Huh???

[USSR 1]

Okay, so I sent my I-130's in for a CR-1 for my wife and step-daughter on September 10 of this year. So, today I received 2 letters from Immigration saying they have made an appointment for me on December 17 at the local Immigration Office in Buffalo, NY (3 hour drive) and I am to bring with me:

The letter they sent me.

My spouse (impossible, since she is in Ukraine without a visa, duh).

Photo Identification of her and me.

Evidence of a real marriage which is to include the following:

Documents showing property listing both of us as owners.

Lease showing both of us as tenants in the same home.

Documents showing a mingling of financial resources.

Birth Certificates showing children born to you and me.

Affidavits of people knowing that we have a real marriage.

Evidence of joint bank accounts. leases, joint charge account, insurance policies,

current/prior employment, pay stubs, etc.

What is going on here? There is no joint property. There is no joint lease. There is no mingling

of financial resources unless you count the money I have sent her via Western-Union. I can show that

she and her daughter on listed on my medical insurance policy and I can provide information about

my employment, but I thought that was part of the AOS documentation. Any advice or suggestions as

to what is going on here? The letter does not include a phone number where I can call them. Thanks.

Don

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

What exactly did you send in with your I-130s?

Sometimes the petitioner has an interview in the US before the petition can be approved.

But please do confirm what papers you sent, because it is also possible you sent the wrong paperwork.

[USSR 1]

Along with the I-130 I sent EVERYTHING according to the list of things posted in the sticky thread listed on this site. I even started a thread on this site listing what I was about to send before I sent it, and no one could find fault with it. This is all very strange.

Don

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Along with the I-130 I sent EVERYTHING according to the list of things posted in the sticky thread listed on this site. I even started a thread on this site listing what I was about to send before I sent it, and no one could find fault with it. This is all very strange.

Don

Sorry, there are many forms and many stickies. What forms EXACTLY did you send? Please list. It's possible you got the wrong guide. We need to eliminate that possibility before delving into other ideas.

[USSR 1]

Assembling the I-130 Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check if allowed by the Service Center (as of 4/2005 they do allow this). If not, use a money order so you can track the payment.

2. Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-130), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative

4. Copy of the full Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport. This is used to establish citizenship.

5. A copy of petitioner's proof of naturalization. (If applicable)

6. A copy of petitioner's proof of permanent residency. (If applicable)

7. A copy of the intending immigrant's birth certificate and/or passport along with English translation. (If in any language other than English) (no longer needed)

8. A copy of your marriage certificate (If not inEnglish then again get a translation)

9. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated (court certified copies of the petitioner's and/or intending immigrant's divorce documents).

10. A copy of a prior spouse's death certificate. (If one or both of you were married before, and the prior spouse died)

11. G-325A filled out by the US Citizen, signed and dated.

12. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the petitioner. Write the full name on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

13. G-325A filled out by the non-US Citzen spouse signed and dated.

14. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the non-US Citzen spouse. Write the full name of the beneficiary on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

15. Evidence of a bonafide marriage (see note below for what to include)

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bonifide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

Attach "E-Notification" Form (Optional)

Clip a completed G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance, to the first page of your application (on top of the cover page). By completing this form and attaching it, USCIS will send you an email and/or text message to alert you when your application was received.

Mail the I-130 Package to the USCIS

You should mail the completed form(s) to the proper USCIS Lockbox (Note the location & PO Box address for your filing type: stand alone). Mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.

[bsd058 296]

They probably screwed up. It happens once in a while. Give USCIS a call to see what's up with the letters you received.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Could it be that you ticked the box stating your foreign spouse is currently inside the USA?

While interviews with the petitioner sometimes happen before I-130 approval, this letter they sent you sounds like they thing she is here.

[Phil & Alla 26]

It sounds as though a mistake has been made. call USCIS and straighten it out

[USSR 1]

Yeah, I did not indicate that my wife was here in the states. The only number I have is: 800-375-5283 and it talks about following automated instructions. Is this number correct and will I be able to talk to a live person?

Don

[Darnell 8,478]

Don - when next you call, punch no buttons.

In about 5 minutes, you'll be auto-transferred to a human.

[USSR 1]

Thank you SO much Darnell!

Don

[CharityA 2]

I had an interview before my I-130 petition was approved also and received the same letter you did. My lawyer told me that sometimes they just choose people to give interviews to (not sure if that is true or not, lawyers don't always know their stuff). My case didn't have any red flags or anything. My husband was also out of the United States when I had this interview. We did not have any joint mortgages, leases, etc. I brought pictures, affidavits from people that knew us stating it was a real marriage, Western Union documents, etc. and I still got a RFE at the end of the interview for more evidence, which was basically the same stuff as the original letter stated, joint mortgages, leases, insurance, etc. even though I explained to the interviewer that we didn't have that stuff! Also one big thing they asked for was more evidence that my husband had actually left the country, even though I had dated pictures of me and him together in his country. It took about 5 months after the interview for my petition to be approved so it definitely set back the case. I hope you have better luck than I did.

[USSR 1]

Thanks CharityA. Yes, I hope this doesn't seriously delay my timeline.

Don

[ascorpiana 0]

Well it is either a mistake or as someone said above random. I tend to think random selection. It's like when you go to the airport and you chosen to do a more thorough screening.

I would call the number. Do you have case number yet? As there is also an email?

In the meantime I'd prepare to attend the meeting, and bring a copy of the original paperwork.

Of note: I found the joint bank etc. only can apply to couples who were married and living in another country together. If you are married and have to return your country of residence to start paperwork the financial evidence doesn't exist.

I know in US on my visits I could not open joint account because I did not have Permanent Resident card, or a SSN#. This worked the same in Canada, I needed the PRcard or SSI# for my husband. I provided copy of my extended heath benefits as my husband and stepdaughters as dependents, as well as my work pension showing my husband the beneficiary but not for "step1".

Good luck! /a

[jaycali 415]

You're not expected to have joint leases and co-mingled finances at this stage. They *should* know that you don't live in the same country - yet. Evidence of co-mingled finances is much more important in a few years when you'll be filing for removal of conditions on her green card.

As of now, pictures, chat logs, phone bills and the like will suffice.