Army_Wife

Have already written this information on another 319b thread, but I thought I'd post it here too in a hope to keep it all together:

I'm in Atlanta and am currently in the middle of my 319b application. I'm doing mine through Fairfax, VA and they've been absolutely AMAZING!

Firstly, Atlanta has a VERY bad reputation with the military, and so I avoided them like the plague. Have seen many a disaster go through Atlanta ... they don't even take any notice of the Senators here.

I sent my packet to the Vermont Service Center, requesting my process go through Fairfax. They infact forwarded it to the National Benefits Center. The NBC sent me for finger prints in Atlanta (really fast and easy), but called me 2 days later to let me know that my finger prints were back and they were packing my file for expedited processing ... did I want it to go to Faifax as requested or to Atlanta as it was closer? I requested Fairfax, obviously.

The lady said it would arrive within 2 days, but to give them 4 for unpacking time.

I'd called the military helpline previous to receiving this call as I was worried they were going to ignore my request for Fairfax, as I'd been sent for prints in Atlanta. They were fabulous (it truly is different when you're doing citizenship) and very knowledgable about the 319b ... the key is to only talk to the citizenship department, I always talk with the same lady, bar once. Both knew it all.

A few days later, I had an email from a supervisor at Fairfax, with his cell number at the bottom of the email, saying he was contacting about my interview date. I sent a request for a specific date ... a couple of hours later I had a typed up form with my date and time. Nothing like the other guys on here have had ... it's definately more personal. My letter isn't a NOA at all and even has the name of the person who will be interviewing me.

I haven't had my interview yet, it's next week ... but I already know when my oath is going to be. Yes, they called me to see if I wanted the oath on the same day, or if I'd like it on another day ... total cart before the horse, but then we're jumping all the normal processes everyone else goes through.

My greencard is conditional, I do know that you must take the oath before your condition removal paperwork is due to go in. If you miss the date, you'll need to send in both the N-400 and the condition removal paperwork ... my oath date is literally a week before my condition removal paperwork is due to go in, so I'm happy to save the cash on that.

Hope this helps.

I'm in Atlanta and am currently in the middle of my 319b application. I'm doing mine through Fairfax, VA and they've been absolutely AMAZING!

Firstly, Atlanta has a VERY bad reputation with the military, and so I avoided them like the plague. Have seen many a disaster go through Atlanta ... they don't even take any notice of the Senators here.

I sent my packet to the Vermont Service Center, requesting my process go through Fairfax. They infact forwarded it to the National Benefits Center. The NBC sent me for finger prints in Atlanta (really fast and easy), but called me 2 days later to let me know that my finger prints were back and they were packing my file for expedited processing ... did I want it to go to Faifax as requested or to Atlanta as it was closer? I requested Fairfax, obviously.

The lady said it would arrive within 2 days, but to give them 4 for unpacking time.

I'd called the military helpline previous to receiving this call as I was worried they were going to ignore my request for Fairfax, as I'd been sent for prints in Atlanta. They were fabulous (it truly is different when you're doing citizenship) and very knowledgable about the 319b ... the key is to only talk to the citizenship department, I always talk with the same lady, bar once. Both knew it all.

A few days later, I had an email from a supervisor at Fairfax, with his cell number at the bottom of the email, saying he was contacting about my interview date. I sent a request for a specific date ... a couple of hours later I had a typed up form with my date and time. Nothing like the other guys on here have had ... it's definately more personal. My letter isn't a NOA at all and even has the name of the person who will be interviewing me.

I haven't had my interview yet, it's next week ... but I already know when my oath is going to be. Yes, they called me to see if I wanted the oath on the same day, or if I'd like it on another day ... total cart before the horse, but then we're jumping all the normal processes everyone else goes through.

My greencard is conditional, I do know that you must take the oath before your condition removal paperwork is due to go in. If you miss the date, you'll need to send in both the N-400 and the condition removal paperwork ... my oath date is literally a week before my condition removal paperwork is due to go in, so I'm happy to save the cash on that.

Hope this helps.

Here we go..

I Don't Object to the permanent residency requirements, or the physical presence requirement, as that Rule is just pure commen sense for a servicemen of being outside the us for long periods of time....Ive no problem with that.

What Makes a Servicemen marriage requirement any different from anybody eles's....Is there marriage bullet proof or something?..Nope..

There Marriage is No Different from anybody else....Fact...

So why should we..people who's not in the service have to jump through hoops to prove there marriage after 3/5 yrs and somebody in the service can be married 12 mths maybe and show a marriage cert and that's it, there good to go....

So might aswell skip all the B/S Immigration Forms and just give servicmen spouse's a USC from the start huh?

Just for the Record...Nope im not anti servicemen....in fact iv'e got the upmost respect for them men/women on the frontline, at the same time i just like a little more fairness, that's all...

