snooki703

Wow, really? You just can't make a single reply to me without attempting to insult me can you?

Not once in this exchange have I insulted you but every reply to continue to dig at me, it's surprising really.

I guess since you can't get a sufficient reaction from me you now have to involve my wife?

I would still appreciate your explanation of the "Logical Fallacy" (which contained your first incorrect assumptions about me) having any relevance to the topic of a multiple felony committing criminal's confession and potential deportation with a lifetime ban. Please, if you do find the time to respond skip the attempted insult. they are so thinly veiled that even a blind man can see them.

Absolutely, I will explain to you what a logical fallacy is. In one of your earlier, not exactly relevant replies to my post, you stated that criminals cannot be American and that Vargas had to be deported for being felonious and that he could not be American. I then proceeded to explain that the aforementioned conditions were mutually exclusive.

And again, no attempts to "dig at you" or "involve your wife" . I have far more important things to do then "dig at" recent immigrants and middle salary men (as you self-described, so no attempt to insult).

XOXO

SNOOKI!

Nice to see you looking down your "Ivy league alma mater" at me (again). Ironically I didn't need such an education to earn my salary or vocabulary.

I would also point out that you were the one to stray off topic whereas my replies have all been on-topic until you derailed the conversation.

BTW, if you read you'd see my signature refers to my "Wifie's Profile" which I think would be enough info to determine if I'm Bob or Anna...

I never looked down on you Bob (thank you for clarifying). I am sorry that you feel an inferiority complex to assume this. I am very proud of my background and accomplishments, incl. salary and alma mater and am confident that it is because of my inherent skill set and diligence that I was able to obtain such an education in the first place, and not the other way around. Also I did not scrutinize you or your "wifie's profile" which I'm sure she will appreciate.

Absolutely no attempt to insult you, Bob (or Anna not really sure). I simply never saw the Red Herring element of my reply - my bad! My guess was that you googled it at random to insert into your post as an example of a logical fallacy- although in retrospect I can see that may have been disrespectful to assume, whereas I had studied this extensively at my Ivy League alma mater.

In the interest of staying on topic, I request (and assume that moderators of this forum request) that we only reply in response to the main topic at hand.

Thanks,

snookie

So since I am a contributing member of society making a very good salary in a hi-tech industry I should be able to commit multiple felonies and just be forgiven without and negative repercussions?

I never knew that American means only stupid low paid people are held accountable for there actions, silly me.

BTW, I don't see where I said either set of conditions were mutually exclusive. Honestly the whole Logical Fallacy comment is a poorly constructed Red Herring as ture or not it has no bearing on the issue at hand.

Haha I make a very high salary too and I certainly never expect to be "forgiven without negative repercussions".

Also, I'm glad you googled "Red Herring" Straw man argument, much?

xoxo

snookie

So your saying the US should be more selective on what criminals they decide to deport yes ?

Via legislative reform on key immigration policies - yes. It is obviously too late for Vargas, and I agree no one is above the law so he should expect nothing less than be subject to removal proceedings. But in the future....

America can provide legal pathways for hard working, value-creating, gifted individuals like Vargas. Currently, permanent residency in the US is exceedingly difficult to establish unless through marriage to a US citizen or through other family petitions. There is no formal way to attract innovators, geniuses, and brilliant minds into this country (arguably we have H1B into the green card pathway, but this system is also highly broken and flawed).

Never mind the fact that he has committed many felonies and probably made false claim of US Citizenship which means he is subject to a lifetime ban and can never receive LPR status.

But I guess since he has won the Pulitzer Prize we should forget about all of that because that's just being American!?!?

There is a logical fallacy here (sorry I was a math major). Being American and being a "criminal"/felon are certainly never mutually exclusive. Not having US Citizenship and being American, is also not a mutually exclusive proposition. Vargas, who was educated, raised, and culturally, socially, and ideologically absorbed into America is most certainly American, whether he has his papers or not. Whether he gets deported or not.

