Noi3125

UPDATE: 

he attended the interview. The IO initially refused to see him because his spouse was not there but then agreed. She collected some things he had brought with him (specifically copies of written communication). 
meanwhile the divorce was filed and a court date set.

UNFORTUNATELY, while awaiting the divorce hearing he received a NOID. It was quite long and there were some gaps in the evidence (mostly that there was not much evidence of co mingling of finances… this was one of the ways she was manipulative and controlling). There was also a mistake on the tax returns which had been prepared by a tax preparation company. 
anyway his response to the NOID is due next week. 
Meanwhile, his ex agreed to submit a letter with additional evidence if he paid her some huge amount to compensate for the time he couldn’t work when he initially arrived and the money spent on immigration. He has collected addition affidavit from neighbors testifying that he did in fact live with her and was faithful & invested as a husband. 

He is preparing his response to NOID and does not feel he can afford a lawyer. 
Any words of wisdom (aside from getting a lawyer?). He plans to file a second I-751 when the divorce papers come. 

Just prior to his arrival she was involved with the law (there are newspaper articles about it) is there any benefit of including this information with the response. 
 

Have a letter from the tax preparer noting the mistake they made. Have paystubs with the shared home address. No further evidence of mingling of finances. Have additional photos/cards/communication which covers more of the time they were together. Have a letter from employer about life insurance beneficiary. Any other thoughts? When he left her home he didn’t take much with him. He was not even considering immigration at the time just his well-being. 
 

thanks!

I am unfamiliar with and I-551. Can you explain?

I have read through many old posts but haven't found quite what I am looking for... please advise. 

Entered on K1 in late 2016. Married in early 2017. Turned out to be a difficult marriage, USC wife had told many lies. Filed I-751 in late 2019 at the time of filing found out that spouse was not filing taxes jointly and some other hurtful things were revealed. I-751 was filed jointly. From then until March 2020 marriage continued to deteriorate and Mar 2020 separated. Nothing was formalized legally. Spouse didn't want to do paperwork. Everything was so backed up with USCIS didn't really think about the separation and the pending application at the time. NOW- end of April 2021 called USCIS to get update and found out an interview is scheduled for May 24, 2021 (notification had been mailed to spouse who decided maliciously not to pass it on).  (ex)Spouse is just now agreeing to drafting divorce papers. Nothing has been filed or finalized yet. (ex)Spouse refuses to attend interview. 

Based on what I have gathered so far what needs to be done is that a new I-751 needs to be filed as an amendment with a cover letter explaining the situation and sent to the field office where the interview is scheduled (Chicago). Is this correct? Is the waiver filled out on the basis of divorce although the divorce hasn't even been filed for let alone finalized? What should the cover letter say? What evidence should be included in this amendment?

Then the immigrant should plan to attend the interview (alone) scheduled for May 24th.  What should be prepared for the interview? There is evidence of the marriage being bona fide, there are also text messages about the toxic situation from (ex)spouse, there is also a video of (ex)spouse suggesting immigrant file taxes as single to get more money. Should any of this be prepared? Should the initial draft of divorce papers be prepared? Should any affidavits or anything like that be prepared? Unfortunately there isn't much time to put much preparation. 

PS my post and timeline don't match up because I am posting on behalf of a dear friend who is so distraught that they cannot navigate all of this right now. 

Oath ceremony today in Grand Rapids, MI.

82 new immigrants from 26 countries (most represented was Bhutan and Mexico). Arrived just before 9, ceremony started at 10 took about 1.5 hours.

Thanks to visajourney and everyone here for leading us down this journey from our first application to becoming a citizen. Now just to get our son here.

Interview was yesterday in Detroit. Arrived about an hour early, the waiting room was filled with kids and cell phones (both of which we hadn't brought along). Got called in about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Had a very strict officer who gave lots of "orders" step forward, sit down, take a piece of paper, etc. She was nice but not really friendly and very much an officer. Before even saying hello jumped into the reading and writing portion of the exam. and then straight onto the civics questions. Reading was "who is on the dollar bill" writing was Washington is on the dollar bill. Questions included when the constitution was written, 1st president, where is the statue of liberty capital of the US, number of senators, and boarder of canada and mexico. Then lots of unexpected "have you ever" questions. Asked if ever drinks alcohol, how often is drunk, and other questions that we are not sure where they came from or why. No history of anything likely. Then asked name of children and birth-dates. If spouse is US citizen, birth date, spouse's employment status, employer and profession. How many trips out of the US in the last 5 years. When was the last. Asked if filed taxes, if owes anything, when filed last taxes (a month after our application was sent). And asked height of applicant. Asked several other questions and after 30 minutes was dismissed to wait for follow up paperwork. We then waited in the waiting room and got an invitation to the Grand Rapids oath ceremony on Aug 17. It seemed that everyone interviewing that day was going to the grand rapids oath ceremony. They were calling up the people who interviewed and giving them all the grand rapids information.

