lostunderwaves

Green card came in the mail today! Still no ssn, though ironically, our 4-week-old son got his today!

I thought the US national minimum wage was $5.65.... how come there are jobs that are only paying $2.00 an hour?

I made way better money in Canada than I will ever be able to make here in the U.S., with the job skills that I currently have. It was just one of the things I had to accept in order to be with my husband.

Federal minimum wage is $5.15, but most states have a higher minimum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_law#United_States

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._...e_minimum_wages

Jobs that involve tips, such as servers, are allowed rates lower than minimum wage because of the tips.

WOW! Approved at interview today AND we got the Card Production email!! AWESOME

Awwww. Congratulations on the baby and your approval LostUnderWaves!!

Thanks! The last few weeks have been crazy between having a newborn (our first baby!) and preparing for the interview

Our appointment was for 8am, and we arrived at the Memphis USCIS office at 7:15 and waited in the car until 7:30 when they opened the doors (the parking lot was small, but there were plenty of spots since it had just opened). The security officer said to have our appointment letters out, but that we didn't need to show our IDs. After going through the metal detector, we were instructed to put our interview letter into a slot in the waiting room-- we were the 4th couple in. They called back 6 or 8 other couples before us, but probably because they had an earlier appointment time. We were called back around 8:45 and did the oath. The immigration officer asked for our IDs (David's EAD and passport, my driver's license), our original birth certificates, and our marriage certificate (he asked for a copy of this to keep). He then asked all of the biographical information-- our names, address, if David was working, if I was working, how we supported ourselves, if we had any children (and for the baby's birth certificate), and if we'd been married before.

Then he asked David:

-Why did you come to America? To visit me

-What day were you originally supposed to go back to England? Jan. 17, 2006

-Why did you stay in America? He fell in love

-When did you decide to get married? At the end of December 2005

-What had you been doing in England? Working for the NHS

-Did you quit your job in England? No

-What type of wedding did you have (big wedding/small wedding)? Small, in my dad's living room

He remarked that we didn't have much of a dating period, and I agreed and said that it was quite the whilrlwind. He asked to see any documents that we had jointly, so I showed him our lease and past leases, utility bill, and bank statements with both of our names. He didn't ask for/look at any of our pictures, emails, letters, or new sponsor information (2006 tax returns, letter from employer and pay stubs from my dad, our co-sponsor). He took David's I-94, and then told us he was approving us today, and that the green card would take 7-10 days to arrive. He took a few moments to advise us about lifting conditions in January, and how to apply for citizenship. He then printed off a letter stating that our case was approved and that was it! The IO was pretty much stone-cold emotionless the entire time-- he didn't crack a single smile, no handshake, no "have a nice day," nothing. He made me really nervous, especially when he started questioning David about his intentions when he came to America. I still felt like hugging the guy as we were leaving I was so happy, though!

We had our interview this morning, and we were APPROVED!!!! :dance: :dance: The IO was stone-cold emotionless and made me a nervous wreck-- he didn't even crack a smile when I told him that I'd just had a baby! We were adjusting from VWP, so he did a little grilling on David's ties to England, why he came to America, when he'd planned on going back, and why he stayed. He only took the I-94 and a copy of our marriage certificate, even though I had copies of EVERYTHING! Then out of nowhere, he told us he was approving us today and the card would arrive in 7-10 days!

I'm so happy! Now we just have to lift conditions in January and we're DONE with USCIS

I have received my I-797C NOtice of action. They will schedule me for a Biometrics appointment soon. My Canadian Driver's License will expire in August 14, 2007. I need to get a Georgia Driver's License before then. The GA dmv requires a social security number. However I don't have one yet. Will the receipt (I-797C) be enough for them to help me get a georgia license? I need help.

Tennessee, where I am, also require a social security number to get a driver's license. A receipt is not a social security number, and will not suffice. To be sure, call your local DMV, but if the requirements say a ssn is needed, then it's needed.

My friend just had her interview in Seattle last week. She told me the deed (House) should have both name on it, that is very important. Does anyone had experience could tell me? Thanks

If you have other documents proving that you live together and share finances (bank statements with both names, mail, shared memberships and policies, etc.), it's not necessary.

hi,

uscis has said they sent us our temporary resident card but we had also filed for our ead and advance parole document which online says is still pending...someone told my wife she doesn't need either of these once she gets the resident card....she can work and leave the country. i'm just wondering on both of these so plz let me know..

thanks!

