Ken and Inna

Maybe we need a class action law suit against USCIS to force them to stop these shady practices. If you file everything together and do your part correctly it is insane to have to pay for their blunders.

Ken -

I am having the same problem - read my post from the other day -(Advice Needed on I-751 Problem - Lawyer or Not?) - same kind of situation -

Entered together on K-1/K-2 etc -

Pisses the s--- out of me !

My wife (also from Ukraine as your wife) says at least in Ukraine you can confront the people that screwed up -

Good luck,

Paul

My wife and step daughter came in under a K1 visa all went relatively fine up to entry. We filed for change of status on both of them at the same time, USCIS somehow managed to get their paperwork slit up and stuck in a endless loop, we had to contact our Senators office to get it straightened out, it turned out that my daughters paperwork was at USCIS in California and for some unknown reason my wifes had been sent to offsite storage. Finally with my Senators office prodding them they sent us our approval letters and green cards, however, the catch was that the green cards had different expiration dates, basically they said my wife was approved in May of 2007 and my daughter was approved in November....I just knew this was a problem waiting to happen the next time we had to deal with them. I called USCIS and talked to them for 3 hours without resoloution and called my Senators office and basically I was made to think everything was fine, the case is approve nothing more to do here.

Well two years later and I am applying for removal of conditions, what do ya know, they send my packet back to me and tell me that they can't apply together because their expiration date is more than 90 days apart...so basically they want me to file my wife and pay $545 and then my daughter later and pay an additional $545...this organization is either completely dysfunctional or a bunch of crooks. Has anyone had this experience? Any good advice on how to get this resolved? I do not think I should have to pay two fees because they can't or won't do their job with any degree of competence.

Thanks for any help you can give

I do not think I have ever seen such a defunct useless organization than USCIS, we filled our AOS in August 2006, I was extremely careful to make sure all documents were included. Still receive RFE in Oct for financials which were included and received RFE again this year for this years financials. I am not even close to the minimum threshold since I make greater than 50K per year. They have on their site processing for I-485 in 6 months, yet I am at one year and two months. I have written my senator and they called and found out that the FBI checks are supposedly complete and our application is still in California, My senators office told me to call back in November if we do not have an answer by then...looks like I will make it. I am actually contemplating sueing INS, DOJ, Attorney General to get something done. Is anyone else having this problem or am I just the unlucky one? any advice would be appreciate since I am getting more than frustrated with this.

I do not believe changing employers will be a problem, but not being able to show that he earned the minimum income through tax returns could very well pose a big problem. I would call USCIS customer service and ask to receive a definite answer. Good luck!

Is it true that I can include a child on the I-751 form and just pay the $80 biometric fee not an additional $485?

Indeed it is true...thank god huh...their fee's are premium while their service rates a D- at best

They will not speak to you without your spouse there to give permission. The IO even told me that I could not put a letter on file giving me permission so my spouse did not have to be around. From reading above this part seems to be incorrect. Any ways the IO told me not all spouses are nice like me and some would like to sabotage the case of the applicant.

Thanks for asking....I did not have a clue to this fact....I am intoxicated with happiness now...I sincerely thank each of you with all my heart!

Receipt Number: MSC06329*****

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred.

The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS that was transferred to our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location is now pending there. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done, counting from when USCIS received it. This case is at our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

Out of interest, what does you online status currently say for I-485?

Thanks for the replies...I guess patience is in order

Hi everyone...I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I sent our I-485 in on 2006-08-22 and my wife had her Biologics on 20007-04-03, does anyone have any ideal how long from this point it will be until the interview in Atlanta??? Also how long does it take to get the green card after the interview? Thanks for the help.

Do yourself a huge favor...stop counting the dollars now and it will be easier to deal with. However the others are correct on the fees and they do not stop on this side either...AOS change of status fees, EAD fees, Surgeon General fee to certify vaccinations and health, SS application, blah blah blah. Just remember if you receive your one and only and a life of happiness...even though the fee's are expensive...it is a bargain and great investment with excellent returns...Good luck!!!

Upon arrival in Atlanta Immigration took my wifes medical documents including the sheet listing her vaccination status...How are we suppose to file the I-693A supplemental without this information. I have heard that others have retained this information through point of entry. I do not want to have to pay for another med exam and vaccinations for my wife and her daughter...it does not make sense and is very expensive. Any insight and help with this would be appreciated...Thanks!

