Ryan_and_Priscy

Another question from me sorry it is just every time I start to relax another thing pops into my head and makes me go crazy.

So since my fiance (USC) and I started planning everything for our k1 journey we have been so caught up in it that well we never picked out or bought an engagement ring for myself.

To be honest I really would prefer not to even have one. It just isn't really of importance to me.

But I was wondering if this would look bad at the interview?

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated and set me at ease for the time being

I consider it is not an issue that will be let you out of any process. My husband wanted to get me one, explaining honestly to him what I did not consider a necessary thing to get a ring, so we both decide that it was not going to be in the list for keeping us together always. At the interview I did not have any problem, we were not asked why we do not have any ring, anyway, I was prepared to give my answer if there was such a question.

Relax, don´t worry!

I am Latinamerican too with a very diversified cultural background, and been before in many countries it has shown to me some of the very interesting cultural behavior of some people, relatives, friends, and coworkers.

My personal experience: When I met my husband, our second date he brought me to his parents' house to meet them. We got along easier than I thought. Still some friends told me that just for a second date and meet the parents of the guy you are dating is not really normal in US... I don't know if that was fine, but still was a good experience and I had a good time. My husband has more siblings, so eventually I have met some of them. For Christmas last year Mom, my husband and I went to visit the family from mom's side, there were cousins, aunts, uncles. I can say they all were nice, though not at all of them say hi to me. But the closest ones even gave us presents and could have some chat about marriage and life... I knew before that grandma had told mom already that she wanted to meet me, yet she had some worries about us because we are from different cultures, and probably we were too young... I think those worries disappeared, she is the sweetest grandma I ever have. But, I told to my husband one thing I found weird.... for example, I was thinking, should I have to go and greet everybody or wait until they come to say hi? Well, my husband introduced me to some of them, others just looked me at a distance, talked to my husband but not to me. I was the one who had to say HI. Well, I am using my education and being polite with unknown people... that's what my family culture has taught to me to be polite! Anyway, I have decided I am not living upon what they might think about me (I found out later some of them said that I was another Latin woman marrying an American just because of the papers... I just can laugh!). Now I keep in contact with some of them, specially with a cousin, she is so nice, and she even got my email to write me and send cards for every occasion. I think that is very nice of her. Even she wants to learn my language...

Now, this is what happened to a friend. She is from Brazil and was living in Costa Rica when she met online her future husband. So she came and they married. Only very few people were at the wedding and the environment wasn't friendly at all. The rest of the family did not even call to say "Congratulations". One of the aunts said that she was not gonna meet the black woman that her nephew has married (my friend is not black at all, just dark skin). My friend said that for about 4 years it was difficult to have a conversation with her in-laws. Sometimes the mother would call the son, if my friend would answer she wanted to talk to her, but the mother was very sharp. It took time to get eventually communicative to each other. Now my friend has a baby, the family is talking more to her. Still the other aunt doesn't want to talk. As my friend say: you come to a new place where you are a foreigner and stranger. People react in different ways, sometimes they are ignorant, sometimes stupid, or sometimes just because they don't know how to deal with the foreigner in the family. But not all of them, she said the family she has made so far are her friends, American people that have open their hearts to make a friendship tie with her and her husband.

I agree with her, that our family is composed by the friends we make so far, and that's what my husband says too. So for us, the foreigner, let's be ourselves, always remembering that where we come from we are so rich in culture, life, as well the country we come to also is rich in culture and life.

I called yesterday and was told a replacement would be mailed to me immediately.

Pretty amazed that it was so simple.

Good! Good luck then in your interview!

I think the best is to reach the office until you can talk to somebody. I am sorry I cannot remember what exactly my husband did in order to talk with a real person, but I think he selected the option to get an application form by postal mail, somebody will answer and you will mention your situation.

Meanwhile you can check at this info I found online, it might be helpful.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/Infopassfe0405.pdf

Good luck!

Hello friends,

This situation is not ours, it is about some friends whose AOS Application was refused due to my Chinese friend has the 212(E) rule. I would like to know if there is any possibility to appeal the decision, what do they need to do? They only have a month or so until the visa is due. Yep, the didn´t apply for the waiver, can be it done now?

Thank you for your helpful comments.

I keep getting these offers to join farmville from friends and I just delete them. Wish they would start a game called Visa.

