US Immigration from Mexico

Hello,

I have a friend that applied for AOS & I-130 for his wife in September 2022. He told me that he never heard from USCIS for an entire year until September 2023 when he got an RFE for the I-130.

In November 2023 he sent in what was asked for and got an approval in December 2023 for the I-130. He didn t hear anything else from USCIS so last week he decided to get his senator in Phoenix involved for a status check to see if they have an interview date or not.

Greg Stanton s office ended up finding out that USCIS sent out 2 requests: one letter to appear for biometrics in October 2022 & another letter for a rescheduled biometrics in early 2023. My friend said he never received any letters for biometrics.

Greg Stanton s office also uncovered a I-485 denial letter that my friend said he also never received in June 2023. Besides hiring a lawyer what does he have to do to get this on track? Re-open? Or re-apply for the I-485 and start having his mail sent to a more reliable address?

Hi all,

My wife is a LPR (removal of conditions pending). She and her family are considering buying a plot of land in her home country and she would be contributing a few thousand dollars. This would be the largest share and the plan is to have it in her name. Since she is still a citizen of her home country does this require any legal action on our end in the US? The plan would be to transfer the few thousand to her or her mom s account in her home country and they would use that account for the transaction. I assume this would need to be declared in a potential future interview/citizenship application.

Thank you!

I'll be pursuing a CR-1 spousal visa for my wife and CR-2 for her daughter, which was under 18 at the time of our marriage. I'm looking at submitting the I-130 form for both next week. Would it be beneficial to go ahead and complete the I-485 at the same time, and file them both together? I'm considering the increase in fees that go into effect April 1, 2024. Thoughts?

This is still a ways off for us, but as with everything USCIS-related, we want to be as prepared as possible.

My husband entered the U.S. on 9/23/2023, and my stepdaughters entered on 11/23/2023. Per the filing date calculator, we can file I-751 jointly starting on 6/25/2025.

My questions/clarifications:

1. Even though the 90-day window won't be open yet for my stepdaughters, they can be included on their dad's/my husband's I-751, correct? (pay 1 filing fee + 4 biometric fees)
2. At the time of filing in June 2025, their ages will be 20, 18, and 15. They are still considered "dependent children" as USCIS refers to in the instructions, correct? They received their green cards as a result of their dad's marriage to me (USC).
3. I'm confused by the new filing fees with the biometrics included for situations like this. Would we pay $750 for my husband (751 w/ biometrics included), plus $30 additional biometrics for each stepdaughter? ($840 total)

Appreciate your help. Wouldn't have gotten this far in the process without VJ's help!

I was wondering if anyone has an estimate of refund waiting time when you file your first mfj w7 return. Months a year? I ve read that some people wait a year before it s processed, trying to see if this is typical as we will need the money sooner than later.

Secondary question, I think somewhere I read it s better to file mfj at minimum the first year but I can t remember why.

thanks everyone!