Tessa In NJ

I listened to the speech of President Obama last night. He said that america is one of the developed countries with high college drop outs.

I am just curious if the pinay members here in VJ are also college drop outs, which I think may not be true. I guess there are many pinays, who are here in america, are educated and even college/masters degree holder.

If you are a college/masters degree holder, you're invited to join in this thread and be counted. This is just for fun. You deserve to be recognized!

I hold a Bachelors Degree In Accounting....

You'll want to carry with you a copy of your marriage certificate - otherwise you should have no issues.

thanks. thats what i was thingking as well but i want other opinions also.

i was surprise this morning that i receive my GC in the mail without interview... GOD IS SO AMAZING....Good Luck to those who is still waiting from CSC.....

[/quote

WOW NO INTERVIEW? AND A K1 VISA.... THE ONLY OTHER PERSON I KNOW WHO GOT HER GREEN CARD WITHOUT INTERVIEW IS MY AUNT WHO WAS PETITIONED BY HER USC DAUGHTER. YOU'RE VERY LUCKY. CONGRATULATIONS!!

Not sure if this is the place to post this question...here goes.

I am flying back with my fiancee and my POE is JFK. Looking at the POE reviews at JFK posted on VJ, it was not clear which line both the US citizen/fiancee stand in ... US Citizens/GC holders or Visitors ?

Needless to say, we would like to minimize the wait and want to stand in the US citizens line unless the visitor line was shorter. Our flight gets in at 6:40am in the morning.

Can folks chime in with input/thoughts/experiences ?

thx

Can you ask the airport information staff on which line your fiancee should stand in? I assume they know.

O ye.Almost forget My sister she's Permanent resident

You are arriving in US under a tourist visa but you are asking for a change of status? Do you plan to marry a USC? And I am confused... you said you dont want to lose your good paying job if you apply for AOS..... your issues confuse me ... scratching my head here..

Will I encounter a problem getting back to USA if my name in my passport is different from the one printed on my Greencard? I retained my name when i got married and used it in all my AOS applications.

up to now i can't figure out how to post topics !!! please help.

Nobody can answer this question by giving exact time. There is no definite

timeline for anybody from the USCIS point of view. Every case is different

but I can give you minimum time approximately after bio app.

Usually between 2-3 months, don't take this timeline as granted.

This is just my guess, of course considering that

you don't have any RFE in the future.

GOOD LUCK !.. Keep us posted.

I had my fingerprint scan the first time on Jan 21, 2009 and they had to re-do it feb 20, 2009 and my interview is on april 15, 2009... so for my case its 45 days after my last biometric appointment. I hope that answers some of your issues.

Nobody can answer this question by giving exact time. There is no definite

timeline for anybody from the USCIS point of view. Every case is different

but I can give you minimum time approximately after bio app.

Usually between 2-3 months, don't take this timeline as granted.

This is just my guess, of course considering that

you don't have any RFE in the future.

GOOD LUCK !.. Keep us posted.

I had my fingerprint scan the first time on Jan 21, 2009 and they had to re-do it feb 20, 2009 and my interview is on april 15, 2009... so for my case its 45 days after my last biometric appointment. I hope that answers some of your issues.

no im sorry its 55 days lol... almost 2 months!

Can anyone tell me what they think the best way is to ship personal belongings from the Philippines to the USA when moving here?

I was thinking just through the post office, but wondered what is most affordable if any other way. Things like clothing, any furniture, electronics, etc.

Thanks for your help.

Brian in Tennessee

why would you want to send your clothing and furniture stuff from the philippines to USA when you can buy those same things here at a lower expense on yourselves?

My friends,

Where in the Philippines are you or your loved ones from? We'd be thrilled to know. Also, please provide a monicker or description of your town, city or province, if you could.

We'll start with myself. I am from Santa Cruz, a town just south of Davao City, and otherwise known as the Investors' Haven of Davao del Sur because of so many big enterprises with situs here. My fiance in Corona, California was born and raised in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Spanish colonial pueblo that was originally named La Ciudad Fernandina by our Castilian founders, in honor of King Ferdinand of Spain.

How about you?

I am from manila and my husband is from New Jersey. Tukayo pala tayo lol...We are now living here in NJ.

a Repost from someone in my friends list. Makes sense indeed!

