shadtov

Gracias brothers and sisters,

Ahorita mi compa el CRIS me acaba d mandar otros 2 emails avisandome que aprobaron la I-130 y la I-485. La carta d aprobacion de la I-130 y la d bienvenida a USA ya estan en camino. Ps eso q digamos bienvenida pues se me hace raro porque ya tengo viviendo 8 años por aca pero pues yo creo q bienvenida permanente jaja!

Ahora, 2 años para quitar las condiciones y otro extra para perdir la ciudadania! AJUA!

felicidades! ahora que te llegue a tu casa lo mas rapido posible.

Baby Blue Susie--my husband talked about going back to Mexico the whole first year. He had a very hard time adjusting. But he stuck it out b/c he knew that financially we couldn't afford to move there. He's happy now, except for the weather. He still misses Mexico and has set a goal to find a career that will let us travel yearly for lengthy visits to his hometown (particularly in January/February... ).

yea, he has been feeling a bit better since he got a job, but we will be moving in two months and i am afraid it will start all over again

glad to hear that things are looking up for you

wow. that will be different. Maybe you'll find a great international community, not necessarily Albanian, but an active community.

My step aunt and uncle are outside of Cincinnati... they're originally from England... but I wouldn't say that they're the most open people...

good luck. Let us know how it goes.

The officer said our case has been under review with an officer (I don't remember the exact wording) since March 14, 2008. I'm guessing that was when the results for the 3/3/08 biometrics came in. He thought we'd be hearing very soon and told us not to move. (Like I would do anything to jeopardize mail delivery at this time!)

that was the response i got for last 2 Infopass appointments , "pending decision by a officer", on my last Infopass the officer said , change of address!!! it is goint to slow the process

Hi - I am curious - how did you find out that your namecheck had cleared? thanks.

For me, I don't think my husband's name check necessarily "cleared" as much as we're included in the February memo. We've definitely been waiting more than 180 days...

My Senator's office is checking in with them again. I'll let you know if they tell me something different.

South Carolina sheriffs back a plan to build three regional prisons in the state to hold illegal immigrants as they await deportation.

Several sheriffs tell The Myrtle Beach Sun News that the plan would remove the inmates from overcrowded county jails, where they take up valuable space as they await officials to transfer them to the closest federal immigration court in Atlanta.

The current plan calls for the three prisons to hold up to 400 inmates each. State prison officials will run the facilities, which will be paid for through a program with the federal Department of Homeland Security.

It hasn't been determined who will pay to build the prisons, and officials stress the plan is a work in progress.

Advocates for the poor worry concentrating illegal immigrants in a few jails may lead to substandard care in those facilities.

http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=61154

huh. I'm not sure what I think about that. If the people awaiting deportation were arrested only for breaking immigration laws than I suppose they would feel better not being housed with violent criminals. I wonder if the prison system could save money going this route. They can access more DHS money at least. Also, regarding the advocates' concerns, I would think that it would be easier to keep on eye on how people are being treated if everyone is in one place.

Also, they're talking about jails, not prisons, right? I would think that violent offenders, legally here or not, would serve time in the US prison system prior to deportation to their home country. And people only convicted of immigration crimes are just held in jail prior to deportation. But then, I'm not really sure how it all works.

Baby Blue Susie--my husband talked about going back to Mexico the whole first year. He had a very hard time adjusting. But he stuck it out b/c he knew that financially we couldn't afford to move there. He's happy now, except for the weather. He still misses Mexico and has set a goal to find a career that will let us travel yearly for lengthy visits to his hometown (particularly in January/February... ).

yea, he has been feeling a bit better since he got a job, but we will be moving in two months and i am afraid it will start all over again

glad to hear that things are looking up for you

My husband was depressed again for a couple of months with the move to Seattle, but a lot of that had to do with the rain and boredom. Once late spring sunshine arrived and he started school he rebounded quickly--much more quickly than when he first arrived.

Where are you guys moving to?

Finally, I got my I-485 approved, and my card is on the way.

PS. I did my 2nd fingerprint in March 1st, I think the memo works, and hope you get yours soon!

Congratulations! You've had a long wait.

Thanks for the update on your biometrics. We renewed my husband's on march 3rd. Maybe we'll be soon, too.

I received a call back from my Senator's office today and the staff member was going to do another inquiry since the biometrics were completed more than 6 weeks ago.

