margara&john

Hi everyone,

Margarita and Daniela have been gone for a week now. Margarita's mom called me the night that got back to let me know they arrived safely and to thank me for everything. I have not heard from margarita. Now that they are gone, do I need to contact USCIS? I don't know if I can get their non-permanent resident status revoked. I have their greencards. I don't want to seem harsh, but I need to protect myself from anything that might come about. I don't anticipate Margarita coming back to the US, but you never know.

thanks

john

Thanks everyone for your support. While Margarita did have trouble adjusting to this country, that wasn't our problem. Our problem was that after 6 months here, she decided that "married life isn't for her". Margarita said she is no longer in love with me. That we both knew we were taking a risk and that there was no way to know if we would make it other than to get married and try. I understand what she means, but it makes me think that she wasn't as convinced as I from the begining. She lived with her mom for 28 years, and her mom did everything. She didn't like being a homemaker, but didn't want to work fulltime either. As far as kids, I think Daniela is the only reason we lasted as long as we did. Daniela and I formed a really strong father-daughter relationship. She's a wonderful little girl, and I will miss her so much. I think it's harder for men with a stepson. Boys seem to be more protective of their mom. thanks again for everything

john

Thanks for your input Charles. I hope you guys can work things out. I suggested going to talk to a profesional, but Margarita refused. As far as divorce, my lawyer said it should be pretty straight forward. We filed a joint petition for divorce. A judge will set a court date. My lawyer will send notice to Margarita regarding the court date. She will not show up, and the judge will make his/her decision.

thanks again

john

Thanks for the advise. I was thinking the same thing. That it would be best for me to hold on to the greencards. We went to a laqyer this morning and signed a joint petition for divorce. According to the lawyer, everything will be easy from here on out. A judge will set a court date, and we need to send the notice to Margarita in Medellin. When she does not show up the judge will finalize the divorce.

We've been having problems, but I never saw this coming. And it is happening so fast. I think it is a mistake to give up so soon, but Margarita is firm in her decision. Thanks to all of you for all of your help over the last 2 plus years.

john

Things are beyond repair. That is why I was hoping that they could leave without their greencards... Oh well, they'll have to take their greencards with them.

thanks

john

hi everyone,

Margarita and Daniela are going back to Colombia permanently. We've been having problems for quite a while, and Margarita doesn't want to try to work things out with me. I'm devestated, but hopefully this will be for the best. When they travel back to Colombia, do they need anything besides their Colombian passports? I assume they do not need their green cards because they do not plan to return to the US.

thanks

john

Well everyone....I'm a wimp. I spoke with 4 diferent people at USCIS about our RFE. I got a diferent story from each person. The last person told me that they have Margarita's paperwork but nothing for Daniela. He thinks it got lost when it was transfered from Missouri to California. I'm too scared to standup for what's fair and right. I'd rather pay the extra $145 for another exam and play it safe. We went for Daniela's exam Wednesday, and I can pickup the paperwork on Monday. I just don't want to take any chances.

have a great weekend

john

Hi everyone,

We got Margarita's (my wife) greencard last week. Yesterday we got a RFE for Daniela (my stepdaughter). The RFE says we need to send the I-693 for Daniela. We sent I-693 for both of them when we applied for AOS. I don't know what to do. They had their physicals in Bogota in April 2008. When we filed in Decmber, it was still within one year of the physicals. If we resend a I693 now, the physical is more than one year old. I know we sent both sealed envelopes when we applied, and they both had all of their vaccinations up to date. How do I talk to someone at USCIS about my specific case? I'm hoping we can just pay another $35 for the civil surgeon to fillout a new I693, but I'm not sure.

thanks

john

Hi everyone,

For those of you that got AP, how many copies did you get? Margarita got 2 copies of AP. Both have the embossed stamp and her photo. It seemed strange that she would have 2.

thanks

John

Hi everyone,

We got Margarita's EAD and AP on Saturday. Nothing came for Daniela. I'm a little surprised because everything else has come for both of them on the same day. Hopefully Danieala's things come today.

have a great week

john

Hi Guys!

Andres and I had his appointment yesterday and he was approved! The official took Andres' EAD and his I-94. Is that normal?

Anyways...She stated that he would be getting his green card in two weeks.

The appointment was relatively easy. She just asked how we met and requested our joint financial info. I gave her our 08 returns, joint bank accounts and joint credit cards. Thats it.

Relatively easy and quick. the appointment was at 8:20 we went in at 8:40 and were out by 9:10.

Andrea I hope you had good news yesterday! Please tell us you did!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Hi everyone,

I got a letter from USCIS yesterday. They transfered Margarita and Daniela's cases to the California service center. We're excited that things are moving along.

