May 2017 AOS Filers

[sarahandyunus 133]

10 hours ago, jcrod9 said:

 

Hello Everyone 

 

 I have a big dilemma,  I received my advance parole and EAD back in August in a combo card. My brother's wedding is in Mexico on 10/21/2017 and I don't know whether to go or not because I had a somehow  uncomfortable experience when crossing by land just one time. I would not like to miss it 

 

When I received the combo card back in August I went to Mexico for one day and I returned by land by car with my spouse. The CBP told me that I should not be crossing with the EAD/AP card because he stated it is only valid for work and not to travel and I am neither a citizen or permanent resident as it states on the back of the card. I immediately pointed to him politely that the card says in the front valid for advanced parole. I did not want to argue with him or anything because I know it's not a right that we have to cross but rather a priviledge and it's up to their discretion whether they would let me in or not. He told us to park the car and sent us to second inspection  inside a building. I was fingerprinted and after two hours they issued a one time I-94 and allowed me to cross. I asked the second officer who was a really polite and friendly lady whether I could cross in the future for special ocassions or emergencies and she said she did not recommend it. 

 

So l feel bad because I don't want to miss a lifetime occasion such as my only brother's wedding and at the same time I don't want to be denied entry or compromise the AOS.

 

I am just hesitating because it says on the letter that " Parole into the US is not guaranteed" "Even though USCIS approved your advance parole, CBP may still refuse to parole you into the United States"

 

What do you guys think? I really appreciate your insight. 

 

 

That seems like a total mistake/oversight on the officer's part. The whole point of AP is that you can leave the country while waiting for your GC. Maybe they just aren't used to people with AP crossing at that border? I have coworkers who have had AP for years because they are in very long queues for GC (because they are employment based) and they have run into officers at various airports who don't know what AP is and are hesitant to accept it.

 

I would personally go to the wedding, if I were you, but maybe fly. And bring extra documentation along with you just in case they pull you aside with questions. Sorry you had to deal with that. 

[Hawksquill 151]

On 10/19/2017 at 3:05 PM, ohsnapitsginnay said:

We had our aos interview this morning! We were approved on the spot!!!!!!! Though it didn't make the interview any less intimidating lol.

We arrived about 15 mins before our 11am appt in Norfolk, VA. They called us back to a private room about 11:15. She had us raise our right hands and swear in. The first thing she asked is if we had any evidence to present to support our marriage. I brought joint phone bill, rental lease with both our names, joint car insurance, my life insurance with him listed as the beneficiary. She didn't even glance at them or blink an eye.  She was just staring at us saying "uh huh... ok.. what else" (talk about intimidating) then she asked for pictures to add to our file and all i had was our wedding album and a screenshot of our photographers blog. So she seemed kind of annoyed and asked to look through our album. Then she started asking about the timeline of our entire relationship and the dates of life events like cancer and the death of his dad.. (?) She continued looking through our album and said she rarely sees actual weddings rather than a courthouse style wedding. She started to tear up and expressed how much love she sees between us and how blessed we are by God. She went from intimidatingly tough to soft and sweet and said she recommends us for approval and that she hopes to find a love like ours someday. We had the online status change by the time we walked out to the car!!!  We were with her about 20 minutes! 

 

I was concerned about the health packet because we never sent or filled out any health paperwork or vaccine papers with his AOS because they took it at his port of entry and we had no copies of anything! I figured we would get an RFE to have his health redone since it's been over a year since the one for k-1 but all she said was "his health packet was submitted for his k-1 correct?" And we said yes and she said great! 

 

I think that's about all the details I can remember! Glad to be done for 2 years!

 

Oh And our "local" field office is 5 hours away....

