Sky007

Hey guys!!!

We have received our green card today in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!!! :dance: :dance:

It's been sent on March 11 and got here on March 13!! Free for 21 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, the date on the green card is the next day after interview

Good luck to the rest of you!

I got mine today too! :dance: :dance: it was sent on March 11 as well, but mine has the day of the interview as a issued/expiration date. No more USCIS until Nov/10

Congratulations!!!!

Hey guys!!!

We have received our green card today in the mail!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!!! :dance: :dance:

It's been sent on March 11 and got here on March 13!! Free for 21 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, the date on the green card is the next day after interview

Good luck to the rest of you!

No, I havent, I thought I was going to get it this past week, but nothing yet, the officer said I was going to get the GC in 2-3 weeks, but at this rate, I guess is going to take longer!, sigh.

I hope it will happen soon for both of us!!

Should be somewhere in the mail already!

Good luck!

and let us know once you receive it!

Ok, we have some news!!

Welcome Letter issued on March 2 and received by mail on March 6.

Whoooohooooooooooo!!!!! :dance: :dance:

No, I havent, I thought I was going to get it this past week, but nothing yet, the officer said I was going to get the GC in 2-3 weeks, but at this rate, I guess is going to take longer!, sigh.

I hope it will happen soon for both of us!!

Should be somewhere in the mail already!

Good luck!

and let us know once you receive it!

Congratulations!!!

I had my interview on the same office on the 23rd, it was quite crowded we had to wait an hour pass our interview but it was such a good experience. Our officer did not look at my medical exam thought, I guess it depends on the officer. Have you received your Welcome letter yet?.

no, no yet

how about you?

We had our interview on Feb 19th at Dallas Field Office (now in Irving).

And we were approved!!!!!!

We arrived there about 40 min before our appointment. Went through all the checks, then to the second floor. Gave our invitation to a lady and received number 50 to wait. The place was pretty much packed and got busier in a little while.

We were called by the officer about 20 min after our appointment time. He took us to his office and started an interview without even checking our ID's and making us to swear on oath. That was a little strange.

But the guy was pretty nice. He said that our interview would go in 2 parts, first - he is going to check all the documents he had in our case to see if there is anything missing and check our names spelling and dates, second and last - we will have to show proves of our marriage.

He went through all the documents, yes/no questions, then my vaccination paper cought his attention (we decided to go with the one I've got in Russia when my medical exam was done, DS-2035) but he said he was going to go back to that later.

Then he asked for our pictures to prove our marriage. We gave him all of our 4 big photo albums with pictures from before wedding, lots of pictures of our wedding and pictures after and up to Valentine's Day. He looked through all of them asking questions once in a while. Then he said that he is sure that we are happily married couple and that that would be enough. That was a big surprize because we had 2 more plastic bags with all possible documents we could have and copies of them just in case. He didn't ask for any single document out of those.

Then he went back to my vaccination supplement and said we will have to go to an approved doctor and have it transferred. He was nice enough to print a list of doctors in that area and gave us a paper so we could come back the same day.

And that we did. We had a little troubles findning a doctor to only transfer my shots because most of them wanted the whole new medical exam for $300-400. Finally, we found one doctor and got it done for $25. And it was so funny.. she said that I would need an HPV vaccine or whatever it's called.. and I was afraid of that. But we still decided to try to say that since I had my medical in this last year and before that new vaccine was implemented that I don't need it. She easily agreed and put a mark across Age Inapropriate. That was nice of her. Then she said that I didn't have anything about chicken pox and was asking me if I had it as a child, if I did I wouldn't need anything, if I didn't - I would need a shot. But silly me.. I said "no, I don't remember having it!".. then my husband said that he remembered my mom talking about me having it.. and doctor suggested we call my mom to ask. That was pretty funny. She left a room and when came back we said that I had it. She completed the supplement and let us go:)))

All in all..

we got back to the officer. He came out to the waiting room, opened the envelope, was satisfied and said that we were good and he would send our case out the same day.

I asked about when we would get a greencard and he said to wait for it in the mail within 6 weeks.

