GurkenSalat

Hey thank you everyone.

Yes, we met on February 2013. I been married for 14 month already. I lived in USA already 17 month with him. He just change after we got married and its getting worse and worse.

I have SSN but Im waiting for my SS card.

Im scared to leave him because I don't want to be in trouble. And also scared to live with him.

It still doesn't seems real. I don't know how he could change so much. Once we married he just lied to me. He always hide from me everything( putting password, putting all his stuff in his safe in our appartment). He is so secretive guy.

After we filed joint tax return he told me that it's his money and not my. He just said me that he has to teach me why its only his money. He said if I don't work I dont get money. He doesn't want to open up a bank account which he always said me "I dont need that"

You won't be in trouble if you leave him! He is an abuser! It's far more trouble to stay with him. Listen to the other people on the thread, they have good advice.

I have a very liberal friend who lives in Seattle and she seems to fit in very well there! I don't know too much about it, but she doesn't seem to be the odd one out when it comes to trying to be environmentally friendly and progressive in some aspects.

That may be a really good place for ya'll!

Yes, yes, pleeeease come here! It's nice!

You're kind of reinforcing my opinion of Texas. I once said "nobody is worth going to Texas for" when a friend of mine moved over there (he's in Houston). I hope you find a group of people you get along with and don't find the environment too annoying/oppressive.

I don't know if it's possible at all, but moving to one of the coasts would definitely be a good idea!

My husband had a total income of $0 for one of those years because he was a student. So yeah, it's fine to put 0, but I *think* he did file anyway. But putting "unemployed, no income" as the reason you didn't file sounds fine to me...

You'll get all the vaccines required at SLEC; my fiancée got a total of 4 shots. One is a triple immunity in one go, so no need to worry.

That's probably MMR.

Also, no HIV on list, I didn't even get tested for it. Only TB and syphilis.

Again, answers inline.

Thanks. I have a few more questions.

- If I am using cashiers check for the fees, does the petitioner's name need to be on the check?

I don't know, I think they just need to be able to take your money. Our checks had both our names on them (joint account), and we used personal checks, not cashier's.

- Petitioner's passport copy requires ALL pages (including black ones)?

Black, or blank? I don't know, I did sent copies of ALL pages (twice, even, for I-130 and I-485). Heard nothing of it, so I guess it was ok. I rationalized it thus: showing them ALL the pages shows ALL of your entry stamps, or lack thereof.

- Beneficiary's passport copy requires ALL entry stamps?

Oh, see above?

- Like mentioned before, I can assemble I-130 packet and a separate I-485 packet (that include I-864,I-765, I-131) and then send them in one envelope?

Yep. I think you're overthinking this one

- Include cover letter for I-130 packet, cover letter for I-485 packet and then an overall cover letter?

That is what I did. Overall cover later was super-short, but whatever. It might help the mailroom people put your stuff in the right place, so it's probably good to have.

- Is it ok (or suggested) to use paper tabs to mark different documents?

Ok? Yes, I did so. Suggested, not that I know of. My packets all had labeled tabs like they were fancy dictionaries or something

Thanks

Got it. So, even if I don't have NOA on I-130 I can still use option A.

Did you use two packets to separate I-130 and I-485? OR just made two packets randomly becuase there were a lot of documents?

I separated the I-130 and I-485 packages, each in its own envelope, and labeled the envelope. Each has a cover letter with its own little table of contents. Then I put these two envelopes into a larger one for mailing.

As for option A, like I said I didn't do it that way and nobody batted an eyelash. Your mileage may vary.

Look at this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/556306-a-question-about-i-485/

On your question:

• Form I-485 Part 2) I am applying for an adjustment to permanent residence status because…” I think it should be option1 but I am confused by the phrasing.

People say option A is correct.

Ok, so your status is F-1.

Not sure about EAD. Guess it's not a renewal since it expired 5 years ago. It is a new one based on AOS. Need someone who knows for sure, but I think it won't matter much in the end. You're in a specific (and new) category for a new EAD, that's what's important to note down on the application (you can find the list of codes either on the form or the instructions).

The I-693 - I got vaccines at my school, also did the TB test there and brought the papers saying "negative" to the civil surgeon. But I did have to go through a physical exam and get blood drawn for the syphilis test. In all it was about $145, iirc. I didn't feel ripped off.

