radacos

June 8, 2010

Hi all!

My brother-in-law (a USC) has been living in Romania for 13 years. His business there is wrapping up and he is ready to move back to the US with his wife (a Romanian citizen). They are eligible for DCF. She has a multiple-entry tourist visa. My question is, does starting the DCF process invalidate her tourist visa? They are looking for a house and there is a possibility that they may have to travel to the US while the I-130 is pending. This may not be an issue depending on how long the DCF takes, but just wanted to make sure of the technicalities.

Thanks so much!

December 24, 2009

There is a parking lot right next to the Immigration building, and they charge a fee for parking (I think it was $5 the last time I was there). The catch is that there is no parking anywhere else, so you *have* to use their lot. Talk about making a buck on the side...

December 21, 2009

1. Not sure.

2. You obviously don't have the medical exam and the original Affidavit. Bring copies of the latter if you have them. Also bring tax returns, a couple recent pay stubs, etc.

3. Bring the originals of everything you sent in the packet, or copies if, by chance, you sent originals. USCIS often loses stuff.

4. That means proof that you two are indeed a legitimate married couple, starting with the marriage certificate, and including bank accounts, credit cards, mortgage, lease, insurance, plane tickets, photos, or whatever else you have.

Good luck!

December 21, 2009

BTW, you are sending the I-130 at the same time as the I-485, right? The two applications need to be processed together. Since you are already in the US, the I-130 makes it possible for you to apply to change your status right away, but they are both necessary for AOS.

December 21, 2009

One thing that I would check to make sure is whether you can, in fact, retain your F-1 status (and thus your EAD) once you apply for AOS. I *think* you should be able to, but I'm not positive -- the international student office at your school should be able to help clear that up.

Since you've been a student here for a good long while, you've been dating your GF for years and you are in status, you should have no problem receiving your GC. As others have said, you can get married and apply for AOS at any time. Even if your OPT expires before the GC is granted, you'll be here legally as long as you'll have applied for AOS by then.

Good luck to you guys!

December 20, 2009

I attended college on an F-1 visa for two years before I got married, and I never had any issues along the way, even though I had been living with my now husband since I had arrived in the US. At the AOS interview, the adjudicator did seem to look favorably upon the fact that I was still attending the same school listed on my F-1 paperwork and was on track to graduate.

There is no *actual* 30/60/90 rule in the adjudicator's field manual, but if a person holding a non-immigrant visa enters the country and immediately gets married/files for AOS, immigration officials will naturally be suspicious. If you and your boyfriend have no set plans to marry and he simply wants to visit, study, and give your relationship a shot, you should be perfectly OK applying for AOS somewhere down the road if that becomes the case. This is perfectly legal and happens (successfully) to countless couples every year.

Best of luck!

December 20, 2009

Even though I've been living in the States since I was 20, I had never been behind the wheel of a car until September (never really needed to drive). I took four lessons at a driving school, which were useful for learning the basics of how to operate a vehicle, and then I drove with my husband for a total of about 10-12 hours over a couple months. I passed my driving test the first time I took it.

For what it's worth, insurance wise, my husband added me to his insurance when he bought his car two years ago (I had a learner's permit then); when I bought my beater a few months ago and added it to our insurance, the increase only amounted to about $25/month. Putting your spouse on your insurance as soon as she has her learner's permit might help with the cost...

August 23, 2009

I am so sorry about your troubles and I hope that you find some resolution soon!

While your husband is technically out of status right now, this is not likely to be a big problem in the long run. However, if he is caught (that is, if he is found working illegally or he gets in trouble with the law), he could be deported. Also, as the previous posters have noted, if he leaves the US he will incur an automatic 10-year ban.

I understand that your financial situation is extremely difficult right now, but I strongly urge you to file for the Green Card as soon as possible. The USCIS unfortunately makes no exceptions for financial difficulty... Is there anyone that you could borrow the filing fee from -- a religious/community association, a co-op, etc.? Could you borrow from your husband's relatives or friends back home? Aside from resolving his immigration status, your husband could file for an Employment Auhorization (EAD) along with AOS, and thus be able to work while you're getting over your injury.

Hope things start looking up for you soon!

August 15, 2009

Updating my oath date. My timeline is not typical -- they initially scheduled me for a July 4 oath, which I couldn't do because I was traveling abroad. Congrats to everyone who is done, good luck to those still waiting!

