APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers

[KimandRuss 0]

p.s. Michael can call the USCIS anytime he likes. They may just tell you that you're still within processing times but I'd have him call as soon as he's home and hope he gets hooked up with a personable operator that will give him a clue as to where your case is. If he doesnt... have him call back again later.

[Fernanda O. 0]

Approved!!!!

Actually, we got approved more then a week ago, I was in Orlando so we got to be together for the approval!! Yeii!!! We didn´t actually get to celebrate, though, cause I was working 24/7 as a tour guide for a group of brazilians, but still.

Just a comment: something creepy happened at immigration. I didn´t have any problems, they didn´t ask about the fiancee visa or anything, but last time I was there, the last question I was asked was what I did in Brazil, but it was so informal, the officer was so nice, it felt like he was just making conversation. Anyway, I worked as a teacher and I told him that. Guess what was the firtst thing the officer said when I got there this time: "Hi, teacher". And it was another officer, and even if it wasnt, last time I was there was more than 2 m,onths ago. They had that information on the system!!!!!!!! CREEPY!!!!!!

Anyway, now how long? Are we there yet are we there yet, are we at least almost there yet?????

[S&D 0]

Raff, i've often found myself with the short stick too but I honestly believe that what goes around.... comes around. Be strong, stick to your values, do good unto others and life will shine on you. You can't really compare our lovely Country with our screwed up mortgage lenders right now. They're all going under..and there's good reason for that. I work for several real estate companies and an appraisal office and I can tell you that the fact that you even got a mortgage at this point is shocking to me. It just took me 6 months to refi the house i'm living in and it's a family home! It's not an easy thing to go through right now. Don't lose faith... the US is a great place to live! Sure, some of the gov't agencies need a big overhaul... including immigration...anyone would admit that. But you have said the same things about your own Country. Not to psycho-analyze, but I think maybe you're going through a process of grief and with that often comes anger... it helps to have someone to blame. Believe me, I know ALL about that as i've sure done my share of grieving too. Someone with an NOA1 date right around yours was approved yesterday... did you see that? So perhaps my presumption about an adjuticator or two on vacation is true. It's sad that happens, you're right, but I truly feel it's coming. I so wish I could spend a day with you just hanging out and showing you all the beauty and love that I see in life...even throughout this difficult process. I know you're losing hope and I know all these approvals after you are unfair but it happens to some people, i've seen this for a year now with no rhyme or reason to it. You have got to stay strong and believe it's coming or you're going to make yourself sick. It's wonderful that you purchased real estate..especially right now! I know it doesn't feel that way.. but it really is. It's glorious that you have someone you love deeply to share your life with now. Beauty and wonder await you... this pain you're feeling now will soon be a distant memory!

Kim>>

I know the above comment was not directed to me but it was very re-energizing for me to read as well

because I am in the same boat as Highwaystar....

I can't believe that it has been officially 4 months since my NOA1 was issued....

oh well, I guess I just have to make the best of the time that I have left in Japan to spend with my family!!!

I will miss it once i move to the US. I hope to be able to have thanksgiving dinner in the US though.

Just like Boston, New Hampshire is very pretty in thanksgiving season and I am looking forward to it.

Anyway, you are the best, kim!!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Hiya rocker man!

You mean me, right?

[KimandRuss 0]

Fernanda... I saw you were approved and thought maybe I missed it. Congratualtions! Yes, they keep all that in their system... don't be spooked. Have you visited the portals and read the reviews for Brazil yet? I have no idea how the process works there but that is your best bet to find out how long it takes from here. Congratulations again. Very happy for you.

S&D, I'm so glad my ramblings helped to ease your spirit a bit. It's just honesty really. If there wasn't so many left from your timeframe I might be a little more concerned for you all but there seems to be this small group left from the end of March / early April. I know.. it's so unfair. I don't think I knew you were going to be in New Hampshire. I'm only about 20 minutes from the border. I hope you can get here for fall as it's just breathtaking in New England at that time!

