Fe.Ta

Thanks for the clarification. It is still sad they work backwards. I am sure there are people from 2021 or earlier that just have straight up cases that can be processed as quickly. USCIS is just a mess. LOL

I can't believe this BS is happening: Like what in the USCIS' name is happening? Why are March 2023 cases being issued cards within weeks or months? I am hoping I am misreading or misinterpreting this.

I can't believe this is happening. Also, we are September 2022 and we are in Potomac, so we have been at "28.5" for a while and I would not be surprised if it jumps. YET, you have this BS happening: Like what in the USCIS' name is happening? Why are March 2023 cases being issued cards within weeks or months? I am hoping I am misreading or misinterpreting this.

Correct. SSN is better to get prior to AOS rather than getting one through AOS. IMO. Whether you had a name change or not, the SSN will need to be updated once you get the GC before the GC expires so they can remove the restrictions on it. The first SSN you get says, "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION". But, when you get the GC, you can have it updated to look like a normal SSN. If the name changes, then that's another thing that can be updated as well.

As others have said, given that you adjusted on ESTA, and your I-94 is expired, you are in a difficult position that will be hard to work around. But, yes, if you were to get a DL, it will only be good during the the time your EAD/AP is valid. You will not get a "full DL" until you get your GC. Also, at this point, since you submitted your AOS and requested an SSN via that AOS, it is better to just wait. If you try to get an SSN now, you can run into the issue of having two SSN issued to you (the one you try to do via SSA and the one via AOS) - among other things. I don't see you getting a DL with just an NOA. The NOA you got when you submitted the AOS just proves that you are not "out of status". You cannot get a DL without an SSN because the other options provided require you to have an SSN to even get them (i.e. a W-2 issued by an employer, which they won't employ you without an SSN and you are not authorized to work anyways).

Did you try submitting a "case outside of processing time". Even for N400 you are close to being a bit beyond that. I would try that.

Yes, I know they are not a visitor. I just didn't know exact time for residents, since we didn't have to go through this. But, here is further information: Immigrants: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/immigrant/ NON-immigrants: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/non-immigrant/ Also, do keep in mind that there are some counties that are a bit more ignorant than others. So, while this is general information, some DMVs are less familiar with this than others and might be more difficult overall.

Hi! We live in Florida too. So, here are my two cents: You CAN drive in Florida with a foreign DL. However, I do not know if it is for 3 months or a year. Also, you have to keep in mind that with the new bills/laws DeSantis is doing, I would not risk it driving with a foreign DL if you are considered a resident, etc. That's just to be safe because you do not know which kind of police you are going to get if you were to be stopped. Ideally, you should have gotten the SSN at the SSA office and not via the AOS application. So, you could have gotten it with you I-94 before it expired and, while it would have been a restricted SSN until you got the GC, you could have done the DL with the SSN, proof of mail, etc. Then, once you got the GC, you could have gone back to the SSA and remove the restrictions. The reason why we did it this way is because having that SSN allows you to do more things while you wait on the GC. For example, we submitted AOS in September 2022 and did not get the GC until December 2023. But, because my husband got that SSN, we were able to open joint accounts, get his DL, etc. If you do get the DL with other proof, such as when you get EAD, it will only be good for the expiration date of that.

This article talks about how at the beginning it was more of a "documentary" than the trainwreck we all love to watch nowadays. They clearly pick the ones that fall within these parameters and very rarely do they show regular,genuine couples trying to make it without the drama factor: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/8-real-motivations-behind-being-cast-in-the-90-day-fiancé-franchise/ar-AA1c6whS?cvid=a358f0f91a5b4642fce0c628e70a4f85&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=5 DANG. I should have come up with some drama when I had the chance. Who knows, I could be winning big bucks being dramatic and an influencer. 😁

We filed August 2022. Submitted multiples inquiries via the website and chatted with multiple live reps across several months to get the canned answer that we just have to wait on it. It is “normal”, even though it technically isn’t if others are getting the notification. Hahaha But, you are not alone.

Welcome buddy! Sadly, not a good thing to celebrate. LOL

Hi! Can you send me your number via private message? I can have someone add you. Also, we will be Potomac buddies. You are lucky you got a notification on the biometrics. We applied in September and have not heard NADA on biometrics.

Sadly, this is true.

You have good, quality evidence and diverse enough that quarterly statements should be sufficient.

