-
Posts
744 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Partners
Immigration Wiki
Guides
Immigration Forms
Times
Gallery
Store
Blogs
Posts posted by TucsonBill
-
-
Question for experts on this thread:
I just went to buy tickets for myself and my wife and stepdaughter to go to Thailand for Songkran 2010. My wife just got a new credit card with 0% interest we used to purchase the tickets. Problem is, we purchased my wifes ticket in her married name, (airline required name on credit card to match travelers name), and it is her maiden name showing on her passport - so the name on the tickets and on the passport does not match. It seems to me that I read and or was told that as long as you have a "certified copy" of your marriage certificate attached to the passport we'll be OK. Also, all her other ID (SS Card, DL, Green Card etc), has her maiden name as her "middle" name with my last name - can anyone advise me about this based on "actual experience" rather than conjecture?
Thanks!
-
Question for experts on this thread:
I just went to buy tickets for myself and my wife and stepdaughter to go to Thailand for Songkran 2010. My wife just got a new credit card with 0% interest we used to purchase the tickets. Problem is, we purchased my wifes ticket in her married name and it is her maiden name showing on her passport - so the name on the tickkets and on the passport does not match. It seems to me that I read and or was told that as long as you have a certified copy of your marriage certificate attached to the passport we'll be OK - can anyone advise me about this based on "actual experience" rather than conjecture?
Thanks!
-
VJName..............I-751...........NOA1 Date.......Biometrics..........Approved.........Center
DAVIDOODAVID.......06/27/09.........06/30/09 ........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
JPYAA..............06/29/09.........07/01/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
PAISALL............06/29/09.........07/02/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC
NAROCKS ...........06/30/09.........07/02/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC Early BIO 7/23
LAILAA.............07/01/09.........07/06/09.........08/01/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MAMASUE............07/02/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
HAPPYWIFEYMOM......07/02/09.........__/__/__.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
KARIMA.............07/02/09.........07/07/09.........08/15/09............__/__/__.........VSC
LINGLEE............07/03/09.........07/07/09.........08/05/09............__/__/__.........VSC early Bio 7/22
MERLION@...........07/04/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__........ VSC
WEXFORD65..........07/06/09.........07/07/09.........08/13/09............__/__/__.........VSC
TWOMOLES...........07/08/09.........07/10/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC
KAYZ...............07/08/09.........07/13/09.........08/08/09............__/__/__.........VSC
KRIKIT.............07/10/09.........07/14/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........VSC
THETREBLE..........07/10/09.........07/13/09.........07/31/09............__/__/__.........VSC
JOEYJOEY...........07/11/09.........__/__/__..........__/__/__...........__/__/__.........VSC
FORCHIKA...........07/13/09.........07/17/09.........08/18/09............__/__/__.........VSC
BILLANDHAYLEY......07/13/09.........07/15/09.........08/10/09............__/__/__.........VSC
HUCKLEBERRY........07/13/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........VSC
JON_TV.............07/20/09.........07/23/09.........08/28/09............__/__/__.........VSC
ANHMAP.............07/20/09.........07/23/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC
ESSJAY.............07/24/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MANUIDF78..........07/25/09.........07/28/09.........09/03/09............__/__/__.........VSC
OTOBER2............07/26/09.........07/29/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC orig sent 7/13
DEE2701............07/27/09.........07/29/09.........09/04/09............__/__/__.........VSC
VJName..............I-751...........NOA1 Date.......Biometrics..........Approved.........Center
MONONOKE28.........07/06/09.........07/08/09.........08/15/09............__/__/__.........CSC
SIMOFATI...........07/06/09.........07/13/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
LEN................07/10/09.........07/13/09.........08/13/09............__/__/__.........CSC
MILWAUKEEGIRL......07/10/09.........07/13/09.........08/07/09............08/20/09.........CSC
LUCY1..............07/11/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC
BHARAT.............07/12/09.........07/20/09.........08/11/09............08/27/09.........CSC
JASHLEY820.........07/13/09.........07/14/09.........08/12/09............09/02/09.........CSC
FUTUREAMERICAN.....07/14/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC
BLUERAIN77.. ......07/15/09.........07/21/09.........08/20/09............__/__/__.........CSC
LUCKY_STAR.........07/16/09.........07/20/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC Early BIO 08/18
S*J................07/17/09.........07/27/09.........08/20/09............__/__/__.........CSC
REESES16...........07/20/09.........07/21/09.........08/28/09............__/__/__.........CSC
MICHAELGHABOUR.....07/20/09.........07/22/09.........08/17/09............__/__/__.........CSC. Divorce waiver
NANCYNRAUL.........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
LV si LC GOE.......07/20/09.........07/22/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........CSC
NANCYNRAUL.........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
DOLESUN............07/23/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........CSC
TUSCONBILL.........07/24/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........CSC
HTSLOGISTICS-JOHN..07/27/09.........07/28/09.........09/04/09............__/__/__.........CSC
DARUMA07...........07/27/09.........07/31/09.........08/26/09............__/__/__.........CSC
NATALIELALOPERU....07/29/09.........07/31/09.........08/29/09............__/__/__.........CSC
IMPORTANT!*Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
*Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and
scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved
*Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list*
**When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly**
-
I've called my senator for help 2 times and his immigration specialist came thru BIGTIME in both incidents.
