Club Colombia AOS!

[parkpapa 0]

Congrats Corey! We also got a bit of good news today. Lorena's SS card arrived in the mail. Now we can at least file taxes and such. Still no word from the USCIS Ombudsman or my Senator, but we'll take any good news these days.

Hello Parkpapa,

I had a quick question for you. Since Lorena's boys arrived here with K2 visas, did you have to submit I-485's for each one of them? So one for Lorena and two more for her sons? How about I-864's? One for each as well? I also read here that the fee would be less... ??

Thanks!

Diana

Hi Diana,

Actually, the boys are here on K-4 visas, as Lorena is a K-3. It's been a while since I sent the stuff in (still waiting for a response on an appeal to use the old fees), but I believe you're right: a 485 for each one, but the boys are umbrellaed under her 864. I'll have to get the paperwork out to be certain. The big mistake I made was to not apply for a work authorization for each of the boys. I didn't realize those are needed in order to apply for a Social Security number. This whole process is idiotic, in my opinion, but as the guy as Social Security said, it IS government, after all. If we end up having to pay the new fees for AOS, along with the work permits for the boys (around $350 each), it will be around $4,000.00 for the three of them.

Charles

[parkpapa 0]

We decided to wait to get my wife's social Security # after we received her Green card. We went to the SS office today and it was really easy. I am going back next week to be given her SS # and will will have the card in 10-14 days. I want the # next week to be able to file my taxes. At the office just needed the green card, my wife's passport, and our marriage certificate.

After we get the number, going to the DMV......scary because my wife isn't the best driver! I have to give her alot of lessons and will be saying a ton of Hail Marys!

Best of luck with your wife's driving lessons. haha

Along that line, as soon as Lorena's card arrived, she started bugging me about taking her driving test. She studied for the written test like it was her job and we practiced in the car with me giving her instructions (turn left at the next intersection, stop here, etc.) in English. She took both tests on Monday. The written test was available in Spanish, though she said the translation was strange - like they had done it with a computer program. I could here her talking to the examiners in the other room. She was asking clarification on a couple of things. It was funny to listen to because they were all laughing. The two guys giving the examinations were very formal and a bit cold with me when we went in, but, with Lorena's personality, the three of them were buddies in no time. The driving test was another matter. Lorena was gone with the guy for close to half an hour. Two 16 yr old kids came and went for their driving tests in the time Lorena was out. When they got back, the guy said, "She did pass, but here are some things you HAVE to go over with her on...." Fortunately, her deficiencies were relatively minor. She had failed to use her turn signal while parking and leaving a parking space, and her parrallel parking left much to be desired.

She had no idea she had passed until we got back to the car and I told her for the second or third time. LOL

So, keep all the kids and and pets at home, and make sure your insurance is paid up!!! Just kidding....she's a good safe driver.

By the way, check your state's requirements for proof of status, residency, or whatever. The rules changed here in Missouri and some of the information on their website is not completely up to date.

Charles

[bundy_138 0]

Can someone give me the rundown on when I apply for the social security numbers for my novia and daughter? Do we need to be married first and have already filed the AOS? Do I have to file for work authorization with the AOS or after in order to get the social security number? What if she is not going to work? I assume we do it at the local social security office. Do I need to make an appointment?

Bundy

[Corey3368 3]

Can someone give me the rundown on when I apply for the social security numbers for my novia and daughter? Do we need to be married first and have already filed the AOS? Do I have to file for work authorization with the AOS or after in order to get the social security number? What if she is not going to work? I assume we do it at the local social security office. Do I need to make an appointment?

Bundy

I knew my wife was not going to be working right away so I waited in obtaining her SS #. It was really simple. We went to the local SS Office ( no appt needed). We completed a simple 1 page application and provided my wife's green card, passport and our marriage certificate. The card will come in the mail in 10-14 days. Thats it!

I am not hundred percent sure but I believe when you file the AOS package you can file for work authorization which cost additional money. I believe once the work authorization is approved you can then file for the SS#. One advantage of obtaining the SS# before the AOS is approved is that you can then apply for a driver licence.

I am sure someone else will provide more info on obtaining the SS# before the Green Card is approved. Good luck!

Corey

[parkpapa 0]

Can someone give me the rundown on when I apply for the social security numbers for my novia and daughter? Do we need to be married first and have already filed the AOS? Do I have to file for work authorization with the AOS or after in order to get the social security number? What if she is not going to work? I assume we do it at the local social security office. Do I need to make an appointment?

Bundy

I knew my wife was not going to be working right away so I waited in obtaining her SS #. It was really simple. We went to the local SS Office ( no appt needed). We completed a simple 1 page application and provided my wife's green card, passport and our marriage certificate. The card will come in the mail in 10-14 days. Thats it!

