Prizm123

I wouldn't anticipate any miracles but if they even shaved a month or so off our wait time as a result of this it would be great.  Last step before the N-400.

Just wanted to post and update for anyone who was interested. I left the U.S to be with my fiancé in Wroclaw Poland, where she fled after the war started. We were together there for about 3 weeks while waiting for results from our expedite request (still waiting, although I'm pretty sure we have to do things differently now).  We both decided to try to cross the Mexican Tijuana border after a family member got in contact with a pastor who was in the news for his church helping Ukrainians cross. We joined a telegram group full of Ukrainians who were asking questions about the process and those who have already crossed. After some discussion about how things work and if we could feasibly make the journey, we started to book our tickets. This part wasn't easy due to travel restrictions and other details that aren't so important. On March 26th until the morning of March 27th, we started booking tickets for March 28th to get from Poland to Tijuana. Not everyone booked there tickets the same way we did, but we took the advice of the telegram group which was to book round trip tickets, and a hotel room in Cancun. The reason we did that is for when we had to talk with Mexican Border patrol at the airport, we could show we had a plan to be there and a plan to return. We chose to go to Cancun like many others because at the time there was a risk if flying directly to Tijuana, that we would be denied entry. Apparently the thinking was it will be more believable to fly into Cancun "for vacation" first. I'm pretty sure this is no longer the case, and it is possible to fly directly to Tijuana (But I can't be 100% sure).  After about 1 day worth of layovers in different airports and about 1 day of flying we arrived in Tijuana at about 5 pm. We were met there by members of different churches who were working together to organize transportation to the border. People with children were prioritized, especially with younger children, and also pregnant women. At around 10 pm, after a few groups before us were transported to the border, it was our turn. We had the option to either wait at the border, or try to arrange a hotel and private transportation the next day, because it was highly unlikely any of us would be able to cross quickly. We chose to go directly to the border and not risk doing things differently,  which could have possibly resulted in an even longer time at the border. The situation at the border was shocking to say the least. I don't know what I was expecting honestly but it was an eye opening experience. The organizers and even some locals did there best to provide food and blankets for people, but people were crammed into this small narrow building that had 1 bathroom without a door handle on it. The floors cement and hard to get any sleep on. I can go into much more detail but will not to keep this long story as brief as possible, just know the situation was far from good or comfortable, and in my humble opinion, borderline inhumane. I can say that it seemed like more supplies were coming as time went on, and they were doing their best to make the situation as comfortable as possible (Children's comfort was also prioritized and most Ukrainians worked together to ensure everyone had what they needed). After staying overnight and waiting about 14 or 15 hours, the group we were assigned to was chosen to go next. We walked out of the refugee camp for lack of a better term, and made our way directly to the border. Here we were chosen in small groups within our group of 30 or so people to interview with the 3 border guards assigned to handle Ukrainian cases. We waited at this border entrance for around 8 hours while many other people were entering in front of us for normal immigrations purposes during this whole time. Finally after so many hours and such a long journey, my fiancé was able to interview with a border guard, while I had to cross through a different area like normal U.S citizens. After about 30 mins of waiting for her, she was granted humanitarian parole and crossed over. We were met by more Ukrainians and church members who helped us arranged 2 nights with a host family so we could avoid spending more on hotels and transportation to the airport. We arrived in my home state of Maine a coupled days ago and are trying to get settled in. We will look into acquiring the services of an immigration attorney soon to see what our next step is to allow her to legally stay here permanently, as I'm pretty sure our current K1 application will no longer be valid. Anyways I'm sorry for such a long post, just thought I'd share some of our story and the information gathered along the way for anyone who was interested. Good luck to anyone attempting to get to the U.S through this method and to everyone who is currently waiting for their cases to move along.

okay, so my case was transferred to NVC in the middle of December. We signed all the documents an payments by December, 29th. When the full-scale war started, I contacted an immigration attorney and got paid help with the whole process of transferring! My husband sent an email to the NVC, it was request about expedite case, saying that he would like our case to be transferred and interview to be scheduled immediately  (if it`s possible) in US Embassy in Vienna because he`s concerned about my well-being because of Russian invasion. BUT the main argument for transferring the case to Vienna was that his aunt lives there so I`ll be staying there with his family and that`s the reason of transfer to Austria and not Poland, for instance. We got a respond from the NVC like next day! They said that they`re reviewing the request and will get back to us shortly with either confirmation or denial. Next day we got another email with new NVC case number saying our request was accepted and will be transferred to the US Embassy in Vienna. In a few hours I got an email from the Embassy saying I could come tomorrow (lol) or any other day next week at 1pm. They sent instructions on what documents I would need and instructions on medical check. Then everything else was fast and smooth. Had interview on Friday, got my passport with Visa sticker on Tuesday (had to pick it up myself). BTW interview was held in a CONSOLUTE, not in the Embassy.

