Dan C.

21 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

Curious as to how they were able to reschedule so soon. Maybe a cancellation?

 

And, how it went?

We requested an expedited appointment via the website, and provided details of the theft and the upcoming trip.
 

I also contacted my congresswoman’s office and worked with a staff member who handles passports and immigration. 
 

I’m not sure whether the congressional office actually reached out to the consulate or not, but we got a notice saying their expedited appointment was approved, and their interview was scheduled for a few days later. 
 

They went to their interview and provided evidence of the trip, and were approved. :)
 

At this point, we’re just waiting for the new visas to arrive via DHL, but that should be well before the trip—plus the consulate knows the dates of our travel and the request was expedited. 
 

I still can’t believe we managed to get the request expedited. The Government does work sometimes!

Crazy update: after spending my morning researching C visas, I got a message from my sister-in-law that they were able to reschedule their appointment to next Monday, which gives them plenty of time (assuming they're approved) to receive their replacement cards and still make the trip.

This trip might wind up happening after all! What a wild ride.

Hi all, oddball question here.

My wife's family is in Tijuana, and they had their B-2 visas (Border Crossing Cards) stolen a week ago. They're supposed to come with us on a cruise that's leaving in just under 5 weeks, and the wait time for replacement B-2 visas is approximately 18 months, which isn't exactly going to work.

I'm trying to figure out if a C-1 visa would be usable for them to enter at a land port of entry (San Ysidro), where they would proceed directly to the cruise port (San Diego). I'm getting conflicting information on the Internet, and heaven knows nobody at a consulate will answer my calls...so I'm hoping someone here may know.

Cruise was booked and paid for when they still had visas, and now it's late enough that they'd have to forfeit almost all the money they paid if they don't go—so we're hoping there's some viable solution. The C-1 looks like as close as we can get—if it works. Does anyone know?

Hey all, been a while since the last VJ visit. It's good to be back, hopefully for the last time—for ourselves, anyway.

We're about to join the party and file our N400. We aren't going to send in the two photos, because we're located in the US.

OK folks, thank you...let's not get too up in arms. I understood both points from both of you, and I don't think anyone here is condoning anything that's not strictly legal, merely saying that some people do it.

Hello all,

A good friend of my wife and I is going through a bit of a tough situation. She asked my wife and me for advice, because we've already been through the I-751 process.

She is separated from her USC spouse, and is planning to get a divorce. They are living apart.

From what she's told us, he is willing to help her file her I-751 jointly, so she can get her conditions removed, and become a full permanent resident. He doesn't want her to get deported. Divorce would presumably happen after she got her 10 year green card. The marriage was entered into in good faith, and there are plenty of people that can attest to that—it just didn't work out.

Is it acceptable from a USCIS standpoint to file the I-751 jointly, even though they won't be staying together long-term?

It's a bit of a gray area, as I see it. They are still married, in that they haven't divorced yet, filed for divorce, or made any legal change to their status (there is no legal separation in our state). But they aren't living together, and there's little to no chance of reconciliation.

My instincts (if it were me), would be for her to file for divorce, file the I-751 solo based on divorce, and include evidence of a bona fide marriage. It seems like this is more straightforward about what's going on—and that way, if they get called for an interview, and he has a change of heart and decides he wants her out of the country, he can't just not show up for the interview. For me, it's risky to file together under the assumption that things will stay amicable.

What do you guys think?

I updated everyone's info (since the last time Lollo posted), so this should be current.

California Service Center (28 applicants [19 transfer from VSC], 16 approval - 57% )

VJName.............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
NAVYK................08/01/13......08/05/13......08/30/13......--/--/-- (From VSC on 09/12/13) LO Charlotte, NC
CRAZYD...............08/05/13......08/06/13......09/10/13......--/--/-- (From VSC on 09/18/13)
ASJ2346..............08/05/13......08/09/13......09/10/13......10/21/13 (From VSC on 09/23/13) APR from LO
AMSB2003.............08/05/13......08/12/13......08/20/13......--/--/-- (From VSC on 09/20/13) Walk in 08/30
HS2..................08/08/13......08/09/13......09/11/13......12/03/13 (From VSC on 09/12/13)
BOCACHICABABE........08/05/13......08/12/13......09/10/13......--/--/-- (Early Bio 08/26)(Trans from VSC)
UGLY_AMERICAN........08/09/13......08/12/13......09/05/13......09/25/13 (Request bio rescheduling)
VIRGILIOX............08/09/13......08/13/13......09/17/13......12/13/13 (From VSC)
WANTMYGC2013.........08/10/13......08/13/13......09/11/13......--/--/-- (From VSC)
GANESH8..............08/12/13......08/13/13......09/12/13......--/--/-- (Early Bio 08/30)(From VSC)
HIGHEST..............08/12/13......08/13/13......09/09/13......10/31/13 (Early Bio 08/22) Divorce Waiver
DAVID & KEZIA........08/12/13......08/14/13......09/10/13......--/--/--
RICHIE RICH..........08/12/13......08/15/13......09/13/13......12/18/13 (Early Bio 08/30)(From VSC on 09/12/13)
ELLA & OCTAV.........08/13/13......08/15/13......09/19/13......10/29/13 (From VSC)
CHARLES&SOWON........08/14/13......08/19/13......09/11/13......11/27/13
J & K................08/13/13......08/20/13......09/24/13......12/03/13 (Redo Bio 10/17/13, Walk-in)(From VSC on 9/20/13)
GANDL................08/19/13......08/21/13......09/30/13......12/17/13 (From VSC)
BRAVEHERT87..........08/21/13......08/27/13......10/04/13......--/--/-- (From VSC)
MWRINKLES............08/21/13......08/27/13......09/17/13......--/--/--
DVAZCIS85............08/21/13......--/--/13......09/25/13......12/19/13 (No NOA)
DAN C................08/19/13......08/23/13......10/01/13......12/21/13 (From VSC) (Early Bio 09/18)

