JTJourney

Our 10-year Greencard arrived 12/15/07 and all I can say is … thank God this is over!

I want to thank all those who seriously helped with our questions, overall, it wasn’t really all that bad, it’s just the waiting that is so frustrating.

Our application got moved from Texas to California, which to us moved very quickly. I tried to update my signature here, but it wouldn’t let me, so I just updated our timeline.

I wish everyone the best in your journey and relationships…see you all again in 9 years (start research early, unless he wants to apply for citizenship.)

Take care everyone, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

JT

Ditto...Thanks for the clarification, I was using the number on the first notice, not the second one with the scheduled time. I just went on, tried it, and I'm in!

Thanks again,

JT

I have read through some emails here that people are able get updates after they have had their biometrics done. But, when I go in and enter our number, (right from the form letter), it comes back invalid. How much longer after you have completed the biometrics will you be able to update your profile to get notices?

Thanks in advance,

JT

We received our biometrics appointment, but husband feels he won't make it because he will be on the road (truck driver). Scheduling an appointment Monday through Friday is quite difficult because we never know his schedule, it varies week to week. We are going to try really hard to make this appointment, (working with Dispatch) but we want to know if anyone has successfully got a biometrics done on a walk-in in Louisville? I know this is a very touchy subject here, but we are in a situation where his job makes if very difficult to make or keep an appointment, though he would try, but this could also violate the law in trying to do so (juggling log book and speeding, which he won't do).

Thanks

We sent the wrong "revised" dated I-751 form, as another poster did. I sent today the one they stated to send, which as the other poster stated, (sorry, can't remember their name) it has "7/31/07", not "7/30/07". And it's true, there is no 2/5/07 on the site anymore as is requested you send in the cover form they send you...so VJ has really helped us out a lot with people posting who had this happen, we knew exactly what to do. Thanks!!!!

Form Returned - Need to fill out other I-751!

I got home last night and there was this big brown envelope from USCIS, our documents had been returned to us, along with the uncashed check, requesting we fill out the "other" I-751 form...so we got that filled out and mailed it back to CSC. From all the stamps and written numbers on our documents, our case was transfered from TSC to CSC, they were ready to deposit the check, it was stamped on the back, but I guess at the very last minute they stopped because of the form. Well, we sent it back today, USPS Next Day. We are going to keep the InfoPass appointment because those boarder patrol people are very serious about checking all documents...I don't think will let him keep driving past his expiration date on his card, that is if we don't get the NOA1 notice in the next two weeks. Anyway, better safe than sorry!

Thanks to everyone for your guidance and help!

Well, we are still waiting and so I have made an InfoPass appointment for next week. We hopefully will be able to explain our situation and get a stamp of some kind in Joe's passport, he really needs it, even though he is not going into Mexico...he has been stopped by boarder patrol 4 times in the last 2 weeks (right inside the US boarder) and he is extremely nervous. He say's it's like going to the embassy several times a week, your waiting for someone to tell you "Get out of the truck and into the patrol car." He would hate to lose his job because of an Immigration processing delay we have no control over. I have printed out the page from the link someone provided earlier about the delays, and hopefully Joe can show that to the officer till his card expires, which is in two weeks, wish us luck with this stamp.

We are waiting as well, very frustrating! - We mailed ours to TSC on August 17th, it was signed for on August 20th...and we are still waiting. The terrible thing about this for us is my husbands job depends on this NOA1 notice, he is a truck driver and picks up his loads at the Mexican boarder, again last night he was stopped by Boarder Patrol (these are random pull overs) and they warned him about his expiration date...we are both very nervous, especially Joe.

I have read here where people are waiting for their NOA, but we sent in our I-751 on August 14 and our check has still not been cashed, which is unusual considering I see timelines where TSC is cashing them like 4 days after they get the form...I am taking it that our file has been transfered to California and they will cash the check. This has me a little worried, I hope they get us the NOA notice soon, my husband needs that form as he is a truck driver and delivers near the Mexican boarder and has been stopped several times (randomly) to check his cab and trailer. Has anyone been delayed in getting their check cashed this long??

Thanks in advance...

I think I am going to send a letter asking anyway, it never hurts to ask. With my husband being a truck driver and being over the road, I don't think we will be able to work with the date they send us. Like many questions and response I have seen here, it seems that rescheduling is going to be our only route, and that it okay, it doesn't look like many had that much trouble doing so. I guess I really wanted to see if anyone had requested a timeframe and if immigration worked with them, but I couldn't find any postings to the subject. I will post back again later to let you know the outcome of the situation.

Thanks,

JT

Question:

When you are submitting your 751 to lift conditions, can you include in the cover letter (or a seperate one directed at the topic) requesting certain days during the week for them to schedule your biometrics appointment?? Would it help??

