How many UKers filed for AP?

[no name 1]

I'm debating it. Seems GCs are coming through rather quickly lately, relatively speaking. Wondering if I should bother?

Did you file for it with AOS?

[globetrotter 0]

just files for mine today

[ninamyers 0]

Sending off my AOS and EAD today. Not including the AP...

[Joey559 1]

Paul is going to. We're sending out this week. Fingers crossed we'll get the GC quick enough that we won't need it but it's worth the money to us to file for AP just in case. If we need it, it's there and if we don't it was worth the money just for the security.

Here's hoping they all go quickly for one and all and none of us need it!

[rebeccajo 14]

Dev, how common would his name be in America?

I've seen several posts lately referencing 'greencards coming quickly'. Whilst I have read reports of this recently, I don't see it as a trend. What I DO see is the growing thread in the AOS forum of members whose greencards are stuck in the namecheck process.

And yes typically most people file for AOS, EAD and AP at the same time. The interim benefits can be filed later though based upon your previous I485 filing.

Edited November 6, 2006 by rebeccajo

[no name 1]

Dev, how common would his name be in America?

I've seen several posts lately referencing 'greencards coming quickly'. Whilst I have read reports of this recently, I don't see it as a trend. What I DO see is the growing thread in the AOS forum of members whose greencards are stuck in the namecheck process.

And yes typically most people file for AOS, EAD and AP at the same time. The interim benefits can be filed later though based upon your previous I485 filing.

I've been doing my research so I kow all about filing all at once. Just debating the extra $180 for AP....

He doesn't have a common middle or last name AT ALL! Should be good I hope.

[meauxna 15]

Have you checked the processing timelines for *your* DO? That's the only 'fast' that matters to you.

The rest is personal circumstance and gambling with 'what if there's an emergency'.

[no name 1]

Have you checked the processing timelines for *your* DO? That's the only 'fast' that matters to you.

The rest is personal circumstance and gambling with 'what if there's an emergency'.

yes ma'am!

[rebeccajo 14]

Have you checked the processing timelines for *your* DO? That's the only 'fast' that matters to you.

The rest is personal circumstance and gambling with 'what if there's an emergency'.

yes ma'am!

I know, I know....it's not my money. But I just wouldn't take the gamble. Not unless I felt the odds were high that he wouldn't want to travel anyway.

There's several from the UK in our name check thread so that spoils the theory that this process is more likely to corral those from 'enemy nations' (sorry if this term offends anyone). Privately many have told me they felt the name was not common but lo and behold here they are, stuck in namecheck.

The namecheck process involves rotating the name, using nicknames, etc. It also uses a range of birthdates. A 'hit' isn't necessarily the name of a person of notorious repute - it could be an innocent witness whose name appears in a file.

Everytime I see somebody post about not filing for an interim bennie because they think the greencard will beat their need for the benefit, well I get a bit queasy. But that's just my opinion because we are stuck in the process nearly a year after filing with no end in sight.

[no name 1]

I know, I know....it's not my money. But I just wouldn't take the gamble. Not unless I felt the odds were high that he wouldn't want to travel anyway.

There's several from the UK in our name check thread so that spoils the theory that this process is more likely to corral those from 'enemy nations' (sorry if this term offends anyone). Privately many have told me they felt the name was not common but lo and behold here they are, stuck in namecheck.

The namecheck process involves rotating the name, using nicknames, etc. It also uses a range of birthdates. A 'hit' isn't necessarily the name of a person of notorious repute - it could be an innocent witness whose name appears in a file.

Everytime I see somebody post about not filing for an interim bennie because they think the greencard will beat their need for the benefit, well I get a bit queasy. But that's just my opinion because we are stuck in the process nearly a year after filing with no end in sight.

I'm sorry you're stuck RJ. I hope you find an end soon.

[fozzie 41]

I didn't bother with the AP. $180 for something I might not need to use didn't seem worth it. If I need it for any reason (ie a family member is ill or something) then if you have proof like a note from their doctor then you can make an infopass appointment and get the AP in a day. Orr so i hear.

If this process drags on and it gets to next summer theen I might be tmpted to get the AP but I hope I don't so homesick that I want to go home so soon.

[rebeccajo 14]

I know, I know....it's not my money. But I just wouldn't take the gamble. Not unless I felt the odds were high that he wouldn't want to travel anyway.

There's several from the UK in our name check thread so that spoils the theory that this process is more likely to corral those from 'enemy nations' (sorry if this term offends anyone). Privately many have told me they felt the name was not common but lo and behold here they are, stuck in namecheck.

The namecheck process involves rotating the name, using nicknames, etc. It also uses a range of birthdates. A 'hit' isn't necessarily the name of a person of notorious repute - it could be an innocent witness whose name appears in a file.

Everytime I see somebody post about not filing for an interim bennie because they think the greencard will beat their need for the benefit, well I get a bit queasy. But that's just my opinion because we are stuck in the process nearly a year after filing with no end in sight.

I'm sorry you're stuck RJ. I hope you find an end soon.

Oh, I'm not posting in this thread to whine about our situation. Hope nobody thinks that. And lest anybody think it, I'm no advocate of giving more money to USCIS/DHS either!

I know - it's your call and your money. And I respect that. I just truly hate to see ANYBODY get caught up in needing a benefit and being unduly delayed. I've read several of these through the years and they just make me kind of sad.

For me, I'm going to wait a bit longer before I come to the conclusion that greencard approvals are moving along faster. Some of what we are seeing in this community is very encouraging I'll admit. I just think it's too soon to call it a trend.

And......I'll admit I am anxious to see what happens with the namecheck cases. USCIS position at present is 'it will be done when it will be done - national security - get back in line and wait'. Remember, any statistics you read from USCIS quoting percentages of applicants backlogged in check are slanted. USCIS has removed those cases from the stats because they deem that particular backlog to be out of their control.

Keep in mind that while you may be seeing greencard approvals speeding up for some members, the list of members in namecheck is growing as well. If the rumor mill pans out, what you will probably see in the very near future is people either getting approved quickly or waiting ages for interviews. One poster has written that beginning Jan. 07 interviews are no longer going to be conducted unless the security clearance is complete, but I don't think we have that verified in any way.

Just my 2 cents worth. Hey, it is only AP, it's not like an EAD that you need to be employed. Traveling usually isn't one of life's necessities. We had to renew Wes' EAD and we are not renewing his AP so I guess we're taking the same gamble. I REALLY have a problem with paying for an interim benefit TWICE when it's not an error on our part that has caused the need for the benefit.

Edited November 6, 2006 by rebeccajo

[govols 0]

While we had chosen to wait before filing for AOS/EAD/AP due to finances, Tony's Dad became very ill with cancer. We had to file for emergency AP last year and it was a difficult time both emotionally and financially. We also had to go ahead and file for AOS and EAD at the same time then because you had to have a receipt showing that it had already been filed.

Tony did make it to England on the Monday before his Dad passed away on Friday. We had to make 2 trips to Memphis ( our local office ) and it was already a stressful time for Tony.

I would recommend filing for it if you can spare the money. You can never plan on an emergency. But that's because of hindsight for us.

Karen

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Just to chime in (and whine name check hell), if you anticipate wanting to go back to the UK at all in the next 6 months(or have a family member there with poor health), I would apply for it just for insurance (which like most insurance you might not need, but you'll be pretty glad you have it if you need it).

We debated not applying because our DO is fast -- interviews coming about 3 weeks after AP/EAD approval. Now that we have found ourselves stuck in name check hell (and his name is not common at all), we are so glad that we did apply -- it means we can go back for Christmas.