September 2014 AOS Filers

[jhoanRob 2]

Hello!

You can apply for SS with two forms of government ID, including your passport with your visa in it, and your I-94. I filled out the SS form at home and took my I-94 and ID - plus some additional pieces, like marriage certificate etc, just to be on the safe side - down to my local Social Security and waited in line. I told the lady who served me that I'm a K1 and she played with her computer for a few mins. She then said that while she was unable to verify right then and there if I'd received an SS number or not (I guess I wasn't in the system yet), within four weeks I'd either receive my card in the post or a letter telling me why I was ineligible. Sure enough, about two weeks later I received my card in the post. It's handy because now I've been able to open my own US bank account. So to break it down, you don't need EA to get a social security number, but when you show your SS number to get that job, you must also offer up your EA as proof you're legally allowed to work, as SS alone is not enough.

Also, I suggest that when you go down to the SS office you take a printout of "POM: RM 10211.530 LIST OF DOCUMENTS ESTABLISHING LAWFUL ALIEN STATUS FOR AN SSN CARD" so that if you encounter a public servant who is ignorant or convinced you're ineligible, just show them that list.

thank you!

[pro_star 52]

Ugh. Got some bad news the other day...

Dear god I hope they issue my EAD soon...cause we're going to be rather financially tight until they do!

Just wasn't nice. Look at a new place...we were thinking of renting. Lots of space...room for me for an office/sewing/whatever area (yay!) then get a letter...hubs had a garnishment going on for a while due to something stupid back in the day. Before I moved they stopped taking payments. He called his payroll people they said yeah our records show it as paid off.

Apparently not. So there goes 25% of his income.

(Cuss!!!)

[mmanginsay 5]

Ugh. Got some bad news the other day...

Dear god I hope they issue my EAD soon...cause we're going to be rather financially tight until they do!

Just wasn't nice. Look at a new place...we were thinking of renting. Lots of space...room for me for an office/sewing/whatever area (yay!) then get a letter...hubs had a garnishment going on for a while due to something stupid back in the day. Before I moved they stopped taking payments. He called his payroll people they said yeah our records show it as paid off.

Apparently not. So there goes 25% of his income.

(Cuss!!!)

This is something that US Immigration is fragmented... We are legal immigrants in this country and entered the country legally... But they don't care... government and politicians are too concern on the elections and banners Immigration reform to gather support of illegal immigrants and families.

We are all in the same boat... Honestly my hopes are fading. I have a high regard on the American Dream but now... American Dream is just a plain media frenzy that all has been hook up. I blame myself for all this stupidity I left my family and the good life I had in Manila and only to end up broke, depressed not by loneliness but because of a fragmented system that I simply don't understand on why a first world country in the world like USA had to endure.

Edited November 3, 2014 by mmanginsay

[pro_star 52]

Coming from Canada, I know the U.S. is...well. Not that shiny. Grass is always greener on the other side...

I came from owning my own house, a decent new car, work with benefits at a reputable law firm...

...to renting space that's maybe 1/3 the size of my old house (which wasn't a big house to begin with lol. It was just a 900 sq foot bungalow!) having not much as far as the fun money goes (which has now dropped to zero), no job, I may not even be able to work at a similar firm here...if I did it would be a heck of a commute (which okay it was back north too)...oh yeah. And my new car I had to sell at a loss cause I couldn't import it (was still financed...)

Oh yeah. And I can't get on his insurance cause I didn't get my ssn when my I-94 was still valid.

But I was giving all this up to be with the now-hubs cause he had roots here and didn't want to leave. (Also we have winter lol. Poor socal lad can't handle that!) I mean, I can't say I regret the choice. I just get angry how much we get jerked around and our lives on hold when we're doing it legal and proper.

[Manzan76 6]

Just wanted to share my thoughts on the biometric appointment completed today. It actually took me longer to drive there (20 min from my downtown office) than to get it done (15 min). My appointment was for 11am. I checked in at 10:45am and left at 11am. Everyone was friendly (but had an underlying seriousness which I expected), not crowded at all. Now the real waiting begins.