I totally agree with you!

Well, talking about the same question, I called today to the SS Office, and the lady told me until I have the green card I can change the name in my social security card, I have it already since i came before in a J-1. So I have to wait for my GC!

My first impression was when I was 7 years old. My parents and I were going to Chile to meet my family and due to the trip route, we had to stay a day in Miami. Well... I was little but I still remember it. Big buildings, sometimes I thought cars were driving in sky (obviously the huge highways!)Well, it was a family trip and I enjoyed it a lot.

Then, in January 2008 I came back, alone, with J-1 visa, from Buenos Aires to Washington DC took about 10 hours so I was totally tired. I wasn't amazed of anything. I just wanted to have a bed to sleep and let my body rests and get ready for the new adventure of being au pair. And having this job, we au pairs get more closer to the American culture. The family I lived with is wonderful, truly smart, kind, and friendly Americans.

Then in Oct 2008 I met the one who was going to be husband. We traveled to some places in summer time, so I could see not only people but also the landscape scenery of the sand dunes. It was beautiful! Good thing my husband shares with me photography so we always look for those beautiful places. I am getting my own photography book so I can keep a wonderful memory of my impressions of the American land to show someday to my family and my future generations!

Hi luvtechwifey!

Just got my EAD card...we will apply for my social security number this week and from there I will start looking for a job related to food service/restaurant work...I want to have my own food business someday.

Hope you and the hubby are doing well!

It is a question out of the main topic, but how could you get you SSN having only the EAD Card? I asked somebody who also made the AOS a year ago and she told me that this was possible until we get the green card. In my case I have already a previous SSN since i was first Au Pair and I had that due to my former job. Please let me know whatever info you know! Thank you in advance.

Hi!!!

Just wanted to tell you something that has worked for us during really hard times: Start by giving thanks to God for everything you have: starting with the match that lights your stove, all the way through the car you own. I completely understand how hard it is to adapt to a completely new life: simple things as going to a supermarket where all the brands you see are unfamiliar, up to having to drive around not knowing where you are going... having you family far away, and a lot of other things that come with relocating.

The reward though is that you and your husband have each other, and that love is going to atract all sorts of miracles. I studied a 5 year career in my country, and I cannot use it, mainly because I do not have the experience here in the States.

What I did was enroling in one of the Legal careers online, I am preparing myself for a job as a legal transcriptor, and I can do it from my home. Right now my mom and dad (as I call my in-laws) took us under their roof because we basically spent all we had to get this visa process done.

I can only tell you, as my chilean mom says: "Hija, Dios aprieta, pero no ahorca".

Hope I was helpful, and if you need a friend, I am right here.

Love,

Kata and Freddy

Thank you! Yeah, you have remind me of something so important. Sincerely, we thank God for everything, i admire my husband because he has been strong all this time, but we are human and so soon we tend to feel discouraged. We appreciate all his kindness we don´t deserve.

We are also living under our parents roof. The AOS process took all the money practically. My father who lives abroad wants to send us money, but honestly, I don´t want to accept that unless we were living probably under a bridge, even though, we have decided not to ask money to anybody. The little rest amount from savings is what help us to get our food and other important things we need. I keep saying to my husband that there will be a day when will see back to this time and will be for sure laughing and thanking God for all his benefits. We do not pursue to be the richest, so far having the necessary and having to each other, is what I can definite as Happiness.

My plan is to complete my bilingual skills, I want to get my master in Linguistics, but in order to fulfill that goal, I need the income too.

Thank you again for your words. Blessings.

*One curious question, are you from Chile too?

So I received my EAD about three weeks ago and I started to send my resume to translation agencies or uploading my resume to job sites. I have received two offers as insurance seller, they want me to have a my own vehicle to move around the area and traveling to other cities, but under the circumstances I don't have my own car, i have been obligated to reject those offers. And also I have received some nonsense spam job emails. I don't mind to get a job close the area I live now, so I don't have to overdrive with my husband's car which is also about to say goodbye to the roads. I got a reply from an Translation Agency and the manager wanted to know my legal status, I told to his person that I have the Work permission... Still I haven't got any reply.

My husband is also unemployed. After graduating from a vocational media school, every month has passed without having a job offering. He was working a little while ago in sales but it was impossible since the company did not provide the car, and this was the time when his car broke down the first time. He tried again to work with other company, sales position, again his car broke down.

