TariesL

TariesL

I am so sorry to hear that! This is a sensitive issue, personally I have no idea what are the consequences. I have read that you are forgiven if you have worked without EAD before filing VAWA, but after somebody says it is a strict NO NO! I kind of feel for you, I am out for work for three months now, filed for new EAD in the end of February, but they are still taking their time, even though it was partially my mistake (did not send pictures) - still it is ridiculous I believe. I live off credit cards and my family help right now. Again what I said about EAD - it is rumors, based on nothing, so I am not much of help. BUT, what I suggest - is to file for couple of credit cards! That will help in future with enourmous expenses, I do not think USCIS cares if you have a debt to a bank, just if you had issues with EAD or sometimes even welfare situation. Again, I am sorry! Wish you luck!

Thank you for the response! Unfortunately, I did this option after leaving the ex. They are now unfortunately maxed out, and my credit is completely shot - and so unfortunately there is nothing for me to do with regards to this. Thank you for the advice however!

Sandra I will never get even with you, so I can only be of help to others someday and somehow pay back life forletting me find your heavenly soul.

Somebody sent me a pm, I'll answer here in case somebody else needs to know this. I did state in my application that I was arrested, the case was dismissed and I requested a certified copy from the court house. I sent a copy with the package and I was asked again during the interview and as Sandra always suggests when we had something related to law enforcement I took another certified copy which the IO kept. Remember we have to state the truth in the forms. To the member who is having financial hardship, remember we cannot advice you to break the law but we will be forgiven for working before filing, once we file we shall not work without work permit, however you will be given a prima facie document which helps you receive benefits, I did sell cakes and clothes and belongings I didn't need or that I could get rid off at a local flea market while I was waiting on approval of my I-360, in case you want to consider that option

So, please correct me if I'm wrong - but working BEFORE filing for VAWA, will be forgiven - but if you work AFTER filing VAWA, it will not? Can common confirm this? So, if I was to use my SSN, knowing my EAD has expired, and I quit before I file, it would be forgiven? I'm not looking for advice on avoiding or breaking the law - Im just looking for advice on what will happen if I do, with regards to my VAWA application.

If I can do the above, then this may be the lifesaver I have been looking for. The ability to work, until I file, will allow me to actually pay for everything needed to file! This gives me some hope. Can anyone confirm this info?

And thank you for the advice too - I have pretty much sold everything I own now, I'm down to just my phone and laptop that I use to access the internet, and the place I can work on my documents and save them!

Hey all,

I have a bit of a touchy question to ask! Although I am going through my VAWA application at a good rate, I'm hitting some stumbling blocks, and most of those are financial. I need to attend a psychologist, I need to get my police clearance reports from back home, I need to travel to various places in the city for other documents, I need to pay for passport photos etc etc - the problem is, I am out of cash, and no one to lend from. Ultimately I need to work. I know I know - trust me, I would rather not, but if Im going to file this VAWA I really don't have another choice. None of this includes costs for living, which currently I can't cover either. I'm living on a tasty diet of bread. Plain, whilst couch surfing.

I'm not so much asking for peoples opinions on whether I should or shouldn't work. I know the answer would usually be not to, and since being here, I haven't done one day of illegal work - but I really don't have a choice now. So my question is, what will the ramifications be with regards to my VAWA?

I have a SSN, and I have my old EXPIRED EAD. I won't be going to any big corporations or anything, Im just thinking a small shop, like I was at previously when my EAD was valid, who literally didn't even ask me for copies of my ID, I just gave them my SSN on forms. Obviously I will report this on taxes - but I just need to know any negative impact this will have on my VAWA when I file it. Can I work just to pay everything I need for VAWA, and then stop working once filed? Or is cash in hand really the only way to try and go?

As I said, I know its touchy, and I wouldn't ask if I hadn't thought of any other option. I was hoping maybe the embassy might be able to get involved, and give some sort of loan to me, to make it through until filing and my EAD arrives - does anyone know of any option like this?

Thanks again!

Congratulations to all who have been approved!! I't always good to see so many getting the results they deserve!

