Ju&Ja

Hi Everyone,

It's so good to see all of the quick EAD/AP approvals. My husband had his biometrics appt today...quick and painless. And I just got an email from CRIS saying that our case was transferred to CSC. From what I've seen around VJ that's usually a good thing...right? I think it means less of a chance for an interview, but what about processing timelines? Anyone have any idea how CSC is doing as far as AOS? Either way...it just makes me happy knowing that they have at least touched our AOS file!!!

Yes this is a good thing ! It means that you won't have to go to an interview and the timelines are usally shorter. You might have your GC soon

Hey guys, another couple went earlier to the biometrics and got the EAD ordered 1 month after the biometrics were done. I am not sure that it is a good idea to go before your appointment, it maybe confused their computers ? You have a date and a time on your letter, why trying to walk in ?

I don't think walking in early on the biometrics has anything to do with messing up the USCIS system. I went on my appointed time from my NOA for biometrics and I still was able to hear back from the USCIS via e-mail that my EAD card is in order and will be receiving it in 30 days. Nothing wrong with walking in early. I greatly doubt that the USCIS computer system is will have such a big screw up... if it was the case then it'll be a disaster and none of us will ever be able to get anything from the USCIS.

I don't know either, if I could understand the USCIS system I would be happy ! I hope that you guys will get your EADs VERY soon to make a bunch of money

I just posted this in the June AOS thread but I know you guys better Please advise:

For AOS: As the USC, the only thing that I need to do is:

-fill out the Aff of Support

-supply my 2008 Tax Return and W2s and tax transcripts for 2007 and 2006

-get the aff of support notarized

Is there anything else?

Hey Kiristen, this is the list of what I sent to USCIS :

I-485

- Copy of passport biographical page (french citizen)

- Copy of K1 from passport + entry stamp (FC)

- Copy of I94 front (FC)

- Copy of I94 back (FC)

- Copy of BC + certified english translation (FC)

- Copy of NOA2 approval for I129f

- Mariage certificate

G-325

- 2 passport type pictures (FC)

DS-3025

Vaccination document worksheet (FC)

I-864

- Income tax return 2006 + form 1099 (USC)

- Income tax return 2007 + form 1099 (USC)

- Income tax return 2008 + form 1099 (USC)

- Letter of employment (USC)

I-765 + I-131

biometrics Done Yesterday!! Happy they let me go in early!

Quick and Easy!!!!

Congrats to everyone who got stuff approved!!

I am wondering if it helped me at all to go in early. I was one of the first May filers to get biometrics done, but I haven't been touched since, and many have got card production ordered.

I feel leftout!

Same with me rexalite. I don't know what's going on.

Hey guys, another couple went earlier to the biometrics and got the EAD ordered 1 month after the biometrics were done. I am not sure that it is a good idea to go before your appointment, it maybe confused their computers ? You have a date and a time on your letter, why trying to walk in ?

Page 3 guys!! Too much smooching, not enough VJing.

That made me laugh. We're just swamped with wedding plans, moving plans, school plans and job plans so not alot of VJ. Strangely, I did meet a person in my neighborhood who is doing a K1 for his fiancee from France (when we were out walking last night) ...told him about VJ. Too bad there isn't some sort of finders fee. Even more strange was that his fiancee knows people my fiancee knows in Geneve. It is strange how small the world is...

Mohammedwalks: we haven't started any AOS stuff yet; but we'll keep in touch. Good to here things are working out for you.

Aubrey: good luck with the job search...there's always graduate school.

Hey Juliet (you aren't forgotten).

Thank you

True stuff. I noticed your EAD was approved pretty quickly. That's awesome. I hope the trend continues!

Yeah ! I'm so happy for the EAD, now I can wait for the GC patiently, I am able to drive, to work and travel so everything is great !

Hope that you guys will be together soon. It might be hard to have the visa in hand and not be able to be together cuz' of money stuff, that sucks

Page 3 guys!! Too much smooching, not enough VJing.