The US Consulate wrote in response to my inquiry about missing police certificate saying it could be waived. They did ask Jenny to try to get one at the consulate. We went and it is impossible. The database is off-line. When you consider cyber warfare, it makes sense to take any comprehensive database of Ukrainians off line. 
I will update this post as I get more information. Germany has created many provisions for Ukrainians.
Good overview here. You should review every section that applies to your situation.
https://www.germany4ukraine.de/hilfeportal-en
Travel on trains and buses is free to Ukrainians throughout Germany.
Lodging is expensive. Jenny and  I ended up at Panorama Hostel,  Mainzer Landstr. 341, Gallusviertel, 60326. 950 Euro for a double room for a month. Shared kitchen facilities and a smoking room in the facility. It is in a good area. panoramahostel.eu; PANORAMAFRANKFURT@GMAIL.COM +49 152 25649080 . They are on Wattsapp. Only one staff member speaks good English so email or Wattsapp is best. 
 
Coordination center for Ukrainians is Mainzer Landstr. 293. An easy walk from the hostel. 
Both are on the 11,14 streetcar (S-Bahn) lines. Free to Ukrainians and apparently free for 4 stops or less for everyone else. When you exit the front of the Hauptbahbhoff, cross over and take the cars going to the left. A day pass is 2.75 but you do not need it if you are just going to the coordination center. I don't know if it also applies to the U-Bahn (subway)
 
If your Ukrainian needs housing assistance, they will send them back to the Hauptbahnhoff. (No need to go to the Coordination Center). Go the Refugee Intake indicated in the top left of the map. We started down this process in error (on the recommendation of a helpful Lithuanian). After processing (receiving a laminated document) Jenny was taken to an intake center at Messe Frankfurt where everyone is on cots. Food is provided. It is austere, but a lot better than any of the frontline cities. They told her after three days she would be taken to a similar facility in Giessen and there she would receive assistance with requesting the remaining documents.
Realizing our mistake she left the center - they told her that  she could return with her current pass. Now there are a few paths:

If you are going to stay longer than 90 days or you want to work, then you want to get a temporary residence permit. this is the process that you initiate at Mainzer Landstr. 293. A reservation is required but I misplaced the phone number.
In Jenny's case, we hope she will be there less than 90 days. We will simply register her presence in the city at the city hall. Your Ukrainian will do this in the city in which they end up residing.
Stadt Frankfurt am Main | Bürgeramt Höchst
Dalbergstraße 14, 65929 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Phone is +49 69 115 ???
reservations are required. I guess government offices get special speed codes.
We also want her to have health insurance (free). She applies for that just to the right of Mainzer Landstr. 293 (295?) we will try to do both tomorrow. Other social services are also available there.
 
I highlight Rossman on the Hauptbahnhoff map. A sundries and food store. Google maps calls it Ali and says it is open 24 hours. It is not - 6-22 7 days a week. Almost anything you need.
Pepper spray and tasers are apparently permitted for self defense, We will confirm. I think Germany is a very safe country, but situations like this bring out the best in the vast majority of people, but the worst in some people. 
A German couple approached Jenny and offered her housing and a job as a domestic. She declined but it was a good experience. I think that as long as they agree to help your Ukrainian register at Mainzer Landstr293  (work permission).  Burgeramt (local residence), and for medical care, it would be fine. 
 
Public toilets are paid. 1 or .5 Euro Deposit coins, grab any change, and hustle through the opening gate. You can ignore the receipt that is printed. At Haupbahnhoff, they are downstairs near track 10. there is also a free location to wash hands down there. 
Jenny's PrivatBank dollar card worked fine in EC GeldAutomat and at a couple of other retail  locations we tried. 
 
I will be here another week or so. Post your Frankfurt questions here and I will try to find out.  

Making a deal on Putin's terms will destroy Ukraine. That is why Ukrainians fight so hard. 

Update on the situation with my sister-in-law and nephews.
 
After about 2 weeks of, well, hell, they were able to evacuate yesterday as part of a civilian convoy of cars.  They are safe in Zaporizhzhia today and will continue onwards to Western Ukraine.
 
And not a day too soon.  The civilian convoy that left today was hit by rocket artillery.   There are reports several were killed.  Our prayers go out to the family of those killed and to those who were hurt.  
 
If there is anyone with family or a loved one in Western Ukraine that needs some help or immigration advise, please message me.  My wife traveled from Poland to Ukraine to help with supplies to the besieged cities and will stay to wait for our family to get them settled somewhere relatively safe.  Through her she can contact anyone locally if they need advice for their visas or immigration.
 