A quick question from my end regarding personal statements! Roughly how long is/was everyones? I'm typing my first initial statement out before going back through it and adding - but I'm already at 10 pages, and still plenty to write! Is there a length that is deemed - too long? I don't want to bore whomever is reading it!!

What do you mean by 90 day window?

An I-360 can be filed anytime during marriage, and up to 2 years after a divorce.

Ok, well that makes me feel a bit better that its most likely divorce and not immigration related.

I think I MAY have used that address when getting a new phone, as it was the only address I had at the time - but I was only there for 2 weeks before moving. I suppose it gives me some relief that I am doing something right with keeping myself under the radar as that was a year ago and I have had nothing since - and that was given 6 months after I moved out.

With that in mind however - God I can't wait until I no longer have to fly under the radar any more. It makes every day so much harder!

I guess I will file this away with all the other ####### from the ex!

Hi, So a friend I was staying with at the beginning of 2013 after everything happened with my ex, just gave me this. He was away for a year, which is why I have only just been given it. Apparently it was in his mailbox, it was date about a year ago.

I never gave their address in reference to anything for me, so I'm not sure how my name was associated with the address. Does anyone know what this might be for? Could it be in reference to my ex trying to file for divorce? Could it be anything to do with my immigration status and USCIS? I don't know anyone in Seattle - So I'm just not sure - I'm just worrying a little bit!

Thank you in advance!

Either way, the formal I-485 denial notice will state the reasons for the denial. Since there was no RFE, I'd be surprised if it were anything other than the priority date.

Hi Hypnos,

Would you mind elaborating on this more? I'm completely confused on what you mean with regards to the priority date? And you know me, always trying to be as thorough as possible!!

At first it was because I thought he wild change and be the person he seemed to be at the start again, but I have since realised he will not change. He hurt me again over the weekend and conveniently has no memory of it, but has been sucking up to me ever since.

Right now I'm just waiting for the right time. I would happily go home, but if I do I probably will never return as it took a lot to get me here in the first place due to anxiety issues. I figured that if I at least wait for my green card then I'll have more options for what I can do next.

And ultimately this is where everyones skepticism comes in. You are staying with someone just to get your green card - of whom you then have plans in place to leave for another man once you get said Greencard,

The problem here, is that this basically constitutes fraud. Which is why people are skeptical.

If you are happy to go home - Why don't you? IS being here worth all the punishment you're being put through, and committing Visa fraud for?

Sorry, you are supposed to keep a copy of all the immigration forms for yourself.

I made three copies of my entire file before sending it off. Unfortunately when my wife kicked me out of our apartment, she also stole all of my documents, including all the copies of the package we had sent.

Hence why I am now trying to get copies, as she doesn't appear to be in the kind of mood to just, give them back to me

So I can't use FOIA to get copies of my documents sent to USCIS??

Jeez!! Why is absolutely nothing easy about this at all. It seems that every single avenue I need to go down is blocked by insanely large hurdles!

I just want copies of a couple of the documents to help with my VAWA case!!

Is there absolutely anything at all I can do to get these??

So confused!

I love everybody's skepticism.

I have an ipod touch that I can use to Skype. My husband and I share a laptop as he broke mine back in November. We share his phone but he keeps track of any calls that are made.

Lisa098 - Surely you must be able to look at the situation from outside of your own, and see why people may be slightly skeptical? However, only you really know all of the facts, so don't worry about the skepticism.

However, so fair, there as been a lot of useful information so far, that can benefit you. Especially having access to Skype from an iPod touch, maybe just change the password on this and don't stay signed in to it. It will serve as an emergency phone if you need it.

Maybe the simplest question of all to ask you currently is this.

Why haven't you left your husband?

Hey again!

So I'm trying to get this ready to send out, Im going to send out for FOIA and hope for the best and see if they send anything whilst I'm preparing the final parts of my VAWA.

On the USCIS website, it says all requests must be made in writing.

Has anyone done this? Is there a standardised letter anywhere around that I can use, to make sure I have everything in one letter that I need to mention for FOIA - I just want to make sure I stand the best chance possible at getting some copies back!!!

Thanks!!

Taries submit.form.l360 and l765, You have to submit copy of previous EAD, 2 passport pictures ,copy of your passport and l94.If you are renewing your EAD there is no fees.You can submit form l864W as well since you have a pending l485.