Did anyone else file an I-864W (Affidavit of Support Exemption) due to having 40 quarters/credits besides me? Wondering if this will speed up or slow down the process. Thanks!

[pro_star 52]

Can't say on the exemption but lol my biometrics was much the same....though was a much further drive down there for me! Had a really nice lady helping me out. Was alright.

Got there a bit early was out before my scheduled appointment lol. Texted the hubby, he was shocked I was done before I was supposed to start.

Checked my status. Now trying to remember when my status changed online so I can harass uscis since I still haven't gotten the actual appointment notice for the green card.

Cmon if you're going to ignore my ead and ap at least give me some hope with the green card!!

[Manzan76 6]

Nice, I also texted my wife afterwards and she was surprised how quick it went.

I hope you get your EAD and AP sooner than later! I feel very fortunate to be working during this whole process, can't imagine what it would be like to be waiting at home. My work visa is good until July 2015, so if I don't hear anything by February then I will apply for EAD and AP.

[pro_star 52]

Nice! Yeah it's rough. I'm starting to go crazy lol.

[icv21 110]

So, like I think I mentioned before my husband had to leave the first days of October to Asia because his job.

He was supposed to be gone for a month only and come back.

This past week he said he had to stay longer.... and now he says he doesn't know the return date, would come at any moment if I had an interview appointment if not the sooner would be Christmas days

He is not planning on moving there, we are NOT moving there, he is staying until everything gets sorted with the company so they don't need him anymore.

He does go to Asia a few times a year also to other countries but it's usually a week and comes back.

Is it going to be a problem for our interview you think guys???? I'm worried everything can get mess up because of this, it wasn't in our agenda when we filled our AOS in September, and I can't go with him or visit because I don't have AP

I'm in a house where I can't even go buy food by myself , so overwhelmed right now about this news, but all our money depends on him finishing this business in Asia right now.

Edited November 3, 2014 by IRIScv

[pro_star 52]

He's got no friends or family that can take you out from time to time? Don't want that cabin fever to get you.

The fact that it's a work thing...I don't think it'll count horribly against you guys. Worse comes to worse, if you end up getting an interview date for when he's scheduled to be away you can always reschedule.

[AuroreJeremy 26]

So, like I think I mentioned before my husband had to leave the first days of October to Asia because his job.

He was supposed to be gone for a month only and come back.

This past week he said he had to stay longer.... and now he says he doesn't know the return date, would come at any moment if I had an interview appointment if not the sooner would be Christmas days

He is not planning on moving there, we are NOT moving there, he is staying until everything gets sorted with the company so they don't need him anymore.

He does go to Asia a few times a year also to other countries but it's usually a week and comes back.

Is it going to be a problem for our interview you think guys???? I'm worried everything can get mess up because of this, it wasn't in our agenda when we filled our AOS in September, and I can't go with him or visit because I don't have AP

I'm in a house where I can't even go buy food by myself , so overwhelmed right now about this news, but all our money depends on him finishing this business in Asia right now.

Aw so sorry to read that I read somewhere on VJ that a member went to her interview without her husband because he was away for work so it might be possible to have the interview without him. Don't worry (I would worry too though!) because I'm sure that you can reschedule if that's not possible to attend without him.

I understand that being alone with no way of being able to go anywhere by yourself must be a terrible feeling

[moraaj 3]

So, like I think I mentioned before my husband had to leave the first days of October to Asia because his job.

He was supposed to be gone for a month only and come back.

This past week he said he had to stay longer.... and now he says he doesn't know the return date, would come at any moment if I had an interview appointment if not the sooner would be Christmas days

He is not planning on moving there, we are NOT moving there, he is staying until everything gets sorted with the company so they don't need him anymore.

He does go to Asia a few times a year also to other countries but it's usually a week and comes back.

