feeling_hopeful

13 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Online is faster.  No chance of "lost" mail, no chance of paper being misplaced on someone's desk, no chance of lost attachments, etc.

 

The interview date is dependent on when the parents' applications, AOS and IV, are completed and DQ'd during the NVC stage.  It does not matter if the I-130 petitions are approved at the same time or at different times by USCIS.  

 

Well now she wants me to file by mail.  She says she knows, personally, people who applied for RESIDENCY, and got fingerprints and interviews and approvals on the same day.

I told her she is full of (removed) and explained to her, its most likely they chose the same day since you can choose appointment days with TOURIST Visa's on the Dominican Embassy site.

I don't know if you can choose days with the I-130 as well.  But whatever.  More delays, during the holidays, and paperwork that could get stuck on someone's desk for years.

3 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Online is faster.  No chance of "lost" mail, no chance of paper being misplaced on someone's desk, no chance of lost attachments, etc.

 

The interview date is dependent on when the parents' applications, AOS and IV, are completed and DQ'd during the NVC stage.  It does not matter if the I-130 petitions are approved at the same time or at different times by USCIS.  

 

I did all of her paperwork from K1 to Citizenship. 

I did her Mother's B2 VISA with no issues.

She tells me I don't know what I am doing.  Told her to go pay a lawyer with her own money.  I'm sick and freaking tired of Immigration paperwork.  The last thing I want to hear is "I don't know what I am doing."

She honestly doesn't realize how much of a slap in the face that is to me.

I am currently putting in an application for both of my wife's parents.  I already have my mother in laws application done, but not submitted, and want to work on the fathers separately online. She saw somewhere (I'm sure it's some Instagram moron) saying that the parent's paperwork should only be filed by mail, together in the same envelope so they get the same interview dates at the embassy.

I just need a few of you to tell my wife that this person is full of ####.  There are different circumstances between her parents (one has a tourist visa, the other doesn't) and she doesn't want me to file online anymore.  

I-130, Parents both from the Dominican Republic.  

I hate when she brings stuff like this up, because she'll just use it against me later if one parent takes longer than the other. 

Finally got the passport in the mail.  Was ready to buy a ticket today to leave on Sunday.  My co-worker came down with Covid and now I have to pay the price.  Wife is going to travel  alone while I continue to go to work.  There is no reason for her to be punished.

I swear I have never been so angry in my life. Punched  a hole into a wall at my workplace and probably broke a knuckle.  

I hated this entire process since it first started with the K1 Visa.  It's just too damned much stress.  If I knew ahead of time, how the last 5 years would have been, I would have left the moment I first saw my wife.

Thanks for listening to my Ted talk.  Good luck to everyone here.

Wife's passport was supposed to be delivered on Saturday, nothing today.  Tracking shows nothing after leaving the Arizona USPS facility.  Wife just received notice that she needs to return to work on October 8 so we aren't leaving for vacation anymore.  What a focking disaster.  Plans were completely ruined - we aren't going to spend money to only spend a week at our home in the DR.  We wanted to leave this week.

Every time I think some step of this whole immigration thing is coming to an end, there's always something to ruin it.   

Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

2 hours ago, aa1979 said:

You may want to sign in or get on "Informed Delivery" through the USPS (Postal Services) website.  It will show up on there as a package coming from Passport Services with the tracking information and an estimate of delivery date.  

Enjoy your trip with your wife...

It's dumb.  Informed delivery worked for us for years and then stopped one day.  It just says my address isn't supported now.  lol

3 minutes ago, aa1979 said:

That is not weird.  It is actually within their normal patterns and routine.  They are not teasing you and I think it happens to so many people.  I expect it to be there by Tuesday (not Wednesday) depending on where you live and would not be surprised if it gets there by potentially Monday.  It is not because you paid extra.  I think that's the pattern and that's normal for them for many people (paid extra or didn't pay extra).

Thanks - I am already looking at tickets and hope to get out of the city by this Friday.  My wife is ecstatic about it - she finally feels like an "American" now.  lol

Really wierd.  Mine went from Approved to shipped --> then approved again.  No tracking number or shipping notice.  :(

Why are they teasing me?  I'm hoping it will be here by Wednesday since I paid for extra shipping.  Just showing approved though, beforehand it had a tracking that just said "label created."

4 hours ago, EternalForeigner said:

I thought I was applicant 7 (applied on Aug 17, in process on the 20th). Did your wife also apply on the 17th?

EDIT:  SORRY I WAS WRONG, I am the one who applied on the 21st!!! Ugh.

So August 21 - Sept 17. 

