I-751 May 2016 Filers

[BlueDevil 61]

3 hours ago, mycase17 said:

my 2 cents.

I used a lawyer for my initial I-485/I-130 case due to my busy schedule of work/school. He just told me to fill out forms and told me we will have an interview. He never emphasized about joint documents, insurance etc, but anyway we had 1 joint bank (2 months statements), some pics, and 1 comcast bill with adding my wife name. That's all I had for interview. We were only married for 4 months. I asked him if I needed more, he said don't worry you will be fine. I still remember that smile. When we went for interview, the IO laughed at us and asked that's all you have? We said yes. And then he started grilling us and after months I received Notice of Intent to Deny (much harsher than RFE). I went back to lawyer then he said oops I can't help you anymore (it's too complicated). I really wish I had done some research before I applied or even before interview. 

And my lawyer was a pretty high rated one but I forgot he had like 200-300 cases like ours. So think how much time would he had spent on me? 1-2 hours?  so the bottom line is, nobody knows your case better than you.

 

I'm not discouraging to hire a lawyer but do some homework from your end as well. Think what a couple could have when they get married and live together? 

 

That is why I'm so grateful to online community like VJ and it's senior members like CookieCat, Pitya, T-Bone, Cheezes etc. 

I feel like it's not about only this I-751 process, but you learn so much when you do it yourself. 

 

We're all stories in the end; just make it a good one, eh? (Doctor Who) 

 

2 hours ago, Alexs said:

I wish i knew bank statements are required. . im really upset. Im just hoping i dont receive any rfe . i just submitted most recent one for checking and saving when we applied . i remember i asked him and he said no you don't need no bank statements you have planty of evidence and he didnt even ask me to submit affidavits too 

 

Alexs - It's water under the bridge now, but I wish you'd done some of your independent research right here on VJ regarding what documents and evidence needs to be submitted with your case.  They have detailed how-to's on here with lists od what type of evidence needs to be sent in.  IMHO, affidavits, letters from friends/neighbors, pictures and such are very weak evidence and do not add much substance to your case of comingling of assets which is USCIS's eyes is the key proof of a legit marriage (not saying yours is not).  It is for that reason that bank statements, joint tax returns, joint mortgage docs etc where assets being shared is shown are considered to be strong evidence.  In any case, for your sake, I hope that they review your case with the evidence as submitted favorably.  However, if I were you, I would be prepared for an RFE and gather at least quarterly bank statements for the past 2-3 years.  I am not trying to discourage you - just saying it like it is and want you to be prepared for any eventuality.  Worst case, you won't need the documents and can simply shred them.

 

I agree with everything mycase17 above said.  I too used a lawyer for my original AOS application.  However, that was simply because mine was a little complicated of a case where I was converting an employment based filing into a marriage based filing.  I was fortunate enough to retain our corporate lawyers who were top notch when it came to attention to detail.  However, the ROC process is very straightforward and a little research on this site provided all the information you would need for a thorough filing.

 

My best wishes to you for a successful outcome.

[BlueDevil 61]

For all of you who are looking at what dates the USCIS is processing cases and trying to draw estimates on when you think your case should/will be approved, save your time and energy.  If there is one certainty with the USCIS, it is that they do things in a haphazard manner.  Take my case for example - I mailed my packet on 5/25/16 and the NOA1 date was 6/3/16.  And my case was approved on 1/4/17.  I think it all comes down to them randomly processing cases, or picking up cases that they feel are easy to review and make a decision on.  But who the hell knows what the method to their madness is?  So my advice is to wait, as difficult as that might be.  Now if you are approaching critical dates like drivers license expiring, or you are within a couple of months of the one year extension expiring then by all means submit service requests or make phone calls.  Until then just hang tight and hope for the best.

[BlueDevil 61]

I received my approval letter in the mail today, and my case status online changed to 'card mailed.'  I hope to receive the card by the end of this week.  I don't believe there is a way to get the tracking number for the mailer.

