Walley

Jim & Steph, thanks for your swift replies.

Jim, what is going to happen during F2A? Granting he gets his green card before my sister turns 21 and file for my sister right away, if petition gets approved, can my sister come to the US say in about 8 yrs? If she gets married before visa approval, what happens then?

I'm sorry, I know what these family based visas are but I get lost when it comes to technical differences. It's simple but it's not.

Cheers,

Walley

Hello All,

I was looking at immigration timelines and still a little bit confused after I've read the links in this forum. Granting, I am petitioning my dad, how long will it take (rough estimate) from filing I-130 to getting a green card? Also, I have an 18 yo sister who will be left alone if he comes to the US. Can he petition my sister if he becomes an LPR?

Please enlighten me and thank you very much in advance for all your informative inputs.

Cheers,

Walley

Hello fellow VJers,

My cousin died while in Afghanistan. His wife's AOS is still pending and they have kids. What is going to happen to her application? Please, I need your advice.

Thank you very much in advance.

Walley

No, you can't get your sister through petitioning your parents. She has to stay behind. Petition your sister as well but do know it is 23 years of waiting time before she gets a visa. Could be shorter if parents petition her - 12 yrs?

Thank you, milimelo. Is it better if my father/mother petitions my sister while a permanent resident or wait till citizenship? Or does it really matter as to waiting time?

As long as it was a legal adoption with legal adoption papers then the child is her's, adopted or not and she's allowed to bring her kids... I haven't read anything to the contrary.

The reason I say "legal" is because there was a case where a girl tried to petition her adoptive parents but it turns out her adopted parents never legally adopted her so there's a whole mess of trouble (lifetime ban involved as well for the parents) so yeah. Check that.

The child needs to be included anywhere where it asks for her children, and then when she submits paperwork for the child, instead of just the birth certificate, she would also send the adoptive papers.

Hope that helps.

Scenario: Philippines - A woman delivers her baby and right after birth, gave her child to a family for money. In the child's b-certificate, listed the new parents as her own but no adoption papers. Child has never seen the biological mother since birth. Is this legal?

Hello fellow VJers,

I have been reading tons of info here but I doubt my interpretation of immigration law, so here I am asking for your input.

I am planning to petition my parents since it is very unlikely to get them a tourist visa (Philippines), however, I have a sister (17 yo) who will be left alone if they leave the PI. My sister is in college and wanted to finish schooling there. So, my question is, if my parents' petition is approved - what happens to my sister? Can she accompany with them in the US or shall I petition her also?

Please help. It has been more than 5 years living in the US and have not overcome homesickness.

Thank you in advance.

Walley

Thank you all for your inputs. Very well taken.

Griffin, I applied for both passport book and card too. Hope to get them soon.

Take care,

Walley

Thank you all for all the replies. I really appreciate it.

I filed mine Feb 06 and had it expedited. Asked the person in-charge at the Post Office but he had no idea about the timeline, expedited or not, all he said was "it depends". I put my cetificate in a clear plastic so that they would not staple it and poke ugly holes on a very important and expensive piece of paper. He told me to remove the plastic as it is not needed but told him my reasons of doing so, so he kept the plastic with the certificate in it.

I also made a copy of my certificate and had it certified by them that the original copy is in their possession for passport/passbook application. So, he stamped and signed it with notes but told me it is against the law to copy the certificate. Told him I authorized it, don't know if I was correct. But I needed proof I sent it aside from the official receipt.

With the certified copy of my certificate, is this enough documentation if I cross the Canadian border and back? Just wondering if the Customs will honor it. If anyone has done this, please let me know.

Take care,

Walley

Hi Everybody,

Just want to ask a simple question. How long did it take you to receive your passport from day of filing?

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

Take care,

Walley

Traffic tickets under $500 and that are not DUI related or serious in nature do not need to be reported. This is from another board, the INS itself, lawyers and even my own personal experience with the IO on my own tickets in my interview.

There may be cases where you may want to disclose minor traffic fines or be asked about them. These are generally when you have other issues on your N-400 that may cause you denial and the IO may want to see how good your moral character is.

For the general population you do not need to worry about them...

Thanks, warlord. I am paranoid over a traffic warning for overspeeding, no ticket or fines involved. I am not familiar with the place and it happened in another state. I did not mention it in my N-400 because it does not fit to any of the questions asked and my interview is over with. Can I mention this during the questioning just before Oath?

Walley

How long is that "warning" gonna stay on driving record? Do they erase it after a period of time?

Probably it will be same as other tickets.

7 years.

Ah, okay. It takes forever...

Thanks.

Walley

[/size]

Finally i got interview letter yesterday......now i have to prepare for intervew.....please help me out.

Are you taking the new or old test? Just study the materials they gave you. The test is easy.

Good luck.

Walley

I have read on this forum a lot of varying advices regarding traffic tickets, citations and other violations. While to my understanding it is proper to disclose any ticket whether minor or not to the N-400, what about traffic warnings? Is it considered a crime? I see warnings do not belong to any of the questions asked. Just wondering.

