Lenchick

EeicPros she was arrested not because she was "nasty"but because she is an abuser!!!!. You said  "But her dream has been shattered, she has a lower standard of living than she did in her country, and there's no hope of getting better.  How could anybody expect her to be the perfect housewife, so she takes it out on you and your kids", you are saying here that she ABUSED her husband, terrorize her step children because her dreams were shattered. You are blaming the victim instead of the perpetrator. It doesn't matter how poor he is, it doesn't matter about her dreams being shattered, we are not here talking about a love gone wrong, but about domestic violence. 
 
VJ provides information about Immigration, but here and there someone posts about their struggles/abuse then we should take advantage of the post and speak out about domestic violence. When we blame the victims this kind of advice feeds guilt and shame.There is no excuse for abuse.
 
 

Please find your way to free legal help and find out your options.  I understand that that is difficult if you do not have a car, but it is important that you know what you can and cannot and must or must not do.
 
Also, please ask yourself if the struggle is worth it.  You obviously love and cherish your kids.  Figure out what is most important for YOU, and use that path.
 
I'm so sorry for the struggles.  It's terrible when our dreams get smashed flat.
 
Sukie in NY

Hi!
While searching for some information, I ran into some threads where people ask what to do when the application fields don't allow to type N/A , None and etc. Just thought I would give a tip on how to go around locked fields, instead of handwriting N/A or None later after printing the form.
Go to edit at the top of your pdf you're filling out where all the tools are listed then
go to preferences. A window will pop up,
find JavaScript on the list at the left side
remove the tick from "enable Acrobat JavaScript''
Don't forget to press OK. Now it should work
I hope it helps!

Hi!
While searching for some information, I ran into some threads where people ask what to do when the application fields don't allow to type N/A , None and etc. Just thought I would give a tip on how to go around locked fields, instead of handwriting N/A or None later after printing the form.
Go to edit at the top of your pdf you're filling out where all the tools are listed then
go to preferences. A window will pop up,
find JavaScript on the list at the left side
remove the tick from "enable Acrobat JavaScript''
Don't forget to press OK. Now it should work
I hope it helps!

NO WHERE does it say that a visa needs to be involved.
 
SEEK TO ACQUIRE PERMANENT RESIDENCY = filing for AOS or an immigrant visa.
 
You are reading something that is not there.
 
Furthermore, visas are available to IR of a USC on the date of filing the I-130.
 
Read carefully.  Don't add stuff that is not there.
 

Hello! Do you read Russian? If you do you might find this blog extremely helpful http://fiancee-visa-usa.blogspot.ru/. It's dedicated entirely to a process of occurring K1/2 visa in Russia and Ukraine. Have your fiancé read it, it was a tremendous help for me. 
I don't think you would have any difficulties proving your relationship bona fide since you've been living together and have a mutual child. Kiev allows a petitioner to attend an interview, therefore it won't hurt if you show up with your fiancé, just make sure to inform the Embassy staff ahead about your desire to attend so your name is included in the list.
Don't be too stressed, Ukrainian and Russian Embassies are among the "easy" ones, that do not deny K1 visas often. 

Hello! I think it does qualify even if adopted:
INA Section 320: Children Born Outside of the United States and Residing in the United States; Conditions under which Citizenship Automatically Acquired
A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:
At least one of the child’s parents is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization;The child is under 18 years of age;The child is residing in or has resided in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence.
INA Section 320 applies to a child adopted by a U.S. citizen parent if the child satisfies the requirements applicable to adopted children under INA Section 101(b)(1); e.g., generally a child adopted while under the age of 16 if the child has been in the legal custody of, and has resided with, the adopting parent for at least two years; or who is an orphan on whose behalf an immediate relative petition has been filed while under the age of 16. The adoption must be final for the child to acquire U.S citizenship. 
 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/child-citizenship-act.html
 
 

Op, you should have fun with it.  Tell her you are ready to do it and your tried contacting the travel agency but could not get through or that they need a scanned copy of her passport directly through you.  String the scammer along until you make him/her crazy. 

