AOS FILERS: DECEMBER 2008

[we met in japan 0]

So I had posted earlier saying that I was worried that the USCIS had not received my RFE paperwork, as I had no notification, email or letter that said it had arrived or not. I made a service request earlier this week for both EAD and AP, as they were outside normal processing time. I finally received a letter today stating that my RFE paperwork was received and processing resumed on Feb 12th. By that time, I had already scheduled an INFOPASS appointment, so I still went, and asked a few questions. I was unaware that when you receive an RFE and you case is placed on hold, when they receive the requested documents, the 90 day processing timeframe starts again. So we originally filed Dec 22 2008. But we are now classed as filed Feb 12. BUMMER!!!!!!! But I guess on the plus side, at least I know they have my paperwork and its not sitting in a box at some post office....... When I was at the INFOPASS appointment, I asked (just in case) if there was any way they could request an Interim EAD for me......Nope.....Not a chance. So, it looks like ill be bouncing back and forth between Dec AOS filers and Feb AOS filers now......

[mimimimimi 0]

Congrats SHMASHROX!

Guys, I remember there was a big discussion a while ago in this thread about unemployment benefits. So I am pasting here something I wrote in another post in case it could help someone. This was a big mystery for me, so I am relieved I found out: GC holders who were previously on a working visa and qualify - are eligible to get UI in NY, people who were not approved for AOS yet and are only EAD holders apparently can't.

--

I did claim for UI, as instructed per the Dept. of Labor on the phone. They told me that they will only know if I am eligible when I claim, and that there will be no harm for me in case I don't qualify.

Obviously, the reason I could claim now is because my AOS was approved these days. If I was still ONLY a H1B holder, I would not qualify.

I got their determination these days, and I do qualify for the full benefit although I haven't worked since I was laid-off (as a H1B) about 5 months ago. I was almost sure they would calculate the benefit including the months I did not work and I wouldn't get the full benefits, but, voilá - they picked my higher wages, which is great and fair!

They told me on the phone that I should send them a copy of the GC (probably because you only use the A# to apply online, so they might have to make sure that you're a permanent resident) which means that in NY State - only permanent residents (who have worked and qualify) can get UI - EAD holders can't. This has always been a big mystery for me. Solved.

Hmm, interesting... Very good, as I've been trying to find a job and right now... there are none!

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Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t=#entry2781378

Edited March 27, 2009 by mimigrant

[JillA 2]

Congratulations to all of you receiving Green Cards!

I still dont have any news about it! hope to hear something soon.

I have several questions.

1) Do you know if you can ask for a change in the date of the interview?

2) We are doing our taxes and we dont know if to file jointly or separately, I do have income from Mexico still. Those who did the joint taxes did you report all types of income from 2008 in your countries, I mean if you received income from self employment, payroll, banks, etc? We are confused about that.

3) Have some of you traveled already with the AP?

4) Can I travel with my mexican passport from when I was single? the one with the K1?

Thanks for your help

Itzy

Itzy,

1. I'm sure you can, but it's highly unrecommended. It can put your case back by months. It's frowned upon.

2. you should file married joint, that's what we did. I reported my Canadian income on a seperate form, it's very easy. It looks good too if you file as married.

3. I am in Canada right now on my AP!

4. Yes, you don't need to get a new passport just because you are married. Unless, you changed your name and need your married name in the passport. I kept my maiden name therefore have my same Canadian passport.

[wackodacko 0]

We had our green card interview today and were approved! Yesssss! At the end of the interview, he said CONGRATULATIIONS and gave us a piece of paper stating It'll come within 30 days in the mail.

Our interview was scheduled for 745AM, so we got there at 730AM, waited around...

750AM they called us in and grilled us for 30 minutes! (Based on other reviews here, we thought it would be only a 10 minute quickie interview..but not the case for us)

We've been married 5 years, so he opened up our album and had each of us name random people in the group photos... some of which i couldnt even remember (some random relative of my husband's in our wedding reception, and another random high school classmate of my husband's in the wedding reception again! agggh!) Anyway, its not like the interviewer had an answer key...so he said I did well enough..

He grilled my husband (the green card applicant) about his parents names, where he was born, blah blah... then he asked me where we met, and when, and other details about how we met and how we got married. Then, he said to show joint bank statements, since we did not have a lease (live with parents) We didnt have any! We just had a letter from the bank stating we had a joint account (not the actual statement). I showed credit card statements and car insurance with both our names..but they were the "most recent statements" ..he wanted 6 month old statements. agggh! nowhere in the letter did it say we had to bring 6 month old statement..so I told him i would login to my American express online in his computer , but he said never mind..then told us to wait, while he took all my files and album with him and ran off somewhere.

after 3 mins or so, he came back and said our marriage looks bonafide, and that we're approved! yay!! this was easier than i thought, he gave us NO HASSLES nor Questions whatsoever about my husband doing an AOS from a tourist visa!

Anyway, had we gone through a lawyer, we would have been charged over $3,500! Thanks to everyone here at visajourney, we can keep the $3500 and go shopping to celebrate instead.

[TBoneTX 45,031]

Si, man!

[JillA 2]

Congrats Wacko!!

[mimimimimi 0]

I am greened, yay. Just got the GC in the mail.

Funny, it's dated from 3 weeks ago - one week before I got the "Card Production Ordered" email.

[TBoneTX 45,031]

I am greened

Si, man! Now, go out beating the bushes, looking for leprechauns.

[mimimimimi 0]

congrats!!! expect the card in 10-15 days

We had our green card interview today and were approved! Yesssss! At the end of the interview, he said CONGRATULATIIONS and gave us a piece of paper stating It'll come within 30 days in the mail.

[mimimimimi 0]

thanks TBone

leprechauns=jobs.

I need a job!

I am greened

Si, man! Now, go out beating the bushes, looking for leprechauns.

[^KK^ 3]

Congrats!!

[elikhom 7]

Hi,

My wife and I had the interview today, the appointment was at 10:30am but we didn't get called till 11:15 or so. Everything went well, he took our driver licenses and passports and examined them, he asked me the usual questions in one of the forms submitted, he asked my wife when was my birthday, he asked me how and when we met, he took a look at both of our employment letters and we both talked a little bit about our jobs, he also asked since when we live together, who does the cooking, etc. He took several photos from our albums (like 10 or so) and attached them to the file all these while constantly smiling and joking with our lawyer every now and then. He then said that I was approved and that I should receive the GC within a month Then he explained that since I have been married less than 2 years this is a conditional one and I need to apply in 21 months.

[HBeach 0]

Congrats, I have my AOS interview tomorrow. I am new to the site. I will post how our interview went. Is a AOS from tourist visa interview so could be an interesting one.

Anybody know or ever heard how interview for tourist AOS went? What not to say? etc...

[clarabel 0]

I had my AOS interview today and got approved!

yehey!

[^KK^ 3]

Congrats on the approvals!!!