>

> Akala ng mga tao na nasa Pilipinas kapag nasa America ka akala nila madami ka ng pera. Ang totoo, madami

> kang utang, dahil credit card lahat ang gamit mo sa pagbili mo ng mga gamit mo. Kailangan mo gumamit ng credit card para magka-credit history ka,

> kase pag hindi ka umutang o wala kang utang, hindi ka pagkakatiwalaan ng mga kano . Pag wala kang credit card, ibig sabihin wala kang kapasidad magbayad.

> Akala nila mayaman ka na kase may kotse ka na. Ang totoo, kapag hindi ka bumili ng kotse sa America

> maglalakad ka ng milya-milya sa ilalim ng init ng araw o kaya sa snow. Walang jeepney, tricycle o padyak sa America …

> Akala nila masarap ang buhay dito sa America .. Ang totoo, puro ka trabaho kase pag di ka nagtrabaho, wala kang pangbayad ng bills mo sa kotse, credit

> card, ilaw, tubig, insurance, bahay at iba pa. Hindi ka na pwedeng tumambay sa kapitbahay kase busy din sila

> maghanap buhay pangbayad ng bills nila.

> Akala nila masaya ka kase nagpadala ka ng picture mo sa Disneyland , Seaworld, Six Flags, Universal Studios at iba

> pang attractions. Ang totoo, kailangan mo ngumiti kase nagbayad ka ng $70+ para makarating ka dun, kailangan mo na naman ang 10 hours na sweldo mong

> pinangbayad sa ticket.

> Akala nila malaki na ang kinikita mo kase dolyar na sweldo mo. Ang totoo, malaki pagpinalit mo ng peso, pero

> dolyar din ang gastos mo sa America . Ibig sabihin ang dolyar mong kinita sa presyong dolyar mo din gagastusin.

> Ang P15.00 na sardinas sa Pilipinas $1.00 sa America , ang isang pakete ng sigarilyo sa pilipinas P40.00, sa

> America $ 6.50, ang upa mo sa bahay na P10,000 sa Pilipinas, sa America $1,000++.

> Akala nila buhay milyonaryo ka na kase ang ganda ng bahay at kotse mo. Ang totoo milyon ang utang mo. Ang bago mong kotse 5 taon mong huhulugan. Ang

> bahay 30 taon mong huhulugan. Ibig sabihin, alipin ka ng bahay at kotse mo.

> Madaming naghahangad na makarating sa America .. Lalo na mga nurses, mahirap maging normal na manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Madalas pagod ka sa trabaho. Pag dating ng sweldo mo, kulang pa sa pagkain mo. Pero ganun

> din sa ibang bansa katulad ng America ..

> Hindi ibig sabihin dolyar na ang

> sweldo mo, yayaman ka na, kailangan mo ding magbanat ng buto para mabuhay ka sa ibang bansa.

> Isang malaking sakripisyo ang pag alis mo sa bansang

> pinagsilangan at malungkot iwanan ang

> mga mahal mo sa buhay.Hindi pinupulot

> ang pera dito o pinipitas. Hindi ako

> naninira ng pangarap, gusto ko lang

> buksan ang bintana ng katotohanan

> Tulad din ng buhay sa Dubai o Canada, O Australia at Europe di ba?

you nailed it on the head !!! But if you are earning $ and sending it to your family in the Philippines... talagang malaking tulong and they will think you are really rich kasi 48 times na mas malaki ang nakuha nila in terms of purchasing power. But you are right in every way... Life in america is not easy you have to really break your back working to make ends meet... but... if you dont spend way beyond your means...then you will have an easy life here.

Is the middle name they asked in question number 7 considered as the second name or the mother's maiden name? i don't know what to write because the middle name that i wrote in the g-325A is my mother's maiden name not my second name.

I believe here in the US by middle name they mean your second name and not your mothers last name. So if your name is Maria Teresa or Maria Elena then your middle name would be Teresa or Elena and your first name is Maria. I had thesame problem before until my husband explained things to me. Or if you want to be more certain you can call USCIS at their customer service number.

My wife been here in the united states since she was 3 yr. old. She got here through her dad petition I believe its K2. Parents got separated and they don't continue her paper work here. She now have a baby and was born here in the US. I am a US citizen and would want my wife to stay here in the US legally. Should I file here a K3 visa?

I wouldn't go for a lawyer if I can get a help here.. Please help! Lawyer is way expensive..

