smaring

back in 2014 it took us almost (8) months to get NOA2 & almost (4) months to get the Visa(s); 318 days from the time we dropped the I-129F in the mail to visa receipt

we'll be dropping off our package at the post office first thing in the morning   06/21/2017 ... 89 days until expiration

This has been a nightmare for us. I filed our taxes to ITIN Operations in Austin on FEB 27th. We STILL don't have a refund 5 months later. You can read the horror story in our profile if you want the gory details.

In hindsight, we would have been MUCH better off filing a 6 month extension, waiting on the SS, and filing electronically.

Not exactly true. My fiance is from Philippines and we filed in December and at TSC and haven't been approved as of March 21, 2015. Although a lot of Filipinos do get approved faster.

Took us almost 6 months at TSC before we got an RFE. 201 days total NOA1 to NOA2. It was agonizing for sure.

I know that USCIS had priority service for people that submitted a hardship letter regarding Typhoon Yolanda. From the looks of it though, it would seem CSC fast-tracked all Philippine K-1(s), whereas TSC only those with the hardship letter. CSC has certainly been faster.

It would seem military folk also get priority processing.

Amazing luck getting all three fast-pass cards ... CSC, Philippines, and military.

Congrats!

Seems that she wants to maintain the relationship, but you NEED to get away. You are not responsible for sending her back, and she probably won't go anyway. You are being stalked by a scammer, who is also toying with your emotions, and you need to act accordingly.

Wives and girl friends trying to escape abusive relationships are encouraged to find a new place to live and keep it secret from their former mate. I'd recommend you do the same, right after you call USCIS and explain that you wish to withdraw all affidavits of support regarding any processes!

Check on your lease situation. Hopefully it is up soon. If you get a new job some distance away from your home that can be grounds for terminating a lease early, but check on that. Put your stuff in storage ... shack up with a buddy for a while ... rent a trailer in an RV park ... something. Just GET AWAY from her ASAP.

She can ask her boy friend for money to fly home if she finds herself homeless. THAT is not your problem. You owe NOTHING to someone that has lied to you and mistreated you so much. File a restraining order against her if you have to.

Fortunately, the divorce should be simple and inexpensive since it has been such a short period of time.

Starting to think that USPS lost my wife's and step-daughter's AOS & EAD filings. We sent it early FRI morning FEB 13th. When we check the tracking number for the Priority-Mail it says "Your item departed our USPS facility in ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007 on February 16, 2015 at 4:06 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination."

It shouldn't take more than 2 days for a package to travel the 10 miles from the 60007 PO at the airport to the 60680 PO in downtown Chicago where the "lockbox" is.

The expected delivery was yesterday.

I will CERTAINLY be using a carrier that gives a ####### next time, like FedEx.

I'm gonna be soooooo pissed off if it turns out they lost it.

When you come through customs, they KEEP the large envelope. They send it on to USCIS. The only thing you leave with is your passport and visa. All is normal. Hang in there.

Oh wow. That's a relief. So can we assume that they will have the birth certificates and NOT send new ones with the I-485?

I'm also wondering if I need to fill out a new sponsorship form, the I-864 (long form). I sent in the I-134 (short form) for the K-1 and I presume it is in that package. It seems silly to fill out an almost identical form and collect all that same evidence again.

We are starting to think customs screwed up. When my fiance and her daughter went through customs in Atlanta last month on K-1 & K-2, they were only given back their passports with the visa in them. The entire package of paperwork was NOT returned to them. She thought it odd at the time, but figured it was part of the process. We are starting to think that is not the case. We are looking at the filing requirements for AOS and realizing that most of everything they are asking to be submitted was in those packages.

The Social Security office wanted to see an original birth certificate. They were in those packages along with EVERYTHING else. We were able to convince the people at SSA to accept a copy of the translation that we happened to have with us.

Can anyone confirm if this is normal? If not, any idea what the heck we do now?

This is starting to sound like a nightmarish scenario. I picture the customs officer realizing their mistake later and throwing the packages away with the intent of just claiming they were returned. That's the sort of luck we have.

-Steve & Ana

The bottom line from our experience is this: The bureaucrats do not care about how long it takes...basically they are a monopoly and whether they approve in one month or 10 months, there are no repercussions and accountability

That pretty well sums it up David.

