Kevin_USA

I do not think they commonly ask about wedding plans since its a future event. I would suggest being careful about making any definate wedding plans before getting closer to the end of the process, these things have a way of dragging out for months longer than you expect

How about somewhere other than America? No, not in your narrow-minded view.

Where?

Show some courage, I am very curious to your answer.

1. Yes, 'world leader'. Like helping those poor people in Syria... oh wait.

2. Talking about the US being a 'Beacon' for the World in the PAST has loads to do with the current state of affairs... oh wait.

3. Basically your argument about Gay marriage is; We can't let them marry, because then all those other minority groups will want to marry. Think about this, then realize how bigoted that view is.

4. 'Our politicians sell out the US day in and day out.' - In the 'greatest country in the World'. You helped my argument with this.

5. 'unlike your type' - My type? The one's who actually use their mind to see what's right and what's wrong? The one's who realize that America is FAR FROM THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO SAY IT.

6. I never said I hated America.

7. Stop watching Fox.

Commenting on one of your earlier posts...

Same-Sex Marriage is not illegal in the US, it's not legally recognized in most of the states or by the federal government (and note that it is legal in Maryland and Washington with more state to follow). Big difference. Where I take exception is you act as if we are out of step with the rest of the world. Yes, agreed, we should be the leader on this issue and I would suggest it is all going to change over the next few years.

But... Very few nations recognize Same-Sex Marriage and those that do only did so within the last few years. Furthermore, Same-Sex Marriage (and Homosexuality) is punishable by prison or even death in 93 countries in this world. How about Saudi Arabia for Greatest Country? Yeah, I don't think so.

Why is the military so important to this argument?

By using that Argument, North Korea would be up there as one of the 'Greatest countries in the World'.

Because armies shape the world we live in. North Korea is an excellent example of a small country that has impact on the world because of their military.

Of course, North Korea would just be Korea, were it not for the US Army. And North Korea would not exist at all had China not intervened. A 2-million man army with WWII vintage armament is a threat but should they attack the South, I expect the same 10 to 1 loss ratio as we saw in the Korean war. I really could not have choosen a better example of why the military matters.

As I said, your parameters may vary.

the UK lol

Once upon a time

Huge fan of the UK, no offense meant at all.

Also, the whole 'America is the greatest country in the world' statement... does anyone ACTUALLY think this nowadays!?!

Sure.

The list of contenders is small, of course it all depends on your parameters. From my point of view it would have to be a open democracy that gives equal voice to every citizen. That eliminates about 75% of the planet right there. We have very strong laws for freedom of speech, freedom of religion (and more importantly freedom from religion) and legal protections for person and property. Our per capita income is Top-10, our military is Top-3, and we are the most generous nation in the world.

Who might you suggest is the greatest nation? Luxembourg? Norway? Sweden? All fine places, I admit, but certainly not on the world stage and not really comparable. Japan? Very rich country but they have no military to speak of. Russia or China? Can you really compare your rights as a US citizen in the same light as living under a communist dictatorship. India? Strong caste system and, for a large portion of the population under bonecrushing poverty that few in America could understand.

There are a number of European countries I would happily live in but I would not rank them among the greatest nations by any means.

The income requirements should be at least 200% of poverty level for certain family members. Many classes of visa should be done away with, including the all the K visas. Restrictions need to be tighter on foreign worker visas. The loophole of staying in the country on an expired visa/I-94, etc, while the I-485 is being adjudicated should be eliminated, as should be refiling ad infinitum just to stay in the US. If you overstay, you go home, no reprieve, no waiver, no AP, no EAD.

I couldn't disagree more.

The US is a country of immigrants, yet your forefathers and mine could not legally have come to this country under today's rules. Diversity is one of the reasons we are the greatest country in the world and one which people want to immigrate too. We should make it far easier and quicker to legally immigrate to this country. I also see no reason why the work done in Vermont and California could not be outsourced to a private company. Doing so would surely cut the process time by 75%. They should also add a service for expedited applications at a premium, say double the normal fee.