Never had to sign anything.
She took care of both problems within one week of my calls.
Friend of mine had a immuigration problem also and had the same positive results.
Sounds like you got a great Senator. From reading posts in this and other forums, results vary widely.
I also am going to be trying to adopt my step-daughter. I've called a few attorneys and have not been able to get my questions answered, maybe you can give me some insight. My stepdaugher's natural father is a citizen of Singapore that was living in Thailand, and disappeared shortly after her birth and has not seen her since. Before I can try to adopt her, we have to terminate his parental rights. Would the US courts have jurisdiction in this or do we have to get something from Thailand?
-
You say "almost everyone else in March is getting their approvals" and I notice you filed yours the END of March. I'd give it more time. If you start bugging your congressman now, they might get annoyed in the event you REALLY need them for something. This process takes a lot if time and you have to learn to be patient, otherwise, you are just going to drive yourself crazy.
-
My controls on left edit profile information towards the botton you can change to ROC
Thanks! It would be nice if the board would just get that info from the timelines (if available).
-
I have looked at my timeline and everything seems correct, yet under my name on my posts it says (to the left, underneath where it says "Gold Member"):
Filed for: AOS (pending)
Missouri Service Center (MSC/NBC)
My AOS was done a long time ago and the service center showing is incorrect...
-
Sawasdee!
I have not posted here in a while. I am back active, (at least once a week now), on this board as we are going through the I-751 process now. I've had to deal with a lot of strange issues throughtout this process such as assisting my wife in getting a prior marriage to a man in Singapore anulled and getting approval from Amphur for my step-daughter to accompany my wife, (then fiance), to the US.
I don't have time to read through all the posts here, but if I can be of assistance to anyone who's having similar problems, feel free to drop me a note.
TucsonBill
-
Adding Bharat Service center.JPYAA..............06/29/09.........07/01/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
VJName..............I-751...........NOA1 Date.......Biometrics..........Approved.........Center
DAVIDOODAVID.......06/27/09.........06/30/09 ........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
PAISALL............06/29/09..........__/__/__........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
NAROCKS ...........06/30/09.........07/02/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC Early BIO 7/23
LAILAA.............07/01/09.........07/06/09.........08/01/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MAMASUE............07/02/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
HAPPYWIFEYMOM......07/02/09.........__/__/__.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
LINGLEE............07/03/09.........07/07/09.........08/05/09............__/__/__.........VSC early Bio 7/22
MERLION@...........07/04/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__........ VSC
MONONOKE28.........07/06/09.........07/08/09.........08/15/09............__/__/__.........CSC
WEXFORD65..........07/06/09.........07/07/09.........08/13/09............__/__/__.........VSC
SIMOFATI...........07/06/09.........07/13/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
TWOMOLES...........07/08/09.........07/10/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC
KAYZ...............07/08/09.........07/13/09.........08/08/09............__/__/__.........VSC
LEN................07/10/09.........07/13/09.........08/13/09............__/__/__.........CSC
KRIKIT.............07/10/09.........07/14/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
THETREBLE..........07/10/09.........07/13/09.........07/31/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MILWAUKEEGIRL......07/10/09.........07/13/09.........08/07/09............__/__/__.........CSC
JOEYJOEY...........07/11/09.........__/__/__..........__/__/__...........__/__/__.........VSC
LUCY1..............07/11/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC
BHARAT.............07/12/09.........07/20/09.........08/11/09............__/__/__.........CSC
FORCHIKA...........07/13/09.........07/17/09.........08/18/09............__/__/__.........VSC
BILLANDHAYLEY......07/13/09.........07/15/09.........08/10/09............__/__/__.........VSC
