Should I hire an immigration lawyer??

[iishin 2]

I tried convincing my parents that too but they insisted that I get a lawyer. Oh well, the important thing that matters the most to me right now is that I get my fiance here to the U.S. as soon as possible. Thank you, I appreciate your advice though, Darnell. :-D

At little bit late on this one. Why do you need a lawyer when you seem educated. Old HMONG folks don't know squat so you should not take their advice literally. If you compare (Laos) K1 timelines, you'll see everyone is within the 180 - 250 day range. Some of us are luckier than others due to NO RFE, issues or delays. Also your in Vermont and Your cousins in CA service center so don't compare the two. Also, that one DREAM ACT by Obama might have cause you some delay as well! Have patience...

[HoneyBoo-Boo 1]

At little bit late on this one. Why do you need a lawyer when you seem educated. Old HMONG folks don't know squat so you should not take their advice literally. If you compare (Laos) K1 timelines, you'll see everyone is within the 180 - 250 day range. Some of us are luckier than others due to NO RFE, issues or delays. Also your in Vermont and Your cousins in CA service center so don't compare the two. Also, that one DREAM ACT by Obama might have cause you some delay as well! Have patience...

Thank you for sharing your advice. The whole lawyer thing became a big deal for my parents so I just went along with what they wanted. It's simply a matter of picking the worthwhile battles with the elders, and for the most part, they've been very supportive. I'm sure the average of 180-250 days is the norm, however, the heart wants to hear what it desires the most so being patient can run thin from time to time. Unfortunately, according to the my attorney, I made the mistake of expediting my paperwork to the Dallas center instead of sending it regular mail. This prompted their center to send my paperwork to Vermont which is taking STINKING forever!! Gosh, I'm beyond mad and irritated at this point. I try to keep myself in a positive mood but it's getting harder and harder to do.

[Darnell 8,478]

hmmm - all paperwork goes to the Dallas lockbox for initial intake,

then off to a service center (you got Vermont)for further processing.

what are you going on about ? If nothing else, please review the K-1 flowchart in the guides section.

[HoneyBoo-Boo 1]

hmmm - all paperwork goes to the Dallas lockbox for initial intake,

then off to a service center (you got Vermont)for further processing.

what are you going on about ? If nothing else, please review the K-1 flowchart in the guides section.

Darnell, I believe by using the physical address in Lewisville, TX (because I sent my petition via overnight delivery) instead to the P.O. Box (Dallas lockbox) is the main reason why my petition was sent to Vermont instead of the California Servicing Center. My attorney stated that since there were no major time restrictions on the I-129F petitions then I should've sent it regular mail to the Lockbox which would've most likely been sent to CA (apparently the CA service center is processing petitions much faster).

Anyhoo, I've reviewed the K-1 flowchart enough to have it memorized. I've come to an understanding that throwing tantrums is useless--basically, I'm SOL and have to wait until the rep from Vermont actually does something with my paperwork.

Edited September 25, 2012 by HoneyBoo-Boo

[Darnell 8,478]

each lockbox has 'load balancing' in place - so

on the day yer stuff hit, a decision was made which service center to send it to.

PO BOX or Physical address, it doesn't matter - what does matter is the load balancing 'rule' in place that day.

Relax .

Edited September 25, 2012 by Darnell

[Chelliot 1]

each lockbox has 'load balancing' in place - so

on the day yer stuff hit, a decision was made which service center to send it to.

PO BOX or Physical address, it doesn't matter - what does matter is the load balancing 'rule' in place that day.

Relax .

Load balance me in 5 month +/- 0 months as targetted and paid for, there will be no complaints

[iishin 2]

Someone should start an ALL HMONG thread to save some of the newly K1 filers from confusion, alleviate the filers from their anxiety! But WAIT, most of the filers are all old HMONG FOLKS who don't use the internet!! LOL....

I've help about 4 filers on here personally with my K1 samples, Lao specific documentation, Lao procedures, etc.. BEST of all. I do it for FREE! That's what this site was meant to be. FREE Advice, through each others experience!!!

1) IF you using the CA service center? Where do it say to mail it to Dallas??

USCIS California Service Center P.O. Box 10130 Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0130.