I had my oath ceremony this morning. The actual ceremony took one hour, but I ended up being there for 3.5 hours because of all the procedures before and after the ceremony. I have already registered to vote, updated my social security record and applied for a US passport today. It has been a busy day, but also a great one. Best of luck to all of you, and soon you will be fellow citizens!

you have not met him yet but contemplating to get pregnant? Be careful, you have never met that person face to face. Anything can happen. I would urge you against getting pregnant. Also, being pregnant won't speed up or help your process at all. Even if you get pregnant and deliver before you file your paperwork and your bf will fly to get all the paperwork for the child done to receive an American passport, it won't give you any privilege to move faster to the US. You will wait the same processing time

Because at less than 48hr away, it's risky to reschedule. 
 
Relax. Listen carefully. Take yourself to the interview Friday no matter what. Bring all your stuff with you. Don't not show up. 
 
It will go one one of two ways. Either they tell you that your reschedule was done and wait for it in the mail, or they take you back and you explain everything to the officer and kindly ask if he or she can reschedule you now or set a second interview due to your lawyer being hospitalized. Stay calm, show up. Above all show up on the day and time for Friday. Better to be sent away to wait than miss the appointment due to errors. They know things happen but your body needs to be present that day for the sake of your case. 

sounds like your fiance doesn't care enough to keep his ex away. Was he messing with his ex? Indeed, how on earth could his ex get through his phone? Maybe you should consider staying away from this kind of fiance for good?

I recommend you to file through Frankfurt. It is very easy. Actually I never found the requirement to show the residence at least for the next 6 months but I am sure it was before. Now they have only this requirement:
 
Who May File or Receive Service:
U.S. citizens residing in Germany filing on behalf of their spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21 or parent (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older).
U.S. citizens residing in this field office’s jurisdiction but outside of Germany may file with the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate having jurisdiction over the U.S. citizen's place of residence if the USCIS Frankfurt field office director determines that there are exceptional circumstances.
Active duty U.S. Military: Active duty U.S. military service members stationed permanently at a military base in USCIS Frankfurt's jurisdiction, but outside of Germany, may file this form directly with the Department of State without needing to establish exceptional circumstances.
Filing and Other Special Instructions:
Residents of Germany filing with USCIS Frankfurt must submit the petition and supporting evidence by mail.  Petitions are adjudicated in the order in which they are received.  You may use our Form I-130 Petition Checklist (PDF) or Form I-130 Petition Checklist for Members of the Armed Forces (PDF) to help ensure you submit a complete application package.
Evidence of residency must be submitted with the petition.  The evidence you submit must support a determination that you are a resident in Germany.  Please note that certain pieces of evidence may more strongly support a finding of residency than others.  For petitions filed at this field office, you must submit one or more of the following:
Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis); or Residence Registration (Anmeldebestätigung) U.S. Military orders – Please do not wait until you are being reassigned to the United States to file the Form I-130, this will ensure your family can accompany you. In addition, other evidence of residency may include, but is not limited to:
Housing lease in your name Work contract or other employment documents Proof of local registration Bank statements in your name Proof of school enrollment Vehicle registration Valid local driver’s license Tax documents Foreign property deeds or registration (although proof of property ownership in itself, may be insufficient if there is no evidence that the petitioner resides at that property) Any document issued in a foreign language must be accompanied by a full English translation and must include  the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English. The original documents, with one copy, and the English translation should be submitted with the petition.  Any original documents submitted upon USCIS’ request will be returned.

I wanted to post here about my experience with the first step of DCF in Moscow (filing the I-130). I feel like my case went a little differently from what I've read on this forum and also what was even listed on the official USCIS site. I'm a little worried that we might get an RFE or worse. The whole process from beginning to end took about 2 hours.
 
Firstly, the building/interview area was a little confusing. After entering the Embassy, you go to the USCIS floor and there are a bunch of interview rooms with windows. There was one room with a window and a phone, and you're supposed to pick up the phone and let them you know are there, because there is no sign or anything or anyone there to greet you. The place was empty when we arrived except for another woman waiting for an interview.
 
When you pick up the phone and tell them that you're there, you have to wait in that same room (with the phone) with your spouse. Then the first guy (a soft spoken older Russian man) asks you for documents. They did not ask about a cover letter, so there's no need to bring one.
 
