July 2012 AOS Filers

[Summer2012 0]

Congratulations on people who have passed interviews and who will and have received GCs!

Thank you for all your care and suggestions.It's been awhile since my last time visited the web. I want to report my case progress.

I have called uscis and talked to higher rep. and he made a service request, that's a long time ago. Then I waited for 15 days and called again, of course each time had to wait for 45 mins to be able to talk! They suggested me to go to an infopass appointment. I did and the first person at the loca office couldn't find out my files, he said they are still at NEC, then he said oh, your filed are mailed today. and then he asked another person, she found out my information on that computer, he was shocked because he couldn't find out how to get the info from his computer before. Then she told me that I have been scheduled for an interview on Nov.16th. and printed out my interview schedule. They told me if I have not received interview letter, just bring this sheet of people to come to the interview. Anyway, after a few days later, I went to an infopass again, asking for interview notice since I don't know what to bring for the interview and whether we would be interviewed on Nov.16th. They told me that they have received my files (I felt relaxed) and my interview was on the 16th. And they printed out an interview letter and verified my address since I had not received an interview notice. She is very nice and asked if we can make it on that day, if not we can call and she can reschedule. (of course, we wouldn't want to reschedule!)Today we have received the interview letter which was mailed yesterday. We are not really worried about the interview since our marriage is real like others here. We will just bring what we have with us for the interview. IDs, photoes, original certificates,joint things, can't think of anything else at this moment.

Congrats again for people who are being GREEN! Wishing everyone the BEST OF LUCK!

Summer

Edited November 10, 2012 by Summer2012

[VTmaple 1]

Am also posting an update, as it's been a long time. I stopped reading for a while, frustrated that other cases were moving more quickly. Now that we've made a lot of progress, I wanted to share what happened.

Because I had a job offer pending (as a school teacher), I had made an expedite request. They responded with "I'm sure you have need, but it's not enough to push you ahead" reply that I knew from VJ'ers was common. Then, the administration got a constituency advocate from the U.S. state senator's office to write a letter, based on the school's financial loss and hardship by not being able to employ me. This all looked very promising, until we received RFE #1 at around 30 days.

RFE #1 wanted more financial information. It took us about a week to gather up the info, and we mailed what we understood they wanted. In the meantime, the clock on the EAD also stopped, since the 765 was based on the 'stalled' 485. Then we moved on the senator's expedite request again, as soon as we mailed the RFE #1 info. Within a week, they sent us RFE #2.

RFE #2 basically said our financial information was insufficient for supporting my 485 and we needed a joint sponsor. Long story short, we had to wait about a month for our joint sponsor to get paperwork settled so we could submit the info. Frustrating, but since it was my mother-in-law with a somewhat complicated situation, we we patient. (While there may have been other options, we felt the most comfortable with this situation - most other options were other family members, anyway.) We finally were able to mail the info for RFE #2 on Oct 20th (just shy of 3 months since the original application) and the expedite request went in again.

Once our 485 paperwork was settled, the expedite request worked wonders. USCIS only had the completed 485 info for 3 business days by the time they approved the EAD, and we were told were in the queue for interview scheduling by then, too. I got the EAD card a week after it was ordered into production, and the interview notice less than a week after that.

I am so relieved to now be fully employed and to know I'll earn a paycheck this month! Our interview is just over one month away. It would be awesome if they happen to approve us at the time of the interview so I could maybe have the Green Card by the time the Christmas travel comes into play. Wishful thinking, but it'd be nice.

We did sent in AP request in early September, but it's never been updated on our online case status. I was going to call about it after the EAD went through, but with the interview already on the books, I'm not sure if it's worth the time it will take to inquire. I've already missed two big things in October for which we wanted to hop over the border (Cdn Thanksgiving and my mother's 70th birthday). We have some people we'd really like to see early next month and a storage locker to visit. I feel so overwhelmed with work already, I'm not sure how much time I want to take up in chasing down the AP application...

My final words? If you're anywhere near the 125% income line, and if you're in a hurry for parts of the application to be approved, just get a joint sponsor up front if at all possible. I try not to think about it, but the idea that we could have been at this stage in early/mid-September is beyond frustrating.

[DebLogs 0]

Congratulations on people who have passed interviews and who will and have received GCs!