JASHLEY820.........07/13/09.........07/14/09.........08/12/09............__/__/__.........CSC
HUCKLEBERRY........07/13/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........VSC
FUTUREAMERICAN.....07/14/09.........07/16/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC
BLUERAIN77.. ......07/15/09.........07/21/09.........08/20/09............__/__/__.........CSC
LUCKY_STAR.........07/16/09.........07/20/09.........08/21/09............__/__/__.........CSC
S*J................07/17/09.........07/27/09.........08/20/09............__/__/__.........CSC
REESES16...........07/20/09.........07/21/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
MICHAELGHABOUR.....07/20/09.........07/22/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
NANCYNRAUL.........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
LV si LC GOE.......07/20/09.........07/22/09..........__/__/__..........__/__/__..........CSC
JON_TV.............07/20/09.........07/23/09.........08/28/09............__/__/__.........VSC
ANHMAP.............07/20/09.........07/23/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC
NANCYNRAUL.........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
DOLESUN............07/23/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........CSC
TUSCONBILL.........07/24/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........CSC
ESSJAY.............07/24/09.........07/27/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MANUIDF78..........07/25/09.........07/28/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
OTOBER2............07/26/09.........07/29/09.........08/27/09............__/__/__.........VSC orig sent 7/13
HTSLOGISTICS-JOHN..07/27/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
DARUMA07...........07/27/09.........__/__/__..........__/__/__...........__/__/__.........CSC
NATALIELALOPERU....07/29/09.........__/__/__..........__/__/__...........__/__/__.........CSC
IMPORTANT!*Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
*Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and
scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved
*Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list*
**When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly**
-
I had forgotten what a hassel it was to get questions answered at the USCIS 800 number... *sigh* - and I am getting conflicting answers again..
We received three I-797C's:
1. Regarding the appointment for biometrics for my wife with an "Application Number"
2. Receipt for payment including notice of one year extension for employment and travel (for my wife)
3. Same as 2 above titled "Verification Of Inclusion Of A Dependent" for my step-daughter
The "receipt number" for 2 and 3 above match, but do not match the "application number" on 1 above. I tried entering the "receipt number" in order to add the new case to the online case status at the uscis website and the receipt number was not recognized, (I used the "application number" which did work).
I called the USCIS 800 number to try to find out if my 10-year-old step daughter needs to accompany my wife to the biometrics appointment. The customer service representative told me "yes". I also wanted to know why I could not enter the "receipt number" into the online case status at the USCIS webstite and was trransferred to an immigration officer, (my call was escalated).
When I got the immigration officer, I was told that since my step-daughter was under 14 years old that she did not need to go to the biometrics appointment with my wife, but that we should schedule an Info-Pass appointment at the local office to get a stamp for the one year extension on both of thier passorts...
When dealing with USCIS, I figure it's always better to be safe than sorry, so we're planning to for my step-daughter to accompany my wife to the biometrics appointment and have scheduled an info-pass appointment.
Anything else we should do or be aware of that USCIS has failed to inform us of?
TucsonBill
-
TusconBill
Didn't you put last 2 year's joint tax returns or joint tax return transcripts from IRS?
what I know is you have to include your tax returns, if not you might get RFE for that.
Well, as I read the instructions, tax returns were "examples" of financal records to send. I have not even filed for 2008 yet since I did an extension - i guess I'll see. I notice that some people did not include afidavits in their list... I don't think that everything given in the examples are "required" - at least it didn't read that way to me.. I guess I'll find out!
