Penny Lane

Well stated and agreed.
I'm going to start making use of the 'ignore posts' function. Just tired of seeing the overly dramatic "USCIS is ruining my life!!!" stuff. (I, for one, thank USCIS for working on my petition and allowing me to be with my love later on. Its certainly nice to be able to marry someone of my choosing.)

There is no need to be so overly dramatic. They aren't ruining your life. They are going to do EXACTLY what you want them to do. But because they aren't doing it as soon as you snap your fingers and they aren't doing it on your schedule, suddenly they are an enemy. To be so angry this early into the process isn't going to make it any easier.

You are on a forum full of people who have been through exactly the same process as you're going through and they've gotten through it. Thousands of success stories on this forum alone. They've all reached the goal you are so desperate to achieve. It will happen. You'll get there. In the meantime, you're surrounded by people in the same boat you are. Take advantage of that in a positive way instead of a negative one. Instead of spending so much time crying about the injustice of it all, use the forum to deal with the wait in a productive way.
Accept the things in life that you cannot change or control. This process is one of them. It'll take as long as it takes. That's life.
You are barely three months into this. There's a long way to go, even after NOA2. It's going to be a long, miserable road if every minute is spent being angry at how unfair everything is.

I'm done trying to reason with you. You're overly dramatic and have ignored everything factual everyone else has contributed. For someone who claims to value a "solid factual foundation" you're ignoring a lot.
Be a conspiracy theorist all you want. Wallow whilst refreshing Igor's List a million times a day all you want. Act like VSC is intentionally out to make you miserable all you want. Positive attitude does not equal happy with the way things are; it means taking the same fragments of information you have and assigning positive intent instead of driving ourselves insane with paranoia about the service center. Complaining and griping on a message board all day is not accomplishing anything; if you really feel that it's that bad and you truly believe that USCIS is deliberately not approving petitions, then either a) move somewhere else or b) go out and do something that may actually make a difference.
But please do not come here and argue with us. You argue every time we're trying to chat and support each other through this and try to steamroll everything we're saying whether there's any logic behind your side of it or not (and there often isn't). We get it. You're choosing to be pessimistic and miserable and obsessive. We aren't. You can have your pity party but stop picking apart everyone else is saying because we don't join in. Accept we feel differently and move on.

There is no need to be so overly dramatic. They aren't ruining your life. They are going to do EXACTLY what you want them to do. But because they aren't doing it as soon as you snap your fingers and they aren't doing it on your schedule, suddenly they are an enemy. To be so angry this early into the process isn't going to make it any easier.

Simply because an unreliable timeline on a website is not going your way does not mean that things are going in the wrong direction.
Once again, your anger at the system a little over three months into the process has reared its head because Igor's list isn't giving you the information you want. When I first applied, California was so far behind Vermont. Then California got ahead, and then Vermont, and then California ... point is, it changes day by day, week by week ... if the results of Igor's list is impacting you so negatively, I suggest no longer looking at it and keeping your sanity.

Please stop arguing with people. This thread is for support and you are free to vent but it is unhelpful to everyone to deliberately attempt to quash anyone's positivity.
VSC and CSC alternate constantly. It's the way things go. VSC sucks but does not deliberately keep your petition because they hate you and want to make you, personally, suffer. There will be an end to this. We are ALL in the same boat. Driving yourself insane over VSC is not going to change immigration and the way it works. Step back. Try not to come to this website or Igor's List for a few days. Direct your attention elsewhere and give yourself a break from this to work on other things in your life until you are at a point where you can contact USCIS. Having a positive attitude does not equate approving of the way things are right now.
I gave you a lengthy explanation of all of my reasons for this and all of the reasons why you're viewpoints are based in as much "fact" as anyone else's around here. I can link back to that post if necessary.
And if you're simply unwilling to do that right now, then agree to disagree but please don't turn this into a bickering thread. Everyone doesn't have to agree with your attitude.

There is no need to be so overly dramatic. They aren't ruining your life. They are going to do EXACTLY what you want them to do. But because they aren't doing it as soon as you snap your fingers and they aren't doing it on your schedule, suddenly they are an enemy. To be so angry this early into the process isn't going to make it any easier.

