musafir

Hello,

My parents were also protected by 245 (i) and they applied for I-485 just in November, Now they received a letter that he does not qualify because he did not register himself when he was here during the registration period back in 2001 or 2002. I believe any one from Pakistan or India was supposed to register to Uscis or something. Could you suggest if you had registered as well? If not, what did you provide to uscis for your case?

thanks,

Musafir

The immigration officer is not supposed to ask you questions about your I-360 which is already approved, so basically the adjustment of status interview comes down to raising your hand, swearing to tell the truth, and answering questions such as "have you ever been arrested/helped someone enter the country illegally, etc". You might be asked about manner of entry to the US - for instance, when and on what type of visa you entered US. You should be fine without a lawyer, although having one, of course, adds to the sense of confidence and security. The lawyer, the good one at least, will make sure that the officer doesn't ask you unlawful questions pertaining to I-360 petition. This is a matter of individual choice. I personally did not have a lawyer for the interview.

You should have your passport and I-94 for the interview, but if you don't (for instance, passport may be lost or expired), it's not a problem. These days, green cards only take a month to produce and mail out, so the stamp in a passport is not a huge issue. I-94 serves as proof of having entered US legally, so you should definitely bring it. You can politely explain the discrepancies between the dates of birth to the officer. I'm not sure how the wrong DOB could have ended up on the I-94, but for as long as everything else coincides (e.g., your full name), it can be logically explained.

Good luck on the interview!

Thanks a bunch for your reply. It really helped. I will let you know how the interview went. Please please pray for me.!

My I-360 VAWA application was approved. I was asked to apply for Adjustment of Status I-485. Do I have to apply for Employment Authorization in conjunction with AOS application, or can I file for EAD first and then file for AOS?

On the USCIS website it states that approved I-360 applicants should apply for EAD at the Vermont Service Center under 274 a c14 is this correct? So in other words EAD can only be obtained through the Vermont Service Center and the AOS application I-485 through the Chicago lock box and through the local USCIS Office?

I would sincerely appreciate any assistance. LIfe has been difficult and I can finally look forward to putting the past behind me.

______________________

Hello, did you find out whats next? I am in the same boat. Any advise would help. Please email me.

Dear Musafir,

First I have asked the question about medical in detail in VAWA forum as there are many experinces people over there in that forum and I am sure they will help us. Look at that forum for my post and any answers.

Second thing, I think we should wait to get the NOA 1 for I 360 (VAWA) before filing I 485 and I 765. But this is my personal thinking. If any expereinced member has different views then please guide us.

Thirdly, where we should file these petitions depends upon the place where you are. You can find the address at USCIS website and also at the I 360 form.

Fourthly, I would also give a try to visit your local USCIS office and tell the immigration officer as suggested by Kim to hold our previously applied I 485 pending unless and untill we apply and get approved for I 360 (VAWA). This way you can save your EAD which you may presently have and work legally untill your VAWA gets approved.

I hope I have made some of the things clear and I am also understanding this process with you with the help of our experienced members.

Thanks in advance to all of them

deeplyhurted

_______________________________________-

Thanks Deeplyhurted for your message.

I would like to let you know that my I-360 got approved and now I am scheduled for an interview in 2 weeks for my pending I-485. Could you please share your interview experience. What kind of questions they asked you and what kind of documents you took with you. Also, would you suggest taking a lawyer with me? What do they do with my I-94? My date of birth on my I-94 is incorrect but I filed my I-360 with the correct date of birth. I have my original birth certificate as well. Please advise! thanks in advance!

<!--quoteo(post=3462223:date=Nov 3 2009, 07:50 PM:name=musafir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (musafir @ Nov 3 2009, 07:50 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3462223"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=3461401:date=Nov 3 2009, 03:23 PM:name=Kim_G)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kim_G @ Nov 3 2009, 03:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3461401"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Whoever on this site needs tips on how to file VAWA self-petition, contact me. I've gone through a long battle with USCIS regarding my case, and have a load of experience to share with people who cannot afford to pay the attorney fees.

My piece of advice to everyone who is researching VAWA petition is - you <b>CAN </b>do it yourself.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Hello:

Can you please tell me is it better to file I-360,l-485 and I-765 together?

