thatbritishlass

Brill. Thanks!

Hello chaps.

It's been a while since I frequented this here site. Glad to see it's still going strong!

I am coming up on Naturalization in a few months and am trying to get my act together in advance so there's no surprises along the way.

I received ROC in 2013, but got divorced shortly after. At the court hearing granting my divorce I requested my name be changed back to my maiden name - my divorce papers state that this request was granted. However, the Social Security office would not change my name on my SS card before it was changed on my Green Card. I opted to wait it out - knowing that I wasn't far off applying for citizenship it seemed like a waste of $600.

My question, therefore, is this: for USCIS purposes, do I need to request a name change again? Or can I fill out the form in my maiden name, even though both my GC and my SS card still show my married name?

Yours in the usual confusion,

J

Thank you all for the advice, which is reassuring.

For the record, I would never ask anything of my FIL, even in better circumstances. I never wanted to in the first place but sometimes life gets in the way...

Hey folks,

I wasn't sure if this was the right place to post this, but here we go.

Long story short: I am at risk of losing my job at the end of January. I received my ten-year green card in August, but my husband and I have since separated. It is not a "legal" separation in that there are no documents, but we are living in separate places right now.

I received joint sponsorship for my conditional GC application in the form of my husband and my father-in-law. Now that I have unconditional residency, what is the deal with unemployment benefit? I had heard conflicting reports - one that not being able to get UB or other welfare only applied until conditions were removed, another that it is a full ten years, another that it is until you become a citizen.

Basically I need to know if, worst-case scenario come the end of January, I would be able to claim or not. My father-in-law has already suggested he would love to withdraw his sponsorship of me given the separation so I'm not gonna get any help on that end, so I need to know what I'm up against if the worst should happen.

Any advice gratefully received as usual

GC in the mail! Whoop whoop

Card production ordered 8/27/13 I'm off for a very stiff drink!!

This is a question of outright lying vs. simply lying by omission. The I-751 form requires you to submit a list of all your address since conditional residency was issued. I would say that if you hadn't moved any of your bills, etc, then omit. As you registered the change in address with government agencies, you should include it.

As Navyk says, you could say you moved for work or some other reason, but that would be an example of the outright lying. Lying to the USCIS is a big deal - if they find out, it could cause you more aggro than if you had just been honest in the first place. This is just my opinion of course.

Also my opinion, but I would say that if you can provide plenty of strong evidence of a bonafide marriage both before and after the trial separation then just tell the truth. It happens. USCIS also cannot deny you on the basis of (non-legal) separation alone. Here is a link to the memo pertaining to this (I have been going through similar issues and had asked a similar question):

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/Static_Files_Memoranda/2009/i-751_Filed_%20Prior_Termination_3apr09.pdf

Definitely make sure you send as much evidence as you possibly can and a note explaining your 3-month hiatus living somewhere else. Joint tax returns are big winners, and in this case I would say affidavits from friends, family, etc, who can attest to your genuine marriage throughout the years, would be very helpful also. Worse case scenario you will go to interview and can tell your story. Just because you've had some troubles doesn't make it not a genuine marriage.

Best of luck!

I'm a happy bunny all that paper work I put in has paid off....Card/Document Production ordered Aug 21st 2013.

Good luck to all who is waiting

Hooray! Congrats Hopefully that means not too long for me until I see some movement

Just checking in. Responded to our RFE on 7/30 and it was signed for on 8/1. I agree with weescotlassie, very stressful this time around. I am hoping just to have the GC issued rather than going to interview, but ultimately I was not able to add my husband to our lease so I had to send a letter from our apartment management company explaining that we'd been living together and to call her with questions if they had any. So not ideal, may trigger an interview. On the other hand I did send a full house of joint tax returns and I always feel like those are really strong evidence, so maybe I'll get lucky...

My online status updates do not seem to be working this time round, so I'm just eagerly checking the post every day. Really would like this to be over now.

