Club Colombia AOS!

[HAL 9000 96]

I'm starting to get the feeling USCIS took that AOS package and is using it to play darts on some examiner's wall.

With that said... specially for you, Andrea... hope to hear better news sooner than fast.

[Juan Carlos 0]

Dear friends,

Just wanted to wish everyone an excellent 2009!! I hope it brings approvals, GCs and interviews to all of us still waiting (specially to you, Andrea). And for those of you no longer waiting, I hope the new year brings you happines and joy with your loved ones. Thanks for hanging around and sharing with us your experience.

Now a quick update on my case:

Biometrics took place on Nov 14th,

EAD card production ordered Dec 18th

Stil waiting for the card or another email. Oh, yes, and also hoping Santa had a chance to move our I485 to the CSC.

Happy new year!!

Juan Carlos

[HAL 9000 96]

That's great JC. Now your wife can work.

Hopefully this economy can allow that!!

[Andres and Diana 0]

WE HAVE AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!! YAY!!! One step closer!!! Our interview is Feb. 20th which gives us a whole lot of time to prepare!

Andrea! What is going on with your Paperwork! Why haven't they given you guys a green card yet! Whats happening with you its outrageous! Isn't there anything else that can be done to expedite your process?

I hope the New Year brings you and everyone else waiting some great news!

Lots of love!

Diana M.

[HAL 9000 96]

Wow Diana that's great news!!! Happy New Year.

[margara&john 0]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted in a really long time. I hope everyone is well and had a happy holiday. Margarita and I were married on November 28th at my mom's house. It was just my siblings and their families, my mom, and Margarita's brother and his family (they live just outside oh Philadelphia). I sent in our AOS on Decmber 23rd, and it was delivered the 25th (I didn't know the USPS delivered on Christmas). After making a few phone calls, I was able to find a Dr. to prepare our vacination supplements for $35 a piece. I want to reiterate what many have said before in this forum... don't pay for a new physical. The first two places I called were only willing to do the entire exam for $275. For anyone in the Milwaukee area looking for a vaccination supplement, we used a place called Concentra. I think they are located in other cities too.

We went to get Margarita's driver's license, but they would not let her. In Wisconsin, you have to provide proof of legal status. They said she doesn't have enough time left on her I-94. It is my understanding that the NOA for AOS will suffice as evidence of her legal status. We're hoping to get NOA in time for Margarita to get her license before she starts ESL classes on January 20th. Waiting for the bus and walking to and from it in Wisconsin winter isn't something Margarita is cut out for just yet.

Daniela (Margarita's 9 year old daughter) is adjusting fantastically. She loves school, and surprisingly enough the snow too. Daniela always goes with me to my mom's house to shovel the snow, and last week we made our first snowman. I hope to get Daniela's EAD before April. I want to be able to claim her as a dependant on my taxes, but we need the EAD in order to get her social security card. It is my understanding that I cannot claim her for a child credit because she did not live with me for more than half of the year. I have always done my own taxes, but I am thinking about using an accountant this year. I have had trouble understanding all of the rules in regards to how I can claim Margarita. There was something about "if your spouse was a non-resident alien at any time during the year". I think I would rather pay a little extra for piece of mind, knowing that a professional will be less likely to make mistakes.

Happy New Year

John

[HAL 9000 96]

Hey John... as for the tax issue I'll tell you what I did when Mária came over:

1. She arrived in August 07 on a K-1. We got married pretty quickly and applied for her SSN soon therafter. By December 07 she had it and we filed married/joint in 08. No sweat. Even got the $1200 rebate check deposited electronically.

2. A K-1 applicant, and even one in AOS, qualifies for a SSN. Take a look at the forms and documents on this site. You'll find a SSA document authorizing themselves to do so. Refresh the clerk's memory if you have to with that document and with a supervisor's input, everybody being sweet to each other. This in itself may even beat the EAD document, although that might come in the next month anyway. Its a matter of waiting or not waiting... The SS card will read the whole spiel about authorization to work only with DHS approval until she's a resident.

3. Same thing with your K-2 stepdaughter. As soon as she has that SSN, there really is little the IRS will do to verify length of residence with you as a dad. As a matter of fact, I don't think they actually do any checking on that nor do tax forms ask you to disclose that do they? Funny as it sounds, Daniela may even need an EAD to be able to qualify for a SSN. I remember someone (Read back in this thread) had a similar issue with their stepkids needing the EAD before they could be given a SSN. Stupid, I know. Wonderful government misinformation.

