Frenchy

DANIELWHITE - you should be next! We submitted on the same day, you're about to get approved. Keeping my fingers crossed and mostly all my toes are crossed for the Vermont peeps out there! Good luck to all, and CONGRATS to the lucky ones!

I just hope things start moving for the Vermont filers. Ugh! Hate to see such a huge difference in the timelines... Hang in there guys, once it starts rolling it'll be like the CSC... Just keeping my fingers crossed for all of you!

I received my card about 4 days after the initial email. Congratulations!!!

Yay Diazy! Isn't it EXCITING???

...and if I never become a US citizen? Keep them forever? Sorry to sound so stupid, but at least tax documents can be destroyed after a number of years!

Wow. So we really do need to keep all that stuff then? For how long???

When I filed my original application for the Green Card, my lawyer told me to hang on to all my documents. Then he repeated that comment for my RFE stuff. I still have ALL of it. And on top of it, I have my Removal of Conditions documents too. Should I still hang on to this stuff? If so, for how long? What have you guys done with all this old paperwork? I just hate having all this stuff laying around in a file, you never know what can happen if say I get broken into and it lands in the wrong hands, Everything is there for great and easy identity theft!

Have you considered a letter explaining the facts? Just stick to the facts (why you had little documents in the first place) and the now divorce. Be honest. I have a friend who was in your same predicament. She was called in for an interview but did end up getting approved because she had been honest about the entire situation. Also, have you consulted a lawyer? Now may be a good time!

Good luck to you!

I agree with the others: LOOKS GOOD! You've got way more stuff than I did and I'm already approved. So throw in some good vibes and beautiful karma in that pretty package of your and you're good to go!

Oh, and good luck!

Our friends at the California Service Center must be kicking things in high gear: I got my card in the mail TODAY! Such a thrill... I'm happy for all of us who've gotten it, the wait is over and keeping my fingers crossed for everybody else. Waiting's a b!tch, but this is it. The final steps... Hang in there gang!

I just got an email telling me my new card is in PRODUCTION! *doing the happy dance* I should get my NEW 10 yr Green Card within the next 30 days *now doing back-flips* Fingers are crossed for all the other May filers out there, may the approvals be coming your way!

Yayyyyyyy!

I thought that by "detain" on this question they referred to being in a "detention center". Before inputting what can be potentially a wrong answer I would definitely consult a lawyer. Good luck to you though, and sorry about what happened! Carrying that card is a must, but if you lose your wallet or its stolen the cost to replace it is frightening!

Hi!

It's good to have a sampling of bills throughout the 2-yr period. I'd just sample it though, no need to have ALL your bills. As far as how to package it, most people do the 2-hole punch on top with an ACCO fastener. I just clipped it all together with a clip myself.

Good luck... I'm sure everything will be fine for you but I understand the uneasiness of it. We're all going through the same.

Received my biometrics appointment! June 14! Yay...

Hi everyone,

I have a couple of quick questions:

1) If I want to use a courier service (such as FedEx or UPS) to send the package, do I send it to the PO Box address listed on the I-751 instructions (USCIS California Service Center, P.O. Box 10751, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1075) or is there a physical address that must be used?

2) Do I need to include any passport-sized photos of myself like I did 2 years ago with the initial I-130/I-485 filing? I imagine the biometrics appointment should take care of the photo, but then again, I remember last time the redundancy of both mailing photos and doing biometrics was required.

Thanks in advance for your help!

1- I used the PO Box in Laguna Niguel. This is the address USCIS specifies in its instructions.

2- I didn't send in any passport type pictures. I don't believe it was listed as required document. But they do ask for a copy of your Green card - front and back (I almost forgot that one!)

GOOD LUCK!

My NOA is dated 5-17-11.

Is it just me or does the California office show faster turn-around times in general?

Fingers will be crossed and blue until I hear back, I know I shouldn't be scared, I mean my relationship couldn't be any more real, its just with our lifestyle we have basically no bills! hard to show all that co-mingling! Good luck to everybody else and stay positive!

I am now officially part of the MAY FILERS! Just sent my packet in this morning to the California office - via Priority Post so I can track and confirm. Keeping my fingers crossed that I got it all covered...

Oops! I sent the Ar-11 but did not send the 865. Is this major? Like others here, I received my notice at the old address. I will be filing the 750 soon. What should I do about the address?

1. Yes, you are a visitor.

2. Under I-94 leave it blank.

3. Date of arrival, insert your date

4. Date of expiry, I would leave that blank since you do not have a I-94.

Good luck!

No I don't think so, my lawyer had me mark no and I was on a TN also. A TN is a status, not a work visa...

Just to give you a visual of how they handle everything picture this: your file has to entirely fit into a legal file folder, everything they gather on you will be held together by an ACCO 2-hole fastener. What you send in must fit into this. If you send pictures, copy them to either a letter or a legal format sheet. If what you send does not fit into this, it may either get lost or frustrate them if they are having a bad day... Keep it easy and simple!

Good luck!

Keep the perfume box as your personal memento.

But when you will be choosing pics, try to have a variety showing different times, different settings, and also with family members (Christmas, gatherings, weddings, etc.) Showing you've been together for more than a sample snapshot helps. When we were asked for extra proofs, we picked out postcards (date stamp, addresses) and e-mails that proved the build-up of the relationship. I wished I had kept our old phone bills, nothing screams long distance relationship like a $900 phone bill! I also put in plane tickets where we visited each other. If you keep a paper trail you'll have no trouble proving your relationship.

Good luck! And honestly, like any will tell you if you are truly in a bona fide relationship everything will be ok in the end. Oh, and ignore some of the questionable messages you'll see here, they are the minority!

I went to see a psychic once. Immediately after sitting down her head started to twitch (I thought "here we go") then she said she felt a strong presence in the room, she asked me if I knew anybody called "Amik". My parents wanted to name me Amik, but changed their mind at the last minute... Amik is me! I was so freaked right there and then, she could have told me anything and I would have believed it. She was right about most stuff... But I hate to hear about the future, because then you try to make things happen.

Welcome to the journey! Remember the key to this entire process is patience, patience, and then more patience! Have faith, and all will go well.

Good luck and welcome to the family of those who wait!

Sometimes it feels like I am the first Canadian to move to the States! Everywhere I try to find answers on how to best transfer my assets I end up either with different answers or institutions telling me they cannot guide me in this aspect!

I've set-up a Vanguard fund. Now I would like to transfer my Canadian mutual funds to this account. I have 2 options. Either I do a direct transfer from one account to the other. Or, I can have my Canadian bank write me a check for the full amount of my assets and then make a deposit here in the States.

Which is best? I am afraid of unknown penalties or hidden tax fees for such a transaction since this is not income and would not want to be taxed as such. Can anybody shed some light to this situation?

Thanks!