So lost!

[kali1229 6]

Hello all,

I am brand new to this whole petitioning business and to VJ and honestly, I have no idea what most of you are talking about! There is so much information on this site that I'm thankful for but it's a bit overwhelming.

I'm from Colombia, I moved to the U.S when I was 8 and I met my husband when I went down to Colombia a few years ago. We got married and we've been apart for almost 4 years. I finally filed I-130 along with my N-400 back in November 2010. I got NOA1 about a month after I sent in all of my paperwork and my N-400 went along a lot quicker. Today I had my oath ceremony and I'm finally a U.S citizen. I will be sending my updated citizenship status on monday. Now, I believe I'm waiting for NOA2 (?). I'm driving myself crazy waiting. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? Is there anything my husband can do? I know he has to get immunizations and physical exam, he has to get things from DAS proving his clean record...can he do any of that NOW instead of the week of the interview? Maybe that would relieve some stress.

Any Fellow Colombians that have already gone through this or are going through this please talk to me! I don't want to drive myself insane. If you could give me some tips on helping the process go faster or ANYTHING, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you all for reading

Iryna

[Ryan H 3,812]

Medical can only be done at a designated facility and an appointment letter is required.

Police Certificates have an expiration date which is usually 1 year from the date they are issued. This can change from country to country so you need a Colombia specific answer in this regard. The Embassy does have the discretion of asking for a police certificate that has been issued within 6 months of the interview date.

[Boiler 45,468]

Just wondering.

Why is it urgent now when you have done nothing for 4 years?

[kali1229 6]

If you really need to know, I was 18 when we got married (I knew him for two years and I obviously couldn't file for him since I was underage). We didn't know what we were going to do...if I was going to move there, or him here. It has taken a lot of thinking to decide on what we wanted to do and we finally came to the right place and the right plan for our future and that included him being here. Thank you, Boiler for your snarky question =) And thank you Ryan H for your answer.

[Boiler 45,468]

If you really need to know, I was 18 when we got married (I knew him for two years and I obviously couldn't file for him since I was underage). We didn't know what we were going to do...if I was going to move there, or him here. It has taken a lot of thinking to decide on what we wanted to do and we finally came to the right place and the right plan for our future and that included him being here. Thank you, Boiler for your snarky question =) And thank you Ryan H for your answer.

U.S. Sponsor Minimum Age Requirement

There is no minimum age for a U.S. sponsor (petitioner) to file a petition for a spouse. However, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a residence (domicile) in the U.S. before you can sign the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 or I-864EZ). This form is required for an immigrant visa for a spouse and other relatives of U.S. sponsors.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2991.html#3

[keysjangle 145]

So the woman needed to get her life in order... would you rather a teen go through this or an adult? Christ almighty.

Edited May 21, 2011 by Gervl

[kali1229 6]

So the woman needed to get her life in order... would you rather a teen go through this or an adult? Christ almighty.

Thank you!

[Boiler 45,468]

I knew him for two years and I obviously couldn't file for him since I was underage

[kali1229 6]

as in....I wasn't married!

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Generally, I don't respond to post that have start up with flames, but I will side with Boiler on this. The poster have written her post as if there is a sense of urgency happening but doesn't give any indication of the urgency. Boiler was trying to get more information from the poster to help/aid in that sense of urgency, by asking leading questions.

I know most people that post on these board wants everyone to give them the soft kid glove approach by giving them step by step directions, but how can you anyone give the best answer if there are open answered question left by the poster.

Since there is no time-line indicated by the poster it is hard to gauge if the posters NOA2 is right around the corner or still many months away. So first, please fill out your time line.

Have you notified USCIS that you are now a naturalized citizen?

[Casprd 167]

Nothing the OP said indicates any new urgency. Looking at the timeline, she is almost 7 months in to the process and waiting on NOA2 still. Seeing that, it is obvious why she is feeling stress and wanting to do anything to make the process go faster, especially since she is well past the 5 month guideline.

As for what you can do, if you haven't callled USCIS yet, you need to get on the phone with them asap. When the first level person gives you the same old lines, ask for a second level person. You are way past the 5 month point so they won't be able to brush you off for that. If they don't give you a good answer, get in contact with your local senator. Go to their website and download the information release authorization form and fax that in to their office before calling them.

You can also start to get together some of the required docs for the NVC. Bank statements, Tax returns and pay stubs. If you haven't saved past paystubs, now is the time to start so you have them available. You can start to familiarize yourself with the NVC process also so you can try to make that go as quickly as possible.

[kali1229 6]

Thank you so much casprd. I understand that because I wasn't a citizen, things were taking up a longer time to get done (through the other end). Now that I am a citizen I want to be proactive so I really appreciate your guidance. I do have most, if not all of my paystubs, I have my tax returns but what would I need a bank statement for? What do they look for in the bank statement? If I make enough money (and it's been proven by tax returns and paystubs)? I'm just curioius...

[Julie y Pat 67]

Hi Iryna, Congratulations for becoming a US citizen! Now is the time to be getting ready for the NVC. Check out the wiki for shortcuts through the NVC, they are very helpful. Your part will be the I864 Affidavit of Support, and that's where bank statements would play a part if your income wasn't sufficient. If you don't already have them, get tax transcripts for the last three tax years from the IRS. Your husband will need two documents from the DAS, the Certificado Judicial he can pick up the same day, but the migratorio will be sent from Bogota, but can be ordered at the local DAS office. There's on in the little city in Armenia, but if your husband lives in Armenia, I'm sure he knows where it is. You'll also need an original birth cert. for your husband, and an original of your marriage cert., and a photocopy of your husband's passport bio page. And also the DS230. Also a divorce cert. if your husband was previously married. And if your husband is in Armenia, there is a DHL shipper at the travel agency on the avenue, on the block to the right of Portal del Quindio, a few doors from the pizzeria. I hope this helps. Pat