wayno

8 hours ago, sean126 said:

 

 

@Timona I wouldn't want to be rude or disrespctful and hijack another's thread by going off on a different tangent, so I will try my best to be short and direct.

 

My sincere apologies if my post wasn't easy to follow.  Sometimes they may not be for some, so since you asked I will briefly clarify.  My wife took and passed her test in 2010 on her first try because of the 4 years she spent learning and understanding english while going to ESL classes and then by also working at the ESL school for a few years.

 

 

Fortunately for the original poster's wife there is no rush on the original poster's wife taking the test.  The longer the original poster's wife waits and practices english, the more confidence the the original poster's wife will definitely have and passing the test will be extremely easy for her....the original poster's wife.

 

My wife has a very good grasp of English after 18 years in the U.S.   

 

I'll be happy to accept your private messages in the future so we can keep his thread on topic, so don't hesitate to reach out. 

 

 

Unfortunately, my wife hasn't grasped it. She gets by OK, especially after a bottle of wine.....Hmmmmmm!...no she'd fail on the morals part. LOL! But nervousness, more so after failing previously, and really poor at tests/studying (several times for a drivers test) doesn't help.

I feel bad because her friends are citizens and a couple of her "friends" are the type to brag at their accomplishments and put others down. (IMO, not real friends)

10 hours ago, Bob in Boston said:

And why do you want to vote?

That was the one that got her. We practiced the 400 questions over and over. I asked in different ways but we did not go over the possible surprise follow up questions except for the time spent out of the country.

Well, my wife passed the Civics test and the English reading and writing part of the test in Feb, but failed the understanding English part of the test (the N-400) as she did not remember her whole phone number and had a problem answering the number of trips abroad question. Those were the only questions.

She re-took the understanding English re-do just last week. After extensive studying her N-400 ,she failed. From her description the agent asked 1 question and It sounded like she got it right (Why do you want to become a citizen). She answered "to vote". Was then asked to explain and she got confused and answered again "to vote". No good, sent to the office to see the agent's boss and was told she failed.

We just got the letter, and it mentioned a possibility of a hearing----of course for an extra fee.

Has anybody requested one? Know of anybody who has? Results?

At this point, should we get a lawyer? I need to check locally, but any idea on a price range for a lawyer and if one is worth it? I might have thought wrong but I was always under the impression that a lawyer is good for you if you are bad with paperwork and can help in explaining things but I thought they cant be involved in the test/interview? Or have I been wrong? Up to her citizen attempts (she is terrible at tests) everything has been easy. I must have killed a whole forest on her initial petition for residency making sure all forms were perfect and kept ALL records of our life together back then.

Any ideas. She is really feeling down about this.

Thanks

Not the best, but she understands and tries. She does have a hard accent.

Hello, Me and my wife were 150% sure and confident that this morning she would walk out of the USCIS office as a "Gringa". But instead, she walked out upset, with the notice that she failed.

Of course, USCIS is very hard to get hold of anybody and when I finally did (by saying "infopass" as I read on here as a way to get a person), they were absolutely no help in stating what she needed to do.

Here is the breakdown. 

The first box is marked X ; "You passed the English test and the U.S. History and government test.

     Sounds good as she passed the civics as well as the reading and writing.

The next box marked X is the one stating: "You will have another opportunity to be tested on your ability to" ..........."Understand English". The understand English box was marked X.

      Boxes for Speak, Read, Write were left blank as she passed those.

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Then the last box marked with an X is the one stating: "A decision cannot be made yet about your application."

OK! So, any idea what she would be retested on? Afterall, the box is marked X that she had passed the English and the civics test.

It seems, on here repeating questions from the I-400 she stumbled on her phone number. She, like many of us in the modern world, couldn't remember it and she left her phone in the truck with me so a ringing would not distract. But she did state the area code which I would think should show the agent that she understood the question, just couldn't remember the actual number. 

Another fumble, I think, was that she understood the agent asking, "where in 5 years" (I'm sure that's not how it was asked). And my wife replied "Colombia." 

In reality, she had been out 9 times (on application), plus a 10th time in which she just got back. 6 times to Colombia and 3 to Mexico.

Other questions she repeated to me she answered correctly. Date of birth? Where born? Payed taxes? Address?

Do you think I'm right in that she should spend the next month or two studying the I-400? Or do they do the whole test over?

