simplylaura

You should try to gather as much proof as possible, even after you send out the petition. Chances are you could be asked to provide evidence later on. Honesty is nice but honesty alone is not gonna fly. You're going to need real hard evidence: pictures, bills, bank statements, credit card statements, etc. It's not about proving whether you loved each other. It's about proving that your lives were intermingled legally and financially. If there's anything that I learned from this experience, I learned that preparation is the key. I tried to be organized and prepared myself for the best and worse case scenarios. I tried not to leave anything up to chance. That's just me.

You should post in the forum called "Effects of Major Family Changes on Immigration Benefits" because they deal a lot with divorce in there. Your thread might automatically be moved in there by the moderator, who knows. But that forum really helped me. You will be able to get more help with your specific situation. This forum is basically for people removing conditions but most of the people here are married and have a pretty straight forward case.

Congrats!

Did you pay for biometrics? Was wondering if they cashed in your biometrics payment and if the money will be returned to you since your biometrics profile is still current.

Now that I think about it, I did pay for biometrics. The total fee was $454 or something like that. Oh well, I'm not going to fuss about getting the money back. I was approved very quickly without any hassels so I'm just thankful.

Hi! Congratulations!

Were you already divorced when you filed and signed that waiver? I am asking because I am legally separated now and have to remove my conditions in April. I am terrified because I have two US citizen children and am scared they will deny me and I will get sent back to Germany without my kids. :*(

Yes I was completely divorced and I submitted a copy of the divorce decree with my petition. I'm not sure what to do in the case of a separation. I would say if divorce is in the near future then just try to get it done as quickly as possible so that you can get the divorce decree. You may have to get an extention while your divorce is going through. Someone can correct me if i'm wrong but i don't think you can petition for yourself without a divorce decree.

Wow (cautious congratulations )

Is it possible that your fingerprints had not expired from your previous AOS Biometrics? I know its supposed to be 15 months, so perhaps when you petitioned for yourself as a result of a divorce, it was 'earlier' than the 90 days before GC expiration and made it in the 15 month window? I've seen it happen between ROC and N400...

Well my wallet was stolen with my 2 yr green card in it and I had to do biometrics to replace that card. That was fall of last year, right before I applied for the 10 yre green card.

I sent out all my stuff to CSC in December 2008. In January, I got a letter saying my application was received and is being processed. My green card was extended for a year and that I would get another letter for biometrics. I kept waiting and waiting for the biometrics appointment. Then I got this most recent letter (see attachment) that said I was approved. Is this too good to be true? I'm almost afraid to be happy thinking that it might be a mistake. Has this happened to anyone else?

I went through a divorce last year and had to petition for myself based on a bonafied marriage. This situation alone made me weary about the process and whether I would be approved or not. I was planning to be in this for the long haul. I'm still cautious about this news and just wanted to see what everyone else thinks.

GC_notice.pdf

no utility bills at all? how is that possible? cell phone with a family plan? credit card? just some things to think about.

It's weird but I saw that my check was cashed today, AFTER they already sent it back to me. Oh well, I'm not going to try and figure it out. I'm just glad to know that they have my money and everything is good. Thanks everyone.

Now I'm starting to worry since it seems like this is not part of the normal process. Doesn't seem like anyone has experienced this before. I'm still hoping someone out there will tell me they got this same letter too. Here's hoping.

I received a letter in the mail today that said:

This is an initial screening. Your application(s)/petition(s) is/are being returned to you for the following reason(s):

The fee of $545 for your application/petition is correct and your application/petition is being processed. Your check or money order, in the amount of $545 is being returned to you. See attachment for actual notice.

It also came with the I-797C Notice of Action that told me to wait for a biometrics appointment. The notice also said that my conditional status has been extended for a year. I'm just confused. Why did they send my check back to me? Is this how things are supposed to be done? Note, I have my 2 yr green card and I'm self petitioning for the 10 yr green card since my husband and I had a divorce. Can anyone tell me what this initial screening is and what I'm supposed to do with my returned check? Thanks.

initial_screening_notice.pdf

[quote

Perhaps your application is in the process of being forwarded to the correct office.

Another thing, I have since moved to a different state, so technically, my application should be going to the California office, NOT Vermont. Oh, this is just terrible.

Awe dammit, you're right. I had no clue about the change. This is the first time I'm hearing about it. Should I call someone? Or will they automatically forward it? This just sucks.

All TSC I-751s should be going to VSC: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=140787

Perhaps your application is in the process of being forwarded to the correct office.

My packet was recieved at the USCIS office in Texas on September 22, 2008. I haven't recevied any notices and my check for the I-175 fee hasn't been cashed. Should I be concerned? Does it usually take this long? I mean, I understand it might take several weeks or months to get the first NOA but I'm concerned that they haven't cashed my check. What should I do?

My husband and I mutally divorced and I am self petitioning. He's writing a statement for me to support our bonafide marriage. Do I have to write one too? Would that be the cover letter or a separate letter? And what kind of information should I include? If anyone can help or has a sample letter to share, I would greatly appreciate it. This is all so overwelming.

Self petitioning to do what? To remove conditions, this will probably work. To obtain your first green card it will not.

Yes, I'm talking about self petitioning for the permanant green card (10 years). I have the conditional green card already.

My husband and I mutally divorced and I am self petitioning. He's writing a statement for me to support our bonafide marriage. Do I have to write one too? Would that be the cover letter or a separate letter? And what kind of information should I include? If anyone can help or has a sample letter to share, I would greatly appreciate it. This is all so overwelming.

This may sound like a dumb question but my husband and I are getting a divorce, do we consult an immigration lawyer? Or will any divorce lawyer be enough? He is the USC and I have my 2 yr GC. I will be petitioning for permenant residency based on a good faith marriage. Things just didn't work out for us and we mutually agreed to end things. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions and now we have reached a place where we can finally start the divorce process and move forward. We just don't know if we need an immigration lawyer or a divorce lawyer or an immigration divorce lawyer. Is there such a thing? Please help.

Thanks,

Laura