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Kim & Gesner

Bringing step daughters from Haiti

By Kim & Gesner in Bringing Family Members of Permanent Residents to America

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Kim & Gesner Enthusiast

Kim & Gesner   14

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Haiti
 Timeline
Posted

My husband and I went through the immigration process and he has had his green card one year now. We are talking about bringing his daughters from Haiti but I have been reading on here and it seems very confusing. I have tried some links (some work, some do not). I read that Haiti has one of the highest amounts of petitions for family members and it can take years???

Our girls are 10 & 7. Any advised or guidelines anyone can offer would be a huge help! I work 12 hour days plus a 45 mile commute each way and not looking for anyone to walk me through this, just need to know the basics, the forms required, the timelines on average. Can I petition as their step mother or does he need to? Do we still need to meet the income guidelines but now for a family of 4? Just any advice at all that can be offered.

Thanks in advance!

Kimberly

October 10, 2011 - We met in Turks and Caicos Islands
May 26, 2012 - ♥ We eloped - Ocean City, MD ♥

Adjustment of Status

August 3, 2012 - Mailed AOS packet to Chicago Lockbox
August 6, 2012 - AOS Packet delivered & signed for at 1:22pm
August 17, 2012 - Received Email/Text Notifications for NOA1 at 12:52am EST
August 24, 2012 - Biometric appt noticed received. Scheduled date 09/10/12 at 3pm in Alexandria, VA
August 27, 2012 - Received Hard Copies NOA1/receipts by mail
August 31, 2012 - Successful early walk in for Biometric Appt in Alexandria, VA
September 13, 2012 - Text notice received for Interview
September 15, 2012 - Received Hard Copy Interview Notice
October 6, 2012 - Text notice EAD Card in Production
October 12, 2012 - Text notice EAD Card mailed
October 15, 2012 - Received EAD/AP Combo by mail
October 16, 2012 - 11am Interview in Baltimore, MD
October 22, 2012 - AOS Approval!!
October 26, 2012 - Green Card mailed
October 30, 2012 - Green Card received!

Removal of Conditions
August 8, 2014 - I-751 packet mailed to Vermont Service Center.
August 11, 2014 - Packet delivered and signed for at 2:50pm
August 16, 2014 - NOA1 Received

September 9, 1014 - Biometric Appointment - 2pm - Fort Myers, FL
February 5, 2015 - Case transferred to California Service Center due to move to Texas.
March 30, 2015 - Card Production notice received.

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apple21 Veteran

apple21   953

Posted
Filed: F-2A Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

It will be faster if you, the USC step-parent, file i-130 for them.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=86493e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=86493e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

2013 Poverty Guidelines: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73c63591ec04d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

:wub:10-year GC holder :wub:

My Parents’ B2 Tourist Visa Application - APPROVED

 

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Kim & Gesner Enthusiast

Kim & Gesner   14

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Haiti
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thank you!! I will print that tomorrow :)

October 10, 2011 - We met in Turks and Caicos Islands
May 26, 2012 - ♥ We eloped - Ocean City, MD ♥

Adjustment of Status

August 3, 2012 - Mailed AOS packet to Chicago Lockbox
August 6, 2012 - AOS Packet delivered & signed for at 1:22pm
August 17, 2012 - Received Email/Text Notifications for NOA1 at 12:52am EST
August 24, 2012 - Biometric appt noticed received. Scheduled date 09/10/12 at 3pm in Alexandria, VA
August 27, 2012 - Received Hard Copies NOA1/receipts by mail
August 31, 2012 - Successful early walk in for Biometric Appt in Alexandria, VA
September 13, 2012 - Text notice received for Interview
September 15, 2012 - Received Hard Copy Interview Notice
October 6, 2012 - Text notice EAD Card in Production
October 12, 2012 - Text notice EAD Card mailed
October 15, 2012 - Received EAD/AP Combo by mail
October 16, 2012 - 11am Interview in Baltimore, MD
October 22, 2012 - AOS Approval!!
October 26, 2012 - Green Card mailed
October 30, 2012 - Green Card received!

Removal of Conditions
August 8, 2014 - I-751 packet mailed to Vermont Service Center.
August 11, 2014 - Packet delivered and signed for at 2:50pm
August 16, 2014 - NOA1 Received

September 9, 1014 - Biometric Appointment - 2pm - Fort Myers, FL
February 5, 2015 - Case transferred to California Service Center due to move to Texas.
March 30, 2015 - Card Production notice received.

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NigeriaorBust Grand Master

NigeriaorBust   4,087

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

If you married before they were 16 they you can petition for them. Their bio mom must release them to immigrate. Without her permission they will never get a visa. unless there is a court order granting you sole physical and legal custody. You will have to meet the income guidelines for a family of 4 ( plus any other defendants you may have )

This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.