A bit upset as I don't see how she could have failed when it is marked that she passed. If she couldn't understand English, how did she answer correctly questions 1,2,3,4,5,6 and write a sentence correctly and read one correctly?

Just a bit frazzled right now. Any advice would be appreciated as those at USCIS aren't much help! That computer doesn't know squat!

12 hours ago, Rocio0010 said:

OP, I think I got this right. Just checking.

 

Your wife already filed for ROC some time ago and now you are renewing her 10 year green card, right?

If so, her application is at Potomac Service Center and it is currently taking 13 months as per their website.

 

Based, again, on their website, you can only inquire about her case on June 2023.

Thank You

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You posted in Removing Conditions forum?  Is she replacing a 2 year card or a 10 year card?

I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong forum. She is renewing her 10 year. I saw no places specifically for that option and this was the closest. 

Again I am sorry and will look for another place to re-post.

4 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

Gotcha. SO what are the first three letters that are before the case number?

IOE

5 minutes ago, Mike E said:

I am gather  she filed I-90. If so, yes others are high the four that. 
 

Did she file I-751 2 years after she entered the USA?

 

It is the new normal I know cases taking over 3 years.  

Call USCIS. Say “info pass”

After her extension letter expires if he needs a new I-551 to travel, work, get a drivers license, she can ask for an I-551 stamp. 

Yes, form I-90 for a renewal of her 10 year permanent residence

9 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

Does your wife already have a 10 year GC? 

Yes, in the process of renewing it.

8 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

Currently ROC is taking anywhere 18-24 months, with a few exceptions of a shorter time.

The tip to be able to talk to somebody is to say "info pass". That will connect you to a tier 1 agent. Tier 1s are contractors, and they only see the same info you see on your end.

Nothing to do other than wait. 

Your timeline is not complete, so we don't know which service center has your application.

 

Thanks,

Baltimore, MD

Good morning. I can't find a place specifically for renewing so think this would be the closest.

As of Dec, 11th 2021 (last year) my wife received her letter that extends here green card validity for one year past expiration of actual card. So that would make it good through next June (23).

So it is approaching a year since they received receipt and application.

Every time I check the USCIS site I receive the same message.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS

As of December 11, 2021, we are actively reviewing your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, Receipt Number XXXXXXXXXX. Our records show nothing is outstanding at this time. We will let you know if we need anything from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is anybody else going through this?

Is it normal now to take so long.

Almost a year and no notification.

I always have a hard time finding a phone number to USCIS and when I do get through it is impossible to talk to anybody.

Thanks for any info you might have.

I just returned to this site after 12 years as it was a lot of help for me getting my wife through the initial visa and following permanent resident process. Now a dozen years later I am requesting help with her failed naturalization part. She is horrible with tests and had a deaf interviewer with someone translating in sign language to him for her first test!

First, has anybody here failed both chances and then reaplied?

Now I understand that I can re-submit the N-400, another 800 or so bucks and go through the process again and can apply at any time? Correct? Asking here as I can not get anybody other then a computer when calling USCIS!

The next thing is on the denial letter it mentions possibly filing a form N-336 to request a hearing. It almost sounds like that would be a chance to get through it without taking the test? However, there is still an 800 or so dollar processing fee so if they don't approve her at the hearing we would need to pay 800 again to reapply with another N-400 making that decision a risk.

Has anybody done that?

Just looking for ideas as USCIS is useless to contact for a simple question.

Does anybody have a number that can actually reach a person? I know, good luck with that one!

And BTW, she is 45 and doesn't qualify for any special exemptions. Just unlucky. As an example, the second time preparing for the test she was doing well, except for questions regarding the constitution (her main bad part). 3 of the first 4 questions were those questions she just could not answer no matter how many times I went over them with her!

Thanks for any input or ideas. 

I feel the same way where I'm at. Better yet why doesn't Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs just join Washington so the rest of MD actually has a voice in any elections. all decisions here are made by 4 counties.

The ILLIGALS are voting now. My wife works with many. They have stolen identities, false green cards with someones actual ss# and a fake name. They have several kids and collect on them. They claim a bunch of dependents so no taxes are taken out. They send the rest of their money to Mexico, then they cry the blues because they are poor and want people to pitty them which unfortunatly seems to work. And they vote. When the fake paperwork they have expires they buy new papers. When the company checks they're papers all is legal. They have no drivers license or insurance and any ID they have is fake. They get pulled over, wreck, or kill someone---nothing is done to them. Guess who pays?