I was really hopeless so I hired an attourney but I think he is not that experienced on this VAWA cases. He said we should only file I-360? Can you please help me?

WOuld my work authorization through my husband will be revoked? once my I-485 interview is missed wiht my husband? the interview date is Nov 16th. Obviously we are not going to go together. We are separated. Please advise! THank you,

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Musafir,

It depends on your situation - are you or were you married to US citizen? If so, you can file your I-485 packet together with your I-360 because you are not subject to prioritization of processing dates. I believe your spouse is a US citizen since you've mentioned the work authorization that you got through him. If he already filed I-130 family petition for you, and it's the basis of your I-485, then you simply file your VAWA self-petition with Vermont Service Center, and go to the interview alone and explain to the officer that due to domestic violence/abuse your spouse did not accompany you. Present the officer with a receipt of your VAWA application (if you already have it) and ask them to substitute VAWA for I-130. That way you Adjsutment of status application will remain pending until VAWA is decided. For as long as I-485 is pending, you can keep your work permit and be legally employed!

________________________________________

Hello Kim,

Thanks for your helpful information.

I would like to let you know that my I-360 got approved and now I am scheduled for an interview in 2 weeks for my pending I-485. Could you please share your interview experience. What kind of questions they asked you and what kind of documents you took with you. Also, would you suggest taking a lawyer with me? What do they do with my I-94? My date of birth on my I-94 is incorrect but I filed my I-360 with the correct date of birth. I have my original birth certificate as well. Please advise! thanks in advance!

Dear All,

My I-360 just got approved and now I have an interview scheduled on April 29th. I did not apply for a new I-485, my inteview is acutally based on approved I-365. I am getting really nervous. Can someone please tell me what kind of inteview questions do they ask? Should I take my lawyer with me?

Do they ask anything related to abuse? Can they deny you even though the vawa is approved. Please advise!

Thanks,

Dear Musafir,

What did you decide finally? Are you filing your AOS and EAD along with VAWA? Also are you filing for waiver of fees for VAWA and AOS?

Thanks

deeplyhurted

Hello Deeolyhurted,

I am totally confused. Not sure what should I do? File all of them together? if so, do I file them at Vermont center? ALL of them? Or send I485 to my local center? PLEASE PLEASE advise! When you filed for I-485, did you send your medical vaccines information or waited to send all that information? Thank you,

Musafir

_____________________________________________

I filed for vawa in may08. It was approved in july08. my interview is scheduled for sept08.

Wow! That's efficient! Are you sure you didn't make a typo? I'm impressed. I applied for mine on April 7th 08. I got my prima facie on April 14th. I haven't heard anything yet. I'm still waiting......

Could you tell me what kind of evidence you had? Did you use a lawyer? I didn't have a lot of evidence. Mine was filed in a hurry cuz my husband had threatened to call USCIS. I just wanted it on record. Was yours a straightforward approval or did you get an RFE. How long had you been married? Did you have any kids?

Thanks

I used a lawyer from catholic charities. We've been married for 6yrs but have been living together for 10years. Have no kids because he does not want me to lose my figure. At first not having kids hurt me alot (clock ticking and all) but now I'm glad i didn't bring an innocent child into this hell.I did not have any police reports (although police have been called to our house on several occassions by neighbours and I refused to press charges) or order of protection. We are still living together but I have been working for a while with social services to plan my escape. It's not as easy to leave as everyone thinks. He's threatened to kill my family membrs if I leave. It's not really fair for me to ask family members to uproot their spouses & kids from all they know and go into hiding because I want to be free.

The evidence I had was:

letters from neighbours from all three former apartments about abuse they've witnessed.

letter from our last landlord saying he had to ask us to leave cause neighbours were scared of him.

letters from my family members about abuse they've witnessed towards me and abuse he's subjected them to.

report from my therapist about me treatment. ..have been going for 2 years.

husbands criminal records. he'd been convicted of trying to kill his last wife. spent 15yrs in jail in total for those assaults. also tried to strangle a galpal but she didn't press charges. just left town.

letter from the exwife detailing her experience living with him

my detailed declaration explaining the abuse and our life together.

