I-485 doesn't let me type numbers

[kloisha 2]

the problem with disabling Javascript is that the barcode at the bottom will no longer be accurate as it updates dynamically as you enter data on each page. My understanding is that to expedite the data entry process USCIS officer now simply scan those barcode to fill up applications onto their system, instead of tediously enter each field manually. Although i'm not sure if they're not using text recognition software to expedite that process a bit after scanning your form.

There's a true lack of transparency from USCIS when it comes to those forms and how they're supposed to be filled up, considering they're poorly formatted by their IT dept in the first place. I suspect they do that on purpose to reserve themselves ground for dismissal of thousands of applications and offload their backlog (just a theory).

 

in any case, here's an interesting information about just that: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/Barcode_Requirements.pdf

 

They're also talking about here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-updates/uscis-2d-barcode-requirements with a key information: "Depending on which internet browser you use, the barcode may not be visible when you open the form. We will process all forms with or without a barcode at the bottom of the page."

 

That is entirely true btw. When you enter any USCIS form on Firefox Browser the barcode is replaced by just the form number and its date of expiration. On Google Chrome browser the barcode is still there but it doesn't update dynamically as you enter new data because i imagine Chrome disables Javascript by default on PDF forms. That also means that when you print out the form from Google Chrome, the barcode at the bottom doesn't really reflect the data entry and I can already imagine the poor USCIS officer scanning that barcode, hoping to get a quick entry of your data, just to discover it is pretty much empty and there you go buddy, they gotta copy the whole 18 pages of i-485 from scratch (just an example).

 

So really there's no simple answer here. If you want to "do it by the book" (whatever that means in that scenario), you should technically save the form on your computer and open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or an older version. And yes, the problem with that is that the form becomes dynamic (supposedly to help you out), and you'll see that barcode change as you type any new character on any page. But the downside is that whoever came up with this brilliant idea botched it and didn't think of all the possible scenarios, stupidly limiting the scope of acceptable characters on each field.

 

For example, in form i-485 (as of 12/2021) you'll notice that Part 1 Item 25.a. and Item 26.c. doesn't allow you to enter the very data they're asking for (how you were admitted and your i-94 Class of admission). So if you've entered the US with a K-1 or B-2 Visitor visa you're pretty much screwed as the field forbid numerals for some reason and you can't provide the "status" of you i-94 which is the Class of Admission, and therefore the code name of your visa.

 

Likewise, in form i-130 in Part 4. Item Number 46.b. (I-94 Record Number). Someone at US Custom and Border Protection should inform USCIS that record number on i-94 may now contain letters. I suppose they've run out of numbers and started adding letters too now. My wife's i-94 record number's last two characters were "- - - - - - - - - A2" (same total number of characters of 11, but the letter A in there). Well you already guessed it, those geniuses at USCIS forbid the entry of Alpha characters in that field. And if you add it manually (either with a pen, or by adding text if you have Acrobat Pro), then your barcode won't reflect it. I let you imagine the consequences. The clueless USCIS officer scans the barcode, which automatically fills up his database, but that I-94 is incomplete and returns an error on his screen. If s/he's smart and woke up in a good mood, they'll double check on your form if the last 2 digits are maybe there. But there's also a chance this will cause an automatic dismissal or RFE.

 

Long story short, and in the light of this crucial information from USCIS, that "We will process all forms with or without a barcode at the bottom of the page", i would suggest to go the FIREFOX browser way. Sure it's more work for the poor USCIS officer, but at least they're not misguided into believing that barcode is of any exhaustive value when it comes to your data.

 

One last thing, even on Firefox (and same thing on Chrome) the form automatically disables some fields. So you can't enter anything in them. This happens usually with follow-up fields to a Yes/No question. For example in form i-485 Part 1 Item 14. if you answer No then automatically Item 15 gets white and disabled, so you can't enter "N/A" in there. It's really a mess if you ask me, but we all know that. They want you to leave NO FIELD empty, by that anyone with two neurons would assume it means ZERO FIELD EMPTY, yet they seem to get some sort of pleasure to confuse you. Even immigration lawyers are confused by how poorly all those forms are designed, like it's 1988 or something. I can't imagine a non computer-savvy person filling up those forms by themselves and not receiving an RFE or dismissal plain and simple.

 

Forms like i-130 or i-485 are filled up by millions of people, so you'd think they would hire a few good software engineers to guide them into the 21st century, but no, they clearly left that job to a Karen who just learned to create a basic form on Acrobat DC Pro. Ok, i'm exaggerating, but thinking of how our tax dollars are spent i wouldn't be surprised they paid millions of dollars to get some lousy team botch that job.

 

Ok, rant over.

Edited December 15, 2021 by kloisha

[rndz 12]

14 hours ago, kloisha said:

...

Ok, rant over.

I was ranting to myself about the Acrobat forms as well.  They were broken in different ways for all of the non-Windows PDF software I tried and I actually installed a Windows VM just to eliminate most of the problems.  Even in Oct 2021 the "K1 not allowed because it contains a number" problem existed on my form and I just used a lowercase "L"  to move on.  Glad it wasn't a different category of visa...