September 2014 AOS Filers

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

Well that is the problem in this country. But with all honesty I also didnt know that I need an EAD because my partner and I had ask the SSA officer about working while on K1.. And she said that I can work since I was given a permit when I entered the country.

Add to the confidence at that time I pass the E Verify. I live in South Carolina a very conservative state. SSA officer told me to just make sure I filed my greencard to update my status but I can work on seasonal jobs.

Your confusion is understandable because it is difficult to know which agency is actually the correct one to deal with. SSA is just about social security benefits and doesn't provide any authorization for work and sadly they are frequently incorrect about their own policies too (like they often won't give K-1s an SSN because they don't know their own policies).

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), concerned about protecting the country, controls various agencies, including USCIS which handles Immigration rules and policy, and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which enforces immigration rules. And then you have the Department of State which is not under DHS, but instead under the executive branch of the Federal government (along with the US Embassies and Consulates) which issues Visas. Interestingly, CBP can actually deny entry for anyone at border entry point and even if the person has a valid entry visa. All these agencies have needs to share information (often via paper documents) and also rely on other agencies such as the FBI for background checks. So in this case, USCIS (and DHS) trumps SSA on anything regarding immigrants and immigration.

It is inefficient, frustrating, and often causes problems in the various steps of the process. Don't take the word of various government workers, ask for the policy document or regulation that supports their statement, or at a minimum, google search the topic and look for answers on government websites to see if what you were told is actually valid.

[lala1 21]

I guess just bring all documents needed in the interview

:/ ..... I mean obviously I have an idea what documents are needed. They are listed on my interview letter. I asked that question so I could get an idea of anything additional ( In particular ) from others that I might not have included in my evidence that could be helpful to me

Edited November 7, 2014 by lala1

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

:/ ..... I mean obviously I have an idea what documents are needed. They are listed on my interview letter. I asked that question so I could get an idea of anything additional I might not have included in my evidence from others

Bring evidence that you are sharing your life together and that would demonstrated that the marriage was entered in good faith. Photos can help, documentation of shared finances (bank accounts, credit cards, etc), being listed as beneficiary for life insurance policies are all very good to have as well.

[lala1 21]

Bring evidence that you are sharing your life together and that would demonstrated that the marriage was entered in good faith. Photos can help, documentation of shared finances (bank accounts, credit cards, etc), being listed as beneficiary for life insurance policies are all very good to have as well.

Thanks Paul&Jessica .. Here is a list of what I sent with my application

• Joint bank account statements
• Proof of shared ownership of a car
• Photos documenting our relationship and different trips we took
• Anniversary and birthday cards
• Door keys with our names on it from the hotel on one of our trips

We dont have life insurance, but I plan to bring all of the above plus evidence showing im an authorized user on his credit card account ( I hate credit cards so I don't wanna become a joint holder on his account ) , new pictures from our recent key west trip and other little miscellaneous outings .. Is there anything else you guys think would be beneficial ?

[mmanginsay 5]

Update:

Tier 2 or IO called me up 15 minutes ago re:Expedite i765 request dated October 21 and 2nd request dated November 3, 2014.

I just learn that NBC didn't received the fax document I sent and she told me to fax it again. I told her that I have the Fax log on our fax machine and the log showed the document was sent last October 21, 2014.

Well, i must admit that I am not techie enough about the new fax machines on the market. We are using an EPSON multi printer, scan and fax that we bought in costco. My partner just discovered that I feed the document incorrectly instead of face up I put the document as face down, so when the fax machine roll the paper it appeared as a blank page on the other end...Hahahhaahaha...it lighten up my day that because of my stupidity and ignorance it lead to a further delay.

Good thing the IO is waiting on the line and confirm that the fax document is now handy and she will look at the case once again. I only hope that they will adjudicate my case now since its been almost 45 days already.

Lesson learn: If you fax documents make sure to check and follow instruction if not theres no harm in asking for help...hhahaa

Bakla na nga tanga pa....hahahaha

[mmanginsay 5]

Thanks Paul&Jessica .. Here is a list of what I sent with my application

• Joint bank account statements
• Proof of shared ownership of a car
• Photos documenting our relationship and different trips we took
• Anniversary and birthday cards
• Door keys with our names on it from the hotel on one of our trips

We dont have life insurance, but I plan to bring all of the above plus evidence showing im an authorized user on his credit card account ( I hate credit cards so I don't wanna become a joint holder on his account ) , new pictures from our recent key west trip and other little miscellaneous outings .. Is there anything else you guys think would be beneficial ?