I was a little worried because i didn't have any police reports but i did explain that i was scared to call the police because of his threats. from living wih him i know that he does not make empty threats. everything he's threatened me he would do , he has done. he is not scared of going to jail and in fact the only thing he regrets about his 15yrs in jail is that his exwife is still alive.

I was also worried that they would question why i'm still living with him after all that but my lawyer and therapist have told me (what my gut told me) that abused women are more likey to be killed when they are leaving or shortly after leaving their abusers. the officers at the vawa unit know about that.

I did not get a rfe. my lawyer was also very impressed by the speed of the approval 2 months. Though she had told me that it would not take more than 6 months.

Hope this helps you. What evidence did you send with your appication? How long are you married?

_________________________

WOW I am so impressed! Could you please tell me when did you file for I485? Did you file it with I-360? Thank you,

Hi Mona_lisa:

The interview letter tells you everything you need to take to the interview, I took everything I sent for the VAWA, and all I sent with the I-485. Remember that the VAWA petition is approved already, so no panic!! (easy to say, I was panic!!!) The interview is quick and they just ask some questions about the I-485 form and G-325A form

All I took to my interview:

Passports (3) Mine and my 2 kids

My old Employment Authorization Card

I-864W Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption THROUGH VAWA

MEDICAL EXAM'S (the doctor gave me copies, just in case)

Marriage certificate / Divorce judgement (and translation's)

Birth certificates (and translation's)

Chronology of entries and exits THE OFFICER ASKED ME THE LAST ENTRY TO THE USA

ALL NOA'S and everything I received from USCIS

OTHER THINGS:

Passport and k-3 visa for me (old ones)

Passport and k-4 visas for my kids (my exhusband cancell the process for myself and our 2 kids)

Copy of Naturalization certificate for husband at that time (exhusband now, he filed for the divorce when the restraining order was placed)

All restraining orders against my ex -Final after trial good for 3 years

Certified court order after trial w certificate of compliance w/VAWA

I-130 applications approved for myself and my 2 kids (and cancell later on for my ex)

Pictures injuries in my arm and declaration of picture taken (My boss took me to a domestic violence place, they took pictures of my arm )

Pictures of my oldest son injuries, his dad bit him

Statement of my boss who saw the injuries

During the interview everything went well, the officer was extremely nice, he went through my file, asked me some questions, if my address is still good and my phone number is current, I said yes, he asked when was the last time I came here and checked the previous visas k3 for me and k4 for my sons (made copies), also asked me some of the NO questions of the I-485 and I responded no, no, no to all of them, he asked if I was working and I said yes and hand to him a letter from my work, he ask me if he could keep the letter and I said yes,

He tried to make conversation to my sons and laughing at the same time, he asked how’s school and if they get in trouble, of course they answered nooo, he asked me for how long I was married and I answer that for 14 years, and how many times I have been married and I said.. just 1, then he turned around facing my kids, and told them that everything is over, that they now have a new start and they need to take care of their mom, I was almost in tears, I couldn’t believed that an officer can be a human being like us.

By the end he explain to me that after 2 years and 9 months from today I can apply to the citizenship with the form 1-400 and I can file the form I-600 (together with mine) for my youngest kid and he can get his citizenship through me without any text ( under 18 years ), my other son he needs to do the same than me because he is gonna be over 18, but that it will be fun to do it together, he said.

Then he gave me three letters one for each one of us saying the approval date (august 18, 09) class lf adjustment IB-6 for me and IB-8 for my kids and that the permanent resident card will be mailed to my address within 21 days

Mona_Lisa Best wishes for all of you! all is going to be just fine!!

Gabriela

Hi you guys,

I just received an appointment for my adjustment of status interview, DEC 7TH. Question for all who have been through this, especially Ghanamade and Gabriela. They have asked to me take a lot of documentation, like my application is based on marriage. Things like I already submitted for the I360. I don't have any more bills to take. What did you guys take with you? Did you need to take your spouses birth certificate and the like?

Hi Gabriela. You're the best. I guess i will take copies of all that I have. Thank you so much for all your help during this process. God bless you.

Hi EWTN2009

thank you for your response about court proceedings. Everything is going to be fine for everybody.

