raverz

mikumi,
I don't know if my post will offer any help to you but I have many expat freinds that work oveseas. I have not heard of single incidence where any has received trouble at POE for being out over 6 months. I know people that stayed 363 days outside using only a greencard and entered without a problem. Those staying over 6 months are subject to additional inspection but I think this applies to "high risk" and "high fraud" countries only.
On your re entry permit, you should be able to get your biometrics completed in about a month's time. You can always walk in sooner than the appt time and explain your situation.
However, do expect to wait more than 4 months to receive your re entry permit. My wife applied on June 1 and it's now October 6. Still hasn't arrived. USCIS estimates processing time to be about 3 months. This is not the case.
I expect to receive it any day after seeing many touches in the case status check website.
Good luck

In addition, that old line of reasoning was used to argue against women entering the workforce.

Personally, I think that immigration and total unemployment are not correlated in any sensible way. These new "millions" will need food, clothes, utilities and everything a living human being needs. They will create demand for these, hence jobs, which they (or U.S. citizens) will later be able to fill. They will also not rely upon the U.S. government for support, as they have signed these rights off when applying, and will instead support themselves or have petitioner support them (by being productive members of society, i.e. holding a job or operating a business).
Also, personally, speaking of the unemployment rate of the U.S. citizens alone, do you think it is globally better for the economy if a less competent person gets to do the job instead of a more competent and qualified one, just because the former is the U.S. citizen?

U.S. Gov should at least allow spouse/children to travel to the U.S. while F2A cases are pending.

We need more specific information in order to advise but if it's timelines, you can never really tell for sure.
What you need to specify is:
- your priority date if you already have one (I think you do based on your statement)
- your family based preference (F1, F2A, F2B, etc)
- what is the latest mail that you have received? NOA1, NOA2, etc.
- Is it USCIS or NVC processing now?

Hey sara...
If your husband made IV & AOS fees online then NO need to wait for any instruction or Courier(parcel) from NVC.
They clearly mention in my case that "if you made online payment then NVC will not send any instruction to you for further processing,you can find further processing on the reciept of fees at the time when your fee receipt shows status PAID."
Please check your status of payment.
If it shows status PAID.then dont wait for further instruction and start Affidavite of Support process and Applicant document process.