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Ms Hogan Proficient

Ms Hogan   295

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

You would petition them as their step-mother. It is my understanding that it would be the fastest way to do it. I don't think there are any differences in the timeline compared to that of a spouse. The step-children are considered your immediate family as far as I know. My USC husband petitioned for myself and my two children (his step-children) at the same time. We all went through the process together so it is a little different but each application had to stand on its own merrit.

And yes, the requirements will now be for a family of 4 in terms of the AOS.

Is their biological mother a part of their lives? You may have something to overcome there if that's the case.

USCIS - 40 DAYS
2012-10-30: FedEx delivered I-130 to Chicago Lockbox Mail Room
2012-11-01: NOA1 by email - MSC
2012-11-02: $420 (x3) debited from our account
2012-11-05: NOA1 hard copies received, Priority Date 2012-10-30
2012-12-11: NOA2

NVC - 26 DAYS
2013-01-02: Rec'd case#, IIN, BIN & OPTIN emails for EP sent
2013-01-03: Submitted DS-261 (x3)
2013-01-07: AOS bills invoiced and paid & OPTIN for EP accepted for each of us
2013-01-08: AOS bills appear as paid & AOS packages sent by email
2013-01-08: IV bill invoiced & paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV bill appears as paid (kids' only)
2013-01-09: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (kids only)
2013-01-11: AOS received -notified by email
2013-01-11: IV bill invoiced & paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV bill appears as paid (for me)
2013-01-14: IV Supporting Docs received for kids - notified by email
2013-01-14: IV Package emailed & DS-260 submitted online (me only)
2013-01-18: IV Supporting Docs received for me - notified by email
2013-01-18: Son#1 CASE COMPLETE - Son#2 checklist - saying $ on I-864 don't match tax return (but they do)-resubmitted
2013-01-23: AOS 2nd submission for Son #2 received - notified by email
2013-01-25: My CASE COMPLETE
2013-01-28: ALL 3 OF OUR CASES ARE NOW COMPLETE
2013-02-06: Packet 4 Received by email

MEDICAL ~ CONSULATE ~ POE REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS - 160 DAYS NATURALIZATION
2013-02-13: Medicals 2014-12-17: Delivered to California Lockbox 2015-12-15: Delivered to Phoenix Lockbox
2013-03-06: Interview 2014-12-19: 1 I-751 + 3 Biometrics Fees debited from our account 2015-12-16: Fees charged to Credit Card
2013-03-08: Visas in-hand 2014-12-22: Received NOA1 by mail. Receipt Date: 2014-12-17 2015-12-17: NOA
2013-03-12: Paid USCIS Immigrant Fee 2014-12-24: Received Biometrics Appointment Letter 2016-01-02: Biometrics Letter 2016-01-11: Biometrics
2013-03-14: POE 2015-01-06: Biometrics 2016-02-15: In Line for Interview 2016-02-19: Letter
2013-03-25: SSNs arrived 2015-05-27: Approved 2016-03-22: Interview
2013-04-01: Green Cards arrived 2015-06-03: New Green Cards arrived 2016-04-15: Oath Ceremony

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aaron2020 Grand Master

aaron2020   11,651

Posted
Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

If you married before they were 16 they you can petition for them. Their bio mom must release them to immigrate. Without her permission they will never get a visa. unless there is a court order granting you sole physical and legal custody. You will have to meet the income guidelines for a family of 4 ( plus any other defendants you may have )

Marriage before the stepchild's 18th birthday.

Adoption before the child's 16th birthday.

You are mixing petitioning a stepchild with an adopted child.

Edited by aaron2020
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aaron2020 Grand Master

aaron2020   11,651

Posted
Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
 Timeline
Posted

My husband and I went through the immigration process and he has had his green card one year now. We are talking about bringing his daughters from Haiti but I have been reading on here and it seems very confusing. I have tried some links (some work, some do not). I read that Haiti has one of the highest amounts of petitions for family members and it can take years???

Our girls are 10 & 7. Any advised or guidelines anyone can offer would be a huge help! I work 12 hour days plus a 45 mile commute each way and not looking for anyone to walk me through this, just need to know the basics, the forms required, the timelines on average. Can I petition as their step mother or does he need to? Do we still need to meet the income guidelines but now for a family of 4? Just any advice at all that can be offered.

Thanks in advance!

Kimberly

It's faster for you to petition for the children. It will take you about 6-12 months to get them visas as a US citizen stepparent. It takes longer for a green card holder to petition his children. US citizenship has its privileges.

You can combine your income with your husband. The two of you would need to meet the 125% poverty line for a family of 4. If you can't meet the financial requirement, you use get Joint Sponsors.

The process is pretty easy. Read the Guides.

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