TucsonBill
-
VJName..............I-751...........NOA1 Date.......Biometrics..........Approved.........Center
DAVIDOODAVID.......06/27/09.........06/30/09 ........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
JPYAA..............06/29/09.........07/01/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
PAISALL............06/29/09..........__/__/__........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
NAROCKS ...........06/30/09.........07/02/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC Early BIO on 7/23/09
LAILAA.............07/01/09.........07/06/09.........08/01/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MAMASUE............07/02/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__.........VSC
LINGLEE............07/03/09.........07/07/09.........08/05/09............__/__/__.........VSC early Bio on 7/22/09
MERLION@...........07/04/09.........07/08/09.........08/14/09............__/__/__........ VSC
MONONOKE28.........07/06/09.........07/08/09.........08/15/09............__/__/__.........CSC
WEXFORD65..........07/06/09.........07/07/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
SIMOFATI...........07/06/09.........07/13/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
TWOMOLES...........07/08/09.........07/10/09.........08/06/09............__/__/__.........VSC
KAYZ...............07/08/09.........07/10/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
LEN................07/10/09.........07/13/09.........08/13/09............__/__/__.........CSC
KRIKIT.............07/10/09.........07/14/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
THETREBLE..........07/10/09.........07/13/09.........07/31/09............__/__/__.........VSC
MILWAUKEEGIRL......07/10/09.........07/13/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
JOEYJOEY...........07/11/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
FORCHIKA...........07/13/09.........07/17/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
BILLANDHAYLEY......07/13/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
JASHLEY820.........07/13/09.........07/14/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
HUCKLEBERRY........07/13/09.........07/16/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
OTOBER2............07/13/09.........__/__/__........__/__/__.............__/__/__.........VSC
FUTUREAMERICAN.....07/14/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
BLUERAIN77.. ......07/15/09.........07/21/09.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
LUCKY_STAR.........07/16/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
S*J................07/17/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
Reeses16...........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
MICHAELGHABOUR.....07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........
NANCYNRAUL.........07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........CSC
JON_TV.............07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
ANHMAP.............07/20/09.........__/__/__.........__/__/__............__/__/__.........VSC
TUSCONBILL.........07/24/09.........__/__/__..........__/__/__...........__/__/__.........CSC
IMPORTANT!*Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
*Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and
scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved
*Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list*
**When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly**
-
I can be added to the list. I sent:
• Copies of the social security cards and green cards of daughter and wife
• Two original sworn affidavits by U.S. citizen friends, attesting to our relationship and marriage.
• Copy of beneficiary statement for my retirement plan
• Copy of my life insurance beneficiary
• Copy of auto insurance declarations page listing both of us
• Copy of my wifes on-line dependants for life and health insurance listing me and her daughter
• Copy of a statement of an auto loan showing our joint liability
• Copy of my step-daughters most recent report card from the local elementary school
• Copy of the check to DHS from our joint checking account
I hope this is enough
I'd like to know what sorts of RFE's people are getting (if any)...
-
I adopted my step 8 year old step daughter. I was burned out on all the paperwork from immigration and hired a lawyer for $1,000. Adoption took about 1 1/2 months. Easiest thing I ever did with the government.
Daughter got her USC 2 years from our marriage date.
I have called three lawyers and none have returned my call *sigh*. My problem is going to be with regards to terminating the parental rights of the natural father who disappeared about 9 years ago. I think I could handle this myself but I have not even been able to find out if the US courts would have jurisdiction in the matter. I do know that the natural fathers rights have to be terminated before I can adpot. Did you have this problem?
-
I'm sure you can find it in google.
Well gee, thanks, but I'm still hoping I'll get a reply with some insight..
-
I have not been posting here lately however this site and its members have been so helpful to me throughout this process I figure I should keep it updated for posterity
I might add that my wife and I are very happy and that everything has been going very well. My new 10 year old step-daughter loves it here and is now very fluent in English which is amazing to me considering she did not know hardly a word of English before coming here. I also love her dearly and plan to begin the process of adoption soon.
Does anyone know if there is a forum like this for adoption?
Tucson Bill
-
Thanks for the link - I'm looking at the form and I assume that all I have to do is list my stepdaughter on my wife's petition - is that what they mean by "joint petition"? Will I need to submit evidence for my step-daughter as well, such as here report cards from school etc?
Do you have a link dealing with this form and step-children?
Thanks,
Bill
-
My wife and her daughter came here from Thailand on a fiance visa and we were married in March of 2007 and she received her green card in October of 2007. (If anyone remembers me, everything has been going great, we're both working and I am looking into adopting my step-daughter).
My question is, what is the next step? Everything I have done so far is on my timeline. I know that we need to file something else soon but I dont know what it is - help!
Thanks!
Bill
-
Buy the ticket with the name on the passport. We brought our marriage certificate with us to the Philippines because of the travel tax to show the name on the passport and the green card were the same person.
When you got back to the POE in the US, did they need to see the marriage certificate since her ID did not match the name on the passport?
-
Ahh - "immigrant" visa - the key word there that I missed. Thanks guys! That explains it.
-
We're planning on taking a trip to Thailand and now that we are married, my wife's passport has a different name than her green card - so what do we do? Do we by the tickets in her married name or her maiden name?
