doubleubee

Didn't you do biometrics before?

Never done biometrics. They just approved me when my wife applied for removal of conditional - I received the letter of approval 1 month after (7 years ago) and never heard from them since. Not even a letter telling me to leave the country.

Just two months ago when I called and asked they sent me a letter stating I had been aproved.

The clerk this morning told I was indeed approved. But the card was never issued.

I guess they approved me without biometrics!

Maybe because it was before 9/11? Who knows.

Ah let me fix this: Yes when I first entered the country they did get my fingerprints.

Didn't you do biometrics before?

Never done biometrics. They just approved me when my wife applied for removal of conditional - I received the letter of approval 1 month after (7 years ago) and never heard from them since. Not even a letter telling me to leave the country.

Just two months ago when I called and asked they sent me a letter stating I had been aproved.

The clerk this morning told I was indeed approved. But the card was never issued.

I guess they approved me without biometrics!

Maybe because it was before 9/11? Who knows.

Hello,

Some of you may remember me. I was the one trying to remove conditional really late: after 7 years.

As some of you may also know, I was wrong, we did apply to remove it seven years ago, I got approved but never received the green card.

Well, I had an the Infopass appointment today. They saw my papers, they said yes I was approved, but don't know why I never received the green card.

They asked me to fill an I-90 claiming that my GC was never received. The clerk said he hoped I've been working all these years, then he stamped my passport with a temporary I-551 for me to work and to travel while I wait for the biometrics appointment and then the GC.

So, my story is almost to an end (or a new beginning....)

My question is:

What's involved with the biometrics? (Sorry I never got to that point and after so many years not reading about it I kinda forgot and I can't find a site clearly explaining).

And can I travel since I have been approved or is there still any risk that they will not let me re-enter the country?

Once again, thank all of you for the support through this.

Congrats!!! And thank you for sharing your struggle and outcome. You've given someone with a lost petition a world of hope!

Thanks! Yes that's my intention. You would either hear from me here or in Brazil with a 10yr ban. Thankfully it ended up with a happy outcome.

Hello to all who wrote me and gave me advice at an earlier post.

As some of you know my situation with my expired green card without removing conditional. But it happened that we did file the I-751 but never received anything from them.

I met with the immigration attorney and she wanted to schedule an Infopass. But she could not do it for some reason and she decided to call a number - because she said she could not get an infopass online without certain info from this number she dialed.

Basically we told the person what was going on, gave the number receipt number etc. The lady on the phone said that I should wait 45 days for the letter. This was on the 25th of August (6 days ago)

The attorney said that depending on the result of the letter we could make an infopass appointment. She was concerned because depending on the status I could be detained in Memphis.

Well... today I received this letter:

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Mr. Such and such

Address address address

Dear ...

On 08/25/2009 you or the designed representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at the time was the following:

Info

Info

Info

Etc

The status of this service is:

Date of Decision 5-30-02

New Classification Symbol: IR1

Admission date: 04-25-00

Your request for the removal of the conditional basis of your permanent resident status has been approved. You are deemed to be a lawful permanent resident of the United States as of the date of your original admission or adjustment of status.

You must obtain a new alien registration receipt card (Form I-551). To do so, appear in person at the Service office nearest you. Bring two recent photos of the same type ... (etc etc)

You should not travel outside of the United States before receiving your new card unless you have first received a passport endorsement from this Service indicating that you new card is being processed.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

So, apparently, they approved me as soon they received the I-751. Except that I was never informed of the outcome. Either that or I the letter got lost.

I remember that in a phone call they had informed my wife, years ago that I was ok and that I had to go to Houston.

But because of my epilepsy things went crazy and we lost track of it all.

In any case, I'd just tell all of you DO NOT GIVE UP!

Thanks for all advice.

Have you found a good lawyer yet, by the way?

I will check that but unless it got lost in the mail, I don't think we ever received it.

No, I don't have money for a lawyer, but have an appointment on 04/25 with one from the Catholic Charities. Are they free? She'll charge me $25 for the consult. I don't know if she will charge after that... my wife told me I am on my own with that. But I know she will help me with the paperwork (I guess signing the papers).

Once again,

your wife started the Removal of Conditions process (I-751) for you. Since you became ill, nobody followed through. Your best defense is to find a capable immigration attorney who can pledge for you to get your case reinstated to the status quo when you got the NOA1.