Reason: Husband is a truck driver, over the road, and is only home on certain days during the week to be able to go to have this done, or do we just take what they send us and rescehdule if it isn't a day we know he won't be home...has anyone done this?

Thanks,

JT

Thanks for posting this question and for the reply.

We are almost in the same situation, but with a slight variance...Joe is a truck driver and often finds himself on the boarder of Mexico. He has been stopped several times (as have many other truck drivers) checking the cab and paperwork. He has been asked for his drivers license, and when the officer talks to him, notices his accent, which starts the conversation "Where are you from?" - Eventually Joe is asked to produce his Green Card and some have remarked on the upcoming expiration date. Since we are now getting ready to apply, Joe is going to carry a copy of the NOA1 with him (to avoid any problems). We appreciate the answer to the posted quesiton, it puts Joe and I both at ease, but we both knew there was a logical answer to this type of situation, which we weren't sure on the time frame.

Thanks!!!

Thanks to everyone here for the information, it has been very helpful!

Linababe - You gave me an extra piece of information that I had never considered, or even thought about. Regarding a lawyer to write up basically "fair-protection" to both parties, should the marriage not work out. It is better to be safe than sorry these days, and at my age, (I'm not that old!) but it would still hurt me financially to have to start over. Besides, I think it is only fair to both parties. I think it is a great idea, Thanks.

LisaD - Thanks for your information, I may be contacting you later for guidance! Right now, wanting to be out of an apartment so bad, you can't help but look at homes and "wish". I am afraid we are stuck in the position of having to lease month to month after our rental agreement is up. I really want us to get the house that we literally "plan" on living in forever. We know what we want, where, and how much we are willing to spend, so this may take us a while, but we are financially able to do this, and I think it is our only option. We continue to browse the internet, and when we find a house, we do a "drive-by", and we check out the neighborhood, and when we have bad storms, with flooding, we write down the areas that flood, knowing to stay away from these areas. We have even been watching areas where new homes are going up, but the worst thing about new homes, it's just a home, there are no trees!!!!! Why do developers tear down trees, it looks awful! It looks like a bunch of boxes in a field, with a few bushes to make them look "homey", it's sad...at least replace them for goodness sakes, and not with those 3 month old things that could die any day!! (personal vent...sorry!)

Our (Joe's) GC final interview is not till October 2007, so if you say our chances of getting a better rate won't be very good till then, well, that's another thing in the pot to consider.

Just earlier this year I opened an account with a Credit Union, looking ahead for a better rate when we get ready to look for a mortgage loan. Also, I have been tempted to move my banking accounts to another bank, (the one I have sucks big time!), but I am going to wait, because I understand they look at how long you have held accounts.

I do have one question, I have never myself "purchased" a home. When I met my first husband, he already owned the home, the only time my name was related to the house is when we refinanced. So, am I "NOT" considered a first time home buyer?? What is the fine line there...or is there one?

Thanks in advance,

JT

Yodrak,

I read through our lease carefully, and unfortunately we can't sublet. This contract is so iron clad, the only way out of it is if I was transfered!

I enjoy looking at houses on the market now, and we are getting more familiar with the neighborhoods around us, and the prices! We live in Louisville Kentucky, so the farther you are away from the city (of course!), the cheaper it is, but the closer you get to horse country, prices escalate again!...and with gas prices, you just can't win, and Louisville does not have a train system, only buses, and I am not sure how far out they go.

Right now, with interest rates high, and home prices coming down (slightly), we may be in a good position when the time comes to buy in April/May...will just have to see.

Thanks!!

JT

Joe and I are considering purchasing our first home next year, that is, once our apartment lease is up, so I have a few questions, and maybe someone with experience could share;

1. Can you tell me if there are any “perks” to first time home buyers, especially when one is an immigrant? I know they make exceptions for people when starting a new business, and wasn’t sure if something in that respects applies to people in our situation as well…we are both first time home buyers.

2. Is 9 months to early to start looking?

3. What happens if we were to find something now? Our apartment office won’t break a lease, you have to keep paying the rent until it is up, then you can lease month to month (basically, right now that is our only option). But any ideas on what a home owner might be willing to do, or could we offer?

4. Any suggestions or hints on buying a new/used home?

5. Is using a real estate agent wise?

6. Any thoughts on renting with option to buy?

Unfortunately our lease is not up until April, and there are really not a lot of houses on the market November through March, they really start selling in the spring…so our only alterantive would be to lease month to month after our lease is up, which is about $150 more a month, but it would be worth it to get what we want then have to settle.

Any advice or helpful web-links would be great!

Thanks!

Haven't written in a long while...we are in the "waiting to lift conditions" recess!! Nice breathier!!!

Have a safe trip and glad to see more Irish people coming over!!! YEAH!!!!!!!

Husband is from Cork!

JT