In that moment, our lives had changed.

She then printed a letter from her computer of my approved new status and explained the process for removing conditions. She then took my I-94. She let me keep my EAD because I hadn’t yet had the chance to get a social security number (due to government shutdown). Our very chatty lawyer then had the IO look up the status of another case she was working on. The IO asked if we could wait while she helps out my lawyer, and my husband and I were like “take all day if you need!” since we’d already gotten the good news. Once all that was done, the IO congratulated us again, shook our hands, and escorted us back to the waiting room. Our lawyer then gave us a big hug, and that was it!!! We were out of the building by 3pm, and by the time I turned my phone back on in the parking lot, we’d received the text message/email “card production ordered”.

Was a very positive experience, the IO was courteous and friendly and not intimidating. After it was all done, I felt like saying to our lawyer and IO “So when will we see each other again? Aren’t we all friends now?” lol

Although our case was fairly straightforward, there is NO WAY I would have stepped inside that interview room without a lawyer, it’s just too risky, I think, especially for us same-sex couples. You never know what type of IO you’ll get! Kudos to our lawyer, she was amazing!! We would have been completely lost without her help, and she was so good at putting us at ease during the interview. She was worth every cent, and I will probably hire her again to help us with removing conditions. If anyone needs to hire a lawyer in the Los Angeles area, I'd be happy to pass on her details.

If there’s one piece of advice I could dispense from this experience, it would be this… Don’t stress!! I know, easier said than done… But the whole interview was such a positive experience, my husband and I had gotten completely worked up for nothing!

[Nadiab 3]

congratulations to you!! i have my interview at the end of nov.. lets hope here they treat us like that too..

[TicoLover 17]

I have had my fair share of horror stories at the border and a lot of those happened at land crossings, which I observes that the agents tend to be a lot more narrow minded there. I found it very insulting that before DOMA was repealed, it was bad either we claimed the same sex relationship or not. If not, they look through all your stuff while they belittle you and try to make a liar out of you. If so, they deny you as having immigrant intent. I have had more than one agents who accused me of wanting to "adjust my status" once I get into the US when I just asked him a simple "how" (before June 2013)?

It's unfortunate that the CBP tends to attract the worst type of personalities, those commando who think the whole world is out to do harm to the US. Worse, unlike your Police Department, many Constitutional rights are suspended during your inspection at the border, including your rights to counsel and your right to refuse search and illegal seizure. The agents know that much and take full advantage. They also know you have the right to have the case looked at by a supervisor and there is a phone that you could lodge a complaint, but after hours of interrogation, who in the right mind would fight that? Do you know there is a jail cell at most if not all POEs?

I would correct Juan Bravo on one count, even if your partner was denied entry, that has nothing to do with K1 because while it is categorized as an non-immigrant visa, it is dual intent, like the the H1-B. So even if your partner was denied entry based on having immigrant intent and he goes on to obtain a K1 visa. When he activate that at the border, he could display all the immigrant intents he wants and he can't be denied again based on that.

Maybe they were just closet cases and wanted an excuse to look at the pics (I'm thinking nude) of you guys on the cell phone. Many of the most fanatic men on the planet have been closet cases. The more homophobic they are the more likely they are closeted, repressed, latent homosexuals themselves. Study after study has shown that to be true with different experimental models

[TicoLover 17]

Hi all!!

Australian half of a binational same-sex couple here.

Anyways, I'd been meaning to post for a while, but have been in celebratory mode these past two weeks after my AOS was approved!!

Thought I'd do a little write up on our experience...

We arrived in downtown WAY too early (just to be safe!), so we had lunch across the road in the Los Angeles Mall (what a dump!). The we made our way over to USCIS and through security and met our lawyer in the lobby and then we went up to the eighth floor. The eighth floor waiting area looked basically abandoned, must have been a quiet day. We dropped off our interview notice at the window, and soon later, we were called over by the interviewing officer to check our IDs. She asked for Drivers Licenses and our lawyer’s bar card.