Thanks SandraJ

When you say a copy of my previous EAD - do you mean just a photocopy of the front and back?

I also don't have an I-94, never got one a few years ago when I came.

And finally - What purpose does the I-864W serve?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I decided to post this separately, as its specifically related to filling out form I-360. When I was filing my I-130 and I-485, I asked questions in a similar manner to below, and everyone here was great at answering, so I figured I would lay it out and ask again with regards to I-360 as I'm getting a little confused and want to make sure everything is accurate.

Info: Im filing for VAWA against my US citizen wife, through abuse from her to me. I am filing alone, without a lawyer. So here goes.

------

Part 1. Im going to obtain a PO BOX address next week. Do I fill all of this section out?

• 1c - I have no middle name. Do I leave this blank? Or do I put NONE like on my I-485.
• 8 - Do I need to put 'USA', 'UNITED STATES' or something else completely?
• 12 - I don't have one I don't think, so just leave blank?

Part 2.

• Do I tick box i? Is this the only box I tick?

Part 3. Do I fill this out as well as Part 1?

• 13b - I never got an I-94 number when I came in a few years ago. Do I leave this blank?
• 13d - Im unsure what to put here
• 13e - Do I put 'GREAT BRITAIN' here?
• 13g - I'm unsure what to put here. My wife and I filed for my AOS from VWP, however she left before our interview, and my I-485 is still pending.
• 13h - Also, what do I put here?

Part 4.

• 1a - Do I put the city I live in currently and plan to keep living in?
• 2 - If I put my details in Part 3, which is what I believe I put, which is a US address, what foreign address do I put here? I don't have a foreign address anymore - Just my one in the US.

Part 5. I do NOT fill this section in, correct?

Part 6. I do NOT fill this in also, correct?

Part 7. I DO fill this in yes?

• A1a - This is my wifes surname yes?
• A4 - she's not dead, so I leave this blank?
• B5 - Im not a widower, so do I tick neither of these boxes?
• B6 - For the date, do I give the EXACT date, or just month and year?
• B7 - I have no children, so do I tick no, or tick nothing at all?

Part 8. I do NOT fill this in, correct?

PAGE 8 - Do I ignore all the boxes on this page, asking for signature etc, at the bottom of this page?

PAGE 9 - Do I leave this page blank and fill nothing out too?

Part 9.

• 1a - Do I fill in my wives surname here again?
• 1f - I tick spouse yes?
• 1g - She is a US citizen and therefore no A Number - Do I put my A Number?

Part 10. - Where it says Signature of USCIS or consular official - Do I leave this blank?

Part 11. - Im filing out my own form, so do I leave this part blank?

Thank you anyone who is able to help! I know this probably means opening up form I-360 and having a look, which can be time consuming, so thank you to anyone willing to take the time to help. I thoroughly appreciate it!!

It's definitely exhausting, but hopefully the hardest parts are behind you.

I'm still trying to get some of our joint documents for my VAWA application. There are definitely bits I severely regret not getting copies of.

I'm glad the DV was dismissed too. I haven't had my Ex try anything like that yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if something like that didn't come up soon!

Hey all,

I hope everyone has been having a great weekend! Just a quick question, as Im just running some double and triple checks. Can someone please confirm exactly what forms I need to submit with my VAWA submission. I have my I-360, which I have almost finished filling out - but what others do I need to include?

I have a pending I-485 currently, so I am going to use this as opposes to filing for a new one. I want to apply for my EAD too, so what do I need to include for this?

So yes, I'm just hoping for a full list of forms I need to download from the USCIS website, so I can download them to my computer whilst I'm at the library and fill them in tonight if I need to!

Thank you!!!

I'm so sorry for your situation.

I understand the personally, the difficulties in getting belongings back. I had a similar thing happen to me. When I was kicked out of our apartment, I was left with nothing - A few days later after a day long of negotiating with the police, and waiting for 3 hours outside of my apartment, two officers arrived. They went to the apartment door, and her Mother answered. She said that none of my belongings were there as I had taken them all (Which was a lie). Her mother then told the officers that my wife wasn't there, and so without her there and her permission to enter - I wouldn't be able to go in and look for my belongings. I told them that I was on the lease and went to the building manager - who then told the officers I was no longer on the lease, as I was only added as a named resident, not one who was credit checked (this was true), so she had removed me from the lease, denying me complete access to my belongings. I never got anything back, and was left with just the clothes on my back, my wallet which was useless as all our joint accounts were emptied and closed and my phone which was useless as it was on her family plan, and she had cancelled.

