VAWA, Part 11

[greenteacookie 1]

7 hours ago, sandranj said:

If your former husband is a U.S Citizen you need to be a resident permanent for at least  3 years in order tO apply for Citizenship ,  if he is a green card holder then you use the 5 years rule.

Hi Sandra, my former husband is USC. thanks for the information.

[CantWaitNoMore 6]

1 hour ago, staypositive said:

Hey everyone. Is it safe to accept financial aid? I have a prima facie notice, I am just worried that it’ll make me a public charge in the future, I am still waiting to have my VAWA approved and my status adjusted. I already got approved for financial aid but now I am wondering if I should accept the financial aid or not. I am kinda scared that’ll be a problem at the AOS.

 

Thank you for your help!

I am myself receiving it now. I am studying Aerospace Engineering. Don’t even worry a bit. Financial aid is not a public charge in no types of way ok. 

[FocusedFemale 60]

1 hour ago, Bryan12 said:

Thanks so much.

i really appreciate,pls can I also include AP form.

Hope it does not affect anything 

thanks

No, it won’t. If you submit it, you’ll just get a combo card. No biggie. 

[Sandra G. 5,057]

9 hours ago, Kleenex12 said:

Hello Sandra,how are you?hope you are doing great!Please I need your help!My Vawa was approved on July 31st 2018 so I applied for work permit on August 28th 2018 till now I haven’t heard from them!So I was supposed to adjust status and I was told my priority date is not current which August 2016 so I wish to know if they use August 2016 as my priority will they schedule my interview soon?,do you know when it will be current?thanks a lot for reading!God bless you!

 

If your husband is a green card holder your visa visa number must be current in order for you to apply for AOS , and to know if your number is current you need to check the visa bulletin.When the number is current you wil file the adjustment of status and your case will be adjudicated in the order was recived .

[Bryan12 17]

2 hours ago, FocusedFemale said:

No, it won’t. If you submit it, you’ll just get a combo card. No biggie. 

Thanks so much for your help

[Sandra G. 5,057]

5 hours ago, TexasVAWA said:

I am preparing package to file for VAWA.  Do I need to include the original copy of each documents or photocopy?  

 

5 hours ago, TexasVAWA said:

I am preparing package to file for VAWA.  Do I need to include the original copy of each documents or photocopy?  

You need to submit  the original documents such as the police clearance , your affidavit, your friend's affidavit and the psychological evalution. Make a copy of the whole file 

[Sandra G. 5,057]

6 hours ago, Bryan12 said:

Sorry for my ignorance .

the fee waiver (is it a form I have to download and fill) to include with the new i765

 

Go to the USCIS web site and search form I-912

[Allrounder 57]

10 hours ago, sandranj said:

Your lawyer can call Vawa unit in Vermont and inquire about your l485, you can contact your congressperson as well.

What category did you chose when applying for the EAD? You might have chose c31 category which is only given after vawa aproval.

[Sanchi 2]

hello all, I need help. My I-485 was denied but I applied for VAWA and my receipt date is 5/14/18. I have not heard anything since then. My attorney has tried multiple times calling Vermont and even sent an email but he has been unable to reach anyone. What can I do? Thanks a lot

[Kleenex12 107]

48 minutes ago, sandranj said:

If your husband is a green card holder your visa visa number must be current in order for you to apply for AOS , and to know if your number is current you need to check the visa bulletin.When the number is current you wil file the adjustment of status and your case will be adjudicated in the order was recived .

Thanks a lot Sandra!

[Bryan12 17]

58 minutes ago, sandranj said:

Go to the USCIS web site and search form I-912

Thank you Sandra 

[staypositive 51]

4 hours ago, JonShai said:

@staypositive it is ok for you to accept financial aid as it is not considered a public charge. Please bare in mind that financial aid is not free unless you only accept grants and no loans. Otherwise, this is money that you will have to repay in the near future.