Thank you for all your care and suggestions.It's been awhile since my last time visited the web. I want to report my case progress.

I have called uscis and talked to higher rep. and he made a service request, that's a long time ago. Then I waited for 15 days and called again, of course each time had to wait for 45 mins to be able to talk! They suggested me to go to an infopass appointment. I did and the first person at the loca office couldn't find out my files, he said they are still at NEC, then he said oh, your filed are mailed today. and then he asked another person, she found out my information on that computer, he was shocked because he couldn't find out how to get the info from his computer before. Then she told me that I have been scheduled for an interview on Nov.16th. and printed out my interview schedule. They told me if I have not received interview letter, just bring this sheet of people to come to the interview. Anyway, after a few days later, I went to an infopass again, asking for interview notice since I don't know what to bring for the interview and whether we would be interviewed on Nov.16th. They told me that they have received my files (I felt relaxed) and my interview was on the 16th. And they printed out an interview letter and verified my address since I had not received an interview notice. She is very nice and asked if we can make it on that day, if not we can call and she can reschedule. (of course, we wouldn't want to reschedule!)Today we have received the interview letter which was mailed yesterday. We are not really worried about the interview since our marriage is real like others here. We will just bring what we have with us for the interview. IDs, photoes, original certificates,joint things, can't think of anything else at this moment.

Congrats again for people who are being GREEN! Wishing everyone the BEST OF LUCK!

Summer

Oh this is great news Summer! And good thing you shared your story. It always helps people who are going through similar circumstances to see that they are not alone :-) Thanks for sharing. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you for NOV 16th...(hey thats just next week). Let us know how it goes. You've made great progress!

[DebLogs 0]

Am also posting an update, as it's been a long time. I stopped reading for a while, frustrated that other cases were moving more quickly. Now that we've made a lot of progress, I wanted to share what happened.

Because I had a job offer pending (as a school teacher), I had made an expedite request. They responded with "I'm sure you have need, but it's not enough to push you ahead" reply that I knew from VJ'ers was common. Then, the administration got a constituency advocate from the U.S. state senator's office to write a letter, based on the school's financial loss and hardship by not being able to employ me. This all looked very promising, until we received RFE #1 at around 30 days.

RFE #1 wanted more financial information. It took us about a week to gather up the info, and we mailed what we understood they wanted. In the meantime, the clock on the EAD also stopped, since the 765 was based on the 'stalled' 485. Then we moved on the senator's expedite request again, as soon as we mailed the RFE #1 info. Within a week, they sent us RFE #2.

RFE #2 basically said our financial information was insufficient for supporting my 485 and we needed a joint sponsor. Long story short, we had to wait about a month for our joint sponsor to get paperwork settled so we could submit the info. Frustrating, but since it was my mother-in-law with a somewhat complicated situation, we we patient. (While there may have been other options, we felt the most comfortable with this situation - most other options were other family members, anyway.) We finally were able to mail the info for RFE #2 on Oct 20th (just shy of 3 months since the original application) and the expedite request went in again.

Once our 485 paperwork was settled, the expedite request worked wonders. USCIS only had the completed 485 info for 3 business days by the time they approved the EAD, and we were told were in the queue for interview scheduling by then, too. I got the EAD card a week after it was ordered into production, and the interview notice less than a week after that.

I am so relieved to now be fully employed and to know I'll earn a paycheck this month! Our interview is just over one month away. It would be awesome if they happen to approve us at the time of the interview so I could maybe have the Green Card by the time the Christmas travel comes into play. Wishful thinking, but it'd be nice.

We did sent in AP request in early September, but it's never been updated on our online case status. I was going to call about it after the EAD went through, but with the interview already on the books, I'm not sure if it's worth the time it will take to inquire. I've already missed two big things in October for which we wanted to hop over the border (Cdn Thanksgiving and my mother's 70th birthday). We have some people we'd really like to see early next month and a storage locker to visit. I feel so overwhelmed with work already, I'm not sure how much time I want to take up in chasing down the AP application...

My final words? If you're anywhere near the 125% income line, and if you're in a hurry for parts of the application to be approved, just get a joint sponsor up front if at all possible. I try not to think about it, but the idea that we could have been at this stage in early/mid-September is beyond frustrating.

Wow, sounds kind of like "the house that Jack built."