Seriously, sometimes we feel like stuck, not knowing what to do, everyday looking for jobs opportunities on internet, sending our resumes, but without results. It is stressful. I cannot really tell you how hard it is to see my husband sad and desperate.

I take whatever comes, but I will be gladly to work in Bilingual positions it doesn't matter if they are at restaurants, hotels, administrative, English-Spanish translation (I really pursue this one), tutoring, or anything that requires on site but not sales outside.

I would like to hear from others that are working, how they got their jobs. But mostly, thank you for take your time to read this. Any positive advice will be welcome! I know there are many of us, foreign and US citizen as well in the same situation like ours, and they would also like to know the same.

Thanks a lot!

Yes, so she can submit that letter together with her other documents.

Yes, you can send to her a invitation letter. She will have for sure ask in the US embassy the tourist visa. Your letter explaining the reasons why she wants to come to USA might help more.

Yes, a separate fee payment for each application/petition submitted... You can combine all fees associated with a particular petition/application (ie.. application fee & biometrics fee) but you cannot combine multiple application/petition fees on one check

Thanks so much!

We have one more question. The form I-693 didn't came with the rest of the forms, so we think this is kept at the office for the records. Now we have to resubmit each application, the question is do we have to print new ones again or sent the same old ones? We would like to hear from somebody went through the same situation. Just to make sure also since this weekend the office is closed, and until Monday we will able to reach them (Hope so!) and by then we'll probably have everything ready to resend.

What forms did you send in?

What was the amount of the check you sent?

Was it signed? Who did you make it out to?

Yes - if your papers were returned - your receipt number will not be registered.

one single check for Forms 485, 130 and the total amount of the fee required. The check was sent to : U.S. Department of Homeland Security Just as is established in the instructions.

For sure our mistake was to make a single check, what the USCIS is requiring a check for each form... (re-reading instructions )

Hello everyone

Just today in the morning we got all our papers back with the I-797C Notice of Action, and the NOTICE TYPE: Rejection Notice. The reason is because the USCIS statement is: The check amount is incorrect or has not been provided..."

Yes we know we have to resubmit these papers, but it has to go with a single check for every form? Don't blame on us or don't say we are fool, we know that already, but in this case if a kind of confusing! We sent a single check with the whole amount (the money goes for the same department).

Then we called to the office, but our receipt number(s) are not registered. Is it because our papers are rejected?

We appreciate in advance helpful answers. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas to everyone!

You are not the only one in the same situation. My husband, since he graduated, is also hunting for whatever job that doesn't want to be able! He is meanwhile doing sort of different small works (a friend from his church got for him some housekeeping job). We wake up everyday praying and thinking: "maybe today...". Trust you might find a job in the process. As it has been mentioned above that your tax report will show your situation.

I wish you the best

Cami

All I can say is this: if you look back to your past, may it help you to go forward, to the happiness you deserve.

You are a warrior.

Again I need help! This is what is happening. My husband just recently got a job after being unemployed for about a year (studies, college, graduation). He is filling the I-130, which mentions that he has to submit an affidavit of support. But it doesn't mention which one. Then on the USCIS Forms appear different types of forms, and this process is confusing us. M father-in-law is willing to help us with the affidavit, but which affidavit we have fill out? Is it the I-864? My father-in-law thinks he will be the joint sponsor, so which other affidavit my husband has to fill out?

Thanks very much for the awaited answer/s!!!

Wow, the filing fee for that form is $545, more than any of the other paperwork costs in this process. Wonder if they're sending a message there?

do you know if you have to file that form with your local consulate before the medical exam and get a response back that effectively approves or denies your application?

OR, do you fill out the form and take it with you to the medical exam and then the interview? just wondering what the steps are and if I have sufficient time.

thanks for your help and response.

I don't really know! Since you are applying in your local consulate, I am not sure what to do about it. Your interview is already settled, so that means you already submitted all the documents. Did they ask you also the medical form? What did you say to the doctor about the vaccines? As you can see the medical form (I-693) has the following statements at the end of the page where all the vaccination's information is required to write down:

Results: __ Applicant may be eligible for blanket waiver(s) as indicated above

__ Applicant will request and individual waiver based on religious or moral convictions

___ Vaccine history complete for each vaccine, all requirements met.

__ Applicant does not meet immunization requirements

In my case, as I am in the USA already, and I am filling for the Adjustment of Status, I have to send the I-485, together with the I-693, then as my situation requires this waiver, so I am sending together the I-603. The surgeon wanted to see my waiver and the reason of why I am not getting the vaccines. I gave him a copy of that form.

