Spanglish

What is an oxymoron?

A logical government system.

I don’t know where to start. I filed form I-130 for both my wife and stepdaughter at the same time and mailed in the same envelope. They both have the same 1NOA June 19, 2007 and they both received their first touch on November 11, 2007. My wife was approved on November 13, 2007. But my stepdaughter has sat at November 11 with no further touches. I have called the USCIS numinous times to just get the standard answer of “it can take 6 months”. I went to my mail box Saturday December 8 to find the first package from the NVC for my wife. And under this envelope was a letter from the USCIS CSC, when I saw the blue paper I knew it was a RFE. The action date was November 30 and they requested a certified birth certificate with English translation showing both parents for my 9 year old stepdaughter. Now my first point is and I do not believe I am wrong, the instructions for an I-130 do not tell a stepparent to send a birth certificate. I will now copy and paste the instructions from the I-130.

What Documents Do You Need to Prove Family Relationship?

You have to prove that there is a family relationship between you and your relative. If you are filing for:

2. A child and you are the mother: Submit a copy of the child's birth certificate showing your name and the name of your child.

3. A child and you are the father: Submit a copy of the child's birth certificate showing both parents' names and your marriage certificate.

8. Stepparent/stepchild: If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child's natural parent showing that the marriage occurred before the child's 18th birthday, and copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were legally terminated.

So I now ask the group was I wrong, as I am the stepfather then I am number 8 not number 2.

Luckily I had two certified copies of her birth certificate with translations, as I will need at the NVC and was able to get to the post office before closing time and sent priority mail at a cost $16.50. It arrived yesterday Monday December 10, 2007. I looked at the USCIS web site last night and it stilled showed last touch of November 11, 2007. Today December 11, 2007 I received an email from the USCIS saying that they sent me a RFE today December 11, 2007 and I checked the web site and the last touch date showed December 11, 2007. So I called the USCIS CSC and the man said that they sent me a RFE for my stepdaughter birth certificate today December 11, 2007. I told him that I had already received on December 8, 2007 and they received it back yesterday December 10, 2007. He seemed dump founded and had no explanation as to why the system generated two RFE for the same thing and did not show the first one.

You got to love governments.

Dateline:

Well guys dispite the fact that some members on this site veiw themselves as Gods answer to all the poor stupid little people I've came back the see what new smart ### remarks he can make.

Here's the latest, the CSC web site shows they received my RFE (stepdaughters birth certificate) on 12-18-07. Showed touched on 1-3-08. Now shows that another RFE was sent on 1-8-2008. Hopefully I'll receive Friday or Saturday. I will not be surprized if the ask again for her birth certificate. Or maybe I should have sent my mothers bra size but the I-130 instructions are not clear on weither it was her bra size at my birth or now. Now you got to remember this is the Department of Homelade Defence and are the people protecting us from terroirist. Boy I sleep soundly knowing that such a compedent group is at the wheel.

Ok now you can write telling us all how stupid I am and that you are Gods gift to the world.

PS I may be stupid but you are fat and ugly. O yea I did not use spell check so if you can not translate i'm sure one of the lesser people can help ya.

I sent in my step-daughters birth certificate because I could not think of any other document to prove she was under 18 (or her age at all).

So, I think this is the thing, some how you have to prove 2 things:

1) She is under 18 at the time you married.

2) She is the child of the spouse you married.

The only way to prove those two items is by sending in her birth certificate I think.

Logical ?

Yes I agree it's logical as there is no other link that binds my wife to her daughter. But the fact is the USCIS does not list this as an item to send. If they have instructions then they should be followed.

It would be like you receiving a RFE because you did not include a 325-A for your stepdaughter, when an 325A is not listed as needed for a stepchild. Or receiving a RFE because you did not send a copy of your social security card when the instructions for a stepchild say nothing about sending your social security card.

I followed the instructions exactly.

I just hate governments that make everything complicated.

Instructions are no substitute for brains. The concept is to demonstrate the family relationship. A birth certificate is the only thing I could possibly provide to tie my step-daughter to my wife, since they don't share the same family name, so I sent it in. This shouldn't cause much of a delay but you will be dealing with the holiday slow down due to time off etc. and mail delays.