Keywords being "travel as much". When I originally petitioned for my now husband I used to work for a non-profit. They are notorious for not paying enough, yet I was blessed to make more than enough to support him when he arrived AND both of my parents. However, the travels we made during our relationship were yearly. They were not 2-3 times per year. Especially because if we were considering the K1, I knew he wouldn't be able to work for a while, so our priority was to make sure we had enough money to cover that versus seeing each other that many times per year. Now, granted, just like @laylalex we had been friends for a decade before we even started a relationship, so we knew we didn't need to do it as many times per year. Thus, our priorities might have been different than if we had started dating without being friends. My post was only to point out that there all multiple sides and ways of doing things to all of this.

I am sure all sides (short dating versus long dating AND in-person versus long distance) have their points, which I get. Also, some do not have the means to travel as much, but it does not mean you can't develop the relationship all the same. One thing I have always noticed about long-distance relationships is that it naturally allows for the quality to develop because you have no choice (you can't just pick each other up and go do something and not talk). Whether in person or long distance, my stand has always been quality over quantity. I have seen both in-person and long-distance relationships that were "shorter" that were successful and lasted versus some there were together for years and divorced and the common factor was that those that were together longer had the time but didn't have the work (i.e. quality of relationship). Of course, there are exceptions to all of this. But, it is just something I have always thought about.

While I am sure there are plenty of exceptions, good intentions, legit couples that were not sought intentionally based on race/culture, etc., I second this statement for multiple cultures across VJ. Sadly, it just makes the journey a bit more complicated because you have (1) seeking an international love story, (2) falling for an idea of how the person would/should be, (3) false expectations, and THEN (4) immigration.

It is a ridiculous amount of time. Don't quote me on this, but I think maybe 1 or 2 have, which is crazy. I also know some August 2022 filers also got approved. But, these are one-offs that we can't figure out why they got lucky. The reality is that most people wait for several years. For some, the N400 shakes it loose and for others it just doesn't help. USCIS does not have a logic or reasoning. They state things and say processes are done a certain way. But, the reality is, they do not act nor do they process them accordingly.

As @A110 pointed, you have to keep in mind that while officers have general rules to follow, it is their full discretion whether they allow you entry or not - or decide to point you towards extra rooms to make your entry more difficult. Technically, legally, if the letter is not expired, it continues to be legal and you have the right of entry. But, it does not mean they will make it easier on your if they decide to be picky. When it comes to POE, officers can make it difficult and annoying even for USC (been there). While the paper is legit and official. The officer can either be confused (thinking the 48-month replaces the 24-month, not being aware some people do not have them yet, etc.) OR they could prefer or have more peace of mind for themselves to ask/seek the 48-month extension. If you are planning to apply for the N400 when your window opens, then you should not be worried about the extra extension letters, etc. as far as them continuing to go up in months. However, I will strongly advise you to get the 48-month extension. I am sure you can request it from the USCIS if you are planning to travel. It will just make your trip less stressful and smoother. Again, it could be 50/50. But, I have seen the negative side to POE from traveling a lot and talking to others (I am an USC). To me, it is not worth the risk traveling with a 24-month extension when you can request the 48-month ahead of time. If you didn't have an option, then it would be worth just traveling. But, if it is readily available, might as well. Yet, it is up to you.

@TBoneTX Do you know if this is because the country is Ecuador?

@FeelingYoung66 @analitikas @Tropical_Man1 It is not about the quantity of the pages. Instead, it is about the quality. I have not gone back to read through the thread. But, could you please share the documentation you both sent? Also, getting the extension and the biometrics does not mean you will not get an RFE, interview, etc. Since they haven't actually reviewed the case to determine if your submission is enough.

@Kawika & Michelle @Ontarkie Respect looks different for everyone. Even people that come from the same country/culture can have different ideas of what is respectful or disrespectful versus not. So, when you add the fact that you DO come from different countries, cultures, or BOTH, there are some adjustments that need to happen on both sides. I cannot speak into that side of the world either. However, here is some insight that is both funny and helpful, maybe? Both my husband and I are Hispanics, but we come from different countries. Argentina is very different from Puerto Rico. Both countries can cuss like a sailor, but there are some that could be hardcore/offensive for me (or him). Obviously, we were not going to dive into all of them. But, over the decades we had known each other, we had to figure out which ones we were going to let slide versus which ones were a DEFINITELY NOT. Otherwise, we would have been either arguing all the time or we would have had to change both of our lingos and that is not fun. Likewise, there are certain manners that are different. But, again, we had to pick out battles. Key = Communication and Compromise. Now for the funny part: I have been in the USA long enough to know a lot of jargon from different Hispanic cultures. My parents, while they have been here the same time, stuck to Puertorican Spanish and broken English. These blessed souls live with us. My then fiancé arrived and three days into his USA journey he wakes up, goes to the kitchen, and finds coffee with breakfast and a note that reads, "take as much as you would like" (in Puertorican Spanish). In horror, he comes back to our room to ask me why my mother would dare to write such a thing. Of course, I don't know what he is talking about, so I go to the kitchen. I kid you not I cried out of laughter. In Argentinian Spanish, the note read, "f--k as much as you want". My parents were gone from the house, so to him it made perfect context as well. HAHAHA

