I-751 November 2020 filers

[Locito 85]

What puzzles me with (and makes me scared for what happens when our package is processed) @ROC-AL's case that at least you guys had a 401k account etc., and you get treated like this.

 

For us, while I am an authorized user on my wife's credit card, we spend our money in "European way", ie. spouses mainly using separate checking accounts. Which is good, and decreases any friction in the relationship, as our spending habits are completely different. My wife is the frugal one, and I'm the one with a taste for Whole Foods albeit barely having enough money for Walmart/Food4Less... Ever since I moved here, I haven't found a stable job that would offer health or pension perks, just covered by my wife's insurance. And for us, there's no kids planned. Where goes the limit that USCIS can ask people to conform to, you know. Everyone's story is different and not necessarily "marriage fraud" just because it doesn't match what "typical couples" in the US may or may not do.

[emekus94 1,125]

On 3/7/2021 at 6:01 PM, Locito said:

Wow! At least two quick approvals in this thread already, congrats! Did you guys who got approved do the K-1/AOS dance? Just interested if there has been any movement on the applications of us CR-1ers. So far no notification for me even about the biometrics.

From all the approvals I have seen since September, it appears K-1, Cr6 and some F1 folks are the ones being approved for  now- no CR1
In other words, those that have recently had a JOINT interview here in the states are getting approved. It would make sense since a Cr1 had their interview abroad and have yet to have an interview with spouse here, am not sure how they can give them the card without interview.

 

I did the K-1/AOS dance

[emekus94 1,125]

19 hours ago, ROC-AL said:

the marriage is barely 2.9 years old. not possible to make it 3 because first that will happen in May 2021. I found digging through all of my paperwork a 2019 lease where my wife name is on it. 

 

Got here on K-1 on 5/23/2018

Married                     5/24/2018

EAD/AP and i485 2 weeks later

AOS aprroved on day of interview

ROC is the only problem, so far. 

 

In a marriage of less than 3 years, where do they think you can have so much stuff done together. We have not bought property because we are not financially wrecking balls to finance something that may or not be possible to pay for. 

 

The items that are missing from that evidence list where did they magically go? 

 

Tax returns from 2018 and 2019 are only possible.  that was even rejected, because that hard head wanted tax trancripts probably.

 

I mean it's in black and white all of the rejection. we have not done it the fly. it took 8 month to get AOS interview. EAD was almost 6 months. that gave me 2 months for AOS to put her on my joint bank and credit accounts. 

 

I am happy i am getting feedback. Not mad at anyone here, just less than 3 years is not >=3 period.  

 

flat out saying there are no credit usage....we live a low spending life. Combined we do not make 6 figures or more. Far from it. we spend our time traveling pre-covid and it wasnt to go to Australia or far away places with expensive trips. 

 

This uscis agent just wants to make it a fraud case, to look good in front of someone

I don't think the issue is the length of marriage or the QUALITY of the evidence.
What you have is great and quality evidence. Their issue is timing.

When did spouse get approved for AOS? They want documents from then (since in theory, upon approval, they have everything they need to commingle finances)

 

I read on VJ before we submitted our documents that too many people were getting hit with RFEs that only show recent bank statements. I think the same issue is what's happening.

 

You got married in 2018? They expect documents from 2018 (or latest adjustment date to present), particularly on the financial side. You had the Credit union statement from Dec 2018 (which is fine) but they said it is not "actively used" so are there not too many transactions on them? That might be the issue with that.

The IO is basically worried that you made all your 2020 evidence in anticipation for this filing- which sucks to hear, but remember, that's how they see things. It's not really a reflection of reality. 

 

From what you are saying- what you have is what you have. That's when spouse joined those accounts
A possible remedy is the following-
Did you add spouse to lease prior to April 2020? Bring that document. Same with all housing documents prior to 2020 that had spouse's name on it. 

Basically- dig as FARRRR back as you can to things where your spouse was added- anything before April 2019 will help.

 

I know this sucks. An RFE is just a delay. Someone is looking at your case. Don't panic
Send whatever you can back, and an approval will surely come. Good Luck!

Edited March 9, 2021 by emekus94

[emekus94 1,125]

3 hours ago, Locito said:

What puzzles me with (and makes me scared for what happens when our package is processed) @ROC-AL's case that at least you guys had a 401k account etc., and you get treated like this.