Congratulations Mona,

I wanted to know did you file your I-485 with I-360?

jfk01:

I really THANK YOU and I appreciate the time you have spent sending me this important info.THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Thanks Honest... There is no answers to my letters from Vermont office, no answer to my Lawyer's Letter sent the first week of october, no touches on my case, no decision has been taken, N O T H I N G .... It seems like nobody is working on my case or just dissapear from their office. I'm getting ready for my proceedings court and packing up. My deadline is December 3rd. 2009..........

Hi Honest, the appointment is for biometrics. Thank you so much though, at least I already have a "best wishes" for my interview whenever it may be. And to everyone here, I wish you good luck and thank you.

Dear bubbles14la,

Something is happening on your case, I am happy about it. thank for the update. I really taught that the interview is for your GC.

I wish all of you, LostinNJ and Konja to get the GC without interview if possible or to get an interview for your GC.

Dear EWTN: I wish, you should get some update on your case this week.

EWTN:

I would suspect that your case is not being adjudicated because your A-file is at the local office which has responsibility for your deportation proceedings. USCIS will only adjudicate a case once they receive the full and complete file - they call it the A-file. It is my understanding that the VSC should request the A-file but it appears (sometimes) that they are not aware that they need to request this from the District office handling your deportation case. What this means is that your attorney is most likely asking for continuances on your court proceeding waiting for your case to be adjudicated while USCIS waits for the Immigration Judge to rule on the case - your case is in an endless loop.

NOTE: There are MANY reasons why your case could be delayed, however this may be ONE reason that you may want to rule out.

I would suggest the following:

1) Have either you or your attorney contact the District Office handling your deportation case and ask for the "attorney on duty" that is handling your case and confirm that your A-file is in fact in the District Office.

2) If the local District office does indeed have your file, have your attorney contact USCIS using the special number advocate number [802-821-9752], and ask them to request the A-file from your district office.

3) You can ask the district office which is handling your proceedings for information on when a request from VSC was submitted and when the file was received by VSC. This takes about 2 weeks after the request is submitted.

4) If you or your attorney do not get any results after utilizing USCIS advocate line- try you local Congressional Representative.

Hi HONEST;

I am really happy for your approval notice! I am sure you were waiting for this everyday.

My question is that can you please tell me the steps that you took?

Did you file i-360-i-485 and i-765 together? Were you married to a US citizen?

Please advise, thank you,

go to vawa forms and read they is alot of info thier about vawa

Where do I find the vawa forms? Sorry I am new to this website. THank you for your reply!

Whoever on this site needs tips on how to file VAWA self-petition, contact me. I've gone through a long battle with USCIS regarding my case, and have a load of experience to share with people who cannot afford to pay the attorney fees.

My piece of advice to everyone who is researching VAWA petition is - you CAN do it yourself.

Hello:

Can you please tell me is it better to file I-360,l-485 and I-765 together?

I was really hopeless so I hired an attourney but I think he is not that experienced on this VAWA cases. He said we should only file I-360? Can you please help me?

WOuld my work authorization through my husband will be revoked? once my I-485 interview is missed wiht my husband? the interview date is Nov 16th. Obviously we are not going to go together. We are separated. Please advise! THank you,

Dear All,

I am a new memeber to this group. I have been really worried. I got married to a US citizen husband in August 2008. My husband was really abusive so I have left him. Now the situation is that I have a next interview coming up on Nov 16th for the I-485 filed through him. Obviosuly we will not be going toghether as we are separated.

I have started working on my vawa application. Would like to know what are my options? Should I still go for the interview without him and tell the officer about vawa?

When filing vawa, should I apply for I-485 and I-765 together at the same time? My attorney was planning to file for I-360 only. When I asked him about I-765, he said that we do not need to file one as I already have a work authorization card that was filed on behalf of my husbands.

Do you think I still need to file a new I-765?

Can we file I-360 and I-765 together? or do we have to file I-485 as well?

I heard the cases that were filed in 2009 were processed faster, so you think if I still file in Nov 2009, I have higher chances of receiving a decision in 6-9 months?

Please please help me.

Thank you,

Musafir