Nouchigang

Hi everyone,
 
Quick recap of my experience being paroled back into the US at LAX a few days ago.

After being away for 2 weeks, my wife (US citizen) and I were unsure of what to expect when re-entering at LAX so we decided to try and go through together.
 
When we finally reached the front of the line, I advised the officer that I had an Advance Parole and presented my combo EAD/AP card. He scribbled "Advance Parole" on a scrap of paper and tucked it inside my passport with my combo card. He then advised my wife that she was good to go, but that they needed to carry out a "quick check" on me. She was told to wait downstairs at baggage claim. After she left, I was taken to an Admissions Review area behind secure doors and told to take a seat in a fairly busy waiting area. My passport was handed to a lady at the front desk, and was then placed in a plastic slot on the wall behind the reviewing officers.
 
The officers handling the reviews admittedly have a tough job, but they were very unfriendly and it was never made clear exactly what was going on. At one point, there were a few people standing around the waiting room and one of the officers started shouting that everyone needed to sit down. Another man tried to leave after having his papers handed back by a reviewing officer, but had clearly not been told that he needed to see the lady at the front desk first so that he could be signed out. The lady at the front desk responded by shouting at the man that he would be arrested if he walked out the doors.
 
Phones were not permitted in the area so I could not message my wife to let her know what was going on. After waiting for 45 minutes, I was finally called. The officer simply asked my date of birth and then put a Parole stamp in my passport with some handwritten notation. I was handed back my passport without another word. Based on what I'd seen, I made sure to speak to the lady at the front desk who wrote something down and confirmed that I was allowed to leave, but only after I specifically asked.
 
The process was horrible and I felt liked a caged animal throughout. I realize that the CBP officers were busy, but I don't think that justified their generally unpleasant and unhelpful demeanor. The first officer we spoke to before Admissions Review told my wife that a quick check needed to be carried out, which was not accurate at all. It should have been evident from the number of people in the waiting room that we were in for a lengthy wait and I was a bit annoyed that this wasn't communicated better.

Anyway, that's the end of my rant. I was lucky in that I didn't really have any trouble getting back in, but did have to suffer a long, uncertain wait.
 
Coincidentally, we got an update this morning that our I-485 interview has been scheduled
 
 

I cannot understand why there would be a ten year ban. But if the travel abroad is going to be for 8-12 months consider that if she already had her green card, surely she would come back within 180 days to maintain her LPR status even if for just a day. 
 
April 22 is 8 days from today,   Her father appears to have at least 8 months left and since the trip itself takes two days, I think you two need to take a deep breath and ask if she really needs to be there by April 16 (if she leaves today) or if April 24 would be acceptable.  
 
Or, leave today, be there for a few days, comeback on April 20 for the interview and go back.  

After 140 days from interview, my card is being produced today 

Do a search on VJ for walk in biometrics there is a post where people put their city and state and if the walk in was successful or not 
 
FYI the I-551 stamp is only issued when your GC has been approved. It seems that you just started your AOS process so its too early for that.
If you are trying to travel for an emergency you will need to apply for an emergency Advance Parole (AP/ I-131), this is obtained during Infopasses only, and you need a strong and valid reason to obtain it.
Also, until you have done your biometrics it will not be possible to have either an EAD or AP, so you haveto do that first. 
Please do not leave the country without the AP or you application will be considered abandoned and you will start everything from scratch and pay the fees again.

So as of last week monday 18th I was APROVED , yesterday the 22th I received my card! And later that after noon i received and update status on my also pending  400 citizenship application and have an interview scheduled for late April.  I'm so happy and suprised on how fast everything went . Thank you GOD . And to all that are going thru the same thing think positive and be patient if everything you submitted and your marriage is truly based on love you have nothing to worry abou . Next time I write on here I'll be a US CITIZEN!!!!!🇺🇸😁

Hello all,
 
Glad to see some of you are having some movements on their case, please note in the next few weeks The option of scheduling yourself Infopasses will be stopped so if you plan on going for 1 soon, please schedule it ASAP! Because afterwards you will have to go thru the phone customer service line and try to talk to a Tier 2 that will then decide if you can schedule 1 or not.

They took almost 115 days to respond to my RFIE (for I-864). They acknowledged the receipt of RFIE response right away in August but didn't update anything until late November when the status moved to "ready to be scheduled for an interview". So, give it some time... I am sure they will get to it.

My Green Card was approved on February 22nd! 

No problem. It's not clear on the form itself, but the instructions clarify it:
 
https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-765instr.pdf
"Initial EAD: An EAD issued to an eligible applicant for the first time under a specific eligibility category.
Renewal EAD: An EAD issued to an eligible applicant after the expiration of a previous EAD issued under the same category.
Replacement EAD: An EAD issued to an eligible applicant when the previously issued EAD was lost, stolen, damaged, or contains errors, such as a misspelled name."
 
An EAD based on an I-485 is (c)(9) category. An EAD for OPT is a different category.

You could ask your congressman in your state to help you.

Hello
 
Your packet seems complete to me.
 
