FriendlyUser

I can only recommend you a great immigration attorney, who I know has been dealing with some really tough immigration cases, including deportation. However, she is located in NYC, so you need to call her office tomorrow to see if she accepts out-of-state cases. She has a very high rating in winning very difficult cases. There are tons of reviews online about her, which you will be able to check out yourself. If you want to give it a try, I can send her office info in the DM.

If I were in your situation, I would first handle the divorce and then submit the N-400 form. During the interview, they will likely ask why it took three years to file for and finalize the divorce. Simply explain that stress and depression from the difficult/"traumatic" relationship made it hard to deal with the divorce immediately. You only had the energy to physically leave the situation. Did you move to NYC after the separation? If so, mention that it takes time to adjust to living in NYC, finding a job, and so on. If you were already living here before the separation, you can say it takes time to rebuild your life from scratch in this city.

If his wife still hasn't filed for divorce (7 years later), then there is a chance they are indeed on good terms, only as friends, not as a marital union. However, I agree, if he set up a payment plan with the IRS only after or just before he filed N-400, then he is indeed in big trouble.

I applied for my first US passport through a Passport Agency two weeks before my international travel (Passport Agency is operated by the US Department of State). I called the Passport Agency exactly 14 days before the travel (that's the earliest they accept expedited applications) and requested an appointment in NYC. They gave me an appointment slot in 10 days (so 4 days before the due date). I had an appointment for 8am, and I received my passport at 5pm. I brought them my certificate of citizenship, passport photos, passport application, proof of ticket booking, and proof of hotel booking (they looked through all of it). You pay a regular passport fee and an expedited service fee of $60 with them. If they operate in the area where you live, consider using their services. It's legit (Government operated), fast and cheap (only $60 more than a regular, non-expedited service).

I wouldn't worry about the previous K-1 in your case. You will be interviewed later. They will most likely ask you a question about the first K-1 case. As long as you answer the same way as here, you will be fine.

I agree with @Family: he will have to respond to the NOID. Given the circumstances, I'm surprised the officer didn't ask him about his marriage and taxes. 1) Though he stated in the application for naturalization that he was married, he most likely stated different addresses for him and his wife for the past 7 years. For some reason, the officer didn't ask him why they lived together only for the first three years and why they have been living separately afterwards for the past seven years. It may be a misrepresentation in their eyes (just a supposition). The good news here is that he is still on good terms with his estranged wife, who can vouch for their truthful marriage in a written notarized statement. He just needs to ask her to write it down, notarize it, and send it to him asap. I would also include any evidence of mutual co-living for the first three years. 2) As far as I know, they usually ask at the interview if you have ever owed any tax payments. This is one of their standard questions. If this question wasn't asked, that's one story: he can provide proof of his payment plan in his response to the NOID. If he was asked this question and he somehow misrepresented himself by withholding the truth or otherwise, that is a different story. If he has consistently owed taxes for a number of years in a row, it may also have added additional complications to his case. If I were in this position, I would do everything possible to pay off the whole debt today or tomorrow. But if he can't do that at all and/or if he owes taxes only for one year, then at least provide them not only with a freshly created payment plan, but also that he's been doing monthly payments for the debt period, whatever months/years it may be.

I had the same day oath ceremony in Manhattan in May this year. I got my certificate 15-20 min after the interview, so I'm pretty sure they print them out right there.

😂 Seems like this officer decided to get creative. It could have been more impressive if he had pulled out an old-school paper map and asked the wife to show the exact route from their house to her husband's work, or point out restaurants they go to, grocery stores they shop at etc..

I also thought so, and I was surprised to be the only person without a lawyer in the waiting area before the N-400 interview. When I got to the waiting area, the first question I was asked by a person checking your interview invitation was if my lawyer was running late. I waited for about 10-15 min before I was called to an interview room, so during that time I could hear lawyers talking to their clients to the left of me, to the right of me, behind me and in front of me 😅 Based on the questions I've heard, it seemed like most of them met their clients for the first time in person. Maybe people hire lawyers to accompany them just to feel more confident 🤔 Idk, I think I would be more stressed seeing that a lawyer is reading your case for the first time right in front of you.

I guess I looked at it at a different angle: I chose to provide only required evidence with the application because I got an impression that volunteering to submit anything unrequested may prolong the review process of the case. The online application stated that you may upload additional evidence even if it was not specifically requested, however in this case USCIS will consider the timelines and relevance of unrequested evidence when making a decision on your case. I do understand that certain percentage of applicants get RFEs. I do not know how it works and why some people are not asked for any tax docs, while others need to provide them. That’s why I’ve underlined that each applicant should make their own decision in this regards.