The Russian guy asked for documents individually: Russian visa, passports, my work contract (because I have a work visa), I-130 form, and the other documents related to the case. They did not ask about my US birth certificate, despite that fact that it is listed as required on the website. Strange, but maybe it's not needed anymore?
 
After the Russian guy took our documents, we were told to go to the interview room next door and just wait. I don't remember how long we waited, but it was a while, 20 minutes or more. Some time later, our IO showed up and told us to go pay the fee downstairs. Our IO was a Southeast Asian looking man, probably Indian but I couldn't say for sure. It appeared that he did not speak any Russian at all. So, when you bring evidence documents, EVERYTHING MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH, including tiny things like receipts and price tags. When he started looking at our evidence, he went right to the English translations and didn't even look at the originals in Russian.
 
Another thing that I didn't expected: My husband and I were interviewed together. I thought we would be separated and interviewed one at a time, but for some reason they just did it together. The IO mostly asked my husband the questions and instructed my husband to answer. He also asked me questions, but I feel like most of the time it was my husband that did most of the talking. The typical questions were asked in terms of into on the I-130 and the G-325-A, but the only questions that were asked were connected to that and our relationship, our wedding, and who from each other's families we had met/hadn't met. So, no other questions other than family/wedding things and biographical questions as per what we wrote on the forms. They didn't ask any weird questions about personal habits or hobbies or anything....merely questions related to the I-130 forms and that was it.
 
The IO was very neutral and professional, occasionally he was hard for my husband to understand as he spoke with an accent (he wasn't a native English speaker and as I mentioned, I don't think he spoke any Russian) but I just helped to repeat the question and then it was fine, so no problems at all with the IO, except that it's just surprising that he didn't really speak any Russian.
 
Evidence we were asked for:
 
Photos: bring photos mainly with family members/showing travel together. We had brought lots of typical "couple photos" but the IO didn't seem interested in those. He was more interested in photos with other people in them. He asked in detail about who each person in the photo was and what our relationship to them was, and he took/made notes about that. So, I recommend people not to bring more than maybe three photos tops of "couples" photos if you have other photos with family and friends, focus on those instead and bring as many as you can.
 
Evidence of marriage: If you think your case has red flags or might be questionable, BRING LOTS OF EVIDENCE FROM YOUR WEDDING. This includes: contracts from restaurants, contract from hiring a photographer, contract from renting a car, wedding ring receipts, the wedding dress invoice, 'Congratulations' cards from family and friends, a copy of the wedding invitation, etc....basically almost anything you can think of. And it all has to be translated into English. We also of course included photos from our wedding as well.
 
Evidence of shared financial expenses: This is really important apparently because they asked about it directly after the marriage evidence. We brought as much as we could including: a copy of our apartment lease agreement, my US bank account with my husband listed as an account holder (I included bank statements and a deposit slip showing both of our names), we also brought my husband's last will & testament that listed me as the beneficiary (the Russian guy was pretty surprised by that, I guess it's kind of rare!), bank statements from our Russian bank account (showing purchases made by my card and my husband's card) and copies of our bank cards, US credit cards with my husband as an authorized user (I provided two of such cards) and that was all. We were asked about an insurance policy, but it wasn't possible for us to obtain because I'm not a Russian citizen. So, if you can get an insurance policy, bring that as well.
 
Proof of travel abroad together: We were asked about this during the interview, and I gave them a copy of passport stamps my passport and my husband's showing the countries we had visited together. It seems that passport stamps were enough proof for them, so that was all he took (even though we had brought lots of other evidence). Be prepared to go into detail about what dates you traveled, to where and whom you visited/why you went there together. I got the impression that: the more trips taken together, the better.
 
