jw07

Just wanted to give a little update to how this situation has played out. I made a copy of my entire I-751 app and brought it to Canada with me. My package has been received in Cali. I called the border patrol in Winnipeg which is where i will be hitting US customs before arriving home in Chicago.

I was told quite simply that with my expired greencard, and a copy of my application to remove conditions, "not to worry about it" and that i'll be just fine getting through.

I was extremely stressed out assuming i'd need my NOA letter to get back in. I did explain my circumstances to the woman on the phone at border patrol and i'm not sure if the fact my brother just died had anything to do with her being so understanding, or wether they can be this leniant at any time. I will be bringing a copy of my brothers death certificate just in case as well as my airline ticket from my flight in showing that i wasn't here long. However, the woman on the phone also said that if my application has been sent in and received that they can look that up in their database and confirm it anyway.

Thank you to everyone who replied with advice.

Hello everyone, i'm in a bit of a bind and will be contacting USCIS on Monday for direct answers (hoepfully) but until then am curious if anyone can provide me with any information that will either alleviate my worries or prepare me for the worst...

I haven't logged on here in quite some time so i'm not sure if my timeline is up to date. For a quick rundown i am a Canadian citizen with PR status through marriage to an American. My husband and i have been married 2 1/2 years and i received my conditional green card in December of 07. I for whatever reason had it in my head that my greencard expired on December 27th. I just realized today that it expires on the 18th. I realize that not only should i have read the reminder letter more closely but should have actually LOOKED at the green card to verify. Anyway, i know i've had a 90 day window to send in my application to remove conditions, but i have left it to the last minute due to a variety of things: money issues, busy with a new job, all excuses and i know i should have done this a while ago. But, i figured it wouldn't matter if i sent it in the beginning of the 90 day period, or near the end of it.

I was planning on mailing my application next week with the thought that it had to be in by the 27th which is cutting it close, but on time nonetheless. However, my brother passed away unexpectedly 4 days ago. I am leaving tomorrow to fly back to Canada to be with my family there. My return flight is on December 21, so my green card will be expired. I have assembled my application with necessary documents and my husband will be overnighting it on monday. I have made a duplicate copy of the entire application to carry with me when i attempt to re-enter on the 21st. What sort of problems should i expect to arise from this? Will explaining my situation help at all? I realize that even if USCIS receives my application as soon as this coming tuesday, that it will not be enough time for me to receive any sort of confirmation that my application is in process or pending.

I am hoping to find some sort of resolution when i contact USCIS on Monday. I'd hate to have to turn around and leave Canada and my family early with only a few days to visit, considering the circumstances.

Any advice is much appreciated...

Do you not carry your greencard with you at all times?? it is a condition of being a permanent resident.

Permanent Resident Card

The Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is issued to all Permanent Residents as evidence of alien registration and their permanent status in the US. The card must be in your possession at all times. This requirement means that you are not only required to have a currently valid Form I-551 at all times, but also that you must carry your currently valid Form I-551 on your person at all times. The Permanent Resident Card currently is issued with a 10-year validity. You status as a Permanent Resident does not expire with the 10-year validity. Only the card expires. The card is only valid up to the expiration date and must be renewed before it expires.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

No, I don't carry my greencard around with me. I keep it in a safe at home, along with my passport,birth certificate, and other important documents. Wether it is a requirement or not, I don't think it's smart to carry something like that around. I am a full time student, and studying massage therapy- there are days when all i have are massage classes, and all i bring with me is a tote with my sheets etc. Or when i'm in the cadaver lab, we have to leave our book bags behind in the lecture room. So i rarely even bring a wallet to school, and i just keep my drivers licence in the car. I find it highly unlikely that i would ever be in a situation where i was required by law to "show my greencard" and be in a sticky situation for not having it with me. Just my thoughts on it...

