February 2015 Filings for AOS

[Slowloris 17]

What would be the rational for downplaying it I wonder?

your answer makes sense, thank you. I think he meant how would you explain your first small wedding, like what is the rush if you are going to have a big one anyway later.

[rodeo 11]

I was just looking back and noticed that USCIS sent wife her first EAD card in June 2014 under the F-1 OPT program via USPS registered mail with a tracking number.

However, when she was sent her second EAD card in April 2015 under the AOS, it was sent regular mail with no tracking number.

And now, USCIS says it has sent her Green Card, but there is no tracking number.

So it appears that USCIS has decided to save money and not pay for registered mail to send these cards.

Is that the case with the rest of you here . . . cards are being received with no tracking numbers used ??

Maybe you won't believe, when I was informed in the uscis website that my green card is on its way, there was also no tracking number. But when the card was delivered in our mailbox, suddenly the uscis website updated to card delivered and gave its tracking number. I just don't need the tracking number anymore when it appears....

[Leo7777 243]

Maybe you won't believe, when I was informed in the uscis website that my green card is on its way, there was also no tracking number. But when the card was delivered in our mailbox, suddenly the uscis website updated to card delivered and gave its tracking number. I just don't need the tracking number anymore when it appears....

Thanks Rodeo,

Pretty strange procedure by USCIS; but believable.

[OlenkaKyiv 3]

Aaaaaaaaand we have movement in Denver!!! Finally received text/email notification that we are scheduled for interview on 12/1! They didn't forget us!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! This means our case is moving to the finish line too.

[towson15 15]

Same thing happened to me. Whats the point to give tracking number when its already been tracked. I guess they do this to make sure that address been used is genuine. Anyway, it all went and ended well. So no complaints.

[DeKi 10]

Same thing happened to me. Whats the point to give tracking number when its already been tracked. I guess they do this to make sure that address been used is genuine. Anyway, it all went and ended well. So no complaints.

I read from other filers that once you get a notification that a document (either EAD/AP or GC) has been mailed, you can actually call the live help line to request the tracking number. This seems to be the only way to take advantage of the fact that USCIS DOES actually pay for tracking.

I didn't know this (and was out of town anyway) when my EAD+AP card were being mailed to me, but plan to do it when the GC is on its way. Give it a try and let the group know how it worked out.

[Leo7777 243]

Wife's Green Card arrived in US regular mail today.

263 days since packet signed for in Chicago.

The Green Card shows Category CR6

CR means conditional resident, that is have to remove conditions after 2 years.

6 means she did AOS while in USA due to marriage to US Citizen.

And, like a couple have reported . . . after card received, USCIS website updated to show the tracking number.

Not a very good procedure. The only purpose served is if, when you check your mailbox and the card is not there, then a tracing process can start.

Also, the cards now are actually a shade of green.

Originally they were green (that's how the name got started), then they were switched to some other color, sort of orange yellow I think (others may know more precisely, and now they have switched back to the greenish.

I don't know when this switch back occurred, but probably because many complained about why it was switched away from green when everyone referred to it as Green Card.

[Leo7777 243]

Update.

Anyone have info on those who have already had their interview but have not told us anything so their line can be updated?

There are several shown below in that category.

Leo Wife Ukraine Pittsburgh 2/3 Chi, 3/4 Bio, 4/17 EAD received, 10/28 Green Card

astoldbyme China N.Y. City 2/4 CSC, 3/4 Bio, 4/07 EAD received, EB-5 backlogged.

Icelego From ??? Nashua, NH 2/4 TSC, 3/9 Bio, 4/18 EAD received,

Hunny From ??? Baltimore 2/4 Chi, 3/11 Bio, 4/16 EAD received, 8/21 Interview

Youbac Lebanon, Los Angeles 2/5 Chi, 3/2 Bio, 4/30 EAD received, 5/20 Interview,

Nisha Grenada New York City 2/5 Chi, 4/09 EAD received, 10/2 Interview

Obanla S. Africa Houston 2/6 Chi, 2/15 Bio, 4/21 EAD received, 10/10 Green Card,

Nevarez Mexico Los Angeles 2/6 Chi, 2/25 Bio, 4/22 EAD received, 6/1 Interview,

Insomnius From ??? St. Louis 2/9 Chi, 2/25 Bio, 4/23 EAD received, 7/?? Interview,