Happy Valentines Day

John

Hi everyone,

I got an email today from CRIS stating, "The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now pending standard processing at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you." I'm not sure if that means that it got sent to Milwaukee, my local office. I think this means that an interview is not likely. I'll post again next time I hear from them.

Last week we went to Chicago for a mini vacation. We did the Sears Tower and Museum of Science and Industry Friday. Saturday was the Aquarium (dolphin exhibit closed fro renovation ) and the Field Museum. With Hal's help we were able to find some Colombian grocery products at La Unica that we can't find here in Milwaukee. Thanks Hal! We went to Colombian restaurants Friday and Saturday night. Friday night was the first time ever that I have not had to help Daniela clear her plate. It was nice to see her so excited about dinner. For those of you familiar with Chicago, we went to El Llano Friday night, and Sabor Saturday night. The food was great at both places, but the service was much better at Sabor.

Have a great weekend

John

Hi everyone,

We had a good week. Margarita got her license on Wednesday. She drove for the first time ever the previous Monday. We did an intensive 10 day training course. I might have to start moonlighting as a driving instructor hahaha. Thursday was Margarita's first day of ESL, and she drove all by herself. So far so good. She says she is a lot more relaxed when I am not sitting next to her in the car. Friday we had biometrics. Super fast and super easy. The people at the Milwaukee office are very nice. Now we have our fingers crossed that we don't get a RFE.

Have a great weekend

John

Hey John...

Depends how you plan on getting around. MSI is in Hyde Park around 57th street and a bit further south of the Museum Campus and Shedd along Lake Shore Drive. In this cold I assume you will want to drive...

As for a grocery store... I've tried La Unica at 1515 W Devon. Its clearcut opposite to MSI close to Loyola's Main campus on the North Side. They have everything from chorizo, papa criolla to buñuelo mix, flours, bocadillo, arequipe, Hipinto, Postobón, Aguila (No CLUB COLOMBIA grrr!!), a couple of aguardiente brands... etc. Prices are not the cheapest but I think they're more economical than online stores.

Have a great trip and stay safe with the snow.

Thanks Hal. We're not going until Feb 3. Daniela has the day off from school. We decided that we're going to the aquarium on Friday, staying at a hotel Friday night, and doing the museum Saturday. Margarita will be thrilled when I tell her about La Unica.

Have a great day

john

Hal,

We're planning a day trip to Chicago. Either the Shed Aquarium or Museum of Science and Industry, not sure which yet. Anyhow, could you recomend a Colombian grocery store and/or restaurant in Chicago? We have had little luck here in Milwaukee. There is one Colombian bakery with great pasteles and bunuelos, but that is about it. The latin grocery stores here cater mainly to Mexican foods. We have been buying some things form virtualtienda.com but things on the site seem a little pricey.

Thanks

john

I'd take her...

Hope the snow isn't as bad as its been here in Chicago... non-stop for 24 hours now.

The snow kind of missed us. We only got like 3 inches. I was happy to see so little

We got our biometrics notice yesterday. Margarita and Daniela are scheduled for January 23 here in Milwaukee. I didn't expect one for Daniela. When filing for AOS we paid $80 for Margarita's biometrics, but nothing for Daniela because she is only 9. They will both go to the appointment because they both received seperate notices, but I'm not sure Daniela has to go.

Have a great weekend everyone

John

One step further along Harold. Congrats

Margarita got her Driver's permit today! The Wisconsin DMV accepted her expired I-94 and Visa accompanied by the 797 NOA for AOS. I'm not sure if they should have let her, but I'm not going to argue. On the WI DMV website it says they accept this but there is an asteric. Below it explains that the NOA must provide conclusive proof of legal residence. Unfortunately we were disapointed to find out that WI mails the permit to the house. We thought Margarita was going to drive home today. Margarita has never driven a car before. We were hoping to start lessons today, but we'll have to wait a few days more. No big deal. For those from WI.... change your WE Energies (gas/electrical utility company in WI) to have your new spouses name on the bill at least one month before applying for license. The DMV requires proof of residency, and they are very picky about what they will accept. It must be a utility bill or bank account that shows activity.

Have a wonderful Wednesday

john

Hi everyone,

NOA's for AOS, EAD, and AP arrived yesterday. Now we are just witing for the RFE on the EADs. I somehow managed to send only 2 photos each for Margarita and Daniela. I needed to send 2 for AOS and 2 additional for EAD. I'm so upset with myself, but there isn't much I can do about it now.

John

Hey John... as for the tax issue I'll tell you what I did when Mária came over:

1. She arrived in August 07 on a K-1. We got married pretty quickly and applied for her SSN soon therafter. By December 07 she had it and we filed married/joint in 08. No sweat. Even got the $1200 rebate check deposited electronically.

