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You've been very fortunate by the looks of things if your GC interview is in Feb. That's not very typical. As with anything immigration related, it's luck of the draw. Had your greencard interview taken significantly longer, your EAD likely would have been issued first. Since you can't predict the future, I'd vote money well spent. It's kinda like insurance...you pay into it for forever and hope you'll never need it but if you do, you have that reassurance.

Yup. I fully expect to get censured/cancelled by writing that. But, it's the truth, as ugly as it is. Best wishes to you in your journey. Ours is over and we had nothing but luck along the way. Being from a wealthy, white country helped immensely, and we realize that not everyone is so lucky. I am a proud US citizen and I did not vote for the shameful current administration.

It was a bad situation with a tragic outcome. I can't for the life of me understand why people think it is OK to taunt law enforcement and not to expect a poor result.

Find a different attorney. If you received a Green Card through that marriage, it is recognized here. Find a local divorce attorney.

Hi VJ! I wanted to share an update with you all, following my GC interview today at the Montgomery, AL Field Office. In short, I arrived in Jan 2025 on a K1 visa, we married in Feb 2025 and filed for AOS in April 2025. I had my biometrics in May 2025 and then there was complete radio silence until December 2025 with an interview scheduled for January 2026. My experience of Montgomery FO couldn't have been better. We arrived 30min before the time detailed on the letter, but a sign on the door said to not enter more than 15min before your time. Once we were in, there was a short wait in a line while an officer at a front desk asked for the appointment letter and ID. We then went through airport-style security. Once through that, I checked in with another officer who took prints of my left and right index fingers. After that, I was told to take a sit at the far end of the waiting room. All the staff were super friendly and welcoming. We waited for another 20-30min or so before an agent called us through to a back corridor where the interview rooms are. Right from the start, he was incredibly warm. We sat down in his room and the first thing he said was that this was going to be very quick because we are what they call a "cut and dry" case. He made a comment that because I was a K1, it's already been established that our relationship is legitimate so the interview was just a formality. I was really surprised, and said so, because I'd been so nervous up to this point (and my husband commented as such to him).He reassured me that we had nothing to worry about. He then asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth, etc, which I did. I was then asked to confirm my name, DOB and address. He then asked a few questions that were on the AOS forms (regarding terrorist groups, criminal offences, etc). After that, he said that he would be recommending our case for approval, and then talked me through the next steps. He said I will receive a 2 year conditional GC, and then will need to apply to remove conditions for the 10 year GC, but I would be eligible to apply for citizenship 3 years from the date of adjudication (which he references as being today). After that, we made chit chat about our jobs, Montgomery and a good place to grab some lunch. We said our goodbyes and he congratulated me. We couldn't have been in there more than 20min. And then a very sweet aside: We went over the road to a Mexican place for some lunch. Just outside the place, I gave my husband a kiss and a woman walked up behind us saying "We need to see more of that!". My husband told her that I was just approved for my greencard and she congratulated me. We went inside, sat down, ordered and ate. While we were eating, I saw the same woman come in the door and she looked at me as she did, and said something to the man at the front counter. We finished eating and when the waitress came back she told us that someone had come in and paid for our meal, saying it was because of my greencard approval! I was so amazed and just wish I could thank that lady or whoever it was! Me and my husband left Montgomery feeling so good. It honestly could not have gone better for us. I know this is not the end of the road, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of the VJers and recourses that have helped guide me through the whole process to date. It has been invaluable!

Got my interview scheduled today for Mar 10. I had submitted N400 online on June 26, 2025.

Follow divorce laws in your state and divorce him. Looks like one of you has to leave and be living apart for a year, so I'd get working on that ASAP. Assuming your husband has a conditional, 2 year greencard, it's going to be up to him to provide what is required to remove conditions. So, either he has to be in a bonafide relationship or he can file to remove conditions with divorce waiver. If he chooses neither, he'll be put into removal proceedings.

Well this is a DIY forum. If you need legal counsel, google immigration lawyers. You came on e-2 - ask the lawyer who helped you with it?

The SSA are not able to update her card for the exact reason given - her I-94 is expired and they have no way to verify her status. Your wife entered on a single use K-1 visa. That is where the I-94 90 day validation came from. When you married and filed the AOS paperwork, she entered a period of authorized stay, but that's it. She is in this funny place of limbo where she's allowed to be in the US but does not actually have legal status. Until a decision is made to offer her legal status, be it work authorization is issued or her permanent residency is granted, you will not be able to change her name. This is, in part, why many people wait until they naturalize to do the name change.