Edited September 26, 2012 by iishin

[Darnell 8,478]

-50 points for not reading the I-129F Instructions (the lockbox address is in there)

-50 points for not using the search engine (you would have found the timeticks after mailing)

-50 points for not studying the pinned topics in the K-1 forum (all stuff is explained there)

-50 points for logging in with a handphone to try to 'do' research

-50 points for having righteous indignation

-50 points for making it ethnic ...

Anything else to cover ? oh yeah.

-50 points for not showing yer parents a printed version of the K-1 guide and K-1 flowchart

-200 points for letting yer parents taking over and getting an attorney who is 'ethnic'

yikes.

[iishin 2]

each lockbox has 'load balancing' in place - so

on the day yer stuff hit, a decision was made which service center to send it to.

PO BOX or Physical address, it doesn't matter - what does matter is the load balancing 'rule' in place that day.

Relax .

Man you guys are all wrong. The processing centers are based on the location you live. No wonder you petition is taking so long. I'm surprised they didn't just sent it back to you. They stop doing lockboxes like in 2009 or earlier.

Vermont Service Center Filings

File form I-129F with the Vermont Service Center if you live in:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Mail your Form I-129F package to:

USCIS Vermont Service Center Attn: I-129F 75 Lower Welden Street St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

California Service Center Filings

File Form I-129F with the California Service Center if you live in:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.

Mail your Form I-129F package to:

USCIS California Service Center P.O. Box 10130 Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0130

[iishin 2]

-50 points for not reading the I-129F Instructions (the lockbox address is in there)

-50 points for not using the search engine (you would have found the timeticks after mailing)

-50 points for not studying the pinned topics in the K-1 forum (all stuff is explained there)

-50 points for logging in with a handphone to try to 'do' research

-50 points for having righteous indignation

-50 points for making it ethnic ...

Anything else to cover ? oh yeah.

-50 points for not showing yer parents a printed version of the K-1 guide and K-1 flowchart

-200 points for letting yer parents taking over and getting an attorney who is 'ethnic'

yikes.

Totally agree with you Darnell. When I was doing my petition. It was frustrating enough the wait. Make silly mistakes and not doing things properly will only prolong your wait.

HoneyBoo, When you do your I134. Make sure to ask questions first. Also, when you wife receives her call from the embassy. Make sure to ask people who are familiar with the Embassy in Lao and their procedures. Here is a list. No freaking Lawyer is going to be able to help you do the below!!!!!

Lao Passport

Lao ID

Lao Family Registry

Lao Birth Certificate

Lao Criminal Report/Certificate

Medical Checkup -- Twice to Udon Thailand or Vientiane!

Certificate of Engagement/Marriage Certificate sign by Village Chief!

If you want to pay a lawyer for the I134, you can just pay me 5 pennies and I'll get you going.

Edited September 27, 2012 by iishin

[KTandTommy 31]

Man you guys are all wrong. The processing centers are based on the location you live. No wonder you petition is taking so long. I'm surprised they didn't just sent it back to you. They stop doing lockboxes like in 2009 or earlier.

Umm... what?

All I-129F petitions get sent to the Dallas Lockbox and forwarded to either CSC or VSC depending on where the US petitioner lives.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1872aca797e63110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

[iishin 2]

Umm... what?

All I-129F petitions get sent to the Dallas Lockbox and forwarded to either CSC or VSC depending on where the US petitioner lives.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1872aca797e63110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

LOL, you are correct. I was posting from Rev. 07/30/07) now it's Rev. 06/22/12).

[Darnell 8,478]

whew - glad the lockbox thing got sorted whilst I was sleeping.

double yikes !

[TiklingGuy 211]

You dont need a lawyer because they havent approved your petition yet. I waited 6 months for an approval. It will come, just hang in there.

[HoneyBoo-Boo 1]

FYI - I'm the woman from the U.S. petitioning for my fiance (MALE). Also, I've read all that's been posted under the K1 process links that Darnell has listed in his point deductions. I've read the I-129F instructions as well. After all that's said and done, attorney's been hired and that's what he told me about the lockbox #######. Done. Basically, I've been waiting which is now past the dang 7 months mark--hitting the 8 months mark on October 8th with NO response except the stupid B.S. script that the USCIS reps spit out at me every time I call. I'm aggravated as it is about everyone (including my parents) questioning my capability of completing the paperwork correctly, and really don't need any more sarcastic/hateful comments.

Thanks.

Edited September 28, 2012 by HoneyBoo-Boo