18 hours ago, aa1979 said:

I am going to update the previous reply so that it is representing some new changes in order to keep the picture all together for Charleston, SC locator 34 processing center. For the other applicants at other processing centers: please note that Charleston's processing center is one of the slowest processing centers, especially with the routine applications, so please be careful as you compare it to your own processing center at some other location or as you draw any conclusions.
 

Here are a few timelines with locator 34 in Charleston, SC and hopefully that will give you some idea of how long it is taking for approval at that location these days. I am providing the day of the application at USPS/library/county office and the day in which approval was indicated (if any). I am also including whether the application was expedited or routine service. All the approved applicants received their passports within 3 business days post approval date.

ROUTINE APPLICANTS:

Applicant 1)   Applicant applied on 4/2/21 at USPS --- Routine service --> approved 12 weeks later (June 25).

Applicant 2)  Applicant applied on 4/2/21 at USPS -- Routine Service --> approved 11 weeks later (June 18).
Applicant 3)  Applicant applied on 6/21/21 at a County/Library office -- Routine Service --> Approved  10 weeks and 5 days later, or approximately 11 weeks later on (September 4th).
Applicant 4)  Applicant applied on 6/29/21 at USPS -- Routine Service --> Approved 11 weeks + 2 days later on (September 16th). 
Applicant 5)  Applicant applied on 7/6/21 at USPS -- Routine Service -->  Application is still in process after 10 weeks+ 2 days (Should wait for 1 week).

EXPEDITED APPLICANTS:
Applicant 6)  Applicant applied on 6/10/21 at USPS -- Expedited Service --> Approved 4 weeks + 1 day later (July 9).

Applicant 7)  Applicant applied on 8/17/21 at USPS -- Expedited Service --> Application is approved after 4 weeks + 3 days. (Application is expected to be approved, I am guessing, within 1 week, possibly today, based on the previous expedited approved service - he was correct .

Applicant 8 ) Applicant applied on 8/21/21 at USPS -- Expedited service --> Application is still in process after 3 weeks + 5 days. (I am guessing approval will happen within the next 10 days).
Applicant 9) Applicant applied on 8/23/21 at USPS -- Expedited service --> Application is still in process after 3 weeks + 3 day. (I am guessing that this applicant should wait to the end of next week before any expectations of approval and hopefully they will be approved within that time frame).



I hope that answers your questions in regards to Charleston, SC's processing center.

 

Updated the above with approval for my wife.  Not shipped yet.

2 minutes ago, BillyG said:

21 days. Passport in hand. 

Congratulations - which office?

On 9/13/2021 at 10:05 PM, aa1979 said:

I am going to give you a few timelines with locator 34 in Charleston, SC and hopefully that will give you some idea of how long it is taking for approval at that location these days. I will provide the day of the application at USPS office and the day in which approval was indicated (if any). I will also type whether it was expedited or routine service. All the approved applicants received their passports within 3 business days post approval date.

 

Applicant 1)   Applicant applied on 4/2/21 at USPS --- Routine service --> approved 12 weeks later (June 25).

Applicant 2)  Applicant applied on 4/2/21 at USPS -- Routine Service --> approved 11 weeks later (June 18).
Applicant 3)  Applicant applied on 6/29/21 at USPS -- Routine Service --> application is still in process after 11 weeks (Should wait for 1-2 weeks).
Applicant 4)  Applicant applied on 7/6/21 at USPS -- Routine Service -->  Application is still in process after 10 weeks (Should wait for 2-3 weeks).
Applicant 5)  Applicant applied on 6/10/21 at USPS -- Expedited Service --> Approved 4 weeks + 1 day later (July 9).

Applicant 6)  Applicant applied on 8/21/21 at USPS -- unknow routine/expedited service --> Application is still in process after 3 weeks + 2 days.
Applicant 7)  Applicant (you) applied on 8/23/21 at USPS -- Expedited service --> Application is still in process after 3 weeks. (you should wait to the end of next weeks before any expectations of approval).

I hope that answers your questions in regards to Charleston, SC's processing center.

I'm the 8/21 - Expedited, check cashed in 4 days time, still processing.  I wonder if all the storms hitting SC is the issue.  Hope none of you get bad enough luck to get 34!

Man I am so jealous of all of you.  I guess locator 34 is definitely bad luck. 😋

We are planning to leave the same weekend my wife's passport arrives.  It's torture for us.   Need to get the hell out of NY for a while.

35 minutes ago, aa1979 said:

 

Chaleston is one of the "slower" processing centers. Just some heads up!

Yea - what a bummer.  It's the very last step of a VERY long journey, so we are used to it now. 