Anyone know about how long the oath ceremony process should take? Have to figure out how much time to take off work.

Updating our timeline. Our interview is scheduled for 8/2 in Detroit. We are a bit nervous mainly about the writing portion or if a question is misunderstood and answered incorrectly. A couple of questions- we had not submitted much proof of child support if they were going to ask for this would we have received a REF or can they ask randomly at the interview? We are also trying to figure out technicalities of the day. They probably don't want us to bring our toddler but being that our interview is several hours from our house we hadn't wanted to leave him with a sitter so we will have to decide about that... Oh it is 4 days away guess we should decide.

Did anyone use any particular youtube videos to prep that they recommend?

Thanks.

Congrats to everybody here that had their interviews and good luck to the others. I was never added to this forum but I have always followed you.

I had my interview today and everything went perfect.I was asked 6 questions firs, and t then went through n 400 ,signed some papers and all done! Recommended for approval.My oath ceremony is after 2 days, on Thursday!

I sent the application 03/21, NOA 03/29, priority date 03/23, Biometrics done 04/19, in line 05/19, interview letter 06/10, interview 06/28, and Oath ceremony 06/30. Happy to be an Us Citizen!! Good luck to all of you.

Congrats! Was your oath ceremony in Detroit?

Finally see an update online (did not receive a text or email- although I did for the first stage) that our interview was scheduled (the update was on 6/28) not sure when it will be. Also from the sounds of it the Grand Rapids, MI oaths are pretty back-logged.

Thanks!

In line for Interview as of 4/28 according to online status updates.

In line for Interview as of 4/28 according to online status updates.

When is the first time that your online case status changes? When you are in-line for an interview? We had our BioMetrics on 4/22 and our status still simply says "case received"- does it stay with that status until we are "in line"? Thanks

Did Biometrics in Grand Rapids at appointed time. There was a pretty long wait- process took almost two hours. Now just waiting to be "in line"

Received bio-metrics letter today- scheduled for 4/22. May try to walk in sooner. Office is Grand Rapids, MI.

===================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
===================================
UserName............|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Interview|Oath....|Field Office
Aurpol..............|04/06/13|03/03|03/09|03/09|03/29/16|04/04/16|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--|Chatsworth, CA

Received email NOA today. My NOA of dated 3/25 for our N-400 application.

Interestingly also received email NOA on our concurrant I-130 for my stepson today dated 3/24.

Can you walk in for biometrics anywhere or only certain locations take walk ins? How can you determine if yours does/doesn't.

Our application was delivered 3/24 and the CC processed today 3/25.

They charged my CC today so worked perfectly. My application was delivered just yesterday.

Sent our N400 yesterday to phoenix via priority mail with a G1450. Date of GC is 05/01/09 (was an IR1). Our field office is Detroit, I believe.

Mailed the application without any evidence of child support (posted about not sure what to include) so anticipating a possible RFE there.

Excited that we sent an I-130 for my step son to chicago lockbox at the same time.

Thanks VJ

Sent off the application yesterday with the G1450 --- thanks for the reassurance.

Thank you so much for the replies. I ended up sending in the application with a record of our bank statement showing that I sent money online (although there is nothing on the bank record that states who or what the money is sent to) also in the last 5 years we have made 8 trips there and each trip we give a lot of support in cash which I have no paper trail for. Wish I would have seen that this was a requirement we were just in my stepchild's country literally returned 3 days ago. We will work on getting a letter from my stepson's mother - I presume this will lead to a RFE (hopefully it wasn't a bad decision to send the application without it).

Thanks again for your help and for the reference to the policy. I hadn't seen that manual yet it is very interesting.

Have people used this successfully? Any disadvantages? About to send out package and have this form ready (rather than a check).

Thanks.

Have the application for my husband ready to go just a few last details. He has been an LPR for 7 years I initially filled out the N400 on basis of marriage, was thinking maybe I should change it to the 5 years (does it matter?). Last have to figure out if we need evidence of child support. My step son is in Thailand and we send/take money to them but not in a formal way. We are not in Thailand to get a letter from his mom so not sure how/what to provide as evidence.

