his_sunshine

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So I entered the US in April at Guam on a CR-1 Visa Type Category. Upon entry, I was informed by the officer that I will be getting a 10yr GC because I am married for more than 2 years and I wouldnt have to go through the removal of conditions anymore. He even stamped it on my passport. Ironically, today is my 4 year wedding anniversary. So I got my greecard a month after, and my greencard has an expiration date that says April 2012. (2 years). Is this a mistake of printing? Or the Immigration officer at POE was the one that made the mistake? how do I get them to correct it? and get it changed?

Thank you very much for all of your input.

Did the OP get everything sorted out do we know? I hope she did, what the guy did to her was disgusting, makes you wonder what humanity is coming to.

With regards child support, make sure you look up state laws, some states do take in to account what he pays out, some states take in to account his income and his new partners income, some states basically take everything from the non custodial parent therefore making it difficult to have any chance of having both parents in the childs life (if they both want to be in the childs life that is). Alimony I believe is only paid after you can prove that your ex has kept you living in a certain way and has 100% supported you, I also believe in some states that you have to have been a certain number of years at the very least.

As much as this guy as hurt you and Lord knows he has, if you should make it safely back to the US with your little bundle and he wants to see her, please do not refuse him access and try to be accommodating. I only say this because a judge could rule that you are never to take the child overseas again if they think you have intentions of keeping the child from him.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey, take care and good luck

I am sorry that I have not updated everyone anymore about what happened after but I am going to do that now.

I left the Philippines last April. At the point of entry in Guam, USA, they asked me for my packet and then informed me that since I am arriving in the US on a CR-1 visa category but married for over 3 years, I am getting a 10 yr GC and stamped IR-1 on my passport. He congratulted me on being a Permanent Resident of the US. With regards to the change of address, I changed it at the point of entry with no hiccups. Apparently you cannot file for AR-11 if you are out of the US. So in totality, my trip went smoothly. I loved my inlaws (and I was able to meet more inlaws that I ever expected to meet) and my inlaws loved me. In a surprise twist of events, my husband visited me at his brother's house and we spent a weekend together. I asked him to file for a divorce and he asked me to give him time to get back on his feet and when he is back on his feet, to give him a chance to try again. I wasn't sure if I want to try again but I told him I am giving him the time that he is asking. As at the moment, we are continually talking (not back together but leaning towards it), and he has promised to help me in my move to the US. I am bringing our baby with me and will be back in the US around September.

Two weeks after I entered the US, I got my SSN in the mail. Unfortunately, I had to come back to Manila before I got my physical GC. But in a little over 1 month (2 weeks after I arrived in Manila) I got my GC in the mail. Here's the thing (and another issue), my greencard is expiring in 2 years. I am confused. I was told at POE that I was suppose to get a 10-yr unconditional GC but I got a 2 Yr GC. Is this a mistake by the USCIS? Or is it really possible that the immigration officer at POE was wrong?? And if it is a mistake, what do I do??? How do I correct it? I do not want to go thru Removal of Conditions if there shouldn't be a need to.

Would be grateful again for all the help and suggestions.

Thank you.

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Bring your passport, green card and marriage certificate.

Show them it expires in two years, but your passport says 10 years and your marriage certificate shows you've been married more than 2 years.

I'd probably bring anything else related to your IR-1 paperwork to prove that you should have gotten the 10 year green card.

When we filed, it was for a CR-1 Visa. We were married for less than 2 years when we filed, but it took us a long time to get it done, so by the time I entered the US, which was a month ago, we are already married for almost 4 years. Hence, the officer at POE told me that I should be automatically getting an Unconditional GC even though we applied for CR-1 because we are already married for more than 2 years, and then stamped and noted IR-1 in my passport.

I called USCIS hotline yesterday and I was informed that they will not be able to access any of my visa processing information and that I should file a form called I-90 (replacement of card) that will include the original greencard I received and supporting documents to the error. He advised that I may want to make an infopass appointment before filing it just to make sure that it was indeed an error (thru info pass they will be able to retrieve my files).

The thing is, I am back home, in Manila, to tie up lose ends with my job. My contract ends in August, so I was not planning on coming back to the US to move permanently until September.