If I gave all of the differences between a military marriage and a civillian marriage we'd be here all day, so I'll just stick to a couple of basics:

* Not being able to put down roots ... I've had 4 addresses in under 2 years.

* With constant moving, the chances of having a career of our own is severely affected.

* Birthdays/Christmas/New Year ... even giving birth to children, is something we know will sometimes be done alone.

* We're bound by OPSEC (operational security) because WE live our day to day lives with more information than what a civillian will EVER see on CNN etc.

* We live with the fear of our spouses returning as nothing but "bits in a bag" ... how often do you discuss your possible death with your family??

* The percentage of military members returning from deployment disabled/limbs missing/PTSD is higher than you can imagine.

* And of course, the big one ... while you snuggle up to your spouse tonight, take a moment to think of those military spouses out there who for next year will cry themselves to sleep ... alone.

Some will say that being married to a military member is a choice ... good for them, I happen to love my Husband, so there is NO choice.

You want there to be a bit of fairness in the processes between a civillian going through the immigration process and a someone married to the military? ... so would I ... tell you what, pack up your belongings, live out of a suitcase for 2 years, and spend a year apart from your spouse every other year, during which time your spouse is dodging bullets and IED's ... and don't forget to kiss your spouse goodbye first 'cause you may never see him/her again ... now, that's what I would call a bit of fairness!

A passport on a plate is the least the government could do for a military spouse.

I'm an Atlanta resident who's applied for a 319(b ) through Vermont requesting an interview and oath at Fairfax, VA.

Does anyone happen to know if they send you to your local office for the biometrics portion ??

Hi,

Do you have any idea as to how soon someone can send their application in for the 319b?

Am currently putting my packet together .... but not flying until April/May.

Was thinking 6 months would be OK to allow them to get working on it.

BTW, Thank you so much for the helpful information you've put on VJ concerning this expedite

You can send the application the moment your spouse receives a green card because he/she is eligible to apply for naturalization immediately after approval of permanent residence (assuming they meet all the requirements for 319b of course). Keep in mind you'll be given a scheduled biometrics appointment before the interview. In my wife's case, we waited 3 months after the green card in an attempt to time the interview with our travel plans.

Am sorry, I wasn't clear ... I'm the greencard holder ... my Husband is military and I was wondering how far out from our travel date can I apply?

Do you think 5-6 months is too far away?

Is there a specific timeline?

Hi,

Do you have any idea as to how soon someone can send their application in for the 319b?

Am currently putting my packet together .... but not flying until April/May.

Was thinking 6 months would be OK to allow them to get working on it.

BTW, Thank you so much for the helpful information you've put on VJ concerning this expedite

I agree with Nicole and as you're out of processing time, you have the right to make a fuss for them to adjudicate your case.

As far as National Interest Expedites are concerned .... I believe you have a case as you cannot afford for loss of concentration in your job due to the unnecesary stress caused by the delays in processing of your I-130 which affects the safety of the United States ..... which is a National Interest aspect.

Please check out my Expedite Tips thread .... link is my signature.

For those who think that your job shouldn't be part of consideration for expedite ..... there's a ton of people on here with jobs that cannot be affected by outside and abnormal stresses .... i.e. immigration delays.

As far as flooding the system with expedites .... not everyone works for or with the government. And those who apply would be prudent to back their requests up with other expedite criteria too.

Your finances, if dire, should definately be added to the mix .... especially prior to receiving the $4000.

Depression and missing your spouse is not part of the deal .... if however, you could make mistake when it comes to US Government weapons because the stress of these delays are getting to you .... then you have a valid reason to apply for the expedite.

Always use a strongly written letter from your boss on government headed paper .... the higher up the chain the boss is, the better.

Think out of the box .....

Hello. I made a expedite request on May 16, 2008. The Customer Service lady told me it will take 5 business days or even longer to respond to me. I called yesterday VSC using RFE trick. The officer told me that my file has been gone to an adjudicator and he told me it might take weeks or even months for it to get processed. Anyone else has this situation? What should I do? Thanks

hello can i know what is the VSC RFE trick number cos we request expedite last may 27th but until now we dnt hear anything yet, we call the military assitance hotline but they told me that it might took awhile about my request.. they didnt told me if they already pulled it out or anything... i will appreciate your reply..

You're on the 4th working day today .... you should hear either today or tomorrow, and it will probably be by email to you or your Husband.

thanks sarah for that.. like i said i talked and ask nicly to the rear D but like i said they refuse to help.. cos they told me that army is out of immigration thing,, so i just say thank you for the time.. i called the uscis costumer service they wont give any number or fax #...i told them that we just request expedite and i will send some documents like NOA orders in vermont & until now we have no news on our expedite request.....even me iam confuse so i will just wait and wait im tired of doing options.. like my inlaws says that not everything others do.. might not work for me.. i will just wait and see how this service center process my application.

by the way.. im happy got your application approve,, start packing your stuff...