If Vargas is considered a criminal, then the more important issue is immigration reform in order to sort the bad guys from the value-adding, society-contributing, brilliant minds like Vargas. Deport rapists, bottom feeders, murderers, welfare queens, and prostitutes. Give America more talented, driven, and intellectual souls like Vargas who will make my country smarter, richer, and better. Absolutely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

For those of you who are inclined, the above link is Vargas's own account of his story published in the New York Times Magazine last Sunday, titled "My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant" written by Vargas himself. Reading this adds many more layers of complexity and thought to the debate, once you read his own words.

In every respect, America is the only home Vargas has ever known (he was brought into the country by a coyote when he was 12 years old, from the Philippines).

He definitely puts a face to the "illegal immigrant" that many of us probably associate with low-skilled, blue collar laborers. He won a Pullitzer Prize and wrote for the most respected publications in the country including the Washington Post and the New Yorker. He obtained a bachelors degree in the US. He pays federal and state taxes.

While Vargas may be undocumented, everything about him is American: his ambition, his talent, his desire for success, his diligence, and of course sheer bravery for actually sharing his story last week. I would love to officially welcome Vargas into the rich, diverse, capitalist, and beautiful fabric of America. He adds value to my country. He contributes to our intellect, as seen in his Pulitzer winning journalism. And he shares The Dream.

I am a newly minted AOS approved green card holder (as of April 2011) and will file to remove conditions around January 2013 (quite a long while from now, but at the same time not really!).

We recently moved from Virginia (where our AOS was processed) to Brooklyn, New York City. I've already received my 2 year GC but I know that USCIS requires you to update new addresses during the entire time you are a GC holder anyway so I filled out:

-Form AR-11 online with electronic submission

-I-865 for my spouse which I physically mailed through postal service

Today, we received an NOA/Receipt from USCIS acknowledging the I-865 submission. However, we did NOT receive a receipt for the AR-11 form I filled out online. Is this a problem?

I've read that USCIS usually sends reminder notices before the ROC filing window approaches and it would be nice for that to go to our new address, but I'm not sure how reliable the AR-11 electronic form submission was in notifying them. For added safety, should I mail the AR-11 via snail mail too?

It seems like english is your second language, which inevitably means you have some difficulty with using the right vocabulary and composing basic sentences. I wonder if the language barrier either in terms of how the IO comprehended your answers or how you phrased them had anything to do with the mismatch in answers? If this is true, you/your attorney may want to mention this extenuating factor in your response to USCIS although I doubt it would count for much. Still its worth a shot if possible.

If you've been a GC holder for 3 years AND married to your USC husband for those 3 years you can apply for naturalization. Your husband cannot be the sponsor for your parents or siblings.

As a US Citizen, you can petition for your parents who are in the immediate relative category (same treatment as spouse, child under 21). You could petition your siblings but the wait time for that is about 10 years. Better off petitioning your parents, who can then petition your bro/sis (but if your siblings are over 21, then that might be just as long a process as you petitioning for them).

Anyways, figure out if you can naturalize and then move on from there.

I live in Virginia and when I first came, I had a driver's license from my home country. This way, I didn't need to hold a learner's permit. I was eligible to take the driver's test immediately. You just bring a car with the car's registration and you'll be good to go as far as testing, oh and there's the vision test.

In terms of documents needed for the DL, Virginia's DMV accepts a passport w/ I-94 and visa but the expiration date on the DL will be the expiration of your visa (I'm assuming K-1)? Once this expires, you can take your EAD/GC as proof of your extended status.

Good luck with your journey

Congrats on your job!!!

I hope you and your husband gets through this easier now that you're employed. Signing up for a health care plan and making him a dependent should ease the costs, and you guys can focus on bigger things like recovering and enjoying life

Some people may not have the budget and/or have plenty of time in their schedule to buckle down, read about AOS, and navigate the application filing process but if you can afford a lawyer and are really busy right now/prefer peace of mind I would def. retain one. Most fees start at $2000 for good, experienced lawyers- which is chomp change considering that in exchange, my husband and I would be able to enjoy our lives together and enjoy all the liberties, opportunities, and free market capitalism of America - THE greatest nation in the world.