Vink India Chicago 2/9 Chi, 3/5 Bio, 4/24 EAD Received, 7/20 Green Card,

Joanna France San Francisco 2/10 Chi, 3/3 Bio, 5/5 EAD received, 6/22 Green Card,

Tink Mexico Santa Anna, CA 2/10 Chi, 3/4 Bio, 4/27 EAD received, 9/30 Green Card

Nathan From ??? Dallas 2/10 Chi, 2/24 Bio, 4/22 EAD received,

Ali India Houston 2/10 Chi, 3/17 Bio, 4/23 EAD received, 5/07 Green Card,

mockingbird Mexico Denver 2/11 Chi, 3/13 Bio, 4/24 EAD received, 12/1 Interview

rekrap Mexico El Paso 2/12 /Chi, 3/11 Bio, 4/25 EAD received, 4/30 Green Card,

Philly512 Colombia, Philly 2/13 Chi, 3/13 Bio, 4/27 EAD received, 4/30 Green Card,

Shubha Canada, Brooklyn 2/14 Chi, 3/13 Bio, 4/7 EAD received, 10/9 Green Card.

KMA Husband Mexico Raleigh 2/17 Chi, 4/10 Bio, 7/16 Green Card,

SA123456 UK, Chicago 2/17 Chi, 3/25 Bio, 4/7 Ready,

towson Pakistan Newark 2/18 Chi, 3/20 Bio, 5/29 EAD received, 10/15 Green Card.

Meghan Canada Duluth 2/19 Chi, 3/6 Bio, 5/7 EAD received, 8/28 Green Card,

nadnjess Pakistan Euless, TX 2/19 Chi,

happiny From ??? Wash, DC, 2/19 Chi, 4/6 Bio, 5/20 EAD received, 4/15 Ready,

Danni Ireland Dallas 2/23 Chi, 4/17 Bio, 5/15 EAD received

Codeblue Wife Russia Miami 2/23 Chi, 3/17 Bio,

mrsalmadro Philippines, L V 2/23 Chi, 3/23 Bio, 5/20 EAD received, 5/18 Green Card,

anikpezie From ??? Houston 2/24 Chi, 4/9 Bio, 5/15 EAD received, 8/11 Green Card

ohiofeb15 Canada, Cleveland 2/24 Chi, 3/25 Bio, 5/16 EAD received, 6/20 Green Card,

drjb China Jacksonville, FL 2/26 Chi, 3/17 Bio, 5/21 EAD received, 11/24 Interview

nickmabz England City ??? 2/26 Chi, 4/16 Bio,

rodeo Philippines Las Vegas 2/26 Chi, 3/25 Bio, 5/27 EAD received, 9/30 Green Card

1Brit UK Salt Lake City 2/27 Chi, 4/3 Bio, 5/21 EAD received, 9/2 Green Card

dcurtisa Canada Cleveland 2/27 Chi, 3/25 Bio, 5/19 Interview

nicknackzz Ireland Charlotte, NC 2/27 Chi, 5/23 EAD received, 6/23 Green Card,

Referdev UK Denver 3/3 Chi, 3/31 Bio, 5/20 EAD received,

andfp Colombia Oakland FL 3/3 Chi, 3/23 Bio, 5/28 EAD received, 6/29 Green Card

Lanna Brazil Maryland 3/3 Chi, 4/14 Bio, 5/23 EAD received, 9/9 Green Card

chewy Spouse England Kissimmee, 3/13 Chi, 6/03 EAD received, 6/10 Green Card

Anyone have info on those who have already had their interview but have not told us anything so their line can be updated?

There are several shown above in that category.

[Leo7777 243]

Our interview was fairly uneventful.

A lot of stress, including the drive because we were a couple of hours away from USCIS office.

And yes, they did some changes in the highway since our trip for fingerprinting, so we took wrong turn once and lost about 10 minutes of time.

But we still arrived about 25 minutes before scheduled time.

Because of the hour and potential delays, I took a couple of packets of Peanut Butter crackers with me.

However, no-go as they wouldn't let any food past security. And they wouldn't hold for me either.

Plenty of time the guard says, so I take crackers back down to car.

There were about 4-5 couples in the waiting room and a couple of men by themself.

I wore dress slacks, dress shirt with no tie, and blue blazer. Wife was dressed in similar 'casual professional' look.