I've just read there is no longer anyway of expediting by fax thru Vermont

http://www.nafsa.org/regulatory_informatio...hanges_expedite

You call the Customer Service phone number (Military Helpline) and tell them you're requesting expedite for Military Deployment .... you'll hear within 5 working days about sending your information etc.

Hi Dave,

You only need one certificate to cover all of the UK and you get it from ACRO.

You will need a passport photo signed by someone of the list they give you and some proof of address.

http://www.acpo.police.uk/Certificates%5CA...0form%20pdf.pdf

This is the link .... they're pretty cool, mine arrived last Thursday and even has your photo on it.

All the information needed is in the link.

Sarah x

ps, if you've got the I-130 approved, I'd suggest you run with it ..... if you bang on with Lotopatience's shortcuts for NVC you'll be done in 4-6 weeks and I understand the interviews are quite quick out of London following that ..... you'll then have a greencard.

Wow, there was certainly a little discention on this subject yesterday .... but I think the point of the thread was lost amongst tanks and war conversation ..... the reason I posted this thread was

"(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

I'm sorry guys, but yes, that does cover the fact that families are split apart by an unjust immigration system .... the voice of the I-130 applicants has actually been very quiet (oddly enough), to the right people.

Sure, I see lots of discussion about it on this website and the odd fax going to Senators and the White House .... but really, not much else.

Migrant workers are protected from unjust immigration systems .... i.e. H1-B's, who are able to bring their families to join them very fast.

The situation that is happening at VSC currently could very well be viewed as a violation to this section of Universal Human Rights. Family petitions are being ignored.

Those with children could at least fall under this and have the system sped up for them ..... it must be horrible having a child cry for its Daddy or Mommy every night for a year or so, just because Vermont are constatly working on Fiance visas ..... a lot of which are applied for by guys who have literally 'purchased' their brides off the internet.... before I'm jumped on, not all of them are, but there is more than a fair few.

So, yes, there is perspective .... a lot of it!

My view of the bigger picture, is obviously a little broader than the miserable people on here who think that it's acceptable for children to feel so much pain.

Whether a tank drives down the street of the child ..... or the child cries itself to sleep every night because Vermont has decided to ignore family petitions ..... to me is very much of a muchness.

Sarah, excellent to know that you got both NVC case# and IIN. Now you're IN to NVC This ship has more horsepower to pull everybody so fast to the destination Don't worry about NOA2 hard copy, it will be arrived in a week after the approval.

Yes, we got the interview date on July 3rd. Mrs. Loto will be in the U.S on July 11th unless there are further glitches

I am flying back to the U.S on June 1st and will be there on the same day evening. Now more decorations for my sweetie

Welcome home Loto .... I've been giving VJ a break over the weekend. Hopefully my DS-3032 will have been sent out this week so that I can email my choice of agent .... and then the AOS bill ..... yeah!!!!

I think it's super news that Mrs. Loto will be flying home to you very soon

It must be an amazing feeling that you'll see your lovely wife again in about a month and 10 days after you get back here ... CONGRATS AGAIN!

I can't wait till we know the interview date and I'm hoping, looking at the recent speed of approval/completions, that my DS-230 can be in the system and done within a week - then I'm looking at JULY for an interview ... Fingers Crossed!

My fingers are crossed for you too Rajee for a July interview date

Nicole, they really screwed up, but it really shouldn't take another 3 weeks.

We had a Congressman like your Senator .... they're still sitting on our paperwork even now .... they told us they couldn't do anything and we had to send it to VSC .... load of BS .... we'd sent it to a Senator too at the same time (I planned to blanket all of them) ..... and it was gotten onto immediately.

Your Senator will be able to find out exactly where your file is as it's barcoded.

As not all Senators are alike ... I would try the other Senator .... and also your Congressmen .... what's confusing, is what on earth gave them the impression your Husband was in the US to begin with ?????

And, they did actually get onto 'something' quite quickly .... a pretty good sign .... it'll probably be adjudicated when it gets back to CSC quickly.

I can never get a real person at NVC. When should I call to get my IIN number?

8am Eastern time is good ..... or after 6pm up until midnight

Press 1 and then press 5

I don't even know if I'm comfortable posting anymore, that's what Vermont has done to me. Putting my tinfoil hat back on...

That is such a shame .... hugs for you

It all feels real now ..... just got my NVC case number from the 'very friendly and helpful' NVC phone folk .... I cannot believe how nice they are!!!

USCIS could really learn a thing or 10!!!

Still not on the automated system as the file has just arrived .... but at least it's really happening now ..... time to celebrate at last

That's great Sarah to get NVC case#. NVC people are more knowledgable about the underlying case than USCIS folks

Now you can try to get IIN.