Is it going to be a problem for our interview you think guys???? I'm worried everything can get mess up because of this, it wasn't in our agenda when we filled our AOS in September, and I can't go with him or visit because I don't have AP

I'm in a house where I can't even go buy food by myself , so overwhelmed right now about this news, but all our money depends on him finishing this business in Asia right now.

I would not worry about it now..start worrying when you get a letter for interview. I have a feeling many of us wont have an appointment until January so you will be fine. Worry is such a waste of time.

[icv21 110]

I would not worry about it now..start worrying when you get a letter for interview. I have a feeling many of us wont have an appointment until January so you will be fine. Worry is such a waste of time.

Aw so sorry to read that I read somewhere on VJ that a member went to her interview without her husband because he was away for work so it might be possible to have the interview without him. Don't worry (I would worry too though!) because I'm sure that you can reschedule if that's not possible to attend without him.

I understand that being alone with no way of being able to go anywhere by yourself must be a terrible feeling

He's got no friends or family that can take you out from time to time? Don't want that cabin fever to get you.

The fact that it's a work thing...I don't think it'll count horribly against you guys. Worse comes to worse, if you end up getting an interview date for when he's scheduled to be away you can always reschedule.

So his family has been helping out this month, coming to pick me up, his dad giving me rides to the store to get groceries. But I'm aware they all work and have their own things going on, I don't want in some way anyone thinking it's an obligation to take care of me you know.... I'm usually 5 days a week by myself.

I've been thinking about adopting a pet for a while, I didn't do it earlier in case EAD was approved and I wouldnt want to leave it alone in the house once life gets stable. But after this news it comes to my mind again.....

My worries are not really about the interview date, he said he will come here get a flight for the interview since they usually send a letter a month before and then leave again ( in case it was sooner than expected ) it's not even something to discuss for him, it's priority. But I'm worried about them seeing we got married, file AOS in September and leaves, like if we are not living together or having life apart.

He can show evidence he is gone because his job but I'm afraid they may not see it enough and say we are living apart....

I searched around the forum and some army wives had no problem, if the husbands leave for a while but since it's not army related I'm not sure will be looked with same eyes.

Edited November 3, 2014 by IRIScv

[AuroreJeremy 26]

So his family has been helping out this month, coming to pick me up, his dad giving me rides to the store to get groceries. But I'm aware they all work and have their own things going on, I don't want in some way anyone thinking it's an obligation to take care of me you know.... I'm usually 5 days a week by myself.

I've been thinking about adopting a pet for a while, I didn't do it earlier in case EAD was approved and I wouldnt want to leave it alone in the house once life gets stable. But after this news it comes to my mind again.....

My worries are not really about the interview date, he said he will come here get a flight for the interview since they usually send a letter a month before and then leave again ( in case it was sooner than expected ) it's not even something to discuss for him, it's priority. But I'm worried about them seeing we got married, file AOS in September and leaves, like if we are not living together or having life apart.

He can show evidence he is gone because his job but I'm afraid they may not see it enough and say we are living apart....

I searched around the forum and some army wives had no problem, if the husbands leave for a while but since it's not army related I'm not sure will be looked with same eyes.

Ok I understand your worries about interview better now. But I'm sure you guys will be fine. It's not army related but he's gone for work, it's not his choice to be away from you for so long. And I'm sure you communicate while he's gone so you can show proofs of that (phone calls, emails, etc). Has your name been added to any of his insurance/bank account/bills? You can show proof of that too at the interview. And you probably have plenty of proof for your relationship prior to you coming to the US. I seriously don't think you guys are in any trouble. Your relationship is genuine and he will be with you at the interview no matter what.

I'm sorry you're alone so much. I understand it must be hard to have to rely on your husband's family for such simple stuff as going to the grocery store. And I thought about getting a pet too! (but our place is really small)

Edited November 4, 2014 by AuroreJeremy

[mmanginsay 5]

No update so far...