Linds&Youssef

straight from the USCIS site where you check your case status:

"If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or contact our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283."

Here's the link they're referring to above: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa

I'd like to point out that Obama's decision applies to children under the age of 16. In the US you have to be 16 to work anyway for the most part (granted there are extenuating circumstances, but this isn't the place to get into them). His decision was that while we will not support the children of these illegal immigrants with federal/tax dollars, and we will not give them the rights to attempt to obtain official immigrant status, we will also not deport them. This is on the grounds that they are children and were not able to make the decision to come to the US, but now that their families are here they'd go back to nothing in their home countries. Based on my conversations with immigration attorneys recently, this is less about giving them the right to file for any sort of documentation and more about not separating children from their families before they are able to take care of themselves. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how this will really affect those of us who are in the middle of the immigration process.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Maybe that means mine's coming in a couple of days...

I answered the same question about traveling to Morocco for the interview several weeks ago. Here's the link:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=371571&view=findpost&p=5425798

Just an FYI to all... USCIS will tell you that you're not qualified for a service request until you're outside the 30-day window directly following your expected adjudication timeframe (which is currently 5 months from date of NOA1).

We're NOA1 on Jan. 31, and I'm losing my mind wondering where my NOA2 is...

Thanks!!

Gah... I feel like it's been forever since anyone had any movement on a case here in the Morocco portal. Don't mind me, just a rant because the VSC is processing applications in my time frame ballpark, and I'm just ready for the NOA2 already !!

I understand your frustration, but there are a few things to keep in mind here:

1) The goal for processing times is 5 months. It's not a guaranteed time frame.

2) The timelines you see here on VisaJourney are not necessarily completely accurate representations of all processing times for all visas of your specific type (they only reflect the visa applications of the members of this site... who fill out their time lines.

3) The VCS received a higher than normal volume of applications this winter and spring.

All that said, I know it's hard to be patient (sometimes I'm so anxious about the progress of our case that I could scream!) But the reality of the situation is that USCIS will not respond to any questions of progress that come before the 30-day period directly following the USCIS-stated processing time frame that applies to your case. So if USCIS posts 5 months, they won't even speak to you until after 6 months have passed from NOA1.

I'm sure this probably doesn't make you feel any better, but at least maybe it'll clarify what's going on a bit for you.

No experience, just wanted to say good luck and we're all rooting for you here!

Could you please fill out your timeline?? Those of us who are still waiting on NOA2 would love to see your updates to get a little boost in hope that our own cases are actually moving along. Thanks and congratulations!!!

My understanding is that police reports are specifically for the interview, so you didn't need them for the petition, but you will need them (current versions) for the interview. Does anyone have experience to the contrary with regard to this?

The rule is that the petitioner must earn at least 125% of the national poverty income rate, according to number in the household (including the applicant), in order to qualify to fill out the affidavit of support. Although her current income will be considered, the fact that she claimed $0 income in 2011 and well below the poverty line in 2010 means that she is currently unable to prove that her ability to earn the minimum income is stable. Since she can't prove that she's got financial stability in her life, you'll need a co-sponsor. After all, the whole reason to have an affidavit of support is to show that you have access to financial resources that will keep you from becoming a financial burden on the US government. Although she has a job now, nothing is guaranteed (especially in this economy), and her history doesn't exactly fill one with confidence that she'll have you covered if her current job doesn't last. Sorry if I sound harsh, just trying to explain the reality of the situation... hopefully it'll save you the trouble of having to take extra steps on the back end that cause you to wait longer.

Just for sharing's sake, I have heard of a single case in which the petitioner was granted access to the interview area. If I recall correctly, it was a very special circumstance, and the couple had already been denied once. During the second attempt's interview, the CO asked why the petitioner wasn't there with the applicant, and he responded that she was, in fact, right across the street waiting for him at the cafe. The petitioner was then summoned to enter the interview. From the description, it sounded as though the CO was skeptical that the applicant was telling the truth and made an exception expecting to catch him in a lie. But in the end, the petitioner was able to answer several questions and (from her story) turn the case around. Their visa was granted. I tell this story because if you feel like spending the time to find it in the consulate reviews section, you can verify for yourself, and also to say that even if the rule is not to let petitioners in it's always a good idea to be there as a show of support and as evidence of a legit relationship. I've even heard of the consulate sending representatives to the hotel where the petitioner was supposed to be staying to verify her presence in the country (in other cases). Although it's not the norm, you never can tell in a high fraud country like Morocco... I'd go for the interview if I were in your shoes. Good luck!

To be honest the only reason why i feel to stay with him is because i feel like invested so much into this boy.

Just a thought, but if you're still in the middle of the process, you're going to have to spend more before it's over. So if the amount of money invested is the only thing keeping you together, you're better off to call it quits before he costs you even more (both literally and figuratively). If you don't love him and/or he's mistreating you, then your only healthy recourse is to consider it like a business situation. In the business world, what you're doing is called "escalation of commitment". It's when you justify continuing to do something that's not in your best interest because you've already put money/resources into it. What you've already put in is lost and cannot be reclaimed, but that doesn't mean you have to keep throwing money into the pit. Even if you do still love/care for him, this may help you to make a healthier decision if you're sure he doesn't love you or if he treats you badly. Good luck!

It's not about being right. It's just different. What's right for you may or may not be right for my fiance who's also Moroccan. Just as what's right for me may not be what's right for someone else who's American. And certainly there's a difference in what's right for someone from the Moroccan culture versus the American culture because it's all about your own perspective, your culture, and so many other factors. I'm not saying it's a bad thing for there to be a difference in how the use of a single word works. It's not good or bad. It's just different.

