Kittyfang

I may not be remembering right, but I believe there is a section where they ask what visa you came under and another place where they asked your status. On the first section, I wrote Visitor and Out of Status in the other.

I thought I woul call USCIS to see if I can get any more information.

But if I call this number:

1-800-375-5283 and I go the case status I just have the computer voice tell me the same as the case status on the website.

So what would I need to push (which option) or which number do I need to call to talk to a real person that might be able to tell me more?

Their line is so confusing. When I called them, I chose whichever option looked like it was going to give me a real person and explained to them that I may have pushed the wrong option, but maybe they can help.

You should keep in mind tho, that USCIS' phone number isn't named "misinformation hot-line" for nothing. The people you speak to are in a calling center and not USCIS agent. I called several time and was given wrong information more than once. And one time, I requested information regarding my case and was send a letter saying that I requested something else entirely. So, use at your own risk.

well, I guess there aren't too many immigrants in your area and that's why you were some kind of ET for them! Then they wanna find eve-ry-thing about ya.

Heck... After 4-5 years, I STILL get comments about being a Canadian, speaking French, etc.

I've been lucky tho, I haven't had any really bad comment about being a foreigner. But, as a Canadian, I don't look really different. And living in the Northern part of the U.S. isn't really that different from Canada.

*edit*

Actually, now that I think about it. All the bad comments that I did receive came from people online, while I was looking for help with AoS.

i got my AP in the mail today,

kittyfang what is a BC?

Still waiting on my EAD cannot wait to driveeeeee

Birth Certificate

It use to be called "Certificat de naissance", but the one I received was calle "Acte de naissance". USCIS accepted it, so I imagine anyone else who accept it as well.

Just use the search function on people have have lost their Green Card or had theirs stolen and you'll realize that the -- by a wide margin -- worst place for it is the wallet. Thieves go for wallets, and this way they get it all in one move -- Green Card, driver license, SS card, bank ATM card, credit card(s) -- hence the cry me a river when people have to wait 6 months for a new GC and have to chill out $450.00 for it.

I always had my GC in a firesafe box in a Steelcase steel file cabinet in my house. I have taken it out when traveling internationally (once since 1994) or when going to USCIS to my N-400 interview. Other than that, I have not been asked for it or about it in almost 20 years. I have never shown my SS card in over 20 years; all that's needed (all the time) is the number, which you should memorize as soon as possible.

Yup, I plan on buying one of those fire proof boxes. Can't carry everything on me for the rest of my life. hehe.

When preparing our AoS, I had put every original document in one folder that I kept by the front door and I told my husband that if the house caught fire, we're grabbing the dogs and the folder!

Dh just called and said he went to the DMV and a person there told him when he showed the ead card that they only accept American citizens there!! I'm about to call and complain.

Yes, this is kinda ridiculous. I've noticed that many people in offices like the BMV or other places like that tend to enforce laws they THINK exist. I would call and ask to speak to someone higher up. I believe it depends on the state, but most of them will accept an EAD and BC.

My husband and I went to the BMV before I got my EAD/GC to see if we could put my name on the car (didn't have my driver's license yet, but we figured we'd ask) and I was asked a bunch of questions regarding when I came to the U.S., what my immigration status was. They were very polite, mind you, but the whole process is stressful enough, no one needs to be questioned by random strangers.

Thank you guys! I will be keeping it in my wallet. My SSN card is also there, but simply because my wallet is the most secure place in the house right now! But since we're apparently collecting really important papers (USCIS, taxes, SSN cards) as we grow older, we're planning on buying on of those fire proof boxes and keep everything in there.

Hey guys!

Received my green card today! I was wondering if you carry it in your wallet.

When I received my SSN card, it said not to carry it in your wallet, so I'm wondering if the same applies to GC... and EAD, for that matter.

Kitty,

HUGE congrats to you! I'm glad everything worked out!

Keep in touch!

/starburst

Thank you very much! I definitely will!

Good Lord, lass -

after 'all that' -

you had a painless interview.

How do you feel?

and ...

what did you eat to celebrate?

and

what's next for work !!!

I'm so happy for you !

I felt really silly. When it was all over, I turned to my husband, knowing he wanted to say "I told you so", but we were just too happy to pick on each other!

I worried too much and most likely was over prepared, but I prefer being over prepared for something easy, than dismiss it. I've seen many people treat their whole AoS process like a visit to the hairdresser, and then wonder, "why am I in trouble now?! what's going on with X and Y?! I don't understand what is required of me?!"

I can't remember what we had to night we came back, but once we got out of there, I had a Cream Cheese bagel. Might sound silly, but I have stomach issues, so to me, that was a special treat. But... My birthday is soon, I'm still waiting for Champagne!

Congratulations!

Does it feel good not being "one o' dem illegal immigrints from Canada" anymore?

You have no idea! lol! People here kept being amazed at the amount of effort has to be put into an AoS. It was worth it.

Oh no . . . what did the dentist do to you!

Love my new adopted land... But I can't quite turn away a country as beautiful as Canada... And the free health care is always nice.

Congrats, Kitty,

that was like saving for years for the dentist and having nightmares every night and once you sat in the dentist's chair he pulled the tooth without you feeling a thing in less than a minute.

You can become a USC on February 2, 2014. You can apply as early as 90 days before that date, which is somewhere around early November 2013.

Not only did a bad tooth get pulled out, but I got a lolly pop as well!

Seriously. It was pretty quick and I feel very thankful about the smoothness of the whole process.