Divorce waivers are much simpler I would not travel

With all this, I don't think immigrant visa applicants should be doing medical exams as they'll for sure be wasting their money. Perhaps those that have to do TB long term testing would find it beneficial, but any other would just pay the $$ then get 221g in the meantime medical exam expires and then once this is sorted out/lifted they have to re-do (and pay again) for medical exam.

Yes. Another vote to wait until you have been in the new district more than 90 days and wait until you are well within the 90 day early filing window.

I would absolutely not do this. You are raising unneeded (and unwanted) attention to your case.

Welcome to the forum! The unanswered question (other than "make my case as strong as possible") is why. What would be proved? You're right that DNA testing is chiefly for parent-child cases; I've not seen it mentioned on VJ for any other purpose. In addition, it's the consulates that typically request DNA tests -- through their approved labs -- in parent-child cases. Again, the question is why you'd seek to do this. There are far more, and far more straightforward, ways to prove a bona fide relationship, if that's your concern. What would you expect to show or prove that couldn't be shown or proven otherwise?

You might try to expedite the EAD, but it's still not an instant process. I hope you have a nice savings cushion. Alternatively, your American spouse is allowed to work.

How could you afford her (and yours) health insurance, and a million other things she she will need when she comes here? Seems like you should wait until you get your degree, and get a job if you want to be successful in getting a K1 and having a happy marriage. Its a really terrible plan to do a K1 knowing you will lose your benefits and using your mother's house as collateral. Losing your benefits when you get married, being disabled with no job, living with a jobless disabled mother is going to put a big strain on the marriage giving it a high probability of it not lasting very long .. despite her claimed love for you. IMO, if you love her, wait until you have a job or you will put her through hell under the above conditions.

They've cracked down on things recently. You're going to need a better plan, and probably should return home and to work before attempting to proceed further. Both your own and your parents' finances are marginal. That won't cut it under the current policies. A bona fide job offer with a specific start date, might work but I wouldn't count on it.

I would not count on USCIS sending a new extension letter. I would seek an appointment with USCIS to get an ADIT stamp.

You entered on the Visa Waiver Programme not a visa and that can’t be extended

Update: Denver FO. Applied on 09-May-2025. 5 Years completed on 07-Aug-2025 Interview scheduled for 20-Jan-2026. Oath scheduled for 19-Feb-2026.

upload now allows officer to review before interview and strengthens her petition and avoids AP to send this additional info if they deem to need it officers are given only a short time to go thru all that is needed for the interview (civics test and questions) But also take it to interview /probably no one will look at it but u never can know what immigration will do Allow a couple of months for the oath if she approved https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/naturalization-ceremonies they will update the above site with oath dates when they have the new schedule Best to her Remember to change SS card after Oath and do the US passport

Sharing my N-400 + I-751 interview experience at 26 Federal Plaza, NYC I applied on September 21st under the 3 year rule, and my biometrics were reused. I received my interview notification on December 19th, and my combo interview (I-751 & N-400) was scheduled for January 27th. My appointment was at 10:00 AM, and I arrived about 30 minutes early. After going through airport-style security, I went up to the 7th floor. Since I live in Manhattan, I checked in at the clerk’s desk, showed my interview notice, had my photo taken, and gave my fingerprints. They gave me a number and told me to stay near Door #1 until the officer called my number. After some waiting, the officer called us. She was very kind and explained the process. She said we would have two interviews, first for the I-751, then for the N-400. She spoke with my husband first for the I-751. After that, he went back to the waiting area, and I continued with my civics test and N-400 interview. The total interview took about 20 minutes. Some of the civics questions I remember were: Where is the Statue of Liberty? What was one reason for the Civil War? What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? For the reading test, I was asked to read: “We have 100 U.S. Senators.” She approved both cases on the spot and congratulated me. About five minutes after we left the building, my I-751 case status updated to approved. My N-400 was also approved, and it showed that my oath ceremony will be scheduled. Later, I received notice that my oath ceremony is scheduled for March. I hope this helps anyone who is currently waiting for their interview. Good luck to everyone!

Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same thing.