Congrats!  Love the photos and glad it was such smooth sailing.   I've actually been to that exact Cheesecake Factory before - it's where I went to celebrate after I bought my wedding dress!  Glad you get to celebrate there too

[ohsnapitsginnay 14]

On 10/20/2017 at 6:44 PM, Hawksquill said:

Congrats!  Love the photos and glad it was such smooth sailing.   I've actually been to that exact Cheesecake Factory before - it's where I went to celebrate after I bought my wedding dress!  Glad you get to celebrate there too

ahhh how sweet is that! <3 

[notquitesurehow 9]

Hey guys, it's me again! Still no update on my EAD (NOA received June 7th). According to the confirmation e-mail, SR was supposed to get a reply by October 18th. I called USCIS yesterday and asked about the reason the case is taking so long and they advised me that I should wait 30 days from the date of filing a SR and if I don't get a reply by then I should just call them back. Soon it's gonna be 5 months since I received my NOA, so waiting is pretty much not an option at this point and I am going to contanct our congresswoman's office for some help. To those of you who have any experience with that - how easy is it really to get in touch with them, how much information do they need and how willing are they to help? Just trying to prepare to for the phone conversation tomorrow, any information or advice you guys might have will be appreciated!

[Hawksquill 151]

1 minute ago, kris.n said:

Hey guys, it's me again! Still no update on my EAD (NOA received June 7th). According to the confirmation e-mail, SR was supposed to get a reply by October 18th. I called USCIS yesterday and asked about the reason the case is taking so long and they advised me that I should wait 30 days from the date of filing a SR and if I don't get a reply by then I should just call them back. Soon it's gonna be 5 months since I received my NOA, so waiting is pretty much not an option at this point and I am going to contanct our congresswoman's office for some help. To those of you who have any experience with that - how easy is it really to get in touch with them, how much information do they need and how willing are they to help? Just trying to prepare to for the phone conversation tomorrow, any information or advice you guys might have will be appreciated!

Sorry to hear it's taking so long for you!  

 

We put in several SR's and eventually got our congresswoman involved.  Her website had a lot of information  about the process and the types of cases she accepts.  I'd read up as much as you can about your congresswoman's specific processes and procedures on the website so you know what to expect. 

 

There was a form on her website that we had to fill out. We had to mail a paper copy because she technically needed my husband's signature to give permission for them to make an inquiry on his behalf.  You might want to call to get more info but just so you know, they might make you fill something out in hard copy for the same reason.

 

We were assigned a case manager who happened to be out on vacation so we only talked to her once when she got back.  Otherwise, other staff members were in touch and let us know when the inquiry was filed.  A month after they filed the inquiry, they said they expected to hear something soon. 

 

We never officially got a response from her office but we got his EAD very soon after (within a few days), so I think getting her to nudge them on our behalf really helped.

 

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions! 

[notquitesurehow 9]

5 minutes ago, Hawksquill said:

Sorry to hear it's taking so long for you!  

 

We put in several SR's and eventually got our congresswoman involved.  Her website had a lot of information  about the process and the types of cases she accepts.  I'd read up as much as you can about your congresswoman's specific processes and procedures on the website so you know what to expect. 

 

There was a form on her website that we had to fill out. We had to mail a paper copy because she technically needed my husband's signature to give permission for them to make an inquiry on his behalf.  You might want to call to get more info but just so you know, they might make you fill something out in hard copy for the same reason.

 

We were assigned a case manager who happened to be out on vacation so we only talked to her once when she got back.  Otherwise, other staff members were in touch and let us know when the inquiry was filed.  A month after they filed the inquiry, they said they expected to hear something soon. 

 

We never officially got a response from her office but we got his EAD very soon after (within a few days), so I think getting her to nudge them on our behalf really helped.

 

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions! 

 

 I'll look more into it and hopefully get in touch with them tomorrow. This info is super helpful, though! Thank you so much!

 

[sarahandyunus 133]

Just wanted to post an update that we had our interview today and it was a million times easier than I ever imagined it being. Once my husband was sworn in the officer straight up told us it would be quick and painless. He only went over questions such as criminal record etc (formalities I suppose), looked at my husband's passport, EAD and drivers license and told us we'd get the card in the mail within 30 days. The entire thing took about 10 minutes. So relieved to finally be done with USCIS for the next 2 years. But best of luck to all my fellow May filers, I am thinking of you all and wishing you the best of luck in going through this. 

 

[papasmf 90]

1 hour ago, sarahandyunus said:

Just wanted to post an update that we had our interview today and it was a million times easier than I ever imagined it being. Once my husband was sworn in the officer straight up told us it would be quick and painless. He only went over questions such as criminal record etc (formalities I suppose), looked at my husband's passport, EAD and drivers license and told us we'd get the card in the mail within 30 days. The entire thing took about 10 minutes. So relieved to finally be done with USCIS for the next 2 years. But best of luck to all my fellow May filers, I am thinking of you all and wishing you the best of luck in going through this. 

 

Wonderful news!  Congrats sarahandyunus!!!

 

We are still simmering on Fingerprint Fee Received at MSC/NBC

 

But!  My wife got a job with her EAD!!  Thank God for that!  She found a good one too, assistant teacher at a day care a block from our apartment! 😃

[sarahandyunus 133]

1 minute ago, papasmf said:

Wonderful news!  Congrats sarahandyunus!!!

 

We are still simmering on Fingerprint Fee Received at MSC/NBC

 

But!  My wife got a job with her EAD!!  Thank God for that!  She found a good one too, assistant teacher at a day care a block from our apartment! 😃

Good to hear from you, it has been a long time and I was wondering where you guys were at. Perhaps your field office is more backed up than ours is - hope you will be receiving good news soon!

 

Congrats on the job, that is so exciting!

[Gordo2 23]

Just got the e-notification that my interview has been scheduled for next month. My online status never stated  "ready to interview", it jumped straight from RFIE received to interview scheduled.

[Troy P 34]

How many here are either waiting to have an interview or are still stuck at finger print fee received?

[KiTu 38]

7 minutes ago, Troy P said:

How many here are either waiting to have an interview or are still stuck at finger print fee received?

✋🏻

[Hawksquill 151]

23 minutes ago, Troy P said:

How many here are either waiting to have an interview or are still stuck at finger print fee received?

Ready to be scheduled for interview since June 15 over here.  

[Jeilvi 24]

1 hour ago, Troy P said:

How many here are either waiting to have an interview or are still stuck at finger print fee received?

Ready to be scheduled for interview since June 21

[lhazleton 7]

Guys, I have an issue and I don’t know what to think about it. 

I came from my country with two certified copies of my birth certificate, one to send with the paperwork for aos and one for me and to take to the interview. When we sent our paperwork we got an rfe requesting us to send an original birth certificate. It said they had the translation but not the original one, so we assumed the one we sent was lost and responded the rfe with the “extra” one I had to avoid delays. 

So my plan was to recieve AP, go to Mexico City on thanksgiving to see my family and get another copy of my BC there, but we got my combo card just last September and when we were starting to plan the trip we were scheduled for interview for Nov. 9th. so we had to wait. That meant having to go to the consulate of Mexico in San Diego to get a copy of my bc. I didn’t want to issue the copy there, but we had to. And just as I feared, my bc had a weird mistake that I don’t know it it can be an issue. 

All the information, names, dates, numbers, etc were correct, but where it states my place of birth, my “real”

bc says “Miguel Hidalgo, Distrito Federal” and the copy from the consulate says “Xochimilco, Distrito Federal”. The person who issued the copy at the consulate said that the mistake might have been made when they were digitalizing the information for the system of consulates, that Ihave to fo to Mexico and call a number to notify there is a mistake, but he told me not to worry, because the mistake is not important, what they care is the name of the city and that is correct. It is just that one specific name of the region inside the city where I was born where the mistake is. He told me that it is not the first mistake he sees, that there are bigger issues (like mistakes on names) and that it won’t be an issue for my interview. I checked my passport and oficial documents and everywhere, where it says place of birth, it only says “Distrito Federal” so they really might not check the neighborhood and won’t care the specific place inside the city where I was born. ¿What do you guys think? I have checked in this forum and apparently there really  are people with bigger mistakes on their BC’s and they haven’t had an issue in the interview. 

PS. Im sorry for all of you who have still not heard anything about your cases. Timing is definitely something weird for this process. I hope things work out for all of you who are still waiting for a notification.