Good luck

Thank you for your compassion.
Yes I got the same generic paper like you  that says my file is under review and not to contact them for 120 days. 
I booked an Infopass after that period and went to the office where I got interviewed and was told the officer hasnt made a decision, I would have to wait. I couldnt talk to him directly but the person I spoke to sent him an email to tell him I came to inquire.
Silence radio ever since
When I call they say I am still within processing times which is like 20 or 30 months (dont know on top my head) for Baltimore so again wait. 

I've already filled out the paperwork for removing conditions (I-751 ROC) even though we cannot submit it for 2 years less 90 days. I have the N-400 Naturalization ready to complete 3 years in advance, and I started it yesterday. 
 
I even know these forms expire but I can't help it. Is there a mental health section to these forums? Do I need professional help? 

Thanks!

I dont know where you read about it being good for 1 year but it is not true, they will take your fingerprints at your interview to make sure you are who you are, that's all.
And even after that, in my case for example, where I do not have a decision yet and had to send the renewal papers for EAD/AP I did not have to redo the biometrics. Its been over a year that I have done mine and they are still valid. 
So you are fine my friend  , stop overthinking, take a chill pill, follow the instructions on the interview letter and you should be fine.
Good luck

Hello all
 
Sorry for the wait for all you, I know the stress and frustration too well.
It's been 7 months since our AOS interview and we still havent heard anything
Went to an Infopass after 4 months, I was told the IO is still making a decision, why the long wait? does he need more papework? I couldnt get a straight answer.
Raised SR 5 months after and it is still not assigned.
Contacted Congressman and Ombudsman and they told me to wait and wait again.
So I sent the renewal papers for my EAD and AP and will try to get my senator involved soon. I dont know what else to do anymore, I am doing my best to forget about it and live a normal life but sometimes it is hard, for real!

Thank you for your compassion.
Yes I got the same generic paper like you  that says my file is under review and not to contact them for 120 days. 
I booked an Infopass after that period and went to the office where I got interviewed and was told the officer hasnt made a decision, I would have to wait. I couldnt talk to him directly but the person I spoke to sent him an email to tell him I came to inquire.
Silence radio ever since
When I call they say I am still within processing times which is like 20 or 30 months (dont know on top my head) for Baltimore so again wait. 

Hello all
 
Sorry for the wait for all you, I know the stress and frustration too well.
It's been 7 months since our AOS interview and we still havent heard anything
Went to an Infopass after 4 months, I was told the IO is still making a decision, why the long wait? does he need more papework? I couldnt get a straight answer.
Raised SR 5 months after and it is still not assigned.
Contacted Congressman and Ombudsman and they told me to wait and wait again.
So I sent the renewal papers for my EAD and AP and will try to get my senator involved soon. I dont know what else to do anymore, I am doing my best to forget about it and live a normal life but sometimes it is hard, for real!

Hi everyone,
 
I was hesitant about sharing my experience here, but after reading your stories for a while, I decided I would share mine. This topic helped me ease the stress about this whole process especially because the USCIS processing time were saying that it would take more than two years to process AOS cases. 
 
My hubby and I sent the whole package in October 2017, about a month after we got married. I-130, I-485, EAD app but no AP application. I did my fingerprints for both EAD and AOS in the month of December. From there, I just had to wait. I was checking forums here and there to get an idea of other people's timelines. in January, I started getting worried about not receiving my EAD, so contacted USCIS at least three times since it was already passed the normal processing time of 3 months. On the third of 4th attempt (probable 5 months after application receipt date) I was able to speak to a tier two USCIS representation who told me I should be getting the card in the mail soon. A week later the card was in the mail. In the mean time, I had also applied for AP (In February). Received AP around 2 months after, in April. At this point I was just hoping to hear about AOS interview soon after.
 
Around August, I started getting worried about the AOS especially because the case status online was saying there is no case associated with the receipt number I had. I called USCIS and they told me that there was a glitch in the system, but that should not affect my application. From there I checked this forum and was reassured, so waited again.
 
When I expected it the least, on October 19, 2018, I received the interview notice. Exactly a year after I had sent my original application. Gathered all docs as mentioned on the notice, and realized my medical examination would have been expired by the time I meet with the IO. Checked some forums to see if I needed to renew it or not, and decided to renew it. I literally went to the civil surgeon the day before my scheduled interview (so much went into that exam, but that is a story for another time. 
 
On interview day we were the second couple to get called. The IO swore us in, mainly asked I-130 questions to my husband, then went over my I-485 application with me to confirm the info that were on the original application. At the end, he gave us a "notice of interview results" that. said he needed more time to review application.
 
Today, 10/30/18, received approval notice of my I-485 application. The notice date was 10/25 which was also our interview date so I am assuming he approved it right when we left. I do have to mention that my husband and I have a 9-month-old daughter born after we got married, so that may have contributed to us getting approved so quickly. Also, the IO did not ask about the new medical exam.
 
Good luck to you all, and sorry for writing this much. I just thought all details were necessary in case someone finds themselves in a similar situation.
 

Interview this morning at 7:30. Approved ! So happy! Ask all the yes / no questions. then  ask my husband how we meet and what plans we have for the future. Any liability we have together  and that was all. 10 minutes interview   💃❤️

Thank You Lord for your countless blessing.
 
