US Immigration from China

I'm trying to download my most recent (2019) tax transcript from IRS.gov to take to my wife's upcoming AOS interview.

I've used the IRS.gov site in conjunction with the IRS2Go app in the past to do this without problem, so I'm puzzled why I'm encountering problems this time around.

There seems to be a disconnect int the security authentication process that I can't get my head around.

When I request my tax transcript on IRS.gov, I'm instructed to open the IRS2Go app on my phone, click on the "security" icon, and obtain a "6-digit security code" which I'm to then enter the IRS.gov website. t

However, when I click on the security icon on the IRS2Go app, it doesn't give me any 6-digit security code. Instead, it asks for my "username" and "key" which it says should be provided by IRS.gov.

But IRS.gov did not provide any "username" and "key". I thought maybe it was referring to my IRS.gov account username and password, but that can't be, because the "key" is numerical only.

I know I can request the transcripts in the mail through the IRS automatic phone system, but I'm worried they won't arrive in time before the interview.

I found instructions on how to game the IRS customer service phone line to reach an actual person, but it didn't work.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Hi,

I know this is a perennial topic.

However, I do have some specific questions that I haven't seen answered here, so that's why I'm creating yet another thread.

My wife's AOS interview has been scheduled for the end of this month (Jan. 2021) at the San Francisco USCIS field office.

She filed for AOS before Oct. 15, 2019, so she's not subject to the new I-944 rules.

I'm assuming that we're going to be interviewed together, and not subject to a "Stokes interview", but I'm not 100% sure.

Below you can see my categorized list of all the documents that I've gathered and plan to bring to the interview.

But first I have some questions I want to put to the VJ community.

1. Missing documents

There are several documents in the "suggested" list which we do NOT have. Specifically, her driver s license or state ID (she doesn't have one yet), joint lease agreement, mortgage, or utilities (we've been living rent-free at my parents' house), letters and W2s from current employers (we're both currently unemployed), life insurance (don't have any yet), auto insurance or joint ownership (car is still in my name only because she doesn't drive yet), or joint liabilities. We've no sponsors, no previous divorces, no children, so those docs are all n/a. I'm assuming that none of the above missing documents will be a "dealbreaker" since we still have plenty of evidence that does prove our relationship (listed below). I realize the fact that we're both currently unemployed might seem like a red flag. Would it be a good idea for me I bring some additional evidence showing that I have been looking for a job (resume, job applications, etc), and her planning for her career goals? Or is it enough to simply explain this verbally if we're asked about it? I'm assuming that the interviewer will be somewhat understanding that the job market is particularly unstable recently due to the Coronavirus and shelter-in-place orders. In any case, as my tax returns show, I have more than enough income from investments to put me well above the required minimum income threshold so I'm assuming this should not be a "dealbreaker"?

2. I-765 and I-131 renewal applications?

We originally submitted forms I-765 and I-131 with the full AOS package back in Oct. 2019, and got the AP/EAD combo card in Mar. 2020.

In Sep. 2020 we against submitted forms I-767 and I-131 for AP/EAD renewal. Should I bring the original I-765 and I-131 applications from Oct. 2019, or the renewal applications from Sep. 2020 (or both)?

3. Other documentation from K1 process?

Planning to bring copies of the full K1 package, as well as the approval notice from the I-129F application. Do I need to bring other correspondence from the overseas K1 phase, such as the various notices of action and correspondence from the overseas consulate?

4. Originals vs. copies?

I'm still a bit confused about how many copies of each document I should be bringing. I have originals for passports, social security cards, birth certificates, marriage certificate, all received I-797s and I-797Cs, EAD/AP combo card. Do I need to bring photocopies of all these original documents as well? For evidence of cohabitation, and co-mingling of finances, insurance, etc. I assume that I can just print out screenshots from online banking, my insurance portal, etc, and don't need copies certified by my banker, insurance provider, or a notary public?

5. Certification for letter?

My parents will write a letter explaining that my wife and I have been living in their home since moving to the US, for a period of time longer than originally intended due to the Coronavirus and shelter-in-place order. Is it enough that they simply sign and date this letter, or do I need to have it certified by a notary public?

6. Updated I-864?

Somewhere on VJ, I recall reading about "updating" the I-864 to reflect the most up-to-date financial information. That's not right, is it?

I am planning to bring the version of form I-864 originally submitted in Oct. 2019 (based on the info in my 2018 tax return), plus copies of my most recent (2019) tax return, which I assume should be enough to demonstrate to the interviewer my most recent financial situation without re-doing the already-submitted form.