To everyone arguing the circumstances and responsibility for what is happening in Minneapolis, you’re missing the big picture. And that’s the point. Have you heard about the ICE-related deaths in Louisiana? No? Why not? Because there haven’t been any. Why not? ICE have been there for 30 days and there has been nothing in the news. Why not? The reason is simple. There was no reason for the mainstream media to publicise the Louisiana enforcement actions. Why not? Because no-one in Louisiana needs distracting from $9+ billion in fraud in which the Governor of their state is implicated. The incitement from the Governor, the State AG and the Mayor is a desperate attempt to deflect attention and the media are complicit. And it they are allowed to succeed, this country will be in serious trouble. ETA, if Governor Walz mobilises the National Guard to oppose ICE, the Seditious Six may find their treasonous words coming back to bite them big time. The irony would be delicious. ☠️

If Minnesota would cooperate with ICE and honor detainers most of this wouldn't be happening. Biden's open boarder policy and sanctuary states have created much of this mess.

He has proof that he applied.....not that it was approved. An application is not the same as an approval. I would return to the US before the 1 year mark. In fact, I would return as soon as possible. It would be beneficial to show CPB the application as it shows intent to return.

Dear All, I cleared my interview in DEnver office today. Interview was simple and the interviewer was very cordial with me. started with checking my Driver's license, Green card, 6 civic questions, one sentence to read and one sentence to write... then he went through my N400 and got my signature. Everything got done within 31 minutes... In and Out... Oath can take place in FEbruary is what he indicated along with my spouse who got her interview cleared last week... Applied on 09-May-2025. 5 Years completed on 07-Aug-2025 Interview scheduled for 20-Jan-2025. Good luck everyone... hope this experience summary helps...

Dear All, I cleared my interview in DEnver office today. Interview was simple and the interviewer was very cordial with me. started with checking my Driver's license, Green card, 6 civic questions, one sentence to read and one sentence to write... then he went through my N400 and got my signature. Everything got done within 31 minutes... In and Out... Oath can take place in FEbruary is what he indicated along with my spouse who got her interview cleared last week... Good luck everyone... hope this experience summary helps...

In my opinion, those guidelines were artificially low for at least 15+ years. As a new immigrant I had a job in under 4 months at $37k when prices were much much lower. (apparently that would be $55k in today's dollars given inflation). I can't imagine bringing in anyone at $26k for two people - that's starvation for both. They should at least base them off Alaska - minimum is $33k for two people. The other thing is that I-864 just weren't enforced by anyone except some lawyers for divorce alimony/child support purposes. No one was going after sponsors if the new immigrant went on welfare, medicaid, or similar.

"The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge." I'm confused a bit by the reasoning for this ban. Don't we (as the US citizen family members) accept total financial responsibility for our immigrant family members and agree to reimburse the government in the case they take financial assistance?.... Just a silly excuse to ban immigration and make it look logical to people who don't understand the process. So grateful we got in before this happened. My heart goes out to anyone effected by this.

As I said in response to your other comment, why wait? Many times, an N-400 will push the I-751. Our I-751 had been pending for 40....yes 40...months with NO RFEs. My wife filed her N-400, and 4 months later both the I-751 and N-400 were approved during our combo interview. I would file the N-400 immediately if she is qualified.

And sadly will still find a way to say this was justified

Just got approved today and card is being produced! No interview and N400 not filed yet for those who want to know

Guys, my interview got scheduled. Submitted date is June 16, 2025. Got notified of interview scheduled end of Feb.

I'm reporting back, we had our interview today. We got approved and the civil surgeon marked A for polio on the form. Interview was pretty short and we didn't get hassled. Just pictures for relationship evidence and 2 year visa from k1.

What really makes this tragedy even more sad is when politicians on both sides (Noem is terrible when flying off the cuff, Trump is too early in his assessment, and Walz and Frey are just trying to whip up more dissent) jump to conclusions before the investigation has been concluded. I am fine with the DOJ/FBI doing it as there are enough decent field agents that will not make this political, so like you, I have also cautioned waiting for the investigation to conclude.