For divorcees/previous marriages: If either of you is divorced/had previous marriages (especially to another foreigner) be prepared to discuss it but only from a factual standpoint: no questions were asked about the nature of the relationships, just factual questions like "Who/when/where" and so on. I got the feeling during the interview that this was the biggest point of suspicion from the IO. He asked me multiple times if I had ever petitioned for anyone before, and I kept replying "No, never" which I guess they found a bit odd, despite the fact that it's true. If you have divorce documents from another country, the IO will probably be confused about them because the translations can be weird/unclear. The IO in my case was really skeptical about one of foreign divorce papers and said it will be reviewed because it wasn't clear to him. I don't know if I'm going to get an RFE for that and I'm feeling pretty worried about it. This is obviously specific to my case, but if anyone else has a non-American/non-Russian divorce, I'm just warning that it might confuse them so be prepared for that.
 
Evidence that they didn't take: We had prepared a bunch of orders made to our house (food orders, internet orders, etc.) evidence of any shared pets didn't seem to interest them at all and they didn't take it (despite that I read on VJ that sometimes they ask for that), the also didn't take any proof of communication at all (Skype, text messages, etc). The IO asked about our shared gym membership and wrote down the name of it, but he didn't want copies of the contracts/membership cards. He just asked when we joined and for how long (in addition to the name.) And they didn't need any extra travel evidence (tickets, hotel receipts, etc) as I said earlier, because apparently the passport stamps were enough.
 
Apparently with other Moscow DCF cases, this much evidence wasn't needed from what I read here on VJ, but our case has multiple "red flags" so I would recommend anyone who also might have red flags to be as prepared as possible, especially with wedding/financial documents. Our red flags included: very short time of knowing each other before deciding to marry, very short engagement, two previous divorces (including one that had just ended), and an age difference (in addition to being an older woman/younger man couple.)
 
They took down my email address and verified my phone number and said my case will be reviewed further by the higher ups, and that we will hear back a response/decision within 30 days. I will update here once I get a response and let everyone know what happens next. I've heard that it can take longer than 30 days to get a response, but the IO assured me that it should be maximum 30 days before I hear something back.
 
Whew, really glad it's over. I'm now nervously awaiting a response like most of you here!

You can file to US embassy in Frankfurt if he has a resident permit for another 6 months. Direct Consular Filing is much easier process. You will use your German address in this case and all the process will go through Frankfurt. This is what the US Consulate in Frankfurt website says
 
Evidence Of Residence
We require evidence of petitioner’s residence in Germany, such as a photocopy of a Certificate of Residence, a Foreigners’ Permit to Stay, or a copy of the petitioner’s orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed in Germany.

you have not met him yet but contemplating to get pregnant? Be careful, you have never met that person face to face. Anything can happen. I would urge you against getting pregnant. Also, being pregnant won't speed up or help your process at all. Even if you get pregnant and deliver before you file your paperwork and your bf will fly to get all the paperwork for the child done to receive an American passport, it won't give you any privilege to move faster to the US. You will wait the same processing time

you have not met him yet but contemplating to get pregnant? Be careful, you have never met that person face to face. Anything can happen. I would urge you against getting pregnant. Also, being pregnant won't speed up or help your process at all. Even if you get pregnant and deliver before you file your paperwork and your bf will fly to get all the paperwork for the child done to receive an American passport, it won't give you any privilege to move faster to the US. You will wait the same processing time

I might be wrong but for me it sounds as if she was a spoilt brat throwing tantrums to get some attention. Probably not for the first time? Is this her way to demand?  She is home and bored. Idle mind is a dangerous mind. Why doesn't she work?  Although, everyone judging you for refusing her sex, but obviously everyone forgets that none should have sex even with the loved one when they don't want it. It is not something you can be forced to give.  Is it normal not to want to have sex when you are exhausted? Yes, it is normal. Is it normal to get suicidal if you are refused? No, it is not normal. What does she want to be fixed not to feel trapped? Why does she not feel happy? What makes her feel she can't stay here and can't go back at the same time? From her words she feels stuck. What are all the reasons that you already know she mentioned, if you don't mind me asking.
 
The best therapy for her, besides counseling, is to get  busy and get some life; she needs to start going to school, find a job and learn driving.
 
It looks like this is not exactly the right place to get advice about your private problems. Except if you have some questions about visa process and such, no one really knows your situation and life to give you a reliable answer. No one truly knows what is happening, who is right and who is wrong. But I understand you needed to vent. I hope everything will work out  for you and your wife for the best and no one will suffer any loss. Take care of yourself and your family!

