HOW TO PREPARE THE AOS TO GET GREEN CARD FAST

[CarpiDiem 0]

It absolutely pays to be prepared.

And there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent delays due to FBI security clearance. Yours must have been complete.

There is no foolproof method.

We're glad you like us. Welcome to America. But you're not an American till you naturalize.

I truly symphatize with your plight. It is heart-wrenching that you've done absolutely everything right, but still the government has put you and Wes through this FBI name check hell. It is unjustified and wrong.

I've read an article about a group of lawyers who initiated a class action suit in behalf of their clients who experienced unjustified delays in their FBI name checks. I'm not certain if they call it a "Mandamus" or something like that.

I agree that there is no fool-proof method even if you've prepared to the ying-yang. However in my case, I probably over-prepared and it was overkill. But I did what I had to do on the things I can control, like document preparation, interview preps, etc.

Once the application was mailed to the Chicago lock box, I lost control, and I was at the mercy of USCIS and the FBI name check like everybody else.

Most of my close relatives are US citizens. My deceased father was a US citizen. My son is a US citizen and currently in active duty as a military officer. I encouraged my son back then to join the military to serve his country. As a parent, it was not easy for me to offer my only child to the service of this country, knowing that he will be in harm's way. But even though I'm not technically an "American," I felt that it was the patriotic thing to do.

Although I'm an LPR, but in my heart, I consider myself an American. It is only a matter of time (5 years) before I am officially one.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience and advice. It was very informative. Cheers!!!

[rebeccajo 14]

I appreciate your concern, Carpe Diem. But our case, at the moment simply illustrates that one can only do what one can do and the rest is out of one's hands.

Oh BTW - I'm sure the FBI dropped the Jr. from your name when they ran the check. They juggle the name seven ways to Sunday for possible matches. Your check just happened to be done before your interview, and thus your other preparations gave you a good result. If your name is uncommon, one has a better chance of a speedy check. My husband's name, unfortunately, is not all that unusual.

[CarpiDiem 0]

This is a very nice post, however I'll echo other statements that the time it takes to get a green card is most likely more dependant on your Name Check and which is your District Office, than which binder type you use for the application.

However, I'd say your post is certainly useful advice for avoiding RFEs.

You do what you have to do for the things you can control, like making sure you submitted correct information and complete supporting documents to avoid RFEs. You can also do your interview preps.

However, I fully agree with you that once you application is submitted, you are entirely dependent upon the bureaucratic red tape, i.e. FBI name check and the location of your District Office.

I've read somewhere that President Bush directed DHS and USCIS to process applications in six months. The artificial deadline is supposedly October 2006. If I'm not mistaken, the federal budget approved by Congress for this year has trickled down to DHS and USCIS in terms of additional manpower. That is probably the reason why I'm reading a lot of AOS cases in this forum and others that have been adjudicated faster..... my case included.

The FBI name check is entirely another animal. Hopefully with this year's approved budget, it will help the FBI install and update to a more powerful matching software and more powerful computers to speed up the name checks. After all, isn't it true that FBI checks 1 million names a month ???

A process of crunching numbers and data like that would require almost like a supercomputer with a very sophisticated matching software that could include a lot of variables.

[meauxna 15]

Aww, you guys! Look, my hackles raised up a bit at the subject line too, but this guy gave an AWESOME detailed report and his heart is clearly in the right place.

While not everyone can expect the same results, why not applaud his achievement? I haven't seen a lot of similar contributions here in ages.

And you're going to split hairs over him feeling American? (ok, I've probably done it myself in the past) I think it is a nice piece of perspective for all those who are only coming to the US because of their love; with all the troubles our country is having and facing at the moment, it is still a place that others can admire.

Carpi, thanks for your post and Welcome to America, man!

[CarpiDiem 0]

CarpiDiem - its not quite that simple with some people, because becoming a US citizen doesn't always mean giving up your original nationality. For example being from the UK I can't lose my UK citizenship, even if I get US citizenship. I can hold both passports and live permenantly in both countries, so do I consider myself an American or an Englishman?

dr_lha,

I think the answer to your rhetorical question whether to consider yourself an American or Englishman is in your heart.

