snowcat

Hello! I'm a Filipina currently living in Cleveland, OH with my lovely husband. I immigrated to the US in 2017 and in the process of applying for US citizenship!

I'm pregnant with our first child (due in March) and I wanted to find a Filipino nanny/babysitter who could help us out because I want my child to be bilingual (Tagalog and English), and having another source of Tagalog would be extremely helpful. I speak Tagalog myself but I hear the child needs a source that constantly ONLY speaks Tagalog for him to be truly bilingual and I'm not sure I can do speak Tagalog full-time with my baby when my husband only speaks English. 

I've been having trouble finding Filipino nannies in Cleveland (there aren't a lot of Filipnos here) :( So figured I'd post in this forum in case anyone knew of any resource I can check out. Even a Filipinos in Cleveland group/community would help! It would be nice to find other Filipinos here as well :) 

Thank you!

Update:

The email oca.crd-us@dfa.gov.ph was the one that worked and responded very promptly (within 2 hours!) to my request for transmittal details. I have now forwarded those details to info@psaserbilis.com.ph and will post another update as soon as I get a response.

Thank you, @top_secretand @Talako! I have emailed both the emails you provided (just in case!) with those details. Will see if I get a response soon  

Thanks for the input @Chancy! I tried just getting a marriage certificate from PSA but the details top_secret listed above also came up (see screenshot below) so it seems I do really have to get those transmittal details and email info@psaserbilis.com.ph.

This seems like such a tedious process to get a copy of ROM ... or even to get my passport renewed with my new name 😅 Wish they would just take the original copy of ROM given to me when I filed it years ago. Always so many steps with these things!

Hello, I am trying to renew my Philippine passport but need a new ROM copy from PSA (https://www.psaserbilis.com.ph/) - as I got my ROM in 2017 so it's no longer valid. PSA website seems to only have birth certificate, marriage certificate, CENOMAR or death certificate as options. How do I request for ROM?

Thank you!

It's great to hear everyone's opinions on the matter.  Thanks for chiming in! 

Yes, it was a bit of a weird transition for us especially at the beginning of our marriage...  But as most of you have said, communication is key. We also sit down and talk about things that bother us, which this was one of, on my end. I took the time to explain the whole "we're a family now and we share costs" and he has definitely gotten better about it. On the flip side, when he was having financial trouble in the past, he didn't come to me for help or tell me that he's struggling. When I found out, I immediately paid for whatever he needed to pay for and he was so shocked and grateful. I had to explain yet again that hey, this works both ways - we help each other and we support each other. You don't have to carry the burden alone! I come from a family where we buy each other gifts and pay for each other's expenses, if we are able, without expecting anything back. And his family is quite the opposite, where his dad actually has an Excel spreadsheet of everything he owes him since his teenage years! Also, when we asked his parents if we can stay with them for a few months as we find a house of our own, they said yes but only if we pay rent! LOL 😮 That's ridiculous for me - my family would LOVE to have me (and my husband) live with them again for as long as I wanted for free (and that won't even be a discussion!). 

Anyway, it's interesting to hear everyone's take on it. I also would like to clarify that I'm not in any way troubled by this (at least, not anymore), as my husband and I do discuss this, among many other things. He does try to understand everything from my perspective as well. We have a healthy, happy relationship and I couldn't imagine anything better. I just wanted to open up the discussion because I was just curious of how other married couples deal with stuff like this. I'm not exactly asking for relationship advice here hehe. It's different for everyone!  

1 hour ago, Nitas_man said:

I pay for all of Nita’s stuff

 

Splitting immi costs is just weird

To each their own, but I don't think splitting costs is weird if both parties work and earn pretty much the same amount every month. It seems fair to me.

14 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Do you guys have any shared accounts? That's going to be something they're looking for during ROC, so just something to think about. I'm not saying it's wrong to take a 50/50 approach, but co-mingling of finances in a joint account is one of the key things they'll want to see down the road.

Yep, we do. We have 2 actually, one for personal use and one for our business.  We have already showed those accounts to USCIS during our green card interview. The personal joint one is now the one we use to pay immigration stuff for - so less arguments now haha. We both put a little bit in there every month for joint expenses... but we still do keep majority of money we earn in our own bank accounts. It's not exactly ~romantic~ but it works for us. I also feel good having money of my own.

