My Lao Po

In reality, whether you have perceived its impact or not, the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA), which went into effect in March 2006, affects ALL K visa petitioners and applicants. It [also] places a number of requirements on "marriage brokers" or web-based introduction services.

Most significantly for K visa petitioners, IMBRA has introduced restrictions on the number of K visa petitions which may be filed both within a two year timeframe and a lifetime. There are also provisions designed to protect K visa recipients from domestic violence by distributing educational pamphlets through the Department of Homeland Security and providing information about any criminal convictions or previous petitions of the US citizen petitioner. This law came about not beacuse of the jealousy of American women, but because of some real abuses out there over the years, which even led to the deaths of foreign national spouses.

Regardless, of the box you check or do not check, the larger issue is, that the USCIS, DOS, and the FBI, each conduct their aspects of the enhanced background check now performed on all American men who petition to immigrate a foreign spouse or fiancee to the U.S.

For those of us who do not have any of these following outlined issues in our past, the path is generally clear; however, for those who do, the issue may come into play. While USCIS and/or DOS do not disclose reasons for denial of petitions, I have always suspected that [some] of these denials are likely due to IMBRA related issues in the petitioner's past history.

The most significant provisions of the IMBRA include:

(1) New I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancee Visa Form: The new I-129F form requires petitioners who were convicted of a violent crime (includes domestic violence) or a crime relating to a controlled substance on three or more separate occasions to submit certified copies of all court and police records--regardless to how you met her. The new I-129F petition also requires petitioners who met their fiancee through an international marriage broker to write the name and the address of the international marriage broker on the petition.

(2) Restrictions on Visa Petitioners: A consular officer is prohibited from approving a visa petition before verifying that the visa petitioner has not (a) filed K visa petitions with regard to two or more aliens (b) filed a K visa petition within the last two years or © committed a violent crime. If a visa petitioner falls into one of these three categories a waiver must be granted by the Department of Homeland Security before a successful visa petition may be filed.

(3) Database Tracking Multiple Visa Petitioners: The Department of Homeland Security will create a database to track multiple K visa petitions. After a second visa petition is approved, the petitioner's name and information will be included in the database. In cases where subsequent visa petitions are applied for both the petitioner and the beneficiary will receive notice about the previously approved number of fiancee and/or spouse visas of the beneficiary.

(4) Domestic Violence Information: The Secretary of Homeland Security will develop an information pamphlet on legal rights and resources for immigrant victims of domestic violence. The pamphlet will be mailed to all K nonimmigrant visa applicants with the visa application information packet. The pamphlet will also be available on the websites of the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security as well as at the consular office.

(5) Criminal Convictions Disclosed During Consular Interview: During the Consular interview, the officer will provide the applicant with information regarding any protection orders or criminal convictions of the petitioner. The applicant will also be provided with an information pamphlet on the legal rights and resources for immigrant victims of domestic violence and an oral summary of the information included the pamphlet.

So, today I went to take my driving test and finally I got my Colorado driver licence...then i checked the mail and I got...MY INTERVIEW DATE...WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I was wonder if everybody else got 2 papers inside the envelope, one for the appointment and the other one stating that if u've ever been convicted or detained u need to bring prove of what happened...

The bad news is that my husband has military orders for some traning and he won't be here for the interview...we will call immigration tommorrow and see what I need to bring to justify his absence!

First, that second page with the interview notification letter is standard. We had one too.

Next, be prepared for them to reschedule the interview for a later date, when your husband if free to attend. While his orders will serve to excuse you from the apointment date currently scheduled, they may want to see the two of you [together], to both answer questions and establish the bona fides of a relationship, etc.

Maybe not, but just be prepared for this eventuality, based on my understanding of this process.

Anyway, congratulations, with the process moving forward now !!!!

We had our interview this morning. We arrived at about 7:25 and was called at about 8:30, for our 8:00 interview. We were sworn in by the IO and sat down. She confirmed what was on the I-485 with my DH and asked for current pay stubs and 2008 tax return. She asked my husband one question, how did he propose to me and me three questions. First, how did you like your husband's country, how did you survive being separated for your first year of marriage and how have your children adjusted since your husband has been home. Then she said, your application is approved. Your GC should arrive within the next 4 weeks. She remind us that it is a 10 year green card and that he can apply for citizenship in July 2012! I did manage to show her some photos when talking otherwise she did not seem interested in them or any other evidence we had with us. Now we just wait for the GC to arrive in the mail.