The embassy in Kiev took my wife and her daughters medical exam documents and sealed them with their package that is handed over upon arrival in the US to immigration. We do not have a copy of their medical exams. I have read that we need to submit a I-693A vaccination supplement form, however we do not have the original medical information to translate over...will I have to have another exam done here in the US? Can they get their vaccinations at the health department and have a civil surgeon complete the I-693A supplement. If someone can give me a step by step solution on how to handle my situation I would be most appreciative for your help.

Thanks everyone...Great information and HUGE help!

In other words...if she will not work prior to receiving her two year green card then it is not necessary to fill out the EAD for her...and once she received her tempory two year green card she has all the credentials of eligibility she needs to legally work in the US of course providing she has her SS #...is this correct?

Hi,

Yes it applies provided the ffg below;

Since your wife is the one adjusting status, the EAD is for her to work pending the fact that she is waiting for her green card (by filing along with I-485)that is if you want her or she wants to work before she gets the green card.

The EAD would not be for you at all. You are a citizen already and don't need work permit. Hope that clears it all

Hello everyone. I would appreciate it if someone could clarify what fees are associated with the change of status. We just married last week and my wife and her daughter came over on a K1 and K2. I know the

I-485 application fee is $325.00 each along with a $70.00 biometric fee for each...my confusion is about the EAD filing...I see where on USCIS site it states a fee of $180.00 does this fee apply to my situation??? Thanks for the help...I certainly do not want to send the goverment any more than I absolutely must.

Thank you very much...I really appreciate it.

Hi Ken!

I know we haven't been in agreement on other threads-but I am really happy for you and Inna

Best of Luck

tmma

Thank goodness we are almost at the end of the tunnel...well at least as for the part where we are apart

I sure appreciate all the help everyone has given me and the opportunity to help others in turn...I wish everyone luck with their process and hope you will be with your SO soon.

Congrats!!!! hopefully you will breeze through the NVC now...you are almost there...Good luck!

Hello VJ'ers! We finally got the elusive NOA2 on May 18th! The RFE was a request for a divorce decree from over 20 years ago that only lasted 6 months. Since we submitted a copy of my divorce from 7 years ago, we never dreamed they would also need a prior decree from so long ago! I flew out of state, got the info, returned home and sent it right in to CSC.

Thank you all for your kind support! Now we start the wait for the interview in Bangkok and the final trip to Las Vegas!

Good Luck to you ALL!

PIM & JOE

Does anyone know how NVC sends packets to Ukraine...I can't find my packet in DHL tracking...do they send the packet through Poland the to Kiev maybe? Thanks for any help to answer this.

If you know so much why ask? I actually do the homework and do not create illusions in my head based off what I think I know. http://www.giftoflove.org/ukraine_program.htm

Ukraine Adoption Program and Ukraine Adoption Services

Ukraine is an independent country bordered on the east by Russia, on the south by the Black sea, on the north by Belarus and on the west by Romania, Hungary and Poland. The capital of Ukraine is Kiev where our adoption program is headquartered. International adoptions have been taking place in Ukraine since 1992. Following changes to its adoption laws, Ukraine has been open to international adoption, continuously, since 1997.

Some important points about adopting from Ukraine

The Gift of Love staff will work closely with you to complete the home study, CIS filing and international dossier. We will assist you with general oversight of all stages of the process, general education, as well as the extensive post-adoption report process upon your return home with you child(ren), which is required every year until the child reaches the age of 18.

According to the Ukrainian adoption law, adoptive parents must be generally healthy and financially secure. Although there is no specific minimum or maximum age, the Ukrainian officials believe that it is in the best interest of the child to have parents no less than 15 years older than the child to be adopted and are no more than 60 years old at the time of the adoption.

International Procedures

In international adoption it is very difficult to predict a specific timeframe for your adoption. Although the paperwork and procedures for adoptions from Ukraine are the same for each family, the timeframe does vary, as each family’s circumstances are unique.

Families dossiers are sent from Gift of Love to the Adoption Center in Kiev as soon as possible after completion. Once the dossier has been received, families are able to travel to make a decision about adopting a specific child(ren) after seeing the child(ren) in person and reviewing medical and developmental information. Pre-travel “referrals” are not available for adoptions from Ukraine, per Ukrainian law.

