BINATIONAL SAME SEX COUPLES !! Show up!

[dsldesch 27]

Congrats to all of us! Same sex marriage is now legal in all states.

And it's a great victory! But I would be lying to say I'm not a bit nerouvs about four dissents that could wreck havoc on future LGBT rights cases. At least for today, let's celebrate, brush off the hateful speech we all know is coming, and look forward to being with our loved ones again.

[zuluweta 250]

Congratulations to all of us! Marriage equality is the law of the land. Shoutout to Justice Anthony Kenndy and boo to Scalia et al.

[ArroTG 22]

Hey guys,

Hoping someone here will have some advice for my husband and myself.

Our case has been under review at the NVC for 77 days now - it was flagged for supervisor review 36 days after we submitted our packages, and we were told it would take a maximum of 42 days for a supervisor to review the files as they were abnormally tardy. Today is the 41st day, and still no review. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be no different.

The recommended course of action is to contact our congressmen to inquire about the case, but my husband lives in Missouri where there is a lot of resistance against same sex marriage/rights/equality. We're concerned that if we contact the congressman nothing will be done because of it.

1) Do you think we have a right to be concerned, or are we just blowing it out of the water because we live in a backwards, rural, small town?

2) Is there another course of action we can take to have our case looked at? My husband is originally from Illinois; would we be able to contact someone there instead who might be more tolerant? Or is there a way to work around the (potential) discrimination?

It's discouraging to know that after having waited two full periods of time we still might get a checklist and have to start the wait all over. Seeing others with similar scan dates and much later scan dates get case complete and succeeding in their interviews is disheartening. We're hanging in there, but the wait is starting to take it's toll.

Thanks for any wisdom you might be able to share. Hope everyone's having a great evening.

[dsldesch 27]

ArroTG, contact you representative and senators; immigration is at the federal level, so state-level opposition shouldn't get in the way of anything. With that being said, it's now the law of the land, and since you are/your fiance is their constituent, they're obligated to help. That said, it's important to recognize that (1) not all members of Congress do a lot of constituent services but that (2) constituent services are a great way for members of Congress to try to gain votes from populations not likely to vote for them, such as Republicans appealing to LGBT constituents privately (constituent services) rather than publicly (political suicide).

I'd start with a letter, but it may be a couple weeks before they respond, and then since you'll have to fill out a privacy release, it'll be more time after that until you hear anything helpful. It's also possible, if you're located near a regional office, to visit in person rather than writing a letter, but I'm not sure how that would work since I've never gone that route myself.

Best of luck!

[ArroTG 22]

ArroTG, contact you representative and senators; immigration is at the federal level, so state-level opposition shouldn't get in the way of anything. With that being said, it's now the law of the land, and since you are/your fiance is their constituent, they're obligated to help. That said, it's important to recognize that (1) not all members of Congress do a lot of constituent services but that (2) constituent services are a great way for members of Congress to try to gain votes from populations not likely to vote for them, such as Republicans appealing to LGBT constituents privately (constituent services) rather than publicly (political suicide).

I'd start with a letter, but it may be a couple weeks before they respond, and then since you'll have to fill out a privacy release, it'll be more time after that until you hear anything helpful. It's also possible, if you're located near a regional office, to visit in person rather than writing a letter, but I'm not sure how that would work since I've never gone that route myself.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the quick reply. We'll look into visiting the office to see if it's a possibility.

Take care!

[Tcarrol 54]

We started our process in August 2013 right after DOMA was thrown out. It's been a long road for us but we were married in May 2015 and have applied for AOS in June 2015. Its refreshing to read all of your notes and to know that others have followed the same road.

[Sukie 1,460]

Thanks for the quick reply. We'll look into visiting the office to see if it's a possibility.

Take care!

ArroTG, it takes 12 - 14 months from NOA1 to Interview these days. We applied on June 27 (the day after DOMA fell), and we didn't get our interview until July 1, 2014. We were 7 months at USCIS and 5 months at NVC.

You'll get through - it just takes time - more time that ANY of us ever expect or have patience for!!!

Sukie in NY (small rural town!)

[dsldesch 27]

How's everyone doing?

[pinayanne27 8]

How's everyone doing?

Hello there! It's our 3rd year anniversary (but 6 months only of being married). And we're still waiting for my green card. We received a notice for potential interview waiver last month.

How about you?

[dsldesch 27]

Hello there! It's our 3rd year anniversary (but 6 months only of being married). And we're still waiting for my green card. We received a notice for potential interview waiver last month.

How about you?

That's exciting--I hope the green card moves quickly! I was told by an attorney who works at my university that in NC getting the green card usually takes no more than six months, so hopefully it's close for you too!

I'm visiting my fiancé right now for another week (it's gone by so quickly...), but we're still waiting at TSC. Keeping our fingers crossed it happens soon.

[jerni 24]

Hi everyone! Been a while since I posted. Cannot believe our removal of conditions window opens in just over 2 months.

[dsldesch 27]

Hi everyone! Been a while since I posted. Cannot believe our removal of conditions window opens in just over 2 months.

Congratulations! So happy to hear it's happening soon for you. (:

[Tcarrol 54]

How's everyone doing?

We are doing fine, while waiting. This whole process is more difficult than either of us could have imagined. And although repeal of DOMA made it possible for us to be together, its still a rough journey going through the interviews as same sex couples. My spouse is so anxious to get his working papers and advanced parole so he can visit his family. We are still less than 75 days so I keep telling him to be patient. It is very refreshing to see all of us in the same boat, and naturally I am always interested in all of your stories. Hopefully this forum will grow as other same sex couples join in.

[NYCruiser 423]

We are doing fine, while waiting. This whole process is more difficult than either of us could have imagined. And although repeal of DOMA made it possible for us to be together, its still a rough journey going through the interviews as same sex couples. My spouse is so anxious to get his working papers and advanced parole so he can visit his family. We are still less than 75 days so I keep telling him to be patient. It is very refreshing to see all of us in the same boat, and naturally I am always interested in all of your stories. Hopefully this forum will grow as other same sex couples join in.

Opposite sex couples have the same issues...We too have a wait for a long time for the AOS application. USCIS said no interview but long wait. Its been 9 months so far

[Buckeyefish 8]

I had my interview last Tuesday, and the visa was approved... I'll be flying over to be with my fiancé next month. I can't believe that this is happening... :)