radacos

Well, seeing as, like some women, I was likley born without a hymen, there wouldn't be anything to stitch together, now would there?

"radacos,

nothing got sidetracked. The OP ignored basically the fact that there are also other cases where you can get deported even you are "married".

That are details that are also very important and that have to get solved first. Otherwise this posting would cause the impression you can file for AOS no matter what.

That is definately not the case!"

No offense, Stinger, but, as far as I can tell, the OP simply wanted to share her experience so far and to hear from other people in her situation. She was not taking it for granted that her AOS would be approved -- she said she was getting nervous and is "hoping" that her evidence will be enough. Also, it doesn't seem to me that she was trying to imply that one can file for AOS no matter what. She explicitly described her own situation, in which she is, without a doubt, legally allowed to file for AOS (whether that is ethically right or wrong is an entirely different question).

Agent Smith, you may mock me. I voted "never argue" because, while we do voice our disagreements whenever it is necessary, we never raise our voices, throw things, or leave the room and slam the door. We debate, that's it, debate! And we sometimes snap at each other, but apologise right away. Since we never argue, I guess we sort of miss out on the make-up sex, though...

Yes, do check with the university that she is thinking of applying for. And to answer your other question, I would be very, very surprised if she could transfer community college credits for a Master's degree. What is she thinking of mastering in?

Any updates, Jeff?

Personally, I'm a tad disappointed that the discussion got sidetracked, since I was quite interested in the experiences of adjusters who overstayed.

Recently (for the past 6 months to a year), USCIS has been predominantly setting up appointments themselves. At my biometrics appointment, there was a gentleman who had set up an appointment over the phone, without having received the appointment letter -- and they wouldn't let him have an appointment. They explained that the information line people are not supposed to make appointments anymore. So yeah, you just have to wait for the appt. letter to come! Don't worry, it shouldn't be long!

Hi there! I cannot give you driving tips, since I took the bus , but the building is located very accessibly, on the eastern (I believe?) side of Tukwila Intl. Boulevard. There is a parking lot, and it may be a pay lot, which is unfortunate because it doesn't look like there is alternate parking nearby.

If your appointment goes anything like mine, be prepared to wait for a couple hours or so. I got there a couple hours before my appointment time, and had no problems getting in. Everyone is generally nice and civil, and the capturing of the fingerprints and photo are straightforward. Make sure you don't have cuts on your fingers. Also, if you have any facial piercings, make sure that you remove them before they take your picture.

If you applied for EAD as well, and if you have "code 3" on your NOAs, bring both NOAs and you will be able to have biometrics done for both at the same time.

Good luck!

If you have your Green Card, the stamp is absolutely unnecessary. People sometimes get their passports stamped just so that they can prove they have been approved for permanent residency before receiving the actual Green Card.

That's wonderful, Rayma! I have my interview in Seattle in a couple weeks, and I hope it's giong to be equally painless.

All I can say is that my chopf**k is better than your chopf**k!

Meauxna, it certainly increases the *possible suspicion* immigrant intent, but it does absolutely nothing to the status of the F-1 bearer while he or she is in the US. There are a number of things that can put an F-1 student out of status, but marriage is not one of them. However, and this is where you are right, the officer at the port of entry (who is the person authorized to bestow a certain status on a visa bearer) would be likely to see immigrant intent in the marriage, which could create problems.

So, while the OP's wife remains in the US, she'll be totally fine as an F-1 (until her status expires). Were she to leave and seek re-entry, she might run into problems.

"Technically", her F-1 status will not be affected by marriage, since, "technically", someone who is married to a USC does not automatically have immigrant intent. So, if she were to remain in the US for the duration of her status, she would be able to enjoy all the benefits of the F-1 status. However, you never know how the immigration officer at the Port of Entry would react if she tried to enter the country as an F-1, but while married to a USC. So it's probably not entirely safe for her to leave the country after marriage, but before filing for AOS. Also, please be very careful not to assume that, while her AOS is pending, she can still use her F-1 visa to enter the country. Once you file for AOS, regarless of what your status is, you will be pending status, and will need to have Advance Parole before leaving the country (otherwise USCIS will asume that you have abandoned your application). As a former F-1, she can still study and work on campus while her status is pending, but that's about it.