So my follow up question is: Do you think it will matter much if i wait 2 months to see an officer (make an infopass appointment) before filing an I-190? Or go on ahead and file the I-90 (returning back my original GC and other supporting docs)?

Thank you all so much for being helpful.

Thank you all for your help.

I called USCIS hotline yesterday and I was informed that they will not be able to access any of my visa processing information and that I should file a form called I-90 (replacement of card) that will include the original greencard I received and supporting documents to the error. He advised that I may want to make an infopass appointment before filing it just to make sure that it was indeed an error (thru info pass they will be able to retrieve my files).

The thing is, I am back home, in Manila, to tie up lose ends with my job. My contract ends in August, so I was not planning on coming back to the US to move permanently until September.

So my follow up question is: Do you think it will matter much if i wait 2 months to see an officer (make an infopass appointment) before filing an I-190? Or go on ahead and file the I-90 (returning back my original GC and other supporting docs)?

Thank you all so much for being helpful.

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Sounds like a mistake, which you have to tell USCIS about. If you've been married for 4 years, you should have received an unconditional green card. It also sounds like some kind of misunderstanding/mis-coordination, as you said that your Consulate approved a CR-1 visa for you as opposed to an IR-1, which would have been your case. I wonder if you told your Consulate at the time and reminded them to approve you for an IR-1 visa. If you didn't, the confusion you're experiencing now can be because of that.

Anywho, just let USCIS know and I'm sure they'll fix it. Not sure that they won't ask for some evidence though (e.g.your marriage certificate of 4 years) before they issue you the right type of green card. You shouldn't have a problem in the end but they may have you go through some extra hassle.

Actually, they took marriage certificate at POE and they also stamped (I-551) in my passport with a handwritten notation that said IR-1, and officer explained that since at the time of entry we are married for 4 years, i will get unconditional card, no more need for removal of conditions. At the interview, the Consul said at the time of filing, we were married less than two years so they are processing for CR-1 visa. we took a long time to process the visa hence, it took us 4 years to finish it but yes, at the time of filing we were married less than 2 years.

Do you think the USCIS hotline can help me? or do i need to make an infopass appt.?

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Make an infopass appointment and get it corrected.

So I am right then, that I should get a 10 year card? Sorry, I am just making sure.

So I got the greencard today but it's a 2YR Greencard! Is this an error? I tried calling uscis today but remembered it's a holiday. Can I really get a conditional card even if we're married for almost 4 years?? The officer in POE said I dont need to remove conditions anymore.

Help?? Need clarification from anyone who knows what's up with this.

Hi All,

I entered POE (Guam) in April 19, 2010, a week after I got my SSN and 2 welcome notices and just last saturday got the GC in the mail. When I opened it, it says my GC will expire on April 19, 2012. (2 YEAR GC).

The thing is when I entered Guam, I was told by the officer that since I have been married to my husband for 4 years almost, I will be getting a 10 yr GC, and that I wont need to remove conditions anymore. In fact, he has stamped it in my passport (I-551) with hand written IR-1. So I am very surprised to receive a Conditional GC.

Is this normal? Or should I call USCIS to tell them of their error??? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP.

Thank you all in advance.

His sunshine

Oh ok. So far, yes, I have two on there, I-130 and the greencard. So I guess that means, I have approval for both now? it was just confusing that after Ordering card production, it's now on approved.

So I got a case status email that said:

"On May 21, 2010, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this OS155A IMMIGRANT VISA AND ALIEN REGISTRATION. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283."

On the website this is on the stage POST DECISION Activity. Is this normal? that on May 10, 2010, they have ordered production and now it's back on Approval??

I received three welcome notices as well, and my green card was in the mail a week after.

So I checked online thru the status checker and found this:

On May 10, 2010, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

So I guess I should be expecting the GC soon. =) YEY! I can't wait! Thanks for all of you who replied.

Hi All,

I arrived in the US (POE: Guam) on the 19th of April. While I was on CR-1 Visa, they have stamped IR-1 in my passport because as at date of entry in the US, I have been married to my American spouse for almost 4 years. So anyway, I have receiced my SSN in the mail a week after I arrived. And on the 29th of April, I have received a letter from USCIS: Notice of Action: Welcome Notice, with Notice Date and Receipt date of April 29, 2010. Today, I received another letter with the same Receipt Date: April 29, 2010 but with a different notice Date: May 3, 2010.