Yes, Damian... I meant you. I used to have this rocker emoticon on my server but I haven't been able to find it. I think about it every time I see your posts though.

[S&D 0]

S&D, I'm so glad my ramblings helped to ease your spirit a bit. It's just honesty really. If there wasn't so many left from your timeframe I might be a little more concerned for you all but there seems to be this small group left from the end of March / early April. I know.. it's so unfair. I don't think I knew you were going to be in New Hampshire. I'm only about 20 minutes from the border. I hope you can get here for fall as it's just breathtaking in New England at that time!

Kim>>

I think I am beyond the hardest point now.

I don't even check my account at USCIS website anymore....

I know when they update it, I will receive an email

so there is really no use checking it like every second....

When most of the late March filers were getting approved every day,

it was really frustrating and the toughest and I was losing patience and going crazy!!!!!

But it has just been too long and I just really got sick of the dissappointment to see no update on my case.

I am still planning to have my fiance call USCIS very soon though!!

You seem to be very close to where I will be living in NH ;-)

Our place is only 45min away from Logan and actually I used to

go to a small private college in Boston! That's where I met him!!!!

Although I wanted to live in Boston, my fiance is such a NH guy that needs the nature

and the woods around him! Well, NH is awesome because it is a SALES TAX-FREE state!

Maybe you should come to NH for grocery shopping

Edited July 30, 2008 by S&D

[KimandRuss 0]

S&D ... N.H. is where us MA folks go for expensive things... big party alcohol purchases and where many smokers go for their cigs. I drive a big honkin Eddie Bauer Expedition so it would probably cost me more in gas than i'd spend in groceries! I love Boston too... I had one brother that went to Harvard and one to North Eastern and my ex husband works for Gillette (now P & G) in Southie... so we've spent quite a bit of time there. Russell and I are planning a few days alone there after he arrives in Logan.. although i'm not sure we'll leave the room! (that was for you Suz! :lol) I'm about an hour northwest in Leominster. I'm with your fiance, as much as I like being in the city, I could never live there. It's good being close though!

[S&D 0]

S&D ... N.H. is where us MA folks go for expensive things... big party alcohol purchases and where many smokers go for their cigs. I drive a big honkin Eddie Bauer Expedition so it would probably cost me more in gas than i'd spend in groceries! I love Boston too... I had one brother that went to Harvard and one to North Eastern and my ex husband works for Gillette (now P & G) in Southie... so we've spent quite a bit of time there. Russell and I are planning a few days alone there after he arrives in Logan.. although i'm not sure we'll leave the room! (that was for you Suz! :lol) I'm about an hour northwest in Leominster. I'm with your fiance, as much as I like being in the city, I could never live there. It's good being close though!

Oh my goodness!!! When he was living in around Keene, NH years ago,

we would stop in Gardner or Leominster for bathroom or dunkin' donuts coffee on our way to Boston!!

Now his place is near Manchester NH so we are much closer to Boston!

It feels funny to find someone on the internet that knows the area that I know!!!!!

We have the same kind of plan! He is coming to see me in Tokyo in 2 weeks

and I live not too far from the airpot but we booked a hotel room near the airpot for the first night!!

I am sure you will have the beautiful romantic fun moments with Russell!

[KimandRuss 0]

You will be less than an hour away from me! I was born and raised here in Leominster.... my great grandparents landed here from Sicily and helped build this city. It's a wonderful place to live with strong family roots. Yes, we've done this airport / hotel thing for many... many... many years now. This time it's for good! That is the moment that keeps me going through this difficult process! You will have to make sure you get up to Conway... Bartlet... and into the White Mountains in the fall. It is some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see. Do let me know if you make it down here sometime.