I'm sorry you were left without your belongings, its a terrible thing to happen.

From my experience, with regards to getting some of your documents back -

Bank Statements - The following day, I went to what was the least nice part of town I could find and went to the bank there. I was working on the assumption and unfortunate generalisation that the employees here would care less (Im definitely not trying to say this is the case - I was just working under assumption). I went in, and gave them the card for the now closed account, and just said that my wife has decided to close the account, but could I get a copy of our last statement for our records - to which they gave me. Although she had shut the account down, she hadn't taken my name off the account. I'm assuming you would be able to get this at any bank.

Utility Bills - I wasn't able to get any documentation for our Phones, as I was on her family plan, not an account holder, even though my name was on the bills I was able to go to an AT&T store though, and after a bit of talking, and trying to worm around the situation, they were able to give me a copy of a bill. I wash;t an account holder, but my name was on the bill - I ended up telling them that my wife was sick in hospital, and so could;t accept phone calls, and that we needed it for proof of address for insurance purposes. Not ideal to have to lie, but I needed the documentation, so I had no real choice.

Passport - Contact your embassy. They will be able to give you guidance on how to replace your passport.

I hope this helps in some way.

If you don't have access to a phone - sorry if this seems like a delicate question - but how are you communicating with the new man you're looking to be with? Assuming that you would be in communication to want to pursue a relationship.

Knowing that you are posting here, you must have some computer based access. If this is at home - then maybe think about installing Skype, or something similar to be able to call a relative if you needed to in a emergency.

Failing this - you can pick up cheap burner phones for around $10. They can be pretty small, and can be easily hidden - possible in the garden or somewhere he is unlikely to look, and save it for emergency - don't use it to text or anything that could give away the fact that its yours.

As mentioned in my previous posts and others - Step one - if you want to end this relationship - is to end it. There are shelters you can get to if you have nowhere else to live. By having someone else you are already discussing how many years you want to wait until you get married, to me indicates you have given up on your current marriage. If this is the case - then regardless of your husbands many faults, it would only be fair on him for you to end the relationship too, as oppose to planning an alternative life with someone else. Also - if you were to stay with him, and go for a green card, knowing your intent to be with someone else - I think this would fall under some section of visa fraud - but someone else might be able to advise for sure?

And again, there are plenty of options for you to consider furthering a relationship with the new guy. If you go back to the UK - the both of you could travel back and forth, to test and build the relationship, and see in a couple of years where it goes. Whilst in the UK, if you decide to move but don;t want to marry, there are Visas that you could look into applying for. A student F1 visa for example.

Unfortunately - in your scenario - there is no easy way for you to leave your husband and pursue a new relationship. So its time to start looking at your other options.

And to some others. Yes, it sounds fishy, and moving directly on to another guy whilst in a marriage definitely raises concerns - lets not all ump to conclusions, every scenario is unique and different, and when abuse is present, its hard for us to understand the decisions made by an individual - and the reason I joined here was for help - not judgement.

From my understanding your only two options would be as follows:

To file VAWA, under the abuse the you have mentioned. With this is mind, have you police reports etc for when the abuse has happened? If not, if it happens again, be sure to call the police.

My personal opinion would not be to stay in an abusive relationship - especially as it sounds like you have someone else you have feelings for, so it doesn't sound like you have means or reasons to want to try and salvage the relationship (which I completely understand).

Option 2, is to leave the relationship, and the country. I don't know your situation before you filed for AOS - however, you could potentially leave the country, and come back on a different visa to pursue the new relationship. Or your new relationship could come and spend some time with you back in your home country, whilst you build a relationship.