Don't use staples! Paper clips to hold the "related" papers together (like multiple-page forms) and then those giant paper clips to hold the whole packet together. I sent the two packets in two envelopes and inserted those into a bigger envelope.

Answers in line, I'm not 100% sure about all of them, so if someone else posts and tells you I'm stupid, listen to them I guess

Sorry for starting a new thread. But it seems like topic title of my previous post confused other members and they started posting their own queries in it instead of anwering mine. I am not able to delete that post, So, I am starting a new post. Mods can merge it with the previous post if they wish so.

Hi

I am applying for AoS (with EAD and AP) through my USC wife and need some help with my doubts regarding the forms.

• What is the Alien Registration Number?

I don't think you have one yet. I didn't have one at the time of application, so I left blank or put N/A (forgot which). I didn't have an OPT EAD though, maybe that one has it??

• Form G-325A: File number starting “A” is the same as Alien Registration Number?

Yeah, I think so. Left blank on mine.

• Form I-765 Application for EAD - I had an EAD card issued once I started my OPT after graduating in 2009 and it expired in 2010. Do I need to check “Renewal of my permission to accept employment” OR “Permission to accept employment”?

I'm not sure. You're in a specific category for EAD, and I don't know if what you put here makes a difference. I'd go with "renewal"

• Form I-130: Part 17: “List spouse and all children of your relative”? Should be left blank if the beneficiary was not married before (and has no kids)? OR should the name of the USC wife be mentioned here?

Blank. The USC spouse is the one who files the I-130, so their name is at the top of the form.

• Form I-130: Part 18: “Address in US where your relative intends to live”? Should be my current address in US?

Yes, if you're already living together and won't likely be moving soon.

• Form i-485 Part 1) “Current USCIS status”. I am a student on F1, so should write F1?

Are you still in status? You said your OPT expired.

• Form I-485 Part 2) I am applying for an adjustment to permanent residence status because…” I think it should be option1 but I am confused by the phrasing.

Your I-130 hasn't been approved yet, you are filing them together. I went with h and said "Concurrent filing of I-130 and I-485".

• Form 1-485 Part 3) “List present and past membership with every organization” Not sure what exactly they are looking for. I was and am member of engineering organizations like ASME, should I mention them?

Haha, this one! I put all the clubs and organizations I'd been in through college, like academic honor societies and sports clubs. It made for a funny conversation with the IO - I think they just want to make sure you're not a terrorist or a communist, but it's ok to take it literally and put ASME on there too.

• Form I-864 Part5) Sponsor’s household size. Since the beneficiary is counted as principal immigrant, should the column “If you are married, enter 1 for your spouse be left blank” to calculate household size.

Your household size is 2. I believe you enter "1" in that field, and in the end you should end up with 2 (the sponsor needs to support themselves and their immigrant spouse)

Thanks

I moved and didn't realize I had to do the sponsor's change of address form until a few months in (I had done the AR-11 for myself). When I sent it in, I was afraid of penalties - I got a notice from USCIS in the mail a week after saying they received it and that was it.

So, no big deal!

Sexist much?

The moral of this all is don't trust strangers. But I'm a little appalled that you dump all men into this kind of a category.

The bottom of you post: My wife did that carpooling with total strangers thing in Germany too, but I would not be OK with her doing that in America.

Reading comprehension, much? Twas' sarcasm.

I'm surprised how terrified everybody is about GETTING A LIFT. I have done that plenty of times. Yes, on my female own, accepted lifts from male strangers.

Carpooling is totally normal here - there are internet platforms for this.

Don't be so paranoid!

Pfft!

1. Americans are way more horrible than anyone else in the whole world

2. They will rape you, kill you, murder you, and dump your sad remains in a ditch without a second thought.

3. Oh, is the person giving a ride also an immigrant? Upon coming to America, they have turned into this horrible monster. Don't even think about it!

4. All men want and ever think about is having sex with/beginning a relationship with every random female they meet or give a ride to.

What I am trying to say: I would also be apprehensive about getting into a car with a stranger, but also consider the numbers game. It is far more likely that he is a completely normal person than a total psycho. And... maybe arrange a meeting beforehand? But everyone has been blowing this WAY out of proportion. People seem to have a penchant for drama.

What D.Ba is referring to is a thing in Germany (and maybe some other parts of Europe) where you can sign up to carpool with people going to the same destination. Yes, random people (the horror!). Like I said, I'd be apprehensive, but 99.9% of the time, it's just fine, no?

