PGA

Yes, but the $330 is only if you actually are awarded correct? An application fee could be some big money. If you're saying $170 to apply and then $330 additional if you actually win, count me in! I like that idea.

Well, I was going to respond that maybe it's this kind of thinking that has us over $37t in debt; but now I'm thinking maybe a $20 fee is more appropriate - speaking of lottery, some scratchers are $50 now. Anyway, $1 definitely seems too low considering there is an application, a web portal, a computer system, database, etc., that all needs to be designed and maintained.

Excellent point. Now, we just need to implement an additional $5000 "adjustment of status fee" so maybe people will stop changing their intent at baggage claim. 😝

Looked up address, it's the Cloud One hotel in NY. In addition to the inaccuracies, my concern would also be if this same agency uses that address for every single client, I would think the COs would start to get a bit suspicious.

Yeah, but if you think about how many applications they receive every year it's some pretty decent bank - 11.8 million applications for 2021. Yes, I know $11.8 million in government terms is not much but maybe it's this type of thinking that needs to be fixed.

OK, as i suspected, the typical accuracy of government timelines we've all come to know and love.

Just curious for the Ft Myers people, when you all login to your myUSCIS account and look at the progress tab, what is the time estimate given?

I'm just gonna ask here. How on Earth does someone, or multiple people in this case, apply for a tourist visa and then wait 6, 8, 10 months for an interview to "escape some fear of threat from their government, etc.," get approved for a tourist visa and then claim "asylum?" As a side note here, my Peruvian wife has been watching the case of the Peruvian with the food truck that was recently put in "Alligator Alcatraz," who apparently is also claiming "asylum" and I'm sorry, I lived in Peru for 12 years and there is no more danger (probably less actually), than living in Chicago. Even many Peruvians think this is fraud.

Terrible example really, "a tiny harmless ant" like a bulldog ant? or a supercolony of argentine ants? We either have rules and laws that apply to everyone or we don't; the minute we start making exceptions, the "harmless ant" is soon followed by an entire colony of ants, who are then followed by serpents using the precedents set by the ant.

Sorry, yes it was an Application Support Center ....seems like a lot of space for not a lot of activity.

We applied N400 - Ft Myers. Went for biometrics and the whole place was virtually empty. Seems like it will be a slow process.

Yeah, but bear in mind, this can only be done with a paper application and not online which is something to consider.

Maybe as many as those who visit and and then "change their mind" and decide to AOS.

My number 1 recommendation: DO NOT BRING FOOD IN. This draws extra scrutiny; a lot of people like to bring food in from their home countries and though some items are allowed, it's really not worth the risk. If bringing food is a must make sure it complies with the rules, have a list of food items ready, and be sure to answer YES when they ask if you are travelling with any food items.

Not Palau specific, but if you've never read the series, I strongly recommend the travel writings of J. Marteen Troost, particularly The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Getting Stoned with Savages and Head Hunters on My Doorstep.

Funny, I used to go with friends out drinking at a Chinese restaurant/bar in Massachusetts on many a weekend prior to my 21st birthday and never got asked for an ID. We went there on the evening of my 21st birthday and when I ordered, they finally asked for my ID 🤷‍♂️.

I have a game called "Mow-the-Lawn" and oddly, nobody ever wants to play with me. 😢

Yes, and protein powder often draws a lot of unwanted scrutiny. Though the thing I am questioned about far, far more than anything is cigarettes.....every single time.

Another point too is not to carry a ton of luggage with you. We didn't need a layover at FLL fortunately but since we were all moving from Peru we had a ton of suitcases. The officer though was pretty accommodating and said in order to save us (and them I'm sure) a lot of time he would send my wife to secondary and (since my daughter and I are US citizens) we could go through with all of the luggage and meet her outside. So my tip: don't travel with all your worldly possessions on the initial trip and especially no food, no plants, no cigarettes, or anything else that may arouse suspicion .

Just out of curiosity here because it wasn't mentioned, but did you fill out and submit the "Privacy Act Consent Form" for the senator's office?

Interesting... our child is covered under my wife's employment plan. I am only on her dental plan because I have my own medical (and my dental plan stinks).

First, don't believe all the stuff you see on social media. Second, as someone married to a Peruvian, tell her not to stuff her luggage with a bunch of Peruvian foods; I can personally attest that this can bring unwanted attention and cause significant delays 🫣.

Yeah you're right. Even worse. 😁

We have been working on our application the last few days to prepare to file later this year. I am slightly uncomfortable with submitting all our joint bank (or any bank/credit card) information to some nameless person sitting in a cubicle, whether at USCIS or anywhere else (I know, I know, we did it during the IR-1 process and I'm still uncomfortable with that). Now you have me worried that what we did add wasn't enough. So far we have - child's birth certificate - copy of our auto insurance cards for last (almost) 3 years - lease documents for last (almost) 3 years - 2024 MFJ return transcript, 2023 MFS return transcript (w/copy of amended return to explain why it was changed to MFS), 2022 MFJ return transcript. That's it....any opinions, suggestions?

I just checked. The answers are different on the app - on pdf its any of the options provided constitute a correct answer whereas the app is either one right answer or an "all of the above" choice.