You are one of the lucky groups who have the privilege of dual citizenship. I guess "jenn3539" is correct to say that you can be both. And in your case, you are both an American and an Englishman legally.

I was just reacting to "Boiler's" statement that he will *NEVER* consider himself an American even if he naturalizes, and that an additional passport makes no difference to him.

It is my belief that "when you are in Rome, you do what the Romans do."

If "Boiler" is currently enjoying the bounty that America has given him, i.e. food on his table, free education for his kids, free medical emergency care (through his county), etc., then I see no reason why he should not appreciate the privilege of considering himself an American (if and when he naturalizes).

The general idea of LPR and eventual citizenship (if you so chose) is to assimilate and feel loyal to the country that gave you this privilege and this bounty.

To me, it seems that "Boiler" is saying --> "Splendid America for letting me stay and enjoy everything you have to offer. BUT no thanks, I won't assimilate and will NEVER be loyal to you."

[Dr_LHA 3]

I've read somewhere that President Bush directed DHS and USCIS to process applications in six months. The artificial deadline is supposedly October 2006. If I'm not mistaken, the federal budget approved by Congress for this year has trickled down to DHS and USCIS in terms of additional manpower. That is probably the reason why I'm reading a lot of AOS cases in this forum and others that have been adjudicated faster..... my case included.

Actually USCIS is an entirely self funded agency, all their money comes from the fees they charge us, not from the Federal Government.

[rebeccajo 14]

Aww, you guys! Look, my hackles raised up a bit at the subject line too, but this guy gave an AWESOME detailed report and his heart is clearly in the right place.

While not everyone can expect the same results, why not applaud his achievement? I haven't seen a lot of similar contributions here in ages.

And you're going to split hairs over him feeling American? (ok, I've probably done it myself in the past) I think it is a nice piece of perspective for all those who are only coming to the US because of their love; with all the troubles our country is having and facing at the moment, it is still a place that others can admire.

Carpi, thanks for your post and Welcome to America, man!

Hey, I just thought he maybe really thought he was a citizen now.

I'm glad he got done and dusted. I guess I'm whiney. Sorry.

Edited September 15, 2006 by rebeccajo

[CarpiDiem 0]

Aww, you guys! Look, my hackles raised up a bit at the subject line too, but this guy gave an AWESOME detailed report and his heart is clearly in the right place.

While not everyone can expect the same results, why not applaud his achievement? I haven't seen a lot of similar contributions here in ages.

And you're going to split hairs over him feeling American? (ok, I've probably done it myself in the past) I think it is a nice piece of perspective for all those who are only coming to the US because of their love; with all the troubles our country is having and facing at the moment, it is still a place that others can admire.

Carpi, thanks for your post and Welcome to America, man!

Meauxna,

Thanks for your kind words, and thanks for welcoming me.

I've been living in America for several years as an L1 visa holder. I became an LPR as of last Tuesday. I'm very comfortable with American culture and consider myself as fully assimilated.

Some countries in Europe, and most countries in the Muslim world hate America's foreign policy and its administration, but not necessarily the American people. They've made that distinction clear.

But in spite of the tense world situation and America's tarnished image abroad, some of these not-so-friendly countries want to send their kids to America to live and go to school, which I think is very ironic. Just recently, Saudi Arabia sent 15,000 students to the US to study, and most of these students came with paid scholarships provided by the Saudi royal family.

So, I think America is both admired and loathed.

Hey, I just thought he maybe really thought he was a citizen now.

I'm glad he got done and dusted. I guess I'm whiney. Sorry.

Becky and Wes,

I never carried the illusion that just because I became LPR that I'm already a US citizen. I'm fully aware that it will take me 5 years to become a US citizen.

I would like to reiterate that even if I'm just an LPR right now, I feel in my heart that I'm an American. It is a privilege to be granted LRP status, but it is a greater privilege to be granted US citizenship. I know I have to earn it in the next five years.