The Lovely Tuesday Daily Thread

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

can you point me to some threads on this?

Nope, I don't know the exact threads they're in. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I know I read it a couple of times within this year since preparing for AOS and it was probably over in the AOS section.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

I wanted to add, that our AOS interview was also for the 10 year GC not the conditional. Our interview couldn't have been easier or less complicated. I'm not sure if this has to do with the fact that we didn't file right away or not. We waited a year before filing AOS after my husband arrived so we had a full year of evidence and proof of living together. Not that we really brought much of anything aside from about 20 photos and our lease.

Ours was also pretty easy. I dont even recall the IO wanting to look at any of our pictures, although I'm sure we offered it. We filed around 2 months after Adam got here. Had bills in both of our names, and bank acct in both names. The interview was very easy though and was 2 weeks after our 2yr anniversary so he got his 10yr card.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I thought you only lifted conditions bcz you had a 2 yr greencard... right? I've never seen someone with a 10yr greencard lift conditions.

I don't understand it really. They were saying something about they couldn't file citizenship because they didn't do lifting conditions and they assumed they didn't have to because they got the 10 non-conditional green card but when they got the denial they went to an info pass appointment they were told they were supposed to file lifting conditions jointly with AOS. So it worries me.

When we have our interview I'm definitely going to ask about that. People said they would do that too and others recommended to get it in writing so they could refer to it if immigration had a problem in the future.

[Mithra 1,185]

I don't remember if the IO told us or if we asked or not. It's been a couple years. We filed the standard AOS paperwork. I485? Right?

So did you find out in the interview for certain that you won't have to lift conditions? I've read some people had problems when it came time to file for citizenship. They did like you did and like we're hoping to do and had a wrench thrown into their plan because they didn't file lifting conditions paper jointly with AOS. I don't understand that because I thought if you got the 10 year green card you didn't have to lift conditions.

[LaL 418]

There was a hiccup for a member way back when - his wife was sent the 10 year card erroneously. He celebrated the error, and most people who replied warned him that a USCIS mistake is HIS mistake - and to correct the error. They chose not to.

We, on the other hand, got the 10 year card because it took 3 years or so to process the AOS. I don't have any qualms about future possible filings as a result. My husbands straight to 10 year card wasn;t a mistake.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I don't remember if the IO told us or if we asked or not. It's been a couple years. We filed the standard AOS paperwork. I485? Right?

Yep I485 is AOS.

[Mithra 1,185]

I have never heard of this. If they give permanent residency it shouldn't matter how you got to that point (AOS or removal of conditions). I guess we'll find out when and if we do citizenship.

I don't understand it really. They were saying something about they couldn't file citizenship because they didn't do lifting conditions and they assumed they didn't have to because they got the 10 non-conditional green card but when they got the denial they went to an info pass appointment they were told they were supposed to file lifting conditions jointly with AOS. So it worries me.

When we have our interview I'm definitely going to ask about that. People said they would do that too and others recommended to get it in writing so they could refer to it if immigration had a problem in the future.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

There was a hiccup for a member way back when - his wife was sent the 10 year card erroneously. He celebrated the error, and most people who replied warned him that a USCIS mistake is HIS mistake - and to correct the error. They chose not to.

We, on the other hand, got the 10 year card because it took 3 years or so to process the AOS. I don't have any qualms about future possible filings as a result. My husbands straight to 10 year card wasn;t a mistake.

Ah, that's what's going on? So if the 10 year green card was a mistake then of course they'd have to lift conditions and would get a possible future denial. That's somewhat of a relief.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I have never heard of this. If they give permanent residency it shouldn't matter how you got to that point (AOS or removal of conditions). I guess we'll find out when and if we do citizenship.

I haven't really explored the Naturalization forum yet but I guess that would be the next step for us. Dh was telling me that his Egyptian friend down the street told him we could file Naturalization after 18 months. I asked him how because I thought he had to live here for 3-5 years. He said he could because if you're married for 3 years already when you file then you only have to live here for 18 months to get citizenship. His Egyptian friend swears that's what he did, but you know how they are when getting advice from their Egyptian friends. They'd rather believe them than you when you've researched it and know the facts. But I haven't researched the facts on Naturalization yet because I'm focusing on AOS right now. One immigration thing at a time.

[LaL 418]

Just did a quick search -here is his recent update, he certainly changed his tune!!! Seriously the guy was gloating at his good fortune of the USCIS mistake and was combative about the warnings to make sure that everything was in order. Looks like he heeded the unneeded VJ advice afterall.

We called USCIS first. They said everything was fine. I didn't trust them. Talked with someone at the local office and they said it was OK. I didn't think they knew very much or really cared. Sent off the I-751 for lifting of conditions with a note about the problem but they returned everything including the check with a letter telling us that we did not need to lift conditions. I am keeping that letter and the complete I-751 package in a safe place just in case there is a problem down the road.

[LaL 418]

I haven't really explored the Naturalization forum yet but I guess that would be the next step for us. Dh was telling me that his Egyptian friend down the street told him we could file Naturalization after 18 months. I asked him how because I thought he had to live here for 3-5 years. He said he could because if you're married for 3 years already when you file then you only have to live here for 18 months to get citizenship. His Egyptian friend swears that's what he did, but you know how they are when getting advice from their Egyptian friends. They'd rather believe them than you when you've researched it and know the facts. But I haven't researched the facts on Naturalization yet because I'm focusing on AOS right now. One immigration thing at a time.

No, 3 years when married to a USC and according to/starting by the effective date on the approved greencard.

Edited August 24, 2010 by LaL

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Just did a quick search -here is his recent update, he certainly changed his tune!!! Seriously the guy was gloating at his good fortune of the USCIS mistake and was combative about the warnings to make sure that everything was in order. Looks like he heeded the unneeded VJ advice afterall.

So USCIS rejected his attempt to Lift Conditions anyways and he still gets to go forward with the error? Lucky guy.

[Mithra 1,185]

From what I understand you must be a GC holder for 3 years in order to apply. Or rather apply within that 90 day window before the 3 years is up, something like that. It doesn't have anything to do with how long you've been married. We're not quite eligible yet and we've been married 5 years.

I haven't really explored the Naturalization forum yet but I guess that would be the next step for us. Dh was telling me that his Egyptian friend down the street told him we could file Naturalization after 18 months. I asked him how because I thought he had to live here for 3-5 years. He said he could because if you're married for 3 years already when you file then you only have to live here for 18 months to get citizenship. His Egyptian friend swears that's what he did, but you know how they are when getting advice from their Egyptian friends. They'd rather believe them than you when you've researched it and know the facts. But I haven't researched the facts on Naturalization yet because I'm focusing on AOS right now. One immigration thing at a time.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

No, 3 years when married to a USC and according to/starting by the effective date on the approved greencard.

So if you've been married for over 3 year and the count starts from the day on the green card then how long do they have to reside in the US till they can file Naturalization?

From what I understand you must be a GC holder for 3 years in order to apply. Or rather apply within that 90 day window before the 3 years is up, something like that. It doesn't have anything to do with how long you've been married. We're not quite eligible yet and we've been married 5 years.

Ok so it's 3 years from the day of the green card. Is it a consecutive 3 years living here or can they make trips back home?

[LaL 418]

So if you've been married for over 3 year and the count starts from the day on the green card then how long do they have to reside in the US till they can file Naturalization?

It only goes by the effective date on the green card. 3 years for those married to the original petitioner and 5 if divorced or remarried to someone else.

Is it a consecutive 3 years living here or can they make trips back home?

Supposedly any time lived apart is taken into consideration.