Secondly, someone said she should keep a certified copy of our marriage certificate with her passport and that was all we needed to do... I'm just concerned about potential problems at the POE both in Thailand and the US when her US name and her Passport name don't match...
TucsonBill
-
Hi folks!
My wife came to the US on a Fiance Visa in February of 2006, we were married in March, but we piddled around, (you know how time flies when you're having fun ), and we did not file for AOS until June and she was approved in October.
Where the confusion comes in is something I was reading on the USCIS website:
"You are given conditional resident status on the day you are lawfully admitted to the United States on an immigrant visa or receive adjustment of status."
So which is it "the day she was lawfully admitted" (in which case we need to file to lift condtions 90 days before the 2nd anniversary of the day she entered in February 2006), or "receive adjustment of status" (in which case we need to file for the lifting of conditions 90 days before 2nd anniversary of receiving adjustment of status)???
On a side note, my experinece has been that USCIS NEVER does anything within 90 days - LOL! So what happens when we do file 90 days before and they still dont have things done after the 90 days?
Lastly, I remember reading that she can go for citizenship after 3 years - 3 years from which / what date?
TucsonBill
-
When I first joined VJ, I could not find much about children planning to accompany their fiancé to the US, much less about the subject from a specific country like Thailand. I am posting this thread hoping it will be easy to search for and find should anyone go searching in the future.
Some of our own particulars:
Our case was not "typical" as my fiancée’s (now my wife's), daughter was not born in Thailand but was born in South Africa while she was visiting there, (my wife was never became a legal resident of South Africa, she was just there on a visitors visa). My stepdaughter’s father was a South African citizen, (an immigrant from China). The birth was registered at the Thai Embassy in Johannesburg. Lastly, my wife’s prior marriage was very short lived as the man turned out to be a playboy, (or a "butterfly" as they say in Thailand). He never developed any relationship with his daughter and never provided any support once my wife returned to Thailand.
How our particular circumstances may have effected the eventual outcome is not clear, I just thought I should include the particulars.
I initially scheduled an InfoPass appointment before ever filing the I-129f and one of the questions I had related to our intention for the little girl to accompany her mother. The Immigration Officer checked with her supervisor and was away checking some references for about 5 minutes and came back to tell me that the mother would not need any special "proof" of custody to bring her daughter to the USA.
I might add that the two of them had made previous trips out of the country to Singapore and Japan and never needed any sort of consent from the father or proof of custody.
When the date finally came for the interview, (we already had our wedding planned at this point), the officer refused to approve the visa for my stepdaughter until my wife got a statement from Amphur stating that she had legal custody of the child. This could have really turned into a can of worms since the marriage in South Africa was eventually annulled and did not address any child custody issues. Amphur wanted statements form family members, the school she attended etc to the effect that the father was not in the picture.
In the mean time, (while my fiancé/wife was trying her best to see what she could do about getting a statement from Amphur), I was burning up the telephone lines to the US Embassy demanding to speak to the Consul General - and finally did get to speak to an immigration officer. The one that actually had handled the interview had been reassigned to Cambodia the day after my wife’s interview and I spoke to someone else.
I argued that I had been told at my InfoPass appointment that no proof of custody was needed for Thailand, and that nothing in the instructions we received said anything about needing any such proof. I also argued that the petition had already been approved by USCIS and that according to the guidelines, the Embassy should not be refusing to issue a visa in the absence new negative evidence not already considered by USCIS. Since the interview had not uncovered any new negative evidence not already submitted and considered by USCIS, that the officer did not have any grounds to deny the visa. I also wrote a letter to the Consul General via express mail to this effect.
We had been very 'up front' with USCIS and the Bangkok Embassy with all the information regarding the child from day one, and I felt it was very improper of them to suddenly deny the visa in the 11th hour based on the lack of evidence they had never requested before. My arguments eventually won out and the visas for my fiancé and her daughter were approved without having to get a statement form Amphur.
As a side note, the issue of custody was never an issue at our AOS interview.
I hope this helps someone in the future.
Bill
-
Just wanted to finish out my AOS timeline here. Green card arrived today, 10-27-2007.
Thanks all!
Bill
Passports In Maiden Names?
in General Immigration-Related Discussion
Posted
Thanks everyone! I called the airline and USCIS and both said that as long as she has her green card in her married name and a certified copy of the marriage certificate she'll be fine. Thats what I thought, but I wanted to hear it from folks who had actually traveled that way.