I honestly don't know, but I think you should be prepared for it to happen. Fill out new forms as soon as possible and write everything out in full. Don't panic. I am just saying, if I were a random adjudicator, I would have no idea what RLP meant.

The K1 process is broken up into 2 parts (more or less), the petition and the visa.
The petition is filed in the US by the USC. It's basically the USC asking for permission for his fiancee to apply for a visa. For the petition all you send is here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide
Once the K1 petition is approved (this means the US government has approved the permission to APPLY for the visa) the case will be sent to the US consulate in her country for the visa application. In the link above scroll to the section that says "What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2)".
Even though it's headed "once its approved" you should aim to work on that information about 2 months after the petitions been sent. This way you'll have less of a delay and working on it early gives you time to get it together before the NOA2 is approved.
Because your question directly relates to the I-134 I'll mention that specifically now. The I-134 actually has NO requirement for a tax return. The actual requirement is letter from employer and bank letter. However, some countries have their own requirements to include the tax returns so make sure you check the beneficiaries country's requirements to see if it is required. The I-134 isn't needed until the visa stage (that's after the petitions been approved). Lately it seems the NOA1 (petition receipt) to NOA2 (petition approval) is around 4 or more months. So you have plenty of time to worry about the return.
A few posts after the OP you mentioned confusion about "for 2 people" in relation to income. Basically when the income level is discussed the requirement is based on the number of people in a household and 125% of the poverty line for that household number count. The minimum will ALWAYS be a 2 person household because that's you plus the immigrant (your fiancee). The household members would go up if you or she has kids or various other reasons (even though the I-864 isn't required until after you're married for adjustment of status, it more clearly explains the household count situation so you can read that for a clearer idea). So currently for a household of 2 (which is the minimum number of people) the USC need to earn $18,212. If the USC can't meet that amount then they can have a co-sponsor who DOES make over that amount. Bearing in mind the co-sponsors household size. So for instance, your mother, if she's still married her household is 2, PLUS the immigrant so her income level will need to be for a household of 3 (someone provided the I-864P previously, that lists the levels), and if she has kids that are still dependants, or the immigrant has kids then the household count would go up.
So in short - income doesn't matter until the Visa stage. Send the petition now and when the petition is approved she will apply for her visa and THEN the income stuff will matter. So you're looking at around 4 months from sending the petition to when the income stuff is needed. Bear in mind that if it passed April 18 2011 they will require the 2010 tax return. If it's before April 18 they will only require the 2009 tax return.
Hope that helps explain it.

I can't imagine possibly needing 200 pages just for the petition. After all, with the initial petition, there isn't much to prove. US citizenship, able to marry, proof of having met once in the last two years. That's it. Even if it was a high fraud country, 200 seems excessive.

It means that USCIS set that guideline and whether or not I agree with that guideline (I don't) they aren't breaking any promises at this point in time. That's their disclaimer and for now it holds up. I'm not referring to what the timeline SHOULD be; I'm referring to what is IS at this point in time. *shrug* If we're going to talk about things that are based in fact and not what we wish it to be, here's a prime example.
I feel like you're equating having a positive attitude with approving of the way USCIS is currently doing things and that's not the case.
I've said it many times, I support and encourage people utilizing their tools. I support severe reform in the immigration process and USCIS' methods especially. Before those 5 months are up, though, it's their game and their rules. Once they step outside of their own guidelines, you're free to exercise all of your rights and hassle the hell out of them. I've never said otherwise and taking action when it's appropriate has never been the focus of my posts in this thread. *shrug* Attitude and breeding preemptive hopelessness is an entirely separate issue.
And on a much less important note, I'm the "her" posting.

I'd be mad at your immigration lawyer, not USCIS.

I'd be mad at your immigration lawyer, not USCIS.

I'd be mad at your immigration lawyer, not USCIS.

I'd be mad at your immigration lawyer, not USCIS.

The OP does not need to send both. One or the other will suffice.

How you present your package has very little to no impact on how quicky it gets approved. USCIS takes it apart and reorganizes it to fit their system.

I am sure the package was beautiful, but I guarantee it was torn apart once they received it.

