USC Living Abroad filing I-130 & bad experience with preparer who has sowed doubt

[_Dash_ 0]

Hello all, Ive just joined and started a timeline. Im in the pre I-130 stage and have a couple questions.  My wife and I were married in Mexico and we will be going for Consular Processing in Juarez when the time comes. 

 

Specifics:

Me: Petitioner, USC, retired, currently residing in Mexico with my wife. Its a border town with very easy access to US, and I maintain a US mailing address as well as all other financial close ties, including ownership of a rental house.

 

Spouse: Mexican citizen, with no work/financial ties in US (other than a new-ish joint bank acct.).   Has a long history of B2 visas and holds a current B2 visa (issued 2024) and has Sentri approval (for what that's worth) 

 

We have been together since 2015 and have no children, police records, overstayed visas, or any other complicating issue, so I feel like I could do this process myself.  However, my Wife is understandably concerned about the process and in the interest of marital bliss, I went to interview with a person who prepares visa packages.

 

When I mentioned to her that my current physical address is in Mexico, she immediately stated that I couldnt do that and if I didnt have a US address on the I-130, that it would be rejected.  I felt sure that this wasnt accurate but just in case there was some mis-communication, I stated that I know I would need to put a US address in the Part 4, q.12a regarding the address where the Beneficiary INTENDS to live, but that I didnt need it for current physical address.  

When I explained I owned a rental house, she said I should use that address. When I explained that the tenants paid all rent and utilities and that I wouldnt have the gold-standard utility receipt with my name on it, she said I would need to create a lease document showing I could still live there by occupying some room or other part of the property.  (Do what , now??)

 

At this point I ended the interview.  I am absolutely not going lie on any form in this process.   Now, do I know with an absolute certainty that we will move to my rental house when the time comes?  No.  We may choose another place.  But it is a viable option and I dont think it would be deceitful to list that address in the "Intent" question listed above, as it is the current default.

 

My questions are: 

Is there any prohibition about starting the I-130 process while temporarily living with my wife in Mexico while the process plays out?  Would it be advisable in the additional info section at the end to state that I am living abroad temporarily during the process and note my option of moving back to live in my rental house, or, would the fact that I already listed it under Part 4, 12a, Beneficiary Intent, remove the need for that?

 

PS. I know, that in the post-NVC, Pre-Interview timeframe that I would have to have the US address locked down with adequate proof (utilities or lease agreements).

 

Thank you.