dcp19

Just wanted to give some good news in these uncertain times...
 
I sent in my I-751 last Monday (Phoenix office) and got my receipt text message today. Also today I received the I-797 granting an 18 month extension until the AOS and card are processed.
 
If you're going through this, I wish you the same speedy news too.
 
 

Just send the whole package back including the money order. You will be fine so don't worry 

Common mistake..easy to fix just resending it.  Don't do it on citizenship, as they'll wait until it's adjudicated to reject it.

If you were only going to be out of the US for two years you could do a re entry permit.

Reentry permit can be issued a second time , giving a maximum of  4 years out 

Read USCIS https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence
My friend got the returning resident visa after her Mum passed. 
 
Abandoning Permanent Resident Status
You may also lose your permanent resident status by intentionally abandoning it. You may be found to have abandoned your status if you:
Move to another country, intending to live there permanently. Remain outside of the United States for an extended period of time, unless you intended this to be a temporary absence, as shown by: The reason for your trip; How long you intended to be absent from the United States; Any other circumstances of your absence; and Any events that may have prolonged your absence. Note: Obtaining a re-entry permit from USCIS before you leave, or a returning resident visa (SB-1) from a U.S. consulate while abroad, may assist you in showing that you intended only a temporary absence. Fail to file income tax returns while living outside of the United States for any period. Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your U.S. tax returns.

Not so much the formal way but if in future you apply for another GC then they will want to see that the current one has been properly abandoned.

I am either really dumb or just maybe I've been staring at the pages too long.
 
My wife is filing out her I-130 form and Section, question 16 "How many times have you been married?"
Is this a trick question...because of course we are already married or we wouldn't be filling out this form!
 
She has never been married before so do we put "1" in the box or "0" but her current status is "Married"
 
Anyone else finding that confusing?
 

Hey VJ - ers!
 
Just wanted to share the good news and also hope for anyone who is maybe getting processed in Los Angeles as an AOS.
 
So I had my spousal interview on the 16th May followed by a RFE for my birth cert which I dropped off at the field office on the 21st May.
I got my I-485 approval letter within a week and then by the 31st May my GC arrived in mail! Surely that's a record!? I was expecting to wait AT LEAST another 2 months.
 
I wish you all the same speedy service! 
 
GOOD LUCK and HOORAY to being employable again!
 
 

I filed in Los Angeles January last year (PD 1/17/17).
 
I got my EAD approval on 5/3 and interview notice on 5/4 (interview date 6/7).
 
We were approved the day after the interview for my 10 year green card.
 
My case was not exactly run of the mill, but the IO was very polite and professional throughout. We received the case held for review letter at the end of the interview. We self filed and didn't receive any RFE's throughout the process.
 
I can't remember if my wife was still wearing her wedding ring at the time (she had to have it cut off due to a swollen finger and now wears it around her neck) and I no longer wear a wedding ring but have my wife's first name initial tattooed in my ring finger. I don't think rings are a deciding factor at all.
 
Feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think I went crazy with our relationship evidence, so maybe that helped push it through. (?) Who knows, but I'm glad it's happening soon. Good luck with yours! 

Lots of RFEs for this because they don't really know half that money on the tax return isn't the wife's. The employer letter from him should clear that up. Don't clutter up your submission with tax returns and transcripts. Just use transcripts, his employer letter, and 6 months pay stubs. Your wife shouldn't need an employer letter because she falls short anyway. Her transcript will be enough.
 
 

I would say it is more often lack of sending enough that they can approve vs USCIS losing things.
His transcript from what year?
 
They are asking for current income. So an employer letter saying yes he works for us and the salary would do that. The I-864 form instructions say 6 months of pay stubs, and you only sent three. Send what they have asked for and you'll be good to go.
 
 

I got my DL extended for 8 months with just I-797. I think it depends on your State and DMV. I live in NC. I think it is worth a shot. Also on DMV website it should state if I-797 is accepted or not.

Digging deeper -through the threads it looks like I should change all the paperwork to her married name. OH FFFFFS!!

Welcome to modern times. Not everyone changes their names. Most women don’t. 

I know that forms have to be signed in the paper, no copies or printings. 

When I did mine, I actually submitted the original signed copies of the forms from my sponsor. My lawyer said that will be the best to do. I did not get any REF on that or anything.

We did fine with no actual engagement date, rings, love letters, big ceremony,  FB or texts. Just follow what the USCIS instructions for each forms tell you is required. Don't worry about "they" might think this or that. They are just looking for the basic requirements. If you meet the requirements, you win!!

No - Every marriage is different there is no expected wait time between engagement and wedding. Heck some people just elope. Good luck with your AOS journey.

Similar to part of an i130, affidavits for ROC are equally meaningless.. ie they carry little to no weight. 

I go under the banner "Better to have more, rather than less"

Entire tax return, with W2's and 1099's as applicable, or Tax Return Transcript.  (Just like the "instructions" indicate clearly.)

No trick question, it is easy to forget the I-130 is also used for those who aren't married.
 
Taken from the I-130 instructions:
 
1. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative. You may file Form I-130 for:
A. Your spouse;
B. Your unmarried children under 21 years of age;
C. Your unmarried sons or daughters 21 years of age or older;
D. Your married sons or daughters of any age;
E. Your brothers or sisters (you must be 21 years of age or older); and
F. Your mother or father (you must be 21 years of age or older).
 
2. If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible
relative. You may file Form I-130 for:
A. Your spouse;
B. Your unmarried child under 21 years of age; and
C. Your unmarried son or daughter 21 years of age or older.

Read the questions literally.
Start at 0 and add 1 for every time you have married somebody in your life. Since you're currently married, this would be greater than or equal to 1.
 
Edit: For reference, the I-130 is used for more than just spouses. So there are circumstances where somebody would enter 0 there.