 

By the ways congrats on your prima facie and congrats on getting approved for financial aid. I have been trying to use my prima facie to receive financial aid for the past 6 months and my school refuses to accept it saying it does not qualify me to receive Title IV aid but I know  it does. 

 

Do do you know which schools accept prima facie cause I am willing to transfer?

Thanks for your answer @JonShai . They are all grants so I guess that's good.  I am a little confused though. 

I applied for FAFSA and then was worried that it would become a public charge problem so I never submitted the Prima Facie. My school got all the information but requested more documents, and because I was scared of the public charge thing I never submitted anything because I already decided not to take financial aid.

 

Today I got an email that my financial aid package was revised and I am accepted and it shows the amount that I am getting.

This kinda confused me, why would they grant it? Can they check with DHS that I am a VAWA filer?

 

I am going to college in NYC by the way.

[staypositive 51]

16 minutes ago, staypositive said:

Thanks for your answer @JonShai . They are all grants so I guess that's good.  I am a little confused though. 

I applied for FAFSA and then was worried that it would become a public charge problem so I never submitted the Prima Facie. My school got all the information but requested more documents, and because I was scared of the public charge thing I never submitted anything because I already decided not to take financial aid.

 

Today I got an email that my financial aid package was revised and I am accepted and it shows the amount that I am getting.

This kinda confused me, why would they grant it? Can they check with DHS that I am a VAWA filer?

 

I am going to college in NYC by the way.

Also, this is what the FAFSA website says, maybe this will be helpful to some of you:

 

"“Prima Facie” Case - The I-797, Notice of Action will sometimes indicate “Section: Self-Petitioning Spouse of U.S.C. or L.P.R. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIMA FACIE CASE.” This status is usually provided for a period of up to 180 days (as indicated on the I-797, Notice of Action form). As long as the I-797 form has not expired, an otherwise eligible applicant can be awarded and disbursed Title IV, HEA program assistance and no verification with DHS-USCIS is required. Also, at times, DHS-USCIS will extend the “prima facie” case for a specific period of time until the case is either approved or denied. As long as the expiration date has not occurred, an otherwise eligible Title IV, HEA applicant is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance. It is our understanding that a self-petitioner can submit a written request for an extension up to 15 days prior to the expiration date and receive an extension. Unless the I-360 application has been denied, the petitioner should receive an extension of the “prima facie” case on a subsequent I-797 form."

[Tortmaster 75]

On 9/11/2018 at 10:29 PM, FocusedFemale said:

Hi Guys, I got approved for my green card on the spot today. Below is my timeline :

 

25 July 2016: Submitted EAD renewal application 

2   Aug 2106: Filed for divorce 

16 Aug 2016: Abusive spouse withdrew petition, email notifications. 

23 Aug 2016: Decision  Notice in mail, with option to appeal or leave country.

14 Sep 2106: Mailed I360, I485, I765

19 Sep 2016: Receipt notice- I360 fee waived 

23 Sep 2016: Receipt in mail, along with     original documents for I485, I765 (insufficient fees). I thought the single I912 was good for all the applications.

27 Sep 2016: Prima Facie letter 

15 Oct 2016: EAD expired, last day at work.

 20 Oct 2016: Decision notice - declined EAD (filed before divorce).

19 Jan 2017: resubmitted I485, I765, I131, with new medical results and respective fee waiver forms.

23 Jan 2017: Fees waived on all applications (saw this after I received physical notice with receipt numbers)

02 Feb 2017: Receipt notices in mail. 

01 March 2017: We ordered your new card

03 March 2017: Notice received in mail

06 March 2017: We mailed your new card.

08 March 2017: Card received.

25 March 2017: Notice of Action - Biometrics 

01 April 2017: Biometrics appointment letter received in mail. 

Since then, I have sent applications for Prima Facie extension. 

Nov 2017 : RFE, Good moral character, background check from country. I wasn’t in the US 3yrs when I filed VAWA.

