BINATIONAL SAME SEX COUPLES !! Show up!

[neska2 3]

I apologize for just jumping in here, but with a 49-page thread, it's tough to go through everything (though I may try to read it later).

I was just wondering if any same-sex couples had filed for their AOS in Texas? We're currently in the Bay Area but pondering a move to Austin. Wondering how that'll play out with the USCIS. I'd expect to be treated fairly anywhere, but any data on this would be nice

Just as background: My husband came from Italy; we did a K1 last year (getting the first same-sex one out of Naples) and got married in December. AOS was in San Francisco in March and Green Card was granted. But if we move before 2016 we'll have to file the I-751 (removal of conditions) in Texas.

BTW, if anybody out there who's earlier in the process has any questions, just reply to this post. Happy to share info.

We live in Texas. We've been together for 15 years. My partner was on a H1B. After DOMA we got married in Iowa. Biometrics and interview were done in Texas. No problem at all. In 1 1/2 years we need to do removal of conditions and in 2 1/2 she can apply for citizenship. Don't foresee problems at all.

[ferricide 3]

I haven't gone through any family-based immigration processes, but I believe that as long as you were married in CA where your marriage is legally recognized, you should be fine.

That's my understanding and it is also my belief, but by itself moving is a big decision, and with this in the balance it always pays to do some research.

You won't be the first same sex couple to adjust status through San Antonio.

That's good to know. I haven't had time to dig into these threads to find any examples of other San Antonio experiences, though I will at some point.In the meanwhile, anybody have any to share?

[bob72601 13]

Received notice today that EAD/AP is In Production.

[zuluweta 250]

Received notice today that EAD/AP is In Production.

Sounds good! EAD/AP card arrived in the mail 22 August 2014 here. Things seem to be moving quickly now, after an extended fiancé visa process on our end.

[zuluweta 250]

Just checking in! Got the EAD/AP card and just preparing for the marriage interview in September. Had an hour-long session with our immigration lawyer via Skype to clarify some possible issues and to discuss details of when and where we should meet on the day of the interview, what to wear, what required original documents to bring, what supporting documents to bring, what possible offbeat questions the officer might ask, etc.

[Davesings 30]

Just checking in! Got the EAD/AP card and just preparing for the marriage interview in September. Had an hour-long session with our immigration lawyer via Skype to clarify some possible issues and to discuss details of when and where we should meet on the day of the interview, what to wear, what required original documents to bring, what supporting documents to bring, what possible offbeat questions the officer might ask, etc.

Congrats! Wish we had the interview scheduled too. My husband may want to apply for financial aid to grad school and apparently he needs the green card for that.

[zuluweta 250]

Congrats! Wish we had the interview scheduled too. My husband may want to apply for financial aid to grad school and apparently he needs the green card for that.

You'd rather have the marriage interview than interview waiver? Wanna change places? LOL

[Davesings 30]

You'd rather have the marriage interview than interview waiver? Wanna change places? LOL

LOL, well the waiver means it could take another six months, and he hopes to get the aid in January...

[zuluweta 250]

Hello, we are in similar situation but the difference is that our K1 packet was not transferred to TSC, TSC started processing our packet from the very start they got it.

so you say that TSC is quicker compared to the other centers?

Any update on your AOS? Just wondering how fast the process is taking place.

[dsldesch 27]

Hello everyone,

I recently heard about this thread and I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Darren, the USC, and I'm engaged to Harel, a Mexican citizen. We met nearly five years on a Jewish dating website, and a year ago our friendship blossomed into something much stronger and more intimate. I've visited him twice, in April and August, and as soon as we were together, we both knew how hard it would be to ever be apart again. We were officially engaged only a little more than three weeks ago, and now we're in the process of figuring out how to start this whole process. I've read through dozens of USCIS webpages and forms since all the way back in November, so in theory this shouldn't be difficult and I should know it all already, but actually sitting down and saying, "Time to get it together," is far more stressful. On top of that, it feels like the more I try to do, the more nuanced and complicated it all becomes. Am I the only one to feel this way?

In any case, I'm new to VisaJourney, but I've heard great things about this website, and especially it's forum, and even being here just a few days I've already met a small number of amazing people and found more concrete advice for the journey than I've found anywhere else. I'm balancing being an over-time college student with multiple jobs, which is further slowing down the process, and preparing our I-129F packet, but I'm confident with VJ, getting started won't be as stressful or seem as impossible. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the guides here, and I've already learned so much from just the forums alone.

So in summary, I'm glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know more of you! Please feel free to message me any time you'd like.