I don't understand how this happened: "without him or his family ever realizing it, someone had filed an application on Velázquez’s behalf for a visa offered to victims of abuse". Don't you have to sign an application? If Velázquez can't read English and the lawyer provided him with a false translation, then I think Velázquez has chances of returning to the US. If he can read English or was provided an accurate translation of the application, then I don't see any chances of him returning to the US.

Imadajoubar, please research on the website of the US Embassy/Consulate in the country your parents reside in. Wating time varies immensely depending on the country of residence or the country of origin: from a couple of weeks up to a year or even longer.

I finally understand your point now. Seems like we just have a different approach in this regards: you prefer and recommend to be over-prepared with the application no matter what, while I think that submitting supporting evidence with the application itself is not always necessary. it all depends on a personal case, in my opinion. For example, in my case all the taxes since 2011 have been quite straightforward (submitted on time, immediately fully paid whenever necessay, no exemptions, etc.) + I brought all the transcripts and even extra-extra evidence for the interview. In the first link, the applicant had an unusual situation with being exempt from paying income taxes with one of the employers, and whatever eveidence they provided for that must have been either insufficient or whatever else. => in this particular case i would have definitely provided a full concrete package of additional tax evidence straight with the application. In the second link, the applicant wouldn't have gotten an RFE if they had simply brought those tax returns with them for the interview. I still think each applicant should carefully evaluate their own case and then decide what to submit with an application based on their circumstances. In some cases you need to do some extra work in regards to providing additioanl evidence with the application. In other cases, there is no need for that; just be properly prepared for the interview in case they ask you about it.

I'm actually taking my words back. It's not as easy as it first seemed to me. See this link (dated 2019 though): https://www.bal.com/bal-news/uscis-marijuana-violations-prevent-good-moral-character-showing-for-naturalization-eligibility/ Seems like Mike E and Igoyougoduke are right and and you will have to do some extra work. According to 2019 USCIS policy guidance from this article, "Naturalization applicants who are involved in marijuana-related activities may be deemed to lack good moral character if found to have violated federal law, even if such activity is legal under state or foreign laws. [...] Possession of marijuana [...] may constitute conduct that violates federal controlled substance laws and could be considered a basis for denying naturalization for failure to establish “good moral character”—even where the person was never arrested or charged with a crime and complied with state (but not federal) law." On a positive note, it only "MAY" or "COULD" be a basis for denial, which means you still have an opportunity to prove them your "good moral character" and be approved for naturalization. So I agree with Mike E, get a lawyer to help you properly present all the possible evidence of your "good moral character".

It is B-2 or ESTA visa, as some of the VJ members have already replied. Application process depends on the country your parents reside in. You need to look it up on the website of the US Embassy located in your country of origin. If you can't travel with your parents: 1) let them know that they will provide an interpreter at the passport control (either in person, or over the phone). 2) Advise them what questions to expect at the passport control and how to answer them (e.g., "what is the purpose of your trip?" "Tourism and visiting our son/daughter"; or "how long do you intend to stay?" etc.). Again, practice possible questions/answers with them in your native language as your parents will be provided an interpreter. 3) Ordering a wheelchair assistance, as Mike E recommended, is probably the least stressful option for them to go around the airport upon landing in the States. 4) If they have smartphones, teach them how to use one of those voice traslator apps. It will be helpful during their visit or in case the wheelchair service will not be available at the airport for some reason. But first concentrate on getting a visa. Everything esle is easy-peasy

I'm not experienced in this kind of field, so I trust your opinion. Having read multiple topics on this forum I came to a conclusion that there is always a possibility something may delay or even ruin your case. I submitted just two of the required evidence mainly because the online application said anything else was optional. I also consulted two out-of-state immigration lawyers and one really great NYC immigration lawyer prior to applying (just in case I myslef wasn't aware of some hidden difficulties). All three said to submit only required evidence and to bring additional ones (incl. taxes) for an interview in case they ask to look at them. The NYC lawyer asked me multiple questions regarding my life in the States, including work and taxes. She said my case is very straightforward, totally DIY. I've also never had any weird tax situations (like in that link regarding being exempt from paying taxes). Always paid them on time, never owed anything. So I guess that also helped. I'm quite organised when it comes to paperwork. So as advised, I brought everything I had for the interview, including tax paperwork since 2011 (when I started working in the States). The only tax related question I was asked at the interview was if I owe anything to the IRS (it was one of their "yes/no" questions). I replied "never owed anything". The officer immediately moved to the next question and didn't ask for any supporting evidence at all. I just wanted to share my experience in case someone finds it helpful. However, I do admit every applicant should research this topic and then make their own decision on how to proceed.