Thanks for chiming in, everyone. I'm actually already in the USA with my husband. We have gone through everything already (and he's paid for a bit more than half of all immigration related stuff, especially since I didn't have a job right when I got here) and my next step is removing conditions on my green card, which I'll be doing later this year. We are very open with each other and communicate stuff like that. He understands my point of view, hence why he pays his share in the end, so it's not as if he just refuses to help. It's just not automatic to him, the whole "we are married so we should pay for everything 50/50" thing, especially when it comes to my immigration. So we have the same discussion every time we need to pay another fee for yet another immigration-related packet. Getting married and navigating shared expenses when we used to fend for ourselves is also in itself a journey, so I also try to be understanding of where he is coming from.

Anyway, was just curious how it is for other couples. Every one is different. But rest assured my husband and I are in a very loving, understanding, communicative relationship!

5 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

It’s going to be a decision that each couple makes themselves. If we were in that situation ,  I wouldn’t be sitting with “ it’s your immigration not mine.. you pay for it “. My thoughts would be it’s “ our” immigration... “ our “ life choice ... “ we“ will pay for it together.  But that’s just me.  

Yeah to be honest that's where I'm coming from too, so am a little bit hurt that my husband doesn't automatically think the same way. Can't entirely fault him for it though, I think it was the way he was raised... his family has a bit more of a  "fend for yourselves" type of mentality - especially when it comes to money, rather than a "we are family and we do everything for each other" type, which is how I grew up

For immigrants, I guess particularly those who immigrated through marriage, who pays for your immigration fees? Is it you (the immigrant) yourself, your US Citizen spouse, or do you split the cost? Just curious.

My husband has helped me pay for mine, but has also argued that I should probably shoulder the full cost since it's my immigration, not his (we both work full-time, though he earns a bit more than me). Just want to note that he's not an(removed) or anything 😅he's actually a great husband, and will help me pay for stuff if we discuss it, but that's just his rationale and I'm wondering how many other couples have the same argument lol.

I currently have a 2 year conditional green card (from K1 - marriage to US citizen), which is expiring November 2020. My husband and I are planning on moving from California to Ohio sometime in May 2020 to start a family, closer to his family (as it takes a village to raise a child, we hear lol). I am planning on sending my I-751 packet by August 2020.

I was just wondering what I'd need to do regarding the move? I know I should inform USCIS about my change of address, but aside from that is there anything else you'd advise me to take care of to ensure the smooth processing of my removal of conditions?

Another question I have is that we also will be moving to a temporary Airbnb type situation until we find a house we love and will purchase (my in-laws weren't too keen on us staying at their house for a prolonged period of time unfortunately). I am thinking of just giving my in-law's address to USCIS as our Ohio address, as it will be a more stable location for USCIS mail?  We'll see our in-laws at least every week so I should be able to regularly get mail from them. Do you think this is a good plan?

I also plan on calling USCIS sometime soon to ask these questions but this forum has always been helpful in providing answers, so figured I'd get your opinion as well.

Thank you!

My husband and I will be traveling to the Philippines early next year. I have my GC already and he is a US Citizen. We were thinking of doing a round-trip ticket from Jan 28-March 2, which is more than 30 days, but are planning on going to Japan on another round-trip ticket in the middle from Feb 23-March 1. So actually we won't be spending the entire 30 days in the Philippines, but worried they won't let us on the plane since our round-trip ticket is more than 30 days? Can we just show the airport officer our round-trip ticket to Japan?

I know we can just do one-way tickets for each, but it is much more expensive that way...

14 hours ago, Aupair3 said:

@snowcat  on the application they ask for date of intended departure and length of trip. What did you write there? I don't know the dates I'll be traveling yet. 

Just estimate.