If by "temporary resident card" you mean the conditional green card, then no, you will not need the advance parole or EAD.

We are moving and we changed the address online with USCIS, should we also mail the form in, and call USCIS. Anyone have any experiences with address change? Any help would be greatful, thank you.

We changed ours online and got a receipt for it in the mail right away. We also mailed in the sponsor change of address form, and got a receipt for that via mail, although it took about a week longer.

I'm a bit confused on where to mail the I-485. I-130, I-765, I-693. I know they all go in the same packet, but where to? I "think" it's supposed to go to the Chicago po box but I don't want to risk it and send it to the wrong place. My zip is 46902 if that helps any. Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

Oh yeah before I forget...I've read conflicting advice on the I-693 medical form. Do I mail this with the other forms, or hold onto it until our interview? Thanks!!

You think right. Mail the medical in the sealed envelope with the 485 package.

My mother is suppose to have her interview on July 6,07, but today we received a letter stating the the interview is canceled. THis was stated on the letter. . .

This is to advise you that, due to unforeseen circumstanced, we have canceled the previously scheduled interview on Friday, july 6, o7 at 7:20am for the above applicant. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. You will be notified of any further action takin on this case, including any rescheduled interview information, under separate notice.

I've checked the online status and there's no LUD on it. Last LUD was April 11,07. What should we do? Do we just go ahead and go to our appointment time or wait for rescheduled interview letter?

I have read a few topics about canceled interview where they went ahead and gone for their interview date and was still called. I'm thinking about doing this and worst case is them telling us the interview is canceled. So confuse right now any advice would be great.

Definitely go ahead and go-- the worst that could happen is that they don't call her.

Well, i just got back from my Biometrics appt in Omaha, NE...they did do both appts today to save me going back there next week. I was in and out within 7 minutes When i was finished the lady turned round and said to me that....I would receive my Work Authorization Document in the mail did she mean that my work permit is approved or what? a little confused

Maria

I think she just meant that that's how you'll get it. You would be notified that it was approved by checking your case status before they mailed it to you, but it won't be approved already, as you just had your biometrics for it done.

Looks like you have to have it for California: http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/apply-license.php

Hi All,

I just wanted to ask whether we have to wait 2 yrs after we got the GC or after we filed AOS?

Thanks!

What ? To wait to have sex?

!

Try and be a bit clearer !

Is it that hard to figure out?

I got EAD first on my postal mail and then they sent an email stating that they approved my EAD and approval notice is on ts way. Its kinda weird.

I got that email too ... weird that they let you know they approved it AFTER they mail it to you.

you can work without a SSN though... some employers are not aware of that but it is the case.

Yeah, but most places require online applications, and you have to have a SSN to fill them out, so we're stuck.

Got the EAD in the mail today!! We went to the Social Security office to apply for his ssn, but they said his work authorization wasn't in the system yet, so we have to wait =(

Oh well, at least he can apply for jobs now!!

As far as the bank account is concerned, I (USC) was able to open an account and add my husband (UKC) who doesn't have a social security number to make it a joint account (this was at Bank of America). They only required the main account holder to have a ssn, and when they added him, they just took down his passport number instead.

I couldnt even get my husband on my bank account since he does not have a SSN yet. Immigration wants this proof to support the marriage but they make it so difficult to meet their demands.

You should shop around for different banks. Many don't require a social security number from the second person for a joint account (for example, if you have an ssn, you can apply for the account and just add your husband on it). We did this-- I applied for the account and added my husband-- they just noted his passport number.

I check usually once a day after 6pm, but I checked several times a day in the first few weeks. I have an email notifier, so I'm alerted every time I get a new email (which is how I found out at the exact moment they sent the EAD approval email!).

I check VJ several times a day, but don't usually spend more than 30 minutes at a time on it.

Tenemos la entrevista en Memphis tambien, pero no hasta el 24 de julio. Y mi esposo es de Inglaterra (y no habla espanol!)

BUENA SUERTE!!!

Work permit approved today!!

Got a touch on the EAD today. Hopefully that means it'll come soon!

Glad your interview went well! How much did you have to pay for your certified copies? Most places they're only $5-7.