I applied online under 5 years. I didn't submit any taxes. I submitted only what the online application asked for: GC and marriage certificate. I did bring tax transcripts with me for the interview, but I was never asked to show them. I'm pretty sure they have all the info when you apply for N-400.

No, they didn't ask me to explain any terms from the application or test. The question was related to my personal immigration journey, basically they asked to explain how I understand the type of visa that brought to me the states (K1) and seemed like it was just a mere formality. I'm sure they can evaluate your level of English from the get-go.

I would definitely provide ALL the paperwork (*not a legal advice): the fact that your record was expunged doesn't mean that this record has never existed before. As far as I understand, Federal agencies like USCIS have access to complete criminal history of all applicants, including expunged records. Just be truthful: it will attest to your moral character. Besides, possession of less than 50gr of marihuana was not a big deal in NJ even back then (not like [some other country] where you can get almost 10 years for less than 7gr). So just provide everything and don't stress about it.

I personally can only answer the first and third questions: 1) Create an account on the IRS website and print out your tax transcripts for the past five years (including 2022). It takes time to create an account there but it's worth it. Your 2022 taxes will be there - print them from the IRS account. 2) ?? [I personally don't think it will have any affect on your case, I'm not a lawyer though] 3) I also applied based on a 5-year rule. When filing the application online, I only attached my green card and my marriage certificate. At the interview they only asked me for my green card, my id (I gave them my state id) and my passport (from my home country). I did bring with me everything I could print from the IRS personal account (like tax transcripts etc.); including printouts that I don't owe anything to the IRS (just printed screenshots from the IRS with $0.00 debt for the past four years, I believe); all of my previous expired passports with all the travel stamps; even all the previous official documents in regards to my green cards. However, none of it was ever asked.

I've had an almost identical situation. I've been regularly travelling 3-4 times a year with the total of 4 months being away during my first seven years as an LPR (usually 3 trips a year, each 30-40 days long to visit my family and friends in my home country; one short two-week trip to Europe). I've been employed in the States all that time; married (my husband also traveled a lot for work, so it worked out perfect for us), paying the apartment rent and taxes, etc.. I was just lucky enough then that I could work remoteIy. It's never been an issue. I've only once had to be away for 6 months (I flew back a day before the 6 month deadline; also, my husband flew over to spend time with me a couple of times). I was only asked at the border why I was away for so long. I gave a short explanation. The officer at the border was satisfied with my explanation. However, he warned me that I cannot travel abroad for the next half a year if I don't want to lose my LPR status. He also mentioned that if I keep spending six months in a row out of the US, my LPR status may also be questioned. However, as I've mentioned, it has only happened once due to extraordinary circumstances. I then kept travelling the same routine as described above. So you will be fine.

That's a standard protocol: they verify index fingerprints of everyone before they begin the actual interview. So don't worry about that. I do not know how to arrange an expedited passport. I'm gonna apply for a passport in two weeks only (I've just received my citizenship myself), so I'm gonna google then 😂

You will be interviewed by an American officer in Manila embassy, so same sex, your age gap, you being unemployed in a "third world country" is not a red flag as long as 1) you've actually been spending some time together in real life, not just online dating (proof of him travelling to you and photos of you together, for example), 2) you keep in touch on daily basis (e.g., print outs of texts/phone calls/emails between each other on regular basis [no need to show them the content of those messages, just a print out of his and your incoming/outcoming phone numbers]), 3) whatever other means of correspondence you may have (e.g., post cards etc.) 4) Proof of his income from the petitioner (your fiance)

Taking into account that the officer said not to make travel plans for the next month, even if it takes them a month to process your rfe, you will most likely be scheduled for a ceremony in June the latest (or in May if they work fast in your state). Anyway, it is possible to reschedule the ceremony. Just please note that your green card will be taken away during the ceremony. So you will need to apply for an expedited American passport if you are travelling abroad (make arrangements as soon as you know the date of the oath). If you are travelling inside the USA, it doesn't matter.

Do not pay attention to that. My status also showed "6 months" a day before my interview and the oath that happened on the same day. I guess they just say "6 months" to legally protect themselves in case of some sort of delay on their end. My guess on why the officer even requested that info: taking into account she hasn't even read your file before the interview, she may have been slammed with tons of cases; as a result, due to the rush, she just didn't pay attention to the dates on your file and miscalculated your age when you entered USA. Human error, most likely. You will be fine. It won't take months for them to make a final decision.