GordonFreeman

Hi! Happy new year, everyone.

I just got my I-797 Notice of Action for the initial interview, and I'm going through the list of things to bring.

They say both a completed medical examination and vaccination supplement in a sealed envelope, and an affidavit of support (I-864) with all required evidence, including the listed... (unless already submitted).

That's situations like mine, right? I remember submitting both of these during the application for K1 and later, the application for AOS, where I had to send a form filled by the sponsor.

Just making sure...

Like this [0] [1]

And it passed? Doesn't that mean sponsoring 1 family member and no immigrant? :/

Hi Gordon,

I also entered [0] [1] which I think is correct for sponsoring the principal immigrant and no family members. Family members would be listed in line 9 a through 3 if there were any. I just entered NONE on line 9 a and didn't check the box on line 9.

Cool! thanks a lot.

Like this [0] [1]

And it passed? Doesn't that mean sponsoring 1 family member and no immigrant? :/

For the OP to call himself a 'victim' of the USCIS is beyond laughable.

That said, it's clear that no amount of common sense - no matter how well worded (Gary&Alla, belinda) - will make a damn bit of difference.

Let's all vacate this thread and let him continue to be victimized.

Of course - because anyone who calls themselves a "victim" is ridiculous. We learned that from pop culture and movies!

On the I-864, part 3, item 10, they ask

"10. Enter the total number of immigrants you are sponsoring on this form from Part 3, Items 8 and 9. [ ][ ]"

I initially put 1 principal immigrant, no family members - 1, 0 - which is confusing because it looks like "10". Is this correct?

I got an RFE, and our new sponsor that we got, brought this to our attention. Later in the form they use this "10" to add to other numbers in a column.

Numerically, it doesn't make sense - but I remember reading instructions where they said this was correct.

Thank you!

HI Gordon , in my form i used the first square on the right and put a 0 in the other one 01

i have a sample form that i downloaded, i do not know how to paste it here is pdf but if you need it as reference i will gladly send it to you .

Thanks for replying!

So you wrote [01][ 0 ] ?

On the I-864, part 3, item 10, they ask

"10. Enter the total number of immigrants you are sponsoring on this form from Part 3, Items 8 and 9. [ ][ ]"

I initially put 1 principal immigrant, no family members - 1, 0 - which is confusing because it looks like "10". Is this correct?

I got an RFE, and our new sponsor that we got, brought this to our attention. Later in the form they use this "10" to add to other numbers in a column.

Numerically, it doesn't make sense - but I remember reading instructions where they said this was correct.

Thank you!

junari888, thank you so much for your support. I'm so happy to share my story with you, and I wish you the best luck on your case.

Gary and Alla, belinda63:

Your general attitude isn't better than mine when I was in extreme pain/nervous breakdown.

You keep saying you'll stop "helping", as you seem to fail to understand that replying to me with an bad attitude, acting like an *ss, is not really "helping".

You also fail to realize that there is something called incompetence in these government institutions, and that people like you and me are victims. Just because you conformed to the fact, and dealt with it easily because you got lucky, doesn't mean they are not incompetent. It doesn't mean some people aren't still treated unfairly, day after day.

Am I talking to rude USCIS officials? Or real people, going through the same hardship as I am?

I was under the impression that VisaJourney was a forum for people going through these processes. Yet, you act offended every time I criticize the USCIS and the unfair situation I'm going through.

Did I make offensive/narrow minded comments? Yes - and you do too, when you're deeply irritated. My remarks shouldn't offend YOU in particular. If they do, then you probably can't relate to most people here, and you should leave.

it's not as if the job market is exactly bubbling over these days. Even if you had the card in hand as we speak, how can you be sure you'd already have a job offer?

I've been getting them for years since I was studying. MTV, Dreamworks, etc.

I could be working at a major entertainment studio by now. I have what it takes.

Besides, entertainment is practically unaffected by recession. I'm a good professional. I kick serious *ss.

And even if not, I would work at Wienerschnitzel dressed as a hot dog, if that was the only position available.

