June 2019 AOS Filers

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

1 hour ago, Eric&Mirella said:

I couldn’t even get a state ID or learners permit to drive. I’m really waiting for that EAD lol, I also feel like baggage. 

Anastasia couldn't get a realID compliant CA ID (and learner's permit, because she didn't drive in Russia) even after her GC because her Social Security card is in her maiden name (even though we had a copy of our marriage certificate), after spending a few hours at the DMV on Saturday (I did get my license renewed and a RealID ordered, so the trip wasn't a total loss, but still ...). Will need to stop by the Social Security Administration office next time we're near one on a weekday.

[Biffa 89]

1 hour ago, mmv_1 said:

I got the physical card last week, it will come soon. It seems like the USCIS processing times are inflated. It was very odd that from one week to the other the wait times doubled in almost every office of the country. 

I agree. Went from 5.5 -8 months then 2.5 - 5 months now 4.5-6 months for EAD. Do they change every two weeks? I’m at 117 days now. Hoping to get approval around the 135 day mark (4.5 month)

Edited October 7, 2019 by Biffa

[TrickorTea 59]

3 hours ago, celie&joseph said:

Hang in there! I feel your pain. Two people from my same office and the similar dates to ours were scheduled last week and people into July already have their interviews (I won't read past that) and here I am refreshing our status every 30 seconds to see if it changes. Idk why but I found this wait harder than the K1. I appreciate wholeheartedly that he gets to be here during this process, but waiting for his paperwork while he sits at home frustrated because he's in limbo is like watching paint dry. Literally everything we want to plan out has a tentative date of "when he gets his green card".

I'm in the same position, up to a point where I'm considering going back home and starting over the immigration procedures, but having my husband come to my home country instead.

 

Considering that Seattle is most likely the second worst office in terms of waiting times, I won't be able to get my green card until 2021. At least, if I'm lucky, I'll get the EAD before the end of the year, so at least working will keep me busy. But I can't imagine not being able to see my friends and my family for a total of at least 2 years. (And I didn't apply for AP at the time because I thought I would have my green card within a reasonable amount of time, like everyone else here)

 

It's so frustrating. I came from having my own apartment, having a job, being financially responsible, to being stuck at home and doing nothing all day. (And please none of that "take up a new hobby!" bs) I've always been used to be able to take care of myself, and now I have to rely solely on someone else with very limited income.

 

Ugh, if we were to go back to Canada, at least my husband would be able to work and be eligible to free health care as soon as he enters the country. This whole process is so frustrating. I can't imagine how people that have to go through longer and harder procedures than our own must feel.

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

1 minute ago, Biffa said:

I agree. Went from 5.5 -8 months then 2.5 - 5 months now 4.5-6 months for EAD. Do they change every two weeks? I’m at 117 days now. Hoping to get approval around the 135 day mark (4.5 month)

We're at 111 days, and were also hoping to get EAD approval around day 135. *fingers crossed*

 

At least it's FINALLY cooled down over here, we had record breaking high temps up until yesterday (95+ degrees in October!!!) so my husband couldn't even go for walks for very long due to the heat. 

[Eric&Mirella 367]

27 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Anastasia couldn't get a realID compliant CA ID (and learner's permit, because she didn't drive in Russia) even after her GC because her Social Security card is in her maiden name (even though we had a copy of our marriage certificate), after spending a few hours at the DMV on Saturday (I did get my license renewed and a RealID ordered, so the trip wasn't a total loss, but still ...). Will need to stop by the Social Security Administration office next time we're near one on a weekday.

Did you try the SSA office in El Cajon? I went there because of yelp reviews, I was able to change my ssn card to my new name it took around a week.  the staff is super friendly and it doesn’t have a ton of people plus easy parking. 
 

ETA the 2 times I went to this office  it took me around 20 minutes or less. The first time it was only 10 minutes. 

Edited October 7, 2019 by Eric&Mirella

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

5 minutes ago, Eric&Mirella said:

Did you try the SSA office in El Cajon? I went there because of yelp reviews, I was able to change my ssn card to my new name it took around a week.  the staff is super friendly and it doesn’t have a ton of people plus easy parking. 

No, but El Cajon is somewhat out of the way from where we are (we're basically in the northeast corner of the city; San Marcos is the closest office to us, though we got her card initially downtown because we were already downtown due to wedding ring shopping. If they still did stamps post-interview normally, we could have just gone next door after the interview. Or just changed her name and came back again to get the 'valid only with DHS authorization' removed, but we were trying to save a trip to the SSA.).

