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  • Trending Immigration Discussions
      Topic   Popularity Poster
    #1 Expedite request for pending forms I-130 for minor children
    IR1/CR1 Visa Discussion
    popularity rating: 81543 blank avatar Aret
    #2 Dallas (Irving) TX I-485 Interview Experience
    - popularity rating: 16056 Rachel n Tyler
    #3 Anyone have experience with second medical exam/consulate visit after rejection due to drug tests?
    K1 Visa Discussion
    - popularity rating: 12537 blank avatar Andrew010101
    #4 filling i751 early due to separation and going to divorce soon
    Removing Conditions Discussion
    - popularity rating: 12350 may222223
    #5 I-130 Petition for Father - Parents Marriage Certificate has no original marriage date
    US Citizen Family Discussion
    - popularity rating: 4436 blank avatar ethngd

  • Community Spotlight
    PSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
    When we last entered the US, our immigration officer said "Oh, hmm I wonder if I could go ahead and change you an IR-1."  The agent right next to him said "Yes, you can do that" and he acted surprised. His comments made it pretty clear he was going to erroneously issue us a CR-1 and he seemed to not even know he could change the visa status until his coworker advised him (THANK GOODNESS she overheard!).  I don't know how onerous the process is to correct such an oversight but I'm glad we didn't have to find out!
     
    Just wanted to pass this along in the hopes it saves someone from any problems with the wrong stamp being placed in the passport, as I've read about here before....  I would kindly remind the officer "We married >2 years ago.  We can enter with an IR-1 visa now right?"
    • 19 replies
    Traveled to Canada for 20 days after entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa (June 1–22). Seeking reentry under Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR).
    I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa on June 1st and left for Canada on June 2nd, remaining here for 20 days. I am now attempting to return to the U.S. through Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). My K-1 visa is expired, but my I-94 is still valid. Am I ok?
    • 29 replies
    Wrong USCIS application form filed by my lawyer!
    Hello, so my wife came in k-1 visa to USA and we got married and all. We filled for work permit and green card together but while doing that my lawyer filed for I-130 no idea why. Will that application make my process for work permit and green card slow? If so how do I withdrawal that application? My lawyer isn’t helpful at all. I need some help…
    • 20 replies
    Seeking advice for Thai/US couple - What US visa path to take?
    My gf and I live in Thailand but spend 2-4months in the US per year. Once/if we have children age 5+, the time split would become vice versa. We have no plans to live full-time in the United States in the next 5 years, but I visit my family and friends 2-3x per year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I would love it if she can join me for those trips and experience that part of my life. What options do we have -- US visa wise, maybe a tourist or fiance visa later? Other?
     
     
    • 77 replies
    Abandoned AOS and now regret it
    Please be nice, I know I made a mistake... But got my K1 approved and arrived in the US June 25, 2024 and applied for AOS February 25, 2025 -- then left the US (abandoned my AOS). Will I be banned for re-entry to the US -- even under a spouse visa?
    • 32 replies
    US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?
    I'm currently living and working in the United States. My fiancé currently lives in Japan. We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.
    My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months. I want to file for a fiance/spouse visa asap -- what's next?
    • 18 replies
  • Recent Immigration Discussions
    Oath Ceremony Coming Up - What do I need?
    1:07 pm today

    Angela & Brendon



    Read 33 Times
    1 Replies



    Hi all,

    I have my Oath Ceremony on Wednesday and we are beyond excited! My appointment is at 11:30am, we plan on arriving at 10:45am to allow for plenty of time.

    Here are all the items we have prepared, I wanted to check if I needed anything else -

    Oath Ceremony Letter

    10-Year Green card

    Conditional Green Card

    Work Authorization & Advanced Parole Card
    My State Driver's License
    Birth Certificate

    Thanks everyone!



     
    View Topic

    CSPA calculation for F2A case
    12:14 pm today

    Ana_

    blank avatar

    Read 105 Times
    1 Replies



    Hi, looking to clarify some information and understand if my case (which was filed under F2A) is now considered as aged out and not eligible for CSPA.

