DILAW

This story should be a movie.  I am just not sure under what category it will be though.  

7 minutes ago, Dachis said:

Yes, it gives 18 month extension. For biometrics it says i should receive seperate letter for date and time but i think mostly they use previous fingerprints.

My friend got the same exact thing.  Extension for 18 months from the expiration on his green card.  and biometric will be sent via another letter.  We should keep in touch because your case and his (I did everything for his case) are very similar in timing

8 hours ago, Dachis said:

My story:

 

7/06/20 -  Application mailed

7/09/20 - Application received

7/23/20 - Check was cashed

7/24/20 - Text/Mail notification

8/01/20 - Received NOA

 

Nothing about biometrics yet

your case & the friend I filed for have close timelines:

7/01/20 -  Application mailed

7/06/20 - Application received

7/15/20 - Check was cashed

7/20/20 - Text notification

8/01/20 - Received NOA

Never received an email notification and nothing on biometrics yet.  1 question I wanted to ask you, the NOA letter you received extends your PR or Green Card for another 18 months, correct?

1 hour ago, Choc_pudding21 said:

Oh okay, we were talking about the same thing. That's why I said "A#" in my initial post, but never heard of anyone referring to it as PR number.

 

 

Some call it "PR Number" some call it "A Number, some call it "Green Card Number.  Its all the same, but you get the point

27 minutes ago, notantifun said:

Anyone here planning on filing their N-400 once they receive their extension letter?

Why do you need to wait until you receive the extension letter to file for the N400?  I mean most will probably get the letter, but if not, the N400 has nothing to do with it

3 hours ago, Choc_pudding21 said:

Not sure what you mean by "PR" number, but if it is the Alien Registration Number... that is ridiculous.

PR is preeminent residence which is the green card.  It's a number that starts with the letter "A"

33 minutes ago, Choc_pudding21 said:

I recall someone mentioning they wrote their A# at the bottom of every page. Is this necessary? Considering I have a packet that's probably a few hundred pages long, this seems very time-consuming.

 

And what's the consensus on descriptions for photos? Can we write on the back of them or what's the best way to describe the photo? I recall prior to going for my AOS interview, people recommending to write on the back of the picture with pencil but seems like something that can easily disappear.

I think it's suggested to write the name and PR number on the top right of each page.

As far as the pictures, writing on the back of them is fine

1 hour ago, Martasunny said:

Me and my husband agreed with you, we followed their instruction, gave them what evidences they need. The bank statement part, I don't think they need to look at every single month, the pictures they don't need to look at 100 photos. They need to see from the documents showing that every single angle of me and my husband's life merge together, financial and residents occupancy, some life photos, our friends described how they believed our true happy relationship.  

Two years ago, when we had the 2 year GC interviews, the whole conversation was so easy, the officer only looked at one photos of we gathered at our US citizen friends house.They went trough so many cases in their career, they could tell who's marriage is true or a lie.

Agree with you.  Some of the applicants here think they are being detailed but in reality they look crazy lol.  But at the end of the day, you do what you think makes you comfortable and happy.

But I agree with everything you said.  When I went to my USCIS interview (I am the US citizen) but they scheduled am interview for me at the local USCIS office to ask me about my marriage, the conversation too no longer than 3 minutes and my case was approved by the time I got home.  I only turn in good proof from a reliable source and give them what they request.

17 minutes ago, Todd and Ann said:

Sometimes facts are scary.

Living life paronoid is scarier

You still haven't told us who you know went through deportation who are in a real marriage, but provided limited proof?  Who you know got deported because they didn't submit 24 statements of their credit card and didn't include 100 pictures along with their marriage certificate to proof they are living together?

You know what I think is exteremly difficult......the USCIS going to court to try to break a family (especially if there is a child involved) especially when the US Citizen spouse shows up and defends their relationship in court in front of a judge.  Bruce "Catylin" Jenner is reffered to as a "she" now and won Woman of the Year in 2015 because "she" feels that he is a female now......You want to tell me if a US Citizen spouse goes in front of a judge and says this is my spouse and we are in a relationship that they will be denied?  I don't think so

On 7/14/2020 at 2:36 AM, US <3 IND said:

 

Some personal advice for those still waiting to submit 🙂  I've been reading a lot of forums concerning what you should or shouldn't provide to USCIS. According to people who've had conversations with the staff who process these applications, it's much better to have fewer documents when possible. Quality should be the focus instead of quantity because more documents slows down the review process. Among other reasons, they have to scan an application multiple times across the different levels of review. 

In my personal opinion, making our applications easier for them to review is even more helpful in speeding up wait times, now that they are expected to suspend two thirds of the workforce due to budget shortcomings. That said it is up to each of us to decide how much we feel like we need to provide.