Well...my partner and I had a separate bank account and credit cards. I was in his medical insurance but PEBA delisted me since South Carolina doesnt recognized same sex marriage. What I only have handy was the contract we had with Festiva Timeshare for our Festiva Timeshare contract.

Aside from the pictures that all I only have.

[icv21 110]

Thanks Paul&Jessica .. Here is a list of what I sent with my application

• Joint bank account statements
• Proof of shared ownership of a car
• Photos documenting our relationship and different trips we took
• Anniversary and birthday cards
• Door keys with our names on it from the hotel on one of our trips

We dont have life insurance, but I plan to bring all of the above plus evidence showing im an authorized user on his credit card account ( I hate credit cards so I don't wanna become a joint holder on his account ) , new pictures from our recent key west trip and other little miscellaneous outings .. Is there anything else you guys think would be beneficial ?

I think you are REALLY good with that evidence!!

I sent some facebook screenshots from his family writing to me or pictures tagged etc over the years but that's like very secondary... I also sent old wedding invitations from friends addressed to our both names, and old baby shower invitations for me sent to our home address. In case you may have any I'll bring the original of everything I sent.

We don't have life insurance either.. Since I don't have EAD we don't share car insurance or anything.... I don't even have health insurance.... And the house is my father's in law so not even my husband is on any bills....

Only sharing is a bank account. So just trying to make you feel good about yourself you have lots of evidence.

we traveled a lot in our 5 years together. I see you did some traveling too that's good to show

[_Paul&Jesica_ 70]

Thanks Paul&Jessica .. Here is a list of what I sent with my application

• Joint bank account statements
• Proof of shared ownership of a car
• Photos documenting our relationship and different trips we took
• Anniversary and birthday cards
• Door keys with our names on it from the hotel on one of our trips

We dont have life insurance, but I plan to bring all of the above plus evidence showing im an authorized user on his credit card account ( I hate credit cards so I don't wanna become a joint holder on his account ) , new pictures from our recent key west trip and other little miscellaneous outings .. Is there anything else you guys think would be beneficial ?

Typically, for AOS from K-1, there isn't that much time to establish a shared life, and USCIS understands this. What you have is probably enough, especially the joint bank accounts. What about medical? are you on his medical plan? that would also help.

As for the credit card, while I understand your view about them, they are important to establish your credit here. You won't get much of a benefit just being an authorized user.

Edited November 7, 2014 by _Paul&Jesica_

[mmanginsay 5]

Your confusion is understandable because it is difficult to know which agency is actually the correct one to deal with. SSA is just about social security benefits and doesn't provide any authorization for work and sadly they are frequently incorrect about their own policies too (like they often won't give K-1s an SSN because they don't know their own policies).

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), concerned about protecting the country, controls various agencies, including USCIS which handles Immigration rules and policy, and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which enforces immigration rules. And then you have the Department of State which is not under DHS, but instead under the executive branch of the Federal government (along with the US Embassies and Consulates) which issues Visas. Interestingly, CBP can actually deny entry for anyone at border entry point and even if the person has a valid entry visa. All these agencies have needs to share information (often via paper documents) and also rely on other agencies such as the FBI for background checks. So in this case, USCIS (and DHS) trumps SSA on anything regarding immigrants and immigration.

It is inefficient, frustrating, and often causes problems in the various steps of the process. Don't take the word of various government workers, ask for the policy document or regulation that supports their statement, or at a minimum, google search the topic and look for answers on government websites to see if what you were told is actually valid.

And to add the confusion...if you fail on the Everify you will need to call DHS and visit SSA and request for TSA something and they will allow you to work...

Very confusing

[lala1 21]

I think you are REALLY good with that evidence!!

I sent some facebook screenshots from his family writing to me or pictures tagged etc over the years but that's like very secondary... I also sent old wedding invitations from friends addressed to our both names, and old baby shower invitations for me sent to our home address. In case you may have any I'll bring the original of everything I sent.

We don't have life insurance either.. Since I don't have EAD we don't share car insurance or anything.... I don't even have health insurance.... And the house is my father's in law so not even my husband is on any bills....

