charmander22

Well your instinct was right... I was sort of rushed into retaining this lawyer when I was emotionally unstable. We agreed upon the legal fee and payment plan during the initial consultation, and she told me there would be fees for both I-485 and I-131 excluded from the legal fee. When she sent me the agreement, she tried to add on $500 more, saying she just realized how much work she had to put into it, and the added amount was the lowest she could go. Eventually we settled with the original legal fee + $100. When we first started, she was compassionate and understanding, so I felt comfortable opening it up and working with her. Later I didn't know what happened, she seemed to turn into a different person. She put my case aside for more than 6 months, not looking into the documents/evidences I compiled for her (I was pretty much doing her job), cancelled/rescheduled our meetings the last minute, and the worst- promised to send out my packet before she left town, but the night before she left, she sent me a lengthy email explaining that she needed more time and asking me to "survive two more weeks." From the time I retained her to having the packet sent out, it took me 13 months. Till now, I'm still trying to get the complete copy of the filing...

This makes so much sense! It explains clearly why I heard so many different answers. I did pay for the filing fee for I-485, so it seems like I can apply for I-131 without additional fee. Is there a suggested timing for me to send it out? I plan to do so by self if possible. Since I didn't include it in the original packet, what other documents I need to include? Thank you!

Thank you! This is extremely helpful! I intended to carry all the documents I have, my passport is not expired, and I am not traveling to the airport near boarders, so I think I should be fine. Such a relief!

Hi I've been silently yet religiously following the treads since part 23. The posts help me working up the courage to get my life back, so thank you all 🙏 Here I have some questions about traveling, hope you can enlighten me with your insight. My application was filed in May, and I just received the courtesy receipt copies through my lawyer. Last year before sending out the packet, my lawyer suggested me not to travel even WITHIN STATES as I have been out of status. By the time, she said it would be safer for me to travel after receiving the receipt notice. Now having the receipts, she again strongly suggested me to stay put, reasoning "if someone investigates your visa and see you're out of status that could be very unpleasant for you." Will there really be a risk for me to travel within states? Doesn't I-485 pending applicants have the legal right to stay in US? So technically I'm no longer out of status? Since we're on the topic of traveling, I also have some questions regarding the Advanced Parole. When we sent out the application, we didn't include the I-131 form for AP. At the time, my lawyer told me I have to pay the filing fee around $500-ish, which I did not have, and also I was too scared to be denied entry because of the 10-year ban. Recently, I saw several VAWA petitioners with AP shared that they successfully traveled back without any issue. I haven't been back to my country for 8 years, was in the abusive relationship for 5, and my family had no idea what I had been through. It would really mean a lot if I am able to visit. My question is-- am I still able to apply for the AP? When should I do so? Do I have to pay for the application? Thank you in advanced!