Darren

[Davesings 30]

Hello everyone,

I recently heard about this thread and I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Darren, the USC, and I'm engaged to Harel, a Mexican citizen. We met nearly five years on a Jewish dating website, and a year ago our friendship blossomed into something much stronger and more intimate. I've visited him twice, in April and August, and as soon as we were together, we both knew how hard it would be to ever be apart again. We were officially engaged only a little more than three weeks ago, and now we're in the process of figuring out how to start this whole process. I've read through dozens of USCIS webpages and forms since all the way back in November, so in theory this shouldn't be difficult and I should know it all already, but actually sitting down and saying, "Time to get it together," is far more stressful. On top of that, it feels like the more I try to do, the more nuanced and complicated it all becomes. Am I the only one to feel this way?

In any case, I'm new to VisaJourney, but I've heard great things about this website, and especially it's forum, and even being here just a few days I've already met a small number of amazing people and found more concrete advice for the journey than I've found anywhere else. I'm balancing being an over-time college student with multiple jobs, which is further slowing down the process, and preparing our I-129F packet, but I'm confident with VJ, getting started won't be as stressful or seem as impossible. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the guides here, and I've already learned so much from just the forums alone.

So in summary, I'm glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know more of you! Please feel free to message me any time you'd like.

Darren

Welcome Darren to our group and congratulations on your engagement!

I have found the advice and support on this site to be invaluable.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Best of luck!

[dsldesch 27]

Welcome Darren to our group and congratulations on your engagement!

I have found the advice and support on this site to be invaluable.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Best of luck!

Thank you so much for the congratulations and welcome, Davesings! I've only been here a few days, but VJ already feels like a second home.

I also have to admit I feel a sudden kinship with you as you were married on the exact day my fiance and I first seriously spoke about being married and getting engaged--at the time we agreed it was too soon to make things official, but we both knew then that our engagement was imminent--and we eagerly awaited it.

I did come accross one question especially relevant for same-sex couples while I was reading a number of the guides that I'd like to ask here: Has anyone run into problems if neither spouse changes their name after being married?

Edited September 9, 2014 by dsldesch

[zuluweta 250]

Our green card interview is next week! I still need to print pictures of us together that we haven't submitted with the previous filings, put those in a photo album, then bring that album to the interview, along with the USC's recent pay stubs and employment letter. Oh, and also the joint utilities bill.

Thank you so much for the congratulations and welcome, Davesings! I've only been here a few days, but VJ already feels like a second home.

I also have to admit I feel a sudden kinship with you as you were married on the exact day my fiance and I first seriously spoke about being married and getting engaged--at the time we agreed it was too soon to make things official, but we both knew then that our engagement was imminent--and we eagerly awaited it.

I did come accross one question especially relevant for same-sex couples while I was reading a number of the guides that I'd like to ask here: Has anyone run into problems if neither spouse changes their name after being married?

None of us changed our name to the other's surname or some hyphenated combination. It's not a problem.

[NYCruiser 423]

Hello everyone,

I recently heard about this thread and I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Darren, the USC, and I'm engaged to Harel, a Mexican citizen. We met nearly five years on a Jewish dating website, and a year ago our friendship blossomed into something much stronger and more intimate. I've visited him twice, in April and August, and as soon as we were together, we both knew how hard it would be to ever be apart again. We were officially engaged only a little more than three weeks ago, and now we're in the process of figuring out how to start this whole process. I've read through dozens of USCIS webpages and forms since all the way back in November, so in theory this shouldn't be difficult and I should know it all already, but actually sitting down and saying, "Time to get it together," is far more stressful. On top of that, it feels like the more I try to do, the more nuanced and complicated it all becomes. Am I the only one to feel this way?

In any case, I'm new to VisaJourney, but I've heard great things about this website, and especially it's forum, and even being here just a few days I've already met a small number of amazing people and found more concrete advice for the journey than I've found anywhere else. I'm balancing being an over-time college student with multiple jobs, which is further slowing down the process, and preparing our I-129F packet, but I'm confident with VJ, getting started won't be as stressful or seem as impossible. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the guides here, and I've already learned so much from just the forums alone.

So in summary, I'm glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know more of you! Please feel free to message me any time you'd like.

Darren

[NYCruiser 423]

Hey Darren

Hope I can help with my comments. We are a same sex couple too and going through the process right now. You are 100% right about the nuanced part. The whole process appears very easy from what the USCIS website says to do on the I-129f instructions but in reality it is a minefield and very particular.

For a start, you show you are in NC. (You have to go to a State that allows for Same sex marriage and so state it in each of your letters of intent). One of us left out the 90 days part by mistake and we got a Request for Evidence to correct it which delayed by another month, (the approval from USCIS took 7 (seven!!) months. Now we are in 'administrative processing at the National Visa Center to where the application goes next. This has already been over three weeks since USCIS approval. (we are already up to 7.75 months since application). Also the clock is ticking since USCIS approval as the petition is only valid for four months or we have to start all over again.

Anything else you need let me know or inbox me

David