In regards to the border it's a shame we cant even feel safe there anymore. I have several friends down there who used to do a lot of hunting on some of the ranches and now you can't safely go there anymore. This is our country, not these drug dealing, murdering, illigal theves. I truly support any and all means possible to rid this country of them and that includes deportation, imprisonment, heavy fines (or imprisonment for repeats) to any corporation as well as independent contractors and small companies that hire them, and no more citizenship by birth (unless one parent is a US citizen). Also build a wall to keep those bastards out and bring our military home and post them on the border. How bout beefing up the port security as well.

IMO it's time to clean house. And a good start would be on returning the border to the US so people can once again feel safe on it. Then of course rid Washington of all current polititions and start fresh. I'm a republican but will be the first to say that the problems come equally from both party's.

The different states/laws are one of the things that make this country great. There are 50 different countrys (so to speak) that have the same language, culture, and military protection, with laws that supposedly meet the needs of the people in that particular area. Of course where I live is an exception. I wish the peninsula would break off from the respective states and form it's own state of DelMarVa.

If you don't like where you are move to another state that more likely meets your needs.

As far as guns in Washington or Baltimore--the crime is commited by, get this, CRIMINALS. Laws don't matter to them. They will get guns anyway and the rest of us would suffer the consiquenses if the guns are not allowed. In reality, the US is a pretty safe place to be. Many legal gun owning citizens live in rural areas were crime is unheard of. Of course, being such a large and populated country you will get the crazies and crime that constantly fill the news to make it seem different.

And in regards to Mexico. I guess it's the evil USA's fault that all the drug dealing Mexican criminals are illigally bringing guns from wherever they can get them---from other criminals illigally selling them. Give me a break.

Here are a couple of quotes in this thread that I feel begins to paint a picture of a common theme.

> In regards to gun ownership in Colombia:

"Residents can own firearms but most people do not own them... The process of purchasing a gun is difficult and lengthy and is controlled by the military.. I have no Idea about carrying a concealed weapon."

>Though I love the place, it is not exactly the safest place in the world. Now is it?

"Had none of you had guns, then when you each have your bad day then nothing would EVER happen. But since you all have guns... I'd hate to live in that town."

>This is comming from someone showing a Colombian flag so I would think he is somewhat familier with how safe Colombia is (being sarcastic) considering few people can legally own guns there.

"Mexico, they have some of the most strict gun laws there can be, and look at what is happening right now."

>No explanation needed!

The state I live in has some of the strictest gun laws in the country and the crime in the Washington to Baltimore area (two cities with even stricter gun laws) is pretty high. I live on the other side of the state which has a very strong gun/hunting culture and you rarely hear of any violent crime---with the exception of a couple "bad sections" of a couple towns with some gang activity springing up. IMO, they can just kill each other off for all I care. Of course it can be a safe assumption that most pick-ups around here, especially this time of year, have guns in them. A lot of people here own guns and I think the criminals know it.

"Inside the van, officials say they found "photographs of infrastructure" including photos of shopping malls, water systems, courthouses and other public buildings which they say were taken in cities nationwide."

Um! A prank??? Maybe they were just having a good ol drunkin time----while seeing how easy it would be to enter said facilities. We all carry around photos of infastructure and water systems, don't we?

It pisses me off to no end. My wife got her first US job this summer and half of them (at McDonalds) are illigal. They say it. They "buy" papers and a SS#. Of course someones identity was stolen for that # but many don't see that. They also claim many dependents so no taxes are withdrawn. They told my wife to put down 6 dependents----not one dime of federal taxes was witheld. Of course my wife will pay in April, but them? Why? It's not their SS #. They are ILLEGAL. They also drive around with no insurance. What are the repurcussions? All info they have is under a stolen identity in which they bought. When they have issues they buy a new one. What if they wreck? No problem, the other person will have to pay to fix their own car---or worse. They are also having more babies so they can collect more of OUR money.

