CR-1 Spouse Process: An American Confused... Cuba and USA!

[RumbaBumba 4]

Hello Guys,

I have been an avid reader of these forums for many months. The information found here helped me to gather the information necessary to begin my I-130 packet. But I WAY ahead of myself.

My wife and I met in 2008 Sept in Santiago, Cuba. We hit it off and decided to get married. Those of you familiar with Cuban and American relations know the filing for one's spouse can a confusing and time-consuming if not filed correctly. As of July 2009, we got married in Santiago, Cuba. Now I am back in the USA (american citizen) in order to begin the CR-1 process.

Long story short, I do not have the ability to contract an immigration lawyer to assemble the packet. Although I do not know a majority of the posters here, I respectfully ask for YOUR Guys' assistance with the questions I have about the process (packets, wait times, legalities, and such). The minds and spirits found on this forum are truly generous. Thanks in Advance!

Please note that I work a Time consuming job in order to pay (for what I know to be an expensive process for the both of us). So, if I ask a question answered in another post, it is due to time constraint and not laziness. Plus, I know a tiny mistake can send a US official in a tizzy when it comes to Cuba-American interactions.

So, to the questions:

- Is the CR-1 the right process to go? For what I've read the K-3 is dead. Although I do not know what dead means... I sense it has something to do with the length of our marriage. So I am assuming Cr-1 is my route.

- Cuban Addresses are long. This creates a 2 questions. First, When I write See Attached on Her G-235A, I assume I attach a white sheet of paper with the address written completely. What does the Paper I attach have to look like( is there a method)? Can I put the address in Spanish? I dont assume there need Escalera 3 Piso 9 translated... Unless that matters.

- I have a basic cover letter listing my documents and my supporting evidence. Do I need to create another cover letter with summaries of my past trips, along with explannations of why my family couldn't attend the wedding (should be easy to answer with the embargo...). This cover letter bothers me because it's presence could slow down the application process. Does anyone know of a good template by which I could base my reply if necessary?

- I lived in Santiago for 9 months. Do I list that period of time on my G235 A? It does say year or less.. This is confusing as I am submitting evidence showing we lived together. I'd hate to get a RFE for inconsistency. What do you guys think?

- Do I list her servicio social under employment? Even if i do list her servicio social, do I list the three years prior to when she was a student? In fact, do I list her entire university career to avoid inaccurate reporting?

- If her name did not legally change when we married. Do I still list her under my last name under the I-130?

I appreciate anyone's time put into this post. Thank You!

Have a Good Day

[inloveVEN 46]

Hi in Italic my oppinions

- Is the CR-1 the right process to go? For what I've read the K-3 is dead. Although I do not know what dead means... I sense it has something to do with the length of our marriage. So I am assuming Cr-1 is my route.

A1: Actually, this is the same path "ir-1/cr-1", the difference will be shown by the time of the process will be aproved. It only means that at the end of the process if you have les than 2 years of marriage they will send you a conditional card( valid for 2 years, need to remove the conditional later), otherwise she will receive a GC valid for ten years

- Cuban Addresses are long. This creates a 2 questions. First, When I write See Attached on Her G-235A, I assume I attach a white sheet of paper with the address written completely. What does the Paper I attach have to look like( is there a method)? Can I put the address in Spanish? I dont assume there need Escalera 3 Piso 9 translated... Unless that matters.

A2: (LOL) In latina america all the addresses are HUGE try to use abbreviations like "Esc." Istead "Escalera" you can save a lot of space. But always trying to make this understandably to let the local post office to find the right address if this is imposible you better add a white sheet giving detailed information.

- I have a basic cover letter listing my documents and my supporting evidence. Do I need to create another cover letter with summaries of my past trips, along with explannations of why my family couldn't attend the wedding (should be easy to answer with the embargo...). This cover letter bothers me because it's presence could slow down the application process. Does anyone know of a good template by which I could base my reply if necessary? ( this is a good idea )

- I lived in Santiago for 9 months. Do I list that period of time on my G235 A? It does say year or less.. This is confusing as I am submitting evidence showing we lived together. I'd hate to get a RFE for inconsistency. What do you guys think? ( yes, in my oppinion you have to, because it is part of your own biography) and you need to talk about your last 5 years.

- Do I list her servicio social under employment? Even if i do list her servicio social, do I list the three years prior to when she was a student? In fact, do I list her entire university career to avoid inaccurate reporting? ( I think it is necessary, in my oppinion you can put their

employment history as well as her university years, puting the word " student" in specification, because what they want to know is what was she doing 5 years before)

- If her name did not legally change when we married. Do I still list her under my last name under the I-130? ( is up to you, but she is allowed legally change her name becuase a valid marriage)

Hope this can help you in your research to start the process and bring your wife to start a new life together

Edited June 21, 2010 by inloveVEN

[Darnell 8,479]

- I have a basic cover letter listing my documents and my supporting evidence. Do I need to create another cover letter with summaries of my past trips, along with explannations of why my family couldn't attend the wedding (should be easy to answer with the embargo...). This cover letter bothers me because it's presence could slow down the application process. Does anyone know of a good template by which I could base my reply if necessary?

I would write up an 'evolution of relationship letter' to cover the 'evolution of the relationship'.

Here's an example -

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=260331&view=findpost&p=3995116

The EOR does not slow down the application process.

[RumbaBumba 4]

Thank you very much for your help! I am reading the responses now.

[tokyo.lovers 6]

i know that cuba has a super special process. perhaps your case can get done faster since there are special things with cuba???

if it is too complex you may want to consider a lawyer.

i am half cuban, but my parent came here as a refugee long ago. things are different now! so i don't know much about it. sorry!

[RumbaBumba 4]

The evolution of relationship sounds great. Im going to give it a shot. I'll be back with an update. So far I attachments are going to include: a cover letter bullet pointing my evidences and packet information, possible page with information which doesnt fit on the G235a, and an attachment labeled Evolution of Relationship where I explain our circumstances.

I doubt they would give special leeway to Cubanos. There are so many...the USA is notorious for giving extremely faraway interview dates. Ive heard of some people getting 5 years for an interview date! It's tough.

Thank you for the help!