I have no idea if that is possible, but I know it will be impossible for you to do that on your own. Since your wife is now incooperative, the alternative for you is to move back to Brazil and not to visit the US for at least the next 10 years. Doubtful if your wife will visit you with your child in Brazil.

You need to contact a very experienced immigration attorney. It will cost you thousands of dollars, no doubt, but what would it cost you to move back to Brazil?

Thanks!

My wife is cooperating. We're working things out.

My memories of the times are very blurred because of the seizures but I figure that we've never received a follow up from the USCIS.

What does this mean?

Going through papers I found a NOA dated 4/23/2002 (my card expired 4/25/2002).

It reads among other things:

"YOUR ALIEN CARD IS EXTENDED 12 MONTHS - EMPLOYMENT AND TRAVEL AUTHORIZED. PROCESSING YOUR FORM WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM 120 DAYS. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 6 MONTHS, THEN YOU MAY CONTACT OFFICE"

So, what does this mean?

On the very top, among some fields, it has under CASE TYPE: "FORM I-751"

How does that change my case???

I'm about to pull my hair! So, knowing that my wife did apply for the I751 but we never received anything after that. This was the time of my seizures so, I was out of it. Anyways, does anyone know what the quote above means to my case?

Thank you very much!

My wife knows the mayor, we have friends who are good friends with the governor of Arkansas. When I first came, I had a recommendation letter from Mike Huckabee. Do you think that things like this may help?

Mayor = city government

Governor = state government

Immigration = federal government

Mike Huckabee might have been able to help if he had become President

Immigration Attorney is what you need

The reason I mentioned those people is because they're people of reputation. That's all

What does this mean?

Going through papers I found a NOA dated 4/23/2002 (my card expired 4/25/2002).

It reads among other things:

"YOUR ALIEN CARD IS EXTENDED 12 MONTHS - EMPLOYMENT AND TRAVEL AUTHORIZED. PROCESSING YOUR FORM WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM 120 DAYS. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 6 MONTHS, THEN YOU MAY CONTACT OFFICE"

So, what does this mean?

On the very top, among some fields, it has under CASE TYPE: "FORM I-751"

How does that change my case???

What does this mean?

Going through papers I found a NOA dated 4/23/2002 (my card expired 4/25/2002).

It reads among other things:

"YOUR ALIEN CARD IS EXTENDED 12 MONTHS - EMPLOYMENT AND TRAVEL AUTHORIZED. PROCESSING YOUR FORM WILL REQUIRE A MINIMUM 120 DAYS. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 6 MONTHS, THEN YOU MAY CONTACT OFFICE"

So, what does this mean?

On the very top, among some fields, it has under CASE TYPE: "FORM I-751"

How does that change my case???

How long do you think the Adjustment of Status will be? Does that involve remain in the US for 2 yrs or more?

Your case screams two words "Immigration Attorney"!!!! Keep us posted. All the best..

I promise to keep you all posted - since this is such as a unique case, it will be at least a tool to educate others. I called the doctor and asked for papers, got an interview date with an attorney and my wife and I are at least talking.

Sorry to talk about my marital problems. Its life's drama!

Thanks!

We're still in the house but its worse by the day.

She's now saying she will not help me with the process and wants me out of the house. I did get in contact with an attorney and set up an appointment for next month. She wanted me to get everything proving that we're still married and wanted my wife there. But, unless she changes her mind, it doesn't look like it will happen.

I don't want to leave my son and I will stay here as long as I can. I will have to somehow manage to survive by myself.

If we do have a divorce, would I have any right to my son? Visitation? Partial custody?

I am very scared and depressed.

Thank you all.

My wife knows the mayor, we have friends who are good friends with the governor of Arkansas. When I first came, I had a recommendation letter from Mike Huckabee. Do you think that things like this may help?

My wife and I are still friends, the marriage is not over, just having serious issues which may or may not get solved. She's at least willing to help me through this.

I understand about the attorney's experience. I just don't have the money.

Also, please forgive my lack of knowledge on the matters involved. I was almost an expert when we first did this but after so many years I don't even recall the process.

Would someone please explain what start the process over means? Do I go back to Brasil and my wife go re-apply for the visa? Do I stay here (although illegally) and try to get the situation solved? Don't they send me back if through the process they decided that I was in fault and deny my petition?

Thanks for even taking the time to read my posts. This is an extreme case and I should have stood up and done something about this whole issue. I can't blame anyone but myself.

