mam521

@Sixt please fill out your timeline https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=484116

My mom has worked in a nursing home for many, many years and she'd said the same - he was too "puffy" she said. A bit prophetic that he passed after the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for a new pontiff to be named. Pope Francis diversified the number of cardinals to include more representation from Asian countries.

Not quite saying the same thing. A petition is filed to USCIS who determines if the beneficiary meets the requirements; it's approved and sent to DOS. DOS interviews and verifies information is correct and true and then issues a visa. CBP determines admissibility - they ensure that the person attempting to enter the US has either a visa, permanent resident status or are a citizen, aren't bringing weapons and aren't a terrorist threat. CBP determine class of admission based on information provided by DOS in the case of people who require visas and verifying those documents aren't counterfeit. They should not be changing the class of admittance because they are there to enforce the law based on the information presented. Have you ever heard of a CBP officer changing a non-immigrant visa to an immigrant class? Nope, because it's not within their jurisdiction of the law. There may well be some anecdotal cases of CBP admitting a CR-1 as an IR-1, but more often than not, CBP are going to go with what the DOS issued visa says. They can enforce what is in front of them. If the visa says CR-1, that's what they should admit on. If CBP believe a permanent resident is in violation of the terms and conditions of their permanent residency, CBP may request the PR surrender their greencard, detain and/or issue a NTA, but they cannot take that PR away. Only an immigration judge can remove one's permanent resident status. CBP screw up all the time, too. I've been incorrectly statused by CBP. I was admitted as a visitor, despite having a valid L-1. I had to find a deferred inspection site to get my I-94 fixed. USCIS sent an CR-2 statused GC for Kid2. I had to send an I-90 to get it changed to an IR-2. Even funnier is they sent a notification to hubs to remember to remove conditions, despite having already issued the IR-2 greencard. So, clearly no communication. No government agency scores a perfect 100. Too many communication silos and points of failure. Top of the list though, seems to be the SSA. Their own staff haven't read the application form for a SSN where it states a MRIV is proof of status. Many believe they need an actual greencard in hand to issue said SSN.

I spoke with the CBP agent and requested to be statused as an IR-1. I was told straight up it is not their determination. It falls to what is printed on the visa issued by DoS and the rest comes down to USCIS. CBP will enforce what has been previously determined and that's as far as it goes. CBP do not make changes to immigrant visa types; they enforce laws including immigration and drug laws and secure borders at POE's, but it's USCIS who adjudicate the petitions and determine the type and eligibility of immigration status.

8 years doesn't matter. Refused is refused. Best to just declare and prevent any confusion.

At time of interview and issued visa were CR-1. We entered 1 day after our 2nd wedding anniversary and received greencards as IR-1's. CBP has nothing to do with determining what status you enter on - they follow orders, verify your documents and send you on your way. USCIS issues the greencards, verifying status. If you do enter after your 2nd anniversary and you get a CR greencard, you file an I-90 to have it changed. It was me and my 2 kids that entered, and 2 out of the 3 of us had the correct status; one did not and that I-90 filing fixed it. Pretty rare and unusual that a CBP officer would allow your spouse to enter as a visitor. I've only ever heard it happening like once and it was a Canadian who used to travel regularly by land to visit their spouse, so they essentially had a well established rapport with the border crossing agents. In today's climate, yeah, not happening I'd say.

The other advantage, in your case, with a CR1 is you'd not only be able to travel to visit him while your case is pending, but once your case was complete, you'd enter the US as a greencard holder, which means you can also travel back to Canada at your leisure AND you can work straight away. So no restrictions on getting your SSN, no restrictions on getting your license, no full and complete dependency on your spouse. It's likely a bigger deal than you even realize, especially because you're used to commuting to visit one another. If you enter the US before your 2 year anniversary, you'll still have to remove conditions. Or, if your visa is issued close to that 2 year mark and you can hold out crossing until even 1 day after your 2 year anniversary, you'll get an unrestricted, 10 year greencard. Regardless, CR-1 requires less fees to be paid to USCIS than a K-1.

That just makes me feel so ill...there's a special place for people who abuse animals and kiddos...

@Single-spite, @samq26, @Panda_, please help the community out and help yourselves with more precise answers by filling out your timelines.

I know you're asking about a license, but is there a particular reason you're applying for a K1? Have you considered going the spousal route of a CR1?