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

shadow_dog........12/01/08....12/05/08...12/31/08...04/13/09....05/20/09...NBC....Chicago.........??/??/??

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....04/24/09...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...04/13/09. .06/19/09....06/24/09...TSC....oakland park,FL..12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...07/06/09....08/14/09...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....04/21/09...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....05/21/09...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....04/29/09...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/16/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

ChinaBabe.........12/12/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...04/27/09....04/30/09...TSC....Atlanta,GA......12/24/08

Coquette..........12/12/08....12/30/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....01/08/09

NigerLA...........12/13/08....12/23/08...01/07/09...05/13/09....07/02/09...NYC....................12/22/08

rilian............12/16/08....01/09/09...01/27/09...03/20/09....05/05/09...CSC....San_Francisco...01/08/09

Jackjack..........12/17/08....12/27/08...01/14/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...VSC....Boston..........12/26/08

ptrober...........12/17/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...03/10/09....04/16/09...NSC....Cincinnati......01/05/09

radacos...........12/17/08....12/30/08...02/23/09...05/05/09....08/17/09...NSC....Seattle.........12/31/08

alwayswin.........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/23/09...04/15/09....06/17/09...VSC....Buffalo,NY......01/02/09

Debra&John........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...04/30/09....05/07/09...NSC....Seattle.........01/06/09

DoxATL............12/23/08....12/29/08...04/30/09...06/22/09....06/22/09...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....04/21/09...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

den_y2005.........12/24/08....01/05/09...xx/xx/xx...04/27/09....06/26/09...CSC....Santa_Ana.......01/05/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....07/02/09...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....04/22/09...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Kunjal27..........12/29/08....01/02/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....04/28/09...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....04/23/09...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

August 15, 2009

mistaken post, sorry!

June 8, 2009

Still waiting for my oath letter here. It has been a month since my interview, and the IO told me I'd receive the letter within a month. Does anyone know what number to call and what combination of keys to press to speak to a live person who knows what's going on?

May 13, 2009

Hi folks!

I am wondering whether anyone has any information on this. For the states where District Offices administer naturalization oaths, is it possible to take the oath at a different DO than the one where you had your interview? My DO is only scheduling oaths for July 4 at this point, and I will be out of the country at the time. I can take the oath when I return, but that is 3 months away. If it is at all possible, I'd rather take the oath before I have to leave.

Thanks much!

May 6, 2009

Hi guys!

I passed my interview today! :dance: The whole experience was quite surprisingly uneventful. I got there about 15 minutes before my 9:30 interview, and was called in around 9:50. The officer was courteous and professional, but not particularly forthcoming. He put me under oath, then asked for my passport, GC and DL. He briefly leafed through my passport, then went over some of the information in the application. He asked me to confirm my name, address, DOB, husband's name and marriage date, asked me if I was currently working and where, and then asked the eligibility questions (arrests, citations, communist party/terrorist organization affiliations, prostitution and drug use, etc.). I had never had a citation, not even a speeding ticket (I don't drive), so I had nothing to report here. Then he administered the reading/writing test and the history test. That was it! He was not interested in any of the documents I had brought, not even the '08 tax return. Throughout the entire interview, I never had the feeling that he was uncertain that he was going to approve me; it seemed more of a formality.

The only bummer is that, as of this week, they are only scheduling oaths for the July 4 ceremony. I will be out of town then, so he said he'd submit a request for my oath to be scheduled after the date I get back. I was hoping to have my passport before traveling this summer, but oh well...

Best of luck to everyone still waiting!

May 3, 2009

radacos, good luck for your interview this week!!!
rilian and samsbs, congratulations on your upcoming oath ceremonies!!!

Thanks, guys! I'll update on Tuesday afternoon.

Congratulations to all the recent approvals, and I hope the remaining few filers get their interview letters ASAP!

May 3, 2009

Thank you everyone for all your inputs.
I really don't understand uscis at all, or maybe they are not telling us all the information.

Apparently, it looks like the FP was the only thing with a problem.

Then my question is How could my name check be cleared if the FP was needed?

Also, how could I be put in queue for interview since February 25th, if there missing FP?

Why they did send a letter ask me to get my biometrics taken?

I have so many questions without answers, and worse the IO at the infopass couldn't answer either.