Walley

Probably warning is not counted for those question.

But it appears in DMV driving records.

If you only have warnings, I would say No for tickets, citations, and other violations.

How long is that "warning" gonna stay on driving record? Do they erase it after a period of time?

I have read on this forum a lot of varying advices regarding traffic tickets, citations and other violations. While to my understanding it is proper to disclose any ticket whether minor or not to the N-400, what about traffic warnings? Is it considered a crime? I see warnings do not belong to any of the questions asked. Just wondering.

Walley

Congratulations Walley!

Well I suppose the question would be does Gemma have kids? I got the yellow paper too and sent them everything but they want to see originals of my kids birth certificate. Oh well who knows how that organization functions.....I'm just happy they are moving faster than they were a while ago.

I don't have a child born here in the US but I got a yellow letter and one of the items marked for me to bring to the interview is "certified copy of birth certificate of children born in the US". I would say that the yellow letter is a generic one they send out and they don't do it in a consistent manner.

Thanks eau_xplain. I did not receive a yellow letter but the Notice (kind of green) states all the documents I may bring during the interview. So, I did take with me all the necessary documentations but I don't think they needed more than what I previously submitted since the officer did not even bother to look. Maybe some USCIS offices use them (yellow letter) and some not. What is the difference between the yellow paper and the Interview Notice if they both state what documentations to bring during interview?

Hi Fellas,

My interview/test yesterday went very well but I waited for 1 hour and 40 minutes. I brought with me all the documentations mentioned in my Notice, all originals and duplicates as well but the Officer did not even bother to check any of them except looking at my green card and my passport for my previous travels outside of USA. The Officer asked me only 6 questions. At first, I thought it was multiple choice just like the one online so I waited before I gave my answer Though I was nervous the whole time I waited, overall it was a nice experience. The Officer was very pleasant and made me comfortable throughout the whole process. The soonest Oath schedule around where I live is January 30, 2009. Yay, I am almost there and it will be over soon, no more paperworks and waiting

Wish you all good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Walley

Name.............Date sent....NOA1.....Biodate...Interview....Oath.....Center..Local Office..Check Cashed

Vermont

Walley...........08/02/08...08/07/08...08/26/08...11/20/08...01/30/09...VSC....Albany, NY....08/05/08

branga...........08/04/08...08/13/08...09/03/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston, MA....08/11/08

noone............08/08/08...08/12/08...old used...10/28/08...10/31/08...VSC....Wash. D.C.....08/08/08

TayRivers........08/11/08...08/14/08...09/16/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston MA.....08/18/08

Gemma12nEl.......08/11/08...08/18/08...09/17/08...12/09/08...--/--/--...VSC....Newark NJ.....08/16/08

Shumayun.........08/15/08...08/27/08...09/17/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....New York......08/19/08

Aussielad........08/25/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....San Juan,PR...--/--/--

Texas

mybunny'shoney...08/18/08...08/26/08...09/24/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Durham, NC....--/--/--

eau_xplain.......08/18/08...09/02/08...09/18/08...12/08/08...--/--/--...TSC....Charlotte NC..08/21/08

Angel7422........08/20/08...08/22/08...09/12/08...12/16/08...--/--/--...TSC....Atlanta GA....--/--/--

Sami76...........08/26/08...09/05/08...09/26/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Atlanta GA....--/--/--

California

ca_babe..........08/16/08...08/18/08...09/18/08...12/09/08...--/--/--...CSC....Los Angeles...08/19/08

LPR's are eligable for SSA benifits just like citizens. However if they retire abroad SSA benift is only half.

Here is a list I found:

1. A Citizen Can Vote

   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.

2. Dual Citizenship

   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

   Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years

    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm

YuAndDan,

Thank you so much for the quick and very informative reply

Take care,

Walley

Hi Everyone,

In a couple of weeks I will have my N-400 interview. While waiting I met a couple of permanent residents who have been here for years, working and dutifully paying all obligations to the goverment including social security contributions.

Scenario: Lawful permanent residents, working all their lives since they were here, paying taxes, contributed to SS and all other obligations. Have no desire filing for citizenship.

Question: What if something happens to them and not able to work? Can they have access to social security benefits even if they are not citizens? How important is citizenship?

I read somewhere that even US citizens who do not contribute to SS are not eligible for SS benefits, (with exception). I am kind of lost here, if a permanent resident pays into SS shouldn't he/she be eligible for benefits?

Thanks in advance for your insights.

Walley

Love is giving him footspa, manicure and massage twice a month. And lots of kisses everyday:) God, I miss him terribly!

Seriously, love is a decision.

Walley

Here you go.