In many cases the child will carry the family name of a former spouse named in a divorce decree but as evidence, it's pretty tenuous.

No need to insult me. I have brains and can follow instructions but can not read minds. Yes it is logical to send my stepdaughters birth certificate and in retrospect I should have. The problem is not me, the problem is the I-130 instructions. VJ is for the support of others and to pass on information not to insult people.

Thanks an have a great day.

One more thing while I'm on a roll. Your advise about the US Embassy in Bogota Colombia not being allowed to require a baptismal certificate, was dead wrong. They can and they do if you do not have one you must supply a notarized statement form an older relative. I read your posts and most of them are not in the spirit that a VJ member should post in.

Did you submit your birth certificate when you filed your I-130? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit you drivers license? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit your Social security card? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit a release from your stepchild's biological father? No it's not listed as needed.

Now do you get my point or do you not have brains. What would you have done if you had received a RFE stating you needed to send A release form from your stepchild's biological father. You would have said it's not listed on the I-130 as evidence to submit for a stepdaughter, just like I did and you said I have no brains.

Can we all be friends? Treat each other as we wish to be treated also?

I apologize for getting hot headed, it's all just soooo frustrating. PEACE

I will devote my energy to getting my stepdaughter's bedroom ready for her, she wants me to paint it pink

I sent in my step-daughters birth certificate because I could not think of any other document to prove she was under 18 (or her age at all).

So, I think this is the thing, some how you have to prove 2 things:

1) She is under 18 at the time you married.

2) She is the child of the spouse you married.

The only way to prove those two items is by sending in her birth certificate I think.

Logical ?

Yes I agree it's logical as there is no other link that binds my wife to her daughter. But the fact is the USCIS does not list this as an item to send. If they have instructions then they should be followed.

It would be like you receiving a RFE because you did not include a 325-A for your stepdaughter, when an 325A is not listed as needed for a stepchild. Or receiving a RFE because you did not send a copy of your social security card when the instructions for a stepchild say nothing about sending your social security card.

I followed the instructions exactly.

I just hate governments that make everything complicated.

Instructions are no substitute for brains. The concept is to demonstrate the family relationship. A birth certificate is the only thing I could possibly provide to tie my step-daughter to my wife, since they don't share the same family name, so I sent it in. This shouldn't cause much of a delay but you will be dealing with the holiday slow down due to time off etc. and mail delays.

In many cases the child will carry the family name of a former spouse named in a divorce decree but as evidence, it's pretty tenuous.

No need to insult me. I have brains and can follow instructions but can not read minds. Yes it is logical to send my stepdaughters birth certificate and in retrospect I should have. The problem is not me, the problem is the I-130 instructions. VJ is for the support of others and to pass on information not to insult people.

Thanks an have a great day.

One more thing while I'm on a roll. Your advise about the US Embassy in Bogota Colombia not being allowed to require a baptismal certificate, was dead wrong. They can and they do if you do not have one you must supply a notarized statement form an older relative. I read your posts and most of them are not in the spirit that a VJ member should post in.

Did you submit your birth certificate when you filed your I-130? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit you drivers license? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit your Social security card? No it's not listed as needed.

Did you submit a release from your stepchild's biological father? No it's not listed as needed.

Now do you get my point or do you not have brains. What would you have done if you had received a RFE stating you needed to send A release form from your stepchild's biological father. You would have said it's not listed on the I-130 as evidence to submit for a stepdaughter, just like I did and you said I have no brains.

I think their the @#@#@ ....Spanglish, i was reading your post and thought ..hmmm a bunch of really BRIGHT ppl there at uscis, so I checked ours out as well online. You know we recieved that RFE yesterday, but our case also shows a touch today, but our RFE info didn't change from yesterday.

It is just really crazy how they do stuff there.....who the heck is running that place there? a bunch of dummies?!!

I just hope they do call you back as they said they would...and give you some good information.

I just hope that your case get approved and soon...insha allaah!!

