Wouter

There may be some other criteria to consider:
When your parent naturalizes to become a US citizen and you are a child, still under the age of 18, you will automatically become a US citizen if you were living in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of that parent, and provided you already had a green card (lawful permanent residence) at that time.

Wow Really? here in America and not only but in the world  there are people don't know how to write and read. that why please stop judging others and just say thanks God to make you who you are now. thanks to understand 

I did decide to hire a lawyer and this was my thinking:
Doing something complex for the first time without experience, for something that is very important in your life and that has little margin for error, is a considerable risk. Yes you can research everything yourself and there is some good information out there, but you will also encounter conflicting, outdated, and sometimes even plain wrong information. It takes a lot of time and in the end nobody will take responsibility for the advice they give you (nor should you expect them to). By hiring a lawyer you have somebody with a fiduciary obligation to help you and properly advise you, someone who has done this many times before and knows the landscape, the pitfalls, the "do"s and "don't"s. Hiring a lawyer does not prevent you from learning and educating yourself on this topic too so you can still be very much involved and on top of everything that is going on, ask good questions, make informed decisions, and even possibly catch mistakes. And one last consideration; a lawyer is someone you can confide in and discuss all options with no matter how crazy because your communication is confidential and protected,, while whatever you write on a message board is public information and can always be discovered.
Of course a lawyer costs money and some immigration lawyers are better than others, but if you can afford it and you do some due diligence on selecting a reputable and experienced lawyer, I believe it is worth it and will reduce your risk and stress.
In the end I just thought: if I do it all myself it may work out and then I would have saved myself some money, but if I mess it up because of my inexperience and my wife's immigration gets delayed or even derailed because of a mistake or lack of knowledge, how angry would I be with myself? How much I would then be willing to pay to fix the problem I would have created but then it may be too late, or much harder to fix.
So I did both: hired a lawyer AND spend my time researching and educating myself. It is just that important to me.
 

See this picture I attached. It is an email from the embassy. The last line in that paragraph is what I am asking about. Sorry for confusion.

I’m not sure why it’s phrased that way on the website. The requirements as listed on the DS11 passport form are more accurate. The need for the marriage certificate is if parents are still married - as that is accepted as proof of custody (required for acquiring citizenship under ina320). If you are no longer married to the mother, the marriage certificate is not necessary, but you will need legal documentation to show at least joint custody (is she also a citizen now btw? If you’re both citizens the custody issue becomes moot)
 
From page 2 of the DS11:
If you claim citizenship through naturalization of parent(s) Submit the Certificate(s) of Naturalization of your parent(s), your foreign birth certificate (and official translation if the document is not in English), proof of your admission to the United States for permanent residence, and your parents' marriage/certificate and/or evidence that you were in the legal and physical custody of your U.S. citizen parent, if applicable.

 

I always thought that LPR and USC was very equivalent for people living and planning to stay in the US. I would probably become a USC at some point but there was no hurry. Virtually the same rights (except being able to vote) and obligations (serving on a Jury). That was until Covid happened while President Trump was in power. Suddenly a distinction was made for immigration (immigration visas for spouse of LRP was blocked but not blocked for spouse of USC). I thought, OK that is for immigration, but if you are inside the country there is still little difference. Then Trump tried to force students on F-1 visas who were already inside the US but who did not have in-person classes to leave. This was later reversed under pressure of the universities but this was the first time I saw an attempt to force non-citizens who were legally residing in the country to leave. Of course this is still several steps from LPRs but I suddenly could imagine that renewal of Green Cards could become an issue if for example unemployment would go high enough. I concluded that as long everything goes well and there is enough going around for everyone it doesn't make that much difference if you are a citizen or not. But when there is a crisis, when resources become scarce, when 'push comes to shove', I believe it will be citizens before non-citizens. (And we can debate whether that is actually reasonable or not, but it doesn't alter that this would be the case.) So this really made it clear for me; I better become a citizen when I can.
 

I always thought that LPR and USC was very equivalent for people living and planning to stay in the US. I would probably become a USC at some point but there was no hurry. Virtually the same rights (except being able to vote) and obligations (serving on a Jury). That was until Covid happened while President Trump was in power. Suddenly a distinction was made for immigration (immigration visas for spouse of LRP was blocked but not blocked for spouse of USC). I thought, OK that is for immigration, but if you are inside the country there is still little difference. Then Trump tried to force students on F-1 visas who were already inside the US but who did not have in-person classes to leave. This was later reversed under pressure of the universities but this was the first time I saw an attempt to force non-citizens who were legally residing in the country to leave. Of course this is still several steps from LPRs but I suddenly could imagine that renewal of Green Cards could become an issue if for example unemployment would go high enough. I concluded that as long everything goes well and there is enough going around for everyone it doesn't make that much difference if you are a citizen or not. But when there is a crisis, when resources become scarce, when 'push comes to shove', I believe it will be citizens before non-citizens. (And we can debate whether that is actually reasonable or not, but it doesn't alter that this would be the case.) So this really made it clear for me; I better become a citizen when I can.
 

Yes of course. With my wife in Russia do you think I don't follow all the news and developments with Russia?
Putin restricted the number of Russian staff the US embassy is allowed to employ. So this was exactly Putin's intention and the Biden administration are playing into it. Because this mainly hurts US citizens in Russia and US citizens waiting for family immigration, and Russians with an interest in America. Blinken could have decided to counter this move by Putin by sending some more staff to allow US Citizens to be able to renew their passports and for immigration visa processing  to continue, or to divert consular services to other embassies in neighboring countries. The Kremlin and regular Russians are applauding this.