You mentioned that you have been vaccinated. The medical form shows all the vaccines that the USCIS requires, probably they will ask you if you have all of them. You may see which vaccines you don't have yet. Here is the case where you can tell them about your moral convictions. The family I mentioned about them in the previous comment did not submit the waiver together with all the documents, they were asked to fill it out later and they didn't have any problem.

I'm having the same dilemna here in that i have come to a position of strong opposition to routine vaccination based on research. As a missionary kid I had many vaccinations for travel requirements and so I'm not sure my stand would hold up on religious/moral grounds. I do have a basic belief that the natural forms that God has created in nature are best suited to remedy our ailments in a general sense but i would not refuse a vaccination in a true life or death situation with a deadly outbreak (not this blown out of proportion swine flu fiasco). I believe there is growing evidence of many chronic ailments/diseases connected with vaccines and am concerned that as a culture we have routinely trusted them as "safe" when the government health officials have never done the kind of long-term, extensive tests that would be necessary to silence the growing number of concerns. I personally have the testimony of my own sister and a cousin who saw behavior changes and autistic behavior shortly after routine infant vaccinations. both children developed autism (one of them less severe). All vaccines carry toxins that are very harmful to the body and have the potential to develop into brain disorders (when they hit the brain) and other chronic illnesses as well as foreign proteins that come from the cultures they were grown in that were never meant to be injected directly into the blood stream.

I seriously do not want to introduce into my system what my body reacts to as poison unless there is some sort of crisis that overrides my concern. this is my honest position but i'd like some feedback as to whether this costitutes religious/moral objection. My interview date is Dec. 21st and i'm not sure i have time to object at this point. How long is the process?

here are a couple interviews with leading professionals that offer helpful information if anyone is interested and hasn't been aware of some of the research out there (of course there is much more):

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles...u-Pandemic.aspx

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles...cine-Myths.aspx

Well, this is what I am doing right now. Just this last Saturday I went to civil surgeon's office to have my medical examination, and of course, he asked me about the vaccinations. I told him honestly I don't have them and therefore, I won't get them. I explained my reasons, based on religious and moral convictions. He simply respected them. Few weeks ago I met a family, all of them had to do the same, and basically they just explained their reasons in a letter sent together with the the I-601 form (check at this) I don't think in the interview they will ask you again about this situation if you already sent all the documents. But if that is the case, and you believe strongly in your reasons which are supported by real facts, it is practically a right to respect your position. I consider what you said is enough to be considered as religious and moral objections.

I am also a daughter of a missionary who has been traveling in many countries. I never was vaccinated, and I don't have any medical record, honestly I have never been in a doctor's office (just the dentist and when I had to apply through the Au Pair Agency which made me to sign some papers and have the same medical examination I am doing now here). A strong immune system can be obtained through natural means and that drugs should seldom be used. I believe strongly in preventing diseases before they attack my body, that's why I am careful with my diet and lifestyle. I do not believe that injecting powerful bacteria of some specific disease into our system will make me healthier. Also, medical voices are having doubts about how really helpful are the vaccinations!

Keep us posted how your interview went. We wish you the best.

Nothing is impossible! Never believe in your failures. God Bless.

I am quite certain that enter this country is a privilege. I also had to do this with the Au Pair agency where I came through. I also had to tell them that based on my beliefs and moral principles I haven't had any vaccination and, therefore, I will not get any. I totally understand that this a serious matter, but I believe whoever has his/her beliefs it is also a serious issue. Family guy, your post with the link it is very helpful, and I appreciate all the comments too!

Well, so far I now i am not alone in this situation. As I said, my future husband also stand up for the same position... (that's why I also love him because we think the same! )

When people assert "how it is" it can not always be relied upon as an accurate staement. You will need to submit Form I-160 Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility with evidence to show that you are opposed to vaccinations in any form; the objection is based on religious belief or moral conviction; and the belief or conviction is sincere.