But I wasn't given the opportunity. Hey, the "land of opportunities"... They give them everyday to incompetent people, and they didn't have ONE to spare, for me?

It is understandable your frustration with the situation and your desire to work is honorable. But honestly, it doesn't get you anywhere to blame everyone else and not take any personal responsibility for the situation you are in. 1) It is your responsibility to be informed about the immigration process and choose which process is best for you 2) It is up to you to keep track of your case and if it is being processed outside the norm to follow the set protocol to at least try and get it back on track (easier said than done, but it is what VJ is for. And it looks like you have been a member for a while, so it is something that you should have presumably known about) and 3) It is your responsibility to get that RFE turned in like yesterday if you want your case to resume being processed. Until that happens there really is no reason to blame the USCIC. It is on your shoulders at this point. (These responsibilities are obviously on top of the contract that your wife and you made with the government when you said that you would be sponsored financially until your paperwork came through…no matter how long that is)

You continue to speak of the fact that you were not given an opportunity and that you deserve it (even more than others). I disagree. You were given an opportunity to follow the legal process as set up, and to do your part. Opportunities do not just appear as clear as day. Sometimes you have to work for them.

It has been said many times on these boards, and it will continue to be said. Immigration (and the rights that come with them) are not a right, they are a privilege. To be successful you might want to start treating them as such. Good luck on your journey

As Kathryn41 put it, it's disingenuous to try to make me feel worse for something I'm not to blame for. If you don't understand that, then I can't help you.

1) I didn't do anything that I wasn't really supposed to do. I have been more informed about this than a lot of people here. The only mistake I made was to follow the forum instructions about the AOS packaga - that's why I'm getting the RFE.

2) I keep track of the case, and It's NOT being processed in the norm that I hear in this forum. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do to change that? Because what I've heard here is that I just have to WAIT...

3) It is the sponsor's responsibility to complete the forms and get the tax information sent to me (they were sent today). I can't rush it more than I can rush the sponsor.

So no, it's NOT on my shoulders. Why can't you accept that I have been victimized by this situation? I'm not complaining now - just stating facts! Everyone has problems - but mine have been running for a long time. Not necessarily for MY fault.

People have a tendency to blame disgrace on the people who had them - even when they get a strange form of cancer.

You're trying to hurt me more by telling me "I had it coming", even though you didn't try harder than me and you didn't work more than me for this. You're being selfish, mean and cynical. And that's not name calling - it's stating facts. Entiendes?

I hope its that easy for you. If it is - you're extremely lucky!! Because even Wienerschnitzel jobs these days can have 50+ applicants for one open position.

No, they don't. I see friends getting tons of new jobs lately.

I understand that times are TOUGHER than usual, but some people just like to exaggerate the numbers.

Yes, it's a recession and employment is worse. It doesn't mean it's hard to get a fast food/retail job....

I guess I'm 'some people'. Oh well, I've been called worse.

At any rate, that may well be true where you live, but that doesn't seem to be the case across the entire country just yet.

Los Angeles, California. Isn't CA supposed to be the worst state right now? I still don't see people struggling to get jobs at fast food places...

I have a jobless friend because he gets unemployment and he thinks a minimum wage job is worthless. And I have several friends who lost their job recently, but are back on track with a new one...

Yes, things are TOUGHER than before. That still doesn't mean you don't have it way easier than in most countries...

It's like the gas. With what Americans make in average, they were complaining about $3 per gallon? Perhaps they should go out more... and I mean out of the country! Or stop driving a gas-guzzling truck. 99% of American truck drivers don't even NEED a truck... It's just size compensation for something else...

I'm not homeless. I'm just worried about my life and money, contrary to the people who probably have less money than me, but have an iPhone and drive a new Lexus. I don't consider being in debt acceptable, like apparently most people in America.

Yeah, it's also "not a human right" to get basic healthcare in America either. But it should.

I'm not saying EVERYONE should be able to legally work. It should be a human right for ME, because I'm supporting an American citizen - I'm her HUSBAND.