On another note, she did not give us a letter of approval or stamp my husband's passport she said it was not necessary. I know each office does things slightly different, but wondering if that happened to anyone else. I was thinking maybe because my husband's visa is multi entry it would not be necessary, but doesn't he need to have the PR stamp in his passport to travel? Any thoughts would be great.Thanks Everyone for your help.

First congratulations on the interview results !!!

My wife was K-3 also, and they did stamp the I-551 in her and my daughter's passports, as she also cancelled the existing K-visas with her pen.

The red I-551 stamp serves notice that the applicant is now under Permanent Resident status (10year GC) and employment is authorized.

Again, not sure why some will do and some not, for the same type visa. But you will have the GC in hand in less than a month.

Yes, congratulations to all who are continuing to receive interview dates or their Green Cards !!!

Some cases do seem to lag behind others, but looking at similar threads from a year ago, even those who were most delayed and most anxious, seemed to do just fine, within a few days or weeks of their most recent #######, post !! So to those of you who are still waiting, your time WILL come !!!

Wow, great e-mail news from CRIS this afternoon !!

Dear applicant, your I-485 application for AOS has been approved on July 09, 2009

I guess this means we can keep the Permanent Green Cards mailed to us on July 1, 2009 !!!???

Thanks My lao, Its just that I was reading about that person who got 10 GC by mistake, she says she just got married here k-1. MAkes me wonder if maybe now they are issuing 10 year GC for some particular reason depending on the case.

They (USCIS) will not knowingly issue a Permanent Green Card to an applicant who has not been married for at least two years.

This aspect of rule/regulation/procedure, has been hard and fast.

One must have been married (with proof of residence together) for over two years to go from Conditional (2-year) to Permanent (10-year) Green Card status.

Also, you cannot escape the interview; if you do not get called for an interview at the time you file for the Conditional 2-year card, then you will be called when you file for the 10-year Permanent card. A personal interview of the applicant before an ISO, and a personal interview for a list of stock questions, and one's signature on the sheet with the questions and your answers, is required for the Permanent card.

Hi there!, does anybody here got a 10 year GC instead of 2 year? been on k-1.

To be eligible for a 10 year Permanent Green Card, the first time around, you must be married for two years.

Most K-1 filers will not be able to do that under the terms of that visa.

I married in her country, then filed K-3 which was taking longer (1 year) to complete the process two years back. Then with the K-3 visa it is valid for two years after initial entry to the US.

So it is easier for a K-3 to have two years of marriage on the books and to get the Permanent GC, good for 10 years, at the first filing of AOS.

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On July 2, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

I got my GC today in mail

Good luck to all of you who are waiting, hope you will get GCs soon.....

Congrats I hope to get mine in the mail today

I got my GC today in mail!

Congratulations, wow, so many so fast now !!!!!!

My GC just arrived :dance:

Congrats to you ophelia783 for your approval and also to My Lao Po for receiving your card.

:star:

I had a strong feeling yours would be in your hand this week !!

Best wishes !!!

Well, both wife and daughter's 10 year permanent Green Cards were in the mail box today; they were Postmarked from Lee's Summit, MO on July 1st.

They came in very non-descript envelopes. Only about 13 days from Card Production Ordered, until they were mailed (PM).

We have waited a long time for this date and it is such a relief !!

Best wishes to the rest of you as you move along; and soon we can close out this thread with all GREEN !!

No "touches" since my biometrics app.

HOW CAN I CONTROL MY ANXIETY??

Any one in the same situation?

Try not to worry too much, if there was something wrong with your case they would notify you with a RFE or something. Also, you haven't been transferred to CSC and you're a K3, so most likely you will have an interview at your local office. Depending on where that is and how busy they are, they issue the interview dates. There is no specific timeframe as when you have to receive the interview invitation. You'll just get it in the mail one day. But looking at the spreadsheet shows me that people around you just recently got their interview dates, so I wouldn't worry too much, you'll get it soon. At least you're with your spouse now and don't have to wait for a visa anymore. Enjoy your time and relax, everything is gonna be ok

Yes this is true.

I have other K-3 friends, one who filed AOS before me, and they still have not heard anything yet.

Just be prepared for the interview.

So maybe mien was already ordered then?! Because by that time I didn't check my status daily...

If you have approved AOS and Welcome Letter was mailed, then the GC production is a given.

The only variable is the timing, as to if you had an interview or not; at interview time, the ISO will punch in the order for the GC, while you are still at her desk, upon conclusion of the interview. Then you will recieve the email or letter in a couple of days stating that GC is in production. If no interview, then it is processed from the Service Center, rather than the order generated by your local USCIS office.