As soon as we went to sit back down and wait, the IO called us to her room. The three of us went in and the officer swore in my husband and I. The IO then asked our lawyer for bona fides, as none were submitted with the application (take note people- it seems perfectly ok to submit your application with only the marriage certificate, then present proof at the interview). Our lawyer then handed the IO a big stack of our supporting documents- rental agreement, bank statement, health insurance, auto insurance, credit card, cell bill, photos, travel itineraries and letters. Our lawyer was amazing, she told the IO how comprehensive our documents were, etc. and established a very good rapport with the IO. Our lawyer basically sold our case to the IO and said “my gay couples are so organized and have so much proof because they’ve had to wait so long”. It was then the IO said how happy she was that they were now approving same-sex petitions. Our lawyer had hole-punched all our documents at the top, apparently this is how the IOs like it, makes assembling our file easier. No fancy folders, no binders, no plastic sleeves, just a big stack of papers hole-punched at the top. The IO then, very casually, asked us how and when we met, and how long we’d been dating before getting married (we’d been “dating” since the minute we met!), while she organized our papers.

The IO then went over our forms (I-485, I-130, G-325A), asking us to verify each answer. She verified our birthdays and noticed our large age difference (my husband is 17 years older than me).. It wasn’t an issue at all, she just said to my husband “lucky you” (we could tell our IO was very liberal). She noticed my date of most recent entry and the date on my I-94 were different… My last entrance was via land crossing from Canada, as my husband and I visit family in Canada each Christmas… There’s nowhere to surrender your I-94 when you cross into Canada by car, and CBP don’t stamp your passport when you drive back home if your I-94 is still unexpired. Our lawyer explained this and it wasn’t a problem (I was a little nervous about this before the interview, re “proof of legal entry”). The IO noticed my answers on the I-485 regarding organization/association memberships. I was politically active in my college years (member of a very mainstream political party) and have been in various employee unions. She asked about the nature of those associations, and I explained each of them. Then she asked me the silly yes/no questions from the I-485. She asked my partner how he was naturalized (employment). She also noted how I’d previously applied for permanent residency, as I won the 2014 green card lottery, though my visa number was not yet current. The IO said “well, congratulations anyway”.

She then skimmed through our supporting documents, then said the magic words “I am approving your application”, and then I started tearing up! So embarrassing... All that time having to get by on a student visa with no employment rights, putting my career on hold, no pathway to permanence, and the huge financial difficulties and emotional stress imposed on us by DOMA… it was over. In that moment, our lives had changed.

She then printed a letter from her computer of my approved new status and explained the process for removing conditions. She then took my I-94. She let me keep my EAD because I hadn’t yet had the chance to get a social security number (due to government shutdown). Our very chatty lawyer then had the IO look up the status of another case she was working on. The IO asked if we could wait while she helps out my lawyer, and my husband and I were like “take all day if you need!” since we’d already gotten the good news. Once all that was done, the IO congratulated us again, shook our hands, and escorted us back to the waiting room. Our lawyer then gave us a big hug, and that was it!!! We were out of the building by 3pm, and by the time I turned my phone back on in the parking lot, we’d received the text message/email “card production ordered”.

Was a very positive experience, the IO was courteous and friendly and not intimidating. After it was all done, I felt like saying to our lawyer and IO “So when will we see each other again? Aren’t we all friends now?” lol

Although our case was fairly straightforward, there is NO WAY I would have stepped inside that interview room without a lawyer, it’s just too risky, I think, especially for us same-sex couples. You never know what type of IO you’ll get! Kudos to our lawyer, she was amazing!! We would have been completely lost without her help, and she was so good at putting us at ease during the interview. She was worth every cent, and I will probably hire her again to help us with removing conditions. If anyone needs to hire a lawyer in the Los Angeles area, I'd be happy to pass on her details.

If there’s one piece of advice I could dispense from this experience, it would be this… Don’t stress!! I know, easier said than done… But the whole interview was such a positive experience, my husband and I had gotten completely worked up for nothing!

Congratulations! Yes, I agree, way too important not to have a lawyer in that room with you during the interview. You never know where a disgruntled homophobe might be lurking.

[zuluweta 250]

Yes, I am in Miami and he´s in Mexico..... you are right, things have not been easy, but I think that´s what gives us more hope and helps us move forward.... and I complain about the situation now and wow! you really were in the peak of everything... congrats on keeping it up...

Like Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

The difficulty we experience now will hopefully make us all stronger in the end. Things are looking up. Hope is a very powerful device!