    My DOB: 12/17/01, Priority date: 09/22/22, I-130 approved on: 10/28/24, Petition became current (F2A): 10/1/25

    Based on my calculation my age would be 21 years, 8 months, 8 days, so it would not qualify.

    However, I read on USCIS website that a different clause applies for "Determining When a Visa is Available for the CSPA Age Calculations for Adjustment Applications Filed Before August 15, 2025"

    I am located overseas so I am not applying for Adjustment of Status. Can anyone tell me if that clause only applies for that or for other "sought to acquire" requirements as well? I did submit the AoS and paid the fees and I actually am Documentary Qualified since 12/17/24.

    If it does not apply and I would not be considered F2A anymore, does it mean they will change my category to F2B? and just need to wait for the priority date to become current?

    Thanks for any and all your help!



     
    View Topic

    I-130 Petition for Father - Parents Marriage Certificate has no original marriage date
    7:42 pm yesterday

    ethngd

    blank avatar

    Read 1109 Times
    4 Replies



    Hi,

    I'm submitting I-130 to sponsor my dad. My birth certificate has both of my parents' names. However, my parents' marriage certificate is an re-issue one (in 2015) that only contains the re-issuing date and place, with a footnote certifed that they had marital relationship established since 19xx (no month, date)

    Now, my questions are

    (1) I need this information to fill out my father's marriage status question in which they asked for the current marriage's date and place, so I don't know how to fill this out.

    (2) Considering my father's name is on my birth certificate, do I need to include their marriage certificate?



     
    View Topic

    Dallas (Irving) TX I-485 Interview Experience
    4:37 pm yesterday

    Rachel n Tyler



    Read 1784 Times
    9 Replies



    Hi guys! I figured I'd type out my experience. Especially since I haven't seen a lot of detailed experiences/reviews, might as well!

    Our interview was the 10th of September. 9:30am, bright and early! We arrived at 9:07am and saw a few people arriving. There's a LOT of parking for visitors, so no need to worry about that. We left our phones in the car, but you do not have to. We walked in to the building and had to go through security. Have your appointment letter ready! That's the first thing they ask for. Then you have to put your phone, wallet etc in a little box for the xray thing. Walk through a detector. Then you walk over to a little podium where someone points you to the right window. There were about 4 couples in front of me, not too bad. They took my ID, appointment letter, photo and 2 fingerprints. She then wrote a number on my letter and told us to go upstairs. They'd call us by our names.

    We then went up to the next floor and saw quite a few people waiting. I wanna say around 40. I kinda panicked knowing we didn't have our phones. Last time I did my K1 interview in Germany there was about the same amount of people, probably even less, and I waited for about 4-5 hours. Without food, entertainment... So that sent me back there. BUT, I think we waited for less than 15 minutes. We were fooling around checking receipts in our wallets when they called my name.

    We then followed the officer to her cubicle/room. She didn't say much, that made me nervous, but I just went with the flow. We got sworn in and she started by confirming our adress. We moved a week before and I had changed it in USCIS, but it hadn't changed on her end. So we confirmed my new one. She then asked How we met/how our relationship started. I started explaining, then my husband started adding information. I think she didn't hear me clearly or didn't listen, because she didn't understand we met online until AFTER my husband added some things to the story. She then asked How did you build your relationship/life since moving? It was something like this. My husband took the lead on this one and was very vague. This made me EXTREMELY nervous because I could tell the answer was not what she was looking for. But she continued with another question before I could add anything. She then asked Did you work unauthorized? I was honest and told her no. I even joked saying I was glad to not have to work for a little bit and just relax at home. She laughed, this put me at ease. She also added I'm a full time dog mom anyway (dog was mentioned in the previous questions+pictures). She asked if I had any new evidence to add, which I did, a new 864 due to a job change. She kinda skimmed it and didn't seem to want to do too much with it. I forgot to give her the paystubs and employer letter, so that sent me in a panic once I realised while we were driving back home.