I received my "Welcome to the United States of America" in the mail today!!! :dance:

That is really great !!!

Now we wait and see how fast those GC's arrive !!??

Two emails from CRIS today, and files touched: GC production ordered.

It's nice to see it in writing on the computer, along with the actual interview experience.

The red temporary stamp in my wife and daughter's passport page, says Permanent Resident IR-6/7.

The process has been so long, this is so nice.

Hey, congratulations !!!

Only about one week after production ordered !!! That is very fast.

When we were at the interview on Tuesday, the ISO indicated to us that she had a recent internal notice, that GC's were delayed up to two months now, due to some internal processing issues.

Sounds like you may have beat that situation.

Best wishes !!!

Congrats My Lao Pao!!!!

Did you take any bills with joint names? We're having trouble. Apparently the water and electric company here can only print one name on the bill. Sigh.

First, I had submitted (fully front-loaded) all of that info with my filing for I-485 packages. I did bring all of that in an expandable folder with me to the interview, however, the IO did not ask for any of the supporting docs.

My local power utility (Pacific Gas & Electric) does allow joint names on the bill, as did AT&T for our home phone.

Best wishes !!!

Did you include any emails or phone records to show a relationship? Thanks for the help.

No, I did not. All of that was supplied way back during the visa application filing (I-130/I-129F) and was reviewed at interview time.

For AOS, emails and/or phone records are moot, because you are supposedly living together every day, here in the US.

They want other proof of relationship, e.g., joint lease agreements; utility bills...electric, gas, phone etc; medical bills; joint insurance; photos with family here in the US; if a child is in the picture, then school enrollment papers, and/or grade slips, etc, etc,

Hope this helps.

Congrats My Lao Pao!!!!

Did you take any bills with joint names? We're having trouble. Apparently the water and electric company here can only print one name on the bill. Sigh.

First, I had submitted (fully front-loaded) all of that info with my filing for I-485 packages. I did bring all of that in an expandable folder with me to the interview, however, the IO did not ask for any of the supporting docs.

My local power utility (Pacific Gas & Electric) does allow joint names on the bill, as did AT&T for our home phone.

Best wishes !!!

We had our interviews today at the Sacramento Regional Office of USCIS.

It was uneventful and was very fast and easy. Very nice IO who observed my file was very thick and complete. Only asked the 'stock' questions off of one of the forms, e.g., ever member of a subversive group, any arrests, any drug use, etc, etc. Wife and daughter signed a couple of forms and advised would be up to two months for receipt of GC's, as she had a recent advisory that GC production was somewhat delayed as of this week.

She took the I-94 from each passport, but did not ask for the EAD cards.

Interviewed both wife and daughter at same time.

Advised me that if I adopt my daughter, that in another year (total of two together) that she can, via my derivative status, before her 16th BD, get her Citizenship and US Passport without the wait that my wife will have. My daughter is just turned age 13.

Again, very helpful and cordial.

No more USCIS until Citizenship filing time

Will update when GC's arrive.

Congratulations on getting both interviews done! The option of getting the citizenship through you for your daughter sounds great!

Did they get the I-551 stamp on their passports? I've heard of some people getting it and others don't, I wonder why?

Thanks !!

The IO said to make an Info-Pass appointment, and get the I-551 stamp that way, after the status is fully documented in their computers.

We had our interviews today at the Sacramento Regional Office of USCIS.

It was uneventful and was very fast and easy. Very nice IO who observed my file was very thick and complete. Only asked the 'stock' questions off of one of the forms, e.g., ever member of a subversive group, any arrests, any drug use, etc, etc. Wife and daughter signed a couple of forms and advised would be up to two months for receipt of GC's, as she had a recent advisory that GC production was somewhat delayed as of this week.

She took the I-94 from each passport, but did not ask for the EAD cards.

Interviewed both wife and daughter at same time.

Advised me that if I adopt my daughter, that in another year (total of two together) that she can via my derivative status before her 16th BD, get her Citizenship and US Passport without the wait that my wife will have. My daughter is just turned age 13.

Again, very helpful and cordial.

No more USCIS until Citizenship filing time

Will update when GC's arrive.

We had our interviews today at the Sacramento Regional Office of USCIS.

It was uneventful and was very fast and easy. Very nice IO who observed my file was very thick and complete. Only asked the 'stock' questions off of one of the forms, e.g., ever member of a subversive group, any arrests, any drug use, etc, etc. Wife and daughter signed a couple of forms and advised would be up to two months for receipt of GC's, as she had a recent advisory that GC production was somewhat delayed as of this week.