I am not hundred percent sure but I believe when you file the AOS package you can file for work authorization which cost additional money. I believe once the work authorization is approved you can then file for the SS#. One advantage of obtaining the SS# before the AOS is approved is that you can then apply for a driver licence.

I am sure someone else will provide more info on obtaining the SS# before the Green Card is approved. Good luck!

Corey

Corey's right on the money. You can have your work permit and then your SS# before having your green card. You will need to file applications for BOTH your wife and her daughter - even if the daughter is too young to legally work. I would recommend waiting until you're married for the simple reason that only then will her married name match the name that's on her Social Security card. I think the cleaner you keep things, the happier you'll be in the end.

[paisita411 0]

Hi Everyone...I finally have my AOS package in the mail. It turns out that b/c Oscar had his medical in January 2007, it was expired and he had to take another round of tests (HIV, SIF and TB) along with getting his vaccinations transferred to the right form. So we found a doctor here in Atlanta that did the whole thing for $125. This also gave me time to do my 2007 taxes and get the I-864 put together. Anyway...now the next leg of our journey begins.

I noticed that some of your spouses are getting Driver's Licenses. Oscar got his permit in December after 3 tries and yesterday he took his road test, but failed for driving too slow! And this guy drives a motorcycle like a maniac!! He's taking it again tomorrow.

Anyway, wish us luck.

Dre

[TonyS 0]

Congrats to all! I'm happy for Corey and their recent approval for the green cards. I'm still waiting for a interview date. Hartford service center sucks! This is getting frustrating

[parkpapa 0]

Latest update: We are frustrated beyond words - and arer looking for an attorney. I finally received a response from my latest inquiry to our Senator. USCIS simply said that they were right and I was wrong. Then they said the old fees would have been $1155. That's odd because with the second rejection notice they said we should have paid $1225. If even USCIS doesn't know what the fees are, why would they care that I didn't send the right amount???

Two days after receiving this notice, this morning (a Saturday, mind you) I get a call from "Officer Keels" who says she's from the Homeland Security Ombudsman's office and wants to address the concerns I forwarded to that office. She proceeded to tell me that we were originally rejected because the AOS package was received after the July 30 deadline. When I pointed out that USCIS said the packets only had to be postmarked before that date, she informed me that I was in error and the memo she had in front of her said it was the receipt date that mattered. Then she told me our second rejection was because of "insufficient funds". Evidently that term means something different in Texas (where she said she was calling from) than it does in Missouri. USCIS never attempted to deposit the check. They simply returned it with everything else and said it was not enough money, based on the new fees. After initially being nice and cordial, she got more and more snippy with me whenever I would contradict any of her erroneous information. Besides, IF my check had been made of rubber and bounced all the way back to Missouri, they would have kept the rest of the packet and given me another chance to pay - using the old fees!

She didn't agree with anything I was telling her so she finally said I should fax my information to her and she would read it.

If Lorena and I had been doing all of this in Colombia, the bureaucrats there would have simply taken the extra money, had a hell of a party, and gone ahead and processed the paperwork. Only in America, the land of the (semi) free, and the home of the intransigent bureaucrat, will you get such a bunch of BS.

Anyone know a good lawyer who's interested in some pro bono work in taking on the Feds??? LOL I realize it would probably be cheaper to go ahead and pay the freaking new fees than hire a lawyer, but now it's becoming a matter of principle.

Charles

[parkpapa 0]

Quick question that I am sure is covered in the main club thread (but I'm too lazy to go hunt for...lol). Can a K-3 (and K-4s) travel out of the country prior to having the AOS and/or Advance Parole approved? I seem to recall reading that they can, but if so, does anyone know of a link to USCIS confirmation of this? I haven't been able to find any response that direct and obvious while searching their site.

We do have an appointment with an attorney in early March. We'll make our decision of how to proceed after that. For right now, I strongly advise anyone following the K-3 process where children are also involved to file for AOS as soon as possible. Dummy me didn't realize that I can't claim the boys on my taxes for 2007 because they don't have Social Security numbers. This means a $1,000.00 swing - to the negative side - in our federal taxes, so I will have to file for an extension and wait until they get their numbers.

[Mike and Adriana 0]

Had to answer a PM I got from someone on the old Colombia Club thread and thought I'd stop by to see who's still around. I see a lot of familiar faces. I am sorry that more of you are not through AOS yet. I obviously don't check the board and post much any more, but did want to say hi.

While I'm here, I'll answer this question. The answer is yes. K-3s and 4s can travel. My wife and step-daughter returned to Colombia for two months last summer for my wife's mother's surgery. We did not go through AOS until August when they returned. Absolutely no problems.

As far as the tax issue is concerned....maybe I don't understand your situation well enough....but why not get a taxpayer ID number for them? You are supposed to be able to get a TIN IF the person is otherwise not currently eligible for a SSN. Maybe the problem is that they are now here and since they technically could have filed for an EAD and then applied for an SSN (but didn't), they are not eligible for a TIN. Just a thought....not sure if it will work without more info, but check it out, if you have not already.