I recently took a trip back "home" to Canada for a friend's wedding. It was a last minute decision, and I was packing in a hurry. I didn't realize until after I got to Canada, that I had accidentally grabbed my work authorization card, instead of my greencard. Worried, I called USCIS and explained my situation. The woman I talked to on the phone said that I shouldn't have a problem getting back into the US, and that worst case scenario I would get a "slap on the wrist" so to speak. So when I hit customs in Vancouver on my way back to Chicago, and was asked the nature of my trip, I said that I live in Chicago with my husband. When asked for my greencard, i explained to the officer my situation. Of course, I got sent to the back room for inspection/questioning. I waited FOREVER, and had already missed my flight. When it was finally my "turn", the officer was EXTREMELY rude (what else is new). I gave him my greencard number, work authorization card, and pleaded with him that it was just an honest mistake. He told me that I would have to either pay a waiver fee to enter the US or wait in Vancouver and have my greencard sent to me. Then he told me that the fee was $550! At that point I was extremely upset that I had missed my flight and the idea of paying all that money over a simple mistake made me angry, and I just walked away. I figured it would be cheaper to get a hotel and have my husband fedex my greencard to me, than pay that stupid fee. So I went back to the airline counter to reschedule my flight, and the guy at the counter was extremely nice and realized that I was upset. He told me I could catch a redeye flight to Chicago that night, and would go through customs at O'hare instead of Vancouver, and just have my husband meet me there with my greencard. (Why couldn't the customs officer have told me that??! - hmm, maybe because they wanted that $550 out of me)

So after 13 hours in the Vancouver airport, I finally get back home, and when I got to customs in Chicago, I told the officer of my situation and that my husband should be in the airport and trying to pass on my card to someone that can bring it to the customs area. He just shook his head and stamped me through anyway. So, I went through all of that stress for nothing!

Just thought I would share the experience. I realize it was my fault for packing the wrong card, but I don't feel that the officer in Vancouver was fair at all. Just seems that all they care about is money. Next time I travel, I'll be sure to GLUE my greencard to my passport

I also am wondering if having an entry denial on my record will affect anything in the future - such as removing my two year conditions?

The day after christmas I got my approval letter. So, greencard should be arriving any day now. Took almost exactly 6 months from the time of application to be approved. Thanks everyone for all the help,advice and information. I would have been lost without this site!

Ugh...sounds aweful. Well,all I can do is hope for the best. I know I probably don't have anything to worry about,but I also didn't expect to have a problem at the interview either.

In regard to the health insurance- I did include a detailed letter with my other evidence,which included a copy of an email from my husband's insurace company quoting the premium. It would cost us over $700 a month if I was added to his plan. I also explained that I am in the process of looking for work and being selective by finding a company that offers medical benefits,or i will otherwise get my own individual plan for which i have received quotes way,way cheaper. So,hopefully my letter explaining will help.

Anyway, thanks for the info!

I had posted this in another thread but it's getting buried down the list so I thought i'd start a new topic...

Hi everyone

So I have submitted the evidence that was requested at my interview (everything but the health insurance- it would be insanely expensive for me to be put on my husbands plan,so i'm going to get my own)

My question is, what happens if I am denied? I don't see why I would be, but these things aren't gauranteed. I just want to be prepared for that possible outcome. Would I have to leave the country in a set amount of time? Stay and appeal or re-apply?

I took a risk by registering at a school (not a college)and unless I receive an approval by jan 3rd, I'll be paying a portion of my tuition with the risk of a denial and won't be able to get my money back from the school. Yes,I should wait but given the chances are greater that I will be approved, I wanted to register for January classes instead of having to wait another 6 months for the next registration period.

I'm trying to think positive about it but was just wondering what happens next IF I am denied? Thanks....

Hi everyone

So I have submitted the evidence that was requested at my interview (everything but the health insurance- it would be insanely expensive for me to be put on my husbands plan,so i'm going to get my own)

My question is, what happens if I am denied? I don't see why I would be, but these things aren't gauranteed. I just want to be prepared for that possible outcome. Would I have to leave the country in a set amount of time? Stay and appeal or re-apply?

