enoch

she may be covered under 245i, look into the details.

we had our interview on the 13th (FB4 based), since my dad had an arrest (violation, no conviction), IO said a supervisor has to look at and it'll take another 3 weeks to 4 months, however, the next following day, i received email/txt that my fathers card was in production and on the 23rd, we received his green card in the mail.

HOWEVER,

there is no updates on my MSC# nor my brothers, were both covered under CSPA, and the IO said there shouldn't be any problems since were definitely under 21 according to CSPA aging guidelines

any idea what might be going on?

we had our interview on the 13th, since my dad had an arrest (violation, no conviction), IO said a supervisor has to look at and it'll take another 3 weeks to 4 months, however, the next day, i received email/txt that my fathers card was in production and today i received a duplicate so im guessing its in the mail,

HOWEVER,

there is no updates on my MSC# nor my brothers, were both covered under CSPA, and the IO said there shouldnt be any problems since were definitely under 21 according to CSPA aging guidelines

any idea what might be going on?

i have 2 theories..

1. They approved us as well but they didnt update the derivatives...only the beneficiary

2. They're still checking CSPA...but how long would checking a birthday take? geez

Woohoo! Interviews complete and all approved!

So here is my complete interview experience plus questions asked.

Our AOS within the USA was based on F4 brother-sister sponsorship with my spouse and two children as derivative beneficiaries.

The interview was scheduled at the Salt Lake City USCIS office at 7:30 am. We were escorted in exactly on time.

The officer was very professional and quite pleasant. After being sworn in and providing our passports and birth certificates, he requested the same as well as proof of citizenship from my brother, the USC sponsor. All four files were open on his desk. The officer started off by saying that he had reviewed our paperwork and that everything seemed to be in order but that he had to ask the following questions by law.

He then went through each of our files individually and basically verified the information and updated where necessary. It was a very quick and much less intimidating experience than anticipated. It was over in about 30 minutes, if that.

These were the questions asked:

- Name and current address

- Date of birth

- I was asked to give my parents' full names and my brother was asked if that was correct

- My husband was asked if we were married and what his parents' names are

- My husband and I were asked if we work and where

- Our sons were each asked their date of birth

- I was asked if we had any other children, and so was my husband

- My brother was asked where he lives

- We were asked which port of entry we used (New York)

- I was asked what visa we arrived on and about my H1B1/hubby's H4 visa which we had prior to this

- He asked if we were all born in South Africa

- Our sons were each asked if they had any children (they are 15 and 18 so that elicited a few giggles)

- Both sons were asked if they are full time students (it turned out that he graduated from the same college my son attends

as did my brother:)

- We were all asked the following:

Have you ever been involved in the trafficking of drugs

Have you ever tortured or interrogated anyone

Have you ever committed a crime for which you were not arrested

Have you ever committed espionage or acted as a spy

Have you ever committed any act of treason against the USA

After all of that, he said that everything seemed to be in order and that he is closing the files and our green cards should arrive within 2 weeks, possibly 3 weeks with the Christmas holidays coming up. He ended off by mentioning that we will qualify to apply for US citizenship in 5 years if we choose to, and that application can be made 90 days in advance of that anniversary date. He shook our hands and we thanked him and that was it!

Before leaving my husband turned to me and said 'Okay honey you can breathe now' and the officer laughed and asked why. My hubby replied that I had been nervous and he asked 'Why would you be nervous - this is indeed your brother and you qualify for this visa, you've done nothing wrong so you really shouldn't have worried."

It was really an anti climax of sorts - all these years of waiting and all that paperwork and detail and the interview turned out to be a mere formality in many ways.

So I honestly think that as F4's we do all the hard work ahead of time with the long wait and so on and if I can tell you one thing it's DON'T STRESS ABOUT THE INTERVIEW!