This post in particular, rivaled by the posts of Jim, Mari, Maria, and others, merits enshrinement in the pantheon of All-Time VJ Posts.Lloyd, please look at the "+1" totals on the above people's posts. It's not just an inbred, prejudiced, or closed-minded crowd that's reading this thread; it's a large (perhaps largely silent) audience of VJ members, many of whom are speaking with their votes rather than posting full comments.

You have met the requirements to file an I-129F petition. Presuming you handle the paperwork properly, there's no reason the petition would not be approved. I think the situation will be far different at the US Embassy in Manila.
Honestly, based on what you've said so far, I don't think her chances of getting another K1 are very good at this point. If you and her explain the situation with the first K1 truthfully then it will be painfully obvious to the consular officer that she used the first petitioner to better her financial position for herself and her family. The first petitioner's actions would seem to confirm that he found out about her ulterior motive. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the consulate's Fraud Prevention Unit gave him a call and asked about what happened.
The reality of the situation is that she would have followed through and married this guy if he had shown up at the airport, just so she could get a green card and some financial security. This is the precise scenario they suspect when they investigate a relationship for potential fraud. They are almost certainly going to suspect that she's using you as her backup plan.
My recommendation is to give this relationship plenty of time to develop. If you start the immigration process before you've had a chance to collect a massive amount of evidence of a solid relationship then I believe you are almost certain to be denied a visa.

Because it would be unfair to those who could not afford it. This isn't one of those situations in life where you can throw more money at it to make it better. Everyone pays the same amount, everyone receives the same service.
Not everyone gets to travel much internationally, either. This forum is full of people who haven't seen their loved ones in countless months due to financial restrictions.
People seem to forget that VJ is a very, very small sample size of how many Visas are applied for every month. In the long run, 5-6 months isn't that bad at all.
What I don't understand is the people who read up on the process, decide to go with it, understand that it will take awhile ... and then, once they're in the middle of the process, complain that it's taking a long time.
Write all the angry letters you'd like. Unfortunately it won't get you anywhere.
I don't think there's anyone here who thinks the system is fine and is loving their wait. There are simply people who realize it is what it is and you have to pick and choose your battles. There are some things in life that you simply cannot change, government bullsh*t is one of them. So you can spend your time waiting, hating every second of it and kicking up a storm because things aren't going your way, or you can simply wait and try to make the best of it. Accept what you cannot change and live your life.

Because it would be unfair to those who could not afford it. This isn't one of those situations in life where you can throw more money at it to make it better. Everyone pays the same amount, everyone receives the same service.
Not everyone gets to travel much internationally, either. This forum is full of people who haven't seen their loved ones in countless months due to financial restrictions.
People seem to forget that VJ is a very, very small sample size of how many Visas are applied for every month. In the long run, 5-6 months isn't that bad at all.
What I don't understand is the people who read up on the process, decide to go with it, understand that it will take awhile ... and then, once they're in the middle of the process, complain that it's taking a long time.
Write all the angry letters you'd like. Unfortunately it won't get you anywhere.
I don't think there's anyone here who thinks the system is fine and is loving their wait. There are simply people who realize it is what it is and you have to pick and choose your battles. There are some things in life that you simply cannot change, government bullsh*t is one of them. So you can spend your time waiting, hating every second of it and kicking up a storm because things aren't going your way, or you can simply wait and try to make the best of it. Accept what you cannot change and live your life.

Ugh, PLEASE do not try and undermine me simply because you've waited a little bit longer than I have. I've waited for going on five months now, so I get it. Thanks.
Never ONCE have I said you don't have a right to be frustrated, angry, upset, whatever you may feel right now. I simply said, THAT is the process. That is the way things are. Ranting and raving about it will not speed up your case. It will not make anything easier.
In the big picture of life, these few months aren't going to mean much once we reach our goal.

I don't like it either.
But you know what? I'm grateful for it. Because it's going to let me live my life the way I want to, which is a huge privilege. It is by no means a right. So while the waiting sucks, and I wish it was easier, I'm just thankful that this process even exists.
Things worth having in life rarely just get handed to you. It takes frustration, patience and hard work.
So I don't like it, but there's no way I'd consider sending hate mail to the people who I'm asking to help me.