He didn't mention removing conditions or anything else.

That was our experience!

But it sure feels nice to be over with it!!

I think it sucks, though, when people intentionally lie and break the law just so they don't have to be apart, while those that follow the law get the crappy end of the deal. Why do some people think they are so special that they should be above the law?

You'd be surprised just how well consular officers in American embassies around the world can spot people with alternative intentions.

I have met several women who intended to come here for just that reason, and they weren't issued visas. In fact, they are especially suspicious in certain regions of the world. (Having lived in one of those, I've met many people turned down with both good intentions and fraudulant intentions--male and female.)

Why has everyone in the post assumed the person visiting the US intended fraud?

Well...it worked out the same for me, we came to America on vacation and decided to stay. I decided to go back to school...preferred her to stay here with me as we haven't been apart in many years.

We found out that we could do it. The way it was stated to us was that you aren't really supposed to do it that way. But, of course, that's what we were told by the same people that we should have done.

I am the person that started this thread. I wanted opinions and I got them. I wanted to know if anyone else had done this or if anyone wished they had...and sure, there are both.

I also wanted to know if people thought that the price increases would encourage more people to go around the K1/K3 visa process.

However, I had already sent my fiancée back home before I joined this forum. We did come here for a vacation, and we got it, and did what we came for...only plans changed--I didn’t leave and she couldn't stay.

[Now I know she could have.]

Others insist that if I didn't want to pay, then I shouldn’t be married. Well, my relationship has been going for years (most of it now living together). I never said I couldn't or wouldn't pay...I said it was an expensive process and getting more expensive. Skipping straight to an AOS wouldn't have cut much of that price. It wasn't an issue.

As I said before, I wouldn't fault anyone for getting married here on any visa and hoping right to an AOS. I have met people who have.

As for encouraging illegal immigration...well, it's interesting to hear what America thinks. (I've been assimilated elsewhere and have only seen news or heard ranting from a few.) I still feel that immigration in this case is different from people coming here just for work or lifestyle…it’s about love and relationships. This has been a good thread to find out which is really more important in the eyes of this forum’s members.

All I can say about that is that I don't agree. Law is supposed to be for and by the people as a social contract protecting the rights of others by limiting the rights of one. However, while I love my country and moved because it made my wife/girlfriend (one country it's wife/this one it's girlfriend), I won't say that my country or countries laws are infalible.

I also don't fault those who follow every letter of the law and won't through rude comments towards those who do or don't. Some laws, when broken, cause little harm. Other laws are actually for the protection of the one and the society and thus I can agree with.

Then, I've never been one to follow blindly anyway...but that's me.

[Other rude or abusive comments above that were directed toward my person I will ignore.]

People don't have to blindly follow the law, but if they get caught for visa fraud, they have no one to blame but themselves. I remember reading a post not too long ago about a woman who was exiled from the country for 10 years because she married while petioning for a K1 visa, then entered the country on the K1 visa. I'm sure alot of the posters on here remember that, it wasn't too long ago. I'm not sure how that turned out.

If you know the law and then choose not to follow it, its on your own head what happens to you. It might just be me, but getting my loved one here safely and legally is worth being apart for several months. It might cost more, but I'll get peace of mind, too. I won't have to worry about keeping my lies straight or worrying that they'll realize what I'm doing.

There are ways to go about changing laws, but I don't think visa fraud is one of them. What people do and how they do it is their own choice, we're just posting how we feel about. That's what we were asked to do. When you ask a question on here you're going to get some comments you really like, and others you really don't. It's just part of the process. In the end what you do is totally up to you. If following the letter of the law isn't high on your priority list, that's fine. Apparently it is to alot of people on this forum, though, which can easily be seen by the number of visa petitions filed for fiance/spouses. These people could have just as easily lied on a non immigrant visa and said they spontaneously decided to get married. They didn't, though, soo the odds are you're going to get alot of people very much against it.

Sorry if you thought we were insulting you, I for one was not. I was simply telling you my thoughts on the situation.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

Thanks!