How do you know the card is in the mail? Did you receive the notice by mail or by email?

Again--Congratulations! what a relief.

My husband made a few friends in San Diego but never felt that he could really talk with them. They'd hang out but they had such different immigration stories and experiences. In Seattle he's had much better luck. People here say that Seattlites are polite but guarded, but he's found a great community of South Americans who he has lots in common with. He actually met a couple of friends on the city bus to school. I tend to be the person who never looks you directly in the eye when I get on and off the bus. Maybe that's why my friends are limited to work and old college friends...

Anyway, I agree that it's hard to make friends in a new community, especially if you don't click with people from work and aren't in school.

Baby Blue Susie--my husband talked about going back to Mexico the whole first year. He had a very hard time adjusting. But he stuck it out b/c he knew that financially we couldn't afford to move there. He's happy now, except for the weather. He still misses Mexico and has set a goal to find a career that will let us travel yearly for lengthy visits to his hometown (particularly in January/February... ).

no fixed amount or schedule ... on a need and whim basis....

Same here.

I know that my mother-in-law has expenses that are hard for her to cover but she won't ask us for money. She has a sister who lives off of her two daughters and I think that really bothers her. So, we try to send money for specific things we know about, like medical tests or home repairs. She's more likely to actually use the money if we're specific about it. We find it's best to save the money all year and pay for something big when we visit, like a new front door, or installing a sink in the kitchen (She always did dishes outside and was out of luck during hurricane season).

I've found that my mother-in-law is content with just having her basic needs met. She's not caught up in the American need for things... as I have succumbed to at times. It's refreshing when we visit and inspiring. She has what she needs and we only help out with those big expenses that go beyond her paycheck.

¡Felicitaciones Tavito! Y no, la tarjeta no es verde. Es como rosadonga como con visos. Toda bacaniada.

Diana

Querida Diana, ahora si me va a tener que traducir eso porque le pude seguir la conversacion hasta "¡Felicitaciones Tavito! Y no, la tarjeta no es verde" rosadonga es color rosa supongo.

Felicidades para ti y tu mujer! Que fabuloso!

Ahora te metes en el camino para ciudadania. Vas a querer "dual citizenship"? Que bueno que ahora te dejan mantener los dos. No conozco ningun mexicano que quiere dejar su ciudadania mexicana.

Buenos días gente fenonemal...

A los de Seattle... estoy enfrentando un posible viaje por esa ciudad a hacer visita didacta en la UW... algún momento este verano. Ya daré avisos.

Compadre!!!! Usted nomas avise y aqui nos organizamos una comidilla --- yo sugiero el Cedar's en el Distrito Universitario. Es delicioso!!!! Ademas me ofrezco para ser su guia de turistas en UW. A que departamento vas? Cuenta, cuenta, cuenta.

Aaaaaaa bueno... es cosa entre Neuro y Endocrinología en el campus médico... un posible entrenamiento colaborativo entre el laboratorio de un colega de mi "jefe" y el mío... ya sabes, temas de tésis .

Dios quiera serán unos días gratos donde pueda aprovechar para conocerles al "corillo" VJotero por esos lares!

Ah orale, entonces vienes a UW Medicine - chido. El Centro de Ciencias de Salud esta juntito al campus - medio pinche el edificio je je je. En verdad avisanos cuando caes por estos lares, en una de esas te ahorramos el hotel amigo, aqui entre la banda C-@-TL.

Si, seria buenisimo tener reunioncita. te esperamos.

Gracias Abby chula!!!

Acabo de iniciar un thread llamado PUNTO DE AHORRO, donde podemos compartir nuestras ideas para ahorrar plata!

que bonito que tu mama ha recuperado. Espero que tengamos dias soleados durante su visita.

ya me voy para meterme en tu nuevo thread.

Hola a todos...

ya tarde por que este tema esta muy avanzadito pero, bueno se puede?

Tendran un lugarcito para mi en este grupo?

Para Guera y Tavo, yo creo que vale mas que sobre y no que falte, cuando fui a mi entrevista lleve tantos papeles que le pobre agente se me asusto y no quiso ver nada. Buena suerte en la entrevista.

Bienvenida!

Heee gente bonita,

Buenos dias y como les fue d fin? 1 pregunta, tenemos mi Sra. y yo la entrevista con el tio Sam este jueves asi que si me pudieran dar su insight sobre su experiencia estaria d pelos.