 

For us, while I am an authorized user on my wife's credit card, we spend our money in "European way", ie. spouses mainly using separate checking accounts. Which is good, and decreases any friction in the relationship, as our spending habits are completely different. My wife is the frugal one, and I'm the one with a taste for Whole Foods albeit barely having enough money for Walmart/Food4Less... Ever since I moved here, I haven't found a stable job that would offer health or pension perks, just covered by my wife's insurance. And for us, there's no kids planned. Where goes the limit that USCIS can ask people to conform to, you know. Everyone's story is different and not necessarily "marriage fraud" just because it doesn't match what "typical couples" in the US may or may not do.

It's the horrible reality with immigration
But these guys see fraud all the time- and the only way they can "mitigate" it is by essentially forcing everyone to have a skin in the game- i.e. finances

We don't like it- but that's just the way it is. 

Because if your marriage is not real, you for SURE will not make someone your beneficiary to your life insurance or retirement accounts. Or have joint accounts where you're liable for their spending. The opposite is not true. I know lots of great LONG lasting marriages with NO comingled finances.

Sigh- price of immigration. I certainly can never do this again, nor can I wait to be done with it. lol

 

Also- don't be scared
Immigration kinda sucks. Which IO you get decides your faith. OP here got a real big stickler. some literally let folks pass by with a couple of documents. 
It's unlikely you might get the same- but good for us all to prepare just in case

Edited March 9, 2021 by emekus94

[Movedin2004 28]

10 hours ago, emekus94 said:

From all the approvals I have seen since September, it appears K-1, Cr6 and some F1 folks are the ones being approved for  now- no CR1
In other words, those that have recently had a JOINT interview here in the states are getting approved. It would make sense since a Cr1 had their interview abroad and have yet to have an interview with spouse here, am not sure how they can give them the card without interview.

 

I did the K-1/AOS dance

I see some H1B folks also approved without interview. I do not they check your previous visa type. I think the factors in play- IO notes/risk perception from previous interview, good proof in ROC application packet (no complex issues) and opinion/mood of the officer reviewing the package. Here is the official USCIS guidance for interview waiver - https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/2018-11-30-PM-602-0168-revised-interview-waiver-guidance-for-form-I-751.pdf

 

Emeka,

you don get complete card. My friend, dis na  time to relax. No wahala. 

[wooozeee1 7]

On 3/1/2021 at 3:13 PM, emekus94 said:

Ohhh
I have yet to encounter this one--
I would think if you carry all the necessary docs (extensions letter, old green card, cover letter for name change, marriage certificate, etc.) it should be fine. 

But Ask in the general thread. This thread might not be useful as many of us are barely going through that 10 year process. 
There are some wise souls in general VJ that could give better guidance.

 

Keep us posted please and good luck!

Hi! Thanks for your kind reply. 

 

I was able to get back to US without any problem!

I brought my marriage license and a copy of cover letter from the application just in case, but the officer in JFK did not ask anything else! 

I just gave the officer my green card and the extension letter and that was it! I was kind of nervous but thankfully the process was so quick and smooth.

I did have a global entry so maybe that helped? But anyways hope this helps the others in similar situation

 

Thank you! 

[RS_ 74]

On 3/9/2021 at 12:26 PM, Kakeup said:

@RS_ I really appreciate it 

Just wanted to let you know that I didn’t forget about you! I just still didn’t have a chance to get to my computer to upload the list of documents. Will be doing it tonight. 
 

apologies for the delay! 

[Kakeup 4]

@RS_ thank you 

[emekus94 1,125]

10 hours ago, Movedin2004 said:

I see some H1B folks also approved without interview. I do not they check your previous visa type. I think the factors in play- IO notes/risk perception from previous interview, good proof in ROC application packet (no complex issues) and opinion/mood of the officer reviewing the package. Here is the official USCIS guidance for interview waiver - https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/2018-11-30-PM-602-0168-revised-interview-waiver-guidance-for-form-I-751.pdf

 

Emeka,

you don get complete card. My friend, dis na  time to relax. No wahala. 

Oooh
That's good that H-1B folks are in there too

but I have yet to see any CR-1s so thats a bummer...
I have many friends in that group. I suppose the wait game will be serious

And thank you!!!!!!!!!
Although in like 8 months, we file citizenship. lol
So Ready to be done with immigration FOR and EVER

[RS_ 74]

On 3/9/2021 at 11:24 AM, Kakeup said:

Hey @RS_ can you breakdown what your package of evidence looked like ? I sent mine feb 23rd and I would like to see how others looks since you already got approved. 
I’m crossing my fingers to have a fast and smooth process like with my GC

Table of Contents

 

Form G-1145, Request for e-Notification
Check for $680 Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (I-751 & Biometric Services Fees)

 

Exhibit A
Original Form I-751 filled and signed by X and Y
Copy of USCIS Form I-551 Front & Back (Permanent Resident Card)

 