In terms of the practicalities of filing, I would follow the same rules you did when you filed your petition in the first place. Having been on the receiving end of 3 RFEs now , here is what I do (and will be doing, as I have to send my response to the third one soon):

- The original RFE letter (on the coloured paper, not a copy) MUST be included with your submission. It should be on top of everything else.

- Underneath the RFE, a cover letter stating what your submission relates to (i.e. response to an RFE pertaining to case XXXXX and conditional resident A-XXXXXXXXX), and a list of what is included in the package. Both you and your spouse should sign it, ideally.

- Next comes your evidence. Write or attach a post-it to each document stating exactly what it is.

- Bind all the documentation in the same way you did for your original submission. I followed VJ's advice and used a two-piece fastener (like http://www.staples.com/Economy-2-Piece-Fasteners-8-1-2-Cover-to-Cover-3-1/product_ACC12995) at the top of the page.

- Send it, with delivery confirmation. On the front of the envelope I usually write "NATURE OF SUBMISSION: RESPONSE TO RFE PERTAINING TO XXX"

I have a lot of opinions about USCIS, but the one thing I will give them credit for is that the RFEs are usually extremely detailed in terms of what they need from you. Follow those instructions exactly. Highly unlikely you would be denied at this point (although can't say for certain without knowing what your RFE was for). The only thing that would definitely cause them to deny you is if you fail to respond within the timeline specified on your RFE (usually around 90 days). You say your wife is abroad, but I would suggest doing whatever you can to get that submission in by the deadline. Good luck!

I feel you.

Same here. I got a RFE and I was feeling like "well at least they are working on it"

Now we sent the response so we are back to "who knows when we will get an answer." and who knows if they are going to like our response to RFE or decide to interview.

Oh well

wait...wait...wait....and more wait ....then wait again

LOL

I've received RFEs before. The good news is they generally mean you are close to being adjudicated. The way I look at it is, "if they had all the information the wanted when they reviewed my case, I'd be approved right now" - not as negative as it sounds, because at least you're one step closer. Usually an RFE = something WILL happen when you get the information to them. In my case for AOS, I got 2 RFEs; my case was transferred to CSC about a month after the first one, and I was approved 10 days after the second one.

AND - I'm surprised to have heard anything at all. Last I checked VSC were taking 12 months, so anything at this point is a step forward!

i not read of:

tax returns

monthly utility bills

---

so, whatcha got?

Unfortunately (usually fortunately giving the cost of living in DC, but not in this case!) our utilities are included with our rent so we do not have separate utility bills. I did send a cable bill in my name and the renters insurance/cellphone bill in his name, showing the same address; none of those bills would allow us to both be listed on the bill.

In terms of tax returns we submitted 2012; we have a copy of 2010 but could not find 2011. I think I thought having a missing year might look more suspicious than just the most recent one, so I just sent the most recent one. Admittedly I could have paid for a copy of the 2011 return, but if I'm honest I think I was suffering from "USCIS fatigue" when I submitted the application and was more lackadaisical than I should have been

It will help if you add your husband to the lease and to the insurance policies. Do not worry that these will be dated after the RFE and there is no shame in admitting to the USCIS you did what it took to prove yours is a bona fide marriage, well, because it is! :-)

Thank you for the calming words

Some suggestions:

Car Insurance policy card - should show both of your names if you both are designated drivers

Car Title - If you are both on title

Life Insurance policy showing beneficiary details

Driving License showing same address.

Getting the life insurance policy info from my work. I believe I already sent our drivers licenses but I need to check (my copy of our submission has gone walkies in our apartment and I haven't had a chance to find it yet)

Hello peeps!

I was starting to think I was an old hand at this malarkey, but USCIS just keep throwing me those curve balls (US)/googlies (UK).

I received an RFE yesterday for my ROC stating that I had failed to demonstrate to a sufficient degree that we entered into a "good faith" marriage. General annoyance and furiousness that this is suddenly an issue after 3 years aside...

The RFE specifically states that the application did not show sufficient co-mingling of finances and residence. Here is where the problems start.