From: http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTM...-0-0-13419.html

© Individual Waivers under Section 212(g)(2)© of the Act Based on Religious Beliefs or Moral Objections . Section 212(g)(2)© of the Act authorizes USCIS to grant a waiver of inadmissibility when the applicant establishes that compliance with the vaccination requirements would be contrary to his or her religious beliefs or moral convictions. (Continue accepting Form I-601 for this purpose, pending approval of the revised forms.) The plain statutory language refers to the alien's "religious beliefs or moral convictions" whereas the language in the accompanying Conference Report is more restrictive and refers to "an active member of a religious faith . . . ." USCIS has taken particular caution to avoid any perceived infringement on personal beliefs and First Amendment rights to free speech and religion. To this end, USCIS has reviewed court decisions on conscientious objection to the military draft, and challenges to State-mandated vaccinations for public school students, and has established the following three requirements:

• The applicant must be opposed to vaccinations in any form . The fact that the applicant has received certain vaccinations but not others is not automatic grounds for denial, depending on the reasons provided for having received them. For example, the applicant's religious or moral beliefs have changed substantially since the date the particular vaccinations were administered, or the applicant is a child who may have already received certain vaccinations under the routine practices of an orphanage. These examples do not limit your authority to consider all credible circumstances and accompanying evidence.

• The objection must be based on religious beliefs or moral convictions . This second requirement should be handled with sensitivity. On the one hand, case law notes that the individual's religious beliefs must be balanced against the benefit of society as a whole. On the other hand, these same cases also note the importance of being mindful that vaccinations offend certain individuals' religious beliefs.

Note 1: It is not necessary for the applicant to be a member of a recognized or mainstream religion. It is not necessary for the applicant to be a member of a specific religion or attend a specific house of worship. By imposing such a requirement, the Government could potentially be perceived as putting a "stamp of approval" on some religions or religious beliefs but not others. Note also that the plain language of the statute refers to religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Note 2: It is necessary to distinguish between strong religious/moral objections and mere preference. The analysis of exactly what constitutes a religious or moral objection, as found in cases involving challenges to State-mandated vaccinations for public school students, reveals that a touchstone of a religion is present where a believer will categorically disregard elementary self-interest rather than transgress religious tenets. Consequently, the applicant has the burden of establishing a strong objection to va ccinations that is based on religious or moral beliefs, as opposed to a mere preference against vaccinations. By means of a sworn statement, the applicant should state exactly what those religious beliefs or moral objections are and establish how such beliefs would be violated or compromised by complying with the vaccination requirements.

• The religious or moral beliefs must be sincere . To protect only those beliefs that are held as a matter of conscience, sincerity analysis seeks to determine the subjective good faith of an adherent. Even if these beliefs accurately reflect the applicant's ultimate conclusions about vaccinations, they must stem from religious/moral convictions, and must not have been framed in terms of a particular belief so as to gain the legal remedy desired, i.e. , a waiver under section 212(g)(2)© of the Act. While an individual may ascribe his or her opposition to vaccinations to a particular religious belief or moral conviction that is inherently opposed to vaccinations, the question then turns to whether that claimed belief or moral conviction is truly held, i.e. , whether it is applied consistently. This may be established through the sworn statement submitted by the applicant. Additional corroborating evidence, if available and credible, may also be considered.

I have another issue to ask about, and if somebody has gone through the same situation, I will be so thankful to know an answer. The medical examination and vaccination record requires people who are filing for the AOS have the vaccinations. In my case I don't have any of these since I was never vaccinated. If I have gone to see a doctor it has been when I have to go to the dentist and about one year (I have a car accident and in emergency i was taken to the hospital but I was fine with no damage). Personally I have decided that I will never been vaccinated. My fiance only has the TB vaccination, after that he doesn't have any other. Is it an OBLIGATION to get the vaccinations, specially when I am filling for the AOS?

Thank you guys for all the advice. I want to say that our previous plan was to get married as soon I finish my term with the program, but asking people and other girls that were au pairs with different programs, they recommend us to do it before, since many of them had problem to get the AOS in the traveling month. I know that when the papers are being processed, the person receives a letter from the USCIS mentioning that his/hers documents have being received and the status meanwhile is legal. I apologize for not being clear the first time, but I was wanting to know if someone else had to go through the same situation.