Wow! Less than an hour later...we are APPROVED! I just got the card production message. I guess the "alien registration number updated" message meant that someone was reviewing our case.

This is definitely a big early Christmas present for us. Hopefully my wife's green card will be here in time for our trip to Mexico on Friday.

Good luck to all of you still waiting. I hadn't heard anything since October, then suddenly boomapproved. It really can happen at any minute. And on a Saturday too.

Hope all of you have a very safe and happy holiday. See you next year for citizenship!

I just got a notice that my wife's alien registration number was changed. This is the first activity I've seen since our case got transferred to our local office. Here's hoping our approval is coming up soon!

Updating my info...

California Service Center (23 applicants [16 transfer from VSC], 1 approval - 4.5% )

I originally thought that our case was transferred to our local USCIS office in Philadelphia, but it was actually transferred to the CSC (based on the letter I received from USCIS). Silly me, thinking "local" actually meant local.

But hey, if it speeds things up, great!

Hi.

Did they mail you a letter to inform you that your case got transferred? Wish you all the best!

They did -- I haven't gotten it yet, but I signed up for email updates on uscis.gov and got an electronic notification to expect a letter from them.

Our I-751 just got transferred to our USCIS local office, here in Philadelphia. Maybe this means it will get done quicker? Here's hoping!

We got our biometrics notice last week...it's scheduled for the 26th but we will try a walk-in and see what happens.

California Service Center (7 applicants)

Vermont Service Center (23 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

ROB&PAME..............08/27/13......--/--/13......--/--/--......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved

Our check cleared this morning; my guess is that we'll get the NOA1 this week. Moving right along.

Oops My bad You updated list without underlines. So, I replied to previous list and was supposed to be added your name later. And I forgot it... Sorry!

No problem.

Dan C - What is the date on your Green card ? According to your timeline - you received your green card in Dec . That means that you filed before the 90 days . Just an observation - If you recieved your green card in dec , it means you should have filed in sept . Hope all goes well with yr petition .

Richie Rich -- the date on the green card is November 12th. We received the physical green card in December, but my wife did her POE using the temporary CR-1 stamp in her passport on November 12th, 2011. Therefore, we should be inside the 90-day window.

Updating and re-posting -- my data got wiped out. Please make sure you're using the most recent version, folks!

California Service Center (2 applicants)

Vermont Service Center (19 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Well, it's been a while since I regularly visited VJ, but I'm back to join the party.

I filed the I-751 today for my wife...here we go again. My fingers are crossed that this will be a nice, smooth process. We attached plenty of info (taxes, bank statements, credit cards, insurance info, and photos) so hopefully we won't get an RFE.

California Service Center (1 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

CHARLES & SOWON.......08/14/13......08/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (18 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

NAVYK.................08/01/13......08/05/13......08/30/13......--/--/--

LENEALLEN.............08/03/13......08/05/13......08/29/13......--/--/--

BOCACHICABABE.........08/05/13......08/12/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

ASJ2346...............08/05/13......08/09/13......09/10/13......--/--/--

CRAZYD................08/05/13......08/06/13......09/10/13......--/--/--

RANDYJ................08/05/13......08/06/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

TOONGIRL1892..........08/05/13......08/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

DASBOOT...............08/05/13......08/06/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

HS2...................08/08/13......08/09/13......09/11/13......--/--/--

VIRGILIOX.............08/09/13......08/13/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

WANTMYGC2013..........08/10/13......08/13/13......--/--/--......--/--/--

GANESH8...............08/12/13......08/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

RICHIE RICH...........08/12/13......08/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

J & K.................08/13/13......--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--

APRELMAI..............08/13/13......08/14/13......--/--/--......--/--/--

VAL AND GARY..........08/14/13......--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--

KGILL.................08/15/13......--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--

GANDL.................08/19/13......--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--

DAN C.................08/19/13......--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.

* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.

* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.

* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.

* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application

NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter

Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment

Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.

* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.

* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Someone once told me that if you're too young to have a glass of champagne at your wedding, you are too young to be getting married.

My advice as someone who's happily married is that 18 is very young, and there are a lot of experiences ahead of you that you should have before you get married. Of course you want to be with the person that you love -- but you shouldn't rush things.

Choosing who you're going to spend your life with is the most important decision you will ever make. Even if you find the right person, it still has to be the right time to start your lives together.

If you truly love this person, you want to be ready before you get married, to give your marriage the best possible chance of success. Finish college, get your degree, and keep things going with Federico in the meantime. Both of you will have to be patient. It will be difficult, but patience is one key to having a stable and happy marriage. If your relationship is strong, this will only make it stronger.

Once you're out of college, it will be easier to get that visa and do the paperwork. Stay strong. Keep working at it in the meantime.

Hi Tom,

First off, let me just say congratulations on your engagement!

Your situation does sound really similar to ours, and I think you would be fine doing it on your own without a lawyer. We wound up doing the process exactly as you had described -- cross to the US on the tourist visa, get married, come back, and file for the CR-1. We had no trouble at all with that approach, and the entire process went very smoothly. Slowly, of course, but smoothly nonetheless.

She won't have a problem with intent, because she won't have any intent to stay when crossing with her B2. Intending to get married in the US doesn't imply intent to stay. If you're asked, you could say this -- but they never even raised an eyebrow about us getting married in the States. It wasn't a problem at all.

Plus, by getting married in the US, you get the benefit of having your paperwork in English, and not having to deal with the loads of Mexican paperwork involved with getting married in Mexico. Unless things have changed, you would actually have to petition the Mexican government to let you marry her legally in Mexico, and it's a big headache. Plus, although I love Mexico, their government is not the most efficient with regards to processing paperwork. You absolutely would be better off getting married in the US.

If you decide to go that route, it probably would be a good idea to get married as soon as you can. We were not able to get our marriage certificate from the county of San Diego immediately -- we had to wait three weeks for processing, So, we weren't able to start the process immediately after getting married -- I would recommend getting as much paperwork as possible in order before the civil ceremony. Her birth certificate will need to be translated, for example. This cost us some time too.

In regards to scheduling an interview -- although you schedule interviews for the K-1, you do not schedule them for a CR-1. They will tell you when your interview is, about 4-5 weeks ahead of time. We didn't have any reason to adjust our interview date, but from what I've read, unless there are dire circumstances preventing you from attending, they aren't flexible about it. Your interview is when your interview is -- if you want to reschedule, they will reschedule it for when they have another interview slot available, and who knows when that might be. There's really not much you can do about this in terms of wedding planning, but they don't do interviews on the weekends, so as long as your wedding is on a weekend, you will probably be OK.

As for the medical exam, she will have to do it in Juarez. It's a walk-up deal -- she shows up at 6 AM with her paperwork at one of two clinics in the city, they do the medical, she has to pay for any required vaccinations (it cost us about $100 or so) and then it's over. She'll have to come back later to get her results to bring to the interview the following day. So, when going to Juarez, allow yourself a day to do the medical prior to the interview.

One thing she will have to do in Hermosillo ahead of time is attend an ASC appointment, where she'll get her fingerprints taken. There is an ASC center in Hermosillo that she can go visit, she'll just have to make an appointment. They'll let you know when you can do this.

I think that's about it...if you have any other questions, let me know! Good luck!

My wife is from Tijuana and did her CR-1 POE at San Ysidro. I've been through that border line countless times, and will continue to do so for a very long time.

I'm pretty sure that any time will be OK for them to process the "magic brown packet" -- after all, it's a 24/7/365 border crossing, and she has a visa. They have to process it. My recommendation would be to go during the mid-morning or afternoon on a weekday; there will be less folks crossing at that time.

Depending on when you get to the line, it'll typically take anywhere from 30 minutes (if you're lucky) to an hour and a half (if you aren't) to get to the agent. You'll be brought to secondary inspection next. My wife had to get out of the car and wait in an office with a number of other folks doing their first POE.

I wasn't there, but she told me that there were a couple families doing their POE, and that she waited about an hour and a half for them to process her paperwork. Once they actually got to her, it didn't take too long.

Good luck! Should be nice and easy, all you'll need is her passport, the brown sealed envelope, and patience.

That's the Case Complete email! You're done with the NVC! Congrats!