Not sure about the WI DL issue. It usually is a state to state thing, and an NOA may not be sufficient. Try checking with other VJ members from your state.

Best of luck with the new family and Happy New Year.

[margara&john 0]

Hey John... as for the tax issue I'll tell you what I did when Mária came over:

1. She arrived in August 07 on a K-1. We got married pretty quickly and applied for her SSN soon therafter. By December 07 she had it and we filed married/joint in 08. No sweat. Even got the $1200 rebate check deposited electronically.

2. A K-1 applicant, and even one in AOS, qualifies for a SSN. Take a look at the forms and documents on this site. You'll find a SSA document authorizing themselves to do so. Refresh the clerk's memory if you have to with that document and with a supervisor's input, everybody being sweet to each other. This in itself may even beat the EAD document, although that might come in the next month anyway. Its a matter of waiting or not waiting... The SS card will read the whole spiel about authorization to work only with DHS approval until she's a resident.

3. Same thing with your K-2 stepdaughter. As soon as she has that SSN, there really is little the IRS will do to verify length of residence with you as a dad. As a matter of fact, I don't think they actually do any checking on that nor do tax forms ask you to disclose that do they? Funny as it sounds, Daniela may even need an EAD to be able to qualify for a SSN. I remember someone (Read back in this thread) had a similar issue with their stepkids needing the EAD before they could be given a SSN. Stupid, I know. Wonderful government misinformation.

Not sure about the WI DL issue. It usually is a state to state thing, and an NOA may not be sufficient. Try checking with other VJ members from your state.

Best of luck with the new family and Happy New Year.

Thanks HAL,

You're right about the K1 social security. We got Margarita's SS card in early November... really easy. Unfortunately, you are right about the K2 also. It makes little sense to me, but there's not much I can do about it. A 9 year old girl doesn't qualify to work in this country, yet she needs EAD in order to aquire a social security number. It would make sense to me if K2 could also get ss with the "not valid for employment without EAD" marking. It sure would make it easier to file tax return, get health insurance, etc. I thought about that whole will IRS check or know when Margarita and Daniela got here thing. A child credit is an additional $1,000. It's not a deduction (lowering income), but a credit (lowering tax owed). Hopefully EAD gets to us before April.

John

John

[HAL 9000 96]

Hey John...

Well Charles (parkpapa) went through it and actually submitted the EAD for his stepkids. You may want to consult with him if you haven't filed the additional EAD.

Look at it this way. You can instill a work attitude in your stepchild sooner than later and now you could totally take her to work with you.

That child credit helps a LOT.

[Mononoke28 135]

That's exactly how I learned about it, through Parkpappa since he had to jump a lot of hoops to get his kids their SS #s.

As far as the DL, Colorado is the exact same way and I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I seriously doubt an NOA1 for either the I-485 or I-765 will let her get her DL. Don't quote me on this though, and please go in person to see what they say. I'm only bringing it up so you're ready for it just in case I'm right and the only reason I say that is because an NOA1 does not prove that a person has "legal" status here in the US.

I'm glad Daniela is adjusting well, it's always so much easier for children. I was the same way and in less than 3 months I felt like I had been living here my whole life. So that's ecouraging.

Good luck with everything John!

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

Glad to see this AOS forum going into its 3rd year of life now. Lets keep it going folks. Happy 2009.

[Harold08 0]

Hey guys,

I am going to be sending the AOS packet either tomorrow or monday. I wanted to know if i need to send like a joint bank account proof or anything of that sort with the packet. So far i got everything listed on the step by step guide and will be sending a personal check. Also, I am sending only last year's taxes for the co-sponsor and a letter from her current employer (even tho it says its optional). Do you guys think i need to send anything else in? thanks.

[HAL 9000 96]

Hey Harold, glad to see things moving right along for you two.

I thought co-sponsors needed 3 years of tax forms as well for the AOS?

Maybe I'm incorrect.

[Harold08 0]

Well on the form says that the previous year's taxes are required and that the previous three years are optional. As for myself, I only have taxes from the last two years and my sister (co-sponsor) does not have a copy of her 3rd year. So i was wondering if it was wise to just send last year's taxes for both of us, since neither of us have the full 3 years (as mentioned we only have two). OR do you guy think it's better to send those two years? Thanks for the help.

[HAL 9000 96]

Hmmm-

You can get an IRS transcript to send along in a couple of weeks mailed to you for free from the IRS. IMO, they say the 3 years of taxes are optional but you never know... there could be an RFE in waiting if you don't send them.