My OH has a checkered financial history and bad credit, so I made the conscious decision to keep our finances separate from the get go. There is pretty much nothing with both our names on it. I was an authorised user on one of his credit cards, but I had myself removed as it was dragging my fragile new credit score down. Even our lease is only in my name because they ran a credit check on application.

I already provided health insurance cards, our 2012 tax return, utility bills in individual name showing the same address, and photos.

Here is what we do have:

- One joint bank account that has a nominal balance and is rarely used (i.e. neither of our paychecks goes in there and we pay no bills from it)

- We are beneficiaries on one another's life insurance policies offered through work

Here is what I can get:

- My husband's name added to the lease, but that will be dated after the RFE date

- Wills drawn up in both our names showing one another as beneficiaries, but again, will be dated after the RFE date

- Affidavits testifying to the true nature of our relationship until the cows come home

I guess my question is - will this be sufficient? And will it cause more problems if I provide documents dated AFTER the RFE, as they will assume (and they'd be right!) that they were only produced because of the RFE?

At this point I am so fed up of USCIS I almost don't care anymore, but I suppose I ought to at least try and avoid deportation

I know how you feel Miss Jess.... I also got an RFE too! Mines said my supporting evidence does not sufficiently establish that we didn't enter this marriage in good faith & continue to share a life together....

Yep, that's pretty much identical to the one I got. They want to see "co-mingling of financial responsibilities and residence".

The problem is...all our finances are separate because the other half's credit is less than awesome, to the extent that he is not even on our lease. So I have to figure out what we're going to do about that.

Got an RFE today, insufficient evidence of bona fide marriage annoying.

Updating...had to reschedule biometrics as I was in New Orleans on the original date they sent.

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

LAURA&LEO..........01/30/13.........02/04/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

CHELSEAKATE........02/01/13.........02/05/13........03/01/13.......--/--/--....

SALJOY.............02/02/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13.......--/--/--....

NA123..............02/03/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13.......--/--/--....

SPELAD.............02/04/13.........02/07/13........03/14/13.......--/--/--....

WEESCOTLASSIE......02/06/13.........02/08/13........03/15/13.......--/--/--....

MRS ABENETO........02/08/13.........02/12/13........03/07/13.......--/--/--....

TOUFIQ.............02/08/13.........02/14/13........03/13/13.......--/--/--....

CECE...............02/11/13.........02/14/13........04/08/13.......--/--/--....

REDDSTARS..........02/11/13.........02/26/13........03/25/13.......--/--/--....

MEDTAV.............02/12/13.........02/15/13........03/18/13.......--/--/--....

TASH24.............02/13/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

MARIZHELL..........02/14/13.........02/19/13........03/19/13.......--/--/--....

HALFNHALF..........02/19/13.........02/25/13........03/26/13.......--/--/--....

WOODEN TULIPS......02/19/13.........02/27/13........03/22/13.......--/--/--....

LINDSAY1811........02/20/13.........02/22/13........03/19/13.......--/--/--....

MISS JESS..........02/20/13.........02/25/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

QASHA..............02/22/13.........02/25/13........03/26/13.......--/--/--....

RICKY+VANESSA......02/23/13.........02/27/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

MATT N SHANNON.....02/24/13.........02/28/13........03/29/13.......--/--/--....

J E N N Y..........02/25/13.........02/28/13........04/04/13.......--/--/--....

YANKEPEACH.........02/27/13.........03/04/13........04/02/13.......--/--/--....

VARYAG.............02/28/13.........03/04/13........--/--/13.......--/--/--....

Check posted at 4am this morning so I'm going to assume an NOA1 of 2/27

California Service Center (12 applicants)

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

INLOVE4LIFE.........01/28/13.........02/04/13........03/04/13........--/--/--....

RELEY...............01/31/13.........02/01/13........02/28/13........--/--/--....

TMGKOHLER...........02/01/13.........02/??/13........02/27/13........--/--/--....

VISCACHA............02/05/13.........02/07/13........03/12/13........--/--/--....