 

I don't think we'll have any problems at the SSA office, it's just a matter of being near one on a weekday.

[Eric&Mirella 367]

18 minutes ago, TrickorTea said:

It's so frustrating. I came from having my own apartment, having a job, being financially responsible, to being stuck at home and doing nothing all day. (And please none of that "take up a new hobby!" bs) I've always been used to be able to take care of myself, and now I have to rely solely on someone else with very limited income.

 

Same here, I went from a high paying corporate job, working at least 50 hours a week to stay at home and watch tv until exhaustion. I could go out but costs money, it’s hot out there and I don’t know my way around at all on public transport in this city.  I’m thankful for being with my husband after 3 years but I’m honestly feeling desperate to “restart” my life.  

[Eric&Mirella 367]

3 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

No, but El Cajon is somewhat out of the way from where we are (we're basically in the northeast corner of the city; San Marcos is the closest office to us, though we got her card initially downtown because we were already downtown due to wedding ring shopping. If they still did stamps post-interview normally, we could have just gone next door after the interview. Or just changed her name and came back again to get the 'valid only with DHS authorization' removed, but we were trying to save a trip to the SSA.).

 

I don't think we'll have any problems at the SSA office, it's just a matter of being near one on a weekday.

I was scolded by the supervisor for changing my name in the middle of my immigration process lol .She was very nice though.  San Marcos is definitely not close to El Cajon. Agreed, I think the SSN part is the easiest of all this journey. 

[EandS2019 390]

I just got my interview letter in the mail, it's scheduled for the 7th of November. I have updated my timeline!

[Joyoussinger 1,425]

12 minutes ago, Ethan & Shannon said:

I just got my interview letter in the mail, it's scheduled for the 7th of November. I have updated my timeline!

Yay! Congratulations!

[Mike&Lulu Burton 85]

1 hour ago, TrickorTea said:

I'm in the same position, up to a point where I'm considering going back home and starting over the immigration procedures, but having my husband come to my home country instead.

 

Considering that Seattle is most likely the second worst office in terms of waiting times, I won't be able to get my green card until 2021. At least, if I'm lucky, I'll get the EAD before the end of the year, so at least working will keep me busy. But I can't imagine not being able to see my friends and my family for a total of at least 2 years. (And I didn't apply for AP at the time because I thought I would have my green card within a reasonable amount of time, like everyone else here)

 

It's so frustrating. I came from having my own apartment, having a job, being financially responsible, to being stuck at home and doing nothing all day. (And please none of that "take up a new hobby!" bs) I've always been used to be able to take care of myself, and now I have to rely solely on someone else with very limited income.

 

Ugh, if we were to go back to Canada, at least my husband would be able to work and be eligible to free health care as soon as he enters the country. This whole process is so frustrating. I can't imagine how people that have to go through longer and harder procedures than our own must feel.

I totally feel you, I came from having my house, my well paid steady job, even properties that I haven't been able to take care of, and hundreds of friends, used to go to rock festivals, concerts, live band music bars in the beautiful city of Guadalajara Mexico, and family and the little town my dad is from etc .... and now stuck in a college student town full of 17yr olds and retired people , no music, no friends, no job.. I love my husband very much, I wished he could live in Mexico with me instead, but his job doesnt really exist there, so such is life, I just hope this finishes soon.

[EandS2019 390]

2 hours ago, Eric&Mirella said:

Same here, I went from a high paying corporate job, working at least 50 hours a week to stay at home and watch tv until exhaustion. I could go out but costs money, it’s hot out there and I don’t know my way around at all on public transport in this city.  I’m thankful for being with my husband after 3 years but I’m honestly feeling desperate to “restart” my life.  

I feel this, I don't  really feel like I'm living 'my' life right now. I miss my life. I hope it all gets better for everyone soon.

[JZ38 16]

3 hours ago, Ethan & Shannon said:

I just got my interview letter in the mail, it's scheduled for the 7th of November. I have updated my timeline!

Congrats! Got my interview scheduled for the 7th too (Chicago).

[Mike&Lulu Burton 85]

4 hours ago, JZ38 said:

Congrats! Got my interview scheduled for the 7th too (Chicago).

Congratulations to both!!!

[HYDTOORD 14]

My Interview is on 7th at Chicago. All the best !