Good luck.

Mike

Quick question that I am sure is covered in the main club thread (but I'm too lazy to go hunt for...lol). Can a K-3 (and K-4s) travel out of the country prior to having the AOS and/or Advance Parole approved? I seem to recall reading that they can, but if so, does anyone know of a link to USCIS confirmation of this? I haven't been able to find any response that direct and obvious while searching their site.

We do have an appointment with an attorney in early March. We'll make our decision of how to proceed after that. For right now, I strongly advise anyone following the K-3 process where children are also involved to file for AOS as soon as possible. Dummy me didn't realize that I can't claim the boys on my taxes for 2007 because they don't have Social Security numbers. This means a $1,000.00 swing - to the negative side - in our federal taxes, so I will have to file for an extension and wait until they get their numbers.

[TonyS 0]

Yes you can claim the dependents without social security numbers. You just need a ITIN. Here is the link.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

The believe the process takes about 4-6 weeks to get a ITIN and then the tax return is processed. The other options is just wait for a SS and file a amended return later.

Tony

[parkpapa 0]

Yes you can claim the dependents without social security numbers. You just need a ITIN. Here is the link.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

The believe the process takes about 4-6 weeks to get a ITIN and then the tax return is processed. The other options is just wait for a SS and file a amended return later.

Tony

Thanks, Tony. I tried this (unsuccessfully) last year with Lorena, before they got to the states. I'll try it again this year with the boys, though I've pretty much lost all faith in the bureaucrats in Washington - and elsewhere - that manage all this stuff.

Thanks for the link!

Charles

[snoopy 0]

Hi Everyone...I finally have my AOS package in the mail. It turns out that b/c Oscar had his medical in January 2007, it was expired and he had to take another round of tests (HIV, SIF and TB) along with getting his vaccinations transferred to the right form. So we found a doctor here in Atlanta that did the whole thing for $125. This also gave me time to do my 2007 taxes and get the I-864 put together. Anyway...now the next leg of our journey begins.

I noticed that some of your spouses are getting Driver's Licenses. Oscar got his permit in December after 3 tries and yesterday he took his road test, but failed for driving too slow! And this guy drives a motorcycle like a maniac!! He's taking it again tomorrow.

Anyway, wish us luck.

Dre

Hi Andrea,

I noticed your husband arrived with a K-3 visa, I'm wondering how you guys got to have a Driver's permit if you don't have a SS# yet?

We sent our AOS package on Feb. 01 and it'll take a while before getting a work permit and then apply for a SS card. Here in California it's a MUST to have the SS before considering in applying for a D. License.

Thanks .......... Ana & Juank

[parkpapa 0]

Hi Everyone...I finally have my AOS package in the mail. It turns out that b/c Oscar had his medical in January 2007, it was expired and he had to take another round of tests (HIV, SIF and TB) along with getting his vaccinations transferred to the right form. So we found a doctor here in Atlanta that did the whole thing for $125. This also gave me time to do my 2007 taxes and get the I-864 put together. Anyway...now the next leg of our journey begins.

I noticed that some of your spouses are getting Driver's Licenses. Oscar got his permit in December after 3 tries and yesterday he took his road test, but failed for driving too slow! And this guy drives a motorcycle like a maniac!! He's taking it again tomorrow.

Anyway, wish us luck.

Dre

Hi Andrea,

I noticed your husband arrived with a K-3 visa, I'm wondering how you guys got to have a Driver's permit if you don't have a SS# yet?

We sent our AOS package on Feb. 01 and it'll take a while before getting a work permit and then apply for a SS card. Here in California it's a MUST to have the SS before considering in applying for a D. License.

Thanks .......... Ana & Juank

I can't speak for Andrea, but I know that each state can have different laws regarding proof for a license or permit. And the rules can evidently change within a state. Here in Missouri the rules say a non-immigrant (such as a K-3 applicant) CAN get a license with certain proofs. However, the reality is that if you don't have a Social Security CARD (not just the number....lol), you don't get a license. I suppose you could press the issue and get the license, but frankly, most of the time it's not worth the effort.

Charles

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Quick question guys...is it necessary to send the original I-797C approval notice with the AOS documents or is a copy ok? Also is it correct that all docs are sent in 1 package to Chicago...travel, work and AOS?

We had a crappy experience trying to get Yenifer's learners permit...with 29 days left on her visa (I94) they said it takes 30 days for the Gov't to process the permit so by the time she got it it would be invalid, but with an AOS NOA she could do it because it would show that she plans to stay...DUH>>>WE'RE MARRIED...WHERE DO YOU THINK SHE'S GOING??? I was pissed but I'm ok now that I've had a chance to swallow the lump.

We are trying now to get through this next step (AOS)...

Thanks for the help