[observatorka 197]

8 minutes ago, BlueDevil said:

For all of you who are looking at what dates the USCIS is processing cases and trying to draw estimates on when you think your case should/will be approved, save your time and energy.  If there is one certainty with the USCIS, it is that they do things in a haphazard manner.  Take my case for example - I mailed my packet on 5/25/16 and the NOA1 date was 6/3/16.  And my case was approved on 1/4/17.  I think it all comes down to them randomly processing cases, or picking up cases that they feel are easy to review and make a decision on.  But who the hell knows what the method to their madness is?  So my advice is to wait, as difficult as that might be.  Now if you are approaching critical dates like drivers license expiring, or you are within a couple of months of the one year extension expiring then by all means submit service requests or make phone calls.  Until then just hang tight and hope for the best.

People here have to realize that VisaJourney cases are only a tiny fraction of all the cases processed by USCIS. Nobody can and should draw estimates, it's irrational. And comparing people's timelines is stupid, because each case is different, reviewed by different officers .......

[Alexs 3]

2 hours ago, BlueDevil said:

 

 

Alexs - It's water under the bridge now, but I wish you'd done some of your independent research right here on VJ regarding what documents and evidence needs to be submitted with your case.  They have detailed how-to's on here with lists od what type of evidence needs to be sent in.  IMHO, affidavits, letters from friends/neighbors, pictures and such are very weak evidence and do not add much substance to your case of comingling of assets which is USCIS's eyes is the key proof of a legit marriage (not saying yours is not).  It is for that reason that bank statements, joint tax returns, joint mortgage docs etc where assets being shared is shown are considered to be strong evidence.  In any case, for your sake, I hope that they review your case with the evidence as submitted favorably.  However, if I were you, I would be prepared for an RFE and gather at least quarterly bank statements for the past 2-3 years.  I am not trying to discourage you - just saying it like it is and want you to be prepared for any eventuality.  Worst case, you won't need the documents and can simply shred them.

 

I agree with everything mycase17 above said.  I too used a lawyer for my original AOS application.  However, that was simply because mine was a little complicated of a case where I was converting an employment based filing into a marriage based filing.  I was fortunate enough to retain our corporate lawyers who were top notch when it came to attention to detail.  However, the ROC process is very straightforward and a little research on this site provided all the information you would need for a thorough filing.

 

My best wishes to you for a successful outcome.

Thank you so much for your time . 

-We submitted our tax returns 2013_14_15

-Car insurance during our marriage 

- health care through my wife 

- dental and vision statment both names

-lease from 2013 till 2016 same address since 1st green card never moved 

- bills for last cople years ton of bills 

(water _ gas _electric_ cable) from ever other month

_ pictures with family and friends and over overseas trip 

The only thing i missed is the bank statments i included just most recent one shows a month of transactions checking and saving cover last 3 months . 

- letters from my in laws during holidays and things like that 

I feel so horrible never included bank statments . 

 

 

[BlueDevil 61]

8 hours ago, Alexs said:

Thank you so much for your time . 

-We submitted our tax returns 2013_14_15

-Car insurance during our marriage 

- health care through my wife 

- dental and vision statment both names

-lease from 2013 till 2016 same address since 1st green card never moved 

- bills for last cople years ton of bills 

(water _ gas _electric_ cable) from ever other month

_ pictures with family and friends and over overseas trip 

The only thing i missed is the bank statments i included just most recent one shows a month of transactions checking and saving cover last 3 months . 

- letters from my in laws during holidays and things like that 

I feel so horrible never included bank statments . 

 

Don't beat yourself too much over it.  What's happened has happened.  Not much you can do now, but just hope for a positive outcome.  In the evidence you have submitted, did you submit tax returns or tax transcripts (which you have to request from the IRS website)?  Also, do the leases, bills and utility accounts have both names listed on them?  If they do, that is pretty good evidence you have there.

 

Edited January 10, 2017 by BlueDevil

[nitrous_guy 23]

15 hours ago, se19 said:

Just back from the UK and France.

 

Tell me NitrousGuy isn't still waiting?

Still waiting mate 

[Kat&Abhi 42]

yup we are also still waiting......DH filed an email inquiry and we should hear back by the 27th. We leave on Vacation tomorrow to the Caribbean so will follow up when we return with a call if we still have no news. Just means we have to carry so many more documents (passport, expired GC, extension letter) compared to if he had the new GC....oh well such is life and we are looking forward to sun and sand!