I might be wrong but for me it sounds as if she was a spoilt brat throwing tantrums to get some attention. Probably not for the first time? Is this her way to demand?  She is home and bored. Idle mind is a dangerous mind. Why doesn't she work?  Although, everyone judging you for refusing her sex, but obviously everyone forgets that none should have sex even with the loved one when they don't want it. It is not something you can be forced to give.  Is it normal not to want to have sex when you are exhausted? Yes, it is normal. Is it normal to get suicidal if you are refused? No, it is not normal. What does she want to be fixed not to feel trapped? Why does she not feel happy? What makes her feel she can't stay here and can't go back at the same time? From her words she feels stuck. What are all the reasons that you already know she mentioned, if you don't mind me asking.
 
The best therapy for her, besides counseling, is to get  busy and get some life; she needs to start going to school, find a job and learn driving.
 
It looks like this is not exactly the right place to get advice about your private problems. Except if you have some questions about visa process and such, no one really knows your situation and life to give you a reliable answer. No one truly knows what is happening, who is right and who is wrong. But I understand you needed to vent. I hope everything will work out  for you and your wife for the best and no one will suffer any loss. Take care of yourself and your family!

Just want to share my life's experience with a man like your husband.  I thank God never married the jerk, but I wasted two precious years of my life thinking I was in love with this man.  After being married 10 years to a loser, this man came along with all of the right words.  He knew how to string me along without ever having to make a commitment.  All of my friends and family tried to delicately show me he was using me, but as like most people who have their hearts involved, you are blind to their smooth moves.  I finally one day by the grace of God woke up and realized what the problem was.  I didn't like myself and had absolutely no self-esteem.  I had been beaten down mentally so bad by my previous marriage that I seriously thought I was a loser and just couldn't see the destructive pattern I had been in of choosing the worst for me.  I see me in you.  PLEASE do not allow this man to do this to you!  You are worthy of having a healthy relationship with the man of your dreams who will treat you like his queen!!!!  Once I let go of all the dead weight in my life and decided to live for ME, I ran into my amazing current love of my life!!  I wasn't looking for anyone at that point.  He just fell in to my life like a well fit glove.  He treats me like a REAL man should treat his lady.  I FINALLY know what TRUE love is.  I have faith that one day you will find the same.  You say you love him, but your love is not a healthy love.  Please take a step back and examine who has been putting all the effort into your relationship.  Has he honestly done anything to contribute to your happiness?  Are you miserable on a daily basis?  Are you always making excuses for his behavior?  Do you cry yourself to sleep most nights?  This is not what love is all about.  
 
With all that said, PLEASE WITHDRAW YOUR I-864 NOW!!! You do not want to have him legally hanging over your head for quite some time.  I wish you all the happiness in the world and that you discover your wonderful, strong, independent side that can allow a good man to love you for you.  Best wishes sweetie!

"It's better to be safe than sorry."

Sorry that no one had an answer here for me... I ended up calling USCIS and spoke with someone there so, now, I can provide this information for any others who may have the same question.
 
USCIS advised that my fiancee does not change her name and goes ahead with renewing her passport in her married name so that all the documents match.  She can then change it here in the US after we get married.

You mean patronymic.
I left it out but some people use it as a middle name. Your choice. 
 
Actually wanted to add that a qualified translator would usually add a note to translation *patronimic name and could be omitted. In general in translation they should specify first name/ petronymic/ last name. Especially since the foreign passport doesn't include petronymics, I wouldn't be worried. My first name actually got changed beyond recognizable from Russian into Ukrainian and then into English. If you look at my birth certificate, it is a different name. How would anyone could ever change a Russian name to some Ukrainian equivalent without transliteration. Pathetic! I want to scream "this is Not my name"!!! It would be the same as to convert Michael, for example, into Mikhailo. Would it be ok? Sounds insane to me! 

Then you need to apply for BBG first. Americans don't care if you have another citizenship. I mean their law doesn't enforce you to give it up, you only must give up allegiance to any other country and be loyal only to the US but no one will enforce you to give up your other passport or renounce officially your other citizenship. But for US you will be only a US citizen.