US Immigration from Thailand

My wife was denied entry into her interview on Dec 20th 2024 because she had a copy of my divorce papers and not the original. Our lawyer tried to argue that the original was not required. But the embassy sent us a link that clearly showed the rule has been in place since 2022. Her new interview date is now Jan 23, 2025

1st AOS I-485 was filed in 7/21' finally had interview 3 years latter in May 24' We got Denied Aug 24.

The short story for our denial is: at the disappointment of the interviewing officer who said hardy anyone can fill out this form correctly without a lawyer! the only issue was that the minister didn't put the year on marriage license on the line. " In the year of our lord" he left it blank... our marriage was within 30 days of arrival on K1. The official state seal certifying the marriage certificate was dated and stamped 34 days after arrival.

So we now can't renew a drivers license or renew ACC health insurance. No work permit or permission to travel. Just hope close family doesn't get sick.

As suggested we are just going to bite the bullet and start a new I-485 . Wasted 1440$ I believe. We are hopeful the time period of the Utah processing isn't to long. We have heard of 3-4 months?

Here are my thoughts. Please add any advice.

I Dont think it would be beneficial to apply for I-131 or 765?.

We need a new Medical done since it has been 4 years. so a I-693 is needed. Does this mean a new chest xray? we do have the DS-3025 from 3/21'

We will call for an approved surgeon general appointment Monday.

IS there any benefit to using the older I-485 form that you can file until Feb?

We've filed I-751. Mailed to an IL address. Received NOA for receipt and extension from the TX service center. I was trying to get an idea of processing times, but only see data here for CA and VT. Does anyone know how I find where the actual processing is taking place?

my wife would like to start her N400 ASAP which since she's married to me, a USC, I think is 3 years after granting of her green card right?

we like to travel a lot. we're going to Thailand soon for 4 month and then Europe next summer for 2 month. I assume the physical presence is based on calendar year? So in 2025 we'll be gone Jan Feb Mar, then June July, and back to Thailand Dec, so right up against the 6 month limit. How strict is USCIS on the 6 month per year rule?. I read this "(absences of more than six months but less than one year shall disrupt the applicant's continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period) ". how would we 'establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period' if we went a bit over? I'd like to do a quite trip to Canada next year too but would skip it if its a problem. These are all vacations, not moving abroad. We're retired so its what we do.

I should add we own our house in NY and have no plans to move. My wife has family in Thailand and I have family in UK hence the reason for extended visits. She's only had her GC for 1 year so I'm just planning ahead at this point.

thanks

I'm retired military and haven't filed taxes since I retired, as my retirement is non-taxable from the VA. Wife has a GC and now wants to become a citizen. Will there be a problem since we haven't filed taxes? Should I request the non filing documents from the IRS?

It's a sticky situation as we are FULLY retired. Thanks in advance!