So in this country, marriage is too "sacred" to allow gays to get married, but suddenly it's not sacred enough to stop them from screwing up an American citizen's life, just because they married someone who's not a citizen?

Don't talk to me like you're better than me, or like I'm demanding too much. All I'm asking is to be treated with the minimum respect and dignity that I deserve as a human being. Apparently, that's asking too much to the US immigration.

It's HER responsibility to support ME? I don't know what laws you've been reading and I don't care. The irony of all this is that you're probably even more broke than me... And you're making judgments about who I married with, or who should be supporting me? How dare you! You need a lot of nerve

I love this forum and most people here are amazing, but once in a while I see a douche bag who thinks just because they already went through it, they have now the right to consider themselves anti-immigration, law-abiding Americans.

Cut the ####### You're not better than me.

I am so with you on that one.

The work & travel permits are so much out of reality that is coming ridicule. Don't get me started on this one. I am still waiting for a travel permit but they are taking their sweet time without care for anyone.

Same with getting a driver license, since they passed this REAL ID Act it is becoming almost impossible to get a driver license within the time frame of a foreign license validity.

Our government is so prompt to attempt to organize the entire world, but what they should maybe do is to organize ours a bit better.

Hang in there.

Esoll

True!

Thanks

I hope its that easy for you. If it is - you're extremely lucky!! Because even Wienerschnitzel jobs these days can have 50+ applicants for one open position.

No, they don't. I see friends getting tons of new jobs lately.

I understand that times are TOUGHER than usual, but some people just like to exaggerate the numbers.

Yes, it's a recession and employment is worse. It doesn't mean it's hard to get a fast food/retail job....

it's not as if the job market is exactly bubbling over these days. Even if you had the card in hand as we speak, how can you be sure you'd already have a job offer?

I've been getting them for years since I was studying. MTV, Dreamworks, etc.

I could be working at a major entertainment studio by now. I have what it takes.

Besides, entertainment is practically unaffected by recession. I'm a good professional. I kick serious *ss.

And even if not, I would work at Wienerschnitzel dressed as a hot dog, if that was the only position available.

But I wasn't given the opportunity. Hey, the "land of opportunities"... They give them everyday to incompetent people, and they didn't have ONE to spare, for me?

Thank you so much, Kathryn. I'm calmer now. Just took like, 3 valerian pills... lol

I hope you've invested in a family sized jar of valerian - there are definitely days you will need it during the immigration process. Good luck at getting the RFE information back to them quickly. The sooner you can get it back to them, the sooner they can resume working on your file. You may still want to do an infopass appointment to find out why the EAD wasn't issued within the 3 months after you submitted the package. As Rebeccajo states, though, it is now caught up in the RFE process as well. At least the infopass appointment might help you feel a little more in control because you can actually talk to a real person - even if you don't like the answers you get.

Good luck.

In the RFE letter, it says:

"The Service will process your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (if submitted) within 90 days of the receipt of your missing initial evidence. This is pursuant to Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations ++++"

So even though some "lucky" ones here (somehow) got the EAD before the RFE, the RFE states that it is by law impossible.

I notice that they don't CONFIRM that they got my I-765. So maybe I should send another I-765 with the RFE response... just to be safe!...

Alright - everyone please recognize that the OP is in a frustrating situation - he has waited 7 months so far for his EAD and his AOS - and has an RFE to which he is responding. He is understandably angry and frustrated - but telling him how quickly you go through the process and chastising him because he is angry is like rubbing salt into his wounds - it is incredibly inconsiderate and unkind. Baiting him to respond negatively is as much a violation of TOS as is making insulting and racial comments. EVERYONE - stop it!

If this thread does not resume a courteous and considerate demeanour I will be closing it. If you do not have anything useful to say, then do not say anything.

Thank you so much, Kathryn. I'm calmer now. Just took like, 3 valerian pills... lol

My husband received his EAD about 2.5 mths after application and his GC in 4 mths - guess I knew what I was doing. I was happy to support him because he is not a sexist A_ _!!!