Yes, increase the salary requirements for K-1 Visas to 200% and eliminate co-sponsors (Active military should not be subject to these rules). If you are poor, you need to get better job or better education before you try to raise a family. Countries who routinely threaten the USA should have severe immigrations restrictions. No K-1 / CR-1 Visas for countries like Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, or Pakistan (except for active military).

People who have bona fide skills we need in this country should have a fast track to immigrate here. We should be attracting some of those Chinese engineering students and Filipino nurses. First generation immigrants as a group are the most successful entrepreneurs in America.

We are at 8 1/2 months now and do not have an interview date yet. It took 7 1/2 months to get the NOA2 from Vermont.

My girlfriend was watching 12 applicants that applied for a K-1 at the same time we did (early June 2011). As of last week, 5 had NOA2s, 2 had REFs, and 5 were still waiting on NOA2s.

I am hoping for final approval in April, or about 10 months.

And which uneducated people are you talking about? Iraq had a population of college-educated people that rivaled ours and Afghanistan CHOOSES to live in the stone age. Some people don't want to be like America. You do know that, right?

Far as I know, the literacy rate for Iraqi women is about 50%. The global literacy rate in Afghanistan is maybe 30%. Literacy in Pakistani might be 60% but I wager half that or less for women. Of course, women do not matter anyway since they are not allowed to drive, get a divorce, or leave the house without a male companion. I am pretty sure wearing the Burqa was a woman's idea in the first place.

Some people don't want to be like America, true enough. I bet most would love to have that choice, or a voice or some simple freedoms. I doubt the wait for a Visa at the Pakistani Embassy is very long.

Because we kill over 100,000 innocent civilians and occupy the holy land. Not to mention kidnap, torture and hold folks indefinitely without trial.

It's only okay when we do it!

You seem to be forgetting planes flying into skyscrapers, people falling from buildings, the invasion of Kuwait, gassing of Kurds, bombings too numerous to count, beheadings of tourists, etc... Civilians die in wars, nearly 50 million in World War II alone. The Taliban, Hamas, Al-Qaeda and other murders do not subscribe to the Geneva Convention so should not be granted those humanitarian standards. They are not U.S. Citizens. they are enemy combatants (i.e. prisoners of war).

Afghanistan declared war on America and we are reacted appropriately. In hindsight, Iraq was a big mistake because now we are faced with the world's number one exporter of terrorism (Iran) trying to become a nuclear power and we do not have the stomach to invade them. It will cost us dearly in the end, probably to the tune of millions of lives at some point.

Sadly, the good people of that region are mostly poor, uneducated, and greatly hindered by their religious/cultural beliefs. I do not see much hope for them any time soon because those in power (mostly religious figures) have too much incentive to keep the people in the stone age.

Interesting, if not somewhat slanted, piece.

I think the issue really derives from a lack of understanding of what 'conservatism' means to the average person. Though it escapes me as to why it is so difficult. I would submit that the typical 'Conservative' believes in the following:

* A smaller federal government with most issues decided at local or state levels.

* A strong national defense.

* A belief in capitalism and the free market.

* Protection of personal freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution and the associated responsibilities that accompany those rights.

By those standards, I would suggest that the vast majority of Americans are Conservative. Single issues such as Abortion are far more aligned with religious upbringing than political viewpoint. The Republican party has hitched its wagon to Abortion and (to a lesser extent) Immigration; by doing so they will continue to pay heavily for it.

I consider myself to be a staunch conservative. Yet, I am also Pro-Choice and Pro-Open Immigration. As such, and mind you there are many like me, there is no political home for my views. Should the Republican party ever wake up and focus on the fundamental values of the Conservative, they would have the opportunity to make real changes in America.

For the individual issues mentioned in the article and the relevant polling data, I would imagine it is based purely on how the question was asked. "Do you support Social Security?" is a far different question from "Would you pay 10% more taxes to support Social Security?". The Social Security system is broken because it was created at a time when less than 50% of the population even reached the retirement age. So quit asking the question of whether you support it and start asking the question about how you are going to make it work.