So now I have got two Welcome Notices from USCIS.

My question is: What happens after the welcome notice? When should I expect the greencard? And what do they mean when they said I SHOULD hear from them within a 30 days and if I don't, I have to contact them using the number on the receipt.

Thanks in advance for everyone who will answer my inquiry.

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Hi All,

I arrived in the US (POE: Guam) on the 19th of April. While I was on CR-1 Visa, they have stamped IR-1 in my passport because as at date of entry in the US, I have been married to my American spouse for almost 4 years. So anyway, I have receiced my SSN in the mail a week after I arrived. And on the 29th of April, I have received a letter from USCIS: Notice of Action: Welcome Notice, with Notice Date and Receipt date of April 29, 2010. Today, I received another letter with the same Receipt Date: April 29, 2010 but with a different notice Date: May 3, 2010.

So now I have got two Welcome Notices from USCIS.

My question is: What happens after the welcome notice? When should I expect the greencard? And what do they mean when they said I SHOULD hear from them within a 30 days and if I don't, I have to contact them using the number on the receipt.

Thanks in advance for everyone who will answer my inquiry.

Honestly I dont know for sure. you should have been able to use a different address on your DS-230 during your interview. I have read where people have changed their address at the POE. You can do a change of address online, but since you are not in the US now, I dont know if it would be a problem or not. Your best bet would be to call the USCIS. You can read more about change of address here:

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa

Personally I think you should have it sent to your mother in law or where you will be staying for your first trip (someone you can trust as it may take longer than 3 weeks to get your greencard). As far as notification that it is changed...you would just have to call them and verify. Maybe you can make an infopass appointment when you first get to the US?

I was not asked to fill out a new DS-230 at the interview. I am intending to get it sent to his cousin's, that's where i'm staying for the duration of the stay. I will probably call USCIS tomorrow to ask.

What is an infopass appointment?

If you do come to the US make sure you update the address you want your GC sent to at the POE....dont let it get sent to your (ex)husband's address if he still has the same one. Hopefully you have someone to be able to send it to so you can receive it at least from your second trip when you come back as it may take more than a month to receive it. Sorry to hear about your problems...hopefully you can move on from this.

Can I update my address now, even before I come there? Thru an AR-11? Someone really helpful (who was also abandoned by her hubby) messaged me and said she changed her address at POE but was asked by the officer for her hubby's number to confirm the change of address. She was able to get thru but she said she ran a huge risk doing that. My (x)hubby's phone was surrendered to his job because he was terminated last month and is now unemployed and without a phone. I guess I can give them my Mom-in-Law's number but I would rather not be questioned about it.

So do I file the AR-11 now? Or wait until I arrive in the US and then file the AR-11 then? I read from the website that I need to file the form within 11 days after the change of address? And when I do file the AR-11, how do I confirm that the address is changed??

Fact is, my (x) hubby really did move and somebody else is now staying in the address we submitted in the petition, it's a rented house. I tried changing the address during my interview but the CO informed me they are not the ones handling that.

Thank you very much for all your help. VJ is really helpful. Thank you all very much.

Let the words of the naysayers fall upon deaf ears. You sound like an amazing woman and the best mommy your daughter could have. You've taken the time to line everything-up and make sure you're not leaping into darkness. Aside from being a jerk your husband is pretty stupid if he couldn't see how strong and everything else you are.

I stand in awe of your strength and wish you not luck but rather success...

Thank you so much for these... Sometimes it really gets hard. It's not easy to be cheated on, to be left behind with a new baby...it makes you question your value, your worth. It shakes the confidence, but in all these, I have to think about my baby. I have to be strong for her, try to make the best decisions. She doesn't have anyone else but me. I do not have a choice but to make this work.

Thank you very much.

i just have one thing to say. how do you plan on supporting your daughter when you get here. jobs are hard to find. you cant live of the ex's family forever and since you ex already has another child your child support will not be that much. are you sure you really want to come here? im telling you because this is going to be hard on you. is it really worth it to your child?