A couple of her friends are now crying the blues because they are having a hard time finding a job and can't send money home to MeHico to the kids they have there. CRY ME A FRIKEN RIVER. I hate them. I truly hate them. I have spent thousands for my wife to be here legally. My mom had to go through some of the same paperwork when she immigrated from Norway in the 50's so I deffinatly am not against immigration. I'm against ILLEGAL immigrtation. They are not imigrants, guest workers, or undocumented alians. THEY ARE THEIVES who don't belong here. They can go home and get in line. Nothing but a bunch of criminals. All they do is cry that it's so impossible to get a visa. Well, look at all the people on this site who have done just that. It can be done. They just feel it is their right to live here and collect our taxes without putting anything in. Stealling identity and jobs from people who have the right to be here. It makes me sick.

What would happen if an American citizen got caught with a stolen SS#, robbing from others, and driving without insurance and a licence? If he had a licence it would be fake and under false numbers. What woyuld happen? I guerentee he wouldn't get let off the hook like these thieves do.

IMHO, being required to recite and remember a pledge or anthom of another country in the US school system is B.S. It has absolutely nothing to do with culture. It's just some teacher trying to do her part in brainwashing the students to be loyal to another country. This is America----not Mexico. The students should be able to pick any Spanish speaking country of THEIR CHOICE and do a report on it for the culture part of the class. As far as the teacher is concerned---if she loves Mexico so much why doesn't she take the 10 mile drive and go home since she doesn't want to assimilate into the US CULTURE and become an American.

Sorry for the rant but stuff like this is starting to wear on my nerves!!!

hello, I'm in the process of assembling the papers for my wifes ROC and would like to get this sent in ASAP as the window opened this July 14th. I would like to get some feedback and/or opinions on whether everything looks good so far. At the moment I have:

> I-751 petition

>tax transcripts for 2009 and the return from H&R block site for 2010. I just filed since I had an extension for being out of the country and it's too early to get the transcripts from 2010.

>homeownership; Copy of deed, tax assesment, paper from lawer, and HOA I.D. cards for both of us

>joint bank accounts. One going back to 09 and one just recently with her name put on. I have an explanation why I waited so long for the one account. We were buying a house and since the mortgage was going in my name (she has no credit) it was best not to have her on my main account.

>Health insurance; I started her this January and once again an explanation as to why we're not on the same policy. It was cheaper to put her on a seperate policy with a higher deductable and with my past history I would have had to have been reevaluated and didn't want to take the chance now.

>Family plan on phone. I lost all previous bills with our names but sent in asst. since January.

>Copy's of her state I.D and my drivers license as well as change of address cards we recently recieved to go with them

>3 travel itinorary print outs for trips to Costa Rica.

>Other evidence incl: water bill with both of our names, copy's of physicals we took showing same date and address, Copy of cable installation bill in my name but signed by her, and about a dozen asst. photos of us in different locations and times with other family members spanning the time since she arrived as a resident.

I know I need to send a check and a copy of her green card as well as a cover letter also.

Thanks

Forgot to point out that Ocracoke has always only been accessable by boat. There are no bridges there.

All doom and gloom. What they fail to state is that those islands (sandbars in reality) have been changing ever since first discovered. the inlets have not always been in the same location as now. Storms are a constant there as Hatteras sits 30 miles or so off the main land. There has always been roughly the same amont of water leaving the verried inlets so when a storm punches a new one through another one would eventually close. Almost happened to hatteras several years ago if I remamber correctly. Hatteras and Oregon inlets have terible reputations for boaters (though the best fishing in the East coast is located there) because they are constantly shoaling. Oregon especially is constantly being dredged to try to keep it open. They are sandbars so they are constantly moving and shifting.

There have been inlets on a couple other locations on hatteras island in the past so it wouldn't be the first time for those towns mentioned. In that area Ocracoke is the only inlet that has stayed constant in the past several hundred years.

All one has to do on any of these islands is look at the flooding during any northeaster and "proove" that the waters are rising when it is merely a normality as the winds will push waters farther up. The windward side gets flooded hard, the leeward side actually looses water. The waves pound and erode the dunes. the wind lets up and the backside of the storm comes around and the wind shifts. Now all that sound water wants to come rushing out and it will find the least resistance. Could be that the inlet was shoaled over to much and the water finds a narrow spot in the island with the dunes eroded down and------WOOOOOOSH------possible new inlet. It happens. It has happened. The other thing is when the wind blows sand from the coastal side it has to deposit it somewhere. Right? The islands have constantly been shifting westward as well. The original location of the hatteras light (about a mile from the sea) comes to mind. Had to move it in the 90's because it was about to get washed away.