I took a risk by registering at a school (not a college)and unless I receive an approval by jan 3rd, I'll be paying a portion of my tuition with the risk of a denial and won't be able to get my money back from the school. Yes,I should wait but given the chances are greater that I will be approved, I wanted to register for January classes instead of having to wait another 6 months for the next registration period.

I'm trying to think positive about it but was just wondering what happens next IF I am denied? Thanks....

Yeah, being told that i'm getting off easy or that how i did things was wrong,gets me a tad angry-but it's not my issue some people are mis-informed.

Sorry,but i'm from CANADA-which is in my opinion the best country in the world- i wasn't trying to jump through hoops for the "american dream"! Rather,i met a great man who happened to be american,dated for two years and during one of my many visits,i was surprised with a proposal.Oh,i should mention that he was still in his DIVORCE process at the time of my entry so i most definately planned to return home! Blah blah,i don't need to explain myself.

Anyway,yeah,i guess we will just have to to what they asked for,and if it becomes too much of a financial burden (health,car insurance) i will switch it later.

The officer DID tell us that she very much believes we are legitimate but that she just needs more sold evidence on paper before she submits the approval.

Hey everyone

So,waited over an hour in the waiting room,and interview took an hour also. The officer we got was very thorough. She went through my entire application asking questions about everything. Asked us how we first met (online) where online (chatroom) which chatroom,etc. Asked when and how my husband proposed,how and when we were married,and since we had a civil ceremony and are planning a formal wedding,asked when and where. She wanted all our evidence,so we gave her our joint cell phone bill,credit cards, utlility bill and photos(which she kept all of them)My husband has been married before so she went through his divorce documents.

Then she told me she can't accept my birth certificate because she has never seen one like that before and doesn't believe it's valid. I was little confused about that- I'm from BC and didn't realize there was another type of birth certificate (which i now know) the one i have is the smaller version which doesn't have my parent's names on it. So i called the Ministry of Health in BC and ordered the "large version" of my birth certificate to be mailed to me asap.

I don't have a car yet but drive my husband's car occasionally- and he is covered on his insurance by me driving it even though my name technically isn't on it- so she asked that my name be offically put on the car insurance.He is co-signing on a lease for a car for me soon,and i wanted to wait to get my own insurance after i build a good driving history here and am over 25 (i am 24 and under 25 insurance is alot higher) Also, i have not yet gotten health insurance here because i plan on going to college where i might get on a fairly priced medical plan,or take a job that offers medical-vs getting on my husband's health insurance that would cost $200 more a month. Still,she asked that i be put on his health insurance. He was recently divorced before him and i married and so is still ironing out kinks with his life insurance policy in regard to changing the beneficaries (plus he has kids from that marriage which further complicates things)we have been in the process of changing that,however,she also stated that it needs to be done.

The kicker of it all is that my civil surgeon made a mistake on my medical form and didn't mark off that i had the tb test-which i did- and she said that is the most vital aspect of the medical,so she couldn't accept my 693 and i have to go back to the civil surgeon and have the form redone (why didn't i get an rfe for that?)

So,i have 30 days to produce all this or i'll be denied. I'm pretty upset mostly because i have applied at a college and needed to register in december to start first week of january-i am pre-accepted but can't register without resident status. Our officer said that upon receiving this additional evidence that she could approve me within a week or up to 90 days-which means most likely i'll miss the deadline to register for school in january and have to wait.

So, i didn't want to argue at the interview about the health and car insurance- i'm hoping that sending in my proper birth certificate,medical,and the documents stating me as a beneficiary on his life ins..will be enough?

If i am denied,what happens then aside from wanting to rip my hair out?

I had to apply for the long certified copy online.

It's just a copy of what your parents filled out and stamped as a certified copy.