I am not planning on bringing my daughter there with me until I am settled and everything else is set up. And while my (ex) family offered to support me and my daughter while I find a job, I refused it, hence, I am not going to live off the ex's family "forever". I do know that the child support won't be much. He is not a rich man, so no, I am not planning on living on child support. Luckily, I am quite independent and is blessed with a good professional career. Even before our daughter was born, I was hardly dependent on my husband for financial support. And I am quite confident I will be able to support her on my own with no problems, as I am already doing anyway.

I am coming there for a visit for 3 weeks, and staying with his family in that time, and then coming back here to finish my job here in the Philippines. I am quite lucky to have been offered a job just recently that will wait for me until I come back to the US in August. Although, in a different state from where my husband's family reside.

I know it will be hard on me, but isn't everything? If I don't try, I won't know. But rest assured, I would not be dragging my 14 month old daughter into "nothingness". I will not subject her to that.

First of all, my many thanks to everyone for answering my questions to the best of your knowledge.

Secondly, I didn't think I needed to explain my motive/s in pursuing the GC but it's not pretty to be accused (or assumed) to have lied. But to give that person/s the benefit of the doubt, maybe I have left out a confusing, but very important detail. While I did write that my (ex) hubby has informed me he wanted out of the marriage, for some reason or another, two weeks later, he decided he wanted me to get the GC and come to the US with his daughter. Hence, he sent me his updated letter of employment and a couple of recent payslips to bring with me to the interview (which, btw, weren't asked by the Consul). I would not have lied under oath during the interview. I have too much at stake to do that. I have a daughter who is a USC, and if I am banned from coming to the US, I don't think that's going to be good for both of us. And also, I wasn't asked how the marriage is. All I know is, I STILL DO possess all the requirements needed to be granted the Spouse Visa.

To the one who asked how I got the CRBA for my daughter, we have been married for almost 4 years, and in those 4 years, he has taken 9 trips to the Philippines, and one of which trips, got me pregnant. It was not difficult to get evidences of paternity. After all, we ARE married, and DNA tests are mostly only required if the baby is born out of wedlock. And also, I was able to apply for it, by myself, because my (ex) hubby has signed a NOTARIZED consent form authorizing me to apply for his daughter's passport, hence his signature wasn't needed. More than that, when the USEM told me, they need to see the Original passport of the USC, my (ex) hubby sent it to me in the mail for me to submit.

My (ex) hubby promised me he will file for a divorce, like he promised me the world and back, but I know he wouldn't, I used to think the first time he abandoned us that he didnt file for a divorce because he still loves me, and just made a mistake (hence I took him back, gave him another chance - even paying for the plane ticket because he was out of work) but this second time, I know for sure it's not because of that. Love doesn't do this to family. My eyes are wide open now and know that he wouldnt' file for a divorce because he does not want to pay mandatory child support. So you question my motive??? Like I committed a sham marriage??? If I only wanted a GC, I would not have married here, in a country where I cannot divorce him! I would not have let him file for a CR-1, but filed for a Fiance visa instead, so I am in the US quickly. I would not have gotten pregnant and gave birth here, and risk the chances of my daughter not being recognized as his own.

I am hurt, and I am angry. I have given everything I got to this man, who has up and left me while I was giving birth to his own daughter, who has gotten another woman pregnant while still married to me, who has not only cheated on me and abandoned me once, but twice - who does not have any value, nor respect for me and his daughter. So if he tells me, "hey, i'll help you through the process if you still want to get here", like it's the only consolation I got for wasting my 5 years dreaming, living for this man who I thought loved me the way I loved him...and I take it, does that make me a bad person?? If only to come to the US to be able to divorce him AND make the divorce valid here in the Philippines. If only to, maybe, make a new beginning for me and my daughter???

But I digress, and so, to continue...to the one wondering where I will be staying in the US, if I have family there, the answer is I have none, but ironically, my (ex) hubby's mom, my (ex) mother-in-law, asked me to stay with her. Obviously, she does not agree with what her son did. His brother also asked me to stay with his family, but I declined and opted to stay with my (ex) cousin. Ironically, his family (still) loves me and has not abandoned me and our daughter.

To everyone else who has dropped a kind thought, a positive affirmation, and well wishes, thank you very much. I need all the prayers I can get. In all these times of struggle, I was blessed with people who had helped me get through it along the way. And I am praying for more of those people in my life.

Peace and Love to everyone.

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