sddude89

On 3/24/2018 at 4:30 PM, BFP XX said:

For those of you that have received your GC's... Is it 10 years from the date of i-751 approval? Or is it 10 years from when the last GC expired? 😊

10 years from removal of conditions (I-751) approval.

My I-751 was approved Jan 2018, new GC expires Jan 2028.

On 2/19/2018 at 9:48 AM, Kmnm said:

 can't have same day oath ceremony

What is your field office?

Not all field offices do same day ceremony.

Los Angeles has one or two ceremonies per month.

San Diego is once per month.

etc.

2 hours ago, Rainbow_2018 said:

I expect the delays as well. Is 10 months to get I 130 approved and NOA2 mailed?

approx 10 months to get I-130 approved.

NVC processing and interview probably adds 3 - 6 months more.

1 hour ago, Rainbow_2018 said:

Also January 2018 filer for both my mom and dad.

 

Priority date 1/17/2018

Texas service center

 

Keeping fingers crossed that we do not get impacted by new immigration rules.

Doubt it, if you already filed. Changes in law are rarely made to be retroactive.

But, just like daca, there has probably been panic and a surge of parent I-130 apps, therefore more backlogs and longer processing time. Current wait is ~10 months at TSC.

It wouldn't surprise me if it starts taking longer than that

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

 

Personally, I think the role of tax returns being used for the relationship side of things is more of a way to rule in fraud rather than a way to show a bona fide marriage. If somebody files as single, that would look suspicious.

I think that a joint tax return shows the couple trust each other. It is the document where you can see how much the other person makes. 

You can do a partial direct deposit to the joint bank account so the other person doesn't know how much you really make 

It is not uncommon that in fraudulent relationships the couple end up trying to rip each other off. And the least you know about each other, the better. Precisely while financial continuing is so important for uscis.

7 hours ago, j&ana said:

A tax return is not that great proof of a bona-fide marriage. Its  main  purpose is for income.

 

But, interestingly,  tax return is one of the documents that is almost always asked for on an RFE if it not submitted with application.

To the question.

USCIS prefers Tax Return Transcripts obtained here:

   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

For 2017, transcripts won't be available at least  until your return is processed. So, submit:

   2015 tax return TRANSCRIPT (from link above)

   2016 tax return TRANSCRIPT (from link above)

   2017 tax form (any of the 1040 versions will be fine, don't worry)

It is easier to try online several times than driving across states. Late at night, early in the morning. Use different Houston zip codes 

Try for a few days.

You will eventually find an opening.

Just try.

5 hours ago, 5ch3 said:

Hi! Need help please. Does anyone here know if I can get infopass appointment to have I-551stamp in out of state USCIS field office? Do u think they will accommodate me even I'm outside of their jurisdiction? Appreciate y'alls help thanks!

It depends on which field office.

Some do.Others definitely don't

31 minutes ago, 63benz said:

HI all, 

 

Thanks for all the experiences you have shared. Wanted to share mine, I am a Sept 6, 2016 Filer, Backed up at CSC, i bit the bullet and applied N400 in November, got interview Feb6th 2018, where they adjudicated the i751 then proceeded to the interview ( passed!) 

 

One word of caution for all, please don't forget to bring spouse with you if you i751 is still pending and you are going for the citizenship interview. There will be a combined interview basic questions about where you met etc looking over evidence sent to show its a bonfide marriage. 

I was originally not planning on brining my wife as it is a 3 hour drive to the office from where we live. 

 

They were a bit surprised I751 was still pending and were actually not prepared to do a combined interview but a senior officer helped out. 

 

The officer was very kind, helpful. 

 

Good luck to all. 

Congrats!!!!

What field office? and when did you file your N-400 (1st NOA date)?

56 minutes ago, hyommysone said:

I just file my ROC but planning to do combo application with N400. My window will open on Dec 2018 and I plan to apply by then.

I was just wondering can you file your N400 on other city field office. I live in WA.

You don't have a choice of choosing a field office.

You submit your N-400 to the POBOX and USCIS forwards your N-400 to a field office according to the address on your application.

Are you saying you want to use a fake address? (friend's, family's, etc?) I would not recommend that since it may pop up when they do background checks that you are lying about your address.

14 hours ago, punter13 said:

B) Job change is literally pain as not all people are aware of i-551 stamp. They always give you weird look when they see i-551 stamp and even more hesitant to hire you.