1 hour ago, EternalForeigner said:

Mine is 34 and it indicates Charleston, South Carolina. No idea yet if some offices are quicker to process than others (someone can enlighten us on any patterns they may have noticed). There's a list somewhere in the thread but I don't recall which page it was on. But here it is and another one I found elsewhere:

Thanks!  This helps a lot.  We are dying to get out of the city for a bit so I hope it comes soon. 

Wife applied last Saturday, and it's in status with locator 34 - I'm trying to figure out what the 34 means.  Is there a list somewhere?  I'm sure it means a location, but does it affect wait times?  

Just to update this thread on my progress.  The oath went smoothly. 

They didn't collect her Dominican Passports, just the EAD and 2 Green Cards.  She was in and out in 25 minutes.  

Good luck to everyone!  This forum was a huge help.

4 minutes ago, immi2021 said:

Thanks! one more question. On the first page of oath ceremony letter it is asked to bring "Any other documents USCIS issued to you...". Do I need to bring my passport that includes the I-551 stamp which I have received before receiving my green card?

My wife brought her expired passport with K1 VISA stamp, her current Dominican passport but they didn't collect them.  

Just her EAD/AP combo cards, 2 year and 10 year Green Cards. 

Bring yours just in case.

11 hours ago, Tata86 said:

Hey all! October 2020 applicant here. My interview has been scheduled for September 7 at Federal Plaza. I am getting my documents together (did not expect it to be scheduled this quickly since I only did my biometrics last Monday!). I am applying based on the 5 year rule and was wondering if they are going to check my tax transcripts/returns? Does anyone have any recent interview experiences? 

Yes, they put a huge emphasis on my wife and my tax returns and even received an RFE because they read the paperwork wrong, which pissed me off because you'd think they'd know how to read simple transcripts.

They said we owed taxes when we in fact received refunds every single time.  We had to prove otherwise, but it was an easy RFE that only took two weeks to resolve and she got approved.  The amount of frustration was immense.

They wanted tax returns for every single year we were married.  

As always, your mileage may vary and they  might or might not ask you a thing, so just be prepared.

1 minute ago, immi2021 said:

I have my oath ceremony tomorrow at Federal Plaza building. My address is in Brooklyn. What exactly should I write in the "Signed at City and State" field on the form?

New York, NY.  You are signing it in Manhattan.

6 hours ago, DoraS said:

 

 

I've received an interview date today! The interview is scheduled for September 7, 2021. USCIS center is New York (26 Federal Plaza Manhattan). - I filed N400 online 12/1 2020.

 

As for the Civic test, just to make sure before I start learning the questions, I can take the 2008 civic test right? Or If I want I can choose the 2020 one! 

 

Yes - you get to choose.  The 2008 version is much easier.

Information can be found here:  https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reverts-to-the-2008-version-of-the-naturalization-civics-test

And we are done.  I waited less than 25 minutes and spent some time taking photos outside.  

Glad it's done!  This forum is the f-cking best.  I couldn't have done it without you guys.  ❤️

57 minutes ago, jfgk1987 said:

That sounds like a good plan 😎 can you let me know how it goes?

I am here now sitting in the park.  First security guard at the entrance said I couldn't enter, but my wife texted me and said she the lady upstairs said I can come in if I show my ID and wife's appointment letter.  They have a waiting room, but I can't enter the office when she is called.

Decided to stay outside since it's nice out and it doesn't make a difference either way.  Don't want to cause any more stress than I have to.

Here's my view at the moment. Too excited to play anything with my Nintendo Switch.  😂

19 hours ago, jfgk1987 said:

Hey all!

 

Has anyone had an Oath ceremony at Federal Plaza lately? I was told it would take like 4 hours by a friend, is that true? My husband wasn't smart enough to ask. I think I'll have to wait outside like I did for the interview, 4 hours is a whole lot of time to spend outside...

LOL - I thought my wife's oath was yesterday.  It's today at 1, we are leaving in a bit.  Taking my headphones and Nintendo Switch to sit in the park for a bit.  She is going to ask if I can enter, but I don't think so.  Doesn't hurt to try.  If it's that long, I'd rather take the train back home and get the car to pick her up after I drop her off.

Does anyone who went to the oath ceremony in NY Javitz building  know if they "interview" you again at the ceremony? 

My wife failed the first time because she couldn't answer one of the "have you ever" questions, and now we see they have the same questions on the oath ceremony letter.  She is terrified, even though she knows all the answers are no, that she'll be asked to explain her answers again.   

Her oath ceremony is tomorrow so she is in a complete panic and thinks they will deny her if she can't explain.  She knows basic English for work and life, but can't explain differences between paramilitary and military (this is what the Officer failed her for.)

She has been completely traumatized by the whole N400 process...lol