kittylondon

The correct term for PhD students who teach is "graduate assistant"

Good for your wife! However, what is your purpose in coming in this thread, in the UK forum, to belittle someone who is venting and make her feel awful with your incredibly non-helpful comment? I don't know anyone who gets an "assistant professorship" when they don't have a Phd already. Besides that, what do any of those things you listed have to do with this thread? Most people finish their MA in 2 years. And is the MA in TOEFL or EFL? Because not to be a jerk, but I wouldn't really brag if it's an MIT or an MAT, though to be sure, it's an accomplishment about which your wife should be proud. Finally, do you ever talk about anything but your wife's accomplishments (or her sons'?). It's as though you have none of your own, other than meeting her, which is great, but again, has no bearing on this thread.
I could say:
My husband who is not a native speaker of English:
Had his driver's license the second day he was in America
He finished his Master's thesis while he was waiting for his green card.
He had a job with a Fortune 500 company a week after receiving his green card -- a job he still has and loves.
He...blah blah blah blah.
I could and it would all be true...BUT WHO THE HECK CARES????
Vicky: Good luck. It's hard to be alienated from friends, family, not have a job or a DL. There will be some tough times. Hang in there.
ETA: Also, Vicky, it sounds like you really do have it together and are appreciative of what you have, but like every normal person, sometimes you need to vent.

While I'm sure it's nice to be able to put 'praise Jesus' and 'none thank god!' into the RFE fields, It does make things somewhat messy and plus, I can see it would cause some bigger issues with the VJ system calculating data and dates etc. It would be conceivably be very easy for the raw data in there to find the average response time for RFE's and for data heads such as myself.
Can we change the field so that it's numerical only?

And that's why they're here. They know Google exists. Sometimes it's better to get information from actual people you can have an actual discussion with. If you didn't want to answer, you didn't have to. The OP got their answer fairly quickly from others willing to give it.
I could go into every thread and tell people to "Google it" ... but that wouldn't be helpful, would it?

nevermind.. i used the SEARCH function..

Being Military does not make you a saint! I live in an area with one of the largest population of military in the country and let me tell you, no person, fighting for the country or not, is without fault. One of my best friends is a JAG officer, military people are in jail here for being child molesters, abusers, rapists, and more! Some of them officers! Spare us the guilt trip....
She is seeking advice, all we can do is take her at her word and steer her in the right direction.

Vicky--
I call the K1 visa the "step-child" visa because it gets you here but you feel left out like Cinderella and not allowed to go to the ball by the wicked step-mother. There is that limbo period where you are a "nothing" it seems. I can't fix you but I can offer some suggestions.
You are eligible for a SSN as a K1 up until 2 weeks before your I-94 expires. Go apply for one taking your passport and I-94. Apply in the name exactly as written on your I-94. Don't mention marriage or name changes. Fix that with them later. If an uninformed worker says you aren't eligible, insist on a supervisor and don't leave until you get one. Not all offices are familiar with K1s. That should get you on the bank account. Or go to a different bank in person. Many allow it and you will let you provide your SSN as soon as you get it. Or ask for a higher up at his current bank.
Driving: Most states now require some proof of extended stay/legal status in the US. That's a K1 limbo thing since you only have 90 days until you get an EAD card or greencard. All other visas pretty much have longer. So consider yourself a visitor until USCIS grants you permanent residence. Visitors are allowed to drive in MO on their foreign license. My husband drove on his UK license, even got a ticket on it. Might take some getting used to flipping sides of the car and road, but start practicing. I drove from Heathrow to Oxford my first go at it in the UK with much back seat driving instruction. It starts to feel more normal the more you drive.
Don't be too mad at the USCIS. You did give up a good life, but there are thousands who would scam their own mother to get to the US. The rules have to apply across the board to honest people and fraudulents alike. But it still sucks to be caught where you are. That's why a CR1 spouse visa has the advantage over the K1. The fiance visa may get you here a month or two faster, but then you're stuck.
So when are you going to file for AOS? The sooner you do, the sooner your "house arrest" is over. If you need help, PM me. Or even if you have concerns, I'll listen.
Oh, and get over feeling like you shouldn't ask for money. He loves you. He married you. What's his is yours. Spend it without feeling guilty. I was kinda sensitive to hubby's feelings when he came and didn't want to make him feel like I was giving him an allowance. I tried to make it seem like it was "our" money as much as I could. If you are hesitant to ask, maybe he doesn't know what you want or need.
I know you can survive. You've got a positive future with a handsome PhD candidate. Nobody faults you for venting so carry on. Hug Hug HUG!!