I am sorry that you had that experience but FYI that was absolutely illegal. You could have sued, file a complaint with the DOL, or bring up the issue with your senator. 

Federal law prohibits employers from conducting the Form I-9 and E-Verify processes before the employee has accepted an offer of employment. https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_citizenship.cfm

Nobody can ask you what document you have, all they can ask at job interview is if you are authorized to work in the US. The answer is either Yes or No. Period.

Once you accept the job offer, you go to HR (not your boss) and fill up forms including the I-9. It is usually a formalism and many times you just email the docs and no reason to get a weird look from anybody.

This is serious and if someone asked to see your green card before you accepted a job offer they are so breaking the law and should be denounced.

Regarding Dallas, you can't say that the officers are slow at reviewing apps.

The reason that Dallas is taking longer is probably a backlog. There are not enough officers to review as many applications that come in.

Have you looked at the Sep 2016 filers thread? lots of approvals for the last 3 weeks. They are really moving along.

6 hours ago, punter13 said:

This is blatant mismanagement at its best

If when combining the I-751 and N-400, the I-751 is pulled from the CSC and sent to a Field Office to be processed at the same time then:

 1. CSC is relieved from its workload and it is able to process applications faster 

 2. The hours spent by an agent  to review both I-751 and N-400 are probably less than the hours needed to review both independently.

Life is possible with a I-551stamp or extension letter (despite some inconveniences).

I don't see the mismanagement.

Very inconvenient and frustrating for concurrent (I-751/N-400) filers, absolutely.

11 hours ago, HistoricalMan said:

Hello friends! I'm a first time poster but I've been following this thread for the last 16 months.

 

Yesterday I received an update text from USCIS indicating my green card had been ordered and was mailed to me.

 

NOA: September 12th, 2016

Green Card Mailed: January 31st, 2018

 

I just wanted to add my dates and give you all hope that the long wait is finally over. I'm from the UK and have not applied for citizenship.

 

Good luck to you all!

Did you also file N400 (citizenship)?

Congrats!!

32 minutes ago, CanadianGrrl said:

I am worried about losing or damaging it.

For sure!!!

Anybody is.

And this applies to green card, passport with stamp, extension letter, etc.

It is not easy or fast to replace any of the docs above.

Also, check this on the NOLO legal website (Advice by lawyers) where they say that Passport and I-551 stamp really needs to be with you at all times.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/do-i-really-need-carry-green-card-me.html

But it is bulky!!! 

Just now, mindthegap said:

 

264 (e) states:

"e) Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

 

 

 

 

Note:  A 'Registration Certificate' is defined in 264.1 -here: https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11261/0-0-0-28035/0-0-0-28040.html

Amongst many other documents, it lists the I-94 (not applicable), I-766 (not applicable), and of course the I-551 CARD (expired) - note that it does not mention temporary I-551 or stamp variants. The I-797C is not listed.

Also in that list:

 (c)    Replacement of alien registration. Any alien whose registration document is not available for any reason must immediately apply for replacement document in the manner prescribed by USCIS.  

 

 

It could therefore be argued that since no valid 'alien registration card' nor 'certificate of alien registration' has been issued after the expiry of the GC, during the first yr of ROC, or in the second year of ROC, then there is none that can be carried, and by applying for a replacement alien registration card, (by filing the I-751) and as you are not permitted to file an I-90 while in ROC, your legal obligations have been fulfilled, as you can't carry something that doesn't exist. 

 

This is wishful rationalizing and not conclusive.

Do as you please. And feel free to argue with an officer the above quotes.

People pulled over have been asked for the original letter. Search the threads.

I am not going to say what I did when all I had was GC and extension letter. But it was practical and convenient. And I am not going to rationalize that it was legal or not.

Cheers,

Without an advanced degree and specialized work experience, a work visa is extremely difficult to obtain.

A J1 visa (cultural exchange) might be an option. It is not easy either. And he has to go back for 2 years to Philipines after the J1 program is done before being able to come back to US. But his stay as a J1 will give you time to consider your relationship, know each other and maybe you decide to marry, process a fiancee visa during his 2 years away.

To be honest, a work visa is really a long shot. Almost impossible for someone that is currently abroad, even with high qualifications (bachelor in engineering, science, etc, specialized work experience ). Promotions at a mall is not really a specialized expertise enough to justify a work visa.

33 minutes ago, torres10 said:

Has anyone traveled recently using expired green card and extension letter on AirFrance Airlines ? Were they familiar with the documents?

It might be difficult that you get specific anecdotal experience with Air France from someone around here.