Looking to send in the application this week after we get this last detail worked out.

Thanks VJ

We are ready to file our N-400 except one supporting evidence:

If you have a dependent spouse or child(ren) who do not live with you, send:

• Any court or government order to provide financial support; and
• Evidence of your financial support (including evidence that you have complied with any court or government order)

I am curious how people have shown evidence of child support to children living outside the US. We send money via moneygram about every 2-3 months but there is no specific court requirement and I don't know how to show that the money is going for child support. It says dependent children do we just consider the child not a dependent (we do not claim him on taxes)?

THANKS

She has given us a notarized letter allowing "travel" to the US. I am having a hard time finding what she will have to give us for an I-130. Can someone show me?

Any thoughts on- If that is the case why would they not approve a tourist visa?

Thanks again.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice/suggestions or prior experience.

Question: any advantages or disadvantages or any differences at between me (USC) filing I-130 on behalf of my step-son (11y) or my husband (LPR) filing for his son? Or waiting for N400 which we will file end of March. Any differences in paperwork? Process? Interviews? Timeframe?

Thanks again. If helpful our background- married in 2008, entered us in 2009 on IR-1. LPR since then, busyness/laziness had kept us from N400. Step son now 11yo we have ask his birth mother since 2008 to allow us to bring him to the US even for short visit. She has custody (didn't think we would regret that concession so much she was reasonable before the papers were signed). Anyway, She FINALLY agreed for a short visit. He is her social security... We are driving back from Bangkok from a failed interview attempt to get a tourist visa. They said that he must apply for an immigrant visa because it is "stronger" (not sure what that means). We really just wanted a tourist visa for a two month visit while school is out for the long break. But will be filing an I-130, I guess. So much for coming this year...

Thanks again!!

On two separate occasions upon entry to the US we have incurred a fine through customs (for unclaimed food items) - once based on not understanding the form and second was some jerky at the bottom of the bag that was originally from the US and we had forgot that it was there. The question is should this be noted somewhere on the N-400. Particularly questioning part 11- question 23 where it is asked if you were "cited".

Second question. My husband and I filled the form out together do I generally put my info at the bottom in Part 13?

Thanks,

J&N

We are just starting the N-400 application and as I started to fill it out I was wondering if any one else (Thai) is going through the process now? Also curious if there is a study guide in Thai? I know the interview and test is in English but thought it might be easier to study in Thai. Any advise on the N-400 process?

Take care,

Noi

Joe&Noi

California Service Center (32 applicants, 22 approved 68%)[/font]

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

JOHN & OLGA..........02/19/11........03/01/11.......04/08/11........--/--/11....(interview pending)

KATIEMANNY...........02/28/11........03/02/11.......04/05/11........05/06/11....(early bio 04/04/11)

RHEANICK.............03/01/11........03/04/11.......04/05/11........04/21/11....(early bio 03/22/11)

BH45.................03/02/11........03/04/11.......05/06/11........06/27/11....

JOE&NOI..............03/02/11........03/14/11.......04/18/11........06/27/11....

ANSLEIS..............03/04/11........03/07/11.......04/05/11........04/19/11....(early bio 03/21/11)

BOSCHEV..............03/04/11........03/07/11.......04/18/11........04/28/11....(early bio 03/28/11)

MCKS.................03/04/11........03/07/11.......04/04/11........05/12/11....

H & B................03/05/11........03/07/11.......04/11/11........04/19/11....(early bio 03/25/11)

CBR..................03/05/11........03/09/11.......04/26/11........--/--/11....

MIRA CHICAGO.........03/07/11........03/21/11.......05/02/11........06/13/11....(card received 6/17/11)

PANDORA01............03/07/11........03/08/11.......04/07/11........05/04/11....

RAUL Y KARLA.........03/07/11........03/08/11.......04/11/11........05/18/11....(card received 5/23)

HAPPYFEET............03/08/11........03/10/11.......04/18/11........06/14/11....

RUFUS1019............03/08/11........03/10/11.......05/11/11........--/--/11....

MARKB................03/09/11........03/14/11.......04/15/11........05/12/11....(early bio 04/04/11)

BRAD CHAREL..........03/09/11........03/18/11.......04/18/11........04/11/11....(early bio 03/30/11)

THEE_RAK.............03/10/11........03/14/11.......04/18/11........05/27/11....

DEREK & YUN..........03/10/11........03/11/11.......04/11/11........06/22/11....(card received 06/24/11)

ERICC................03/11/11........03/14/11.......04/13/11........05/31/11....