I cannot guarantee if we can reach your loved one or be able to offer much help, but we will do what we can.

Update on my case: we got approved today!
 
The timeline so far:
02.03 - request for expedite
04.03 - request granted
17.03 - case approved
 
Now, onto NVC... :)
I still have no idea how the timeline will look regarding NVC - Interview booked - Visa on hands. What happens with medical is also a bit worrying, since my vaccination card is dusty old Soviet-style piece of paper, which I can barely read myself. I'm in Paris currently and the information page for french medical says that my family doctor should sign off each vaccine I received and put corresponding dates - I don't even know where my doctor is at the moment. Guess we'll figure it out as it comes.

I know some people will disagree  but I support making it easier for Ukrainians with US ties coming here. Especially if their American relatives can provide housing and other sponsorship, I think it's logical. A lot of the refugees in Poland and other Euro countries right now are basically living in shelters, and just throwing money at the situation (such as all the "donate to Ukraine" charities) won't solve it overnight.
 
Whether or not the Biden administration actually does anything about it is another matter. USCIS being backed up as it is, seems like hiring more people/extra funding would be needed to offer any real help.

Sanctions !!!!  never have worked and never will work
the US government tried sanctions in '29 (which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors) 
and what happened ? a black market made many richer beyond expectations
 
same will happen now  -a black market 
rich will get richer and the average will pay the price and be the ones who are hurt 

my stepdaugher refuses to evacuate her city also.
she has a friend who finally reached her who evacuated from Kharkiv, so if/when it gets bad in her city they will travel together.
wife is more angry than i have ever seen her.

For us immigrants to the US .. we make a voluntary choice..we have the chance to count the cost even though most of us will look back and say “ i didnt know it would cost that.”  But to face the decision to leave in such circumstances is overwhelming to me as i think about it .. what it must be to your family and friends who are in the midst of it is incomprehensible to us who are not there 

Just got my expedite request in. I'll probably send the confirmation # to my congressman's staff that I've been in contact with as well. Thanks everyone! 

i am trying to get information on how to get my wife's daughter to be eligible for refugee. the last contact we had was about 12 hours ago, she was in a basement somewhere with air raid sirens going off
 

i am trying to get information on how to get my wife's daughter to be eligible for refugee. the last contact we had was about 12 hours ago, she was in a basement somewhere with air raid sirens going off
 

my daughter in law did not want to leave Zaporozhye. fortunately the banks still were able to give her the money we sent to her. wife is heartbroken. hopefully her boyfriend will help keep her safe.

I phoned USCIS today and told the computer I wanted to file an expedite request. I was transferred to a representative and gave her the details. I told her the basis was hunaitarian relief based on Russia's attack on Ukraine today. I further explained that my wife and step-daughter left our apartment this morning because it was shaken by a nearby explosion. They are now at her brother's house. The representative said this was a "legitimate reason" for this request. I thought I would pass this along to everyone else. I should have a decision on the request within seven business days.

my daughter in law did not want to leave Zaporozhye. fortunately the banks still were able to give her the money we sent to her. wife is heartbroken. hopefully her boyfriend will help keep her safe.

my daughter in law did not want to leave Zaporozhye. fortunately the banks still were able to give her the money we sent to her. wife is heartbroken. hopefully her boyfriend will help keep her safe.

got the letter in the mail Jan 19th that biometrics waived. they are reusing them
case status was updated about a week before

If you think it's better to cross illegally, then try it.  See what happens.  You're not going to like it.

P.S.  The current system is the same one that existed under Trump, Bush Jr., Bush Sr, and Reagan.  

i like that i can get the information i need when i have questions and that i can get a general understanding of hows and whens. other than that, i dont like spending time here anymore.

i like that i can get the information i need when i have questions and that i can get a general understanding of hows and whens. other than that, i dont like spending time here anymore.

Hi everyone!
 
Just thought I would give an update on this!
 
I sent off my i-751 packet on 12/4 and received a text notification that it had been received on 12/11. 
 
On 12/21, I received my NOA in the mail letting me know that the document was okay to be used as proof of residency and to travel for the next 24 months while they are processing the i-751. I guess this is an indication that they accepted my packet & I will not be getting deported! Very relieved about this!
 
For those of you who are interested, I did submit my packet with a cover letter apologizing that I was filing late (by about 11 weeks) and that 2021 had been a difficult year for me after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I did include a letter from my doctor that said it was reasonable for someone with that diagnosis to miss an important deadline like this.
 
Sending good luck to everyone going through the immigration process!