Only sharing is a bank account. So just trying to make you feel good about yourself you have lots of evidence.

we traveled a lot in our 5 years together. I see you did some traveling too that's good to show

Yes thanks Iris!! You just reminded me I have a few cards we got as our wedding gifts I can include as well And we don't have any shared utilities or leases either, Before we moved we were staying with his mother for awhile and where we live now we have roommates so it's just cash on a monthly basis, Utilities not in any of our names either. Yes we took a few trips during the time we've been together so i'm glad we both will be able to include that in our evidences Thank you and I'm sending TONS of good vibez your way, I sincerely hope you get great news soon. You're one of the few constantly positive and helpful persons i've seen on here and thats awesome!

[lala1 21]

Typically, for AOS from K-1, there isn't that much time to establish a shared life, and USCIS understands this. What you have is probably enough, especially the joint bank accounts. What about medical? are you on his medical plan? that would also help.

As for the credit card, while I understand your view about them, they are important to establish your credit here. You won't get much of a benefit just being an authorized user.

I'm not K-1 but thanks very much for your advice. Currently we don't have medical insurance so none of that either, & I understand where you're coming from on the credit card thing, but while they're a good way to build credit my options are not limited to that & so I still choose not to.

[icv21 110]

Typically, for AOS from K-1, there isn't that much time to establish a shared life, and USCIS understands this. What you have is probably enough, especially the joint bank accounts. What about medical? are you on his medical plan? that would also help.

As for the credit card, while I understand your view about them, they are important to establish your credit here. You won't get much of a benefit just being an authorized user.

Yes! I agree about the credit in this country. In Spain doesn't work the same at all. It was hard for me to understand.

I never had a credit card in my life and here you need one to have a good credit or you will have trouble when buying a house or even if you want a phone line they ask for it!!

I found a couple months ago a really good link that explains a lot how to do it and how it works, take a look at it if you want to, it was very helpful for me I even saved it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/496946-building-credit-score-tips-tricks/

I asked my husband about it several times, and I don't know if it happens to you all too, but sometimes he thinks things are so normal that his explanations are very vague, and I end looking about it online...specially this forum since I found it.

[icv21 110]

Yes thanks Iris!! You just reminded me I have a few cards we got as our wedding gifts I can include as well And we don't have any shared utilities or leases either, Before we moved we were staying with his mother for awhile and where we live now we have roommates so it's just cash on a monthly basis, Utilities not in any of our names either. Yes we took a few trips during the time we've been together so i'm glad we both will be able to include that in our evidences Thank you and I'm sending TONS of good vibez your way, I sincerely hope you get great news soon. You're one of the few constantly positive and helpful persons i've seen on here and thats awesome!

Hey thanks so much :) I really appreciate your words!!!!!!

Since I don't have too much evidence on sharing things ( just bank ) I have to be a little bit creative and remembering about little things like invitations and cards, even I have the receipt of a watch I got my husband last Christmas, I'll bring that too! My husband sometimes jokes saying I'm a horder because I like to keep our tickets every time we go to the movies and things like that haha ,but hey it may come handy in this situation! Hahah

I hope too I get some news soon. Even I'm accepting the situation it's going to take the 90 days they say lol, and I know your interview will be fine, and anything you may think is useful better have it with you that sitting in your desk. Just in case there comes the "do you have anything else I may want to see???" There you are with your wedding cards and stuff

[mmanginsay 5]

Well with all of these delays, stress, frustrations..my partner gave me the best and surprise gift ever..

My bumblebee Camaro 2014 in the parking...my partner had to ask me if I can go to priental market and buy some veggies...he can't drive because his not feeling well so I drive not knowing it was just a ploy...

So when I came back...my neighbor and our friend is in the front porch and just greeted me happy birthday although belated... And partner give me the key... I really cried never imagine that il have this car I've been dreaming for this and it's for real...

Although can't drive yet due to drivers license and EAD but at least I have the car now not in my name yet but as soon as I have my GC it will be transferred in my name.

[lala1 21]

So I just got some interesting information from USCIS regarding my missing EAD. A tier 2 rep called me regarding my service request and they said as of today they don't see where it was sent back to them or anything and its been more than 30 days so i'm just guessing its lost somewhere. The rep even told me over the phone that she believes somethings going on because so many peoples cards are turning up missing. She did say though that if my employer uses e-verify that It will show that i'm authorized to work until september of next year even though I don't have the physical card. So I will see if my prospective employer ( who has been holding a position for me since october ) would be willing to have me start with that