csh2020

General question: My wife and I would like to assist petitioners and beneficiaries complete their document packets to present to USCIS. It would be merely filling out forms with the requested evidence for USCIS/NVC. In sum, we would assist individuals and familes to assemble packets for USCIS/NVC from start to finish (the interview). We would not guarantee anything since no one can (not even an attorney) as that is always ultimately a decision of the consulate officer. I'm also a notary and registered interpreter/translator in my respective state. 

We would charge a minimal fee. It would be operated as a sole proprietor and our services would be must like Rapid Visa but on a smaller and local scale. We are not attorneys and could not offer legal advice, anything above simply filling out paperwork would definitely be referred to an immigration attorney. We researched this and cannot find any information. Is anyone aware of restrictions and/or ramifications for offering services? We want to make sure that everything is open, honest, and legal. 

The second option is that we have a 501c3 for our church ministry. We are aware of the Authorized Provide program through UCSIS and we would apply for that if we cannot operate as a for profit business. 

If you have knowledge on this, we would appreciate it fully and we are open to suggestions and/or recommendations. 

As per VJ rules, I am not starting a new thread but I need help quickly! We paid the fee and earliest interview date is in 2024? Is that correct? That seems to be a long time for a B1/B2 visa. It is Santo Domingo, DR.

8 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

use this site to send message to DR embassy to ask as payment method is not mentioned on the DR embassy site

also note the following

 

U.S. Embassy will be resuming in-person interviews for tourist visa (B1/B2) applicants whose appointments were cancelled on March 13, 2020.  Applicants who were adversely affected by the original cancellations that were announced on March 13, 2020, will qualify for the first wave of available appointments.

 

https://do.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/nonimmigrant-visa-contact-form/

We paid the fee and the next available interview isn't until 2024. Is that correct? I double checked everything and all documents are in order. 

10 hours ago, csh2020 said:

We just completed a B2 petition (DS160) for my mother in law to travel for a brief visit. This process is quite different than the CR-1/IR-2, which we completed. We have the confirmation page. How do we pay the fee? Do we need to scan/upload documents or does she simply bring those to the interview? Also, we could not get the photo to upload though we tried several ways. The system says that she is to bring the photo to the interview.

 

When and how do we schedule the interview? This process is quite different than the permanent resident visa. Thanks for your help!

It is for the Santo Domingo embassy, Dominican Republic.

We just completed a B2 petition (DS160) for my mother in law to travel for a brief visit. This process is quite different than the CR-1/IR-2, which we completed. We have the confirmation page. How do we pay the fee? Do we need to scan/upload documents or does she simply bring those to the interview? Also, we could not get the photo to upload though we tried several ways. The system says that she is to bring the photo to the interview.

When and how do we schedule the interview? This process is quite different than the permanent resident visa. Thanks for your help!

14 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Still problematic, as it reinforces stereotypes that make it hard for immigrants in general.

I agree fully which is why we are so upset.  Either way, we just hope we don't end up with a bill from the govt for her reckless behavior. 

3 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

I remember many similar cases here on VJ, and have never seen one where the US government actually went after a financial sponsor for reimbursement of public charge benefits for a beneficiary who has immigrated.  You may be worrying for no reason.

I am her petitioner (i e. Sponsor) 

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

For the daughter that is water under the bridge, the only thing outstanding now is the granddaughter and it does not sound like the daughter has the financial means to sponsor her first child.

 

Begs the question what her plans are for her Husband.

We will absolutely not co sponsor her after all this. 

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Was the expectation that you would be a joint sponsor? 

No. I'm the only sponsor (USC).  My wife, a permanent resident signed a 2nd affadavit. 

We waited 2 years to get her here (because of Covid closures/delays). She waited 2 months before coming and then left afain after 2 months. So, it has been 2 months in the USA,  2 months out since August.  She then goes to live with a family member in another state (she's been back in the USA for about 2 days). The family member is a USC steering her toward seeking govt benefits for a "single mother" although she is married and has full insurance coverage through our plan. My insurance said that the insuance is valid in all 50 states. The due date is in May. 