A Lexus - an unemployed immigrant with a spouse making minimum wage -- is that really a wise decision? How's the stress in your relationship?? Why don't you get her pregnant while you are at it?

Have fun yelling at USCIS!!!!

Wise decision? no.

But by the self-superior way you talk, like everyone should have money to support themselves without working, you might as well be driving one.

Maybe you knew what you were doing way less than us, but one of your cousins was the processing agent, and you got lucky. It doesn't really mean you deserve it any more than we do.

Ok, I'm going to laugh and stop, because this can get ugly and I don't want to part of it.

So I'll just say this. I Love the fact that you begin by claiming that you respect everyone, but then you go on and on with racist and derogatory comments.

Good luck with your AoS.

I was always a good kid, but when people piss me off like this, I can't keep being a little angel. I'm a human being, not a nazi robot.

I'm not racist nor xenophobic. I'm just pissed.

I've heard that some people get held up at the name check.

Also, if I may, a short story. I remember working as a CSR. We'd get people calling about their insurance. Many where distraught, and a few were downright rude. Whenever they were on the phone, or just faxing us documents, you could see who were the rude ones (we receive a lot of verbal and written "here's the freaking papers you asked for, now get it done... or are you just incompetent at your job?!" Now, I'm not going to go down in details, but many CSRs took their time on cases like these... But, honestly, these cases took the longest because the person submitting whatever we needed was usually "deciding" what it is we needed or how we should proceed, even after telling them how the system works.

It's really pissing me off that you assume that you know what's up, when you don't know me at all.

Just because I am visibly and understandably pissed off right now, since a dude here got the EAD a week after he sent the AOS package - and I have been jobless for 7 months.

I have been treating the USCIS humbly and respectfully. But I think I'm starting to change because what they are doing to me is inhumane and unfair to extents that are hard to imagine.

I've always treated everyone in my life with the utmost respect.... and I'm not getting it back in this country. I'm sorry that there's so many chicanos trying to get married so they can bring their cousins. But I love my wife and I'm not here because my home country is and underdeveloped 3rd world hole, or because I didn't have "freedom". I'm here because I love her and because we can help this country get back on track. And part of the reason why it is how it is now, is because if this extremely horrible attitude of some people here, especially the religious right/republican/conservatives. And that attitude is present in the way they deal with people at the USCIS. Unless the guy behind the counter is asian or chicano - then they are nice speaking their respective home dialects. But when an english speaking European comes and they can't relate to that, I get treated like this...

Does make sense. They can't send an EAD if they're missing tax info.

Yes. And it says in the pink letter that they'll send the EAD to me 90 days after sending the RFE evidence. Thanks

I am really really nervous and mad right now. It's revolting

You also mentioned that you can't travel. Did you include an I-131 form with your AOS? That is for a travel permit that allows you to leave the US and return while you are waiting for the green card. It is called 'Advance Parole" and also takes about 90 days to process.

These documents are used to allow the applicant to work and travel while waiting for a green card since AOS can sometimes take a while - for instance, mine took 22 months to be approved without an RFE. Hopefully, once they receive the information requested in the RFE they will approve your green card quickly and the EAD and AP will become unnecessary.

Are you kidding? If it takes 7 months to process an EAD, why would I want to include a travel permit request? To make them take 20 months?

I sent only the AOS package, with just an I-765, so they would process it faster. I got the RFE and after 7 months I still can't work. 90 days? Yeah right, 90 days........

You are mistakenly assuming that filing for more than just the I-485 means that the whole process is slowed. Your case is an exception, not the rule.

Apparently I have been getting a lot of "unlucky exceptions" then!

You filed for AOS THIS MONTH, AND YOU ALREADY HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT CARD???!??!?!?

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THAT!!! HOW DID YOU GET IT?!?!?!

What am I gonna do this??? they screwed up my application! Someone must have lost most of the package documents!!! Are we working with apes at the USCIS??? Is it because I sent it all in the same envelope, separating each form with plastic covers? Should I have sent things in different envelopes??

I may have missed it, but what did the RFE required?