The official referral of a child(ren) is made in Kiev by the Adoption Center. From there, the family travels with an escort/translator to the town where the child is located. The decision to accept a referral is made after the child has been seen in person. After selecting a specific child(ren), your adoption can be completed in approximately 2-3 weeks. You will remain in Ukraine during this time and will travel to the US Embassy in Kiev to obtain your child(ren)’s immigrant visa. Both parents are required to travel to Ukraine for the adoption and court process, however, once that is complete, one parent may return home early, if necessary.

The process takes between 6-12 months from receiving your CIS approval (Form I-171H) to the time you are invited to travel to Ukraine and select your child. In Ukraine you then complete the adoption paperwork, have a court proceeding, obtain the child(ren)’s US visas and return home as a forever family.

Children Available

Children available for adoption range in age from 14 months and older. The adoption law of Ukraine does not allow families to adopt two children unless they are biologically related, meaning twins or siblings. The availability of twins or siblings is possible but the wait time in country at travel/selection could be longer and difficult to predict. Parents should be open to the youngest child being 18-24 months at referral. Some younger children, between 14-18 months may be available, but the time frame is not predictable. Parents must be open to either a boy or a girl. The majority of Ukrainian children are placed in orphanages because of economic reasons. Some children are removed from the home by the courts in Ukraine because of neglect.

Additional Information

Gift of Love works with in-country program representatives and translators who support our families’ documents throughout the initial stages and the families when traveling in country. A Gift of Love representative will meet you immediately upon your arrival in Ukraine, coordinate accommodations, arrange transportation and provide translation services and will be with you every step of the way throughout the process.

Please feel free to contact the Gift of Love office at any time for more details about the Ukraine program. Beth Schoeppner, Adoption Program Manager, is available to visit with you at any time over the phone or send you additional information, as requested.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us. We hope that you will find our information helpful in your search to learn more about the adoption journey to Ukraine and choosing the right adoption agency for you

I am sure this has something to do with it Ken, but my husband is from Egypt, and in the past 5 years, the cost of living went through the roof and now simple things have almost doubled, salaries have not budged, there is NO minimum wage and jobs are few & far between. They import most items so many many things (not frivolous things) are waaay out of reach. Remember Egypt is also Post-Socialist transistion.

HOWEVER even with these kinds of extreme economical problems, one would think with as you stated before, people would have children and then not be able to afford them, then possibly give them to an orphanage. This is not at all the case.

Assuming the model you have listed below as a possible cause for so many family-less children in the region (as you may have seen more information on this that i have), then it seems that maybe in this respect, they are more similar to the USA than other regions that have the same economic crises BUT do not have the hundreds of children without families.

i find this a quite perplexing situation, because the region is touted as being family oriented, but they cannot afford to keep their children? I dont know Ken. I can't see that as being the primary reasoning behind orphans in this region IF they are really as family oriented as you say. Something about morals has been mentioned too, earlier in this thread.

Its interesting that the US is being blamed for being non-family oriented, and we have numrous foster and "orphaned" children here due to poverty and the like, but the "breakdown" is not blamed on the change in our economy affecting our nation, but is blamed on women working and "COMPETING" with their husbands. However, according to your statement below -the "breakdown" in that region with respect to this one issue we are discussion is based on the breakdown of the economy, breakdown of family is not to blame. Interesting. Im sorry if this offends you, but it sounds like you are making some excuses for those that you love that are not being afforded to others.

Good question and I would be happy to answer this. Since the end of Socialism and the introduction of free enterprise...life has gotten much harder for them...prices are going up to European prices yet their salaries remain extremely low. Like $200 per month if you can find a job. Furthermore due to open borders and international investment realestate has skyrocketed...in short the cost of living is very harsh. The rule is they would never ever give up their children unless it came to the point they could no longer provide the essential basics like food. I ran into this on my last visit over there. the parents of this little girl did not want to give her up but they could not provide food for themselves or her and made the hard decision to give her to someone who could...the little girl screamed on the plan for her mommy and daddy all the way from Ukraine to Atlanta...it broke my heart that a family had to be torn apart because of the lack of basic things in life. There now you have my answer and if you do not believe me...please take a few and investigate it yourself and you will find out that I have answered you truthfully.

i have a very innocent question... please try not to pick it apart, I just want to know...

since i have seen over several times in this thread pointing out that these regions house people with more traditional values, family orientation, etc... why are there so many children for adoption in these same regions?

i can understand in the USA since as it has been said the breakdown etc ... families arent the 1st priority... well what is the excuse for the hundreds and hundreds of children without a family in these supposed family oriented regions?

I can only speak for my own experiences... the middle east just does not have the adoption crisis that other countries (siome listed in this thread) face....

Good question and I would be happy to answer this. Since the end of Socialism and the introduction of free enterprise...life has gotten much harder for them...prices are going up to European prices yet their salaries remain extremely low. Like $200 per month if you can find a job. Furthermore due to open borders and international investment realestate has skyrocketed...in short the cost of living is very harsh. The rule is they would never ever give up their children unless it came to the point they could no longer provide the essential basics like food. I ran into this on my last visit over there. the parents of this little girl did not want to give her up but they could not provide food for themselves or her and made the hard decision to give her to someone who could...the little girl screamed on the plan for her mommy and daddy all the way from Ukraine to Atlanta...it broke my heart that a family had to be torn apart because of the lack of basic things in life. There now you have my answer and if you do not believe me...please take a few and investigate it yourself and you will find out that I have answered you truthfully.

i have a very innocent question... please try not to pick it apart, I just want to know...

since i have seen over several times in this thread pointing out that these regions house people with more traditional values, family orientation, etc... why are there so many children for adoption in these same regions?

i can understand in the USA since as it has been said the breakdown etc ... families arent the 1st priority... well what is the excuse for the hundreds and hundreds of children without a family in these supposed family oriented regions?

I can only speak for my own experiences... the middle east just does not have the adoption crisis that other countries (siome listed in this thread) face....

Okay ladies. Seriously I have more important things to do than fuss with 20 women...the odds in numbers are not in my favor and I really have things more important than debating my beliefs and opinions...you are not going to change them. They are nowhere near as extreme as you make it out to be. I love women and even American women...they make great friends. I really do wish each of you success...even you LisaD my royal rival

I need to focus on getting everything ready for my fiancee and her daughters arrival. Regardless of what you think...I am no oppressor of women or anything like that. I have a world of respect for my fiancee in fact her intelligence surpasses mine...not that I am Einstein or anything like that....(Watch it Lisa I know you would love to run with this) Was I seriously devastated in my last marriage...yes...am I over it....finally, it took 5 years of depression and an American female friend to pull my back to the living. Is that sad someone can affect you that badly..certainly, but that is life. Do I hold hatred toward women..No! Do I look down on women...No. are there some general traits here in America that is predominant in American women that I do not like..Yes! Are women from different parts of the world different...Yes but they are still women from the the core and have essentially the same needs and desires, however one persons junk is anothers novelty...meaning perhaps their expectations are not so high that they are practically inachievable. What are my intentions with my fiancee? to give her unconditional love and do everything in my power to make her happy and fulfilled...what do I want in return? Just love, committment and companionship. If this makes me a sicko then so be it...fortunately in her country it makes me an excellent catch...strangely enough men are in short supply in their country and a woman that is over 25 and not married has an extremely small chance of finding a mate...that is why they look outside their country...not because the USA is so much better than theirs...they love their country and friends and would not leave for any other reason but love. Goodnight it has definetely been interesting and once again I wish each of you well...I know we are all here for a common venture and that is to unite with our loved one.

Ken

Depends on which one you use...the Russian horoscope goes by birth years not months and we match very well.

Yeah right...my fiance is probably way more educated than you. and yes creepy self righteous women like you scare the hell out of me...you seem mentally disturbed and apparantly lack enough self esteem to let it go. I would love to be intellectually challenged but I don't think you are up to the challenge. Don't worry though...me and my lady will be married and happy long after you have run your mate off. cheers!

You SURE about that?...coz...you know, your horoscopes don't match up.......

best of luck to BOTH of you anyway!

Yeah your creepy and I fail to see a point with you guys posting my storie...did I miss something...oh yeah its a woman thing...gotcha carry on with your stupidity us guys like to sit back and laugh at your incoherent thoughts.

and *i'm the creepy one, lol

You know what Ken? I'd love to battle this out all night, but you'll have to wait for the new moon tomorrow cos today's not a good day for saddos.

just checked with Jackie Stallone no can do anymore tonite.