BWANA57.............02/05/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

SAMY AND I..........02/07/13.........02/11/13........03/15/13........--/--/--....

NADJA&CURTIS........02/08/13.........02/11/13........03/15/13........--/--/--....

AMBERLM.............02/08/13.........02/11/13........03/14/13........--/--/--....

SUNDROP.............02/14/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

BHEBE...............02/16/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

VRS.................02/19/13.........02/20/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

XXTINAXX............02/22/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (19 applicants)

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

LAURA&LEO...........01/30/13.........02/04/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

CHELSEAKATE.........02/01/13.........02/05/13........03/01/13........--/--/--....

SALJOY..............02/02/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13........--/--/--....

NA123...............02/03/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13........--/--/--....

SPELAD..............02/04/13.........02/07/13........03/14/13........--/--/--....

WEESCOTLASSIE.......02/06/13.........02/08/13........03/15/13........--/--/--....

MRS ABENETO.........02/08/13.........02/12/13........03/07/13........--/--/--....

TOUFIQ..............02/08/13.........02/14/13........03/13/13........--/--/--....

CECE................02/11/13.........02/14/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

REDDSTARS...........02/11/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MEDTAV..............02/12/13.........02/15/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

TASH24..............02/13/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MARIZHELL...........02/14/13.........02/19/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

LINDSAY1811.........02/20/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MISS JESS...........02/20/13.........02/27/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

QASHA...............02/22/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

RICKY+VANESSA.......02/23/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

LLAMAINVASION.......02/27/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

YANKEPEACH..........02/27/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyones NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so

Hi kids!

Back in USCIS mode...sigh...just sent our stuff off today. I put it off for a long time, partly cos I didn't really have 600 bucks lying around and partly because life without USCIS interference was sooooo lovely

Hope everyone's doing well!

No idea if I'm doing this properly but here we go!

California Service Center (9 applicants)

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

RELEY...............01/31/13.........02/01/13........02/28/13........--/--/--....

TMGKOHLER...........02/01/13.........02/??/13........02/27/13........--/--/--....

VISCACHA............02/05/13.........02/07/13........03/12/13........--/--/--....

BWANA57.............02/05/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

SAMY AND I..........02/07/13.........02/11/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

AMBERLM.............02/08/13.........02/11/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

SUNDROP.............02/14/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

BHEBE...............02/16/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

VRS.................02/19/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

Vermont Service Center (13 applicants)

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

LAURA&LEO...........01/30/13.........02/04/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

CHELSEAKATE.........02/01/13.........02/05/13........03/01/13........--/--/--....

SALJOY..............02/02/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13........--/--/--....

NA123...............02/03/13.........02/05/13........03/05/13........--/--/--....

SPELAD..............02/04/13.........02/07/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

WEESCOTLASSIE.......02/06/13.........02/08/13........03/15/13........--/--/--....

MRS ABENETO.........02/08/13.........02/12/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

TOUFIQ..............02/08/13.........02/14/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

CECE................02/11/13.........02/14/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

REDDSTARS...........02/11/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MEDTAV..............02/12/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MARIZHELL...........02/14/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

LINDSAY1811.........02/20/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

MISS JESS........02/20/13.........--/--/13........--/--/13........--/--/--....

I have to say that it has been really hard for me here. I've found settling in really difficult and become really homesick in the last few months... I guess it's because we're nearing a year since I moved out here to NJ. We've also been through a really terrible time lately too. Russ was laid off from his job in January by his so called 'friend' who he'd known for 20 years! We spent the last 3 months searching for a job like mad and struggling to pay for bills and food. Then finally he found a new job last week and started on Sunday! He's going to be working for Five Below as a store manager at a new store thats opening up in 4 weeks and hes doing training now leading up to the opening.