Actually, my decision was made before I joined this forum. We had sent her back about a month ago to get a different visa. (The first visa was just for vacation and so she could visit my family and meet others that she hadn't already.) Her entering on the current visa would not be visa fraud...and officials were asking why we didn't just marry before or while she was here. But she would have had to go whether we did or not--due to other obligations both familial and monetary.

I was curious, especially after I see these new prices.

I already knew about all possible consequences (10 years and possible 3 years in some circumstances)...but it is certainly tempting [especially when there are a lot of illegals here who just come and never have to leave]. In my case, it's doubtful that we would have had any problems via what many are calling a "loophole". But we had already decided not to utilize it before we came to America (as I moved back in June and she went back again in June...I haven't even been a member here that long).

No, you weren't rude...someone else made a direct comment. I never expect opinions to be pretty...especially if asked for.

And Thanks again for your opinion.

In my opinion...I don't think I could fault anyone for trying.

The phrase "illegal immigration" is such a fun one to banter about these days in the American political discourse. In the context of most of our immigraiton journeys, however, I think it's basically inapplicable - at least insofar as the scary scary connotations it carries, with images of terrorists or people forging the Rio Grande in the dark of night.

Illegal immigration takes many non-scary forms, many are not terrorists or people forging the Rio Grande in the dark.

If they enter with the "intent" to marry, we here are quick to call it fraud. But how much of the really meat-and-potatoes laws are being violated? If a couple continues to live in the US with one-half illegally present, having failed to adjust status, that's a lot worse, but it's also a totally different situation.

But merely skipping the I-129F part? The separation? The pointlessness of it all? It may be against the letter of the laws, but if status is properly adjusted after married, is the spirit wholly violated as well?

That is all that matters. It is against the law.

All I can say about that is that I don't agree. Law is supposed to be for and by the people as a social contract protecting the rights of others by limiting the rights of one. However, while I love my country and moved because it made my wife/girlfriend (one country it's wife/this one it's girlfriend), I won't say that my country or countries laws are infalible.

I also don't fault those who follow every letter of the law and won't through rude comments towards those who do or don't. Some laws, when broken, cause little harm. Other laws are actually for the protection of the one and the society and thus I can agree with.

Then, I've never been one to follow blindly anyway...but that's me.

[Other rude or abusive comments above that were directed toward my person I will ignore.]

I wish everyone would follow the current procedures and law. If they did it wouldn't take us nearly as long to get processed or cost nearly as much. I can understand the temptation but it's not going to kill us...... even though it feels like it! LOL

That's an interesting idea. Laws are usually made to protect people...although, many current laws just increase someone's profit. [i'm not talking about immigration law speciffically there.]

Now, if everyone followed the law, then it may net more revenue for the USCIS, etc. However, they usually have more to their jobs than sitting and looking at millions of one type of document all day. Perhaps now they will and that's why there's an increase.

Now, if everyone who was in this predicament filed the correct paperwork, then there would be more jobs for lawyers and bigger backlogs and wait-times for processing. [That's just logic. I've had paperwork myself.]

Part of this process is to protect us men from ourselves anyway...because we're not so smart when it comes to women anyway...we often think with the wrong brain. Especially those who try this 'meet and marry' stuff. (Yes, I lived in Russia and saw plenty of these guys from various countries...as expats, we made fun of them because they had no idea what they were getting into just for a 'pretty wife.')

So I understand the process...but I'm not so sure that it should be a 'punish' anyone for marrying a foreign born citizen. I really don't think that if everyone would correctly follow this process and law that it would lessen the cost of the process for the agencies themselves.

I can agree with following the law--but it doesn't mean that I have to agree with it.

And I'd certainly be willing to look at new laws and process, or at least procedures, to make things more effective and efficient. This process isn't efficient and it's seems to be a price increasing simply due to increasing demand. Not increasing to make things cost effective or efficient.

I think it's more in the name of national safety. I never accused you of doing anything illegal, I just advised you not to. I'm not angry that you might think of doing it because I didn't. I'm angry that people think they are above the rules and should immediately be with their fiance(e) when so many people are going about it the legal route and are forced to be apart for months on end. I'm not talking about you in particular. I've read several posts from people wanting to do just this.