Name.............Date sent....NOA1.....Biodate...Interview....Oath.....Center..Local Office..Check Cashed

Vermont

Walley...........08/02/08...08/07/08...08/26/08...11/20/08...--/--/--...VSC....Albany, NY....08/05/08

branga...........08/04/08...08/13/08...09/03/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston, MA....08/11/08

noone............08/08/08...08/12/08...--/--/--...10/28/08...--/--/--...VSC....Wash. D.C.....08/08/08

TayRivers........08/11/08...08/14/08...09/16/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston MA.....08/18/08

Gemma12nEl.......08/11/08...08/18/08...09/17/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Newark NJ.....08/16/08

Shumayun.........08/15/08...08/27/08...09/17/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....New York......08/19/08

Aussielad........08/25/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....San Juan,PR...--/--/--

Texas

mybunny'shoney...08/18/08...08/26/08...09/24/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Durham, NC....--/--/--

eau_xplain.......08/18/08...09/02/08...09/18/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Charlotte NC..08/21/08

Angel7422........08/20/08...08/22/08...09/12/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Atlanta GA....--/--/--

Sami76...........08/26/08...09/05/08...09/26/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Atlanta GA....--/--/--

California

ca_babe..........08/16/08...08/18/08...09/18/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...CSC....Los Angeles...08/19/08

IMPORTANT!

Before you edit this list, please make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set

to Rich Text Editor. DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE. You can change your Text

Editor as follows:

1. Click on My Controls at the top of the page.

2. Click on Board settings at the lower left of the page.

3. In the drop down box under Posting Settings, change the type of editor

from Standard to Rich Text.

4. Save this change by clicking on the "Change my Account Options" button.

Then go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and

scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. In addition to

adding your update, please also add updates for anyone who has requested it since

the prior version of the list.

Hi everybody. I have an interview date! Thursday, November 20, 2008. You all will get yours soon.

Take care,

Walley

Name.............Date sent....NOA1.....Biodate...Interview....Oath.....Center..Local Office..Check Cashed

Vermont

Walley...........08/02/08...08/07/08...08/26/08...11/20/08...--/--/--...VSC....Albany, NY....08/05/08

branga...........08/04/08...08/13/08...09/03/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston, MA....08/11/08

noone............08/08/08...08/12/08...--/--/--...10/28/08...--/--/--...VSC....Wash. D.C.....08/08/08

TayRivers........08/11/08...08/14/08...09/16/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Boston MA.....08/18/08

Gemma12nEl.......08/11/08...08/18/08...09/17/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Newark NJ.....08/16/08

Shumayun.........08/15/08...08/27/08...09/17/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....New York......08/19/08

Aussielad........08/25/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....San Juan,PR...--/--/--

Texas

mybunny'shoney...08/18/08...08/26/08...09/24/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Durham, NC....--/--/--

eau_xplain.......08/18/08...09/02/08...09/18/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Charlotte NC..08/21/08

Sami76...........08/26/08...09/05/08...09/26/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...TSC....Atlanta GA....--/--/--

California

ca_babe..........08/16/08...08/18/08...09/18/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...CSC....Los Angeles...08/19/08

IMPORTANT!

Before you edit this list, please make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set

to Rich Text Editor. DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE. You can change your Text

Editor as follows:

1. Click on My Controls at the top of the page.

2. Click on Board settings at the lower left of the page.

3. In the drop down box under Posting Settings, change the type of editor

from Standard to Rich Text.

4. Save this change by clicking on the "Change my Account Options" button.

Then go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and

scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. In addition to

adding your update, please also add updates for anyone who has requested it since

the prior version of the list.

Don't mind me NickD. I just realized you were asking about the Oath Ceremony letter. Sorry

Walley

Hi NickD,

I just got done with my Biometrics today at St. Albans, VT (VSC). After the lady took my fingerprints, she gave me the Quick Civic Lessons booklet with CD and told me that my local USCIS in Albany, NY will send me a letter for my interview date since the interview will be conducted over there. I ask if it is possible to have my interview in St. Albans and she said they only conduct interviews to Vermont residents. So, I think all interviews are localized and the letter comes from your local USCIS branch.

Good luck to you and your wife.

Walley

If a marriage license is applied for in a different state, can be subject to a $10K fine and a year in jail.

NickD,

Can you please elaborate the above? I am confused.

Thank you in advance.

Walley

Part of the Wisconsin State Statues, as a resident of this state, you must apply for a marriage license in your county of residence or be subject to that up to a $10,000 fine or up to one year in jail. However, in most cases it's not that severe, they do give you chance to get your license and get remarried in this state. Was just intended as to how statues vary from state to state, in Nevada, can get a license and marry two minutes later, here you have to wait ten business days. Our legislative idea of attempting to cut down the high divorce rate unlike Las Vegas where a guy and gal can get plastered only to learn they got married the night before. Ha, here you have a whole ten days to think it over, but we took much longer than that, like two years and a couple of months. You also get a booklet on how and where to get married and that can be in even a different state or a country for that matter, but the license must be procured in your county.

Course, you are free to move to a different state, MN, MI, and IL all have a 24 hour waiting period as I recall. They figure that is long enough to sober up.

LOL! Thanks for the info. Now, I have to research the NY law on marriage license.

Walley

If a marriage license is applied for in a different state, can be subject to a $10K fine and a year in jail.

NickD,

Can you please elaborate the above? I am confused.

Thank you in advance.

Walley