7. Interview language issues

The interview instructions say to arrange for a translator by conference call if needed. My wife's English is so-so. As in, definitely not 100% fluent. She should be able to comprehend most basic questions, but if the interviewer asks more complicated questions she could have trouble understanding. She should be able to answer most any questions in English, albeit her grammar won't be perfect. I'm fluent in my wife's language (Mandarin), and acted as Interpreter on all her forms. In this situation, am I allowed to serve as translator if needed? Mainly, in the case the interviewer asks her a more complex question, am I allowed to translate it to Mandarin for her, after which she would then use her best English to answer? I understand that if my wife's English were 0%, and I was translating her answers from Mandarin back to English, that might be a problem, because the interviewer could suspect I have a bias and am not translating correctly. But if I only help with translation from English to Mandarin, and then let her speak for herself to answer the questions in English, should that be okay? Or do I need to arrange for a professional third-party translator to be on call to go on conference call if necessary? It also occurs to me that this being the San Francisco field office, there are probably staff there who are fluent in my wife's language. However, I have no way to know whether her interviewer will be one of them or not.

Below is my checklist so far. Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance, and sorry again for creating yet another thread on this topic.

Documents for identification purposes
both our passports
both our social security cards
both our birth certificates (plus translation of hers)
her police report (plus translation)

Documents from K1 application through POE
full I-129F application package (plus supporting documents)
her records and CD from pre-K1 medical exam
I-797 (approval of I-129F)
I-94

Documents from AOS application
marriage certificate
full AOS application, including I-485, I-864, I-765, and I-131 (plus supporting documents, including 2018 tax return and 1099)
I-797C (notices of receipt of I-485, I-864, I-765, and I-131)
I-797C (biometrics appointment letter)
I-797 (notice of approval of I-765 and I-131)
her EAD/AP card
I-797C (notices of receipt of I-765 and I-131 [1 yr renewal])
I-797C (I-485 interview appointment letter)

Supporting evidence of relationship
most recent (joint) tax return and 1099 (most recent: 2019)
joint health insurance
record of her additional immunizations since coming to the US
evidence of joint dental bills
joint credit card
joint bank account/evidence of co-mingled finances
joint AT&T account

her enrollment in ESL classes at our local community college
joint Apple music family subscription
mail addressed to her and me at same address
correspondence between her and my family and relatives
receipts from our travel together in the US
photos
signed letter from my parents stating that my wife and I live together at their house

Items we do NOT have
driver s license or state ID (her)
joint lease agreement or mortgage
letters from current employers
life insurance
auto insurance or joint ownership
joint liabilities
utility bills

Hi all,

Looking to get some advice on how to bring my daughter (4 yo, US Citizen) and my mother-in-law (Chinese citizen on b1/b2 Visa) back into the US.

So last year we went to China together for Chinese new year, and I came back to the US myself right before the US-China travel ban took place on 2/2/2020. The plan was for my daughter to stay in China with my mother-in-law for a few months, and then they will fly back to US together. As we all know... things didn't go as planned, and my daughter is still in China now.

According to the proclamation, aliens from China cannot enter. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

"Sec. 2. Scope of Suspension and Limitation on Entry.

(iii) any alien who is the parent or legal guardian of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21;"

But I think this exception could apply for us, however I am not sure how I can make my mother-in-law to be the legal guardian of my daughter, will that have to involve the court, and is it even possible now that both of them are out of the country now?

The other option would be for them to go to a third country for two weeks prior to entering US, but that is less ideal, as it is going to be very hard for my mother in law to be in a foreign country with a child, and does not speak any English..

We are also waiting to see if the President-elect will lift the ban somehow...

Any advice is appreciated, thank you in advance.

Hi folks!

Need your advice!

My I485(AOS) interview will be on Jan 20, at the notice first page you must bring the following items with you :

If required, a completed form-I693...

If required, a completed form I-864...

I do not see these 2 items on 2nd page of the interview notice, does that mean I am not required to bring them?

I am worried if I am required, I may not have enough time to prepare before the interview! I received the notice late because my address changed when the notice mailed

Thank you for your advice!!!

Hello guys, I want to ask how to fill the "School and Employment" part of the N400.

THis is my situation, for last 5 years, I have different Self-employment works. DO I need to list them all, Or list an approximate time period to cover five years?

Because the N 400 do not need you to list the employer's name, and bussiness address is always my home address.

BTW, what is the occupation about a Real Estate Agent?