I feel like doing this to someone at uscis

Dox, I am so sorry about your USCIS trouble! For what it's worth, name check and FP are two different things, and they are done separately, so I'm not surprised they were able to do the former without the latter. Hopefully now that FP is done you'll get that interview letter soon!

April 25, 2009

Next project--passport! Yeay! Social Security people were there after the ceremony to file and update our immigration status (as US Citizens now). That saved us a trip to the SSA offices. Hopefully in 3 weeks I would get my new SSCard (same info and # of course) and be able to apply for a passport

Congratulations Maimai and all the other new citizens! I hope everyone's journey ends successfully and soon!

Maimai, I just wanted to make sure you know that you don't have to wait for the Social Security update to apply for a passport -- you can do it right away!

April 7, 2009

I am very glad to hear about the successes, and saddened about the cancellations and delays!

I have a question for those who have had their interviews. Do the IOs verbally ask you to answer each question in the application, or do they just glance at all the answers you gave and ask for clarification, etc. when necessary? Neither is a problem -- I'd just like to know what to expect. Thanks, and good luck to everyone who isn't done yet!

April 4, 2009

Putting my interview date back on the list again. Please make sure you use the latest list when you update.

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...04/13/09. .xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Miami...........12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...04/01/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....04/24/09...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/16/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....04/24/09...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08

ChinaBabe.........12/12/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta,GA......12/24/08

Coquette..........12/12/08....12/30/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....01/08/09

Nigerla...........12/13/08....12/23/08...01/07/09...04/07/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....NYC.............12/22/08

rilian............12/16/08....01/09/09...01/27/09...03/20/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Francisco...01/08/09

Jackjack..........12/17/08....12/27/08...01/14/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...VSC....Boston..........12/26/08

ptrober...........12/17/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...03/10/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Cincinnati......01/05/09

radacos...........12/17/08....12/30/08...02/23/09...05/05/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........12/31/08

alwayswin.........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/23/09...04/15/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Buffalo,NY......01/02/09

Debra&John........12/18/08....12/31/08...01/22/09...04/30/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Seattle.........01/06/09

DoxATL............12/23/08....12/29/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

skoopie...........12/24/08....12/29/08...01/24/09...04/21/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/06/09

den_y2005.........12/24/08....01/05/09...xx/xx/xx...04/27/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Santa_Ana.......01/05/09

edandying.........12/27/08....01/07/09...01/29/09...04/20/09....xx/xx/xx...NSC....Chicago.........01/08/09

jamieswith........12/29/08....01/02/09...xx/xx/xx...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Houston.........01/06/09

Kunjal27..........12/29/08....01/02/09...01/30/09...04/28/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Atlanta.........01/06/09

Aizi..............12/29/08....01/05/09...02/03/09...04/23/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Newark,NJ.......01/12/09

April 4, 2009

2) Putting Radacos interview date back on, Taking so2008 date off.

Thanks, dox! Hope you get your letter very soon!

March 16, 2009

Received my interview appointment! May 5, 2009

Name..............SentDate....NOA1.......Biodate....Interview...Oath.... Center..LocalOffice.....CheckCashed

samsbs............12/01/08....12/23/08...01/14/09...03/20/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Francisco...12/24/08

broma25...........12/01/08....12/15/08...01/03/09...04/10/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....Philadelphia....12/12/08

farah2005.........12/01/08....12/12/08...xx/xx/xx...xx/xx/xx....xx/xx/xx...TSC....?????...........12/09/08

so2008............12/02/08....12/16/08...01/03/09...04/01/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Tampa...........12/15/08

maimai............12/02/08....12/08/08...12/31/08...03/18/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....Phoenix.........12/12/08

sheepnfish........12/03/08....12/29/08...02/12/09...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...VSC....St_Albans.......????????

maz...............12/03/08....12/13/08...12/30/08...04/09/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Chicago.........12/11/08

Cargo.............12/06/08....12/22/08...01/20/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...CSC....San_Jose........12/23/08

Poppinslp.........12/10/08....12/22/08...01/23/09...04/06/09....xx/xx/xx...TSC....Fort Lauderdale.12/23/08

blessings2us......12/10/08....12/22/08...01/21/09...03/12/09....03/17/09...NBC....Portland........12/22/08

Stella08..........12/10/08....12/19/08...01/13/09...03/17/09....xx/xx/xx...NBC....Washington,DC...12/22/08