    She then started asking the yes/no questions. She began with the ones I put 'yes' on on the 485. It was 13 and 76 top of my head. It was about overstaying/violating the terms of my visa. I explained that our AOS got rejected twice, and due to the rejections I overstayed/filed AOS too late. She nodded and seemed satisfied with the answer. A few questions were asked, like if I helped traffic people, drugs, if I ever killed someone, stuff like that. At one question, one about government assistance, my husband cleared his throat right after I said no. I looked at him in panic and said Babe now she thinks I'm lying!!!! We all laughed. She mentioned she is sniffly too due to the aircon being on on that side, another officer has a space heater and it trips up the AC. Was kinda funny.

    She then asked if we had anything else to add. I said nope. I offered her stuff we brought like my husband's birth certificate, but she didn't need them. We joked about the BC since we had to drive to Oklahoma to get it, so it was a 7h round trip. She said it was a good bonding experience and we laughed.

    She then explained that the case would now be reviewed again and once we hear back, it usually takes 30-60 days before you get the card. Something like that. She said a few other things but nothing that really stuck in my mind. I was honestly kind of dissapointed that we weren't approved on the spot. Atleast I thought. We then went to the car and it was 9:52. So that was crazy! I kept checking my USCIS account for news until Edward & Jaycel here told me that the system takes 24h to notify us of any changes. So then I gave up LOL.

    The next morning I woke up at 10:30, checked my phone and saw the email. 'We have taken an action on your case'. I quickly logged in, hoping but thinking it would just be the change to 'reviewing'. BUT! It said I got approved!!!! The email arrived 10am, so I'm guessing we were approved on the spot but just not told.

    I think that's all? It all feels like a fever dream now LOL.



     
    View Topic

    Expedite request for pending forms I-130 for minor children
    4:28 pm yesterday

    Aret

    blank avatar

    Read 3883 Times
    21 Replies



    Hello, I am a U.S Citizen petitioner currently residing abroad with my spouse (the principal beneficiary of an already approved I-130 petition) and our three children. My husband s case is already approved, and his immigrant visa interview with the National Visa Center (NVC) is imminent.

    I recently filed individual forms I-130 for our minor children but there is a very high likelihood that our family will be separated for a significant period of time.

    I would like to know what action to take concerning our children s pending forms I-130 so our family won't be separated.

    Thank you



     
    View Topic

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    • Josh B K  »  jorgesalazar818

      Hello @jorgesalazar818. I hope you are doing well. I wanted to check with you to see if you've received any news from Ciudad Juarez. 
      · 1 reply
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      Hello. I hope you are doing well. Any news on your interview? 
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      Received application approval today one day short of 14 months HUZZAH !!!!
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    • Mano17

      Hello Everyone! 
      I have a situation where, during my NVC documentation process, the fee was requested for my daughter as well. However, while reviewing the documents, NVC excluded my daughter with the reason that she is not eligible based on her age, as she turned 21 in November 2023. In reality, during the pandemic, I applied for my I-824 to port my approved I-140 (Priority Date: March 6th, 2012). It took almost 2 years to get my I-824 approved. At that time, my daughter was below 21 years old, and my dates became current while I was waiting for my I-824 approval. (As per my attorney, she should be on the file based on this point.)
      Later, NVC requested me to submit the DS-260 with all documentation, including my daughter’s. Once I received my DQ (Documentarily Qualified) letter for document completion, I realized on their website that my daughter’s name was grayed out and I couldn't access her form. Only myself and my wife were on the application process, and I am the principal applicant. During that time, I engaged an attorney to raise our concern. After careful review, the attorney adjudicated that my daughter should be on file based on the CSPA action and issued a memo to NVC with all exhibits stating why she should be on file.
      NVC processed the case again, retriggered the process, and my DQ date changed from November 2023 to May 2024. My daughter’s name was also back in active mode. When we received our Interview Letter (IL), her name was listed on the letter as a dependent. At this time, the attorney is saying to just attend the interview, and we will see how the visa officer makes a decision on her case, since she is above 21 at this time.
      Please let me know if anyone has experienced this kind of situation where the child was below 21 during the NVC process when the dates were current, and later the dates retrogressed and became current again at a later stage. Is she eligible under the CSPA Act?
      · 1 reply
    • bspmc169

      The process is long and sometimes almost unbearable, but you'll get there! Good luck to everyone... 
      · 0 replies
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