I dont understand why any one of her parents didnt continue the petition. Anyways.. your wife dont have SSN or a driver's license? How can she be living here in the US since she was 3 yrs old and still be illegal... i cant comprehend that situation im sorry....In my opinion its better to consult a lawyer who has more knowledge in your kind of situation and can guide you and your wife on the right path to getting her legal here in the US.

Its not for us. We just want to help our friend

We have a filipina friend that has been here in the US for 2 years now through K1 & 2. They file back on July 2007 I believe they sent it late. The USCIS return their paper work because the fees has been change. Unfortunately they wasn't able to file right away because of financial situation. They now have a baby on their own. After the tax return this year, they wanted to file an AOS. What do they need to do? Does she has to do another medical since her and her son medical has been over a year old? Would that be a problem? ( like possibly deportation?) hope not.

Please help...

I dont think she will be deported lol... anyways if her medical exam has elapsed she has to file for AOS again and I believe that having a child will actually make it easier for your friend to get a LPR visa.

I AM HAPPY TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO'S VISA WAS GRANTED! (and envy them as well.....) and I am not against those people posting that their Visa was granted, that they recieved good news with their visa process.....

BUT....will it be better if you can just post topics that can help other people who are waiting and almost hopeless people waiting for their visas? or other topic that can be useful while waiting for the visa? (example: What are things you need to know? to prepare? to expect?..blah..blah!)

I know we are all happy for you...but will it make us feel better? I don't think so....coz as for my part it would make me feel more desperate to be with the Love of my Life...coz majority of the topic is "finally,received my visa", "have an interview schedule",blah blah....but what do they respond to them..."Congratulations!" that's it!

Again,I'm just stating what i feel....hate me..i dont care.....but can we just be more helpful and useful here to others who are desperately waiting for their visa approvals?

I can understand what are undergoing but I think its not the intention of these people who post their happiness when their visas are granted or successful interviews to make you feel down or disappointed. They are just showing you that there is HOPE. Please see the positive side of their posting and not the negativity of your feelings. I am sure your time will come and when that happens... you will also post it here and share it with all the VJ members who will also congratulate you.

I rather post my probs here and give it a try for some members might whom can share there opinion. Anyhow, this is regarding my AOS. I havent yet applied AOS becoz my hubby didnt file his taxes since 2005, but he has a 2005, 2006 & 2007 W-2's. He is a self-employed...and now his office is permanently closed.

Moreover, I have everything with me right now EXCEPT his recent taxes. My relatives are willing to be our co-sponsors. My question now is, if we will submit everything to USCIS, do you think we will encounter problem during interview that my husband didnt file his taxes? or do u think they will gave us RFE for no recent taxes although we have co-sponsors? or tendency that they will deny our papers?...Our marriage will turn two years now.

Also, he will sign the I-864 ,but can he use his assets like house & car? he is jobless right now....i am so confuse,please enlighten me...

PS: i am grateful if anybody can share there knowledge...but please just don't harass my

thread. Thank you and more power....

I think the best thing for you and your husband to do is to consult with an immigration lawyer and be ready to hire one if needed.

I'm going to start by saying that I hope I'm wrong in this case and that it was just a bad misunderstanding, both for our sake (my wife and I) and the sake of the people we spoke to today via the USCIS 1-800 number. I'm going to make it as short and sweet as possible.

Called today around 10am, spoke with a rep, who's name and ID I wrote down. Asked about the fact we had still not received a biometrics appointment for the I765 or I485, and it's been like 110 days now. She stated she did not have any information for me and I needed to schedule an appointment with a local office, which is 2.5 hours away from us. I expressed that I was not happy to have to drive 5 hours round trip because they made a mistake, and yes I probably said it a little more angrily than I wanted, but I was frustrated. I then asked if she had a manager or supervisor I could speak with. She just said, yes, hold please.