Good luck and God speed to everyone. I am so grateful and so relieved!

was your application under 245i?, if so, what kinds of proof did you use for proof of presence on dec 21, 2000?

are F4 based green cards 2 year conditionals or 10 years?

can you tell me about your interview experience?

sorry, i forgot to mention the i693, and the g325a, everything was filed.

it sounds great that it only took 6 months.

someone told me for processes that take more than 4-5 months are qualified for expedited services, is that true?

as for the AP, im aware that I can't leave the country but I think my lawyer filled it out because it was included in the AOS fee's

Can i ask, how your visa priority date was available so quickly? were u in FB1 or 2 category? under 245i correct?

Hi, I like to know how long it usually takes to process an i-485 under 245i.

this is my timeline so far,

08/06/2010 - Mailed to Chicago office Express Mail (i485, i485a, i864, i765, i131 etc.)

08/09/2010 - Received by Chicago USCIS Chicago Express.

08/18/2010 - Checks cashed

08/21/2010 - NOA's received in the mail

08/30/2010 - Biometrics appointment letter received (for 9/22)

09/22/2010 - Had biometrics done

09/27/2010 - Email/txt about EAD ordered

10/02/2010 - Received AP approval letters

10/04/2010 - Recevied EAD cards in the mail

10/05/2010 - Applied for SS# at the SSA office

......Waiting for an interview letter, im in NYC.

im actually the derivative, my aunt(USC) petitioned for my dad based on FB4.

QUESTION***

My dad has a record where he was arrested over ten years ago for a dispute at a restaurant(they thought he and his friends were drunk so they added buncha things to the bill and my father refused to pay), however, due to the language barrier and since he was abit intoxicated, he was arrested. He was fingerprinted, paid the fine, and was released. I got his court disposition letter saying everything was dismissed. We gave it to the lawyer so he can mail it with our AOS application as well as an explanation letter.

Now the question is, do you think this is whats holding up the process? Im sure his fingerprints are gonna raise a red flag initially from the FBI name/fingerprint check.

I'm dying to see that interview letter...

ACCORDING TO MY LAWYER***

i-485 cases take usually 6 months, however, in the case of 245i, it's longer, he said 1 to 2 years long.

how true is this? im crossing my fingers because I can't believe its gonna be another year or 2...ughhhhh

can anyone add their input? Jim?

only the JOINT sponsor(if you have one) requires a proof of ID, normal sponsors do not.

wow, you got your EAD approval within 10 days of biometrics...thats amazingly fast, any idea why?

Can i ask when you had your biometrics done, thank you.

without a SS#, i doubt you can find employment, so i suggest you head to your nearest SSA office and file for one with your EAD card.

We don't mind all showing up to the interview, but I was wondering, since I got my biometrics done earlier than my family members, would I receive a SEPERATE interview date? To my understanding...or logic, only the beneficiary should receive the interview letter, right?

For FB4 based AOS interviews, do they interview the derivatives(children) as well? or just the beneficiary(parent)?

so

1. do they ask questions to the derivatives?

or

2. derivatives must be present but they dont ask questions necessarily to the derivatives?

or

...?

thank you.

P.S Since the derivatives had to file SEPARATELY but linked for AOS from the parents, do they receive interview appointment letters? or just the beneficiary(parent)?

Thanks for your response, yes, all my cousins are US Citizens but does that fit into any of the family based preference visa categories?

Heres the deal, i would really appreciate it if anyone could give me their input:

My aunt sponsored my dad (F4) and our lawyer filed all the papers 485 485a 765 etc.

I'm 21, turning 22 soon, and me and my brother, we are covered by the CSPA and our family, 245i

question is: If my dad DOES NOT do his biometrics and DOES NOT goto the interview, but me and my brother go through with it, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE DERIVATIVES(MYSELF AND MY BROTHER) TO ADJUST STATUS? My father has been unemployed for awhile, and i dont know if he'll be sane long enough for everything before he abandons the family.

answer my lawyer gave: It depends…Usually, if primary beneficiary gets denied…derivative beneficiary gets denied as well….

here is my personal timeline:

08/06/2010 - Mailed to Chicago office Express Mail (i485, i485a, i864, i765, i131 etc.)

08/09/2010 - Received by Chicago USCIS Chicago Express.