I did it for both.

I know for sure I can't get a waiver cause am adjusting through marriage. So I should be hoping for them to ask for it in the interview.

I think K-1s sometimes get waivers. What status are you adjusting from?

Send everything in one box. Thank you for your help so far guys.

After about 3 weeks i now got a letter "request for initial evidence(485)"

there seem to have been a problem with the I-864 form. maybe i did not understand correctly but on the form it said that the income of the benefitiary could be counted too. My wife's and my income was over the 125% threshold mentioned in the info sheet to the form.

Are we not able to count my income towards the minimum?

My current work permit expires mid july, could that be a problem?

Will the processing of the concurently filed EAD be delayed?

sadly today is saturday and they are closed, i will call them on monday, any tips and or hints will be greatly appreciated.

Is your wife's income alone over the 125%? If not, you need a joint sponsor.

Your question is a bit hard to understand. Is she complaining about living far away from people where she is now (like, in a rural area far from any city)? Or is she anxious about moving to the US with you because she'll be leaving the people in her country behind?

Either way, and to put it bluntly, your reaction to it stunk! Listen to the other posters, in your own words, they know better.

I am probably being too cautious but who signs the cover letter for the I-130 and the I-485?

Also I make enough that she does not have to work but wonder if we should do the I-765 anyway?

You should do the I-765 if she WANTS to work.

Cover letters - I believe ours weren't signed, they were just lists of all the documents we sent in. Either that OR we both signed them. I really don't think USCIS cares either way, since they are simply a way of organizing your file.

Hey now friend up there, Some people have different beliefs, and that's just A-Okay. =]

As for me, I'm not married yet but been dating for a couple of years and we treat it more so as he's just off to work for a really long time. It works really well for me as I was raised in a family household where my dad was gone for a while for work. Also raised around military family and saw my brother in law leave for a year at a time for deployment, and then experienced that myself with my first husband. We mingle finances for the most part and know everything that goes on with his work, my daughters therapys and school, it just feels more like he's off at work and we can't wait til he's finally done with that job. =]

I'll come back and update this when he's here for a while. I'm fairly confident that it won't change too much.

Sure it's ok. But doing something that you know is "wrong" by your beliefs and then calling it "living in sin" means you did something that you now regret (or maybe it was a joke). So, why would anyone do that? I try to live without regrets

Looking forward to your updates!

like when you put an ad out in the paper and if he doesn't respond within a certain time, you can't a divorce?

if so, we have thought about that....

No. Like you post in a newspaper and nobody needs to respond, she is now legally divorced. But yeah, talk to a divorce lawyer!

I've heard of this thing called "divorce by publication". Is it possible to to in your state?

I was also very curious about how she got a GC in the first place, if she married another immigrant. DV or that immigrant had GC?

She is still married to him, so you can't legally marry her, as that would be polygamy. She has fraudulently obtained her GC, so when caught, it will be revoked and she will be deported and banned. You, aren't breaking the law right now (an accomplice? Really? The scaremongering is astounding!)... but tread carefully!

We did AOS inside the US so we lived together in sin for three months before we got married and then we lived together as a married couple...

In sin? Are you serious?

Yeah I can do that but it seems I cannot travel to my home country after marriage IF I don't apply for AoS.

I agree, it's a bit risky, but erm, I've done it. Traveled some 6 months after getting married, we didn't bother to AOS... came back on F-1 and never got asked about the ring on my finger. I was all sorts of lucky thought. Your mileage may vary.

Way I see it: just don't AOS right after you marry. You have until the completion of your PhD to decide/do that.

I don't think you quite followed... It was an unmarried couple who called each other wifey and hubby BEFORE they were married.

Calling each other "wifey and hubby" before they got married is hardly official/legally binding. It may just be that it showed intent to marry and stay before the foreigner entered the US and thus the denial was based on lying to CBP, NOT on what they said on FB. Sure they might gather evidence from FB, but why do you all insist on scaring OP?! She made no glaring mistake like that, they are a real well-intentioned couple and she doesn't want to have to leave and be without her husband for an indefinite period of time - and that is a scary prospect and we all know it.

So really now, OP... stop worrying. Pay no mind to the fearmongering, just do your best on the evidence and explaining yourself at your interview and you WILL be fine.