Newlife2013

January 12, 2013

I got my green card in mail today. Somebody please add on the list for me!

January 11, 2013

Yes, I was very surprised and happy when I got approval. I checked the forum everyday, saw the May approvals and thought that I wouldn't hear anything until the end of Jan or beginning of Feb. Anyway, after what I have been through with my life, I felt lucky with USCIS.

I sent what I had. I even just sent the first page of joint bank statements without the activities, couple pictures, no plane tickets because we didn't travel anywhere, no life insurance or 401k at all. However, I think I got approval sooner because we had some things that were so obvious with the marriage like the joint bankruptcy papers, court orders, certified police report when we had car crash with both our names on it, etc, so USCIS didn't take much time to verify our true relationship. I think so...

Anyway, I got the congratulation letter by mail from USCIS today. I also got the tracking number for my card. Hope to get it this weekend !!

Good luck for all of June file-ers

Kathryn41 · January 9, 2013

I would like to tell all of you in this website my true story, so you can learn from what I have been through and avoid them.

I was a young girl from Asian country. I was a very good student in my home country. After graduated, I worked for a big corporation. My dream was to get the MBA in US, so I could have a successful career sooner than my friends . Therefore, I tried to apply and got accepted into the MBA program in the state that my uncle family was living. My family was not rich enough to sponsor for me to study in US. However, my parents got the promise from my uncle to take care of me and let me work part time at his nail shop, so I could have a chance to pursue my dream. I went to US when I was 23 years old.

The first morning I woke up in US, I had to go to the nail shop to learn how to make money here. My English at that time was not good enough to understand all of what people said. I had a hard time to get used to their voice and the way they talked. My job at that time was picking up the phone and set appointments for the nail shop. Two weeks later, I went to school. My MBA program was at night. There was still bus system when I went to school but no bus when I came home. My school was around 40 mins driving from my uncle and around 1.30 hours by bus. I didn't know how to drive yet and was studying at the driving school, so my uncle took me to bus station and picked me up at night once or twice times a week. My cousin told me that she couldn't let her father drive me at night like that, so she and her boyfriend would do that job. At the beginning, I thought they were nice to me, but later they told me that I was the burden for their family, so I should learn how to drive soon. I got my driver license within 2.5 months since I came to US. Another cousin let me use their old car, and from the first day I got my driver license, I had to drive to school and home, although I was very scared to drive at night. I didn't practice driving enough to do it.

I was very lonely and feel isolated in my uncle house. Everybody looked at me like a stranger. They talked behind my back. The nieces and nephews in that house looked at me like I was from out of space. They hated the way I dressed myself (I brought clothes from my home country, I had to save up money for my schooling, so of course I can't wear fashionable clothes like them) showed no respect for me, barely talked to me. I did the house errands, woke up early in the morning to go to work, and went to school at night. However, my cousin was very hard on me. She told her parents that I made wrong appointments for her, so she lost her clients because of me, that I showed bossy side in front of her employees, that I didn't help out very much in the shop and everybody in the shop hated me. At that time, I thought my uncle would say something to help me, but he sided with his daughter and called my parents and talked bad things about me. My uncle told my parents to let me get married and moved out of their house, or he couldn't help me out anymore.

I was in shock for a long time. All my actions, no matter what, were bad to them. My parents were crying over the phone with me. They knew that I was not kind of girl that people talked about me. A lot of times, I thought about moving out and lived by myself, but the financial problem held me back. I couldn't move out while my parents sacrificed so much to let me come here. So, I had to stay there, working and studying for my future.

I met my current husband the first time when he came to shop with his friend. He showed interest in me right away. He was an American man. He asked me to go out for dinner and movie. I said yes because I liked him too and because I was so lonely here. We started dating. I, for the first time, knew the feeling to love and be loved. I didn't know too much about him, but the way he treated me so well that made me blind at that time. I had a bleeding problem at that time,it was only him by my side and helped me through the hardest time in the hospital. He knew about my situation and what I have been suffered in my uncle house, so he proposed me within 2 months and I said Yes. He told me that he rented the apartment with his mom because she was struggling. I believed him and got married with him, dreaming about a happy family with the man who was kind to me. I was so naive and stupid...

I used to think that I escaped from my uncle house, meant my life would be better, but I was completely wrong. My husband lied to me so many things. The car he drove was his mom, the apartment he was living was hers, and he was unemployed ( no jobs) for a long time; not as he said he just lost the job. When I lived with him, he told me that he was invested money in his future contract, if he wanted to get money back, he needed fee to withdraw money. I trusted him and gave all money for him. My parents sent money to me, I gave it to him. I borrowed money from my friends for him. I thought that he never lied me, he was just struggling. He promised me over and over that he would pay them back when his contract went through. I was crazy at that time, because the more money I put in, the more I felt lost and wanted to get money back. It was kind like gambling addiction. I hurt my family so badly with finance. Everybody in my family asked me to get the divorce with him because they knew he was a liar. However, I was still in love with him, so I couldn't leave him. In addition, I felt grateful for what he did to let me escape from that house, so I wanted to pay him back somehow. I didn't listen to my family and stayed with him. I quit to go to school because all money was gone. We stayed with my parents when they moved here, but he still barely had jobs. Then, my parents left me to stay to different state, because they had job offer there.

I worked 2 jobs to pay everything in the house. He was unemployed and still chased for his dreaming future contract. We had a lot of fights, arguments and life was like hell. Luckily, my job was better and I earned extra money for the house. I paid some debts off and we filed bankruptcy to stop harassing phone calls. I paid for the attorney fee. I still had my personal debts to take care while he never helped me to pay them, although he did create debts for me.

He just called the police on me a week ago for the telephone harassment when I tried to ask him to put money back in the account ( he took out money we used for bills to chase for the future contract again), and I was arrested. I stayed in jail for 10 hours and got released. The case was dismissed. He said he didn't mean to do it. He just called police to stop me calling, but the officer arrested me. However, I felt hurtful and lost completely. I felt pity for myself, but I blamed myself too. I am 28 years old now. When I looked back the whole journey when I first came to US, it was a nightmare I didn't want to remember. From a girl with a dream to finish MBA and becomes a manager somewhere, I lost my degree, lost a lot of friends and family members, had a big debt on my shoulder, got bankruptcy and got arrested...

Life had a lot of choices, but I chose the hardest way for my life. I didn't use my brain to think and just used my heart to act, so I received the bad outcomes. I knew that this pain will never go away. My heart was numb and the way I saw things were so different than before. My husband didn't want the divorce, but I can't stand living like this anymore. I want a happy family, a long life marriage but I can't have it. If I stayed with him, I knew that I would play a role like a man in the family again. We would fight again, and maybe, something worse than arrest can be happened. I need to make up my mind and be stronger, but sometimes I felt weak and so lonely...

I just want to say something to everybody in this forum: Life is about choices. Sometimes, you must put your heart down and let your brain work its job. I was so fragile, so sensitive, so I became miserable like today. Life in US is not easy for anybody, but please don't destroy yourself and your future like I did to myself.

Thanks for your reading...

January 8, 2013

Hi all,

I just let you know that I got approval for the 10 years green card. Woohoo !!!!!

January 8, 2013

Hi all,

On January 7, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Hura !!! I got approval. Somebody please add me in the list. NOA1 Jun 15th, Biometrics July 11th, Approval date Jan 7th.

Good luck for the rest of you !!!

January 7, 2013

Is ur husband young or old, sis? My husband is 10 years older than I'm. I'm surprised to know that american guy is mean to asian wife. Most of american men love asian wife much more than asian husband...I had a lot of problems/stress with my husband and his family before. We r ok now. I let my husband do most things he wants. does ur husband agree for a divorce? I and my husband thought about the divorce before, finally my husband decided he wanna continue living with me. I'm sure u can get married with a better man later (try Vietnamese guy this time). sis, u mentioned ur husband took a lot of money out of joint account, do u know what he used the money for? I pray that god will be with u all the time.

