DimaSta4321

7 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Just curious, when you made your request what evidence did you use to make the case?  I know you made the request via the contact system, so no evidence was physically submitted, but reading the instructions, it shows justification is needed.  Also, since you are filing for them normally (not attempting a refugee application), expedited processing is usually granted for issues related to the petitioner.  I realize this situation is different, and your request is based on emergency humanitarian grounds, but those can require a high bar.

 

You can try a lawyer, they may be able to offer some ideas to get the expedite approved, but remember, getting an expedite  does not mean a petition will be approved in record time, it just moves it to a different line behind all the petitions that have an approved expedite.

 

Good Luck!

 

You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation. You should be prepared to supply this to the office processing your case.

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

On 2/24/2022 at 11:12 AM, texastincup said:

I phoned USCIS today and told the computer I wanted to file an expedite request. I was transferred to a representative and gave her the details. I told her the basis was hunaitarian relief based on Russia's attack on Ukraine today. I further explained that my wife and step-daughter left our apartment this morning because it was shaken by a nearby explosion. They are now at her brother's house. The representative said this was a "legitimate reason" for this request. I thought I would pass this along to everyone else. I should have a decision on the request within seven business days.

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

13 minutes ago, OldUser said:

This is common for online forms. If online form didn't ask, it's irrelevant in your case.

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!

7 hours ago, OldUser said:

Hard to know, she may get RFE asking to explain name difference.

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?

On 5/30/2025 at 11:33 PM, OldUser said:

Why both names aren't on BC?

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?

8 hours ago, OldUser said:

How did she get "Ruano" added? Is it her married name? If so, no need to update birth certificate. Marriage certificate would explain the name change.

Birth certificate is typically issued once in lifetime and name stays the same. Unless there was mistake with name originally, which cause to change name on birth certificate. 

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 ?

1 minute ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Good catch! I just went by the State Department's Reciprocity guide. Looks like the embassy has additional rules. Then yes get it apostilled for sure

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

3 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

So the requirements for the birth certificate I posted before are from the embassy's supplemental page on the Department of State website for immigrant visa interview requirements and there is nothing on there that I see that says it needs to be apostilled for the interview

 

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

1 minute ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Where is the interview going to happen and what country issued the birth certificate?

 

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 ? 

17 minutes ago, OldUser said:

How did she get "Ruano" added? Is it her married name? If so, no need to update birth certificate. Marriage certificate would explain the name change.

Birth certificate is typically issued once in lifetime and name stays the same. Unless there was mistake with name originally, which cause to change name on birth certificate. 

Checking on this....

23 hours ago, OldUser said:

Got it, thank you. So are there any docs this lady has with middle name listed? If not, I guess she doesn't have middle name.

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. 

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

Got it, thank you. So are there any docs this lady has with middle name listed? If not, I guess she doesn't have middle name.

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. 

44 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Middle name or patronymic? Those are different things.

If it's missing on birth certificate and passport (the real one for travelling, not internal ID in Cyrillic), then what makes you think she has middle name / patronymic?

If she has it on some other docs, include in "Other Names Used" section.

I don't see it as a problem.

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.

53 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

I have never seen an instance where an apostille is required for filing the I-130 - If the officer adjudicating the form has doubts, maybe they might request that? I've not heard of that request ever happening either. USCIS follows the DoS reciprocity tables for civil documents and this is what they have for Birth Certificates from Ukraine (Link Below): 

 

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  < USD 1

Document Name:  Svidotstvo pro narodzhennya (Свідоцтво про народження)

Issuing Authority:  District or Regional State Registration of Civil Status Offices

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:  Birth certificates issued by officials of the Government of Ukraine are accepted.  They bear a wet seal and a signature of the executive officer of the issuing authority.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:  Department Head of the State Registration of Civil Status Office

Registration Criteria:  Defined by Family Code of Ukraine

Procedure for Obtaining:  The applicant must request birth certificates from one of two locations: 1) district DRATsS (Civil Registry Office of the Department of Justice) either at the place of residence or at the place where the registration of document took place; 2) Ukrainian Consulate or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for residents of other countries).

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents:  There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Ukraine.html

Wow! This is very very helpful! Appreciate you! 

10 hours ago, Boiler said:

None of this has anything to do with their I 130, you are the Sponsor, whether they own property or are penniless is irrelevant.

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) ?

18 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Follow the instructions here once the I-130 has been filed - https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/expedite-requests

 

As @OldUser said it's a long shot as it's usually only applicable to the USC's circumstances, I doubt an expedite will be granted but you can certainly try. If it is granted, don't forget you need to ask to expedite at each stage, asking USCIS only expedites the I-130 - so you'd need to ask NVC to expedite the visa stage etc too. 

 

Good luck. 

 

Thank you!

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

5 hours ago, appleblossom said:

Follow the instructions on the I-130 carefully, and the link above which sets the whole process out step by step. 
 

And I’m sure you’re aware but just mentioning it in case - each parent needs their own application/case, so you’ll be filing two I-130’s. 
 

Good luck. 

11 hours ago, OldUser said:

Translated - yes, professionally - no, notarized - no

Translator, however needs to be proficient in English and other language and certify translation by writing a statement.

 

I used an online agency for translation, there's many affordable ones. My reasons were:

- They do translations professionally and know how to do it

- They have all necessary templates

- They're a third neutral party between USCIS and petitioner. So nobody doubts translations are valid and not made up to get immigration benefit

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 ?