Higher Taxes on the Rich? I am fine with but the problem is we spend too much, not that we tax too much. The top 5% of wage earners already pay 58% of the personal income taxes. It should also be noted that many of the super wealthy also contribute large sums to charity. That includes quite a number who have pledge 50% of their wealth to philanthropy (Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, and T. Boone Pickens are among just a few). There is no doubt in my mind that a dollar spent on charity is far more effective than a dollar sent to Washington.

As in most things, common sense and moderation should be our watch words. Yes, Capitalism is good; unfettered Capitalism is not. Conversely, Heavy regulation stifles business but no regulation endangers the public. Hard Questions, Hard Answers; answers we will not arrive at by being Democratic or Republican.

Done

Recieved my NOA2 in the mail today. Only took nearly 8 months

If you were married as of 12/31/2011, I assume you could file as Married-Filing Jointly.

Under IRS law, you are considered married for the full year if you are married as of 12/31.

Last I heard VSC was still working on June applications

I dont believe Texas processes I129s.

I am in Texas and sent mine to the Dallas Texas office, it was forwarded to Vermont on June 13th. I have not heard a word since.

June 8th and no touches....

June 8th and still waiting.

My Lady is going nuts!

I am in the process of writing a letter to my congressman this evening.

If you search for 'Section 111 of Public Law 110-173', you should be able to find the specifics.

I do know, however, that many carriers are not in full compliance and I expect there is some grace period before the law fully takes effect.

Its a Federal Requirement for Medicare Processing.

Federal Law now requires your health plan to report Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for all covered dependents to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In addition, if a covered dependent is also eligible for Medicare, the Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) must be reported.

The Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan recently mailed all participants a form for reporting this information, and participants were required to respond by July 15, 2009. Participants who have not yet responded and do not have a copy of the form should call Railroad Enrollment Services at 1-800-753-2692.

The purpose of the law is to permit Medicare to determine whether it should be a secondary payer rather than a primary payer where an individual has both Medicare and other insurance.

Health plans that fail to comply with the Law are subject to stiff daily fines for each unreported Social Security Number, so this is an important request that deserves everyone’s prompt response.

Ro - Thank you - I will go pay them a visit.

Casprd - The Quote that I posted in regards to the Congressional Inquiry actually came off the Privacy Form I was trying to fill out for their office. Regardless, I think I will go see them.

Your input is appreciated.

I called the USCIS on 12/8 (6 months after my NOA1 date) to file a Service Request.

Received my response on my Service Request today:

We have received your inquiry regarding the status of your case. We are currently processing cases filed within the timeframe of your filing date; at this time, your case is pending review. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with an estimated timeframe for review. You will receive notification if additional information is required to process your petition.

The response tells me nothing.

My next step was to ask my Congressman to get involved but the Congressman will not get involved except under the following circumstances:

A congressional inquiry can be made only after you have scheduled an appointment with USCIS through INFOPASS and you have waited 90 days for USCIS to resolve the matter. You must provide a copy of the receipt for the application for which you are requesting assistance. For I-485 inquiries, also include a copy of 129F/I-130 or I-140 receipt. Cases are not taken from lawyers.

Following those instructions, I went to Infopass to schedule an appointment but they only make appointments based on the following 4 reasons:

We offer 4 kinds of appointments for a case that you have already filed. Please choose from the following -

Order from Immigration Court - If you were directed to us for processing based on an order from the Immigration Judge. You must bring all documents required in the post order instructions given to you by the court.

Case Processing Appointment - If you received a notice to go to your local office for further case processing.

EAD inquiry appointment - If your I-765 employment authorization application has been pending for more than 90 days.

Case Services follow-up appointment - If it has been over 45 days since you contacted NCSC and have not received a response to your inquiry. You must bring the Service Request ID Number related to your inquiry to the appointment.

None of those reasons apply to me. I did file a Service Request and basically was told Zilch, however, since I did receive a reply I do not qualify to make an appointment via Infopass. So what is my next step beside just waiting? The local USCIS office is 20 minutes away so I plan on camping on their doorstep one day this week but not sure if that will

Any other thoughts on fighting through the Red Tape?

Congratulations!!

Hope they start on June soon.