Edited July 30, 2008 by KimandRuss

[S&D 0]

You will be less than an hour away from me! I was born and raised here in Leominster.... my great grandparents landed here from Sicily and helped build this city. It's a wonderful place to live with strong family roots. Yes, we've done this airport / hotel thing for many... many... many years now. This time it's for good! That is the moment that keeps me going through this difficult process! You will have to make sure you get up to Conway... Bartlet... and into the White Mountains in the fall. It is some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see. Do let me know if you make it down here sometime.

Oh yes, I will defenitely let you know when I make it there!!! Hopefully before Thanksgiving!!!!!

I went camping with his dad's family up in the Whilte Mountains 2 years ago!!!!

yeah, the scenery from top of the mountain was just breathtaking, as I remember....

I will be thinking of you and your Italian family next time when we drive by Leominster!

[HighwayStar 0]

Thank you all for your kind words. Just for the record, though... I didn't take up a mortgage, but paid cash. I'm not a millionaire, but I've lost both my parents, who left me in a reasonably comfortable position. The money I used to buy my condo, however, came entirely from my earnings of about six years spent abroad. This is why it hurts so badly... I poured my hard-earned cash into US coffers just in order to come here to live honestly, pay my taxes, and spend what is left of my life with the man I love. I just wish I knew why we've left behind... Not knowing is so hard, especially in a very precarious situation as mine is now.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello Highway

Cheer up. It's going to happen and you will get to live in the condo. The people who sold the condo and accepted your payment aren't the USCIS or the US government so realize it's different processes. It's not a matter of you can take my money but you won't let me live in your country. Don't get angry at everybody please. You will make yourself sick or get an ulcer or get high blood pressure. Perhaps your petition is taking longer because you've lived and worked in more than one country. You often mention there's issues in Italy that you can't elaborate on. Maybe that somehow complicates the screening. Maybe the chunk of cash you transferred to the US to buy property has made the screening take longer. Large money transactions are recorded and reported as part of meeting requirements of the Patriot Act. If the purchase and deed are in your name, then maybe they are checking that out. I don't think they trace how you got the money, they just document the fact that you sent it into the US and bought a house. It's a paper trail at most. All those little extra things, though harmless and honest, have to be checked. So sorry it's taking longer. How very frustrating. Is there anything else you could be focusing on, like getting police certificates from the other country where you lived. Have you looked over all the DS forms? Have you smiled at yourself in the mirror today? Don't let the bas***** get you down. That's a quote from somebody, but I forgot who. Wishing you some sunshine and happiness to fill up your heart.

S&D---same to you....wishing some sunshine and happiness and good news to you.

[KimandRuss 0]

Have you smiled at yourself in the mirror today?

sounds simple enough... but it's something I do quite a bit to help keep me grounded!

Great advice mama Nich!

[HighwayStar 0]

There are no issues I can't elaborate on. My problems with my country have nothing to do with the law, and are matters that would be of no interest whatsoever for immigration. I mean, there is no dark secrets in my past that they may unearth. Moreover, I was led to believe that at the petition stage they mainly checked the USC, not the beneficiary's background (that happens rather at the Consulate stage). I did live in more than one country, but always as an employee of the Italian government. This is why I earned enough money to buy a small flat (it was in Finland, btw, where property prices are a fraction of those in Italy).

As regards those certificates, they have a limited validity, and the Finnish one is only valid for three months. It would be completely useless for me to apply for one now, only to see it expire when I finally get to the interview stage. As to the smiling in the mirror, I do it much more often than you may believe, and I'm definitely not giving myself ulcers or anything of the sort. I am just worn down by the heat and the lack of good news. If you can't relate to me or are annoyed by my posts, I can't do anything but apologise.

[Ferociter 0]

NOA 2 approved!

I had an RFE on 7/7/08 that was replied to on 7/22/08

I had to request a waiver due to the new IMBRA law of 2006 that stated that if I had more than 2 previous K1's approved or (as in my case) had an approved K1 within the last 2 years, you must request a waiver.

Off to NVC

Good luck all!