Sending some more staff might be not as easy as it seems. Both countries are capped on the number of accredited staff. I believe it's some 450 currently. Russian nationals the US Embassy previously employed were mostly supportive staff -- secretaries, accountants, engineers, drivers, etc. In the 2010s the US Embassy in Moscow employed as many as up to 1000 Russians. With the new employment ban, the US is going to use its quota to bring electricians and plumbers to take care of the Embassy compound. Besides, I can expect Russians to drag their feet with issuing visas to Americans going to the Moscow assignment. The whole situation with bilateral relationship is just so depressing at this time (((
I sympathize with you and I am very sorry about what your family is going through. Wish you to reunite ASAP. 

This is really devastating for all family immigration from Russia. Having slow visa processing is one thing, but to have it completely shut down indefinitely  is shocking and on another level of despair. They will have to be more flexible in allowing cases to be transferred, I hope. Please do let us know if your transfer request is successful, good luck!
 

This is really devastating for all family immigration from Russia. Having slow visa processing is one thing, but to have it completely shut down indefinitely  is shocking and on another level of despair. They will have to be more flexible in allowing cases to be transferred, I hope. Please do let us know if your transfer request is successful, good luck!
 

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

Thank you for sharing, this is incredibly encouraging to hear. Every little spark of hope based on real events helps.

@David and Anna agreed, I should have clarified - certainly we don't know the details and can't judge how good their medical documentation is. I meant to say, I am sure that USCIS / DOS look at the quality of the documentation before granting expedites.
 
My opinion is, frivolous expedite requests hurt everybody because someone in USCIS / DOS has to spend time that could have been better spent processing legitimate expedite requests / otherwise normal workload. But I agree, if someone believes they have a valid reason to expedite, they should certainly try.

Thanks. It originally showed December 2020 in February and then shifted to January 2021 in March and it has been there ever since. Not sure what to think of it. 

One thing you may point out to your (soon to be ex) husband to consider is that if he eventually wants to apply for US citizenship, proper and timely payment of child support is one of the criteria.

One thing you may point out to your (soon to be ex) husband to consider is that if he eventually wants to apply for US citizenship, proper and timely payment of child support is one of the criteria.

One thing you may point out to your (soon to be ex) husband to consider is that if he eventually wants to apply for US citizenship, proper and timely payment of child support is one of the criteria.

I haven't heard a peep from USCIS since I did my biometrics in January this year (applied in Dec 2019). I am wondering if the San Francisco office is just more overloaded than other places. Although I'm happy to hear others are getting their interviews it's frankly disheartening to hear people who applied in May are already getting their interview in other parts of the country. Feels like being stuck in a dead end.

Yes, your Representative in the House represents everyone who lives in her/his district, and every Senator represents everyone who lives in their state. It is a basic right for everyone who lives in the US to write their Congress(wo)man and Senators to bring things to their attention, give your opinion, and ask them for their help and involvement.
Note on the side: This is also why the census (which is now ongoing, please participate!) counts everyone who lives in the US, not just citizens. There is no question on the census that asks you whether you are a citizen or LPR or anything like that. The census numbers are used to draw congressional districts because the representatives for those districts represent everyone who lives there.
Also remember, even if as a non-citizen you can't vote you probably still pay taxes and Congress decides what happens to your tax money so they should at least be willing to listen to your opinion!

If you want to make it political then please be at least honest about it and don't say "not to get political" and then use pejorative terms like "bleeding hearts". It is also not true that Democrats have not touched the funding request. From what I have been reading there are concerns among Democrats in Congress that the DHS under Trump is using USCIS money for ICE and other purposes that it was not supposed to be used for and that this is why USCIS has run out of money. So they are looking for stronger guarantees from DHS that the funding will go to pay for USCIS employees salaries and not building a pointless wall.
However, regardless of your political position, Democrat or Republican, even a bipartisan majority will be fine to get USCIS the emergency funding it needs because this shutdown will affect everyone with an ongoing USCIS petition. So write your members of Congress to let them know you would like for them to support this bill.

If you want to make it political then please be at least honest about it and don't say "not to get political" and then use pejorative terms like "bleeding hearts". It is also not true that Democrats have not touched the funding request. From what I have been reading there are concerns among Democrats in Congress that the DHS under Trump is using USCIS money for ICE and other purposes that it was not supposed to be used for and that this is why USCIS has run out of money. So they are looking for stronger guarantees from DHS that the funding will go to pay for USCIS employees salaries and not building a pointless wall.
However, regardless of your political position, Democrat or Republican, even a bipartisan majority will be fine to get USCIS the emergency funding it needs because this shutdown will affect everyone with an ongoing USCIS petition. So write your members of Congress to let them know you would like for them to support this bill.

Interesting, thanks for posting.
I also found this: https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-fortenberry-introduce-emergency-funding-legislation-to-save
Not sure if this bill is going anywhere but I like that it is being introduced by two Representatives: a Republican and a Democrat .
Keep emailing your Congress(wo)man and Senators. If you need to find out who they are, look here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
(Any US resident can send an email to their representative, you don't have to be a US citizen!)

https://www.afge.org/article/bipartisan-bill-introduced-to-fund-uscis-to-avoid-furloughs/

Interesting, thanks for posting.
I also found this: https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-fortenberry-introduce-emergency-funding-legislation-to-save
Not sure if this bill is going anywhere but I like that it is being introduced by two Representatives: a Republican and a Democrat .
Keep emailing your Congress(wo)man and Senators. If you need to find out who they are, look here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
(Any US resident can send an email to their representative, you don't have to be a US citizen!)