Here's something that's slightly confusing about those numbers
Here's one from the list I have
EAC 12 900 20151
According to various sources on the web about the CLAIMS3 system, they say that the number breaks down like this;
EAC Meaning the service center
12 Being the fiscal year the application was received (This is a November number from 2011, but the fiscal year is 12
900 Is the computer workday in the fiscal year that the application was processed (From memory, this usually covers a few days, but there are also multiple computer workdays per calendar day)
20151 is the actual case number
That particular petition had it's NOA1 on December 2
This number however, EAC 12 901 20151, had it's NOA1 as December 16, I have a feeling that the format is actually EAC 12 9 012 0151
EAC - Filing location
12 - Fiscal Year
9 - Fiscal Month
012 - Processing day
and 0151 being the case number. Makes more sense, no?
The reason being that every time I go through these numbers, that seems to be the way it forms. the 012 relates to December 16-19, 011 seems to relate to December 13-15... I've probably gone through close to a few thousand petitions and this is the format that makes the most sense.
The good news is, that a lot of the numbers on my list for processing day 12, are showing as either RFE or fully approved. Most January filers were day 16. I've only got a small sample of the numbers. We're all close!

Because you're an overstay, it's actually administrative removal (not the same as deportation). You will be able to petition for a spousal visa to the UK in the future (if you patch things up with your husband) if you have been administratively removed, as opposed to deported when you can't get a visa to the UK. The question you need to ask yourself is if you are placed in a detention facility prior to deportation, can you handle that? It's not a given that you will be but it's worth bearing in mind.
Better to investigate voluntary departure, which may be an option for you. http://www.islington.gov.uk/publicrecords/documents/HealthandSocialCare/Pdf/voluntary_departure_guidance.pdf Also, consider a visit to a Citizens' Advice Bureau, who may be able to advise you further.

Hire more people and improve ur services. As simple as that. And if USCIS doesn't have enough money to hire more people (which I highly doubt) then raise the fee ... Personally, I wouldn't mind paying $100 or $200 more if that means I get my visa within 3 months instead of 7 or more. So somebody please explain to me why they don't do it?

Today I learned never to trust the USCIS website, I'm going to start drinking now...

This isnt human anymore.

From time to time I read posts about expedite request, visa denial or waiting frustration that I think their reasons are weak or silly. But I say nothing, I keep my mouth shut when I don't have anything useful to contribute because I remember why we all are here in this VJ community.
We are not here to turn our frustration venting against each other. We are on the same team here to support each other during this "visa journey".

Racial slur?? Gimme a break! The reason I used the term "people like you" was because of the CONTENT of your post. Even if you did not mean to be rude, your post came off as arrogant and not very tasteful. You commented that the OP should not feel frustrated and wrote "sit down and be patient like the rest of us". I don't understand how this does not sound rude. There are different ways to say things, everyone here misses their SO and once in a while we all use VJ to vent a little. Is that so wrong?
I totally understand why the OP is frustrated. VSC has been moving really fast the last couple of months, while CSC is moving slower for the most part. Judging by this, she can't help to wonder why her petition has not been approved. Sounds valid enough to me! Notice how I also offered some encouraging words and told her to be patient, but did it very differently than you. Yes, you are entitled to your own opinion, and you are free to say things how ever you please, but be cognizant that people can be sensitive, which most of us during this process are.

No disrespect RickJovi but this is not the first, not the second, not the third time reading such a comment. What is this all about? "You've only been waiting one, two months. Why are u worried yada yada yada" It doesn't really matter how long u have been waiting... Even weeks seem an eternity when ur far away from ur love and sure u get impatient and want to see some progress... Where's the understanding? I just don't get it But that's just my 2 cents.
Like I said, nothing personal or anything like that but this is just something I've noticed ...