He's 12 years older than me. He was good to me at the beginning, but since I recognized that he didn't like working and wanted to stay home most of the times, then the conflict between us is bigger. He didn't want to get the divorce, but I know in my heart that divorce is the must now. I can't live with him while there are so much things going bad and can't be fixed between us. I'm very sad and depressed now. He used the money in the joint account to buy his food or gambling. I covered it up for him most of the times with my family. This time, he really crossed the line when calling the police and putting me in jail. I don't know why he can live like this. I wanted to lead him to the right way, but he's selfish and think for himself than a family.

I know no couple is an ideal. Each couple has different troubles. However, our problems are too bad to be fixed. Such a painful truth!

I wish you the best with your life and your marriage. Thanks for sharing with me.

January 4, 2013

Sis, I'm also Vietnamese. I'm very very sorry about ur case. It broke my heart to see there is a bad man like ur husband in this world. I got 10 years green card just 2 months ago. I married a Vietnamese guy too (I assume ur husband is Vietnamese?) i never hear a case that the husband is a victim in domestic violence before. Sis, please try to manage ur anger and be calm. (if u can, work only one job and take vacation to release stress). Many people are successful to get 10 years green card after divorce. Divorce is a must with your husband. U will not get deportable, consult with a good immigration attorney. I will be eligible to apply for American citizen two months later, but I'm not sure if I wanna give up Vietnamese citizen. The good thing about this u don't have any child with him yet, and u see his real person soon. Tell the truth to the Judge & lawyer that he hurt u (mentally or violent) many times to have a better side on divorce or interview with USCIS officer later for 10 years green card or citizenship.

I don't think this will have any bad affects on ur career. Care about urself first, don't let urself be in danger. Is ur family in the US or Vietnam?

Hi LilyAnn,

I'm happy to have a Vietnamese girl in this forum with me. Thank you for your sharing. I got married with American guy, not Vietnamese. I used to think that American men were more flexible and caring than Vietnamese men, but I was wrong, or maybe I chose the wrong person. My attorney told me that because my husband knew the law in US, so he got me badly this time. I became a suspect without knowing the law, also becoming a harassing wife while I have been suffered because of him for over 3 years. I just can't believe what he did to me. He used his both hands to squeeze this marriage and I to pieces. I always wish for a happy family forever ever, but now, things turned out like hell.

All the financial problem between us brought us to this point. I never had a chance to go vacation or any places because he has been unemployed, and I worked 2 jobs all the times. After everything is settled down, I should go some places to balance myself. I will go to meet with my immigration attorney today. Hope he/she will give me the best option with my situation.

My parents called me and talked to me a lot. They knew that I have been through the hard time. I just felt so bad because both of them were in shock when they heard the news. They are old and they need my support.

Good luck with your N400. I hope everything goes well with your life. I must restart my life by my own, and hope things change for me soon. I pray every day, so God can hear my prayers and help me.

January 4, 2013

Doesn't matter if it can be expunged, you still NEED to declare it on immigration paperwork. It never really goes away. You still need to admit you were arrested and provide documents showing what happened (so keep them forever).

Yes, I understand. It will be expunged to help with your employment if they asked for criminal record. However, with immigration paperwork, your answer is always YES if you used to get arrested under any outcomes( Guilty, Not guilty, dismissal,etc...)

January 4, 2013

Getting your case dismissed is a very good one and you should be very happy about it. You were blessed with a good judge who understood family issues. A lot of them would convict you if they want to because the evidence is there and they can get it if they want to. You have an arrest, being charged and dismissal on your record and always on the record of the FBI. I accepted my Pretrial because they didn't charge me and I didn't plead guilty so I'm technically innocent. If they had charged me then I would have headed to court like you did. Scan a copy of the disposition from the court and save on your email because you will be needing it. We can get angry sometimes and do something silly and i'm glad we learned a lot using our little mistake. Some people learn after they hit their spouse and get a conviction and then be removed. You are just as good as having a clean record but be prepared to defend the situation and for that, that's why you would be needing an attorney. When applying for citizenship, there are more than arrest which USCIS check to determine good moral which also comprise of paying your tax, working hard, living a drug free life and being good generally. People make mistake and they understand that. Your best investment at this time is investing in an immigration attorney. You will get your ROC approved if you don't get a RFE. Go have you some drink and celebrate bcos the worse could have happened.