Thanks for the encouragement, I know it is frustrating to not know whats going on. I and some close friends. have been in the visa world for the last 5 years. From what I can see is nothing has got any better, only the fees have increased. Things were screwed up at the old INS before 9-11 and they still are now with the new USCIS. An to think these are the people who are in charge of protecting our borders.

I am a UL certified ISO 9001 auditor and I can tell you the USCIS has no document management nor system control system. I would love to read their operating plan .

I sent in my step-daughters birth certificate because I could not think of any other document to prove she was under 18 (or her age at all).

So, I think this is the thing, some how you have to prove 2 things:

1) She is under 18 at the time you married.

2) She is the child of the spouse you married.

The only way to prove those two items is by sending in her birth certificate I think.

Logical ?

Yes I agree it's logical as there is no other link that binds my wife to her daughter. But the fact is the USCIS does not list this as an item to send. If they have instructions then they should be followed.

It would be like you receiving a RFE because you did not include a 325-A for your stepdaughter, when an 325A is not listed as needed for a stepchild. Or receiving a RFE because you did not send a copy of your social security card when the instructions for a stepchild say nothing about sending your social security card.

I followed the instructions exactly.

I just hate governments that make everything complicated.

Instructions are no substitute for brains. The concept is to demonstrate the family relationship. A birth certificate is the only thing I could possibly provide to tie my step-daughter to my wife, since they don't share the same family name, so I sent it in. This shouldn't cause much of a delay but you will be dealing with the holiday slow down due to time off etc. and mail delays.

In many cases the child will carry the family name of a former spouse named in a divorce decree but as evidence, it's pretty tenuous.

No need to insult me. I have brains and can follow instructions but can not read minds. Yes it is logical to send my stepdaughters birth certificate and in retrospect I should have. The problem is not me, the problem is the I-130 instructions. VJ is for the support of others and to pass on information not to insult people.

Thanks an have a great day.

And the mess continues, looks like I now have 3 RFE????????????????

November 11, 2007> Wife and stepdaughter's petitions touched.

November 13, 2007 > Wife approved.

November 11, 2007 until December 11, 2007 > USCIS web site showed my stepdaughters case last touch on November 11, 2007

Saturday 12-08-2007> I receive at home an RFE / I-797E via postal service, with an action date November 30, 2007. The RFE asks for stepdaughters birth certificate. Never mind that the instructions for filling the I-130 say nothing about sending a stepchild's birth certificate.

Saturday 12-08-2007> I return RFE with stepdaughter's birth certificate via express mail.

Monday 12-10-2007> USCIS CSC receives RFE with stepdaughters birth certificate from me.

Monday 12-10-2007> USCIS web site still shows my stepdaughters case last touched on November 11, 2007.

Tuesday 12-11-2007> Receive email at home from USCIS informing me they sent an RFE on December 11 (2 days after I received the RFE?)

Tuesday 12-11-2007> USCIS web site updated to show my stepdaughters case was last touched on December 11 and informs me they sent an RFE on December 11.

Wednesday 12-12-2007> USCIS web site re-updated again to show my stepdaughters case was last touch on December 12 and informs me they sent an RFE on December 12. (THIS IS A TOTAL OF 3)

Now I know I am just a dumb country boy but that math don't add up. I got 1 REF they say they never sent and are now sending me 2 more?????????????????

Wednesday 12-12-2007> I called the USCIS CSC and the officer said she would pull my file and call me in 2-3 days with an update. I asked her if this would interfere with your inquiries and she said no.

I sent in my step-daughters birth certificate because I could not think of any other document to prove she was under 18 (or her age at all).

So, I think this is the thing, some how you have to prove 2 things:

1) She is under 18 at the time you married.

2) She is the child of the spouse you married.

The only way to prove those two items is by sending in her birth certificate I think.

Logical ?

Yes I agree it's logical as there is no other link that binds my wife to her daughter. But the fact is the USCIS does not list this as an item to send. If they have instructions then they should be followed.