The farmer just sits back and laughs when the livestock asks to graze in another field. If he is even willing to entertain the idea, he'll get to it whenever he damn well pleases. The livestock that see the utility in the system won't speaking out regarding their lack of liberties, for fear of being placed on the truck to the butcher themselves. The problem is, they don't even realize they are destined for the butcher anyway. That's why the farmer finds it so funny and gives little concern to the livestock's squabbling.

What is truly sad, though, is that the fence that contains the livestock called citizens, is purely in their mind. It has been cleverly manufactured and goes by the names fear and guilt. Control the reins of fear and guilt with faith and atonement, remove any question of moral judgment, and men will eagerly murder and give up their lives for you.

Almost 7 months for us before we received an RFE. We filed the I-129F on DEC 13th, 2013 and she STILL does not have the Visa in hand.

Its hard to hear that "its normal" when your life is put on hold while representatives of the ruling class decide whether you are worthy to have a relationship with the person of your choice and not point guns at them when they try to pass an imaginary line on the ground. However, that is just the sort of system we have here in the "Land of the Free".

Its a brutal process.

So, for the K-1, the petitioner is required to provide the I-134 ("short form" sponsor form). The directions for that, available here http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-134instr.pdf says that you only need to supply tax returns IF you are self employed.

The "long form" version of sponsorship, the I-864, instructions available here http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-864instr.pdf DOES require tax returns.

The embassy in Paris seems to be a bit confused on this matter. They insisted that tax returns WERE required during the interview.

I attached the checklist that they use in France. It makes it appear to them that tax returns are ALWAYS required. Frankly, its a poorly worded form.

Fortunately, I thought this MIGHT happen, so I sent Ana a signed copy of my last year's 1040. So, we were covered on that.

They marked that the visa was denied, but only until we send them the medical report that was delayed waiting on a letter from a hospital about a recent minor surgery.

Cheers,

Steve & Ana

france_k-1_interview_checklist.pdf

bc we have to wait 6 months after my fiance´s divorce before filling the application

Why? We waited two months after my divorce to file the I-129F, but we could have done it the day after my divorce.

Also, if you play your cards right, you can have your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) within 2 or 3 months of arrival. That will come before your AOS interview, assuming you file for it at the same time.

Like others have said, I'd focus on the drivers license thing if I were you. It is easier to obtain a DL in the states than in most countries. At the very least, while you wait, take a driving course somewhere and LEARN TO DRIVE! Be prepared to take the driving test upon arrival. Then pick up a beater for $1500 to get you around.

Madison is a pretty cool city ... just too cold for me. I've been there many times. There is a plaza next to the University, by the lake, that has live music and drinks fairly often.

Good luck.

So ... I was watching this thread about signing one of the White House petitions that, if enough signatures are obtained, will bring a matter to the attention of the administration. I'm sorry, but from an effectual standpoint, I think this is barking up the wrong tree. First, there aren't nearly enough of us in this boat (a 5+ month wait for NOA2 at TSC) to make the signature by the date noted.

This needs to be treated the way ANY organization with BAD MANAGEMENT needs to be treated. You go to the management above them that actually CARES! You don't go too far up the ladder ... those folks have bigger fish to fry.

We don't know exactly what is taking place at TSC. However, with respect to the smooth operation of CSC, it would certainly seem that management is to blame. We could write letters to the director at TSC, asking him to explain what is going on there, but given the obvious subjective nature with which they process these things, making disparaging comments about their operation will likely have you vilified and your process wait extended even further.

So, what I propose is THIS:

Send a letter to:

and send a copy of that letter to BOTH of your senators. making note of having done so, for example, putting this at the bottom of the letter:

cc: Senator Marco Rubio & Senator Bill Nelson

If Lori gets just 50 letters inquiring about the operation of TSC, as compared to CSC, and she knows that so many Senators know of the problem, she WILL ACT! If she has hopes of becoming the permanent director, and not just the acting director, she would be crazy not to take action and fix things.

This contact info is from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/88027.pdf and http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/leadership/lori-scialabba-acting-director

-Steve & Ana

You are right ?

You're fiance won't get much traction trying to talk to USCIS support at this point. If your fiance is in Texas, have them write a letter to Ted Cruz's constituent services office explaining the situation, including the privacy release form. http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=agency_assistance

It seems Senatorial requests is the only thing the director at TSC pays attention to.