I naturalized in 2023 and had to show my certificate and then received the new card, same number. @OldUser I think you naturalized more recently. What steps did you take? @MTGentleman glad to hear you stood your ground and got it sorted! I wish more people would admit they don't know and ask someone who does...the SSA guy could have saved egg on his face if he'd just have spoken to a supervisor!

If you were handed a DS-5535 in March, it would be REALLY surprising to see it come through the system that quickly. All DS-5535's go through a central adjudication center and aren't handled locally, as I understand it. Not to be a negative Nelly, but rather to be realistic, if you look at the spreadsheet, I don't think anyone has gone less than 3 months for a decision in essentially forever. It's more like 6mo+. There will be other factors for consideration too. Things like what is your educational background (TAL or not)? Where have you traveled to in the past and what was your purpose there? What is your family heritage? Do you have a common name? Fingers crossed it goes quickly for you.

At least citizenship is easy, relatively speaking!

Were you actually issued and submitted a DS-5535 or are you in regular AP?

Our greencards took over 170 days. I did send an inquiry because it was ridiculous. Then, one of them was statused incorrectly. The online account isn't useless...it does let you see if the card has been printed and mailed. It serves for sending traceable inquiries. It also serves as the place to file future petitions. It's definitely useless when it comes to estimating timelines. It is handy, though, if you have access, especially in cases like this where someone has no idea if their card has even been printed. It's unfortunate that they weren't granted an access code.

I think I've filled all the USCIS forms, of which there have been many, the same way @Edward and Jaycel did. Multiple petitions, no issues. If you're really worried, convert it all into inches.

@CinderSoul & @Coco8, please do the community a favor and fill out your timelines. I don't know if you're Apple users and if the fees are any less? Hubs used to send money to me that way - Apple Pay. Wise is another low fee way and it's pretty easy to use. Hubs and only have one shared credit card. The rest of our finances are separate. We are, however, listed as beneficiaries on pension and retirement accounts, life insurance and other accounts that aren't so easy to change a beneficiary on. We had shared vehicle insurance and house insurance. We had no issues with USCIS or DoS. Due to your awareness, I suspect you'll find ways that will be sufficient proof once you're together. Until then, don't stress!

In the article, it states it won't mail them to "newly naturalized citizens"...uh, I dunno about anyone else here, but I had to make an appointment and march my happy behind into a SSA office to show them my Certificate of Naturalization, proving I was now a citizen. I've never heard of them sending new SSN's to newly naturalized citizens. Anyone else get a new SSN upon naturalization previously? I'm curious now!

My husband refers to those types of workers as "jobsworth types". Lovely, eh? One issue is that many of the jobsworth types don't even understand the instructions, which say you can apply as long as you have an endorsed, machine readable I-551, which is what you'll have in your passport. I dealt with that with getting my kids' SSN's. In the meantime, you can still get a job, etc with that endorsed I-551. Just familiarize yourself with the I-9 rules because many HR people don't appear to be. They think you require it when the instructions clearly state you do not require to start work. Hopefully, this won't end up being a super painful, drawn out thing. Hard to judge in the current climate!

The covid vaccine is no longer a requirement: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/cdc-removes-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-for-immigrant-visa-applicants.html#:~:text=CDC Removes COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Immigrant Visa Applicants,-Last Updated%3A March&text=Effective March 11%2C 2025%2C CDC,receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

I'm chuckling...DPS in Texas is not a fun time and I wouldn't go there 🤣 But, you're right...going through this step equals obtaining this document. Anyway, @Good4U, any time your case moves, those notices come up. It could be the stack of cases for the interviewing officer was being prepared. You can think of those action alerts kind of like a package from UPS or FedEx where it gets scanned every time it moves. Your file is on the move until you and the interviewing officer meet face to face. Nothing to panic about . Good luck in your interview🍀

But do they set them on fire before they fling em? 🤔

Nah...dog. Dog's eat their vomit. And the cat's, too. Ok now, back to regular scheduled programming...😸

@Neonred she's cute!

I realize the satire here but Danica Patrick ruins any F1 race she attempts to commentate or interview at. AWFUL. Mute the television bad. Rachel Brookes, Natalie Pinkham, Bernie Collins - all do a great job. Danica - hard pass.