It would be like you receiving a RFE because you did not include a 325-A for your stepdaughter, when an 325A is not listed as needed for a stepchild. Or receiving a RFE because you did not send a copy of your social security card when the instructions for a stepchild say nothing about sending your social security card.

I followed the instructions exactly.

I just hate governments that make everything complicated.

Spanglish....Sorry to hear about the rfe

You know, I am like what else do these ppl want from us ya know. Just aggravating..but I guess it has to happen

""I feel for you I got one Saturday and then today they say I have another but they don't show sending me one last week???????????

Hang in there, I know it sucks.""

What did they ask for , if you don't mind me asking? I just wish they had a better system than what they got now.

Never give up HOPE....this is what I keep hearing......We won't Insha Allaah!!!!

I am also sorry to hear that you got RFE, I hope you will be able to send them what they are asking for. Much luck!

Thanks djturbo.. Oh, we will send them whatever they need believe that, but I wish I knew what that was??!

now I just have to wait and see.......

The RFE asked for my stepdaughter birth certificate. Read my posting from earlier tonight for all the details. Basically I received the RFE in the mail Saturday and today Monday I received an email saying that I will receive a RFE????

salaam...hello VJ'rs

Well today, I got an email >>>>

Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: We mailed you a notice requesting additional evidence.

On December 11, 2007, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence and/or information in this case. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the evidence and/or information requested. This case will be held in suspense until we either receive the evidence or the opportunity to submit it expires. Once you submit the information and/or evidence requested, you will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something further from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service.

I don't even know what it could be...I "thought" I sent in everything that I possibly could and now I am worried.

Yes, I did call today as soon as i got off from work, but the officer I spoke to didn't tell me anything. He was nice, but no info to give me at all. He said that he didn't have our case and didn't know what was there. He went on to tell me that every case is confidential, so only us and the officer looking over it can see it. So, now we wait for this letter.....of course during the holiday rush at the Post Offices

Any advice..from anyone that has gone through this?? I know every case is different, but still I am sitting here and wondering..what the heck could it be that they want now?!

I feel for you I got one saturday and then today they say I have another but they don't show sending me one last week???????????

Hand in there, I know it sucks.

What is an oxymoron?

A logical government system.

I don’t know where to start. I filed form I-130 for both my wife and stepdaughter at the same time and mailed in the same envelope. They both have the same 1NOA June 19, 2007 and they both received their first touch on November 11, 2007. My wife was approved on November 13, 2007. But my stepdaughter has sat at November 11 with no further touches. I have called the USCIS numinous times to just get the standard answer of “it can take 6 months”. I went to my mail box Saturday December 8 to find the first package from the NVC for my wife. And under this envelope was a letter from the USCIS CSC, when I saw the blue paper I knew it was a RFE. The action date was November 30 and they requested a certified birth certificate with English translation showing both parents for my 9 year old stepdaughter. Now my first point is and I do not believe I am wrong, the instructions for an I-130 do not tell a stepparent to send a birth certificate. I will now copy and paste the instructions from the I-130.

What Documents Do You Need to Prove Family Relationship?

You have to prove that there is a family relationship between you and your relative. If you are filing for:

2. A child and you are the mother: Submit a copy of the child's birth certificate showing your name and the name of your child.

3. A child and you are the father: Submit a copy of the child's birth certificate showing both parents' names and your marriage certificate.

8. Stepparent/stepchild: If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child's natural parent showing that the marriage occurred before the child's 18th birthday, and copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were legally terminated.

So I now ask the group was I wrong, as I am the stepfather then I am number 8 not number 2.

Luckily I had two certified copies of her birth certificate with translations, as I will need at the NVC and was able to get to the post office before closing time and sent priority mail at a cost $16.50. It arrived yesterday Monday December 10, 2007. I looked at the USCIS web site last night and it stilled showed last touch of November 11, 2007. Today December 11, 2007 I received an email from the USCIS saying that they sent me a RFE today December 11, 2007 and I checked the web site and the last touch date showed December 11, 2007. So I called the USCIS CSC and the man said that they sent me a RFE for my stepdaughter birth certificate today December 11, 2007. I told him that I had already received on December 8, 2007 and they received it back yesterday December 10, 2007. He seemed dump founded and had no explanation as to why the system generated two RFE for the same thing and did not show the first one.