Ahh yes. I somehow knew there would be a contentious thread regarding this issue waiting for me when I popped in today. For those who don't know, I moved to Iowa after spending over 20 years living in Minneapolis. And I do mean Minneapolis, not just some suburb in or outside the loop. Dinkytown, Nokomis, and Kingfield neighborhoods, the latter being pretty darn close to where the shooting took place. In fact, one of my high school friends lives on the corner of 34th and Portland. Kind of trippy watching this footage and seeing the house in the background where I spent most of my senior year hanging out. Anyway... It is really fascinating--and sad--how this is all playing out. In addition to watching the actual footage of the shooting, I am experiencing deep deja vu. A little icier than the Summer of Love, but I digress. Corporate media turns out to capture the "mostly peaceful" footage of people laying roses in the snow. Articles hyper-focus on every minute detail of the ICE agent, while the circumstances of the "victim" are quietly swept under the rug. Public schools are closed in the interest of "public safety" and with the ruling narrative lacking nuance, everyone assumes ICE is going to go full school shooter on the town, when in fact Occam's razor points more solidly at the historical rioting, street violence, and arson being more likely threats to public safety. Everyone is gripped with the story sold to them, and frankly annoyed with the administration trying the same tactics. Noem, Trump, etc. throwing hyperbole only feeds the machine. Sigh. At the end of the day, and I do speak as a native Minnesotan who watched the wheels spin on an icy road ("solid footing", really?)... the second she pressed the gas pedal, her life was forfeit. It's a sad, tragic circumstance but it is the truth. Whatever compelled her to do that, was symptomatic of a machine who desperately wanted her to do it: for incitement, radicalization, a REASON to point fingers and blame. The failure to acknowledge consequence and act anyway, is a perfect example of suicidal empathy. But again as a native Minnesotan, none of this is surprising. Just disappointing, as has been the trend with me gazing north for quite some time now.

We got notification this morning that our I-130 was approved.

Sounds like normal processing time. As the late-great VJ member, @geowrian, once said, "USCIS is like a large grocery store with many checkout lanes. Some lanes are just faster than others" I think you are getting very close to the NOA2.

I agree with the others about waiting to file. Another consideration is what visa did you enter on? If on a CR1 (since the I751 is in process it is either that, a K1, or an AOS from another visa), you need to have been living together in a marital union as an LPR for 3 yrs at the time of filing which can be an issue if a spouse entered on a CR1, so the 90 day early filing could result in a denial (3 months shy of the 3yr marital union requirement). In this time of higher scrutiny, it is best to wait and make sure you meet all the filing requirements. Good Luck!

Unless there is a plausible reason for USCIS to think you and your spouse are close blood relatives, this is a total non-issue.

You must have lived in the jurisdiction for 90 days before filing n-400 . So if you move there on Feb 4th you have to wait 90 days from that day to file . This 90 day rule has nothing to do with interview . It applies to filing n-400 application . Without the rule people move to centers with quicker processing time on a day notice

In many cultures, you marry for love, in other cultures, marriage is arranged. Whether love or not, you marry to make a life together as spouses. The immigration benefit is a side consequence of the marriage not the purpose. If it were the purpose, that would be fraud. So the answer is no, assuming the marriage is legit.

That's the FORM expiration date, not medical exam expiration date.

Create an online IRS account and just download your tax transcripts. Then you can upload to your N400 application. File online - it's easier and $50 cheaper. Anything else you need to upload can be scanned with a regular scanner or use the built in scanners in your phone. If you wanna be fancy, you can get a fancier app, but not necessary. This. Every part of this. If you want to naturalize this year, then make sure you give them no reason to question your eligibility, your spousal relationship and your commitment to the US.

I would not travel

Always file with IRS tax transcripts. here’s why. Think of it this way: an IRS tax transcript is like a store receipt. It proves that you already completed the transaction. Your Form 1040 only shows what you filled out, but it’s not proof that you actually filed your taxes, if that makes sense. I’ve helped about 50 people file over the past few years, and my motto is always to overwhelm USCIS with strong evidence to avoid an RFE. I don’t like to “hold” evidence for the interview. I want to get approved right away. You can file now with your 2022, 2023, and 2024 tax transcripts. It’s understandable that you don’t need to submit your 2025 tax transcript yet since you have until April 15, 2026, to file that one. N-400 is the only form that im comfortable to file online. The rest ? All paper including i-751 P.S. I just filed mine less than two weeks ago too, and yes I submitted 5 years of IRS tax transcript because im OCD and I’ve been filing jointly with my spouse that long

Yes you have a choice. USCIS prefers you to send the Tax Return Transcripts so if you have an online account with the IRS or can get one fairly quickly, I would get the transcripts. Yes Online filing is the way to go with the N-400 IMHO and you would scan your evidence into PDF for ease of upload.

My progressive media sources are having a complete meltdown. This is their hero. Seems he may be taken to New York to meet Mandani.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — According to sources, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar gently broke the news to her brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, that it was time for them to start seeing other siblings. Elmi, who married Omar in 2009 to enter the United States before later divorcing to pursue a "familial" relationship, was reportedly dumbfounded to learn he couldn't keep planning family get-togethers with his wife-sister. "I love you, I do," Omar told her brother. "But there's a lot of heat on me because of this day care fraud, and I think it's best that we take a break. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. And by 'fish in the sea,' I mean family members."