That made me laugh. We're just swamped with wedding plans, moving plans, school plans and job plans so not alot of VJ. Strangely, I did meet a person in my neighborhood who is doing a K1 for his fiancee from France (when we were out walking last night) ...told him about VJ. Too bad there isn't some sort of finders fee. Even more strange was that his fiancee knows people my fiancee knows in Geneve. It is strange how small the world is...

Mohammedwalks: we haven't started any AOS stuff yet; but we'll keep in touch. Good to here things are working out for you.

Aubrey: good luck with the job search...there's always graduate school.

Hey Juliet (you aren't forgotten).

Thank you

Just got an email from CRIS:

AP approved and EAD ordered

Cool !

We didn't forget you, but apparently you did forget me

You guys will find a job soon ! Don't lose hope...

Hi everyone!

I got the email from USCIS saying that my EAD card has been ordered yesterday!!! I'm so excited and feel much better now!

Kiwie: Thats awesome! And now your appointment is really soon!!

B&J: I hope you get updates on your case soon!! Fingers crossed for you!

Fingers crossed for everyone too!!!

Alice

Woohoo Alice, you are lucky ! Last touch May 29 for me And my future boss is waiting for me, that sucks ! Happy for you

Fiance lives in U.S. and I live in Canada. I think I read somewhere that at some point during the K-1 process, I will not be able to enter the U.S. but my fiance can still visit me in Canada. Can anyone give me some info about this please? At this point in time we are just starting to talk about putting the first package together.

I went to the USA 1 or 2 weeks after Jamie sent the K1 package and I stayed 90 days.

I stayed 2 hours at LAX with an officer asking questions, as soon as I mentionned the K1 he let me get in...

It depends of the officer, no rules here !

Well, just checked my status and nothing changed, last touch for AOS and EAD May 29. Last touch for AP May 12... We will see...

Hello again (posts galore from me this week) - just to make sure, do I need to include my birth cert in the AOS package? I don't think so but Jeremy thinks that he read it somewhere that we need to include the USC's birth cert that is no older than 6 mos...

I'm not sure, but it should say in the guides.

But, your birth certificate does not expire, so it will never matter how old it is.

that's what i think but apparently the french gov't wants a birth cert from me that has been issued within the last 6 mos. makes no sense to me but thats what they asked for. maybe jeremy just got the 2 confused...yeah i looked in the guides and it said nothing about it. just making sure tho.

Hey Kiristen,

Yeah the BC is just for the french embassy and you are right it has to be issued within the last 6 months.

That is cool for the EADs ! Hope to have mine as fast as you guys !

Thanks rexalite for the restaurant recommendation Can't wait to go to Vegas tomorrow!

Welcome Juliette to May filers! Why do you think you will get RFE for medical exam part? I think i will probably get one as i didn't include a TB skin test but i did send in the I-1693. Let's hope that all will be well and there will be no RFE's

Congrats kellygon on your biometrics appointment! Good to hear all went smoothly. I did not know that when you apply for AP you have to go back and get biometrics done for that too. wow! Maybe that is why my case number for AP does not show up on my online case status yet, because i haven't had biometrics for it yet? interesting!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Hi Kiwiana,

Well, I think that I will have a RFE because I just sent my vaccines sheet, the official one frome France, don't remember the name of this document. I hope that they didn't lose my medical folder and so I won't have problem, we will see...

Hey everybody,

Nice to meet you all ! I am a french citizen and I got married with Jamie USC March 10 in Vegas.

We applied for AOS/EAD/AP in May so I am in the good thread ! Got biometrics done 2 days ago.

I hope to have an easy journey but I am kinda waiting for a RFE (medical exam part).

Talk to you later guys and tu viens quand tu veux Alice !

Ju

I'm going to do something I don't usually do on internet forums, and I'm going to pontificate on a political subject, because this particular subject has become important to me.

The best way to streamline the K visa immigration process is to eliminate the things that currently slow it down; the potential for fraud and security risks.