That's what I'm kind of worried about... the certified copy description on the website says "Certified Photocopy of Birth Registration (21.5 cm x 35.4 cm), Contains all of the information that appears on the original birth registration." Basically it is just a photocopy that has been certified. However, the Frame Certificate like what Emancipation (above) got says "Frame Certificate (21.6 cm x 17.8 cm), Contains the individual’s full name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, registration number and registration date as well as the parents’ full names and their province/state or country of birth." It would seem the Frame Certificate seems more official and should be certified. I don't understand why a xeroxed copy of the handwritten birth certificate is considered more worth certifying than the official government record of birth, haha.

Just to be safe, we're going to order the certified photocopy, but I'm nervous about it being just that: a photocopy.

How did this go for you? Meaning,was the certified copy that you ordered sufficient with all the needed details. I knew nothing about these "larger" versions and have to order one asap.

I do have my interview letter and of course can look at that for the general list... i was more curious about the duplicate of the original package sent..since i did not know this at the time of filing,i didn't make a second copy.Just curious if it matters since i will now have to print out all the forms again,fill them out..and sign them dated..today? Hope this makes sense.

Well,interview is tomorrow so off to kinko's i go to print and photocopy a billion things lol.

I know this has been covered in various posts on here,but one thing i'm still wondering is if I need to bring a replica of my entire package that i originally sent? I read that somewhere a long time ago but wanted to be sure wether or not it is necessary. Aside from that, here is a list of what i'm bringing- if anyone can tell me if i'm missing something of importance,feel free to let me know-thanks!

-My birth certificate,EAD card,SS card, new drivers licence,passport,AP document (never used), marriage licence

-My husband ( US citizen)birth certificate,drivers licence, (he doesn't have a passport) recent paystubs from his work

-He is divorced, so we will bring his divorce decree and custody papers, as well as his kids' birth certificates

- We have a joint cell phone account, I am an authorized user for one of his credit cards (will bring the visa that has my name on it) and my name is on on one of our utility bills... also some random photos

And aside from of course bringing all the letters i have received from USCIS,such as the interview letter,approval notices for EAD etc etc.... should this be enough?

If anyone can tell me for sure about bringing a copy of the entire package (all AOS forms,affidavit,EAD app,etc) I'd appreciate it...

I'll let everyone know how my Chicago interview goes next week.

Ok,thanks everyone. I can relax now

I have my EAD and can apply for my social security number now, but I have been putting it off (procrastination) ...I'm planning to register for college and start a new job in January- I've been under the assumption that the card takes about a week to come in the mail after applying,but have also heard there are backlogs and it could take months...anyone apply recently in chicago area? Or know for sure the general timeframe for this?

I am wondering if what i have for proof of relationship won't be enough. My husband and i have decided to keep things separate for now,in terms of all the utilities etc being in his name.The house we live in,he has been in for years and i didn't see it as too important to add my name on to things(plus,not having been able to work,i haven't been able to contribute) I can of course provide a ton of photos, i have bank statements for an account just in my name,addressed to our house,and the ony thing that we have that is in both our names is a cell phone account. Should this be ok? My interview is not until the end of november but i figure i should find this stuff out now, in case i will need more evidence,to add my name on to things and get a couple statements before the interview. Any thoughts?

I got an email today with an approval for EAD. Only took 70 days! So i'm happy. Does anyone know how long it takes to have the actual card in hand,from the time they send the approval letter?And after i receive that,i need to take it in to get my SSN..any idea how long that takes? Just wondering when it's safe to start applying for work.

Okay, I tried my best to update, but no highlights or anything. hope this works!

(uh.. this looked better on notepad. and I did copy/paste from the last update, so... I dunno why it looks weird. Can someone else fix the formatting?)

AND! Question: To those who received their APs, did you ever get to check your AP status online? Or did it just arrive?? TIA!