[Davesings 30]

GREAT NEWS! WE GOT OUR NOA2! I received the text and email at 9pm eastern time so not 9:30 but earlier is better! I checked the USCIS website and my hands were shaking as I read the most wonderful words: On October 30, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Called my fiance as I was clicking and we were so happy! Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and for those still waiting this is hope and it will happen. It took 90 days but it was done! It was interesting we had an RFE by phone yesterday for the Letter of Intent, we faxed her the letter and bingo NOA2 the next day. On to the NVC!

Edited October 31, 2013 by Davesings

[kmiami15 8]

Maybe they were just closet cases and wanted an excuse to look at the pics (I'm thinking nude) of you guys on the cell phone. Many of the most fanatic men on the planet have been closet cases. The more homophobic they are the more likely they are closeted, repressed, latent homosexuals themselves. Study after study has shown that to be true with different experimental models

I read somewhere that "being homophobic is not a phobia, they are not afraid of anything, they are just as....." haha .....

GREAT NEWS! WE GOT OUR NOA2! I received the text and email at 9pm eastern time so not 9:30 but earlier is better! I checked the USCIS website and my hands were shaking as I read the most wonderful words: On October 30, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Called my fiance as I was clicking and we were so happy! Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and for those still waiting this is hope and it will happen. It took 90 days but it was done! It was interesting we had an RFE by phone yesterday for the Letter of Intent, we faxed her the letter and bingo NOA2 the next day. On to the NVC!

yay!!!! congrats... and that was nice of the officer to call you...... the only time I remember speaking to one was when I was in my AOS process years ago and I go thru somehow to talk about a mistake on my GC back then... now it is impossible to do that I think.... congrats!!!! yay... I hope mine comes soon... it is about that time haha...

[Davesings 30]

yay!!!! congrats... and that was nice of the officer to call you...... the only time I remember speaking to one was when I was in my AOS process years ago and I go thru somehow to talk about a mistake on my GC back then... now it is impossible to do that I think.... congrats!!!! yay... I hope mine comes soon... it is about that time haha...

Thanks KMiami- We felt like it was taking forever even though it was within the processing time frame...so hard when you see other people starting later and getting approvals earlier than you.

I love that MLK quote posted earlier. We are seeing the arc of moral universe bending toward justice!

[zuluweta 250]

Thanks KMiami- We felt like it was taking forever even though it was within the processing time frame...so hard when you see other people starting later and getting approvals earlier than you.

I love that MLK quote posted earlier. We are seeing the arc of moral universe bending toward justice!

So happy for you, Davesings. I'm having brunch at a restaurant so why are they chopping onions next to me instead of the dang kitchen? LOL

[FulanoDeTal 19]

GREAT NEWS! WE GOT OUR NOA2! I received the text and email at 9pm eastern time so not 9:30 but earlier is better! I checked the USCIS website and my hands were shaking as I read the most wonderful words: On October 30, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Called my fiance as I was clicking and we were so happy! Thanks to everyone for their encouragement and for those still waiting this is hope and it will happen. It took 90 days but it was done! It was interesting we had an RFE by phone yesterday for the Letter of Intent, we faxed her the letter and bingo NOA2 the next day. On to the NVC!

Congratulations guys! You have waited patiently and with good spirits, and now you're on the way. It seems like this whole process is really a roll of the dice in terms of timing. Best wishes for a quick passage through the NVC and then off to the embassy!

Peter and Bonieke

[Nikkosan 127]

GREAT NEWS! WE GOT OUR NOA2! I received the text and email at 9pm eastern time so not 9:30 but earlier is better! I checked the USCIS website and my hands were shaking as I read the most wonderful words: On October 30, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).

Yay!!! That's great! Told you!!! So happy for you both!

I hope mine comes soon... it is about that time haha...

I can't wait to read you got yours, kmiami15!!!

[Sarah---Nichelle 1]

GREAT NEWS! WE GOT OUR NOA2!

She then skimmed through our supporting documents, then said the magic words “I am approving your application”, and then I started tearing up! So embarrassing... All that time having to get by on a student visa with no employment rights, putting my career on hold, no pathway to permanence, and the huge financial difficulties and emotional stress imposed on us by DOMA… it was over. In that moment, our lives had changed.

Congrats to you both!!! So happy to see such good news & I hope the rest of you have great news soon as well!

I am also happy to report that we got our interview date today!!! Dec. 5, 2013 in Amsterdam for our K1 Visa