The potential for fraud can be eliminated by removing the motive for fraud, which is to use the K visa primarily for the purpose of immigration rather than marriage. Fraudsters like the K visa because there is no annual quota, so they can get to the US in a matter of months rather than years. The current system is based on perceived intent, and puts the onus on USCIS and DoS to determine if the intent of the petitioner and/or beneficiary are sincere. The amount of scrutiny each case receives causes a bottleneck, and slows everything down.

Ok, fine. Leave the K visa without an annual quota, and allow beneficiary's to come to the US as quickly as possible. However, make them wait as long as other family members would have to wait before getting permanent legal status in the US. The green card should be temporary for 10 years. If they divorce during that 10 years, they have to return to their home country. If they accuse their US citizen spouse of abuse during that 10 year period (this is a HUGE loophole in the current law), then they still have to return to their home country. However, in that event, the US citizen spouse is required to pay their travel expenses, and also required to pay them spousal support (alimony) until the 10 year period is ended. USCIS can use the IRS to enforce the payments.

These changes would eliminate the motive to marry a US citizen, and then promptly divorce them when they get their 10 year green card or US citizenship. It would also eliminate foreign spouses who falsely accuse their US citizen spouse of abuse just to skip the 2 year wait, and go straight to adjustment of status. No more shortcuts to permanent residency. A couple who are sincere would have no problem accepting these conditions, because they have every intention of staying together.

A couple would no longer have to provide proof of ongoing relationship, nor have such proof scrutinized by the consulate. They're signing a contract to stay together for 10 years or abandon their claim to permanent residency. That should establish their intent to have a long term relationship, and it should be accepted without question by the consulate.

Also, eliminate all of the ####### required to prove that the couple have physically met within two years. Have the US consulate or embassy in the beneficiary's country issue a certification at the US citizens services unit. The couple only needs to go to the embassy or consulate together and get the certificate - bingo, they have proof they've met.

For security, require the beneficiary's country of origin to provide a guarantee that the beneficiary is not a security threat. This would work like a credit system. Where there is a low incidence of immigrants from a particular country getting into any legal trouble in the US, the country of origin would have a high security credit rating, meaning their security guarantee would be given a high degree of credibility. The more immigrants from a particular country get in trouble in the US, the lower the security credit rating of that country goes, and the less credibility their guarantee is given. At some threshold, the guarantee becomes worthless, and lengthy security checks go into force. This system would give the benefit of the doubt to countries that rarely send security problems to the US.

A special exemption should be provided for foreign beneficiaries who've been convicted of political or other crimes that would NOT be considered crimes in the US. In these cases, the normal system of examining police reports would go into effect.

I think these changes would get the K visa process down to a couple of months for most people, since the documents would only need to be rubber stamped in many cases.

Feel free to rip these ideas to shreds!

What about if a US citizen gets married with a non US citizen, they are truly in love, have baby(ies) and then after 5 years they don't want to be together anymore ? Do you want the mom or the dad (non US citizen) to go back to his/her country ? What about the children ????????

Happy wedding day Kiristen and Jeremy !!!

I believe the OP stated they have no intention of doing anything dishonest. They wondered if their plan would 'work'. They seem to be uncomfortable with the advice given to them by an attorney to 'misrepresent' themselves at the border. They indicate they are filing for a visa.

Seems like honest questions to me.

I believe the responses of many (especially Canadians who are familiar with crossing that border) in this thread are the most 'productive' for the OP. They spell out the 'problems' with the plan and what could go wrong.

Here's the reality - if this girl gets turned back at the border, it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY to affect her future K1. She would have to lie at the border for that to happen. We are told she does not wish to misrepresent herself.

I'm wondering what the problem is with some of the other comments. Why are some members apparently 'lecturing' the OP? Because they are 'jealous' of the geographical proximity of the couple? Because other persons in the thread didn't or don't have the same option?

I'm sorry, but I just don't get jumping on this couple. I don't know anyone of us who wouldn't take advantage of whatever opportunities we have to ease this process. Just because some couples have opportunities that others do not is no reason to behave bitterly towards them.