BTW, our interview has been scheduled on July 3rd and by the grace of God, she can land in the U.S on July 10th. Talked to NVC live operator from India 2 times already - one to confirm Case Completion and the other about Case Forward to Consulate. It is very easy to get them at 7:30AM

Good luck to everybody for your immigration journey !!!

CONRATULATIONS!!!!! you've got your date

Not far away either .... let's have more dancing

I'm so pleased for you Loto and Mrs Loto

I got my NVC case number and IIN at the same time, they hadn't even uploaded it onto the system properly, but the person I spoke to managed to find it .... still no sign of my NOA2 hardcopy, so, I don't have my A# number yet .... oh, well. It would be nice to see if they've given me the same as my last one

Thank you for this, it's very helpful.

I should be emailing mine in the coming week.

Thankfully we can all do the payments online ..... and via the phone, know when to send the paperwork out to save time ....

Lotopatience has been so helpful in getting NVC down to 4-6 weeks max

That's great. I had to fill out the form and then fax it to my wife. She signed it and mailed it to them.

Btw, expect to pay $400 to be the "designated agent," which they neglect to tell us that in the original letter.

The $400 is the fee for the Immigrant Visa, not a designated agent fee, there will probably also be a slight top up fee at the Embassy I do believe.

I am going to cry. I called my Senators office to find out why my petition was sent to Cincinnati and she told me that she contacted that office and they told her that since my husband is not in the US, that there is no need to conduct the interview, so once my file is received in Cincinnati, they will send it right back to California. So I requested an expedite and now it is taking at least another month before my case is right back where it was. I called USCIS and told them that is was their error and she told me there was nothing she could do. So I am royally screwed and there is nothing I can do about it.

What a crock of #######!!! pardon my French.

Hopefully your file won't have left the service center yet ..... that is a big possibility.

And it shouldn't take month ....

As you've made contact with the Senator, how about pushing for the expedite ?????

Send them a nice wad of documents .... pictures .... newspaper clippings ..... stuff on how your Husband is living (Google is your friend) .... court papers ..... and that letter from your lawyer stating you need an expedite.

Thanks Paris we think he's pretty cute too

No way I'm giving up just getting fired up for the next salvo. My dad is going to get to meet my wife and see those big blue eyes and hold him in his arms.

Paris is right ..... gorgeous baby I'm getting all broody now .... bet Paris is too

Damned right about the getting fired up!!!!

I'm right behind you .... I'm sending you all the luck in the world

Totally upset here that they can belittle your situation ..... I hope they like the wonderful set of documents they'll be getting ..... don't forget some horrid pictures if you can find some on Google .... then whoever turned your expedite down before ..... can look at those ..... and think again before playing God!

Do get the doctor to stress just how important the expedite is!!!! .... in the strongest of ways.

I'm thinking of all of you guys!!!! ..... I pray for all your happy faces to return

I wish I could just say #### it and move to Russia, this bullshit is puting my wife in so many problems.

Ilya, I wish I could do the same, but Lena wants to move here, at least for now. This would not have been a problem back in Russia...pay the right people and problems are solved.

I'm of the same ilk ....

I think they way they have everyone by the nuts is terrible .... such an abuse of power

That's super news that they can diddle with the NOA1 date .... makes you wonder why they don't just put everyone's dates as when the files arrived .... obviously far too difficult for them to begin with.

Maybe as they know there's a caller who's on the ball with the processing dates, they may just adjudicate your case as they know you'll be on the phone in 2 weeks and they have to do something about it then ..... my fingers are crossed.

Nicole, yes, it's arrived and I have a case number .... fingers crossed it will go thru quickly .... it's really come at the 11th hour and 59th minute, that's for sure.

K1's get wizzed through pretty quickly at Vermont .... and it's quite a bone of contention on here.

There are some family filers who sent their petitions in last July 2007 on VJ .... so they're fast approaching a year.

There are families with children who are waiting ... and basically it's pretty awful.

This is why we get excited at anyone being approved or touched .... it means another family will be able to be reunited soon .... hopefully.

I can't do it, I'm attached to government being married to military .....

But I'm sure a nice fax/phonecall/email etc or all together from a shedload of you, may get some response.

Do outline the situation you're in .... and if you've got kids, all the better .... I think that would help get the ball rolling.

It may take a couple of tries, as the US is not reknowned for being an abusive place to live, and they may not believe it to begin with.

Don’t leave me behind...

You're a K1 at Vermont .... you don't have a lot to worry about .... plus you only filed 24 days ago ..... try 5 months!!

Give it a bash ... but just bear in mind that your NOA1 date is not November and that's what the tend to go by ..... you have nothing to lose .... I hope you get someone nice.

Vermont you sooo suck!!!!