Daughter petitioning mother who has had a green card in the past

[mommaK 4]

Hi, any advice would be greatly appreciated if anyone has experience of a similar situation. Not sure I am posting in the correct section.

My daughter, US citizen, has petitioned for me to come and live with her in the USA. We are at the review of checklist stage but after completing the DS260 we have been told that I need to provide a police certificate from the Philippines. I will try to keep a long story short.

My ex-husband was stationed in the Philippines back in 1986-90(USAF) where I went to join him and we got married out there. I was a UK citizen. We got stationed in the USA after this and I was processed for my green card through the Air Force and the embassy in Manila. The AF took care of everything and requested all information needed. We moved to the US in 1990 but I ended up moving back to the UK in 1995 and got divorced. As I did not go back to the states for many years after this the green card would no longer be valid (I had no idea really about how long you could be out of the states before losing it anyway).

My daughter moved back to the USA a few years ago and is now married and has my first grandchild. Hence me wanting to move back and be with her, my son in law, and granddaughter.

Fast forward to 2015 - When I completed the DS260 and had to list all the addresses I have lived at since the age of 16, I am now 50!, I didn't for one minute think I would need anything from the Philippines as this would have been taken care of for the issuance of my first green card. How wrong was I! This is where I need advice. My daughter has spoken to a supervisor who is insistent that this is needed regardless. Does anyone know anything different? Does anyone have any idea where I could get a copy (fat chance of that from 1989 I'm sure, as they said they would accept this), or apply for a new one that wouldn't take forever and a day as we are already one year into this visa drama. I am going to try and contact the Philippine embassy in London tomorrow but thought I would try on here as you never know.

Thanking you in advance for any helpful information that might be out there.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

You probably need a police certificate for the Philippines. Just apply for one. There is no way that you are going to get any records from 1989.

Best of luck

[LBeachey 45]

You might want to go to the Philippines subboard for guidance as to how to obtain a police certificate. What you need is a police clearance which basically will say there is no record of a criminal history (presumably).

One other thought, did you live on the AIr Force base in the Phillipines? You might be able to get some form of clearance from the US Air Force for your time there. My understanding is Military overseas and their dependents are more subject to the UCMJ than local laws so a clearance from the Air Force might be enough. Someone with military experience might have better information.

[mommaK 4]

You might want to go to the Philippines subboard for guidance as to how to obtain a police certificate. What you need is a police clearance which basically will say there is no record of a criminal history (presumably).

One other thought, did you live on the AIr Force base in the Phillipines? You might be able to get some form of clearance from the US Air Force for your time there. My understanding is Military overseas and their dependents are more subject to the UCMJ than local laws so a clearance from the Air Force might be enough. Someone with military experience might have better information.

Yes I have had a look there and also on the us visa website. Seems pretty complicated to get from here but I may be able to do something via the embassy in London but it will still have to be posted to Manila and I'm not sure what the postal system is like and how long it may take.

We lived off base to start with and on base for the last 2.5yrs. Only problem is the base is no longer there. I really did not think this would be an issue as having been issued a green card before I thought that would have taken care of the years pre life in the USA. Thank you for your suggestions they are greatly appreciated.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes I have had a look there and also on the us visa website. Seems pretty complicated to get from here but I may be able to do something via the embassy in London but it will still have to be posted to Manila and I'm not sure what the postal system is like and how long it may take.

We lived off base to start with and on base for the last 2.5yrs. Only problem is the base is no longer there. I really did not think this would be an issue as having been issued a green card before I thought that would have taken care of the years pre life in the USA. Thank you for your suggestions they are greatly appreciated.

You are in a brand new process now, not a continuation of your 1990 paperwork, so your old file is not readily available to NVC. You could have a file at the National Records Center but trying for a new certificate is likely your best bet.

This is the Dept of State's information on how to get your new police certificate. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/RP.html

This is a start for requesting archived records under the Freedom of Information Act. http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/freedom-information-and-privacy-act-foia/how-file-foia-privacy-act-request/how-file-foiapa-request

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Edited September 8, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[mommaK 4]

You are in a brand new process now, not a continuation of your 1990 paperwork, so your old file is not readily available to NVC. You could have a file at the National Records Center but trying for a new certificate is likely your best bet.

This is the Dept of State's information on how to get your new police certificate. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/RP.html

This is a start for requesting archived records under the Freedom of Information Act. http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/freedom-information-and-privacy-act-foia/how-file-foia-privacy-act-request/how-file-foiapa-request

.

Hi Nich-Nick. Thank you for the pointers. I have already sent in a request for the FOIA. We are putting my visa application on hold for ten months due to things going on and time restraints. God willing we can pick it all up again at that point and provide the last bit of info they need with any other up to date stuff required at that time. I am assuming we can do that at least. Thanks again.