Te piden entregar algunas formas corregidas en la entrevista? por ejemplo, mi sra (ella es la gringa) adopto mi apellido despues de mandar los papeles y tambien le dieron 1 aumento de sueldo despues de mandar los papiros, debo cambiar y llevar conmigo la correccion de la I-485 y la biografica??

Bueno gracias y espero sus respuestas.

Tavo

suerte! Nuestro entrevista fue hace 4 anos... pero fue facil, mas o menos. Llevamos un paquete con todos los formas para ensenarlos, pero solo nos pidio unos cuantos. Lo ensenamos las fotos de la boda. Nos pregunto unas preguntas, ni recuerdo que fueron pero fue muy facil. En este tiempo mi marido no hablaba mucho ingles pero tampoco tuvo problemas. Nuestro problema fue el name check, la entrevista nos fue bien. Solo buscan casos donde es obvio que el matrimonio es falso.

Cambie mi apellido tambien, pero no le ensene nada de eso. Creo que lo que les importa es el apellido del inmigrante.

Ni modo, mejor tener demasiado documentos y pruebas.

suerte!

Como les fue el finde para todos?

Len, espero que no hubo problemas con el Pow Wow--con la lluvia el domingo.

Festejamos el cumpleanos de mi marido. Fue un dia bello y soleado--que raro para Seattle.

Hubo como dos fiestas. Llegaron los americanos a las 7 para una cena de tacos y quesadillas... y llegaron los mexicanos, chilenos y brazilenos a las 11 para el "dance party". Fue muy divertida pero muy larga la noche.

Que bueno que mi marido solo cumple anos una vez al ano.

On our way home from our first Thanksgiving together, he said, "I really liked the smashed potatoes."

I thought... I guess they are kind of smashed

I think even if he works at a gas station/grocery store in the beginning it is valuable, he is building references here in the USA which will help when he looks for a job in his field. Even volunteer experience is useful for this reason while he is job hunting.

look at http://www.upwardlyglobal.org/

They're a nonprofit I heard about on NPR. My husband only had 1 year of experience post-college in Mexico so he didn't fit into their qualifications. I think that you need at least a few years post-college. But they help immigrants who've come with experience. They're in san francisco, but I think they have weekend/weeklong classes that people from out of the area can take.

I hope this is helpful. My husband worked in HR, but has taken a different path here.

I think that anyone that has to fly over the ocean to see their SO has a hard time with LDR. I also think that some have it better than others.

For a lot of people with SOs from non-VWP countrues it is the USC that has to travel. In a lot of cases the SO cannot get a visa to come visit the US. The USC has to take time off work and arrange care for their kids (if they have any). And then springing for a ticket that is so freaking hella expensive.

I should be happy that at least Ghana is a relatively stable country and I do not have to worry about my fiance's safety. It is relatively easy to get in touch with my fiance, even though the phone lines have their moments. There is no home internet access, so we do not do webcams or anything like that. I wish that is was cheaper to call. I wish more airlines went there (maybe that would reduce the price of tickets, I have no idea). I wish I could afford to go more often. I wish my SO could get a visa to come and visit me and see my world before he made the decision to move here. I wish that the embassy could schedule interviews a lot sooner (4-5 month wait).

But those are the cards we have been dealt. I have only been able to see him once a year since we first met. Thank goodness that is coming to an end soon.

That's an interesting point, when the SO cannot get a visa to the US. I wonder how many relationships were stopped short b/c the SO couldn't get a visa and it was too dangerous for the USC to travel to the SO's country.

I think we were lucky because my job was pretty flexible. I had 4 weeks of vacation and I used it up every year with visits. And lucky, again, in terms of proximity, meaning much cheaper flights than I imagine most of you had to pay. I can't imagine what so many of you have had to go through.

The poster from Alaska had an interesting point, too. I hadn't considered how the USC's location would make the process more difficult. We've never lived more than an hour from our local office, either. I think about those couples who have to drive hours just to get an infopass appt.

How have those of you with SO's without visas dealt with your SO and your family? My husband really wanted to meet my family before marrying into it. We were able to fly him north to the US border and have my family drive across. That definitely wouldn't have been possible without a shared border.

I used to whine that he couldn't get a visa, but after reading others' posts, I'll shut up about that.

I'm sorry it's been so impossibly hard for so many.