 

Try to focus on official documents with both your names included, and just include the first page of bills, bank statements, insurance statements, etc.

There is also no need to include every month, one is likely enough. And even if you are using it to establish address you can still skip months in between.

 

If you do have any children together, that makes your job really easy, as USCIS workers have told including their birth cert gets you about 70% of the way to proving your relationship. (Including my daughter's birth certificate my application only has around 40 pages of evidence )

 

If you feel your application still needs more strength after leases and joint financial documents, consider making wills, or power of attorneys, which can be done almost for free if you Google the legal formats in your state and then just pay to get them notarized. 

 

And as a last note, for proving travel, flight boarding passes are probably the best quality proof you can get in both your names. For pictures, clearly show both of you in recognizable places, or together with each other's family. Do remember though that this section is not as important as the financial and address ones.

 

None of this is legal advice, just good sense 🤗

 

Hope this helps more of you to come!

I agree with everything you said.  I have spoken to USCIS officers and sat down while they describe all the non-value-add documents they get.  I remember once asking an officer for the number of statements to send and the officer telling me "you don't need to send every one, just a sample maybe 1 every 6 months should be sufficient".  

I am all for quality over quantity.  But if some think having a 500+ page packages satisfy them and will make them sleep better, then go ahead I guess.  Oh, you are also correct about how having a child makes the case easy to approve.  I said it in another thread I think, but the officer I spoke to explained to me how having a child is almost all the proof they need to approve the case.  She also told me that if the couple age, background ( I think she really meant didn't specifically say this, but I think she meant religion, athnicity, etc) and other criterias are similar that it makes it hard.  

21 hours ago, Todd and Ann said:

When we filed the I-129 or I-130 for our fiance or spouse, we filed a petition with supporting documentation and paid a fee.  If we did something stupid, like forgetting to sign the forms or not submitting payment, we didn't receive an RFE, we were outright rejected.  If we were missing a specific document or two, USCIS would not cancel our case and would send us an RFE to correct the file so we did not lose our application fees.  If all else failed, we had the privilege of starting over and to refile the application and pay the fees again.  This is not the case with an I-751.  We are up against a wall - a deadline.  If we fail to pass through the I-751 stage, our spouse goes back to their home country and we start the entire I-130 process over (again).  Not only do we lose the fees we paid, we lose their residency.  While the application and documentation for the I-751 are not as complicated as those we filed with the I-129 or I-130, the consequences of failure in this step are much more costly than losing a fee or losing 3-12 months together if we fail to pass the I-129 or I-130 process.  Do you really want to take a chance on not providing sufficient data to USCIS?  

 

For those who send some applications, they are making too many assumptions.  Many state "I already sent my marriage certificate in, why should I send it in again?".  Well, you are assuming that USCIS kept a copy of all your documents when you filed your I-129/I-130 and that USCIS still has those documents in their computer.  You are assuming that the person reviewing your case has access to those documents.  When USCIS sent our files over to the NVC at Department of State, did they keep a copy?  Do they have enough storage space and do they follow a specific statute of limitations on how long they retain documents?  USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Our spouses were interviewed by the U.S. Department of State.  DHS and State each get independent funding.  They each have separate computer systems.  You are relying on a bunch of unknowns when you submit an application with assumptions that they already have documents because you submitted them before and that the person reviewing your case has access to those records.

 