Maybe they are, who knows. They have been working fast the last couple of months so let's see what happens. Try to keep yourself busy, I know it's easier said than done.

People like you should just not comment. Why should she be frustrated you ask? Uhm, I don't know, maybe because like all of us she is desperate and emotionally struggling with the process like everyone on here is!!! :bonk:
A little encouragement and reassurance goes a long way. Don't be a negative nelly. Remember, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Having submitted a 129F I wanted to look through RFEs to reassure myself that everything was in order, what I found in the RFE Master List thread was a jumble of off topic discussions, questions, polite but uninformative approval comments, and good information. The result: bloated thread of 55+ pages! In the interest of compiling the information in condense format I have started this thread and will try to compile the valuable info from the other list.
Please feel free to post your RFE experiences but respect the following bullet format:
"RFE - Insufficient proof of having met within 2 year time frame."
"Fix - Submitted boarding passes, photos, copies of passports."
Please do not post:
-Comments (thanks!, great thread, this was very helpful, this is useless info, etc.)
-Questions (With a little searching this info can be found elsewhere in the forum...I promise!)

Yup the touches are not indicative of when an approval will occur. Many are approved without a single touch. We just need to hope they finish with these December petitions and move on to us. When the first couple Januarys come through, it will be time to celebrate. It will be game on for everyone in January regardless of NOA1 date. Approvals for December encompassed a range of dates and didn't seem very sequential. Hoping in about 2 weeks our time will begin...

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I think the OP said he arrived on a CR1? Doesn't this mean that unless there are some other issues, he should be receiving his 10-year card soon and there's no need to ROC? If so, then perhaps he just needs to stay calm, decide on what he would like to do next in terms of his marriage?
The important thing is not to engage with her in any kind of confrontation where she could claim you abused her, that would create all sorts of legal issues for you as domestic violence is taken quite seriously.

this is why i think it's unfair we can't delete our own posts, as far as i know.

Hey everyone!
We just called the Department of State to make sure that it was true that the K1 visa fee was decreasing from $350 to $240 on April 13, 2012... and it's true! Just to let all of you planing on filing for it. There's a link to it on the main page of this website.
Good news!

Excuse me? He owes her NOTHING for "bringing him here". Just like she wouldn't owe him if the situation were reversed. Just because HE moved here (she helped but HE did the moving) doesn't mean he needs to put up with abuse or "humble himself".
I have been married 2+ years and have NEVER felt like I was taking abuse and it is NOT normal to feel that you are. That is a completely ridiculous comment. If you feel degraded or abused in the relationship there is something seriously wrong.

Again, can you cite the legal authority granted to USCIS or DOS to hack into an email account?
I don't mean to belabor this, but the OP is clearly concerned that the US government would hack into his account and your answers keep leaving that door open. My answer to the OP is that no, they won't hack into his email accounts.
So please, if you do have a reference for a legal authority granted to the US government to hack into the personal email account of an immigrant petitioner or beneficiary... provide that reference for us. Thanks.

I could totally understand postponing a wedding given
how young they are. And it sounds like he wanted to
get an education first and establish himself so
they could have a nice life together when they
finally decided to tie the knot.

If the government allowed me to figure out my personal life without their strict time constraints, I wouldn't be in this situation. I am asking about immigration related questions because time is running out. Some people don't function mentally and emotionally in 90 day or 2 year time frames. I am not asking for relationship advice, I am asking for help with the immigration situation that I am in so that my wife and I can continue our relationship on our own time in the way that we see fit and in a way that makes us happy. I understand that our situation may not fit the picture perfect bill of marriage that each of you has, but our relationship is very real and perhaps very different than yours. Regardless, I need to know what route will allow us the greatest chance of remaining together in the way that we are together now. That is why I posted on this board.
Thank you for understanding my situation. I wish other VJers would understand this and respond with practical information rather than with relationship advice. Thank you!