Another benefit of hiring a lawyer is that they get copies of all mailings that USCIS sends. So if the biometrics/NOAs/RFEs/interview letter/Approval letter for whatever reason doesn't go to your address (happened to me for RFE), your lawyer gets a copy too as back up.

So sparknotes: dont look at hiring a lawyer as an expense, but a risk mitigator and a back-up plan in case things go haywire.....and they really can.

I used a lawyer based in the DC/VA area but their immigration team is licensed to practice anywhere in the US since immigration is a federal issue. He was AMAZING. Very good service and very responsive. PM me if you want his contact info.

Agreed with Maxximus. I received my biometrics two months after I filed when some people who also filed AOS at the same time as me got there's in less than 3 weeks. It was soooo frustrating and I thought USCIS had forgotten about me.

Finally got the biometrics letter and did a walk-in, then I got my interview letter 1.5 months later (after biometrics) and now have my GC. Some of the filers who got their bio done very early, especially the New York City ppl, still haven't gotten the interview letter.

There is no way to tell with these things but in general, if your field office isn't backlogged the whole process will be around 4-5 mos. from when you filed.

Hi Guys,

My husband has filled N-400 on 25th April and we have received N01 already with receipt number via email. His dad had a heart attack and he had to visit him straight after.

Is there a way he or I can check his biometrics date online or on phone via automated message. I have tracked his case number and it says that he is going to receive a letter with in 14 days but there is no date on that.

Can his biometrics date be checked online or on phone. Please advice!!

It depends on the USCIS phone reps but I would get asked to speak with a Tier 2 customer service person in case they give you some standard bs response that they cant do anything.

Also, you'll need the letter anyway to actually take the biometrics so why not ask a friend to check on your mailbox?

I have no idea how there is a logical connection between GE's tax bill and illegal immigrants.

That said, GE is obviously a corporation operating in the US - a free market capitalist society, in contrast to Scandinavia's more socialist system. They are in the business of increasing their bottom line (net income) and produce value for their employees, suppliers, customers, and shareholders. They would be CRAZY not to utilize the tax code, mind you - legally, and try to reduce their tax burden.

Its the same way everyday American taxpayers take advantage of mortgage interest deductions, education deductions, earned income credits, among a myriad of other "tax loopholes" to increase their own retained earnings.

Its self-interest. Its capitalism. And I love it. I love America.

Yeah, it's definitely sticking it to The Man to make a blanket attack upon VJ members and to make insinuations about the validity of U.S. citizens' marriages to people of particular national origins ... VJ is definitely The Man, individually and collectively!

Uh. No.

Thanks KAt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :). I'm so happy despite the sucky weather outside. lol. Thanks God for everything and you guys for the support.

CONGRATS!!! We can finally relax for a while

My first card production ordered message came on a Wednesday (April 6) then I got a welcome letter on the following Monday (April 11) which is when I got a 2nd CPO email.

The card itself arrived on Saturday April 16.

In total, 10 days after the first CPO email! Its an awesome feeling and I'm so happy for you

TO ALL YOU NAY SAYERS AND NEGATIVE NANCY'S:

MY MARRIAGE TO MY HUSBAND WAS LEGIT. WE HAD NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ON VISA WAIVER. WE APPLIED IN DECEMBER AND HIS GREENCARD ARRIVED TODAY! TAKE THAT!!!!!! Seriously I almost gave up after reading all your horrible posts, but then I realized that most of you bought your wives from Asia or Latin America.

I'm so glad I didn't listen to any of you, and went ahead with the original plan of getting my husband his proper documents so we could be happy together, wherever we are.

PEACE, losers.

Hahaha I found this awesome. Sticking it to the man. WINNING. Congrats!!!!!

