Kristen_y_Efrain

Hi Guys,

I just thought I would update you... Efrain got his Green Card on Friday in the mail. We were so excited because as soon as he got the stamp, we had purchased him a ticket home to visit his family... And I was a little worried about him traveling with just that.... but we didn't have to worry, because the card came!

Good luck to everyone...YOu will have your day too!

Hi everybody...we had our interview yesterday....and we passed! Or we got it! Or whatever you say! haha...

It was really easy. She basically went over the info that was in our application...asking Efrain and then myself to give our names, birthdates, telephone numbers. Then she told us that he was approved. It wasn't until after that that she asked about how we met or to see any proof. It was almost an afterthought.

Anyway, also got the stamp! It's good for one month. because she said that the gc would arrive within that time... We couln't be happier!

Let me know if anyone needs more specifics or more info...

Congrats! That's wonderful news.

One question, did she stamp your passport automatically, or did you specifically ask that she stamp your passport?

Thanks!

We could see the stamp sitting on her desk, so I was prepared to ask if she didn't offer it up....but I didn't have to, she just did it.

Hi everybody...we had our interview yesterday....and we passed! Or we got it! Or whatever you say! haha...

It was really easy. She basically went over the info that was in our application...asking Efrain and then myself to give our names, birthdates, telephone numbers. Then she told us that he was approved. It wasn't until after that that she asked about how we met or to see any proof. It was almost an afterthought.

Anyway, also got the stamp! It's good for one month. because she said that the gc would arrive within that time... We couln't be happier!

Let me know if anyone needs more specifics or more info...

Hey guys...I have been reading, not posting because nothing was happening!! But then yesterday I got the email that the card production was ordered for Efrain's EAD! We have our interview tomorrow, so who knows, but it was just good to know that they didn't forget about us...

If he gets stuck with FBI Namecheck...maybe he will be able to work with the EAD before the green card arrives? Wishful thinking? It's not even the money....he is just bored!

Anyway, i know there are 2 that have interviews today...so good luck...

Congrats Allie and Leo! Efrain can't wait to get his either! How exciting!

Janet...sending you lots of positivity today... stay calm so that Edgar doesn't freak out... We are all behind you sending out some good energy...

Good Luck to everyone in Juarez!!

I agree...when Efrain and I went to Juarez I spent a lot of time waiting around talking to random people...and I was AMAZED at how much I knew...and how little they did. I couldn't believe that people did the whole thing so blind...without researching or without knowing any better... We felt so good just knowing that we had done our homework. Even knowing what forms to bring was a benefit...

One lady I met (who I am SURE was crazy) didn't even know what visa they had applied for, and her husband had been illegal for like years and she kept talking about them driving across the border later that day....he was her ride back to wherever she lived in Texas. And I was trying to break it to her that he would probably not be going with her when he told them that he lived in Texas...illegally...for 6 years! But then Efrain came out of the doctors and saved me....

Good luck you guys...I am sure your guys are going to do great...

Hey everybody....what a shocker when we got our interview letter today! Only 8 days after Biometrics! Anyway, our interview is on July 13th in Chula Vista, CA. We are so excited!!!

Hey there...it looks like everyone is getting biometrics rather quickly...Efrain's will be on 5-18-07 too! Thanks burke for updating...I know it's probably a pain, but it's really cool to see everyone's info and compare...

Hey guys....our NOA date is May 1st! Yeah! I finally got it in the mail on Saturday... and got all signed up to get updates by email.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Hey guys... is it just me or does this whole thing seem that much easier because you are already WITH your husband/wife? I was so nervous every day checking everything before with the 129F...and now it's like "Oh...the got the packet...cool. Or... ok, so they cashed the checks..." I mean...it's so much easier to take the waiting when I can go home to my husband every day! So cool!!!

ANyway, just like Jashley820, they cashed my checks yesterday. Ouch. )

Hey guys,

No BIG news yet....but I do know that they received our packet on 3/26/07, so could someone update us so we can be officially "on the list...." It will make me feel better. haha

THanks!

Hi guys!

Agro and Allie& Leo told me about this thread. We filed for Efrain's AOS yesterday... I was reading the past postings, and totally agree, that sending that packet off feels different...since he's already here with me, and we're already married...it's much easier to do when you are already together!

Anyway, good luck to everyone..I will update when we get the NOA1

Congrats to everyone who is moving along with the process... It seems like it's a long wait, but it's SOOOO worth it once you are finally together....

Efrain and I got married on April 4th! It was a small ceremony at the COunty Recorder Office with my parents and my sister as our witnesses.... and now I am filing for AOS and EAD....today! I am kind of nervous to send out the packet...I have checked and re-checked that I have everything in there.... It's so exciting!

Anyway, just wanted you all to know that we are still out there. I check this forum every couple of days, but we have just been so busy! We are moving into our own place on Saturday, and after that, I think things will calm down...

Good luck everyone!