1 minute ago, Aupair3 said:

@snowcat what reasons did you include when you applied for AP? The instructions say: 

"You have a pending application to adjust status, Form I-485, and you seek to travel abroad temporarily for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or in furtherance of a “significant public benefit,” which may include a personal or family emergency or bona fide business reasons. "

And

"NOTE: Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose. You must NOT file Form I-131 with your deferred action request or your package will be rejected and returned to you. "

Hmm, that's strange. I don't remember having to give a specific reason to travel. I just submitted an I-131 along with my I-485 application. I just ticked the checkbox that says "I am applying for an Advance Parole Document to allow me to return to the US after temporary foreign travel", and included a supplemental page for Part 7 ("...explain how you qualify for an Advance Parole Document, and what circumstances warrant issuance of advance parole), on which I just stated I am eligible for AP because my AOS is currently pending. That's what I did when I applied the first time and when I renewed and was granted an AP both times.

Just now, Aupair3 said:

That's horrible! I applied for work permit, I received that already but didn't apply for travel document since I didn't think it would take this long. So I'm thinking to apply now and visit home next summer. 

Yes I do recommend that you apply for AP as well. It took me around 4 months to get my EAD/AP combo card after applying, and also 4 months when I renewed. Take note of when your EAD/AP expires btw. You will most likely have to renew that since I doubt you will get your GC before it expires (it's been the case for many, including me, since processing times are so much slower these days). To renew, you have to apply for renewal 120 days before the expiry date.

2 minutes ago, Aupair3 said:

I see. Did you leave the country with advance parole or did you have a valid visa? I haven't been home for some time now and really . want to visit.

I had an EAD/AP combo card that enabled me to travel outside of the USA. Did you apply for that along with your I-485 application? Please also take great care of your EAD/AP card while abroad. Mine was stolen along with my wallet and it was a horrendous experience trying to get back into the USA. You can read about that entire ordeal I went through in this thread:  

1 minute ago, ajay007 said:

congratulations to you.i got notification for my interview is scheduled waiting for notice i hope i will get that within 2 days.i our interview will gonna be good as well.

Thanks! You should get your NOA soon in the mail. The interview is usually around or a little over a month after you get the notification.

20 minutes ago, Aupair3 said:

Thank you for sharing your story. Good for you! Congratulations! We applied May 25th and called USCIS to ask about processing times, the lady said it's about 15 months so we have a long way to go... 

We got married May 1, 2017 and applied for AOS May 10, 2017. Only got our green card interview scheduled on August 6, 2018 (which we had to reschedule because I was out of the country, so we got another schedule which was last October 23, 2018). So it took more than 1 year before we even got an interview scheduled. Once you get your interview though, you get your GC pretty quickly. Hang in there!

1 hour ago, TNJ17 said:

If you’re only replacing it because it was stolen you just need a valid ID. They already have you in the system and you should be able to get a duplicate after reporting it stolen to the current validity of the previous DL. If you’re renewing it because it’s about to expire, it really depends on your state. Some states require the actual cards and not extension letters and whatnot. Just make a trip to the DMV and ask. 

I got the new Real ID DL, which is connected to my legal status in the US (since it's used to fly domestically). So it expired when my EAD/AP expired, which was last Sept 18th. I guess I can just make a trip to the DMV... it's just a pain if it turns out they can't help me in the end, since there's always a long wait... so I was hoping someone here would know, to save me at least 3 hours of waiting. 😅I can also try to call tomorrow, I guess. Hopefully that helps...

I'm in a kind of peculiar situation where my EAD renewal was delayed and I received my AP sooner (as a piece of paper instead of a card). I was wondering if this AP document would be enough for me to get a Driver's License again? My wallet was stolen with all my IDs in it, and I was hoping to have my DL replaced soon, but my EAD is taking a very long time.

I'm based in California, if that information helps.