Concerning your second point, yes, the higher fees make it more tempting to commit fraud. A jump from $170 to I think $455 for just the filing of the 129F is outrageous, but I think it's worth it for peace of mind. And this is coming from a nearly poor college student.

Like bszoom42 said, some people will go about it the legal way and others won't. I don't think higher fees will change that.

I understand national saftey...but I've also seen national safety in other countries. What we have is less efficient and still not as effective. It's just trying to add checks and balances...but it wouldn't be hard at all to slip through.

In my case, we had no idea that it would cost so much. In fact, I came back to the US to go back to college...so I'm a student again and certainly not used to living so poorly. Then my savings will almost disapear on this visa/immigration process. We started getting paperwork together for this K1 only last week...but decided to do it some months ago without looking at time or costs involved. So we're really stuck with it.

While the I-129k costs have increased, you should see that 'Change in Status' cost increase...that will kick students in the butt! But...they leave few choices and few options. It's still an immigration of the chosen issue..."send us your poor, but only if someone here is able to pay for them...otherwise, you can just split your families up." And in many cases, these are already families that they are splitting up with this process.

(I'd just go back to my job there if I didn't have so much to get straightened out here first...and start at the uni again soon.)

As for those who decide to shortcut the process...I can't blame them at all. I think that if the rewards out-weigh the consequences, then it is probably worth it. In this case, since in some cases they will let you go straight to changing status, it very well may be worth it. I'm sure that they won't have any higher salaries to pay at USCIS when they move all of the paperwork to their new central offices anyway. I mean, a price increase is usually do to a cost increase...so, what's increasing in the cost?

I haven't done anything illegal (other than traffic violations or drinking before I was 21) in my life.

I at no time said that I planned to do anything illegally.

I stated that there is certain temptation due to the extreme fees...just as there is temptation to stay in Russia (or Sweden) where I was actually quite comfortable and didn't have to eat grecha to survive.

Besides, this is the longest period that we've been apart (2 weeks) in the last 4 years.

More specifically, I saw that this created a burden on the people attempting the process (myself included), and wanted to know if anyone else thought that these new fees would possibly promote an increase in visa fraud.

In my case, it would be asking for it...as I noted above, I've already talked to officials about it. (Although, one did say that we should have just tried it and it probably worked--go figure!)

However, I wouldn't suggest the illegal route. Undoubtably, in your case, you're angry that I might think about such because you didn't do it.

Without bias, I can say that I might have done things the faster and less legal way if I were to do it again.

But still...I think that fees to keep people apart, plus a waiting period (especially spouses, which have a longer waiting time), is somewhat inhumane. But, you know, it's all in the name of national paranoia.

I guess most anyone who is starting this process (like me) has noticed that the fees for all applications and services will increase dramatically as of July 30, 2007.

As for me, I have just moved back to the US in June of 2007. (I lived in Russia for the last 3 years.)

After deciding that we wanted to try living here, my girlfriend came to see what she it and make a final decision for herself.

(She's a Russian girl from Turkmenistan and wanted to visit the US, but never really wanted to live here--and is a bit apprehensive about our Soviet-like security measures.)

At this point, we've decided to try to get a K1 visa. We could have gotten married in Russia, but that still meant that I had to come here and she'd have to wait there forever for some bureaucrats to do paperwork. (Russia has more bureaucracy, but we know how to make things go faster there.) Theoretically, a K1 visa would separate us for a shorter time; thus a more viable option.

Actually, she still has a valid B2 visitor's visa. And with these new fees, and us moving and being unemployed temporarily, we were quite tempted to just marry here on her B2 visa and file for a change of status that way.

(A Change of Status now costs $325, but after July 30, 2007, it will cost $1010. That adds up fast with the other K1 fees.)

So I want to both ask for advise on my situation and ask what everyone thinks about this leading to higher rates of people entering the country illegally to marry.

[Yes, I'm aware of visa fraud and all penalties. My girlfriend and I had the same discussions with USDOS consulars and with ICE officers.]