Exhibit B
Copy of Marriage Certificate 

 

Exhibit C
Copies of X’s & Y’s Former & Current Driver’s License showing Joint Residence at our former and current address

 

Exhibit D
Copy of Apartment Lease Contract listing us as joint tenants at ‘'
Copy of County Residential Certificate of Occupancy listing us as joint occupants
Copy of Sale Documents of our formerly owned condominium at ‘’
Copy of Quitclaim Deed, recorded by the Recorder of Deeds, of our formerly owned condominium at ‘’ showing the addition of spouse’s name to the property title
Copy of Insurance Policy listing us as jointly covered for Renter’s Insurance Policy at ‘’
Copy of Insurance Policy of our formerly owned condominium listing us as jointly covered for Condominium Unit Owners Policy at ‘’

 

Exhibit E
Copy of 2018 & 2019 Joint IRS Tax Return Transcripts

 

Exhibit F
Copies of bank statements from our Joint Checking & Savings Bank Accounts for June 2018, September 2018, December 2018, March 2019, June 2019, September 2019, December 2019, March 2020, June 2020, September 2020, October 2020 (Each Quarter Since Marriage + Most Recent Statement: 11 Total), Showing various financial co-mingling such as salaries direct deposit, two car loan payments, insurance payments, credit card payments, etc. 

 

Exhibit G
Screenshot of Husband Retirement Account (401K) showing wife as beneficiary 
Screenshot of Wife Retirement Account (401K) showing Husband as beneficiary
Screenshot of Life Insurance provided by employer showing spouse as beneficiary for basic life, supplemental life and AD&D insurance
Copy of Vehicle Certificate Of Title showing spouse name as ‘A Transfer on Death (TOD)’ beneficiary
Screenshot of Employer Emergency Contact Webpage for ‘X’ showing spouse as the Emergency Contact

 

Exhibit H
Copy of Joint Auto Insurance Policy for both of our vehicles
Copy of our Jewelry Personal Articles Insurance Policy for our weddings bands and engagement ring
Copies of Joint Family Plan Cell Phone Bills (Past 16 Bills)
Copies of Joint Electric Utility Bills - (Past 16 Bills) 
Copies of Gas Utility Bills (Past 8 Bills) 
Copies of Internet Utility Bills (Past 9 Bills) 

 

Exhibit I
Three original Notarized Affidavits attesting to the bonafide nature of our marriage. 

 

Exhibit J
Copy of Vacation Trips Boarding Passes

 

Exhibit K
Copies of greeting cards from family and friends addressed to us throughout the years
Copy of Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands Appraisal From Jeweler
Copies of our first & second wedding anniversaries gift receipts
Copy of Wedding Program Brochure, Invitation, and RSVP Card

 

Exhibit L
Photographs (Wedding, Engagement, Vacation Trips, Family Gatherings, Friends)

[Kakeup 4]

@RS_ thank you so much!! You had plenty of proof. I had some of the ones that you submitted but honestly your case was easy to proof bona fide. Congratulations on your approval!! 

[RS_ 74]

18 minutes ago, Kakeup said:

@RS_ thank you so much!! You had plenty of proof. I had some of the ones that you submitted but honestly your case was easy to proof bona fide. Congratulations on your approval!! 

Thank You! I honestly think it all depends on the officer. I’ve seen people get approved within months with quarter the proof! I pretty much sent everything that had both our names on it! The documents submitted were close to 500 pages. Crazy I know! 

[Ani924 28]

hello! Noticing many approvals (CONGRATS!! 👏 ) but curious if there has been any movement on YSC? That service center seems to be stuck, no update on biometrics or anything, its been 4 months since we applied. 

[dayotutu1 35]

2 hours ago, Ani924 said:

hello! Noticing many approvals (CONGRATS!! 👏 ) but curious if there has been any movement on YSC? That service center seems to be stuck, no update on biometrics or anything, its been 4 months since we applied. 

Nothing from YSC ever since I got my 18 months extension early December 2020. 

[wooozeee1 7]

On 3/8/2021 at 5:11 PM, V&D1 said:

Anyone else receive NOA1 from the EAC center but are still yet to receive biometric notice?  Received NOA1 on 01/06/2021, Application received 11/19/2020.  Still no biometric notice, and case status online still says received. What do you think I should do? Try to reach out to USCIS or wait? 

Hi! I also received NOA1 from the EAC center on 01/11/2021, Application received 11/20/2020 and NO biometrics notice yet.. 

I've called USCIS few times because I've seen other December cases from EAC are getting biometrics but the calls were useless haha they told me to keep checking the my USCIS website.. which I was already doing. But hopefully we'll hear something back soon!