A lot of people have offered a ton of great advice. I believe you will need to consider everything that has been suggested and arrive at your ultimate solution. I would definitely take the time of the 90 days to get a stronger relationship between all involved in the unit, especially both of you. I would like to point out a couple of observations for you to consider as well. Please take them as respectfully as possible and I am making them from a caring place - not trying to judge. From other posts and comments you have made, it appears your relationship has had many struggles in the last three years. You also mentioned in other posts that it appears she has past experiences (baggage) that are not allowing her to communicate properly with you or trust you. I get it. We all have baggage and we always have to check it each time we cross the doorway into a new relationship. However, it appears in three years she has not made a ton of progress in communicating and trusting you. While being able to build this from abroad and in a long distance relationship is hard, there has to be some foundation built during that time before you go through the immigration process. Otherwise, as you step into the USA immigration journey, it will prove even more difficult because she will not trust you to "not throw her out of the USA" and you won't trust her to not just flee, especially if she is threatening you with it. Having family involved within the household can be a tricky situation, especially if there were trivial details missed that were important to communicate like telling your kids about her arrival or discussing with her expectations, etc. That is water under the bridge. The person in the middle between both parties will normally have the most stress about this topic because you are trying to keep the peace. But, you need to figure out your boundaries with her, with your children, and with yourself. Again, this involves communication. You all need to manage your expectations. She might have some, you might have some, your kids might have some, so you will need to have conversations about what they all are, what is attainable now versus in the future, what is not attainable at all, etc. If expectations are not managed, you will all be disappointed all the time now and in the future because no one will ever be/do "good enough" for one another. A person's mind is very powerful and sometimes expectations are insanely high. Cultural shock does exist, but it is not an excuse. Yes, she came into another country with no one except you. BUT, you cannot be nor should you be ALL for her. She needs to be aware that you are also a son, a father, a sibling, a cousin, an employee, etc. Likewise, she is also a lot of things for a lot of people and she should continue to nurture the existing relationships and develop new ones. One thing is for the immigrant to depend on you because it is normal and there are certain restrictions versus creating an emotional/psychological codependency, which is not healthy. As others have pointed out, find her things to do like hobbies, activities, etc. Not only will it help you with the pressure. But, the more she has to do, or obtains here, the more she will start being independent herself and develop some roots. Seek help or therapy if you are unable to figure out things on your on. But, you do need to talk it out. Issues will not resolve overnight and a marriage is built, so you never stop learning and adjusting. However, if there is no communication or resolution to the issues, it will go downhill. Some issues are not resolved in a single sitting and it just takes commitment and acknowledgement to slowly work on this together. But, you both will need to WANT to do it and ACTUALLY do it. Try to look at individual issues first. It sounds like she needs to resolve some things she is not over before she can continue to build something with you. All of it can happen simultaneously. However, you both need to work on your individual baggage, your relationship, AND that with your children. While the parenting should be left to you, she needs to know the role she took on when she decided to be in a relationship with you. She needs to be committed to the children just like she is committed to you. I am sure I can continue to speak for ages. But, I hope this gives you other things to think about it. The good thing about relationships (friendships, family, lovers, etc.) is that they can always improve if both parties are committed to doing the work. It might not be easy, but it is not impossible.

I think @Crazy Cat meant the letter you got for the N400 interview, which will have steps on how to proceed to re-schedule. Since you have a pending I-751, yes, definitely bring all the originals you submitted for the ROC package and any additional evidence that would be helpful whenever your interview is done. AND don't forger your spouse.

Unless you file for N400, and even then some are taking a while, you are likely to need that 48-month extension letter. Most service centers are taking almost two years, most of them MORE than two years if N400 is not filed. Also, if you are planning to fly, I wouldn't bet on an officer taking the 24-month extension if they are aware there is a 48-month. A port of entry officer might err on the side of caution and only allow the 48-month one.