USERNAME-----------FILED--------RECEIVED--------NOA1-------BIOMETRICS---TRANSFER---INTERVIEW---APPROVED/STAMP

P.T.(K2)----------06/22/07------06/24/07------07/05/07------07/23/07---------------11/15/07---

ericalamb---------06/22/07------06/24/07------07/03/07------07/31/07--

Luz and Robin-----06/23/07------06/24/07------07/02/07------07/25/07---------------11/01/07---

Nyte--------------06/26/07------06/xx/07------07/02/07------08/01/07--

bostonparis-------06/25/07------06/26/07------07/03/07------07/27/07--

cshell------------06/25/07------06/26/07------07/03/07------07/27/07--

chinohk-----------06/27/07------06/29/07------07/10/07------07/17/07--

MsA---------------06/27/07------06/28/07------07/06/07------07/26/07--

Jup1ter-----------06/27/07------06/28/07------07/06/07------07/31/07--

JohnInSeattle-----06/27/07------06/28/07------07/09/07------07/30/07--

isismendoza-------06/28/07------06/29/07------07/09/07------07/31/07---------------09/14/07---

jw07--------------06/28/07------06/29/07------07/09/07------07/31/07--

Racer's Girl------06/28/07------07/12/07------07/--/07------07/31/07--

Mandysbaby--------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/12/07------08/10/07--

mrs.song----------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/11/07------08/03/07--

Chelseafan--------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/16/07------08/01/07---------------10/25/07---

RhondaM-----------06/29/07------07/--/07------07/16/07------

LV&LC-------------07/02/07------07/03/07------07/12/07------08/06/07---------------10/11/07

LovinJA-----------07/02/07------07/03/07------07/11/07------08/03/07---------------09/27/07

babyandherboy-----07/03/07------07/05/07------07/13/07------

Nicky44-----------07/05/07------07/09/07------07/17/07------08/16/07

silivake----------07/06/07------07/08/07------07/16/07------08/08/07--

gabytalbert-------07/06/07------07/09/07------07/16/07------08/06/07---------------09/26/07---

i adore u---------07/06/07------07/08/07------07/17/07------08/08/07--

reeses16----------07/07/07------07/09/07------07/17/07------08/15/07--

DeaniWait---------07/09/07------07/10/07------07/--/07------08/11/07--

SirLancelot-------07/10/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------09/06/07--

Nanusia&Lukasz----07/10/07------07/11/07------07/18/07------08/08/07--

Sonshyne----------07/10/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/16/07----------------10/18/07

Paulily-----------07/10/07------07/11/07------07/18/07------08/13/07----------------09/25/07

Bill and Hayley---07/10/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------08/07/07----------------10/05/07

kiwigirl224-------07/11/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------08/08/07--

divs76------------07/12/07------07/20/07------07/--/07------08/24/07--

iya---------------07/12/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/14/07----------------10/16/07

cdancer57---------07/12/07------07/13/07------07/23/07------08/14/07--

igomo-------------07/12/07------07/15/07------07/23/07------09/19/07

Cecy--------------07/13/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/22/07--

JelloShotGirl-----07/13/07------07/16/07------07/23/07------08/15/07--

CherylandMike-----07/13/07------07/15/07------07/24/07------08/10/07--

Ricardo-----------07/14/07------07/--/07------07/25/07------08/17/07--

Livingwell--------07/15/07------07/27/07

JamalNTam---------07/16/07------07/18/07------07/27/07------08/14/07--

Skeeter211--------07/16/07------07/18/07------07/26/07------08/17/07--

lirachadsbaby-----07/16/07------07/18/07------07/27/07------08-30-07--

infomon-----------07/16/07------07/17/07------07/26/07------08/18/07--

pushbrk-----------07/17/07------07/19/07------07/27/07------08/15/07--

Sol-de-Verano-----07/18/07------07/20/07------07/--/07------08/23/07--

bloom-------------07/18/07------07/--/07------xx/--/07------08/21/07--

Icarus------------07/18/07------07/--/07------07/--/07------08/31/07--

KHagen------------07/19/07------07/20/07------

ajames79----------07/19/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/25/07--