- doubleubee

Consult a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible to get advice and guidance.

Thank you all for the advice. That is really what I needed, just some perspective on where to go from here.

One more question: what is the worst case scenario? What if going through the whole process I get denied? Are they going to grab me, put in a plane and wave goodbye?

I told my wife I had to go see my family. And I can go through the process. And I may get my greencard eventually but they may also deny and we need to make a decision on what to do then.

She believes that since I have a child here they won't separate me from my child. I believe the people handling the case could feel sorry but the law is the law.

I have a friend who's a lawyer and is willing to help except not immigration lawyer.

It is so depressing because I must see my family and feel like this is a prison.

Thank you all for the help.

You would be better served to have an experienced immigration attorney advising you. No disrespect to your friend. As in medicine, there are situations where a specialist's skills and experience are needed.

Consult a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible to get advice and guidance.

Thank you all for the advice. That is really what I needed, just some perspective on where to go from here.

One more question: what is the worst case scenario? What if going through the whole process I get denied? Are they going to grab me, put in a plane and wave goodbye?

I told my wife I had to go see my family. And I can go through the process. And I may get my greencard eventually but they may also deny and we need to make a decision on what to do then.

She believes that since I have a child here they won't separate me from my child. I believe the people handling the case could feel sorry but the law is the law.

I have a friend who's a lawyer and is willing to help except not immigration lawyer.

It is so depressing because I must see my family and feel like this is a prison.

Thank you all for the help.

Hey Bob,

Thanks for the reply.

I called and they asked me to file the I-175 plus a letter explaining why I we have not done it. They said it will likely get denied and then I have to file I-130 and I-485 and go in front of a judge.

I thought this to be good news but after reading what you said, I realize that all they can do is tell me what to do, not the outcome.

What would start fresh be involved exactly?

Thanks !

First off, your case is unique.

Default procedure is that USCIS after such a long time considers your permanent resident status abandoned and thus long expired. Almost certainly, you'll have to start fresh which is complicated, since you mentioned a possible separation or even divorce from your USC wife.

Since a qualified immigration attorney might be able to argue that you were not at fault in not filing for Removal of Conditions, they might--although I doubt it--reinstate your previous LPR status.

I would collect all the paperwork you have and consult a reputable immigration attorney. If you are strapped for cash, and who isn't these days, pay for a 1 hour consultation, which might cost you between nothing and $350.

What you cannot do is leave the country unless your case has been adjusted to legal status again.

Best of luck to you.

Please read my story because I am in a serious trouble and I need advice on what to do.

I came in April 2000. My wife married me in Brazil and I received a Permanent Resident Card with a conditional.

In 2001 I suffered epileptic seizures and was taking medicine which has kept me in check ever since. I had to quit my job and stay at home. Around the time to remove the conditional I asked my wife to call and check on the steps to do this and she talked with someone on the phone then told me "every thing is taken care of" in which we had a bad fight because I was convinced that it was not what we were suppose to do.

Anyways time passed, I believed in her words, and as far as I knew, all we had to do was go to Memphis and take care of the paperwork there.

I know I should just tried doing it myself but I depended on my wife for everything since the seizures.

About a year or 2 ago I started to get better, taking less medicine and more "awake" and decided to see what I could do about my paperwork. I want to go finally see my family and my wife and I are having marital problems - we're about to divorce. We have a son and I don't want to leave him so I wanted to see if I can still return if I left the country. I really want to be able to take him, at least part of the time, and let him learn his heritage. And see if he can live with me half of the year and with her half of the year. I am very unhappy here with my situation and can't stand being away for so long.

Well, I found out that I am here in a bad situation because we did not take care of it. And that I should have received a deportation letter (which I never did - as far as I know).

I want to go back to finally see my family in Brazil after almost 10 years. But want to be able to return to see my son in case she won't allow me to take him and us sharing custody.

Here is my question: is it still possible to get this situation solved? Or is it likely that they will deport me? What are the odds?

I don't want to bother everyone with my story and why it got this way - its just too crazy, but if someone can give me some advice, we're not working out and I can't afford to be out there without being able to work.

I would like to know if this is feasible after so many years or if I'd better of going back. I realize I can't get a job here, even to be on my own. In my country Id have the benefits of citizenship and be able to go to college and get a better job. I just want to be able to be with my son at least part of the time. I don't even know if they'd allow me to come here as a visitor!

Thank you in advance.