Alonso&Sheryl

Hi!

So I am adjusting my status through marriage. Already did my biometrics, and sent in what they asked me for in a request for initial evidence.

Today, I got an e-mail saying my status has been updated. When I checked, it states they are in the process of scheduling my interview...which is great! Except for the fact that 99% of the cases I've heard of received their work permit BEFORE the interview was even schedule. So, I am wondering why I haven't received my work permit yet. Its just kind of frustrating because I want to start working and helping out my wife with our finances....plus I think I've already watched every single possible movie Netflix has to offer.

Just wondering if anyone had the same experience, where the interview was schedule before receiving the work permit? Take notice that my interview hasn't been schedule yet, but its in the process of been schedule. Still though...I feel like I should have received the work permit by now, no?

Hi, just want to share my RFE experience.

I have a joint sponsor because my wife is a student, and of course like the starving college students we are, she doesn't make enough. But like an idiot, I forgot to attach my joint sponsor's proof of citizenship. So that put the whole process on hold for a couple of extra weeks. Oh well! I sent it, they received it, and now they are in the process of scheduling my interview.

Just wanted to share that with those who have joint sponsors. Do not make the same mistake I did.

Well, if I was you I wouldn't be too concerned about your AOS or Green Card. You want to go back home, therefore, your GC, or any sort of status you have in this country will not matter at all. So don't worry about that. Also, if you are married here, you are also married in Argentina. Therefore, what you need to concentrate on is getting divorced. Your best bet is to do it in Florida, otherwise the back and forth of papers from Argentina to the U.S. would obviously make the process longer (specially if he refuses to cooperate). I think you mentioned that he does not want to divorce you? Well, I don't know how it works in Florida, but in California, even if he does not want to divorce you, there's nothing he can do about it. He can't hold you hostage in the relationship. Best case scenario is you file for divorce, he does not response, and in 30 days you can file for a default judgment and bingo! You are divorced. Well...that's the simplified version of it, there's more to it than just that. You should look for a self help center in your area, sometimes there's groups that offer free help with the paperwork.

You gotta wait for them to actually send you the biometrics appointment though. It will have some barcodes at the bottom for them to scan.

Hopefully when you later submitted the I-485 you also enclosed a copy of the NOA for your I-130 so that your applications could be matched up and paired together in the system.

Obviously this is not required if you file concurrently.

Yeah, that is what I would have done. I would send the i-485 along with the notice of action of my i-130 so they can put them together.

Also, make sure you sent them to the right lock box. Just because now you are sending the second form, it does not mean you get to send it to the same lock box as you would had you filed it all together.

Hi,

So I came into the US in the year 2000 (more than a year ago, obviously), and I also had to renew and get a new passport from Peru (my home country) because the passport I had not only expired, but Peru now had a different size and color passport.

What I did is, I copied the old passport, with the very last entrance to the US. I didn't give them the new one, just the old one with my last entry stamp. So, if your wife's last entry stamp is in the new passport, just give them that one.

I don't see why they would need both passports, they only need either your last entry, or all entries in the last year. This is just to verify that she came in legally, and goes along with the I-94 of her last entrance.

I mean, you can make copies of both if you'd like, but I would definitely write something either in the table of contents, or a note near the passport the reasons why you are attaching both old and new, because in reality, they don't need both. I certainly did not give them both, and they have not said anything about it. Matter of fact, they reviewed my paperwork and sent me a request for initial evidence, but it was regarding my joint sponsor, they never mentioned anything about the passport. If they required both passports, I am sure they would have said something in the RFE. But its your choice buddy. I guess having too much information can't hurt you.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you two!

Good information.

Que: I live in Los Angeles. And seems its slower than some other places. Can I go to Sacramento or some near place(which are not that busy) and get EAD earlier than "Average time of LA"?

Also, does someone know if LA office allows early Bio metrics appointments?

Good luck guys

It really depends on the center you were assigned to I guess. Just walk in, and ask if they can do your biometrics now. All you are wasting is the gas money. You should give it a try.

As far as going to Sacramento, I wouldn't recommend it. Matter of fact, I'd think it might slow down your case, if you were assigned to LA and your info randomly pops up in Sacramento. Finding out where to send it to, and how it ended up in the wrong region might slow down your case. Don't jeopardize it, just be patient, I am sure everything will be okay.