And as for the poor little fishy's geting eaten by the preditors that will start ariving through any new inlet, LOL. actually ROTFLOL!!! I guess the red and black drum, trout, rockfish, bluefish, tarpon, sharks, etc... that make the sound home aren't really there yet!

Drove all around the other day during the blizzard to take pictures and show my wife some more snow. She actually likes it now. We don't get much here normally so I'm one of those crazies who actually go out driving in it. I have my whole life when we've gotten the occasional dumping. I have only ever driven full size 4X4's and only would. The handling on my dodge 1/2 ton with all/terrain tires is great. Couldn't imagine driving anything smaller. Not my style and I like the safety and visibility. Just slow down a good bit, follow farther behind and ease down slowly on the brakes. A capable vehicle helps a lot but still needs to be driven cautiosly. There is no way a FWD or RWD light weight car can handle what a heavy 4X4 truck or SUV with the right tires can do. I'll take the full size SUV or pick-up 4X4 any day. Now if you try to go normal highway speeds and/or wait till the last second to slam on your breaks it doesn't matter what you're driving. You'll probably end up in a ditch, or worse, anyway.

What happened to pride in the USA? Show your pride and say the pledge. IMO this is one of the problems with this country now. Can't do this or that because it may offend someone. Did anybody ever think it offends me and many other (traditional Americans) to not be able to do those things. When I grew up it was recited daily. We said it with pride.

For those students who don't live here and are offended, what are you doing in a US class anyway. Sit back and listen to the AMERICANS say the pledge. Stand with them and respect the people. We're showing pride in our great country. If you don't take pride in it, the borders are wide open going the other direction.

Heck, I stand and follow suit with the locals when national anthoms are played in other country's as well because I respect my hosts. Is that so hard?

A permission slip to say the pledge---give me a break.

Personally, why travel? As stated, we have so much here. Personally to me, anciant civilizitions does not interest me. Neither do 6+ hour plane rides. Within a leisurly 4 hour drive of my house I can be in the beautiful appalachians, drive to NC's outer banks with some of the best beach's you'll find anywhere, the nations capital, or New York (though I'm not a city person--the option is there). I can hop on a plane and be in south FL in 2 hours if I want to escape the cold. No immigration lines, just walk off the plane and out the door. Some of the best offshore fishing in the world is off the coast where I live. I'm also located right on the eastern flyway for ducks and geese so where I live is a nature lovers/hunters paradise. Once again----Why travel abroad???

That being said I personally do traval abroad extensivly. Have spent month's in Venezuela as well as Costa Rica and love the Carribean and the bahamas as well. Like Colombia and Mexico as well. Even visited Norway twice when I was younger. As far as far away exotic areas I'd like to visit, Alaska is tops on my list. Personally I'd rather go there then northern Europe. I personally have no desire to cross the Atlantic.

Again, tundra, tropics, mountains (both low and high), beach's, different culture's, different foods and "world class" city's----all without leaving the country.

Many Americans do travel. What's the difference between Americans traveling from New England to Florida to escape the cold then Europeans traveling from Scandinavia to the mediteranian for the same reason. The Europian just happens to be going through different country's to get there. Both will be going through several different culture's to get to their destination. To go back to my location and what's near me, for a Europian, that will probably take them to different country's.

One more point, visit south FL and see how many go over to the Bahamas on a daily basis. Sure the same can be said in regards to the northern part of the country and Canada. And yes, Canada and the Bahamas are different country's then the U.S. You'll also see many Americans in the Carribean, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. All foreign country's as well. Believe it or not, Americans are well travelled. With a population as big as we have it's no wonder you would find many who don't. You'll find many who do to, though the ratio might be less.

16 mpg is actually pretty good for me. I hit 20 on my 2 wheel drive 4.7 ram and was extatic(sp???). Then I traded it in on a 4x4 and went to 14/17 then leveled the front and upped the tires. now it's 13 + 10% all around (pretty good to me). All I've ever driven so I'm pretty used to it so it doesn't bother me one bit. Still drive all over. Tried the 30 mpg car for a few month's years ago, but that was only while dropping a 460 into my bronco.

Bought an old gas trooper while in Costa Rica a few years ago and everyone said I'd hate the milage. However, all I've been accustomed too were full size v/8's in the states. That little 3.0 or whatever it was in that little trooper did real good for me milage wise. drove all over the country in it. Gas milage is all relative to what your used to.