Thanks for the info Allie. I looked up the doctors on the uscis website and there are tons close by, so I am not worried anymore. B)

Efrain has been going to English classes every day through the local public adult school....LOVES it, and is making improvements to his spoken and written English by leaps and bounds. He tells me that people in his class ask him for help, because he knows more....haha...it's so cute. And I am glad that he has something to do, and that he has the time to improve his English. It's a great program, that you should all look up in your area to see if it's available.

We rented an apartment and will be moving in April 28. We are so excited. We will be legally married by that time, so that's exciting....and this weekend we are going to nail down a date for the wedding/party that we are going to plan here in the US. I have never been really into planning a wedding....more into planning the party!...so we'll see. The best part is that he's already here.... and I almost feel already married since we all make such a commitment just to go through this process...Don't you think?

Anyway, I am at work and should get back to it. It's hard to concentrate on Fridays! Have a great weekend!!!!!

Hi guys....now that Efrain and I area settling in, I am starting to think about the whole AOS and EAD process....the paperwork seems endless sometimes, doesn't it?

ANyway, can anyone who has any insight shed some light on the vaccinations for AOS? Efrain doesn't have any records of vaccinations, so he'll have to get all. Do you use the I-693a supplemental form? ANd do you have to go to a civil surgeon for the shots too? Did anyone do this recently who can tell me about how much they cost? Or point me in the right direction. I read the guides and didn't find my answers....

Thanks guys!

I really don't know how to follow that post by AgRo....sounds like true love to me!

I'm sorry that I have been lazy about writing about our experience in CDJ....Efrain has been busy meeting my family for the FIRST time, and I have 4 days worth of work to catch up on....but here it goes:

We arrived at the Consulate on Tuesday at about 7:15am. We weren't the first in line, but not the last....just about in the middle. We waited like 20 minutes, and then they started letting people in. He had to show the letter at the door to be allowed in. He had the paperwork in a plastic expandable file, and he was wearing a belt, and it was no problem.

Once inside, he tells me that it went pretty fast. He actually said that he would have been out and finished by about 1pm if they hadn't had a problem printing the visas...which I will get to in a minute. Anyway, he was called to present the paperwork and was glad that we had gone through everything so he knew what it was.

They took:

DS-156 and copy

DS-157 and copy

DS-156K

His birth certificate (kept copy, gave him back original)

I-134 for me (with tax forms from 2006, copies of W-2's from 2006, Bank statement I printed off of internet)

Did NOT Take my co-sponsor's info. (I had one because I was only making enough money in 2006, not before, and I wasn't sure if it was going to be OK, but they said it was fine.)

They did NOT take any more relationship proof stuff. They said that what we had submitted with the petition was enough.

And I am still not 100% sure, but I don't think they asked for that form in the packet that says you will get married in 90 days. Efrain doesn't remember signing it, but said that it went so fast he can't be 100%sure.

Anyway, after that he waited only like 1 hour and they called him for his interview. They asked him 3 questions:

WHo is petitioning you for this visa?

Where does she live? (he gave city, state)

What is her job? (he gave a simple answer that I had coached him to say because it matched what I wrote on the forms)

And that's it! They told him his visa was approved and he should wait for his number to be called.

After an hour, they sent him out to get lunch and told him to come back in an hour because they were having trouble printing the visa.

When he came back, they told him he would have to come back the next day (Wednesday) and gave him a blue appointment sheet for 10am Wednesday morning.

That part sucked because I had to change all of our flights and it cost us $300, but looking back it was totally worth it!

We went back Wednesday and he was out within the hour with the visa in hand!

POE:

We crossed the border in El Paso at the Paso del Norte Bridge. It's not the main bridge, and it was a little out of the way from our hotel, but I think the wait was shorter in the taxi than it would have been at the Cordova Bridge. Anyway we had a taxi take us to the border and wait for us on the other side. This gets me to the worst part of our whole experience...Immigration. We waited for about 2 hours, and there was one person in front of us. They were all just milling around in back, and ignoring everyone in an ever-increasing line. Then they sent Efrain to wait in a different place, helped everyone else, and then argued amonst themselves about why he was still sitting there. What's that all about?

Anyway, in the end, it was fine, we made it through, and have been enjoying being finally together! I am sorry if this seems rushed (it is) but, I wanted to get it down before I forgot. I will ask him tonight if I missed anything, or if anyone wants more explanation about any part, let me know!

We got the visa!!!

They told him he was approved yesterday, but they had a problem printing it out and we had to go back this morning! Sucks, because I had to change our flights and now we aren't leaving until tomorrow! But it's ok....at least we have the visa.

It is crazy windy here, and we are going to leave now to cross at Puente Paso del Norte. I will post a full report when I get home!

I hope things went well for you bdesj. We should have went out to dinner or something.

Yeah!

Hi everybody!

OK, so we are here in Juarez, and I am settling down for my long day of waiting while Efrain is in the Consulate. I thought that I would be a basket case, but I am doing well. Mostly because I knew what to expect from everyone posting their experiences here....so I will do the same:

Hotel: We are staying at the Holiday Inn Lincoln. I recommend it. The people working here are really nice, there is free internet, and I feel safe, so that's important. It seems close enough to everything, and there are a lot of other people here going to the Consulate, so it's cool not to feel like the only ones.