08/18/2010 - Checks cashed

08/21/2010 - NOA's received in the mail

08/30/2010 - Biometrics appointment letter received (for 9/22)

9/01/2010 - WALKIN BIOMETRICS (Just Me though)

I need some help.

Here is my timeline:

08/06/2010 - Mailed to Chicago office Express Mail (i485, i485a, i864, i765, i131 etc.)

08/09/2010 - Received by Chicago USCIS Chicago Express.

08/18/2010 - Checks cashed

08/21/2010 - NOA's received in the mail

but yesterday I got a mail from the US Dept of State National Visa Center saying that I need to pay the AOS (Affadavit of Support Fee) of $88 and

two things they note:

1.If the applicant intends to adjust status with the USCIS, please contact the NVC before making any payments or taking further action.

2. Children who pass 21 years of age after the petition was originally approved by the USCIS become ineligible to accompany or join the applicant immigrating to the US under the original petition. In some sitations, the CSPA may allow children to remain eligible beyond 21 years of age. If you believe that the CPSA applies to this case, please send a detailed explanation to the NVC. We will forward it to the U.S Embassy/Consulate General for a decision.

My brother and I are beneficiaries of the CSPA and my lawyer submitted CSPA noted letters with our i485, i485a, i864, i765, i131 etc. package when we mailed it to the Chicago Office.

I contacted my lawyers office but hes out of the country til after labor day. Any advice how to proceed?

I have my joint sponsors recent year (1) tax return (2) w-2's but he didnt have any 1099's, is that okay?

I see alot of marriage based interview questions but what are some of the family based interview questions?

thank you

Hi, I like to know if you can apply for i-485 with an expired passport, im renewing it as we speak but it takes about 3 weeks and my priority date is in 1 week, so I plan to submit my AOS packet with a copy of my expired passport in 1 week if that is okay, and will have a current passport by the interview date.

I appreciate any help anyone can give.

Thank you

My father is applying for AOS but he has been arrested a couple years back over a dispute on a restaurant bill. He paid the fine and was released shortly after. I'm not sure exactly on what grounds they arrested my father, however, he has no letter or documents relating to this incident.

My lawyer says that I need a Court Disposition letter, how can my father obtain a copy of it after all these years.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

We are expecting my cousin to joint-sponsor my father and I, however, it appears that she is sponsoring her cousin who is on a student visa for "tuition and board"

Is it possible for her to joint-sponsor my father and I as well? She makes 3-4 times above the poverty level.

I appreciate any help that can be provided.

Here is some background information.

My aunt(US Citizen) is sponsoring my dad for his green card. My father is the beneficiary and myself, the dependent. We fall under 245i, and myself under 245i and the CSPA.

1. Does my father have to pay back taxes, if so, when to when? He started filing taxes in 2006 to today, so from 92-05, he hasn't paid taxes.

2. On the i-485 form (PART 2), are the children A or B?

3. On the i-485 form(PART 3 SECTION B), does my father list us as children, and check off yes "applying with you" ?

4. Do I apply separately for the i-485 from my father? (I am 21 right now and a dependent of my father[beneficiary])

5. Do I also have to pay the $1000 penalty fee(245i) although I am a dependent and not the beneficiary?

6. My aunt(US citizen sponsor for my father) does not work, so she does not file taxes, how is that handled in the I-864? (We have a sub-sponsor for I-864A since my aunt does not have an income)

Again, i appreciate any help that you can give me, thank you again.

-Enoch

P.S, Does anyone happen to know any excellent lawyers in the NYC area?

I noticed in 2008, the Priority date has moved 6 months, while in 2009, it moved 19 months, is there a reason why? Has the department of state increased the number of visas available or did they come up with a way to process things quicker?

NOTE: I'm speaking of the 4th class (brother or sister of a USC)

also, one more thing, my aunt does not work therefore she doesnt file any taxes as far as i know (w-2's), and I read that the sponsor must submit a copy of their w-2 form with the i864, what must be done here?

Thank you again

The daughter is a USC. Thats great news. On the I-864 forum, I read that if the sponsor is receiving government tested public benefits, she may have to repay them or face being sued, how does that work in this case?