My parents also did their paperwork in the LA area, they got their green cards through my aunt who is a citizen. Oh boy it took forever! Nearly 10 years! BUT the good thing is you are doing your paperwork through marriage, right? That should only take between 3 to 6 months. So in comparison, its a very short wait. You are good though, just hang in there!

Like Xanax said, every service center is different...but since you're in a pretty good one (by that I mean fast(er) one than some others) you might get your at the end of next week, or if holidays slow it, beginning of next next week (follow the math?! ) I also did my biometrics in CA (Sacramento) and it was quick as a wind, and by next week I had my EAD in my wallet. Good luck!

Unfortunately, I got a request for initial evidence, because they want proof of citizenship of my joint sponsor (my cousin). So whatever time I gained by going in early, has slowed down now because everything is on hold until I send that proof of citizenship, which will be tomorrow. Sucks, but oh well! I am sure everything will be okay at the end. Hopefully I can get my work permit a week after sending the proof, meaning next week, or the week after.

Quick update.

Went today to get my biometrics done (even though my appointment is on 1/7/12). They did them without a problem since they weren't too busy. Therefore it is possible to get them done before, without requesting any permission prior to going.

In case anyone is wondering, the place I went to is in Pomona, California.

So on 12/12/12 I mailed my paperwork (1-130 & 1-485). About 10 days after I received the receipts (12/22/12), and two days later (12/24/12) I got my appointment for biometrics. I have to questions.

Can I show up, maybe about a week before my appointment (Jan 7th), to do the fingerprints? Also, does my wife (who is the petitioner) need to be there?

After the biometrics appointment, what do I do? Just wait around? Someone told me that you get your work permit before the interview with the immigration officer, but after the fingerprints? Is this true? Or do I not get a work permit until after the interview with the officer?

Also, after I get the work permit, what do i do? I heard I have to go to a social security office and get a number. I am just a bit lost.

Thanks guys!

Well, my parents just got their green cards a couple a of years ago, and they stated they had fake socials, and those numbers did probably belong to someone. They even provided the numbers, and nothing happened. Matter of fact, they transferred the S.S. taxes from all those years they worked with that fake number, to their new legitimate number, even though they worked illegally. Now when they retire, they will receive all of those benefits.

I spoke with a couple of attorneys who said that they won't care if I worked with a fake social, because even though its fraud, half of the immigrants in California do it. So since its nothing rare, they will not care. Matter of fact, the attorney also told me that they will transfer the benefits of s.s. from when I worked with a fake one, to my new one once I get it.

I know its fraud, and a ton of people do it and were still able to get their residency straighten out. I guess my question was, if putting that number on my application will create confusion?

P.S.: I did not buy a fake I.D. Most employers only require the s.s. #, not ID's.

Quick question,

I just filed my I130 and I485 through marriage, there's a section (I don't remember on which one of the two) asking if I have a social security number. I had a fake one I purchased in order to work for a few years. The friend who helped me fill out this form (who worked in immigration law for a long time) said I had to state that social number on the application. So I did. I am guessing this is so that they can take out the money I put towards that s.s. # and put it in my new one.

But what do you guys think? Was that a good idea? Now I am in doubt whether I should have put that number in there or not. Not that it matters much because I did state that I worked and if asked I'd never lie. I am just wondering if my application will be rejected because of that number that doesn't have my name to it.

Its pretty normal. Just the other day I was talking to a friend of mine who is periodically checking her friend's case online, and she was telling me that the system stated that no case could be found. Then a few hours later, the case magically appeared on the system. Then a few days later, the case was once again gone.

Why does this happen? I don't know. But it does. So its okay. A way to confirm is to call the toll free number, if they say they have you, then there's nothing to worry about.

Hi everyone,

So today I finally sent out all of my papers related to my I130 and I485. My wife is an American citizen, and I migrated here over a decade ago.

I just realized that the cashier's checks I was given at Wells Fargo to pay for the fees only said Department of Homeland Security, they are missing the "U.S." in the front. The sums of money are right, but its just missing those two little letters. Do you guys think this will be an issue, and they will return everything to me so I can correct that small mistake and re-send everything?

Seems like a silly question, and seems kind of silly to get it rejected because the checks are missing two little letters, but who knows, I've heard they are really picky about everything.

Anyways, thanks for all of your help.

JAR