I was then in contact with someone who stated their name (no employee number) and to hold. Later she came back on the line. I first asked what her employee ID was. She said she did not have one, that she was an immigration officer. I believed her and continued with my story, explaining that we had not gotten the biometrics appointment. She asked for the case number, which I gave and she looked it up. She asked for our address and once given stated that the EAD card had been issued and sent on Jan 15th. I asked her to verify the case number I gave her, because that didn't sound right. When I check the uscis.gov system right now the last status shown is Jan 16 2009, Application Pending. She verified the case number. I then stated we had not received the card. She said it must have been lost in the mail and asked if my wife was on file as being at the address. I stated yes, she is. She'd been here many months, our bank account gets here just fine and she's received numerous letters. I asked why the other people I'd talked to, 3 people via 1-800 number, since Jan 15th have not told me it was issued and sent. She stated that she looks at a different system than them. I then asked if it was possible that her system showed it as issued, but there was an error somewhere between when it was updated to "Issued" and it actually being put into the mail. She said that was not possible. (this is the one thing so far she said that I completely did not believe or agree with.) I then asked if it could be re-issued since we didn't get it. She said, no. We have to resubmit the application and $340 to process it since, "we've already done our job." I was again upset and asked her if anything in what she just said sounded wrong. She said, "It sucks, I know." After a little more question asking, without luck, I finally asked her if she could verify my I485 case status, as I didn't want that to end up in the same situation with that. At that point she told me the system was down. I stated I would wait, as I didn't want to risk anything happening to the I485. She then said, "that can take 12 months or more to go through". I asked again if the system was still down and she said yes. So, I believed her, thanked her for her time and hung up, very upset.

When I got home today from the office, we had in our mail a biometrics appointment with both the I485 and I765 listed on the appointment letter. After spending the evening thinking about this I have a theory and questions.

#1) Are there immigration officers who work answering questions via the 1-800 number that you can be elevated too AND Would there be a reason they don't have an employee ID?

#2) Would said IO have access to a different database than the initial representatives? Has anyone else had that?

#3) Would USCIS ever be almost 3 months behind in updating their online system to reflect the card was issued? I know that for her K-1 petition and AP approvals, I got the email and online status updated about a week or 10 days before we got the actual paperwork in the mail.

#4) Would USCIS really not re-issue an EAD card if it was truly lost in the mail? Do they not keep a record of the paperwork all approved and they'd just literally need to see, yes, this was approved in Jan, re-issue, or would they really expect someone to pay another $340 and resubmit paperwork?

#5) Was anyone on the phone with the 1-800 number yesterday around 10:30 or 11:00 and the system was down?

Here is my, admittedly disheartening, theory. The first rep did not like that I got upset and decided to transfer me to her buddy, who sits next to her. I am transfer and the new person states she has no ID, so she can't get in trouble. Goes through the whole process of telling that, because she's bored or just a nasty person. Then at the end, decides she's done having her fun and states the system is down so I'd hang up and let her go.

Here is my second, less conspiracy theory. The second lady really was an IO and everything she said was true, except her system had a gross error and I was about to resubmit and pay $340. Now, it could also be that her system is correct, but based on my previous paperwork experience and the online status, as well as receiving the bio appointment today, I'd say the EAD was not issued. I guess we'll know for sure in a month or two after the appointment.

I have decided to call the 1-800 again tomorrow and ask them the questions above. Not explaining what I'm after, I'll ask them in ways that they don't realize I'm probing.

Why:

Theory 1: I want to make sure those two ladies aren't allowed to do that to anyone else. If they did what I think they did, that's a horrible, nasty thing to do.

Theory 2: Ask why we got the biometric for the I765 and I485 if the EAD was already issued. Ask if it really was issued or if there could be a mistake and state they should train the IO about the possibility of a mistake if that's the case.

I would love some input to contrast my theory one. Please tell me I'm being paranoid and that the IO was real.

Thanks,

Ben

I am adjusting from B1/B2 visa based on marriage to my wife who is uSC. I have a 1 yr valid multientry B1/B2 visa which is valid till March,09. BUt I have overstayed the departure date stamped by the POE officer by 8 months.So this will bw sent with I-485 and etc etc.

A) Regarding I-131

1) Address shd be one in usa /.... right ??

2) Class of Admission : shd be B1/B2 right ??

3) Part 2 which one to tick ?? a/b/c/d/e/f ?

4) Part 3, Page 2 : Intended Date of departure - what to write as i dnt know yet

5) Part 7 " for how many trips " - what to write ?

6) what are the documents to be attached with these forms... i read the instructions. 1stly they are so confusing and they say to attach photcopies my alien`s passport & I-94...is that enough ?

B) Also wanted to know which USPS service did Vjers use to send it to chicago lockbox and what was the approx cost of posting ?

I know i shdnt go out of usa unless i get my GC but then again i want to get it anyway in case of any emergency at home.

All help will be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot.