Self filing to petition family

[psv57 88]

Hoping others who've done so successfully can help....

 

I got my citizenship through naturalization August 2018.  I want to petition for my parents and sister (with husband and kid) who's in India.

 

I understand I have to file 3 I-130's, one each for parent, one for sister (with deratives)

 

I've always done process through lawyers before so am trying to avoid legal fees this time...it's not good time financially to pay extras.

 

Questions

1)  Do you have to do paper filing or online through ELIS?  I believe I have an ELIS from when my naturalization was being processed (although lawyer had filed).  Should I be using that to file?  Does it allow you to save information like an I130 form or do you have to do it in one go?  I tried to use the online fillable I130 but it doesn't let me save it as I can never finish one go and it's a pain to restart.

 

2)  On the I130, do I have to list my A-Number now that I am a citizen?  

3) Uscis online account number... Is that the ELIS account number?

4) If mailing address/physical address are same, do you have to complete questions on physical address 1 (12a to 13b)

5) Indian names on documents are confusing.  My dad has name A B, with no surname listed on his passport.  My maiden name is X Y.  I've always stated Y is my surname.  I always thought B was dad's listed surname but looking at it on his Indian passport, surname is blank and given name is A B.  So how do i fill out questions 24 a and b.  Same issue with mom's name.  Funny thing is in all document filings with USCIS, I never thought of it and I've always put dad's surname as B....if they start digging old files.

6) another big issue is birth certificate.   My birth certificate has some random first name that was given for sake of birth records.  It's typical there to just put a name then start using another name after religious/astrological consult.  All my school records etc have always been the name I use, not what's on my birth certificate and a fluke.  It lists both my parents name as indicated above.  When I filed my I485 etc and had to provide my birth certificate, I submitted my messed up birth certificate along with affidavits from relatives explaining the name issue.  I also submitted school records showing my name and parent's name.  Will this be an issue, especially with more scrutiny now with sponsoring parents and that being the focus, the names etc and relationships?  I don't even know if I still have those affidavits as I had so many versions I forgot which I submitted.

7.  Beneficiary entry info (question 45).  My parents have often visited NY legally, at one point even lived here.  Last entry was about 3 years back.  I don't know if they even gave those I94 white forms any more.  How do i fill that out?  

 

 

Those are some starter questions.  I will have more later on as I go through this..  I am not sure if doing this myself is wise but want to avoid paying all those lawyer fees.  My brother (legally here on work visa) will be paying for the filing fees.  In reality they will be living with him but I am sponsoring but I suppose on form, I should list that they will be living with us?  

 

I appreciate all the assistance.  Sorry for all my confusing questions.  

 

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  You understand the wait for your sister will be over 15 years ?  

 

With confusing records they may ask for DNA testing.    When your parents lived here was it legally or did they overstay or violate a non resident visa ?

[psv57 88]

3 minutes ago, NigeriaorBust said:

  You understand the wait for your sister will be over 15 years ?  

 

With confusing records they may ask for DNA testing.    When your parents lived here was it legally or did they overstay or violate a non resident visa ?

Yes I understand its not easy as I've dealt with USCIS legally living here for 28 yrs.  My parents always were legal so not worried about that.  They never overstayed or anything.  If they ask DNA that's fine by me too.  As for my sister, I am aware of long wait too but I would still like to try.  It doesn't hurt to put in the application.

[Just Paul 4,591]

You will be filing paper versions of the I-130s.  

You don't use you A Number.  As a citizen you use your social and copy of naturalization certificate.

Follow the directions literally.  Put in the mailing and physical address.   

[psv57 88]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

You will be filing paper versions of the I-130s.  

You don't use you A Number.  As a citizen you use your social and copy of naturalization certificate.

Follow the directions literally.  Put in the mailing and physical address.   

Thank you.  I will use paper files and it helps as I will put in both addresses.

 

 

[databit 328]

If you can barely afford the paperwork fees, do you earn enough to sponsor 5 more people?

[psv57 88]

3 hours ago, databit said:

If you can barely afford the paperwork fees, do you earn enough to sponsor 5 more people?

Thank you for your concern.  Without getting into details of my finances, I can on paper sponsor my family members as I make enough.  Currently husband isn’t working.... he will in future as we figure out child care options for our 1 year old.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

8 hours ago, psv57 said:

 

Those are some starter questions.  I will have more later on as I go through this..  I am not sure if doing this myself is wise but want to avoid paying all those lawyer fees.  My brother (legally here on work visa) will be paying for the filing fees.  In reality they will be living with him but I am sponsoring but I suppose on form, I should list that they will be living with us?  

 

The bolded above is misrepresentation; never lie to VOs or on federal forms to gain immigration benefits. If they intend to move in with their son.. Indian parents typically avoid living with married daughters.. all forms should reflect that. 

[JoannaV 173]

There doesn't need to be any connection between where they will be living and where the sponsor is.

I hope other people can answer your other questions.

[SalishSea 16,769]

Any thoughts to how to take care of your aging parents' health care needs, if money is already tight?

[nastra30 1,980]

You can't file I-130 onlne; at least, not yet. It's a paper and wet signature application. Your alien number sticks with you forever. It's on naturalization certificate and it's on your USCIS profile; naturalization doesn't wipe it away unfortunately. Personally, I will list it but your call.

[nastra30 1,980]

How did your parents fill out their names on prior applications when they visited the US?. I think you want to make their names consistent with those filings. Then have affidavits (potentially from courts), explaining the birth cert 'shenanigans'. Also, I will have advice to visit the India specific portal on this site; other Indians there might have already discussed this, or can better advice. Good luck.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

11 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Any thoughts to how to take care of your aging parents' health care needs, if money is already tight?

Good point

[psv57 88]

21 hours ago, WeGuyGal said:

The bolded above is misrepresentation; never lie to VOs or on federal forms to gain immigration benefits. If they intend to move in with their son.. Indian parents typically avoid living with married daughters.. all forms should reflect that. 

Yes that's really issue with Indian parents not living with daughters.  My brother is here legally and so they stay with him but he can't sponsor as he is not a citizen.  So I am not sure if it would look wrong if his address is shown instead.

17 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Any thoughts to how to take care of your aging parents' health care needs, if money is already tight?

Money is tight as husband is not working but we anticipate he will return this year.  Also my brother is really taking care of parents.  We will look into getting visitor insurance together when approved for visa.  Besides NY is expanding health coverage to all outside of immigration status at this point.  So that should help too.

 

16 hours ago, nastra30 said:

You can't file I-130 onlne; at least, not yet. It's a paper and wet signature application. Your alien number sticks with you forever. It's on naturalization certificate and it's on your USCIS profile; naturalization doesn't wipe it away unfortunately. Personally, I will list it but your call.

Thank you.   I will use Alien number.  

16 hours ago, nastra30 said:

How did your parents fill out their names on prior applications when they visited the US?. I think you want to make their names consistent with those filings. Then have affidavits (potentially from courts), explaining the birth cert 'shenanigans'. Also, I will have advice to visit the India specific portal on this site; other Indians there might have already discussed this, or can better advice. Good luck.

That's a good question to ask my parents.  Thank you. That will help.  Where is the india specific portal on this site.

 

 

[SalishSea 16,769]

12 minutes ago, psv57 said:

Money is tight as husband is not working but we anticipate he will return this year.  Also my brother is really taking care of parents.  We will look into getting visitor insurance together when approved for visa.  Besides NY is expanding health coverage to all outside of immigration status at this point.  So that should help too.

That's great, but they will need coverage long-term.  Do immigrants who have not paid into the system qualify for Medicare?  I don't know the answer to this.