Ok, i was being patient, i mailed my K-1 packet in to USCIS (cali) March 5, they received it, I received my NOA1 with receipt WACxxxxxxxxxx

I waited and waited, ok, no problem, i know it takes a while. Then today, I check USCIS site (which i registered on and checked with my login data many times before) to see if any change or maybe a

touch, this is what I get.....

Validation Error(s)

You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:

Your login was invalid. Please check your User Type, User ID and/or Password.

Please note that your online access will be locked out if you have multiple invalid sign on attempts.

#######!!!!!!!!!, ok ok , I then try again 3 more times....same messege (i am sure of my login name/password)

ok then I try to check status with my receipt number, and I get this....

Validation Error(s)

You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:

Case Status Retrieval Failed

#######!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS GONE???? THATS IT< I"M DONE??????? #######!!!!!!!!

NOTNING IN THE MAIL, NO EMAIL, NADA!!!!

IS THAT IT??? AM I DONE????? THEY JUST THREW IT AWAY AND KEPT MY $455???????!!!!!!

ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM???

THIS IS SUCH BULLS**T!!!!!

ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!!!!!

I think the system is just down today.

I had the same problem.

same problem. good to know I'm not alone.

Hola a TODOS!!!

Solo queria pasar a saludar...soy nueva aqui!!! Acabo de empezar todos los papeles para el K-1 visa para que mi hermosisimo novio mexicano pueda venir aqui conmigo!! Deseanme suerteeee :*)

Bienvenida! Soy nueva aqui tambien. De veras, son gente muy amable aqui.

Seguimos aqui para ofrecerte apoyo en todo el camino. Puede estar muy duro a veces... pero vale la pena.

heather

Hola mi gente querida de Fuera de Lugar, empecé a leer el foro donde me había quedado, y francamente que ustedes son una gente muy divina, jajajajajajajaaj, les cuento que estoy feliz en mi nueva vida, la verdad viaje mucho de chiquitina con mis padres, pero ya grande hecha una mujer no, y estoy medio atontada con tantas cosas lindas en este país, la entrevista en Colombia en la embajada, fue muy corta, la cónsul me pidió presentarle a mi hijo y que llamara a mi prometido y luego de hablar con el dos palabras le dijo riendo que éramos aprobados y eso fue todo, nos quedamos con las evidencias y un medio libro de 280 y tantas paginas de una parte de nuestros encuentros diarios en Internet, jajajajajajajaj, luego a preparar las maletas y salimos para USA el 5 de Abril, el viaje muy pesado por que es muy largo, entramos por Atlanta y casi mudos con mi hijo de ver un aeropuerto tan grande, la gente de inmigración fue muy querida y nos dieron una linda bienvenida, llegamos a Phoenix a las 2 de la mañana y finalmente a casa, caímos en las camas como piedras, del cansancio que traíamos, y solo al despertar pude darme cuenta que no era un sueño, que estaba con mi amor en casa y en los Estados Unidos de Norte América, nunca pensé en el sueño americano como la mayoría de los latinos, pero si es maravilloso llegar aquí.

Todo es nuevo y muy lindo, aun creo estar soñando, el arreglo de la casa es muy fuerte y lo único que extraño es que en Colombia era una reconocida figura y aquí nadie me conoce y nadie me saluda, jajajajajajajjaja, mis nuevos hijos son un encanto y se han llevado muy bien con el mío, el idioma siempre es una pequeña dificultad, pero esto hace que todos pongamos especial atención en cada uno, se presenta cada situación de esas que dan mucha risa, en fin, en síntesis estoy muy feliz de haber logrado el sueño de poder estar con mi amorcito.

Gracias por todas las buenas vibras que nos enviaron, Len tengo tu café, por fa envíame tu dirección para mandarlo, y lo mismo tu Mónica, aquí esta tu chocolatera y el molinillo, jajajajajajaj, me alegra mucho que tengamos nuevas personas en fuera de lugar, donde podemos contar experiencias y lo que queramos, un abrazo para todos y nuevamente gracias, aquí continuamos, feliz fin de semana, Carina

Felicidades! Que bonito. Que bueno que les fue todo bien. siempre me agrada escuchar historias de oficiales amables. Me da pena escuchar lo feo... Es tan dificil imigrar, no le tienen que poner mas obstaculos en el camino.

te mando suerte con el AOS!

Hello,

Have been reading this thread through.....so nice to hear that difficulties in the transition are a common (and expected) thing.