My husband and I are going to have our AOS interview in a little less than a month (just got the letter yesterday). I just wanted to ask for your advice on what I should expect and what I should bring? I've read some threads about AOS interviews, and am getting scared reading about the bad experiences. I guess I can list down some questions I have below, any other advice is welcome (I'm sorry if this gets long; I just want to be thorough!):

1. My husband and I have a joint bank account, which we opened very recently, after our wedding celebration in his hometown (we got married at SF City Hall last 2017 for legal purposes, then had a wedding reception type party in his hometown last Sept 7th, then will have another wedding ceremony + reception in my hometown in the Philippines in Feb 2019). We didn't think of opening a personal joint bank account earlier because we were doing fine with our own personal accounts, plus, since he's currently the sole provider of our household (while I work on a business we've started together), he's the one paying all of the bills. However, since we received many checks during our wedding addressed to both of us, we finally opened a joint bank account so we can deposit our wedding money in it. Anyway, I plan on bringing a bank statement from this account, though it will show that the account was only recently created and not much activity has taken place. Will this cause any issues? (We also have a joint business account for the small business we own - will this help?)
2. Other documents we have that I will bring are: our tax documents (which show that we now file jointly), our health insurance cards (which show both our names), and our car insurance (which also show both our names). The car title is only under his name; I had been meaning to add myself to it, but I kept losing my CA Driver's License and never got around to doing it. I can't do it now, since I'm still awaiting my EAD/AP card, which I had renewed, and can't get a DL without it. Similarly, the lease of our apartment is only under his name too; we didn't think it was necessary to put me in it because he is the one paying rent and we do not intend to stay in this apartment forever - we will eventually purchase a house together, somewhere cheaper, in the future. Our utility bills are also only under his name, since he had been living in our apartment by himself first, and we just never thought to add me to any of them, especially since he is, again, the one paying the bills. Will me not being on our car title, rental lease, and utility bills cause any issues? I don't know if we have enough time to add me to any of them and show up with proof by the time of the interview... 
3. I do not have to bring my vaccination records, right? I had submitted my AOS application before my I-693 expired, and had submitted the original DS-3025 in my AOS packet (I know, I probably should have made a copy of that, but didn't). I don't have anything else I can bring to the interview to prove my vaccination records... 
4. I don't know if they'll look at these, but I also plan on bringing photos of us from the day we met, lots of photos from our first wedding at city hall, then more photos from our wedding celebration in his hometown. I also have letters and wedding invitations from friends/family addressed to both of us. Will these help at all?

Again, any advice on what to expect and what I should bring in addition to what I stated above (and to what is listed on the letter) will be great. I'm very nervous and want to make sure my husband and I are thoroughly prepared.

Thanks!

28 minutes ago, sweets1234 said:

Keep calling and trying to resolve this issue, there should be a way. Do you have the paper that says your EAD card has been approved in America? Maybe you can get that paper and use that as a proof that you have that card to be able to be boarded on the plane? But call also USCIS and ask about interview resheduling and sending you a new EAD card....I think the most important is to either make it to the green card interview or be able to reschedule it, otherwise your case could be denied? 

Thanks sweets1234. I do have all the possible documents needed to prove I had the card, including the NOA notice of agreement that states my application for Travel Document has been approved and is valid until September 18, 2018. I even have photocopies of the original card. All I don't have is the actual plastic card, which I didn't know was so irreplaceable! All that you have advised is exactly what I have been doing. I just got off my 23498th phone call with USCIS and finally landed a more sympathetic lady who helped me request for expedite under "humanitarian reasons" (the other agents just made it seem like I didn't fit into any of the categories for expedition). She did say there would be no guarantees, but it's worth a shot. I know humanitarian reasons are for life-threatening emergencies, but hey, I would try anything right now. We also are working on rescheduling the interview. I have already requested a reschedule via phone call to the USCIS (still have not heard anything back and it has been a week) and our immigration lawyer friend is also now helping us draft a letter to the San Francisco field office to make sure they are aware of my situation and request to reschedule (as apparently sometimes a phone call to the USCIS never gets through to the field office and people STILL get denied). My husband also is planning on showing up by himself to the interview just in case, so he can reaffirm that I cannot make it.

I am hoping all that I am doing and have done would be enough to save me. I am just hoping my green card application is not severely affected (i.e., denied) by all that is happening to me, and that I can be back with my husband in the USA sooner than I think. I really cannot wait to have all this behind me. I have been losing sleep and been getting sick because of all the anxieties this has brought me. Definitely taught me a lesson to be more careful with travel documents! I should have just left the card at home with my passport... but it's too late for that. All I could do now is try my very best to rectify the situation as best I could...