Jan 10, 2018: Sent RFE response, along with Prima Facie Extension application. (I didn’t think to apply for EAD renewal at the time...not good...I didn’t understand it wasn’t based on a valid Prima Facie, but a pending I-485)

Jan 11, 2018: Notice Of RFE receipt

Feb 20, 2018: Realized my mistake with my EAD, quickly sent in application, with letter asking it be expedited. 

Feb 20, 2018: Contacted Senator’s Office for assistance. 

Feb 28, 2018: Update On I-360 case....”Initial Review”. It said they received correspondence. I suppose they were contacted by the Senator’s office....because I already received notice when I responded to RFE for background check. Plus, the I-360 wouldn’t update because of the receiving my EAD renewal application, right? 

Feb 28, 2018: All my documents expired. I am now out of a job...no one to blame but myself. I just pray I get my new EAD soon. 

Mar 10, 2018: Notice: Fees waived for I-765

Mar 12, 2018: I-360 Petition Approval Notice!!! 

 

August 14-25 Interview letter sent out and received.

 

September 11 - Interview date. 

 

❗️❗️🙏🏿UPDATE🙏🏿❗️

 

September 11 -✅Green card approved!!

 

✳️I arrived too early (Detroit office), and I got called in almost exactly at 8:00am. My P.O. was really nice and cheerful. She took my picture, finger prints and took my passport, along with my interview letter. She asked me about my address, name, d.o.b. and when I arrived (I confirmed).

 

She did not mention the new I-693, so I mentioned it, and she said yes, she need it. 

 

She commended me on doing a really good job of doing my filings on my own. I said I was going to become an attorney now, then and we both laughed. 

 

She asked me the yes or no questions, and noted my speeding ticket. 

 

She asked about my current job, but didn’t take the proof like the interview letter asked. We talked about working in retail and the mood was very relaxed. 

 

She did not ask me at all about the abuse or asked me why I overstayed my visitor visa. 

 

She then told me that everything looks great and if her security checks come back clear at the end of the day, then I should expect my green card in two weeks. 

 

I asked her if she could stamp my passport with the travel authorization, and she said that was for people who wanted to travel immediately. She then said “Let me just run it now, it only takes 2 seconds”.

 

We chatted about my job and Macy’s discounts until it was done, and she said “all the checks came back okay, so you can expect your green card in the mail in about two weeks!”. 

 

I cried a little. The journey was long and stressful. The end of this week, would make it two full years since I started my VAWA journey. Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow. 

 

I hope this helps. Go in with a smile, be cheerful, relax, but don’t say too much. When asked the yes or no questions, it helps to say “no, sir, or no, ma’am”.  

 

I have not gotten an update since the interview, but I’m not worried, because I haven’t received any notices since my vawa approval on March. 

 

Thanks to everyone who prayed for me or wished me well. I am praying for you too. 

 

 

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your experience! Best of luck to you with your new life!

[MJM2001 14]

1 hour ago, staypositive said:

Also, this is what the FAFSA website says, maybe this will be helpful to some of you:

 

"“Prima Facie” Case - The I-797, Notice of Action will sometimes indicate “Section: Self-Petitioning Spouse of U.S.C. or L.P.R. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIMA FACIE CASE.” This status is usually provided for a period of up to 180 days (as indicated on the I-797, Notice of Action form). As long as the I-797 form has not expired, an otherwise eligible applicant can be awarded and disbursed Title IV, HEA program assistance and no verification with DHS-USCIS is required. Also, at times, DHS-USCIS will extend the “prima facie” case for a specific period of time until the case is either approved or denied. As long as the expiration date has not occurred, an otherwise eligible Title IV, HEA applicant is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance. It is our understanding that a self-petitioner can submit a written request for an extension up to 15 days prior to the expiration date and receive an extension. Unless the I-360 application has been denied, the petitioner should receive an extension of the “prima facie” case on a subsequent I-797 form."

Hi my VAWA was approved in July. Have the work permit but I have not received the approval notice yet. I want to go back to school (never received a prima facie). Is it pretty much the same FAFSA Process? I was doing Biological Sciences in Alaska but I want to switch to nursing in another state.