Karin und Otto----07/19/07------07/24/07------xx/--/07------09/13/07--

Griffon76---------07/20/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/29/07--

zeeofman----------07/20/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/30/07--

John&Diana--------07/21/07------

ali1978-----------07/21/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/22/07--

chloe-------------07/23/07------07/24/07------xx/--/07------09/04/07--

Bigb42------------07/23/07------07/26/07------

helzie------------07/23/07------07/25/07------

GARSEMROD---------07/23/07------07/25/07------

dee2701-----------07/24/07------07/25/07------xx/xx/07------09/07/07

Mattob------------07/24/07------07/26/07------

rno310------------07/24/07------07/25/07------

GabachaYucateca---07/24/07------07/26/07------

Swamped-----------07/24/07------07/26/07------

sk28--------------07/24/07------07/26/07------

Okay, I tried my best to update, but no highlights or anything. hope this works!

(uh.. this looked better on notepad. and I did copy/paste from the last update, so... I dunno why it looks weird. Can someone else fix the formatting?)

AND! Question: To those who received their APs, did you ever get to check your AP status online? Or did it just arrive?? TIA!

Here you go iya! I haven't looked through the past few pages to see if all the updates are here, so if anyone notices missing info, please post again and I'll try to add them. Where have Sir_Lancelot and MSA gone?

USERNAME-----------FILED--------RECEIVED--------NOA1-------BIOMETRICS---TRANSFER---INTERVIEW---APPROVED/STAMP

P.T.(K2)----------06/22/07------06/24/07------07/05/07------07/23/07---------------11/15/07---

ericalamb---------06/22/07------06/24/07------07/03/07------07/31/07--

Luz and Robin-----06/23/07------06/24/07------07/02/07------07/25/07---------------11/01/07---

Nyte--------------06/26/07------06/xx/07------07/02/07------08/01/07--

bostonparis-------06/25/07------06/26/07------07/03/07------07/27/07--

cshell------------06/25/07------06/26/07------07/03/07------07/27/07--

chinohk-----------06/27/07------06/29/07------07/10/07------07/17/07--

MsA---------------06/27/07------06/28/07------07/06/07------07/26/07--

Jup1ter-----------06/27/07------06/28/07------07/06/07------07/31/07--

JohnInSeattle-----06/27/07------06/28/07------07/09/07------07/30/07--

isismendoza-------06/28/07------06/29/07------07/09/07------07/31/07---------------09/14/07---

jw07--------------06/28/07------06/29/07------07/09/07------07/31/07--

Racer's Girl------06/28/07------07/12/07------07/--/07------07/31/07--

Mandysbaby--------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/12/07------08/10/07--

mrs.song----------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/11/07------08/03/07--

Chelseafan--------06/29/07------07/02/07------07/16/07------08/01/07---------------10/25/07---

RhondaM-----------06/29/07------07/--/07------07/16/07------

LV&LC-------------07/02/07------07/03/07------07/12/07------08/06/07---------------10/11/07

LovinJA-----------07/02/07------07/03/07------07/11/07------08/03/07---------------09/27/07

babyandherboy-----07/03/07------07/05/07------07/13/07------

Nicky44-----------07/05/07------07/09/07------07/17/07------08/16/07

silivake----------07/06/07------07/08/07------07/16/07------08/08/07--

gabytalbert-------07/06/07------07/09/07------07/16/07------08/06/07---------------09/26/07---

i adore u---------07/06/07------07/08/07------07/17/07------08/08/07--

reeses16----------07/07/07------07/09/07------07/17/07------08/15/07--

DeaniWait---------07/09/07------07/10/07------07/--/07------08/11/07--

SirLancelot-------07/10/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------09/06/07--

Nanusia&Lukasz----07/10/07------07/11/07------07/18/07------08/08/07--

Sonshyne----------07/10/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/16/07----------------10/18/07