I don't drink , so maybe I get some strawberry juice to celebrate then. I'm very happy for the dismissal. I hope and pray that my ROC will be approved soon. I will let you know if it happens. Thanks for all your sharing and thoughts. You seem to be a very good and honest man. God bless you and your marriage ! Thanks...

January 4, 2013

I'm very happy for you and the way the whole thing went. You have an arrest record for sure but it can be expunged. Did you have to take anger management class? I'm actually in the same situation as you are now and if you search for my posts, you would see. I was charged for domestic violence battery and it was dismissed by pretrial diversion. Me and wife took 2hrs anger management class and the DA dismissed the case, I didn't even make it before judge and was never charged. You will get your removal of condition approved for sure, don't worry. I received an email 2days ago about my approval and an immigration attorney will be helping me for my N400. Make sure you talk to one.

Let this incident teach you a lot of lesson and I'm sure you have learned. I'm happy for you. No need to worry anymore and make sure you consult an immigration attorney.

P.S. This don't mean no conviction for immigration, it was just an arrest and people always get arrested for the wrong reason. If no probation, deferred sentence, parole, guilty plea infront of a judge, you are good. Just consult an immigration attorney to advice you.

I didn't take any anger management or marriage counseling. The case was just dismissed, but in front of the judge. I read your post already. I think your case was better than mine because you settled things down before going to trial. I had to go there, faced with judge, then having the court disposition (dismissal) to give to my attorney. I definitely have to assist my immigration attorney about my case. Yes, this incident taught me so much things. I knew I was stupid for 1 moment, however, I'm glad to see a true face of a person I called "husband" too.

Good luck to your N400. Please let me know if the officer asks you about the arrest when you interview for your citizenship.

January 4, 2013

Hi all,

I hired the attorney and he helped me to get the case dismissed on pre-trial court because there was not enough evidence. The attorney told me that the police should call me to let me know it was illegal to call him several times, rather than taking me to jail right away. Even the judge was so surprised because of this action...I feel like a big burden on my shoulder was gone. Thanks God for all !!!!

Now, I have to hire an immigration attorney to take care with the deportation issue, because as I heard, even when the case was dropped, I was still arrested and was convicted at the first place. This arrest will be related to "moral character" when I apply for citizenship, or when I travel outside US because it was under Domestic Violence. I will ask the immigration attorney how to avoid these things, also asked him/her when is the best time for me to get the divorce with this heartless husband.

He knows that he has the upper hands now, so he said very mean things to me through the phone. However, I didn't feel hurt anymore. I just felt very pity for myself and realized that I should feel lucky to get away from him to the end.

Thanks for all your opinions and good luck to all of you.

January 2, 2013

@togetherforever13 : Thanks for your reply. I knew I made a mistake to call and text him like that, however, my anger built up for a long period of time. I have suffered because of him and this time,I was so shock when he took all money out and it was close to New Year. I just didn't think straight at that moment. I couldn't finish my MBA degree because he let me work 2 jobs while he was unemployed. He put me and my family in debt before because of his stupid investment ( I and my family spent any pennies to help him out with his promise that he would pay us back when his investment came through), but it was a total loss. My family and I decided to forgive him and forgot about our huge amount of money (over $100,000), because we are Catholics and we wanted to give him the 2nd chance. We had to file bankruptcy 5 months ago and he still took money out, even when I said No while he was still unemployed. Maybe because what I have been through was too much with this marriage, so I couldn't control myself. I just can't believe after what I and my family did for him, he slapped a sharp knife in my heart with this action. He told my family that he won't show up at court, so hopefully my attorney can help me. I know that conviction of DV will be deportable, but I will accept it if it happens. I just feel sad for my family because my parents are in shock now. I chose a wrong man and sacrifice everything I got for a heartless husband, so I must pay a big price for it I guess.

@mimolicious: Normally, my paychecks will go directly to my 2 accounts, 1 personal account and 1 joint account. He took money out of joint account. He said he had the right because it was a joint account, and I accepted it. However, they are my working hard money and they use for bills. He did it so often, that's why this time I couldn't stand it anymore.