1- A new sponsor (joint sponsor), because apparently for some weird reason we didn't pass the poverty guidelines with just me and my wife. The joint sponsor is at this moment taking care of all the paperwork needed.

2- My birth certificate, translated (even thought I sent an European, multilanguage certificate, they apparently were incompetent enough to miss that, so I'm sending a copy of the same certificate, with yellow marker on the ENGLISH field translations);

You also mentioned that you can't travel. Did you include an I-131 form with your AOS? That is for a travel permit that allows you to leave the US and return while you are waiting for the green card. It is called 'Advance Parole" and also takes about 90 days to process.

These documents are used to allow the applicant to work and travel while waiting for a green card since AOS can sometimes take a while - for instance, mine took 22 months to be approved without an RFE. Hopefully, once they receive the information requested in the RFE they will approve your green card quickly and the EAD and AP will become unnecessary.

Are you kidding? If it takes even more than 7 months to process an EAD, why would I want to include a travel permit request? To make them take 20 months?

I sent only the AOS package, with just an I-765, so they would process it faster. I got the RFE and after 7 months I still can't work. 90 days? Yeah right, 90 days........

Yes, of course I filed the I-765. I actually followed the instructions for AOS in THIS forum.

And I'm stuck with an RFE now, after 4+ months of processing. THAT's why I'm angry.

By any chance, have you moved since sending off the RFE evidence?

USPS will not forward any postal mail from DOS/USCIS/ICE - there's always a notice on the front of the envelope 'DO NOT FORWARD'.

I suggest setting up an infopass appointment (today) for sometime in the upcoming week.

Ask them where the casefile is (at the appointment ) . You may not get an answer, though.

I sent the package for AOS months ago, then they sent me the RFE 3 or 4 months later, and now I'm working on sending the evidence they requested. I haven't sent it yet!...

Make an infopass appointment. Find out, if possible, why you have not received the EAD. I believe it specifically states that if you have NOT received your EAD within 75 days of filing to contact USCIS. I say an infopass appt because the ppl at the phone liine are just contractors who follow a script and they know nothing of the immigration process.

While I understand your frustration, my husband felt the same way, coming to the US, living in the US, working in the US is not a right of every human being. Everyone has to wait their turn in line, we waited nine months to receive an RFE that his medical was expired, which it was after the nine month wait. Were we happy we had to pay for another medical because USCIS took nine months to process his AOS? No. Could we do anything about it? NO.

I suggest the infopass appointment and submitting the response to the RFE as soon as possible, you state you have been working on it for a period of time, you might want to look at the date to see when you must respond by. Failure to respond by the given date is an automatic denial of AOS.

What is an EAD?...

If the stress is too much - and it sounds like it is. You could return home, work there, and apply for a K-3 or CR-1. Better than being homeless.

Maybe a short term loan from your mother-in-law is in order???

It is not a human right to be able to legally work in the US. And it sounds like your spouse was not prepared to support you --- which is her responsibility until you have the EAD.

I'm not homeless. I'm just worried about my life and money, contrary to the people who probably have less money than me, but have an iPhone and drive a new Lexus. I don't consider being in debt acceptable, like apparently most people in America.

Yeah, it's also "not a human right" to get basic healthcare in America either. But it should.

I'm not saying EVERYONE should be able to legally work. It should be a human right for ME, because I'm supporting an American citizen - I'm her HUSBAND.

So in this country, marriage is too "sacred" to allow gays to get married, but suddenly it's not sacred enough to stop them from screwing up an American citizen's life, just because they married someone who's not a citizen?

Don't talk to me like you're better than me, or like I'm demanding too much. All I'm asking is to be treated with the minimum respect and dignity that I deserve as a human being. Apparently, that's asking too much to the US immigration.

It's HER responsibility to support ME? I don't know what laws you've been reading and I don't care. The irony of all this is that you're probably even more broke than me... And you're making judgments about who I married with, or who should be supporting me? How dare you! You need a lot of nerve

I love this forum and most people here are amazing, but once in a while I see a douche bag who thinks just because they already went through it, they have now the right to consider themselves anti-immigration, law-abiding Americans.

