DimaSta4321

I uploaded a 8 page long letter in which I provided links to news articles, links to US Dep of State and UN, photos of attacks with damages on civilian targets, evacuation order in Sumy region just issues weeks ago, maps showing proximity to a current frontline, Institute for the Study of War (American based) daily assessment of Russian advance near Sumy in recent weeks. And plus my statement describing how critical the situation is. @appleblossom well I hear before what you are saying, but I also see people reporting that they successfully expedited their cases based on the war in Ukraine, and some even with zero evidence provided. This makes me think that it just the luck of a draw on what officer you land ? Because obviously rules are not the same for all people. @Boiler My parents moved from first internally in Ukraine and then to Poland in the beginning of the war. Later they came back to Sumy due to our family situation (they had to take care of a grandma). Russian advances on Sumy again in just recent weeks. And recently my grandma died, so now my parents are willing to move from Sumy. This is why we are doing this now and not 3 years ago.

Hi all! Looking for some advise and/or help here. I filed two I-130 petitions for my dad and my mom, both residing in Sumy, Ukraine (a city directly bordering Russia and located only about 20 miles from active combat front line). The city where my parents live are under drone or missile attacks almost every single day. On June 3, 2025 there was a Russian strike on downtown Sumy that killed 4 and injured 29 people (its all over the world news). My parents were going about their daily life running their errands in downtown Sumy at the time when the attack occurred. They were almost killed in this strike! They were only 700 meters / 0.45 miles away from the impact when it occurred. This is not an isolated attack, this happens almost daily. City is in range of Russian close range artillery. Just two months ago there was an even bigger strike which even US Government and United Nations condemned: US Department of State – https://www.state.gov/palm-sunday-attack-on-sumy/ United Nations – https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162196 I submitted 8 page long statement from myself in which I included links to news articles, photos of damages and strikes on the city, link to US Govt and UN publishing about strikes on this specific city where my parents live. I also included maps, Google Earth images showing measured distance from frontline to the city - which proofs that city is in a range of close range artillery. I also included references to Institute for the Study of War (Washington DC based American nonprofit research group that provides research and analysis of modern armed conflicts) where they publish daily updates showing Russian advances near Sumy city. I included proof of evacuation orders by Ukrainian Govt in Sumy Region, etc. There was even a Russian drone strike on an evacuation bus near Sumy city killing 9 few days ago (I included that too). Expedite Request I placed over the phone on 6/4. They told me that I will be getting a phone call in the next 10 days. But I never got a phone call and today I received an email stating: "Your expedite request will not be submitted. We can not grant your request for expedited processing." I am a bit confused here because it says "Your expedite request will not be submitted". Does that mean a rejection of a request ? Or they do not even allow me to submit it !? Even the United States Government (U.S. Department of State) considers the whole country of Ukraine as a nation that is very dangerous according to its Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel). Level 4 Travel Advisory for Ukraine by the US Government also means that there are life-threatening risks. So, I am a bit confused how can USCIS not agree with with U.S. Department of State determination !? Overall, can someone please share any ideas why this could be ? Clearly there is life threatening danger for anybody physically located in Ukraine. Am I doing something wrong ? I just don't understand how such request can be rejected. I have also seen many posts of other I-130 / I-129 expedite requests being approved based on war in Ukraine just after a phone request with USCIS by some applicants (in some cases I see some data points that USCIS approved such requests with no evidence provided on the same day). Any ideas, insights are helpful! Please help! Maybe I have missed something critical in the evidence ? I am open to a lawyer as well if anyone have done this successfully and connect me with one approved good lawyer. Thank you. @Boiler @TBoneTX @MiOm @texastincup @gregcrs2 @O&R @keystringzz @Lonny&Kris @Natafaith @Cschaef25 @chivaschivas @Mrs:D @OldUser @Edward and Jaycel @Traveler101 @aaron2020 @Kineo @Austin&Olga @Cclemonds27 Can someone

did this expedite request work ? Did you provide any supporting evidence or was it just a phone call ?

Thank you!

I actually just went through an online I-130 form one more time clicking through all questions one by one and that question was never actually asked: "'if you filing a petition for a child or parent select a box that describes your relationship". So I assume then it is blank on a copy of a filed petition on purpose because it was never asked during online application.

@OldUser @Edward and Jaycel @Boiler quick question - I filed my two I-130s online and now I downloaded a filed application to go through it. I see that Question 2 "'if you filing a petition for a child or parent select a box that describes your relationship" is not answered. It does sounds that all options to that questions is as if I am filing for a child, so I assume that is why I didn't select anything there. I assume answer should have been: "Child was born to parents who were married to each other at the time of the child's birth" since my parents were married to each other when I was born. Is it a bid issue that this question is not answered ? It is clear by the rest of the petition that they were married to each other at the moment of my birth, etc, and that I am their child. Or do I need to submit additional evidence now clarifying that answer to question 2 should have been "Child was born to parents who were married to each other at the time of the child's birth" ? Thank you in advance!