Some others wore complete business suits and some looked like they dressed at Goodwill and came without showering, etc.

We were called in together about 20 minutes past appointment time.

First had to stand and do the 'swearing in' bit.

I/O said had looked at our file the day before, recognized us from our pics, and that everything seemed to be in order.

Asked if we had any additional info to give. Gave first page of joint back statements for past 8 months or so since packet sent to Chicago.

Gave joint title to additional car we had purchased. Gave 2014 State Income Tax refund check in both our names from 2014. Federal refund went direct deposit.

I had printed off 30 new pictures, but I/O said didn't want to look at them.

Gave 4 cards/letters my very aged Mother had hand written to wife. I/O noted how she wrote much better than younger folks with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Said we were one of first who had given each other Medical Power of Attorney (original packet), and that was pretty impressive because giving someone power over your life.

We also had Wills (original packet) made up leaving most everything to each other.

I/O then read that silly list of Questions that no true terrorist is going to answer Yes to, and wife had to respond no to each.

I don't know why this verbal give and take is necessary, since applicant has already answered and signed to.

Showed wife a couple of pages and asked it it were her signature.

Asked wife our zip code. I had some panic because I do all paperwork involving mail and various forms, so some doubt wife would remember zip code. She stumbled a bit, but did state it correctly.

Asked wife her parent's first names. I spoke up, saying I was surprised I wasn't being asked those names, and volunteered that I even knew wife's mother's maiden name.

I/O smiled and said, so I what was it?

Asked if we were living together. But no questions about missionary or cowgirl.

Gave paper telling about Removal of Conditions after 2 years.

Said everything looked OK, but that supervisor of this office checked over everything.

I told that wife needed Green Card or a new EAD card soon for her work.

I/O said maybe the supervisor could give some sort of paper.

Said we could go out to waiting room and I/O would talk with supervisor.

Came out shortly and said no such paper ever given.

Then 'almost' winked and said 'you should be getting Green Card very shortly anyway . . . if everything checks out.'

We spent rest of day on big meal and shopping before 2 hour drive back home.

At home, email was waiting saying Approval Given.

ROC process starts in two years minus 90 days.

[Leo7777 243]

I forgot to mention that I/O did ask us the (seems to be standard) question . . . how did you two meet?

We had been a little worried about this, because we met in somewhat unusual circumstances which some of our casual acquaintances found a little hard to believe.

But anyway we told our story, which seemed (to me) to be going a little too long, but no good way to shorten it if I/O was to understand and believe it.

Edited October 28, 2015 by Leo7777

[Nathan99 4]

I forgot to mention that I/O did ask us the (seems to be standard) question . . . how did you two meet?

We had been a little worried about this, because we met in somewhat unusual circumstances which some of our casual acquaintances found a little hard to believe.

But anyway we told our story, which seemed (to me) to be going a little too long, but no good way to shorten it if I/O was to understand and believe it.

Lol this is the most hilarious interview review I ever read. Congrats Leo and your wife!!!

Just one quick question about Power of Attorney. Does it need to come from both spouses (one for husband, one for wife? Thanks

[Leo7777 243]

Nathan, each person must sign a separate Medical Power of Attorney.

I think most hospitals have standard forms for this now, to just fill in some blanks.

A pretty good idea for everyone, married or not to fill out.

If you read some of the horror stories of people being kept alive in vegetable state for years and years, you can realize the importance of this.

[Billett 14]

Nathan, each person must sign a separate Medical Power of Attorney.

I think most hospitals have standard forms for this now, to just fill in some blanks.

A pretty good idea for everyone, married or not to fill out.

If you read some of the horror stories of people being kept alive in vegetable state for years and years, you can realize the importance of this.

Leo quick Question:

Do I need to have my SSN to do the Medical Power of Attorney? I'm a September filer so I'm still far to get my EAD card. I'm adjusting from B2 Visa

[Elf 146]

Leo quick Question:

Do I need to have my SSN to do the Medical Power of Attorney? I'm a September filer so I'm still far to get my EAD card. I'm adjusting from B2 Visa

No, you don't need an SSN for a Medical Power of Attorney.

You can download blank forms from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration here (scroll to the bottom and either download the complete Health Care Advance Directives pamphlet or the Designation of Health Care Surrogate). They're very simple to complete.

[Billett 14]

Thanks so much ELF! You are a life saver?