She took the I-94 from each passport, but did not ask for the EAD cards.

Interviewed both wife and daughter at same time.

Advised me that if I adopt my daughter, that in another year (total of two together) that she can, via my derivative status, before her 16th BD, get her Citizenship and US Passport without the wait that my wife will have. My daughter is just turned age 13.

Again, very helpful and cordial.

No more USCIS until Citizenship filing time

Will update when GC's arrive.

My hubbie is waiting on his Green Card - AOS from a fiance visa. The fiance visa expired in February, but we filed for the AOS in late March.. Is there a problem getting a drivers license? I didn't know if we had to wait until he received his green card before he tried getting his license. We live in Connecticut, any advice?

While each state has its own rules/regulations, most want only to understand that the applicant in here legally. Your K-visa/Form I-94 with valid dates will most likely suffice. Cannot say for sure with your DMV, but that is the way it is in Calif. You might check with Conn. DMV website or call on Monday.

Yesterday we received a letter for our interview!!! July 28.

Now if we would just hear something on the EAD and AP!

Chibby, bummer on the spreadsheet. Thanks so much for keeping it updated.

Congratulations on the interview date !!!

At least it was a July date, I have noted that they have already started issuing dates in August, as of this week, so it appears that most of the July dates are now taken.

Make sure you have all the backup docs with you, especially those that deal with evidence of a bona fide relationship/marriage.

Your EAD should come very soon now, ours came two weeks after we had notice of our interview date. But remember you will turn the EAD in to the IO, at interview time.

Our interviews are this next week, will keep all of you posted.

Best wishes to all !!!

Well good news we got the interview letter yesterday. It will be July 23, 3 days after our 2nd Anniversary. We have the copy of what we submitted to bring to the interview along with a few of those items of a bonafide marriage. I have a few questions, it states to bring my divorce degree along with my custody paper for my children? I do not have a separate custody paper for my children from my previous marriage, I have only the complete divorce document that is like 50 pages! Does anyone know if there is a supplemental for this or is that okay to bring? Thanks!

That 'list' of items to bring is very generic, for both K-1's and us K-3's. As a K-3 filer, we were each submitted to an extensive background check in the US and in the home country prior to issuance of the two year visa. Therefore, I do not think they will ask for the divorce papers, from so long ago, as this was all verified and checked off, early on in the process for us that married in the foreign country and are now filing for adjustment.

If you are still worried, I think only the face page or first two pages and officials signature page is needed. Again, the same with your K-4 child, this was all verified by USCIS and DOS before they issued the visas.

Also remember, if married over two years at interview time, it will be a permanent, 10 year visa, not the two year conditional version !! I made sure my filing for AOS had a large notation to this effect on the face page. I think this is what provided us with a fast interview date?

Just my opinion, and based on interview feedback from others who are K-3 and or CR-1.

Yesterday we received a letter for our interview!!! July 28.

Now if we would just hear something on the EAD and AP!

Chibby, bummer on the spreadsheet. Thanks so much for keeping it updated.

Congratulations on the interview date !!!

At least it was a July date, I have noted that they have already started issuing dates in August, as of this week, so it appears that most of the July dates are now taken.

Make sure you have all the backup docs with you, especially those that deal with evidence of a bona fide relationship/marriage.

Your EAD should come very soon now, ours came two weeks after we had notice of our interview date. But remember you will turn the EAD in to the IO, at interview time.

Our interviews are this next week, will keep all of you posted.

Best wishes to all !!!

Congratulations!!!

Actually, I did not send any pictures to USCIS when submitting my I-485. So I figure I need to bring a lot of pictures to show them.

Hi guys,

Just got home from my interview and i was APPROVED!!! 10min interview he asked me: Where you met? When you arrived in the US? Who went to your wedding ceremony ? That's all.

One thing he wanted to see was join documents which we have a lot. Car insurance, life, health, dental, bank, phones , zoo membership.

He stamped my passport and said that the green card will be mailed soon. Also took my EAD Card.

I asked him if he needed any pictures and he said no thanks you already sent a lot. (I sent a bunch of pictures with my AOS Package )

So that's it.

Good luck everybody, be calm, dont stress out and everything is going to be ok.

See you guys in 2 year

Much Love

Leila and Brad

I front-loaded the hell out of my I-485 filings. Several large photos, proofs of bona fide relationship, my daughters middle school grades, and school ID card etc.

Interview in two weeks!!

OMG!

Application Type: I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

I am sooooooo excited!!

Congratulations....seven to ten days and they will be in your hand !!!