Cut the ####### You're not better than me.

Good luck! I hope you follow the good advice given here already. Seven months is a long time. When did you apply for the EAD and AOS? By law, assuming everything is in order, the EAD must be issued within 90 days of the date they got your application. That's why you need to go visit a USCIS office in person, with an InfoPass. Meanwhile, as a free-lancer, you can continue to pick up a few bucks here and there so long as you are not "employed."

I can't freelance overseas on a daily basis. it's a 1 gig a year that only pays for a couple months of rent, each.

The AOS was sent about a month after we got married, so about 5/6 months ago... About a month ago we got the RFE and we're still gathering all the documents to send back to them - with no guarantee that this is exactly what they asked for, and that the RFE will not be sent back again, asking different things and delaying things another month or 2. I am absolutely sure this is a violation of human rights.

The American taxpayer is not protected, so if that's their argument, it's ridiculous. Wanna protect the American taxpayer? LET ME GET A JOB!!! I will support the economy and the country by being productive. Yeah, as a composer or producer, I will take a job position that would have been used by a Japanese kid or something. Big deal. THAT's gonna set back American entertainment professionals... /s

The sponsor wasn't even APPROVED yet! We're getting a joint sponsor still, after they took about 4 months to even reply with an RFE. So how does it protect the taxpayer? While they're denying sponsors, I'm living here with 0 opportunities! And then if I need help later (wouldn't be surprising, considering how they are pushing us down now - me and my American wife), they wanna call my sponsor and complain? This is ridiculous!! What about my American wife's rights to have a husband that can bring food to the table?... Those are not important?

Obviously the K-1 was not the best choice for you. You should have gone the CR-1 route and been able to work immediately. Your fiancee and/or co-sponsor have, at this point, presented TWO affidavists of support specifically stating they CAN support you indefinitely. It would not be wise to tell USCIS that is not true.

You are not a "legal immigrant" yet. You are not even an immigrant, your visa is specifically a NON-immigrant visa and you are applying to become an immigrant. The CR-1 IS an immigrant visa and as such you would be given a green card upon arrival. Why did you CHOOSE the K-1 knowing there was this work restriction when you arrived?

I am not sure of the chances of you getting caught, yes they CAN blame you, and yes it CAN have severe consequences.

We didn't go any other route, because my wife (American) didn't want to. Technically, it's all her mom's fault, because she basically stopped us from getting married in cali right when I stopped my F1, and I was forced to go back to Europe still unmarried. etc etc

We can dwell on the past once again, but it's not an option now. I need to live and work. You know this well - with this immigration #######, we can't look back. What's done is done.

Yeah, I have sponsors (and I've been waiting on my joint sponsors papers now, to send them ASAP) but come on - we all here know that this sponsor thing is BS! No 26-year old grown man like me is supposed to rely on "sponsors" to live his life in a dignifying way, especially AFTER getting married. It's not like I'm trying to make ends meet with my girlfriend - WE'RE MARRIED NOW!!

The complete acceptance that I see in this forum, I can understand - but come on guys, my situation is JUST ridiculous! No human being is supposed to live like this! Can't I make a complain of violation of human rights to some organization? Even a bum living in his van has MORE opportunities to make a life than I do, right now! At least a bum can LEGALLY WORK! Or get food stamps and welfare. I can't have ANY of that and I'm frozen in this situation!! I have been, for months now! And I made some money with freelance work to Europe, in the mean time. That's the only thing I can do, legally - but it's not easy to come by! I can't even travel at this point

Sorry that I'm so nervous. We petitioned for AOS, and I'm not even asking for the green card at this point. Just for the temporary work permit!!! That's all I need now, and they haven't even processed THAT... I can't possibly imagine anyone in this situation not getting mad and desperate, so you have to forgive me.

I have a resume, I have recommendation letters, I've worked with the hollywood film and music industry before. Disney, Dreamworks - I've scored for FILM while I was a student! I'm an entertainment professional - but I'll work at TACO BELL if I have to! All I want is a chance to support me and my wife in a decent way