@Vanessa&Tony: I'm Vietnamese .Thanks for your reply. Should I hire the immigration attorney now or should I wait until this case has final decision?

January 2, 2013

@Soundedguy: Thanks so much for your quick reply. I think I should create a new topic with my case to get more opinions about this. Right now, I just want to get a divorce ASAP, but if he can "help" me to get my case dismissed, then I should hang on until that time then.

January 2, 2013

Hi all,

I want to tell you my story to let you know that the way to get 10 years green card with somebody like me is a nightmare.

I am in June,2012 Filers. I and my husband filed jointly to remove my conditional green card on Jun 13. I got NOA1 on Jun 15. Biometrics date was July 12. I'm on the way to wait for my approval which I believed it will come very soon if...

I got arrested last Saturday for Telephone Harassment charged, under Domestic Violence. And you know who called the police? My husband did. Yes, it was him. They put me in jail for 10 hours and my cousin bailed me out later that night. I was very scared because I never went through this before. It was a nightmare that I couldn't imagine that it could happen to my life. Everything happened for a reason. However, it is a hurtful truth which I was from a victim in this marriage to become a suspect just for a heat moment.

He barely worked during over 3 years we got married. I worked 2 jobs to take care everything in our house. He always took money out of our account without telling me, or promising to pay them back which he never did. He did it so many times which I can't count. This time, he took all money out of the account while I told him million times that I need that money to pay bills that were due. He said he would pay me back on Monday and took it anyway.When I worked my grave shift, he packed his stuffs, left our house and went to his mother's apartment. When I came home, I checked the account and knew he withdrew money through ATM. I was so upset and mad, so I texted him and called him. He texted me back and we had argument. I swear to him in texts and I said I would come to his mother's to ask for money back, or HE'S DEAD IN MY HAND. Then, I kept calling him because he didn't answer the phone. I needed to know the reason why he took all money out. He called the police, reported me to threaten to kill him and kill myself. The female police came to his mother's apartment, saw the texts and phone calls list, then she said she would put me to jail for stalking or Telephone Harassment. Then, she drove to my house ( I never left my house as I said in the texts, I was sleeping), knocked on the door and arrested me when I was wearing my pijama.

My parents had to hire an attorney to fight for me ( The attorney fee is crazy). The law didn't let me contact him until the court date, however, through my family member, he said he didn't mean to put me in jail. He just wanted to warn me but the police said once he called them, he gave them the authorization to take care of the case from now. I don't know what will happen to my life because this charge is Class B and if I found guilty, it would ruin my career, my 10 years green card and my citizenship applications.

I just want to get the divorce with this heartless husband. He hurts me over and over. I forgave him so many times because I still loved him, but this time, I think I can't get over this. Everybody (my family, my friends) can't believe that he could do this to me. Even my attorney said "Woo" and said "chicken ######" (sorry but it's exact word for him) when he looked at the paper. My questions are:

1) Will USCIS find out about the arrest charge while they look at my file which is very soon now. Will the arrest make my application delay? My attorney is trying to fight "Not Guilty" in this case.

2) Should I get the divorce now or waiting until I get 10 years green card?

3) If I got approval for 10 years green card, how long should I wait until I file the divorce to not make USCIS feel doubtful about our marriage?

4) If I got charged guilty, the domestic violence charge could make me be deported out of US ( I heard that) depending on each circumstance. Should I hire immigration attorney to help me with this case too?

5) When I apply for my citizenship if I am lucky to stay here, will this conviction affect my application? How bad it is and what should I prepare for it?

Please help me. I'm in a big shock now and this is a worst New Year in my entire life .Happy New Year to all.

January 1, 2013

Hi all,

I want to tell you my story to let you know that the way to get 10 years green card with somebody like me is a nightmare.

I am in June Filers. I and my husband filed jointly to remove my conditional green card on Jun 13. I got NOA1 on Jun 15. Biometrics date was July 12. I'm on the way to wait for my approval which I believed it will come very soon if...