... and provide them with the TSC contact info contained herein: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/88027.pdf

... and then call them a week after you mail them asking if and HOW they have tried contacting TSC.

Well, my fiance will call them tomorrow, depending they will say him, we will try to do

The most convenient for us.

It's unbelievable but, we sent the form I-129 with all the documents required,

Proof of our relationship by around 4 years, proof about our daugther and her citizenship.

I am outraged

"equal protection under the law", but history has shown that some are "more equal than others".

Only the noisy livestock have a chance of getting what they demand, no matter what the law says ... the rest the farmers will just ignore as happy sheep.

Always FIGHT for what you want!

Anyway, my fiance lands in 5 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes so at least we've got that to look forward to!

Wow. Congrats. I'm constantly dreaming of the day I get to receive her at the airport for the last time. It will be the most amazing feeling ever ... the start of a new life.

I'm at (5) months now waiting on TSC, like so many others. I sent a letter to my local congressman a couple weeks ago, but have heard nothing back. Oddly enough, he is in the news himself under accusation of having abused his foreign immigrant spouse, primarily what they claim this petitioner background check is supposed to help prevent. I'm trying one of my state senators this weekend.

The farmers really hate it when the livestock asks to move to the other side of the fence. They really have no incentive to be responsive to those sorts of things. I've often wondered if this "background check" is the same one that any cop will run on you in 10 seconds as he/she sits behind you at a traffic light.

The background check is never disclosed to either the petitioner or the beneficiary. However, if the petitioner has been convicted of a violent crime, especially domestic violence, they must disclose it in the original petition accompanied by copies of certified arrest records and court records. If the case is approved, this information will be provided to the beneficiary who will be given other information that may help her to reconsider.

So they don't always deny an application with a history of domestic violence? I thought that was sort of the point of the whole thing.

Interesting.

According to the International Marriage Broker Act, the foreign fiance of an American petitioner is supposed to receive a copy of the DHS background check on the petitioner as part of the NOA2 approval process.

I'm curious if that is really happening and would love to hear from those already past the interview.

TSC seems to be processing about (4) non-expedited K-1s of VJ filers a week lately. If you consider that prior adjudicators claim that each file takes about 15 mins that means they spend about an hour a week on non-expedited VJ filers. At DEC 19th, and roughly 40 non-expedited filers in front of us, I figure we have another 2.5 months to wait.

CSC took the influx of expedited filers from the Philippines without a hiccup. TSC got thrown off by more than 4 months!

I think its probably time to start talking to my Congressman before they push the "5 month" thing out to 7 or 8 months.

This kills me. If we had filed at the begging of OCT we almost certainly would have gotten the NOA2 in DEC and she could have been here in FEB or MAR. Now she probably won't be here until NOV at this rate. So much for a JUN wedding.

No you can't apply for AP when you send in an I-130 petition. Where did you get that wild idea? The child will be processed overseas at Bogota embassy when his time comes.

OT: I see you're fairly new on the boards. I suggest stepping back and not jumping into people's topics if you're not certain about the answers to the questions asked. Your wrong answer could cause someone a lot of heartache and immigration problems if they were to follow your advice.

and that's why it was phrased in the form of a QUESTION!

a simple "nope, not until the I-485 app" would have sufficed for clarification

Do tell how you imagine not breaking the law by having someone come in on a tourist visa with pure intent of adjusting status???

I don't think it is "breaking the law". I think it is a question of intent. The child is not the petitioner, only the derivative beneficiary. And can't you apply for an AP at the same time you send in the I-130? I would think the AP would let them in.

You need to list ALL children on the application, whether they are immigrating or not. Once the child is granted a K-2, it is basically to allow entry into the country within 6 months. If the child does not come right away, I don't think it matters. You will marry in 90 days and start the I-485 process. As long as the child goes to the K-1 interview in the country of origin, AND the I-485 interview in the states, as a derivative beneficiary, all should be fine. If the child's K-2 goes past the 6 month date and expires, they can probably get an ESTA visa waiver or a travel visa to come for the interview and then go back with an Advance Parole if they don't have the LPR card yet.

Definitely do some research on this though. For now though, do list ALL children. You will get nailed if you don't. They need to be on the I-129 even if they are not immigrating.