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

You should be able to re-enter the US if you can get there...the issue is getting the airline to board you without proper documentation. I suggest reaching out to the airline and having them contact CBP for your situation. There's been a few similar circumstances posted on VJ this year. Pursuing it with the airline - while likely not easy/simple/fast - would be my first stop. If they can get permission from CBP to board you (airlines won't do so themselves since they would be liable for the return trip if denied entry w/o proper documentation), you should be able to proceed.

 

Good luck.

Thank you, geowrian. Unfortunately, it was not that easy in my case. I was able to get in touch with the Airport Operations Manager of Philippine Airlines working at the terminal I was to depart from 2 weeks before my departure date and she (bless her soul) tried everything she could in her power to get me on that plane. She has called both CBP (the RCLG number that one of the posters here on VJ has mentioned) and US Immigrations in SF Airport (my PoE) and they both told her that I would need my original card or at least a travel document from the US Embassy to be able to be let in (which we know is not true because others in this forum have been able to enter with a lost EAD/AP card). I even called the CBP number myself to try and plead my case, but the officer (who was mildly irked that I had called the number despite it being solely for airlines) told me he would advise the airline NOT to let me board because I have no "official status" as I am not yet an LPR. He was very unhelpful. I even reached out to the VJ poster I mentioned who was successful in getting the CBP advise the airline to let their spouse board, and it turns out they called the CBP for Caribbean Islands (I'm in Asia, so I called the Asian CBP). So, I called the Caribbean Islands CBP to inquire about my case, and they (who were also irked that I had called despite me not being an airline) merely told me to let the airline call them because they cannot talk to me. So I asked the Airport Operations Manager to call them, and they merely told her that they cannot help her because she is in Asia, and she can to only talk to the CBP handling Asian countries... who were the ones who told her at the beginning not to let me board. Said Airport Operations Manager tried calling CBP thrice only to be told again and again that they do not advise the airline to let me board.  

It has been a really frustrating experience. I am still in shock that I am stuck despite being in the system and supposedly legally able to enter the USA while waiting for my GC... but it seems my legal status has gotten lost along with that plastic card.

I rushed to the Philippines (with an EAD/AP combo card) because my mother was in a critical condition at the hospital, and unfortunately passed away the day after I arrived. During her funeral, my wallet was stolen, and it had my EAD/AP card in it. I have contacted the US Embassy in Manila and USCIS numerous times and they insist they cannot help me because I am not yet a legal permanent resident. Long story short, I had to cancel my flight back to the USA last July 8th because the airline cannot let me board the plane without any form of travel document, and I have not been able to leave the Philippines until now (I've been here for 2 months already).

The only silver lining in this entire experience is that I put in an application for renewal of my EAD/AP card (which was set to expire in September 2018) last May 2018, and I am just hoping we get that new card in the mail soon, so that my husband can mail it to me here and I can use it to fly back to the USA. Here are the biggest issues causing me the most stress:

1. Our AOS/Green Card interview has been set on August 6, 2018 and I'm worried I am going to miss it because I'm still stuck in the Philippines without any assurance of when I can fly back. I have called USCIS to reschedule the interview, but am still waiting on word from them if my request has been approved. I'm afraid of being marked as a no-show and being automatically denied my green card.
2. We were supposed to have our Cleveland wedding ceremony on September 7th (we are only married civilly with 2 witnesses, but we wanted a ceremony with family and friends), but I'm afraid we might miss that, too.

Anyway, my real question is this: do you think I can expedite my EAD/AP card so I can be back in the USA soon? What reason can I give to justify expediting my card? My husband is the main financial provider (I am working on a business we are starting together, but am not really making money yet), so I don't think I'll be able to use "financial hardship" as a justification. If anyone has any suggestion on how we can possibly expedite the card that would be great, but I honestly think chances are low since I'm not really in a life-threatening situation? Also, if I put in my application for renewal last May 2018, do you think there is a good chance I will get the card by September 2018? I'm worried it might take even longer than that (that already seems like a long time).

Just looking for advice. Please do not berate me for losing my card. I am already suffering the consequences and am in a really bad state. I'm constantly anxious and stressed, and I can't even properly grieve over my mother's death because of it. Please be kind. Thank you.