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

I am amazed that the I-130 for the step grand child, filed no earlier than December 2021, has been approved, and OP has signed and submitted an I-864. This is extraordinary speed of processing.

The step grand child has not been approved. There isn't a petition filed for the child as if yet. She married the father while away. The father is a national of her home country. She is pregnant with a second child and entered the USA in time to give birth for 14th amendment to kick in apparently. Sorry, just frustrated wiith the whole situation.  Feel that we were used to her ends and now doesn't even talk to us. 

I’m the UCS petitioner my 19-year-old stepdaughter was approved for an IR-2 visa almost a year ago. After about two weeks upon arrival, she discovered that she is pregnant with her second child. She is covered under my private insurance plan through the state. We found her part-time employment and after a few months, she decided that she didn’t want to live with us. She quit her job and returned to her home country . She has been in the USA about 3 out of 6 months and in her home country the rest of the time. She has just returned to another address to live with family members in another state to give birth to her second child. She decided that she does not want to use our insurance coverage and to apply for Medicaid and public housing because she is a “single mother." even though she is now married to the father, who is still with her child in her home country. We know that is a public charge and are at a loss of what to do. How can we protect ourselves? Please advise. What are some issues here? 

A family member (US Permanent Resident) is preparing to file a peition for her 6 month old biological child. Is it best to file the initial I-130 online or regular mail? Is there a list of evidence that she needs to include? I looked for this information but cannot seem to find anything solid. Thanks for your help. 

Update: We had our ROC interview with USCIS yesterday and it went well. The CO asked routine questions: DOB, address, who lives with us, if we have any kids together or separately,  if we ever paid anyone for help, legal (convictions), if we have met each other's family, and how we met.  

After the line of questions,  he asked us to present evidence. He asked for a current bank statement.  He asked where we each work and if our paychecks are deposited into the same account.  Lastly, he asked for photos while in the USA. We presented all the requested evidence.

He said that we will receive a decision letter in a few days and the green card should follow within 2 weeks depending on the speed of the mail. 

I prodded a bit and asked if that means it is an affirmative decision. He replied, "I'm convinced" and "your file is complete with pretty compelling evidence."

He then went on to say that this step is passed and that my wife "can now begin thinking about applying for citizenship." He checked and said that she should qualify for the exam next year. 

We never heard the words, "you're approved." I'm not sure why he didn't come out and say it but it was indirectly implied.  

We are also concerned that there were questions albeit seemingly routine. 

Despite the excellent interview,  we are nevertheless still on pins and needles until we receive the decision letter because we never heard the direct words as it was at the embassy interview when she was approved for her CR-1.

One thing I hope we don't end up regretting is that he said if we wish to present more evidence we can leave it in the front as we go out. (The interview was by camera due to Covid). I asked him what he might need, he said that the file looks complete  so we didn't leave anything else. We hope we don't regret not leaving more there. 

Now the wait. 

On 9/12/2021 at 12:03 AM, Pat&Vince said:

We went through the ROC interview about six weeks ago, pure routine and pretty casual conversation with the officer. If your case is solid, with lots of financial evidence there’s nothing to worry about…

Do you receive a decision right away by the officer if the case is approved?

So we assume it is a good thing that the interview is scheduled (since we have not been interviewed with USCIS)? We have no reason to think the documents are no complete for the I 751 filing. So how do we best prepare? What should we expect in terms of the interview itself (questions,  etc)? 

I'm looking around VJ for other experiences but I can't find anything. Thanks for helping. 

3 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

She was interviewed by DOS, not USCIS.  Same situation with my wife....except we have been waiting since March 2019.   My wife arrived in June 2017.

You and "Allaboutwaiting" have just put our nerves at ease. We all know it is stressful to continuously deal with UCSIS. Hopefully, this will be the last time for a while. 