What I can tell you is that people travel all the time with expired green card and extension letter with no issues.

We recently traveled on LATAM, no issues anywhere.

Don't stress out. You will be fine.

5 hours ago, CG&LGG said:

Hi all,

 

My husband received his NOA Extension Letter for i751 ROC this week. His GC expires in April. Logistically, what is the best thing to do with with the extension letter once his GC expires? It is two very thick sheets of paper, which would be impossible to keep in his wallet along with his GC. 

Would it be okay to scan the letter into a PDF and keep on his phone and maybe also keep a photocopy in the car? And if for some reason he was asked for it explain thats a scan or photocopy and the original is in our firesafe?

I know if we plan to travel he needs the original for reentry, but I just don't want that letter to get destroyed being folded up in his wallet or something.

Any ideas are welcome!

I can only tell you what you are supposed to do.

Legally, you are supposed to carry proof of permanent residence at ALL times. This means any of these:

1) An unexpired Green Card

2) An expired Green Card with extension letter

3) A passport with I-551 Stamp.

Yes, the letter is thick, yes, carrying the passport around is a pain.

But, legally, that's what you are supposed to do.

See it this way. A photocopy of the letter is as bad (or good) as the photocopy of  a valid green grad.

Now, on to the other angle of your question.

What will be the consequences of being pulled over by a border patrol agent, etc. and not having a current green card but just a copy? (or  expired GC + extension)?

Anecdotal experiences here and other forums seems to be that nothing happened other than some arguing, stress and wasted time with the officer to be finally let go.

But anecdotal experiences are no guarantee of anything, right?

Chances are you will be able to carry on with your life without having to carry the original extension letter or without a current green card.  Just like you would be able to drive at 70mph on a 65mph freeway mostly without issues. 70mph is still breaking the law though.

52 minutes ago, I love San Diego said:

Hello, I notice some of the example packet lists for ROC applications list the marriage certificate as evidence of a bona fide relationship, but elsewhere it is advised that there is no need to send evidence that was previously submitted with the AOS application, which would include the marriage certificate. So should I include it or not? I think not, but I wanted to make sure.

 

Thank you

Marriage Certificate is not needed.

They already have it with your I-130/AOS package.

13 minutes ago, scottamus said:

Is joint health insurance mandatory for removing conditions from the green card? However the beneficiary is now included in petitioner health plan as a spouse but later the beneficiary may get a full job that offers health insurance and both the couples will have separate health insurance because it is wasting of mony to keep the beneficiary in the joint health for spouse with having a work health insurance?

Nothing is mandatory.

Each case is different.

USCIS looks at the whole package.

It is ok to be on separate insurance plans as it may make financial sense for the couple.

My husband and I have each our own insurance plan through our respective employers (no joint health insurance). We filed for ROC and got approved without RFE. (But we had other strong evidence of financial commingling).

11 minutes ago, punter13 said:

That is irony if they were to follow local field office processing times for combined N400/I-751. Why would local field office request i-751 from CSC if they don't want to arrange interview immediately? That would be utter mismanagement from USCIS part  .  I have my I-751 pending at CSC and N-400 at Dallas field office. Few weeks back when I talked with USCIS, I was told that my I-751 file is still at CSC. I hope they don't transfer it...

Calling USCIS names really does not help in anyway.

USCIS phone line is actually the misinformation line, as they are always clueless.

While VERY unfortunate, your N-400 filing date with the Dallas office is probably what you have to go by. You will  probably never get a 10 yr green card, just citizenship.

It seems that Dallas is currently processing  N-400 from September 2016. Good luck!

Call it utter whatever, it is what it is.

2 hours ago, zuluweta said:

I took a peek at the Aug 2016 CSC ROC filers. Only 64% have been approved. This process is just being dragged by USCIS.

Most of the Aug 2016 ROC  filers that are still waiting have filed concurrently N-400.

It seems that their cases have been transferred to field office who will review both I751 and N400 but their processing times are now linked to field office N-400 processing times. CSC not in play anymore

Just now, 4444510 said:

I did not file N-400.

Then your is most likely coming soon!!!

Yay!

1 hour ago, 4444510 said:

Congrats! OMG, more and more people before me in the list get approvals. The temperature is on the rise. I am F nervous. God bless us!

Did you file for N-400?

It seems that those that did not apply for N-400 are getting approved

(Speculation: N-400 filers file got transferred to field office and being processed according to N-400 date, not I751).