You got to love governments.

Perfect case for the USCIS Ombudsman.......http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/editorial_0497.shtm.

Customer Service personel are held to standards and the answer you recieved is not appropriate. You should have an ID number that they give you when you call. Use this number in your letter to the Ombudsman. If you did not receive a number call back ask the same question and ask for their ID number. hang in there. BG

Well now its been three weeks and still no word on our daughter??? It is a crazy system

Hopefully it will come any day now. From what I heard they try to keep families together as best they can. It is tough to wait I am sure.

Today I called the USCIS and asked why my wife was approved 2 weeks ago and not my daughter. I just about peed my pants when the lady said "some cases are more complicated than others and take longer"

I replied "how can an 8 year olds file be more complicated than her mothers"?

She then said not to call back until after 6 months so that's 3 more weeks.

And for this service I pay taxes. At my job I have two emails two phone numbers plus a cel phone and two faxes. I must return all calls within 30 minutes. I guess that's the real world VS the government world.

Slowly going crazy in NC.

I wished I had something good to say but it's like the glass of water, "half full or half empty". My wife received her 2NOA two weeks ago but our 8 year old daughter whose application was in the same envelope was last touched on 11-11-07. How they could be split up like this is beyond me. I get the feeling her application is sitting on one of those "retired on the job" government workers desk. I'll be receiving mail from the NVC soon for my wife but what good it will do without CSC approving our daughter. I guess I'll just hold my wife up at NVC until our daughter is approved. I never dreamed this scenario would happen.

Still no word on our daughters 2 NOA. I know it sounds crazy but I wish my wife had not been approved. I was relaxed and just waiting now I worry every minute that something is wrong.

Has anyone had this experience?

Thanks

I know I'm dealing with a government but how the CSC can take two I-130 out of the same envelope and approve one before the other is ??? well highly illogical.

Received Estrella 2 NOA in the mail today buy our 8 year old daughter's I-130 is still showing last touched 11-11-07. I'm starting to get that sick feeling in my stomach that I am falling into a black hole.

Anybody had this experience

I think our daughters look in this photo explains it all

Still no word on our daughters 2 NOA. The on-line update shows last touch on 11-11-07. The telephone systems says the information on this number can not be found. I talked to a customer service rep and she said the phone system was having problems but she could see our daughters file and it was no yet approved. I asked if my wifes and daughters applications would be sent to the NVC together , she said no that they go to the NVC as they are approved. I replied but they needed to be processed together, she then said well they may get different interview dates at the embassy. I said she is only 8 years old how can you separate her file from her mothers as I sent them together????????

You got to love governments.

Checked this morning and Estrella is approved .But our daughter is still showing 11-11-07 as last touched date, hopefully she will get approved today or tomorrow.

When I sent in the I-130's I estimated 11-11-07 as 2-NOA and boy was I close.

BUT REMEMBER!

A word to the wise, we're dealing with a government don't expect logic .

Received our first touch!

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE APPROVED I-130

Please add use to the list looks like we are in line with others.

Thanks

Spanglish

Guys,

Maybe I'm worry about nothing but, When I filled my wifes I-130 I gave her my family name along with her complete name. Her 1-NOA arrived with my family name. I asked her to get her passport changed to add my family name. She told me that the passport office in Cali Colombia told her that her passport was too new to get changed??

Now I worry what will happen when I send a photo copy to the NVC and at the Embassy in Bogota, when they see my family name is not on her passport.

Anyone had this problem?

Thanks

Yes we are filling exactly as you guys are doing it, we got married but I haven't changed any of my documents here in Colombia to match my husband's last name I kept my I.D and passport as they were and so far it hasn't been a problem at all .

In all the forms we have filed for the immigration process my name shows like I have his last name but in the rest of my Colombian documents I still have the name I have before i got married .