Let's compare the 50-60 pages of "quality over quantity" documents this person submitted verses my 1000 pages (actually I rounded down).  Let's say we both fail to convince USCIS that our cases are valid.  We both will receive a notice from USCIS that they are preparing to deny our applications.  At this stage, since we both (likely) completed our applications without the assistance of an attorney, we will both find it extremely difficult to find an immigration attorney who will accept our case, since said attorney had no part in our initial filing.  If we are lucky enough to convince USCIS at this stage to hold off on a denial to give us more time, we are under an intense microscope at this point by USCIS.  This is specifically why we see recommendations from attorneys to use their services in the entire process, but we being cheap know-it-alls, we did it on our own.  Let's say we cannot convince USCIS to stop their denial of our case... they deny us both.  Now, we have to go before an immigration judge, facing a government paid USCIS attorney whose only job is to defend USCIS's decision in denying cases before the judge he/she probably goes to lunch with every day.  Again, we probably will find it very difficult to find an attorney to represent us at this stage because they did not participate when we filed the initial case.  Now here is the most important part.  A deportation hearing will be like an appellate court.  All the judge will do is to look at the application we submitted, listen to our testimony along with that of the USCIS lawyer, and make a decision.  They will not allow you to submit additional evidence at this time.  From the USCIS attorney point of view, the person who submitted "quality over quantity" has a very solid case.  There is very little wiggle room for the petitioner to defend themselves.  However, since I submitted such an enormous amount of documentation, I can say things such as look in the March 2019 Verizon bill I submitted (because I submitted all documents) and see where I pay for the phones of my step-sons and my wife and note that I spent 2 hours on the phone with her when I was out of town on business.  The USCIS officer who denied my case may not have noticed that (yes from the enormous amount of documents I submitted), but, I can point it out because it is evidence I already submitted, and, as I stated, this is an appeal not a time to submit additional evidence.  I have much more room to defend myself than the person who submitted a very specific set of documents.  They may have submitted just the credit card statement page (out of ten pages) that show the petitioner as an additional cardholder.  But, if that is not enough for USCIS, I can dig into the details of my statements in an appeal whereas the other person cannot because they just submitted skeleton supporting documents.  How does the individual submitting a low number of "quality" documents know for sure that the USCIS officer does not reconcile some credit card payment with the payment for the concert or trip you submitted pictures for?  We have no idea what they look for unless we have a spouse or relative who works for USCIS.  Even if we do, what one USCIS officer looks for does not necessarily equal what the officer reviewing our case is looking for.  Our officer may be very experienced and may be able to scan a Capital One credit card statement because they see them many times a day.  If we have a new agent, they may ask more questions.  

 

Because of the loss we are mitigating (deportation) by submitting a thorough application, submitting more is always better than submitted less.  We are not going to annoy the officers by submitting excessive documents.  If anything, we will give them ample reason to decide our case in our favor.

 

In summary, the risk is much too high to assume anything.  The risk is too high to judge what we consider "quality evidence" as being what USCIS considers quality evidence.  If we are denied, our spouses face a judge where they decide upon the evidence submitted and it is not a time to say "well you didn't see this..."  because that time is past when you reach this point in the process.  Don't make assumptions and don't assume you know what USCIS deems enough evidence to approve your case... unless you want to risk starting the process over entirely with your spouse in their home country.

You are using a scare tactic to justify your decisions.  You are saying all these scary unwanted words like "deport", "extremely hard to find an attorney", "denied and send back to their home country".  How many people you know went through deportation after their I-751 was denied?

First of all, the USCIS keeps a record of everything.  The USCIS officers are not stupid and when they want proof of a relationship, a marriage certificate (assuming you have provided it during the I-130/I-129 or even after getting married in the USA if entered on a fiance visa) doesn't proof a relationship.  I will give you an example, when you claim a child or a sibling under you, you don't provide that person's birth certificate because it doesn't proof you are responsible or supporting them.  

You can send all the documents you wish...hell, you can even include a McDonalds empty cup and say that you and your spouse drank from it.  You can include anything and no one is stopping you.  Overdoing something doesn't mean you are doing it well my friend, but good luck with everything

22 minutes ago, Dachis said:

I sent mine on july 6. Still nothing, no cc charge or text/email notification

Give them 10 days from the day they receive it

On 7/13/2020 at 11:40 AM, DILAW said:

I sent the package on Wed July 1st.  

 

Package was received on Mon July 6th 

 

Credit Card was charged today (minutes ago) on Mon July 13th

 

Still no text, no email notification even though I filled out the G1145 for e-Notification which has a cell phone # and an email address.

I got a text message at 2:00 am today Wed July 15th.  Just to inform me that the case has been received and that I will receive a notification in the mail

3 minutes ago, notantifun said:

I sent mine on July 6 and it was received July 9. I still have not received any notification and my CC has not been charged yet. I have submitted a G1145 as well.

If the USCIS was consistant (they are NOT), then I would say in 3 more days your CC will be charged

I wonder if I have to wait for them to send me a letter or send a notification, or I can call them to get the case number.  They have to have a case number in order to charge the CC I would think

I sent the package on Wed July 1st.  

Package was received on Mon July 6th 

Credit Card was charged today (minutes ago) on Mon July 13th

Still no text, no email notification even though I filled out the G1145 for e-Notification which has a cell phone # and an email address.

41 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

I have filed tax return for 2017 as head of household which not have my spouse's name on it. Then after my spouse came to the US, I amended the original tax return for 2017 as filing jointly married which have both our names on it. Do I have to include both of them, the original and the amended copy, in I-751 package or just the amended tax return?

You only include documents that have both of your names on it

On 7/11/2020 at 6:02 PM, Todd and Ann said:

1000.... the verizon bills were like 12 pages each times 24 statements.... the credit cards were 4-8 pages each times 24 statements times 5-6 cards.  30 pages of photos with two photos on each page.  etc.