AOS SEPTEMBER 2018 FILERS:
 
Sept. 12, 2018-  We mailed our Green card application package.
Sept. 14, 2018- USCIS received 
Sept. 20, 2018-  Fingerprint fee accepted
Oct. 15, 2018-  USCIS mailed a RFIE for our form I-485
Oct. 20, 2018- We received the RFIE
OCT 31, 2018- Bio Appointment Schedule 
Nov 28, 2018-  We mailed our RFIE response
Dec. 7, 2018- USCIS received our RFIE response
Dec. 18, 2018-  Ready to schedule
Dec. 20,2018-  Scheduled an interview
Jan. 24, 2019- Interview Date and  We got approved on the same day. 🙂
 
 

When you sign the affidavit of support, you accept legal responsibility for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant(s) generally until they become U.S. citizens or can be credited with 40 quarters of work. Your obligation also ends if you or the individual sponsored dies or if the individual sponsored ceases to be a permanent resident and departs the United States.
Note: Divorce does NOT end the sponsorship obligation.
If the individual you sponsored receives any "means-tested public benefits," you are responsible for repaying the cost of those benefits to the agency that provided them. If you do not repay the debt, the agency can sue you in court to get the money owed. Any joint sponsors or household members whose income is used to meet the minimum income requirements are also legally responsible for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant.
 
https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/affidavit-support

Yes, it's fine.

I do see a lot of posts here asking "What's next?", so I thought I'd share the guide that I made for myself. Hope somebody will find this useful. Though I'd like recommending to anybody to follow the Wiki Guide as I find it very helpful myself. It provides more specific details that my guide does not cover. I also welcome suggestions and comments with the following guide when necessary.

Good luck to all!

-J for Jona
PS: I've attached all the necessary links to forms and websites for quick access.


IR-5 PROCESS:
USCIS
File a petition – Fee $420/petition *one mailing but separate each petition with binder/paper clip or manila folder Mother Form I-130 My Certificate of Naturalization (copy) My birth certificate (copy) My marriage certificate (copy) Check for $420 payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Form G-1145, E-Notification Father Form I-130 My certificate of naturalization (copy) My birth certificate (copy) My marriage certificate (copy) Parent’s Marriage Certificate (copy) Check for $420 payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Form G-1145, E-Notification Submit above-listed documents to USCIS Chicago or Phoenix Lockbox NATIONAL VISA CENTER
Choice of AgentSubmit request, once case # and invoice # is available, at: DS-261, Online Choice of Address and agent Affidavit of Support (AOS) Affidavit of Support Payment - $88 for both Send documents (Separate file but one mailing): Affidavit of Support for petitioner (me) Form I-864 Letter of employment Paystubs (6 months) Joint tax return transcripts (3 years) Affidavit of Support for joint sponsor (spouse) Form I-864 Letter of Employment Paystubs (6 months) Joint tax return transcripts (3 years) Mail documents to: National Visa Center
Attn: DR
31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

Immigrant Visa (IV) Complete application at: DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa Application - $230/applicant Mail Civil documents (Original and a COPY) to: National Visa Center
Attn: DR
31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

Civil Documents:
Beneficiary: NSO (National Statistics Office in the Philippines) birth certificate NSO marriage certificate (1 for each) Copy of biographic page of PASSPORT 2X2 photos (2 for each) – write with PENCIL: NVC Case # & DOB Original NBI Clearance (check with your country's requirement - this may not be requiired) Original Police Clearance (check with your country's requirement - this may not be requiired) Petitioner: Birth Certificate Certified-copy of Marriage Certificate Copy of my passport Biographic page Copy of Naturalization Certificate US EMBASSY
Medical Exam - Fee $223.35/applicant – paid in Philippines Pesos in current Exchange rate (varies by country) Documents to bring: Appointment letter from NVC or email confirmation from Visa Information & Appointment Service (original and 2 photocopies) Passport 2x2 Photos (4 each) Interview –Documents to bring Appointment Letter (other documents below are NOT required but I'd prefer to bring them in case they ask for it because I've read on some posts regarding cases where documents got lost during the process) Original birth certificate Original marriage certificate Copy of my birth certificate Copy of my Naturalization certificate Copy of my passport Black pens AOS packet copies IV packet copies Visa delivery Attend CFO Seminar Pay Immigrant Visa Fee - $165/person at USCIS - ELIS IV Payment Online

Yes the travel document is also free, because you have a pending AOS so both AP and EAD are free. 
You have been waiting 8 months, oh gosh sorry about that, did you get any RFE? That is so weird. I would recommend that you book an Infopass appointment and speak to somebody about your EAD application and pressure them to do something about it because you are way outside of processing times. The best way to get an Infopass is to look around midinight-12:30AM: https://my.uscis.gov/en/appointment/us and you can find something in the next 2 weeks.
If you did not apply for your AP at the same time as the EAD, it is not too late, just fill out the application and mail it to the Chicago mailbox and make sure to add a copy of your pending I-485 receipt to show that it is still pending and the fee needs to be waived.
Hpefully by sending the AP application and it will get some movement on your file.
 
Good luck and take care