First, I have to say, Beauty for Ashes, I almost fell out of my seat laughing at your video link on how to get white girls... thanks for making my day! Zagray, the comments about the use of the word "envious" may or may not be solely based upon your usage. I have to say that I agree--there seems to be a different view of envy in the Moroccan culture than there is in the US culture. I've even heard my own fiance talk about other people being envious or even the potential for them to be envious give certain circumstances... circumstances which would not necessarily be grounds for envy here in the US. It's not my intention to generalize, but I've noticed that things that I as an American have no problem sharing (ideas, happy outcomes, fortunate occurrences, etc.), my fiance would never share because he'd be concerned that it might create envy and/or ill-will toward his good fortune. It's not an all-the-time thing, necessarily... but it's certainly a different perspective that really does exist. Just sayin'

What is Igor's list? I've seen this mentioned a couple of times...

well if you're going to pay almost $1800 for a visa service, why not just pay the extra $200 or $300 and hire an actual attorney?! If you get a good one they'll still help you with the paperwork and preparation for filing your petition but will also represent you all the way through AOS in the event that you need them to be present at your AOS interview--might be good, especially if your SO is from a high fraud post. For example, I did not use a visa service, but I hired an attorney. I paid $2,200, and the attorney sent me and my SO questionnaires. From these questions, they filled out the petitions for us and all other necessary paperwork, had us review and sign, and directed us which evidence pieces we needed, how many, and organized and made copies of all evidence before filing on our behalf. They're always available if I have questions, they made the filing process super easy (I'm also a very busy person with a significant amount of responsibility in my company), and they'll be there for us throughout the AOS process. Word of advice, though, if hiring a lawyer: do some checking and don't just hire the first one you find. Get one that specializes in immigration law, who's located within driving distance to where you're located. Check references for their communication/organiziation/ease of access/helpfulness/friendliness to clients, find out what his or her "win rate" or percentage of time they win their cases is, and find one that's reasonably priced... it shouldn't cost you more than $3,000 or so, tops. This is the only way you're assured of having someone who is actually qualified to help you with the process since visa agencies can only file paperwork for you and cannot act on your behalf in dealing with consulates or getting information. Good luck!

I don't know if this will help for every kind of visa, but below where you enter your receipt number to get your status, you can check processing times of various visa types at various locations... maybe you'll have some luck there... https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do

No worries! I've just had so many conversations with my attorney about people whose cases get denied because they only send the minimum information required and forget that the consular officer's job is to assume your relationship is not legitimate until you can convince them beyond doubt that it is in fact a real one that's not based on a green card (particularly in high fraud countries, which includes basically anywhere in the MENA and Soviet Block countries to name a few).

I just saw the part about evidence of a bonafide marriage (excuse my last post about saying you intend to marry--you can leave that part off, but the rest of it's sound advice... and in fact you should each write one and have them both notarized). If you can get notarized statements from friends and family on both sides attesting first-hand to the legitimacy of your relationship, this is strong evidence. It also helps, being that we're talking about Morocco here, if the beneficiary's family writes that they approve of your relationship. Otherwise, the following are good evidence, and you should include as wide a range as possible. It's not necessary to include everything you have from each one, just a sampling that shows some breadth of time:

*phone records

*chat logs

*facebook posts between the two of you, you and his friends/family, him and your friends/family

*photos together (time stamped if possible)

*evidence of travel to and from his home or from his to visit you (within past two years)

*bills, letters, bank statements, addressed to the both of you together

*evidence of shared property (bank accounts, homes, vehicles, etc.)

*I also sent a sampling of emails along with a snapshot of the file box showing an index of his emails to me (I keep them in a separate folder), and mine to him (separate folder, too). This way, the consulate can see how frequently you communicate by the time stamp on the send/receive date of the emails.

*I don't know if they'll review it, but I even posted videos of us together on a private page on YouTube and gave instructions on how to access it and a quick summary paragraph of what to expect to see.

Again, it's not necessary to send 600 pages of phone records or copies of every single photo you have together. Just enough to show the progression of a relationship over time. For example, I sent phone records for the entire month with phone calls between us highlighted. I sent 3-4 per year (i.e. for the year 2011, I sent Feb., May, August, Nov.) Emails, I sent 15 or 20 and the index of the folders where I keep emails I send him and one of emails he sent me so they can see how frequently we communicate. I only sent about 20 photos and about 10 screen captures of facebook interaction. I also sent copies of ticket stubs, itineraries, and flight confirmations. Letters from each of you describing your relationship (notarized) are very helpful, and the more people who are willing to attest in a notarized letter to your legit relationship (and how they know it's legit) the better!! Hope this helps. Feel free to message me if you need clarification.

Good luck!

L&Y

You should also include a letter explaining your relationship (how/when/where you met, things about you as a couple that reflect the fact that you have a bonafide relationship, whether you've discussed the issues that could come between you as a couple (significant differences in culture, language, religion, age, beliefs, etc.). This letter should also state explicitly that you intent to marry your fiance within 90 days of his arrival into the US. The letter should probably also state something similar to the following at the end: "I swear under penalty of perjury that the above statement and included information is true and accurate." This should be signed and notarized.

Something to keep in mind is that there are instances in which cases may receive expedited processing. So if the letter says they're processing November now, it's probably not that far off. We filed at end of January, and we'll be looking for an NOA2 in about early to mid June.