 

it was in a box with 5 volumes (hardboard report covers with 3 inch binders).

Wow, so your phone bill, credit card statements and pictures you sent ALONE come out to 800 pages??? That's overdoing it.  You know the USCIS only cares to see the first page of your statement correct?  The USCIS told me to hide any personal info on a statement (credit card #, balance, purchased items) if I wish because according to the level 2 agent I spoke to "We only want to see the 2 names on the same address".  The agent also told me sending a sample  is fine not every single bill.

17 minutes ago, Imradi said:

How does everyone send their pictures?

 

I am considering printing it on regular paper and provide a detail right below it. For example: 09/09/2018 Trip to Florida, etc. 

 

Or should I just send it with regular photo paper from CVS? 

Thats how we did it, regular 8.5x11 and details under the picture

1 hour ago, notantifun said:

True. But I included them as there are many accounts of members here saying they got an RFE for not submitting a copy of the marriage certificate. I included the copy of my husband's passport just in case. 

Makes no sense that this is the reason why some got a RFE.  For example, my friend got married in 2015 and he applied for an I-130.  In 2016, his wife received her visa to enter the USA.  In 2018, she applied for the I-751, so why she has to provide a marriage certificate again?  

I went through a headache to collect a birth certificate because some members "provided" it and went on about how the consulate requested it during the interview.  It took me over 2 months to get the birth certificate (which by the way was never in the list of required documents), but when we got to the consulate the officer told me "I will take it, but it's not needed" and he even gave me a choice to submit it or to take it back.  

The USCIS reviews cases and depending on lots of info will decide to dig deeper or to approve a case without requesting a RFE.  They look at children born during the marriage, age gap, background of the couple and even religion.  They will never tell you this, but yes they use these criterias to decide if the case should be approved or request more proof

2 hours ago, Christy&J said:

I did attach marriage certificate. For me it is a strong proof that we are married. 

If you entred on a K1 (Fiance) visa, it means you had to get married within 90 days.  I am sure you did and processed the proper or required paperwork to change your status and received your PR.  So, the USCIS has your marriage certificate on file now.  For the I751, you want to show proof of the marriage since the last time the USCIS approved your PR.  I know that you can send any info and I am not against it.

When I read some of the threads, I find a lot of unncessary info that somehow becomes "legit proof" because some think it's what applicants need to provide.  For example, why would you send pictures of the US Citizen's passport?  Or even passport pictures of the immigrant's?  I have filed now 4 I-751 and never included pictures of the marriage certificate because it doesn't proof a continuing marriage.  The USCIS knows you have a marriage certificate.  You either had to provide the marriage certificate when you applied for the I-130 or if you entered on a I-129 where you got married within 90 days and changed your status.  The truth is people copy others (we all do), but I wish we were efficient when we copy each other.   

On 7/7/2020 at 9:20 PM, notantifun said:

Hello all. I just sent in my i-751 (jointly,) yesterday via FedEx. It's scheduled to be received by Friday, July 10. I could have filed as early as June 22 but I miscalculated thinking the earliest I could file is July 22.

 

My packet includes;

Form G-1450

Form G-1145

Form i-751

Copy of Conditional Green Card, front and back

Copy of US Citizen husband's passport

Copy of our Marriage certificate

Copies of evidence of bona fide relationship;

   - Exhibit 1: 2018 & 2018 Tax transcripts/W2s, filed jointly

   - Exhibit 2: 2019-2020 Joint Savings Account and Credit       Card statements

   - Exhibit 3: Copies of my life Insurance, 401k and 403B         with my husband as elected beneficiary

   - Exhibit 4: Copies of Holiday and Greeting cards                   addressed to both my husband and I

   - Exhibit 5: Photos of my husband and I together

 

Fingers crossed that I receive my 10 year green card this year. I have been hearing a few scary news about USCIS processing times.

 

 

Noneed to include US Citizen spouse's passport and don't need marriage certificate.  Those 2 don't even help a bit, just adds more documents to your package

Just now, izavox said:

You're not that bad. Mine is between 18 - 27 months hahaha (at least last I looked) 😓

 

You will probably get your citizenship before the PR gets renewed.

The package I sent for a friend was delivered this past Monday (7/6) and still no text nor credit card transaction.  Will wait 2 more weeks to see if anything happens

1 minute ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

He is now citizen and his green card was returned to USCIS. How I find his A-number? 

 

The number should be on his naturilzation certificate

6 minutes ago, hopelifebetter201 said:

Hi everyone, my spouse is US citizen. Does he  still have A-Number ? Do I need to put his A - Number on I-751 form? or just put N/A or leave it blank? thanks

Off course he has an A-Number.  The A-Number is the number on the front of his PR (Green) card