It looks like you've untangled evrything and that you are well on your way to being green. Good stuff VTMaple. Frankly speaking,the Old Me probably would've rolled up into a depressed ball and given up for a while by RFE 2. I have learned from this forum to be tenacious, have a backbone and speak up !

Edited November 12, 2012 by DebLogs

[VTmaple 1]

FFrankly speaking,the Old Me probably would've rolled up into a depressed ball and given up for a while by RFE 2.

I've had days where I wanted to hide under the covers, trust me. I just don't have alternative to patience! I am truly thankful for patient employers, though!!!!

[akihon 129]

visiting!

[Mariana D.A. 2]

Sorry guys! I haven't had time to visit Visa Journey lately!! I actually received my green card on Saturday!!!! I couldn't stop looking at it! I still don't believe it, I think it will only sink in when I get on the plane to go to Brazil thus December!! Thank you guys for everything!!

[DebLogs 0]

Yay, Mariana! What a wonderful Thanksgiving for you :-)

[NIKE284 1]

status update, just came back into the country, wife had to wait at immigration for 1 hour when checking her document. We came in on the AP.

Things went smooth, just make sure if you plan to come in on the AP

1. treat it as a visa

2. bring your marriage certificate (they didn't ask for mine)

3. if you are transferring to another flight, give yourself at least 3 hours

glad to see everyone passed, hopefully ours will go through soon.

Happy Thanksgiving all!!!

Edited November 24, 2012 by NIKE284

[Summer2012 0]

Dear all,

Congratulations on Mariana D.A and other people who have received GC!

We had our interview on NOV-16-2012 and was approved on the spot, it was super easy and smooth. The officer was very nice and asked us how we met and asked me how many times I have been in and out of the USA, and commented on me having some many memberships of organizations. Then went over with yes, no questions on 485. Then remind us when to do the removal conditional GC. Said that he was intending to approve our I-130 and I-485, if we have not received GC after 30 days, call them. He thanked my husband for bringing more evidence and said we have prepared so well for the submitted application, he didn't need to review others. Starting afternoon of Nov-16, have been receiving emails, text messages about GC UPDATES. I thought my GC would be delayed due to Thanksgiving break, NOPE, no delay at all! This morning I have received my GC in the mail!! YA! Very happy and GRATEFUL for being GREEN!

Wish everyone best of luck!!!

Summer

Edited November 26, 2012 by Summer2012

[DebLogs 0]

Congrats, Summer! What a fresh, new world with better opportunities, eh. I will always empathize with immigrants trying to get green cos we know how it feels :-D

[Summer2012 0]

Congrats, Summer! What a fresh, new world with better opportunities, eh. I will always empathize with immigrants trying to get green cos we know how it feels :-D

Thank you DebLogs! I know although i don't need a GC to be able to work now, but I feel so happy to have received it. I put it on my desk, so I can look at it whenever I want to, haha! It reminds me of God's blessings! Now I can go change my DL's expiration date and remove restriction on my SS card.

Congratulations on your GC too, although it's been over a month ago.

I am glad to have found this website, it helps my AOS application a lot!

Summer

[frombrazil 6]

It's already December and I haven't received any position regarding my AOS so far. My case still shows "acceptance" on the USCIS website. I don't think we'll have an interview since it's already been four months... let's just wait. At least I have the EAD combo card (but it is hard as heck to find work as a foreigner)! Congratulations everyone who has already been approved!

[NIKE284 1]

just got email notification for interview!!!

hopefully everything will go well

[VTmaple 1]

We have our GC interview on Wednesday - 4 days away! We're going to prepare our paperwork this weekend (all the originals of documents originally sent, as per the info sheet).

As far as "extra" stuff like photos, etc etc.... what have people found that officers actually look at? I've seen a lot about how X was prepared, but they only wanted to see Y.

Seeing as how I haven't actually put together our wedding album from July just yet, I'd need to specially make prints, etc (not hard to do, but want to be reasonable). I'm also visibly pregnant, so we have have some primo de facto evidence of the relationship, but what about the past 4 years we've been together? Should I show some history?

Fingers crossed the officers approve us on the spot -- for whatever reason, our late-submitted AP application never really got in the queue, so we decided to wait until this interview, but I really want to hop up to Canada (I'm 10 miles south of the border!) and get some things out of storage and see some friends for the holidays!