14 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Correct.  The law does not allow her interview to be waived if she entered via a CR-1 since she has not been interviewed by USCIS, unfortunately.  No need to worry. 

We were interviewed in Nov. 2018 her home country before receiving her CR1 Visa but nothing since that time. Correction: She arrived in Dec. 2018. 

4 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

If she entered with a CR1 visa, being interviewed for ROC is the norm.

 

Interviews are waived in case the immigrant went through adjustment of status, and even then, some are selected for interview randomly or due to certain circumstances.

She did enter with a CR1 visa. So this is normal and should not cause concern? Our marriage is completely bona fide. I could not live without my spouse. We are very much in love with one another.  Where can I find information about ROC interview for CR1 being the norm? Sorry, this has just upset us very much.

Hello VJers:

My wife has been here since Dec. 2017 (I'm a USC). She received her 2 year residency. We filed petition to remove conditions for her 10 year GC and she went for her Biometrics in July and now has an interview scheduled at the local UCSIS office. We submitted plenty of documentation. Her three kids have even since received their 10 year GCs and are living here in the home with us.

My question is should it be a concern to that they requested an interview (since sometimes they waive them)? We are happily married and very settled together. Is the interview just a standard part of the process? We will be well prepared. We are trying to work and maintain our family and do not need more worries or stress. 

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

Is your stepdaughter under 21? 

Yes she is 18

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I understand she needs to do Biometrics first.

Who? The mother (petitioner/mother) has already done her biometrics. She has visa in hand ready to travel. We are just looking at starting the I-130 for the baby. 

Hello fellow VJers.

I'm a UCS. My unmarried stepdaughter is immigrating next week as a permanent resident (10 yr). She is leaving her 4-month old baby in the care of a relative and will file an I-130 after getting here. We need to confirm that documents that she needs to gather  before leaving her home country. The list that I have is to begin the I-130 is:

The child (beneficiary):

1. Original Birth Certificate 

2. Two passport size photos (2x2)

3. Passport

The petitionioner (legal resident mother):

1. Green Card

2. Passport (with 551 stamp)

3. Birth Certificate

Are there any other documents needed? We need to make sure to be prepared before she leaves from there.

Also: I understand that it is plausible that she could file for a permit after receiving her Green Card to travel back and wait out the process with her baby in her home country? 

Hello. Petitions were approved for my three stepkids (of a USC). Two are here and the third stayed behind to care for her baby. UCSIS still has our old address in her file. I wasn't given the opportunity to request the change at the interview (though the CO may not have been able to change it anyway).

She is coming soon before here Visa expiry date and we want to avoid any delays in her getting her GC (fees are paid).

She will confirm the new address with the CO at the POE but can I submit the AR-11 before she gets to the POE or should I wait until she arrives to submit the AR-11?

Thank you.

24 minutes ago, csh2020 said:

Hello. My stepdaughter's GC was returned to UCSIS by the post office because it went to our old address even though I filed a change of address with UCSIS several weeks ago. I'm trying to do an e-request but I do not know what to put for the "form number" -- is it OS155A? It is an IR-2 Visa for stepchild of a UCS. Please help. There is no way to get UCSIS on the phone. If you know how to do that, it would also be most helpful. Thank you.

 

It was returned to USCIS on July 2. I just submitted an e request and another change of address with my name as C/O. The post office said the reason it was returned and not forwarded is that they did not have the child's name on file. I'll try to get through to USCIS today but I'm a little frustrated because I submitted the change of address with USCIS over a month ago (but didn't include my name as C/O). Hopefully she will get her GC soon. 

Hello. My stepdaughter's GC was returned to UCSIS by the post office because it went to our old address even though I filed a change of address with UCSIS several weeks ago. I'm trying to do an e-request but I do not know what to put for the "form number" -- is it OS155A? It is an IR-2 Visa for stepchild of a UCS. Please help. There is no way to get UCSIS on the phone. If you know how to do that, it would also be most helpful. Thank you.