I'm not sure about Nebraska Service Center, but the average calculated for Texas Service Center is pretty bad. You really need to just sort through the timelines yourself to see what is going on.

Much of the processing has been drastically affected by the HUGE increase in expedited processing requests. Expedited requests get "fast-tracked" in about two weeks. This didn't seem to phase CSC too much, but TSC has hardly even started processing the DEC 2013 NOA1(s). Basically, since mid NOV 2013, anybody immigrating from the Philippines, of which there was already a HUGE amount, need only submit a letter with their application claiming financial loss as a result of the typhoon. That pushes all the non expedited applications even further back.

We are at the 4 month mark and I'm not the least bit happy about it. After all, this is REALLY just to determine if I, the petitioner, am likely to either abuse or pimp out my fiance, as called out in the International Marriage Broker Act.

If I was a female petitioner, I'd be even MORE pissed off by this whole process.

Wow, callous. Oh sure, their house was blown away and most of the town is under water, but they can't be more desperate than me! Why are you helping them and not me? Seriously, some people

Really? Who's house exactly? ALL OF THEM? ... and everyone that is applying for a K-1 from there is homeless at the moment? I find that hard to believe. You know this HOW exactly? The oh so trustworthy American media?

My fiance has cancer that can only be treated here because of the Socialist deathcare system in her country, and her very LIFE may depend on mere weeks. People are individuals ... NOT cogs in an abstract collective without names. .... but nooooo ... somebody's material possessions MIGHT have gotten wet ... that's WAY more important says our brilliant masters in Congress. ... and I'm callous for being annoyed by the ruling class that not only violently coerces us for crossing imaginary lines on the ground but grants permission to do so in an arbitrary manner?

Again ... lucky you guys in the favored class ... and if your homes and possessions really HAVE been destroyed, and/or you know one of the 6,000 people that died, and by sheer coincidence you were ALSO waiting to immigrate via K-1 when that happened ... than you have my best wishes. I hope the best for you and you will get TRUE sympathy from me regarding your specific suffering. I will never pretend to know your pain until it is explained to me.

What annoys me more than the expected favoritism of the State is the belief that the proposed benevolent acts of the State result in a net benefit for all. ... but no ... we are all just selfish greedy slaves that deserve to be shot or thrown in a cage for not obeying our masters right?

There were 4.1M people displaced by the typhoon and almost 100M people in the Philippines. That's terrible ... yes, but it must be nice to have your level of clairvoyance to know that that 4% of the population is represented by 80% of the K-1 filer's from the Philippines at the moment. ... and what wonderful people their American fiances must be for specifically targeting ONLY that 4% of the Philipinne population as potential life partners! ... and I'm callous??????

sorry ... <END FLAME> ... challenge me on principles and my fangs come out.

I just checked the timeline trends and 6 people filed for Morocco in December...out of those 6, only 3 received NOA2s of which 2 of them were from California and received them in January and are already in interviews! The third one who received their NOA2 was from Texas (which is where ours is) and they just got theirs yesterday.

Other than that, no one else (all from Texas) have received NOA2s (including us.) I'm hoping that this new approval for Morocco means that we'll be seeing ours soon. California appears to be approving at a significantly faster rate. I want to go to Morocco for 2 reasons in July...1) for my fiancees birthday and 2) for Eid-al-fitr. This would be the last week of July. I called USCIS last night just to say if they realistically thought we'd have a decision by then because if so, there'd be no point in purchasing tickets yet (as I dont see any reason not to approve this.) She said "you'll definitely have a decision within the 5 months." I said "definitely?" she said "yes by May 19." She sounded pretty sure, but who knows? I knew that she couldnt very well tell me anything sooner than the 5 months thats posted on their website but she pretty much told me to wait before purchasing tickets.

This is really really painful and every day gets harder for us. He wants me to just go there but I cant do that. I really pray that we get our answer soon.

I hear ya. We are on day 84 and this is the longest we've been away from each other in 8 months. I need her here for so many reasons. The fact that they DO NOT process these things in first-come-first-served order is just maddening. ... and we will NEVER know the true source of the favoritism ... beyond the Philippines typhoon thing ... for which I have no idea what that has to do with immigration ... in terms of desperation, everyone's situation is completely different.