"Technically", her F-1 status will not be affected by marriage, since, "technically", someone who is married to a USC does not automatically have immigrant intent. So, if she were to remain in the US for the duration of her status, she would be able to enjoy all the benefits of the F-1 status. However, you never know how the immigration officer at the Port of Entry would react if she tried to enter the country as an F-1, but while married to a USC. So it's probably not entirely safe for her to leave the country after marriage, but before filing for AOS. Also, please be very careful not to assume that, while her AOS is pending, she can still use her F-1 visa to enter the country. Once you file for AOS, regarless of what your status is, you will be pending status, and will need to have Advance Parole before leaving the country (otherwise USCIS will asume that you have abandoned your application). As a former F-1, she can still study and work on campus while her status is pending, but that's about it.

"Im probably gonna get beat up for this....but i blame the poor public schools here in Jordan. Now i consider my husband a very bright man, but he didnt study US history in school....so he is always confused on what is a state vs. major city...I know it sounds kind of dumb, but he though detroit was a state...lol...i pulled up a US map on the comp and taught him everything....also the fact that my grandparents are in the next state over (indiana) but it takes 4 hours to get there.....why it costs 100$ for a women to get her hair colored, and u still have to tip....the whole "free refills" on sodas at restaurants boggles him..(most places in jordan serve cans) drive thru banks...so many things, and he hasnt even been in the US yet...its only from things we have talked aout"

Dollface, I surely don't mean to offend, but how much Jordanian history did you study in school? Isn't it the least bit presumptuous to expect people to possess detailed information about foreign places they have never been to?

I would say that, as long as your situation is straightforward, you don't need to worry about a lawyer. I've read numerous accounts of people whose lawyers slowed down the process considerably (didn't send all the right forms, were slow to reply to RFEs, etc.). Judging by your timeline, it doesn't look like you've run into any serious problem as yet (and it sounds like you took care of the RFE requirements). So I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck!

While Craigslist is wonderful in many ways (we found our tenant that way, and she is fantastic), if you want to sell or buy valuable stuff, I would suggest eBay. I know it's not free, but the safety guarantees are worth paying a few cents (or bucks) for.

Everybody has been giving wonderful advice, so I don't have a whole lot to add.

As far as living with somebody for the first time, I would say don't freak out if it feels weird at first. It took me at least three sleepless nights to get used to sleeping in the same bed with somebody else (and not because we were getting in on! ). It also took us almost a year to get used to sharing a living space with everything that it entails -- somebody putting things in places that you would not normally put them, or folding your laundry in a different way, etc. But it does get easier as time goes by, I assure ya!

I'd also emphasize the importance of retaining some of your privacy and even not sharing quite everything. An hour or so of "me" time every day is essential, and so is going out with friends, separately, every now and then. But make sure you gauge how much time you are spending together! If you've been extremely busy during the week and then go out with friends during the weekend, your spouse might feel neglected. Also, I think it's important to retain some sort of financial independence -- sure, get a joint bank acct. for bills, etc., but retain separate checking accounts for personal purchases so that you do not need to justify certain expenses in front of your spouse. Equally, do respect your spouse's privacy: don't read their email, don't go through their purse/briefcase unless they specifically invite you to -- it's a matter of principle!

Last, make sure that you don't take your spouse for granted. Even if you are married, try to act as a courting couple: compliment your spouse, flirt with them, be very sensitive to their needs and desires.

Hey guys! Funny coincidence!

Basically, to prove your eligibility for Permanent Residency you need to bring documents that prove you are entitled to receive the benefits you seek. In your case, since you are adjusting as the spouse of a USC, you would need to show that you are married to a USC (marriage certificate), that your spouse is a USC (spouse's birth certificate), and that you are adjusting from an acceptable and legal status (I-94 and visa). For someone who adjusts through marriage, all of this is, of course, included in the bullet-point list, so you don't need to worry about anything extra!

Thanks!

Hey guys! I submitted my AOS documentation in early October and I have my interview in March. Do I need to have a new Affidavit of Support at the interview? The interview letter says to bring it if I haven't already submitted it, but, from reading a lot of folks' interview stories, I conjectured that some did have a new one. Thanks for your input!