I understand where you're coming from. I've been having a really hard time the last few weeks in particular with homesickness. The royal wedding had me howling for 24 hours! Me and the hubby are struggling in general. I am now working but I don't have guaranteed hours, and until I am full-time we can't move out of the room we are sharing in my in-laws. I am very grateful for the rent-free roof over our heads, but this salty-tongued liberal Brit is feeling a bit suppressed in her uber-conservative in-laws' household! Hopefully the boy will be getting a promotion soon though which will give us a chance to move out and finally start living like a married couple...

Guess what I'm trying to say is, you are not alone!

So yeah. For us, no job, no driver's license yet, but we did get ......... my husband's first unsolicited credit card offer in the mail! I guess that means he has some kind of credit history here now, which makes me super happy. I added him as an authorized user on one of my credit cards, but I wasn't sure if it was actually doing anything. I guess it is. Yay yay

I got one of those today!! Very exciting. People actually want to give me credit

My orientation (whatever that really means) is two days and starts on Monday 18th April.

I have the grand title of Electronic/Communications specialist.

I am a bit nervous, but will cope.

So tell me again, why did I give up a country that had free health care for one where I have to pay nearly $500 for me and my wife just so that we can see a doctor and get treated an still have to pay again at the doctors office and this is considered an employee benefit.

Ok... phewwww feeling better now.

Oh.....DON'T even get me started on that. Let me just say I feel your pain!!

And also don't even get me started on the no paid time off for a whole year thing...and no benefits because I'm part-time. SIGH.

First off congrats on the job. Income at last.

Remember, Americans are charmed by all things European/English/Irish etc. You just have to open your mouth, speak and smile. They will be putty in your hands. (I assume thats how you got your husband, but I doubt its was putty you had in your hands. )

Ok enough of that. Thats to racy a comment for this topic.

Again congratulations.

Hehehe. Congrats to you too. What you gonna be doing?

I had my 3 days of orientation this week - forgot how overexcited and screechy people in hospitality can be, but most people seem very nice and I'm sure I'm going to get the variety I need to keep me interested. Difficult to know how many hours I'm gonna be getting at the mo, cos I'm only PT but hopefully with the summer peak season coming it'll be on the higher side.

My husband and I went for his AOS interview today (from K3 visa) and his 10 year GC was approved! The interview was not focused on what I expected at all, more questions about our early relationship than our current or recent relationship. (more details in my timeline)

Congratulations!!! Wow, 10 whole years without USCIS. How does that feel? Enjoy it!

Good news folks - I've got a job!!

I start next Monday at Universal Orlando. I'm going to be doing Guest Services - so basically getting complained at all day!! The pay isn't great but it definitely isn't terrible either, and I'm excited to get out of the house and start making some <sings> "money money money maaaaaaaahnaaaay.....MAAAAAAAAHNAY!!"

Woot woot!!

Just got hired for my first job, I start orientation next Monday

I am going to be a Guest Services Coordinator for Universal Orlando. It's a whopping 50+% pay cut from what I got in my last job in the UK...but after 5 months of unemployment it will feel like riches, and although it is an entry-level position it is one where I will have to use my brain a lot. It's a start, and a start is what I need - cos from there I can show them I'm awesome and move forward!

Very excited - one step closer to moving out of my in-laws place....

It doesn't matter if she is willing to work for free. She is not authorized to work in the US period.

This is similar to someone who wants to have a foreign relative come to help with a baby. The work is free. Give this as a reason for wanting a non-immigrant visa to the US and the applicant will be rejected.

Volunteering is acceptable though, so this is a grey area. I started volunteering for a local wish charity organisation in January before I got my EAD. No problems. It would depend whether your company would require her to be on the payroll (even if she is not being paid) for insurance purposes. But somebody in your HR department should deal with eligibility to work etc and give you a definitive answer.

I don't know what it's like in Philly but down here in Orlando pretty much every job I have been sent via Monster or CareerBuilder has been in sales, and I have absolutely no experience. If you are willing to go into insurance then there are definitely plenty of opportunities

I would say she has a decent shot of getting something in that area, just work on the English and I would also consider getting her degree evaluated by WES or similar as someone mentioned above. Good luck