2. A K-1 applicant, and even one in AOS, qualifies for a SSN. Take a look at the forms and documents on this site. You'll find a SSA document authorizing themselves to do so. Refresh the clerk's memory if you have to with that document and with a supervisor's input, everybody being sweet to each other. This in itself may even beat the EAD document, although that might come in the next month anyway. Its a matter of waiting or not waiting... The SS card will read the whole spiel about authorization to work only with DHS approval until she's a resident.

3. Same thing with your K-2 stepdaughter. As soon as she has that SSN, there really is little the IRS will do to verify length of residence with you as a dad. As a matter of fact, I don't think they actually do any checking on that nor do tax forms ask you to disclose that do they? Funny as it sounds, Daniela may even need an EAD to be able to qualify for a SSN. I remember someone (Read back in this thread) had a similar issue with their stepkids needing the EAD before they could be given a SSN. Stupid, I know. Wonderful government misinformation.

Not sure about the WI DL issue. It usually is a state to state thing, and an NOA may not be sufficient. Try checking with other VJ members from your state.

Best of luck with the new family and Happy New Year.

Thanks HAL,

You're right about the K1 social security. We got Margarita's SS card in early November... really easy. Unfortunately, you are right about the K2 also. It makes little sense to me, but there's not much I can do about it. A 9 year old girl doesn't qualify to work in this country, yet she needs EAD in order to aquire a social security number. It would make sense to me if K2 could also get ss with the "not valid for employment without EAD" marking. It sure would make it easier to file tax return, get health insurance, etc. I thought about that whole will IRS check or know when Margarita and Daniela got here thing. A child credit is an additional $1,000. It's not a deduction (lowering income), but a credit (lowering tax owed). Hopefully EAD gets to us before April.

John

John

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in a really long time. I hope everyone is well and had a happy holiday. Margarita and I were married on November 28th at my mom's house. It was just my siblings and their families, my mom, and Margarita's brother and his family (they live just outside oh Philadelphia). I sent in our AOS on Decmber 23rd, and it was delivered the 25th (I didn't know the USPS delivered on Christmas). After making a few phone calls, I was able to find a Dr. to prepare our vacination supplements for $35 a piece. I want to reiterate what many have said before in this forum... don't pay for a new physical. The first two places I called were only willing to do the entire exam for $275. For anyone in the Milwaukee area looking for a vaccination supplement, we used a place called Concentra. I think they are located in other cities too.

We went to get Margarita's driver's license, but they would not let her. In Wisconsin, you have to provide proof of legal status. They said she doesn't have enough time left on her I-94. It is my understanding that the NOA for AOS will suffice as evidence of her legal status. We're hoping to get NOA in time for Margarita to get her license before she starts ESL classes on January 20th. Waiting for the bus and walking to and from it in Wisconsin winter isn't something Margarita is cut out for just yet.

Daniela (Margarita's 9 year old daughter) is adjusting fantastically. She loves school, and surprisingly enough the snow too. Daniela always goes with me to my mom's house to shovel the snow, and last week we made our first snowman. I hope to get Daniela's EAD before April. I want to be able to claim her as a dependant on my taxes, but we need the EAD in order to get her social security card. It is my understanding that I cannot claim her for a child credit because she did not live with me for more than half of the year. I have always done my own taxes, but I am thinking about using an accountant this year. I have had trouble understanding all of the rules in regards to how I can claim Margarita. There was something about "if your spouse was a non-resident alien at any time during the year". I think I would rather pay a little extra for piece of mind, knowing that a professional will be less likely to make mistakes.

Happy New Year

John

Sounds like there are intentions to bring the child to the US. If that's the case, then perhaps applying for the secondary visa would be worthwhile in case the father has a sudden urge of benevolence towards the end.

Hi everyone,

After almost 6 months of waiting since issued their visas in Bogota, my girls are finally here! We had a long day of travel (left Margarita's house at 3:30am and arrived at our house 11:00pm), but we are so happy to finally be together. Thanks for all of your help. We'll be around in the aos section.

Good luck to everyone

john

Thanks Diana and Charles,

Expiration is 6/10/10 so we will file to lift conditions 3/10/10...

Another question for you guys as far as travel goes...with the green card and her Colombian passport in hand, can Yenifer travel anywhere a US citizen can travel without applying for visas ect...also back and forth to Colombia returning in the citizen line? No other documentation necessary to bring in and out of the country except her Colombian passport and her green card?

congrats Scott and Yenifer!!!

BUENAS TARDES:

SOLO QUERIA SALUDARLOS... PUES HE ESTADO PERDIDA PERO LEYENDO TODO Y PENDIENTE DE TODOS...

DIOS LOS BENDIGA.

Gracias Diana. Siempre tienes las respuestas.

john