Thank you Rebeccajo, I thought that I was alone here defending this couple !

Enjoy your time with your fiancé Corinthians

This morning I passed my driving test YAY ! I looked on the permit and the date of expiration is august 16th like my I-94. So I asked what I will have to do after this date and they told me to comeback with my california driving license, and a proof of status (EAD or GC) and the will re-send me a new one, I will maybe just have to have a new picture done, that is it. So no need to retake the test !

thanks guys! will let u know what happens, he is at the interview right now. will probly be a few hrs before i hear from him! but i'll let u all know wen i know!

Jenny,

Im soo sooo sooo sorry. That is all I can say. You have stuck with me through all of this and it isnt fair...You will get through it and if u have to move to England with your cats....*hugs*

so any work Juliette on the whole working once ur case is pending thing???? Jobs have been popping up for what Johny graduated for and we are sending his AOS out this tuesday. We really want for him to work. he has just been cleaning the church and helping his friends out for some money but we want a place of our own ASAP, living with my dad isnt completely working. so we really need both of us to work. I am only going to be working like 2-3 days a week because of a full summer of clinicals.

I tried everything, I called SSA, I went to USCIS, I asked questions here and I CAN'T have an official reply. I wanted to do the E-verify thing but apparently your employer has to do it after to hire you which is weird and stupid in my opinion. So, I took the decision to wait until my EAD, I don't want to take risks. If you can you should get an infopass, maybe you can meet a good and informed officer.

You might want to let your mother in law know that due to the fact your adjustment is not filed, you are now an out-of-status alien.

Personally, I'd use that information along with an embellishment about how ICE could show up on her doorstep to take you away and that would sure be embarrassing if the neighbors saw that...........

I was thinking about that when I read the post. How long after the wedding you have to file AOS ? Cuz' if they got married a year ago it might be a little late no ?

USCIS themselves told me otherwise.

If the information provided by the USCIS 800# I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

I had the same information in the immigration building during infopass.

I am 99.999999999999999999% sure a K-1 visa holder cannot work until they get an EAD or Green card. USCIS should know this but I think half of the people working at the call center are trained monkeys, so I'm not too surprised they would give you incorrect information.

A K1 can work till their I94 expires even if they don't possess an EAD or a greencard - this class of aliens is work authorized.

If a K1 can meet the criteria of the I9 form, they can work.

This means they need either one document from List A (on the back of the I9) or one document from List B PLUS a document from List C.

And that is the part that cannot be done.

If a K1 can work til his I-94 expires it means that I can work. And I don't know why but my I-94 has a 6 months validity

You didn't read the entire post. K-1, or ANYONE can work provided you can provide the documents needed for the I-9 form. I do no thave a K-1 OR an I-94 but I can work because I can provide an item from list A. You, a K-1, cannot. You cannot provide an item from list C and B, the other option.

You were given bad information at the info pass meeting, sorry. It is a running joke in this country for at least a century, that government workers are of low quality, often untrained social experiments or politically correct pegs in holes who ofthe look as though they are being paid-by-the-pound. Wrong information is often as not, the rule. At this moment there are probably 30-threads started today about government employee mess-ups and misinfomation. How many times a day are K-1 holders told they cannot get an SSN? That alone is one of the most frequently posted problems and it is a very simple procedure yet the SS administration cannot pound it into their clerk's heads that's its OK. And government workers, when faced with a situation they do not understand, invariably make up a wrong answer rather than ask someone that knows. Your I-94 was mistakenly stamped 180 days, not that it matters much, and for your sake I hope you do not try to capitalize on that error by waiting longer to marry. Remember, if THEY make a mistake, it is YOUR problem.

You never did mention the results of your e-verify call.

The K-1 visa is a bad choice for someone who's intent or need is to work immediately on arriving to the USA. Choose the CR-1, wait a little longer and get your green card on arrival.

I didn't mention the results of the E-verify call cuz' I didn't do it. I decided to wait for my EAD and my future employer decided to wait for me. It is just a waist of time for both of us, thanks immigration !