Good luck with everything

Hey Thanks,

Estrella went to the Colombian passport office again today. They told her there was NO WAY to put my family name on her Colombian passport unless she changed her (cedula) this is the Colombian national ID card. So we will move forward with her passport saying her Colombian name and all the papers I've filled with the USCIS showing her having my family name added to her name. So now she will have 3 last names, mothers, fathers and mine. I guess if there is any problem it will show up at the NVC when I send them a copy of her passport ID page.

Again Thanks to all of you.

Tapeguy aka Spanglish or just Tommy

Guys,

Maybe I'm worry about nothing but, When I filled my wifes I-130 I gave her my family name along with her complete name. Her 1-NOA arrived with my family name. I asked her to get her passport changed to add my family name. She told me that the passport office in Cali Colombia told her that her passport was too new to get changed??

Now I worry what will happen when I send a photo copy to the NVC and at the Embassy in Bogota, when they see my family name is not on her passport.

Anyone had this problem?

Thanks

i cant understand why the passport office was saying that it was too early to change name it does not matter, once u re married and u have marriage cert, with yah, u can change it anytime and it is free, then they will punch a hole on the previous one and stamp cancel on it, my wife got her first US passport in june with her last name b4 we marry and she change it to my last name again in september when she was coming for visit, and there was no problem, she just sent in the previous one and the certified copy of our marriage cert. that was just it, but if u want to expedite it u will have pay around $73.00

This was the passport office in Colombia. If I read your post correctly you are talking about the USA passport system.

Anyway I'm starting to worry about this as the US Embassy in Bogota says that your documents must match your passport. I plan to send her back to the Colombian passport office with her older brother, maybe he can talk some logic to them

Guys,

Maybe I'm worry about nothing but, When I filled my wifes I-130 I gave her my family name along with her complete name. Her 1-NOA arrived with my family name. I asked her to get her passport changed to add my family name. She told me that the passport office in Cali Colombia told her that her passport was too new to get changed??

Now I worry what will happen when I send a photo copy to the NVC and at the Embassy in Bogota, when they see my family name is not on her passport.

Anyone had this problem?

Thanks

It is not in lieu of a birth certificate. It is used for that purpose though but I saw 1 person being told at the US embassy in Bogotá that she had to make another appointment because she didn't have this document. She was in front of us so I could hear what was going on and after 10 minutes of going back and forth, the lady at the embassy found it and she was told to proceed for fingerprinting.

For Spanglish, who is the one filing through Bogotá. Whether it is a US Constitutional right or not, this document is needed and asked for at the US Embassy in Bogotá. And again if you don't have it, then you need to take a notarized affidavit or statement that you need to take explaining why this document is not available. There are several members in the Colombia Club who know how to get it and they can help you with it.

Diana

Diana,

Thanks for all the help!!!

Tapeguy

Ahemmmmmmmm

I think Protestants have baptisms too! I'd use that one if I were you. If she was never baptized...take her to a church who will do a baptism on her. Or...send in an explanatory letter saying that she was never baptized and does not want to be baptized. There are a couple of choices for you. Good Luck on your VISA Journey.

Sincerely,

Craig

PS It doesn't say CATHOLIC...everyone in Colombia is not Catholic.

Sorry, I did not mean the US government said Catholic. When I told my wife the US embassy in Bogota asks for a Baptismal Certificate she replied "You know my family is Pentecostal", "This baptismal certificate is for the Catholic Church"

I try not to get to hung up on denominations. I was raised Independent Baptist (but recovered) and baptized in a fish pond. And as my old buddy says " the water got to be at least waist deep cause thats we most of your sins are"

Thanks

Tom

Guys,

I noticed that the US Embassy in Bogota Colombia asks for a Baptismal Certificate. My wife's family are Protestant and do not have Catholic baptismal certificates. What do you do?

Thanks

Tom

4 months and waiting on the 2NOA

They want a birth certificate. Baptism is not required for immigration to the US. A Baptismal Certificate may be substituted for a Birth Certificate when one is not available.

thanks,

I was looking at Package 4 from the US embassy in Bogata and they state. Both Baptismal certificate and Birth certificate.

Thanks

Tom