This is meant as nothing but a personal opinion - but with the new person, you haven't had a chance to even have a proper relationship with them, and start on the foundations that are important with any relationship. You can't effectively ever achieve this whilst living with someone else, or working through abuse. To me, if that new relationship is important to you - and more important than your marriage, then you need to leave your marriage so the two of you can start getting a foundation in place. I understand this is hard when visas are concerned.

Just keep in mind - if the new relationship blossoms, and you end up marrying - you will probably face some tough questions come the time of your interview, especially with the timing of the two relationships lapping over.

The most important next step is securing your safety. Achieve this, and the rest will start to form.

Just in case

A4 and Letter Size are ever so slightly different in size. Don't ask me exactly how. I just remember printing half of mine in the UK (on A4 paper) - then having to do it all again in the US on Letter size, as Im a little OCD.

So yeah, just in case - there os a sight difference in case that matters to any body.

I think as previously stated - Changing your address, filing the GC as lost/stolen and then having a new one sent to your new address sounds like the best course of action!

Trying to intercept the mailman to get the card may cause you problems if your wife happens to be home and sees you - especially if you're going to have to sit around outside the house and wait for the mailman. You don't want to give her any ammunition like that.

If you received the update of your case - would it be likely that your wife / her lawyer also received the same notice?

Sorry for what you're going through. I understand your hesitancy to want to be forced into a divorce you didn't want. As said also though - In California, she will be able to file for divorce with or without you, so eventually it will become the case if that is what she wants. I hope you manage to make it back home soon and get some well deserved family time!

So after a few emails back and forth I can actually say ACRO have a great customer service section. all my emails have been replied to straight away, and with all the information I need.

Apparently the document I have currently is a Subject Access. This is for personal use, and isn't much use in a immigration setting.

I need to apply for a police certificate. Hopefully this won't take too much time to get to me! According to the girl I have been emailing, if no further action was taking after the arrest, nothing at all should show on my police certificate, which would be nice - and is something less to have to explain to USCIS.

Thanks again Nich-Nick! Wouldn't have found the email without you!!

You can read up on the passport extension process here: https://www.gov.uk/get-an-emergency-passport-extension-or-child-travel-document

It says "no additional fees" so I assume it's done at no cost. The biggest drawback, as I said above, is that you have to do it in-person and cannot do it by mail.

You seem to be in California. There are British Consulate-Generals located in both LA and San Francisco, so perhaps you could have this done at either of those locations if you can get to them.

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-san-francisco

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-los-angeles

The British government will not care if you are illegally present in the US. I renewed my British passport when I was out of status.

Thank you for those links! I took to google and wasn't able to find what I wanted, so that is a huge help! I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and see if I can go in this week and sort it out. It definitely won't hurt to have the extra year!

That would be a crime under British law, to fraudulently obtain a British driving licence when you were not entitled to one. I would strongly urge you to reconsider that.

One option may be renewing your passport for a year. Because of the current backlog with British passport applications doing the rounds on the news, they are offering one year extensions to British passports that have expired or are about to expire. I believe this service is free but you have to do it in-person, either at the British Embassy in DC or one of the consulates around the country (I have one near me in Houston, for example).

That might be worth looking into.

Thanks as always Hypnos. I definitely hear you on the fraudulent obtaining of a DL. Its not something I'm keen on doing, but I guess when facing VAWA, you have to do what you have to do - Some people have to work illegally to support themselves, I guess mine is going to have to be getting a UK license. I live in California, and so getting anywhere without a car is virtually impossible - and with everything I need to pull together to send the VAWA file off, I need to get around a fair bit, and so therefore need to be able to. Renewing my UK passport is the only way I can think of doing this, as I can't get my CA license until a new EAD is issued. Its definitely food for thought! If I can get away without doing it, then I obviously will - Im just trying to cover all my bases at the moment!

And thank you for the Passport info. I heard about the delays, but I didn't know they were extending for a year. This is very interesting and something I will absolutely do. Do you happen to know if this is a free year extension? Will it matter if Im currently here on a technically now expired VWP from a few years ago do you think?

Hi TariesL, I am British too, and know for a fact you can apply for a new passport at the embassy in Washington, try looking it up online, I have been very lucky to be able to use My passport in my state without any issues. Hope this helps

Thank you!

Unfortunately, the problem is cost. I don't have the financial resources to renew my passport currently