Bad news guys.

"your visa has been denied under section 212(a)(2)(a)(1) of the immigration act A waiver of the applicable is available."

I dont know what this means, he has old convictions, which we were worried about, but i think 212 is lack of proof of relationship? my fiance told me: "I dont qualify for automatic approval its up to homeland security to approve me a waiver, only this time we both have to write letters explaining why a denial would cause extreme hardship, more forms to fill, $538 to pay, at least 15 weeks more to wait, "

We are eligible for a waiver but have to prove extreme hardship.

I am utterly heartbroken and crushed. He cannot even visit me til we get approved or denied. I am gutted! I dont know what to do! I cant be with the man i love! I have to go cry now!

thank u all for your well wishes!

Jenny

that sucks Jenny, so sorry to hear that

Here in NC if i take my test it will only be valid until my I-94 expires, and i would then have to re-take it when i have the GC.

Thats what I was told here in Florida

I am so sorry Jenny, that sucks !!!

Shan, for the driving license you have to get a new one when you have the GC or EAD but you don't have to take the test again, when you have it you have it.

Ok guys, I had my infopass in LA this morning, this is exactly what happened :

The woman checked my passport and my status on her computer. She then asked me what I wanted.

I asked "I applied for my AOS, EAD, AP at the beginning of May. I got an offer for a job and I would like to know if I can accept the job before to receive my EAD because I have the work authorized stamp on my I-94."

She asked me if I got the Notice of action for my AOS and EAD. I said yes and gave them to her with my biometrics appointment letter.

She said : "Even if you didn't have the stamp on your I-94 you can work. We the immigration don't require a EAD while a green card is pending, it is up to your employer to accept to hire you even if you don't have a green card or an EAD yet. As a pending applicant for your GC you are totally allowed to work."

I asked her again, showing the list of the documents accepted as work authorization> She said "I am positive, if you can find an employer who is ok to hire you without a GC or EAD this is not a problem for the USCIS, you are legal here in the USA and allowed to work, once again, the EAD for somebody pending on the AOS is not a requirement for the USCIS it is a requirement for the employer"

So...?

It is incredibly embarassing to me as an American, that our government is so full of untrained, uninformed individuals dealing with immigrants to this country. The SS office has the same problems. No one is trained properly and instead of looking up correct information they make things up and give people bad information.

As an American, let me extend my apologies to you, a new resident, for the total inefficiency and unreliablity of our government. Hopefully the same people will never control our health care.

I'm totally lost and depressed cuz' of this situation. I could be ok and just wait for my EAD but I am very lucky during this bad economic time to find a job. And now I will have to refuse it. I called the SSA today, the girl looked at my file on her computer and she said that it was written "alien allowed to work" so when I asked why on my SS card it was not written the same thing she said "I don't know why". Anyway, I'm too scared to make a mistake so I will just say no for the job. Thanks guys...

It says "Alien allowed to work" because you are not specifically NOT allowed to work AND that is what YOU checked on the form when you filled it out. It doesn't matter, the SS card is not an authorization to work, even for citizens, and it is not a valid form of ID. The card is a worthless piece of paper. I LOST mine in 1973 and haven't needed it since. "It doesn't matter what the card says on it or in the computer" is the correct answer. You ARE allowed to work, IF you have the necessary documentation, but the I-94 is NOT the necessary documentation to go with your K-1 visa and the SSA does not make this determination at any rate, they are told your status, by you when you complete the form for a card and number, and by DHS who regulates who can work.

Call the e-verify system. If that verifies you to work, go to work! I am sorry, but I think it will not.

It really is embarrassing the level of training and quality of government workers in this country. THEY have a job and you don't. Makes no sense. I only beg please, do not control my health care!!!!!!!!!! But I will congratulate you on one thing. You are the first to report that a government worker said "I don't know" I am surprised she didn't make up a long winded story and tell you she was 100% sure it was true.

Thank you for your time and your advice

Do you have the number to call for the E-verify thing ?

Juliette