Medical: We went to the Clinic right next to the Consulate. We got there at about 7:15am and he only waited a little while to be called in, even though there were TONS of people there. I waited outside in the cold and wind, and met a lady who's husband I am SURE is getting denied today for being in the US illegally...but I didn't have heart to tell her because she was such a mess about the whole thing (I know this is getting off topic, but) Anyway, I told her "Oh, don't worry, the only real problem he will have is if he was ever in the US illegally..." and she said "How do you think I met him??" ANd she said that they had put on the forms that he had been there illegally, so I don't really understand how she thought that was OK....but whatever. I feel sorry for her, and I told her about this website. (although I hope she doesn't read this!) ANYWAY.... He said that he did the usual waiting game inside. They took blood, took an x-ray, he had to drop his pants and boxers to his knees for the doctor to take a look, but no touching. (thank GOd for his sake) They asked if he had any diseases, took drugs, smoked, drank....aall the usual questions that other people have gotten.... and he was out by 11am. He paid like 1600 pesos or something like that.

Then we went to a photo place across the street to get his pictures taken. I took that advice from here. They swore that they would be OK, and if not that he could return today and get them re-done for free, so...hopefully that's true because I don't think he has enough money on him to eat lunch AND get new photos.

We walked down to Banamex which is just down the street. Paid the money and headed back to the hotel for a while before returning for the results. It was cool to see so many people walking around at like 2:30pm with the same black plastic folder...it seemed like everyone was doing the same thing.

Consulate:

Today we headed out at 6:45 and got the COnsulate at about 7. There was a line, but it wasn't too bad. It was definately longer today than yesterday. He had to show his letter and was let inside. He had a belt on, but it had a regular buckle and it wasn't a problem. He had the paperwork in a plastic expandable folder.

I did notice that some people were put into a line outside the COnsulate on the other side of all the rest. I asked someone what that was, and they told me that those people had entered with a cell or a pen or something else prohibited even after they were told not to, so they had to wait outside until everyone else had entered. So be careful that you follow the rules!

ANyway some guy is breathing down my neck to print out some immigration forms on this computer, and who am I to stand in the way of someone's visa, right? THanks for sending us the positive thoughts! I will post again tomorrow.

Good luck to whoever else is here....bdesj I think. Yeah!

Hi there..... Congrats to all of you who now have your fiances with you here in the US. I am hoping to be one of that group after next week, because Efrain and I are heading out on Sunday to Juarez for his visa stuff.... I am so excited to see him! I just pray that everything will go as smoothly for us as it did last week for Cassandra and Agnieszka. Yeah!

We are doing the Monday - doctor, Tuesday - Consulate thing because I couldn't miss more work than 3 days ( although, once I am gone, what would they do anyway, right?) So we are expecting lines and lots of waiting, but it's all for a good purpose. We are going to cross into El Paso on Wednesday and catch a flight back to San Diego. I am contemplating bringing my laptop since I am staying at the Lincoln, but I don't know.... Do they have computers you can use there too? Or is it just wireless with your own computer? I don't want to drag it around everywhere if I don't have to.

ANyway, if I don't get on here before Wednesday, I promise to write a full report when we get back. Send us some positive thoughts and prayers! Thank you to everyone who has helped me to get to this point. I have learned so much from this website, and am soooo glad that I found some kindred spirits to go through this process with! You guys rock!

Thanks guys, I think maybe going that night after the consulate is a good idea. I will have to check with Efrain and see what he thinks. I guess I would have the whole day to get packed up, right? WIth all of my nervous energy from waiting to hear the good news? (I am thinking positively, hoping that helps in some way). I know I would be less stressed if we were already across the border and just had to get up and go to the airport in the morning...

And thanks for the tip about the local office....It's good to know that stuff just in case!

THis weekend I am going to get everything in order. Yeah!

I hope you all have a nice long weekend!

Cassandra and Agnieszka, I am so excited for you guys. Congrats again....

Cassandra, I have a question about crossing the Cordova Bridge....because we are doing that also. What time did you cross? Our flight is at 1:30 I think...based on your post, I am wondering if I should change it to a bit later.... I guess we will just have to make it another early morning, and get an early start on it.... I always figured that I could call and change the flights if we needed to. (does it sound like I am basically talking to myself? I pretty much just answered my own question...but I am sure you understand)

Anyway, thanks again for the in depth reports on how it all went down. It makes me feel soooo much better having an idea of what's to come...

Have fun with your guys!

YEAH!!!!!!!!! COngrats you guys! I was just talking to Efrain and I told him I had to get off the phone to check if you got your visas! Now I have to call him back!!! i am so excited for you!!!!!

Thanks so much for the in depth updates.... I am sitting here at my desk at work, getting a little emotional reading it and picturing me and Efrain doing the same stuff in less than 2 weeks! I am so excited for you guys!!!!! And I can't wait until it's my turn!

Good luck to those of you going for interviews this week....you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am only a little bit jealous since I still have 2 weeks to go!

Brenda, I think getting married on Valentine's Day is a great idea! Why not?

Have a great week ladies....I can't wait to hear the stories!