CHAMY AND GATITA.....03/11/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

TRAVIESA77...........03/18/11........03/21/11.......04/14/11........05/12/11....

ROCKET5014...........03/18/11........03/22/11.......05/02/11........--/--/11....

DANNYMC..............03/19/11........03/27/11.......05/18/11........--/--/11....

BOKNAT...............03/22/11........03/28/11.......04/25/11........06/14/11....

LEAANDBEN............03/23/11........03/28/11.......05/02/11........06/15/11....(card received 06/20/11)

DIGLOT...............03/23/11........03/28/11.......05/04/11........--/--/11....(early bio 04/14/11)

NEW BEGINNINGS.......03/23/11........03/28/11.......05/06/11........06/10/11....(early bio 04/18/11)(card received 6/16)

RICKYNLUCY...........03/24/11........03/25/11.......05/09/11........--/--/11....

D08..................03/28/11........03/30/11.......04/18/11........06/14/11....(card received 06/20/11)

SHAWN & LISA.........03/30/11........03/31/11.......05/04/11........--/--/11....

CARLISH..............03/30/11........03/31/11.......05/04/11........06/13/11....(card received 06/17/11)

Vermont Service Center (36 applicants, 0 approved 0%)

VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....

JUCUELLAR............02/24/11........03/01/11.......04/01/11........--/--/11....

MIDTOWNAAPPSK........02/27/11........03/01/11.......04/14/11........--/--/11....

A & M................02/28/11........03/07/11.......04/11/11........--/--/11....(early bio 03/29/11)

PETER'N'JAIME........02/28/11........--/--/11.......05/03/11........--/--/11....

ROBBYROB.............03/02/11........03/07/11.......04/05/11........--/--/11....

MARYR................03/03/11........03/07/11.......04/04/11........--/--/11....

MOOSKER..............03/04/11........03/08/11.......04/21/11........--/--/11....(early bio 04/07/11)

TRAVIS & KIM.........03/04/11........03/08/11.......04/11/11........--/--/11....

M+L..................03/07/11........03/10/11.......04/22/11........--/--/11....

ABYBAVY..............03/07/11........03/10/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

ANDY-N-MARICAR.......03/07/11........03/10/11.......04/12/11........--/--/11....

MASAI................03/07/11........03/10/11.......04/22/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 04/15/11)

JONS_WIFEY...........03/08/11........03/09/11.......04/14/11........--/--/11.... (late bio 04/27/11)

P&R..................03/08/11........03/09/11.......04/15/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 04/01/11)

PHILLIP2.............03/08/11........03/10/11.......04/29/11........--/--/11....

SOON~TOBE............03/08/11........--/--/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

AM32.................03/08/11........03/11/11.......04/13/11........--/--/11....

PHILLYFASHIONISTA....03/09/11........03/15/11.......05/02/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 04/08/11)

HURRRYUP.............03/10/11........03/15/11.......04/25/11........--/--/11....

BCP47................03/11/11........03/15/11.......04/08/11........--/--/11....

GUS123...............03/12/11........03/18/11.......05/02/11........--/--/11....

AMRIT & ROB..........03/14/11........03/18/11.......04/22/11........--/--/11....

**LOVE**.............03/15/11........03/21/11.......05/06/11........--/--/11....

SOUTHERN_CANADIAN....03/17/11........03/22/11.......04/25/11........--/--/11....

PANTERCHEN...........03/18/11........03/23/11.......04/25/11........--/--/11....

OBX..................03/21/11........03/24/11.......05/05/11........--/--/11....

ARGENT...............03/21/11........03/24/11.......04/29/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 04/19/11)

VIVIANNYC............03/21/11........03/23/11.......06/03/11........--/--/11....

U+K..................03/21/11........03/24/11.......--/--/11........--/--/11....

BLUEMIST.............03/22/11........03/25/11.......04/28/11........--/--/11....

NEDINO...............03/22/11........03/23/11.......06/01/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 05/17/11)

CRAZY & MAD..........03/24/11........03/28/11.......05/05/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 05/02/11)

EMI82................03/24/11........03/28/11.......06/17/11........--/--/11....

CHIBBY...............03/25/11........03/29/11.......05/20/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 05/05/11)

INCT.................03/25/11........03/29/11.......06/02/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 05/09/11)

CHAMPI...............03/26/11........03/29/11.......05/16/11........--/--/11.... (early bio 04/29/11)

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