Hello,

I had my interview for AOS with my husband on Dec28 after filling the I-485 and biometrics. Right after the interview the agent approved my GC. It's been already almost 4 months and I have not received anything.

I went today to USCIS with an INFO pass and they just said "come back if within 30 days you don't receive your GC"!!!

Is it normal? I have heard people receiving the GC in 2-3 weeks after the interview.

What should I do?

This is def. not normal. Did they let you put in a service request?

Also, did they give you a green card stamp on your passport at your infopass meeting? If not, go and get it

Taking the I-94 is generally always a good sign. Check your email/text/online updates from USCIS and you could be pleasantly surprised!

It's not "front-loading." It's very clearly there in the instructions that you should include at least one piece of a list of proof, and it lists suggestions. But it doesn't matter now - they sent it in already. I would think getting an RFE would be a good thing - to shorten and lessen the stress of their interview, but as I said, they only "may" get one. It doesn't create too much paperwork, it says in the instructions to include proof. It's very plain.

It is on the instructions but in practice, they are trained to make these decisions at the interview, which is a necessary hurdle for non-K visa adjusters. The interview is the most important opportunity to present evidence of married life, since a lot of time (ie. 3-6 months) has accumulated since marriage. I just didn't want people to be unnecesarily worried that they didn't send in any bonafide evidence with their initial package. I can vouch, having gone through the experience recently, that it all comes down to the interview.

But now we're deviating from the topic! Good luck OP with your EAD app

And, the instructions for the I-130 say that while the marriage certificate is the only required information, that you should send in other proof of a bona fide marriage. I think a "should" in the official instructions is a pretty strong indication. You have given your IO no information about yourselves and will therefore have a longer interview because they will have to look at your information when you come in, instead of studying it beforehand. You may get an RFE for evidence of a bonafide marriage. It's too late to send anything in now, so it's water under the bridge now, however. Good luck.

We sent absolutely nothing in terms of "bona fide marriage" when we first mailed the package to USCIS, aside from the marriage cert. We never got an RFE related to proving a bonafide marriage. According to our lawyer, that's exactly what the interview is for.

Unless you are adjusting from K1 and eligible to bypass the AOS interview, there's no reason to front load your application since it creates too much paper work.

While you wait for your interview, keep creating a paper trail. My husband and I went on trips and saved the Amtrak/Greyhound receipts with both of our names. We saved cell phone call logs, showing the 80% of our calls were to each other's phone numbers. Did y'all get married before Dec. 31, 2010? Then your spouse can file taxes in both your names through the filing status married filing jointly. We also had joint memberships at Sam's Club.

If you're having issues w/ bank accounts because of not having an SSN, does your spouse own a credit card? Adding your name as an authorized user takes 5 seconds and required no proof whatsoever of SSN or even legal residency, strangely enough.

You should still make an attempt to actually be on a checking/savings account with your spouse somehow, by attempting to add your name to your spouse's already existing account, instead of creating a brand new account for both of you from scratch.

Hey Tina,

Glad you were able to send in the RFE real quick!

We had an RFE back in January where we sent in our response on Jan. 13 and then got an online update on Jan. 24 saying that they received the response and are reviewing it. So about 11 days after we sent the RFE response package, we got an online notice.

I think the RFE was holding up our EAD, so on Jan 31, my I-765 case processing resumed and they ordered card production.

i imagine they'll have a similar timeframe for you, only instead of ordering EAD, it'll be your GC

I'm just concerned with the 90-day time limit. It's really not enough, especially in this economic climate. Nowadays, when you apply for jobs online and then wait for a reply, it takes weeks and months for the company to respond - IF they respond at all! I literally have to go knock on their doors to see if we can get things rolling

With regards to the 90 days, you can volunteer or work as an unpaid intern and have that count as a job offer. While you're volunteering or interning, you could continue your actual job search.

Check out what university of buffalo says about what counts as a job offer on this site, on page 2:

http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/documents/MaintainingStatusWhileonOPT-LH-3-09.pdf