And thank you for the info. While I was a little big sad to learn that the U.S. doesn't recognize other citizenship, I'm glad to know that Canada doesn't care and still recognizes its citizen.

Kitty, despite your overstay and your pre-AOS stress related to it, you really had a very short and painless AOS process. Again, I am glad it's over and you can live a "normal" life. Now I hope you won't disappear from this website just like others did!

Congratulations!

Thank you. Quite honestly, I can't believe how smooth it went. My husband keeps asking what I will be stressing on about.

You two, and many others helped a lot and you should get a lolly as well!

Wow...that was quick and painless, too......Congrats!!!!

Am glad that you got it all resolved and can rest now, well until the ROC comes up in two years, but from what I read here and there already it's not a big deal neither....

Cross your fingers for my wife and me, it's our turn tomorrow in San Francisco.

Maxximus

My husband and I have been married for a bit more than 3 years, so I will be getting a normal green card, as opposed to a conditional one. It's good for 10 years I believe. Now all I need to know if figure out when I can do the citizenship thing and I'll be set for life.

I hope you guys have a great interview and that everything goes well!

As some many know, I have been part of VJ for about a year. It took some years and a lot of stress, but the journey is over! I am sharing our experience in the hope that it will help many more.

Our interview was at 8:45 in the morning at Levesque building, in Coumbus, Ohio (there are many parking options around the building). When we arrived at 8:30ish at the USCIS floor, we were greeted by two really nice security guards. They look trough our papers, purse, etc, made us turn off (or mute) our cellphone and they made us walk trough a metal detector. They also took our interview letter and told us to go sit in the waiting room.

There were about 15 people waiting. Our interviewer called us in after about 5 minutes. She turned on a camera, swore us in and made us sit down. She was very nice, not very chatty and barely looked at us, but still very nice and professional. She confirmed my husband's (USC) information and mine (beneficiary), asked some of the I-485 questions and asked us if we had brought any proof. We showed her our photo album and I presented her with original of bills I had included in the package. I also told her that the only new proof we had was my name on his bank account. She took the paper proving this and declined when I asked her if she wanted to see anything else.

She wrote a few things on her computer, then on a paper, handed it to us and told us that everything looked in order and that she was going to recommend an approval and that we should receive the card in about 2 weeks. (Incidentally, I received an email almost immediately, saying that our card was in production).

All in all it was a very smooth journey and I am SO glad it's over.

I would like to thank everyone that helped us trough it. You advices and input were instrumental to our success!

A lot of people here don't know for how long you've been stressing about the whole thing.

Hopefully you will give us some details on your yesterday's interview?

hehe I plan on doing that today.

Thank you everyone. It's a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

I have to say, it's very nice of you juliava to not tell me "I TOLD YOU SO!" because I would deserve it!

Went to our interview this morning.

The IO swore us in, thumbed trough the paperwork, looked at the newer evidence (only had one new), asked the I-485 questions and told us she was recommending us for approval. We got home two hours later to find an email saying the green card was in production.

I will make a longer post later, for now, I'm just going to go celebrate!

Good luck to everyone else!

Hi all,

I am a November 2010 filers as well.. Just realised i should be in this forum since i am adjusting from B2. Does anyone had their interview?

Welcome!

I believe two or three people have had their interview AND been approved.

You are almost done!And guess what?You are gonna walk away with a 10 years GC, so you won;t even have to worry about lifting conditions!

Don't jinx me!

About 2 more weeks!

Got an email saying they've received my RFE response.

For your own piece of mind - a day before interview just do a walk-in around your house with your husband and remind him what color is your carpets, bathroom curtains, bed sheets and such. While you wait to be called for the interview ask him what did he have for dinner a day before and what did he have for breakfast that day. Review what did you do on last Christmas. But I don't think your interview would go that far, you have been married for a long time, which clearly indicates that it's not a scam marriage.

Thank you for the tips juliava! I can`t wait... It feels like I don`t really have an interview coming up and that I just imagined getting the letter. But, as you said, I`m hoping the 3 years of marriage will be a good proof.

lol. The hey honey question sounds like me and my husband. I keep asking him random questions preparing for this and he thinks Ive lost my mind.

It's crazy. I caught myself asking him what his favorite color was... And he had to think about it. I feel bad because if the IO focuses on asking us things like "what's his favorite color", "what's her favorite desert"... Well, they're going to be hearing a lot of "none", or " she has no preference". We're not picky people.

We've not even been able to find our case on the website. I think generally it is not a good indication of what's going on with your case...

I don't think that's the case. From what I understand, a Touch is registered every time someone touches your paperwork. The thing is that they have to do something, like scan the bar code, in order for it to show. So, I think it depends on who is handling your paperwork at the time.

Then again, I could be wrong.

I received the letter for interview. The interview is on Feb. 8th.

FYI, last update on USCIS is Dec. 2nd for all apprication, I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131.

Everything seems to be going speedily for November fillers!

By the way which number did you use to call USCIS to expedite your request for production of your EAD card?

I didn't call to get my case expedited. I was a mistake on their part. But, to answer your question, I called the normal USCIS number. I guess that if called them and explained your issue and wish, they would most likely transfer you to someone who can help you further.

As for the EAD, I don't know. USCIS is a big complex thing hidden from our view. We only glimpse at it once it a while when it wants something from us or during interviews and such. But really, it's hard to figure out what will work.

I would have said "call and ask them"... but the last time I did that, I blurred the waters even more.