Paulily-----------07/10/07------07/11/07------07/18/07------08/13/07----------------09/25/07

Bill and Hayley---07/10/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------08/07/07----------------10/05/07

kiwigirl224-------07/11/07------07/12/07------07/19/07------08/08/07--

divs76------------07/12/07------07/20/07------07/--/07------08/24/07--

iya---------------07/12/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/14/07----------------10/16/07

cdancer57---------07/12/07------07/13/07------07/23/07------08/14/07--

igomo-------------07/12/07------07/15/07------07/23/07------09/19/07

Cecy--------------07/13/07------07/16/07------07/24/07------08/22/07--

JelloShotGirl-----07/13/07------07/16/07------07/23/07------08/15/07--

CherylandMike-----07/13/07------07/15/07------07/24/07------08/10/07--

Ricardo-----------07/14/07------07/--/07------07/25/07------08/17/07--

Livingwell--------07/15/07------07/27/07

JamalNTam---------07/16/07------07/18/07------07/27/07------08/14/07--

Skeeter211--------07/16/07------07/18/07------07/26/07------08/17/07--

lirachadsbaby-----07/16/07------07/18/07------07/27/07------08-30-07--

infomon-----------07/16/07------07/17/07------07/26/07------08/18/07--

pushbrk-----------07/17/07------07/19/07------07/27/07------08/15/07--

Sol-de-Verano-----07/18/07------07/20/07------07/--/07------08/23/07--

bloom-------------07/18/07------07/--/07------xx/--/07------08/21/07--

Icarus------------07/18/07------07/--/07------07/--/07------08/31/07--

KHagen------------07/19/07------07/20/07------

ajames79----------07/19/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/25/07--

Karin und Otto----07/19/07------07/24/07------xx/--/07------09/13/07--

Griffon76---------07/20/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/29/07--

zeeofman----------07/20/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/30/07--

John&Diana--------07/21/07------

ali1978-----------07/21/07------07/23/07------xx/--/07------08/22/07--

chloe-------------07/23/07------07/24/07------xx/--/07------09/04/07--

Bigb42------------07/23/07------07/26/07------

helzie------------07/23/07------07/25/07------

GARSEMROD---------07/23/07------07/25/07------

dee2701-----------07/24/07------07/25/07------xx/xx/07------09/07/07

Mattob------------07/24/07------07/26/07------

rno310------------07/24/07------07/25/07------

GabachaYucateca---07/24/07------07/26/07------

Swamped-----------07/24/07------07/26/07------

sk28--------------07/24/07------07/26/07------

EDIT: Whoops, Cecy beat me to it!

I have an interview for 11/20/07..can be added to the list! Also, I was never able to check my AP online- i had gotten an rfe for the payment,and when i sent that in,it took forever for them to cash,and then immediately i received the approved AP.So i haven't even bothered yet to put it in the system.I can check everything else though,but my I-130 hasn't been touched since i sent it!

Question: I'm not sure if i will use the AP,but if i were to..what are the risks involved?I wouldn't use it if i really have to worry about being let back in- and also,is there a limit as to how long you can leave for?

Just wanted to say that i got an interview- for november 20th 07.I'm very relieved,i expected to wait alot longer.Would be nice if the EAD would come through now though..but i'm not holding my breath on that

OK..had to say "i am a retard" ...went back to my case status online where it says in CAPITAL letters no less,lol..that my case is indeed at the national service center.But still- when i check the processing times for this,they don't have 485 and I-130 listed..so i'm still confused?

