Bob in Boston

When we had our Oath we brought all our cards and the officer took the current green card and tossed the rest back to us. As far as the Dress this is a once in a lifetime event that millions of people would love to be in your shoes. Dress for sucess as your now a citizen of this country. Make sure to take a photo and stand proud!

You would be smart to get your wifes citizenship befor you move. Will save you many problems in the future. Meanwhile you can spend your time planning , building or whatever so your move is easy. Been there done that. We are in the process of building in her hometown at this point. then we will start being snow birds (6 months here and 6 months there and then decide if we will do full time and sell everything here. Takes a lot of consideration.

My wife was a 24 year overstay, she had her greencard approved 4 hours after interview. (new card being produced) I dont think your overstay is related to the delay. I think it has more to do with background checks and such do to your line of work. Due to your age and Irish citizenship you were around in the days of the IRA and a lot of other firearms related gunrunning and such. ( we had a Boston Irish gang running Guns back in late 80s and early 90s) Maybe that is the extra checks. With the expedite was not time to run them. Its a lot harder to take the green card away after its issued .Another reason is that your in a busy office..... I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. You will also find USCIS marches to the beat of their own drum and its hard to gage your case with others in your same shoes. Each case might appear to be similar but are so different once all the issues are broken down. Good luck and be patient.

its 3 years from the resident since date on your green card minus 90 days. so about Feb of 2025 or so.

Go to a Social Security office and get your unrestricted Card..... When going for a job keep your mouth shut about your greencard. All they need is a licence and SSN card thats unrestricted.

With this I have to agree. Just a feel good Policy to make people think we are safer because of it. No wonder its a decade behind schedule for flying with it only, its worthless.

Thats why I included my state as I went through all this stuff in the past 6 years. Interesting that a federally recognized ID does not have the same requirements nationwide. Guess we file this under "if it makes sense dont do it" practice of the US Government.

In Massachusetts when your green card expires your real Id expires. You then have to bring extension letters to get a new real ID which will expire when your extension letter expires. when you get your ten year card you will get a normal real ID as they are only good for 5 years. Moral of the story being if your not in status you wont have a valid Real ID. So if you have a Real ID the state has checked your immigration status.

One of the best ways to prove you ID is to get a "Real ID" from your dept of Motor Vehicles. It proves where you Live, Your Date of Birth and Your immigration Status as all these documents need to be provided befor you get it. It also alows entry into federal buildings. The ID will expire when your immigration status expires and is renewable with the extension letters. Check it out.

Was the I-130 filled out correctly?

My wife was a 24 year overstay, never had a problem because of it. File your AOS and go from there.

I agree

massively misinformed? Yes you were!

To answer your question , you can leave anytime you want to, just hop on the plane and go. I will advise you to think about it though. If you dont feel safe by all means get away. Just make sure its what you really want to do. Some things cant be undone and if you leave in a huff and then want to come back.... things will get complicated.

If you made it to the interview concentrate on the civics test and English. My wife had none of that stuff and Officer did not waste his time on ancient history and never asked. They know all about you. Bring what you have and if asked for the original be honest with them and you will be ok. Like I said they know all about you by now.

We didnt have a CFO Sticker either, Green Card was all we needed.

My Step daughter got her EAD in 5 weeks..... go figure

Maybe they have Frenemies who sent nasty notes to USIS to spoil her progress. Lots of mean people in this world. Never know. What makes sense to us is not always other peoples opinions.

I use express vpn also, works good for me

They retain your documents for their file, not a issue if they need them anymore.. Do not send originals, send copies. They may want to see original but will give it back. Remember for next time and replace your documents that you lost. They may ask for the same document next time even though they still have the copy from befor. Does not make sense to me either but this is what we deal with.

no issues, just print onto one sheet of paper (both sides) worked for us.

We did the same. I refinanced 2 months later and mortgage company didnt say anything. She is on the deed but mortgage is in my name and its a VA mortgage to boot. Good for your wife if something happens to you.

4 yes 5 no

You can have all your documents in your new name (DL, SSN. and banks and credit cards) and still have your green card in your old name. Just dont update your passport, will be tough to travel back to the homeland. We kept all the immigration and passport in my wifes maiden name while changing ssn, bank accounts DL to her new name. When she appliwd for citizenship she changed it all over to married name and got her new passport in her new name. Not necessary to change your name with USCIS.

Delayed reaction.... You are good. Congratulations to you. Took a long time.