So you would suggest apply as is and then just respond to RFE if any ? Or just go and get new BC with corrected moms name before applying?

Good question. Answer is - issuing agency didn't write it on a BC. Her mom had a c section, she was not even asked what to write. The people that issued a certificate just wrote what they wrote on a BC. Does this one missing last name an issue for I130? Should we go reorder a BC?

USC Birth Certificate shows the following Mom name: First: Martha Middle: Patricia Last Name: Gomez Mom's Passport: First: Martha Patricia Last: Gomez Ruano Okay answer here is - her full last name in her Mexican Passport is Gomez Ruano. Mexicans have 2 last names - one from dad and one from mom. So, she is Gomez Ruano from birth (Gomez by dad, Ruano by mom). Any advise here ?

okay TY! So my understanding is correct that this is only needed for a visa interview ? Not for I-130 application....right ?

It says is under "General section" for Ukraine immigrant visa interviews:

Ukraine (my parents).

@OldUser on another note - I see that apostille is not needed for docs such as birth certificates and marriage certificate for I-130, but it looks like apostille is needed for these documents for an actual immigrant visa interview. Is that info correct ?

Checking on this....

Hi @OldUser one last question I promise So, for my Mexican girlfriend, here is the situation with her mom's name on birth certificate vs passport. USC Birth Certificate shows the following Mom name: First: Martha Middle: Patricia Last Name: Gomez Mom's Passport: First: Martha Patricia Last: Gomez Ruano Is this considered as matching or not from USCIS perspective ? Do we need to go and request a new birth certificate to match with passport one to one ? Please help! Thank you in advance. @Edward and Jaycel @Boiler if you know please do not hesitate to assist. Thank you all!

Hi @Orvis25 so how did you proceed here ? Just one PDF file with purely Japanese characters indicating name and address ? That's it ? Like you typed it yourself in a Microsoft word and saved as PDF ? No need here for a document such as local foreign ID showing that info in a foreign language ?

@OldUser @Boiler @Edward and Jaycel do you guys mind helping out with this one question ? I am filing out my I-130 right now and I am confused by this question: Information about beneficiary in their native written language: If the beneficiary's native written language does not use Roman letters, type or print his or her name and foreign address in their native written language. Does it have to be a document - like their Ukrainian internal ID/passport book showing the name and address in their language ? Or it says "type or print" which makes me think I can just open a Microsoft document and type it there, print, and scan, and upload ? Please help.

It is not matching, she will have to get a new birth certificate for sure. I am filing out my I-130 right now and I am confused by this question: Information about beneficiary in their native written language: If the beneficiary's native written language does not use Roman letters, type or print his or her name and foreign address in their native written language. Does it have to be a document - like their Ukrainian internal ID/passport book showing the name and address in their language ? Or it says "type or print" which makes me think I can just open a Microsoft document and type it there, print, and scan, and upload ? Please help.

This was a question for my girlfriend, she is trying to sponsor her mom too (mom is Mexican citizen). I am helping her out with a process. My docs (Ukrainian) are all matching and correct. Thank you for advise Old User! You are always very insightful!

@Boiler @OldUser is missing mother's middle name on applicant's birth certificate an issue for I-130? First, last name, and DOB of mom is all matching on a birth certificate to her passport. But middle name is not on a birth certificate.

Wow! This is very very helpful! Appreciate you!

Got it! Thanks! Is apostille required for parents marriage certificate and their birth certificates or certified translation is good enough ?

Hi @OldUser and @appleblossom I have a question if you don't mind. Am I required to submit proof of my parents address during I-130 application? Asking because I see some people mentioning that on forums as needed, but I do not see if listed as a requirements anywhere on USCIS documents, etc. If it is required, do I need a certified translation of that proof of address ? Will Documentation showing joint ownership of property be required anywhere throughout the process (maybe at NVC stage) ?

Thank you! It does explicitly says there that extreme living conditions, such as those caused by natural catastrophes or armed conflict is a reason.

Hi guys, question to both of you - if I want to put in a request to expedite I-130 based on urgent humanitarian reasons (war in Ukraine), what would be the best way to do this ? My parents both live in Sumy, Ukraine which is 30 km from russian border and attacks are a daily occurrence. It is not safe to be there. Would it be enough if I just write a letter from myself explain this or there are specific things I need to attach as a proof of urgent humanitarian need ?