This may be a stupid question...but oh well....when checking processing times, I'm pretty sure but not positive of where my case is being processed. For instance,on the uscis site there is the option of checking times for field office,service center,and national benefits center.I live in Chicago and my receipt numbers begin with MSC,referring to the national benefits center,i assume. Which would lead me to believe that i am at the national benefits center and to check those processing times-but they don't have processing times listed for 485 or I-130.Can someone clear this up for moi? Thanks

In a perfect world,i would go back to Canada,and have my husband with me.BUT(and this is a huge but) he has 3 kids from a previous marriage,has lived in the same city all his life,and is greek.Need i say more? (meaning he has a shitload of family here and they are all very close)...basically,the only reason i'd ever be living back in Canada is if my husband and I don't work out(gassssp) -no,i'm not a pessimist,but hey you nevvvver know And also,if the worst were to ever happen (divorce) i'd like to think that by that time,i'd be rooted here and while i will NEVER consider myself an American,and will always feel deep ties to Canada, once a life is routinely established,especially in terms of a career,friends,etc..it would be just as hard to leave here as it was to leave Canada.

Thing is..in terms if culture and lifestyle,things aren't so different here.So in that regard,it's not too difficult to adjust.But whenever i fly back home..i swear,as soon as i step out of the airport..there is a different feeling in the air.Maybe it's just me and i'm nuts,lol,but it's that feeling of home,and that sense of familiarity...even if I have landed in a Canadian city i'm not from.Basically,i don't feel as though i belong here.Perhaps it is because right now, i don't have any freedom in terms of working,school,or really any normal freedom i would have in Canada such as establishing credit-which not being able to do that here right now causes so many limitations. But in the grand scheme of things,none of these things even remotely compare in level of importance to what i feel for my husband,and the happiness that our relationship alone brings me. I know he would never leave where we are,so i have to accept that.Krispy Kreme is pretty damn good,though nothing beats a snack pack of timbits..but it would take a pretty drastic set of circumstances to get me to go back to wonderful Canada.

I had received an rfe for my payment of the AP (accidentally wrote the check for 130 instead of 170)..i had gotten this in the mail right around the same time as my NOA1's for AOS,EAD,and the I-130. Anyway,i sent back the proper check,and this was over 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately i didn't get a tracking number when i mailed it so i have no way of knowing that it made it there ok-the check still hasn't been cashed,and i'm wondering if something could be wrong? I know they are really busy right now,but i'm sure they wouldn't procrastinate cashing my money ..I just wonder if i should be worried? I am in the system and can check the status for AOS,EAD,and the I-130,although my 485 and 130 haven't been touched since july 14th, and EAD touched aug 1st,most likely because of my bio appt the day before,but since i received the rfe for AP before i received a receipt number,i have no way of checking what is going on with it.

My second Q, would my other apps be affected by a hold up with AP? I assume they are separate and that if by chance my AP rfe response never did make it to them,the other cases would still continue on processing as normal?

Thanks in advance for any input!

I am also Canadian,and the last time i entered,my passport was merely glanced at,wasn't even scanned. I have since gotten married to my USC husband,filed I-130,485,EAD,and AP. If i were you,i would not file the I-130 alone and wait for that to be approved before filing for AOS.Send everything together.

Every Canadian that has replied to you in this thread is correct

Oh-and another thing- once you are married,and especially after you have filed- her status will be pending and once her 6 months are "up" she will not be illegally overstaying,in fact if she were to return back to canada her case will be considered abandoned,and she would also have a hell of a time getting back in.File everthing,and it's all a waiting game-but do not have her go back to Canada,unless she files for and is granted Advanced Parole.

Well,i can log in and check for the AOS,EAD,and I-130. But because i was given an rfe for the AP right away(wrong amount on check)i still haven't received a receipt number for it,so i guess that answers my question,and i will just keep waiting for that..(and i have yet to see if the proper check has since been cashed-guess that is step 1 to find out) but i also meant in regards to an rfe for an app i already have a receipt # for..such as the AOS..i was asked to resend tax info,so i did,but online the case is still "received and pending" and i was curious as to wether a notice would be mailed to me confirming that they have received what they asked me to re-send them. Does that make sense? Man,i thought that once the paperwork was done,that the confusion would be over..lol.