[Alexs 3]

2 hours ago, BlueDevil said:

Don't beat yourself too much over it.  What's happened has happened.  Not much you can do now, but just hope for a positive outcome.  In the evidence you have submitted, did you submit tax returns or tax transcripts (which you have to request from the IRS website)?  Also, do the leases, bills and utility accounts have both names listed on them?  If they do, that is pretty good evidence you have there.

 

Yeah i did 

[rjm_cmyk 75]

Boo-Hoo - not only have I not been approved yet but I've been deleted from the spreadsheet. Woe is me. And as someone was asking - I was start of May...

 

Wondering if I'll be doing Citizenship first now.

[Journey_Man 2]

Hi All,

I am planning to arrange an info pass and get a I-551 seal on my passport as my extension letter is invalid after March 12 of 2017.  I heard rumors that field office officer takes away the expired green card while he/she gives the I-551 seal on my passport page. How true is that ?

[cazzers 83]

5 hours ago, Journey_Man said:

Hi All,

I am planning to arrange an info pass and get a I-551 seal on my passport as my extension letter is invalid after March 12 of 2017.  I heard rumors that field office officer takes away the expired green card while he/she gives the I-551 seal on my passport page. How true is that ?

I don't know about that. Don't you need copies of the GC for the N400 process?

 

They have MLK day off, don't they? 

[eosorio07 6]

HELP

 

I am trying to submit a online request and I got this erros "

• You must select the Form Number associated to your Receipt Number. The Form Number you selected does not match our records for that Receipt Number.

the form is I751..... right?

[TYorke1 9]

Hi all, I have a quick question.

 

I'm currently waiting for a decision - receipt date is 6th May. At the beginning of Feb I have a trip back to England booked. My grandmother is terminally ill and only has 3 months to live, so I am going back to visit her one last time. What would happen if I get approved when I am out of the country and tried to come back into the US using the extension letter? What the officer at the airport see that I have had a new card ordered? Or will he/she just use the valid extension letter? I am only going for a week and I'm hoping I get the new card before I go but I'm not too optimistic about that.

 

I'm guessing it will not be an issue but wanted to ask on here.

 

Thanks!

[BlueDevil 61]

50 minutes ago, TYorke1 said:

Hi all, I have a quick question.

 

I'm currently waiting for a decision - receipt date is 6th May. At the beginning of Feb I have a trip back to England booked. My grandmother is terminally ill and only has 3 months to live, so I am going back to visit her one last time. What would happen if I get approved when I am out of the country and tried to come back into the US using the extension letter? What the officer at the airport see that I have had a new card ordered? Or will he/she just use the valid extension letter? I am only going for a week and I'm hoping I get the new card before I go but I'm not too optimistic about that.

 

I'm guessing it will not be an issue but wanted to ask on here.

 

Thanks!

 

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your grandmother.  You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Regarding your question, I would advise against traveling during this grey area of a period in your application process.  The reason I say this is because of the language I read on the approval letter I received.  My ROC was approved on 1/4 when the card production was ordered.  I received in the mail yesterday the formal approval letter (Form I-797).  Here is the text directly from the letter as it pertains to your question:

 

"You should not travel outside the United States before receiving your new card, as you may have difficulty reentering the United States.  If an emergency arises and you have a need to travel outside the United States prior to receiving your Permanent Resident Card, you may make an appointment at your local USCIS office to request a stamp in your passport that shows temporary evidence of status as a lawful permanent resident."

 

This would come into play in case you ROC is approved while you are in the UK.  Could you explain your way through at Immigrations when you return from the UK and do not have your new card in hand (assuming it was approved while you were away)?  An uneducated guess would be yes given the circumstances and that you have your conditional card, along with the one year extension.  However, I personally would not want to take that risk in case I got stuck with a difficult immigration officer.

 

If you do decide to travel before a decision is made on your case, would it at all be possible for someone here to send you the card via courier if it arrives while you are still in the UK?  This is assuming your case is approved while you are away.  It is a tough situation to be in given the circumstances, and it is a decision only you can make given the facts and your willingness to take the chance.

 

My best wishes to you... 

 

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney.  I am simply giving you my opinion on the situation based on the warning I have read in my approval letter  

Edited January 11, 2017 by BlueDevil