I'm posting under a new profile, just to protect my hubby's feelings and keep it anonymous. But, I need some help! Maybe some VJer's who've been through this can help me believe that things will get better?!

I'm the USC; my husband is Eastern European, and came here for the 1st time ever just 5 months ago; and we are hitting the interpersonal cultural shock really hard lately. I knew it would be hard; but I didn't know HOW hard. My main problem is that I'm working/providing for us (he just got the EAD and a menial job); taking 100% care of our home/housework/bills; and also trying to cope with his adjustments--it's like having a child, instead of a partner sometimes! I'm overwhelmed and tired and have a hard time being gracious when he insists on his opinions being always right. Does anyone else feel this way???

Another problem we have is social embarrassment. How do I deal with this? I am proud of my hubby and his tremendous efforts with his English; however, he has NOT picked up on appropriate social cues yet......he brings up controversial subjects and argues them to the death with my friends/family; he states his opinions/beliefs too strongly; and sometimes monopolizes conversations with people by talking (slowly) for extended time periods without allowing them to say anything.

He already faces discouragement and adjustment in EVERY area of his new life here; so I don't want to beat him down or constantly criticize him. But I also want to help him fit in a bit better and give a good impression to others. (part of the reason for him getting a menial job, I feel, was his presentation. He's degreed and could do better, but can't present him well enough for serious employers to consider his potential). So anyway, any words of wisdom??

I'm trying to hang in there; but I'm having serious feelings of doubt and niggling wishes that I'd married American. I feel guilty for this because I love my husband and he is very loving and kind to me. He deserves a wife 100% on board with him.....but I feel like he's floundering right now and so far my attempts to help, aren't helping!

I agree with Mononoke. I also will say that there were times when I thought "why didn't I just find someone local." I'd think that b/c of the stress, but then I'd remember how alone I'd felt with past boyfriends. Even during our long distance relationship, I always felt that he was with me. It might help to look at pictures from before he moved in to remind yourself of why you both decided to go through this. Of course it's still difficult sometimes and that's just the way it is. You don't have to feel bad for being human. Choosing this relationship means that sometimes things will be more difficult but it also means that other parts will be that much more amazing.

The first year was definitely the hardest for us. We had sincere conversations about packing up and moving us both to Mexico.

One of the doctors I worked with before we got married gave me the advice that there will be times in the marriage that the marriage will be less about love and all about unity. He said to stick with the unity during those times and you'd get back to a better place.

That helped me in times like these.

I wish you smoother sailing.

I just wondering is any reason they pick ppls for name check?

They don't pick people, everyone goes through the FBI namecheck. Just some get stuck longer than others.

While it is true that all apllications are subject to background checks, I believe your ethnicity, nationality etc all play a big part in whether your application is delayed or not. I have a friend from Singapore who got his green card after coming here on vwp, overstayed for 3 years and married a usc and got his green card in 3 months. A colleague from work had his girlfriend come from Poland on a visitors visa got married and got their green card in 2 months. Both my sis in law and brother in law gc applications took over 1 year along with my wife's. Also seeing some of the other cases that are on this board and others I can't help but notice that there is a strong correlation with delays and where your beneficiary is coming from etc. I guess all the delays can be attributed to 9/11 and it's subsequent changes to policies.

We've been waiting a long time. They've said it's b/c my husband's mexican last name is common here. We've had a few other friends fly right through. Two were Mexicans granted asylum and one through marriage. However, they have a much less common last name. I've heard that lots of canadians and brits have been stuck in the name check for the same reason.

It's crazy that you can come with a full police report from your country on the K-1 visa and then get stuck here when you've never even been to the country. I kind of think the employees told themselves, "well, it's only 2% of people that are still waiting, so who cares."

But now, they are being forced to care. thanks to all of the lobbying and senator requests.

I don't know if Peruvian banks are similar to Mexican banks, but so much money gets eaten up in charges whenever we deposit money into my mother-in-law's account. My US bank doesn't charge me like that.

We haven't done it yet, but we're going to try out the debit card thing. I talked to my bank and the employee said my husband can open a new account and add my mother-in-law as a secondary person as long she has a passport number. That way a debit card connected to our main checking and savings acct isn't roaming around Mexico but we can transfer money to the acct without charges.

We used to transfer money for a $10 fee.

Welcome! It can be a long and tumultuous journey but worth it.

Good luck.