Forgot to file my I-175 Form

[GeorgieB 7]

Hey everyone,

 

Life got away from me and I just realized that I was supposed to file my I-175 form by the time my conditional residency expired on 9/18/21.  It's now 10 weeks past that date and I don't really have a 'good cause' reason, except that this year sucked and I was just so distracted with COVID and my work that I forgot to check the expiration date.

 

I am getting together all the documentation I need and will file the form in the next week. Has anyone had this same experience or am I the only silly one? I am scared that they will deny my condition removal!

 

Thank you for any words of wisdom on this.

 

Cheers,

Georgie

[SalishSea 17,829]

35 minutes ago, GeorgieB said:

Hey everyone,

 

Life got away from me and I just realized that I was supposed to file my I-175 form by the time my conditional residency expired on 9/18/21.  It's now 10 weeks past that date and I don't really have a 'good cause' reason, except that this year sucked and I was just so distracted with COVID and my work that I forgot to check the expiration date.

 

I am getting together all the documentation I need and will file the form in the next week. Has anyone had this same experience or am I the only silly one? I am scared that they will deny my condition removal!

 

Thank you for any words of wisdom on this.

 

Cheers,

Georgie

You mean the I-751.

 

Yeah, failing to file for ROC without a good reason is a problem.  All you can do is try to explain what happened, and hope that they take pity on you.

 

Let us know how it goes.

[SalishSea 17,829]

1. Effect of not filing. If this petition is not filed, you will automatically lose your permanent resident status two yearsfrom the date on which you were granted conditional status. You will then become removable from the United States.

   SPECIAL NOTE: If your failure to file was through no fault of your own, you may file your petition late with a written explanation and request that USCIS excuse the late filing. Failure to file before the expiration date may be excused if you demonstrate when you file the petition that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyondyour control and that the length of the delay was reasonable.

 

The above is from the USCIS.gov website.  You are now subject to removal, unfortunately.

[Mike E 11,739]

43 minutes ago, GeorgieB said:

I am scared that they will deny my condition removal!

I doubt you be denied on basis you were late.  The reason is that USCIS and/or the immigration judge understand that you can always file a new I-485 package and this one will get you a 10 year green card.  
 

Focus more on getting the application filed and less on “what if it rains during the camping trip” scenarios.   

 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

I just dont know that 'covid' can be used as an excuse at this point unless you HAD covid and were hospitalized and that is why you were unable to file. Which would certainly be a valid excuse and be something that could be proved.

 

At this point, life has pretty much resumed what is a new form of normal for most of us, most of us are working and conducting business as normal, if a little bit different than we were 2 years ago. We, and many many many others managed to file for ROC on time. I've had it on my calendar for 2 years. I'm sure others did it the same. or some other system, or whatever worked for them.

 

Be honest and beg them to take mercy on you for not paying close attention to the expiration date. 10 weeks is a lot different than 10 days.

 

Good luck.

[Crazy Cat 41,851]

54 minutes ago, GeorgieB said:

Hey everyone,

 

Life got away from me and I just realized that I was supposed to file my I-175 form by the time my conditional residency expired on 9/18/21.  It's now 10 weeks past that date and I don't really have a 'good cause' reason, except that this year sucked and I was just so distracted with COVID and my work that I forgot to check the expiration date.

 

I am getting together all the documentation I need and will file the form in the next week. Has anyone had this same experience or am I the only silly one? I am scared that they will deny my condition removal!

 

Thank you for any words of wisdom on this.

 

Cheers,

Georgie

Get you proper I-751 package on the way ASAP....with an explanation.  That is all you can do.  You aren't the first person to make this error......and I'm sure you won't be be last.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Assuming you meant I-751. Unfortunately, “forgetting to file” is not a justification and you’re subject to removal. Are you 100% going to be removed? Most likely not. Can it happen? Yes. 
File I-751 asap. I clearly remember reading a post in here about somebody that forgot to file (although the person had some valid reasons, if I remember correctly she gave birth and her mom died at about the same time she had to file). She filed late, and she was successful. I’ll see if I can find it.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

I FOUND IT!!! 🗣🗣Forgot to file I-751 on time

Edited November 29, 2021 by ra0010

[Okboy 43]

6 hours ago, GeorgieB said:

Hey everyone,

 

Life got away from me and I just realized that I was supposed to file my I-175 form by the time my conditional residency expired on 9/18/21.  It's now 10 weeks past that date and I don't really have a 'good cause' reason, except that this year sucked and I was just so distracted with COVID and my work that I forgot to check the expiration date.

 

I am getting together all the documentation I need and will file the form in the next week. Has anyone had this same experience or am I the only silly one? I am scared that they will deny my condition removal!

 

Thank you for any words of wisdom on this.

 

Cheers,

Georgie

I have read in the past on this forum of folks forgetting to file as you did and still got forgiven by USCIS. Just be honest with them and explain that you forgot to file on time and have faith that everything will be fine. Blessed!!! 

[randy32 165]

USCIS, NVC and embassies keep using Covid as the reason for so many delays.

 

Why can't we use it as a reason for missing deadlines? It sucks

[Rocio0010 5,579]

45 minutes ago, randy32 said:

USCIS, NVC and embassies keep using Covid as the reason for so many delays.

 

Why can't we use it as a reason for missing deadlines? It sucks

Because the delays in embassies stem in the fact that they are trying to limit in- person interviews.

On the other hand, if you didn’t have covid or a health- related issue, for USCIS there is no reason not to file ROC on time. I’m not saying they are not going to approve OP, I’m just saying that “I forgot” doesn’t and shouldn’t fly.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Only thing you can do is file ASAP with an explanation letter & hope for the best. Certainly ignoring the problem won't help.

I think your chances are reasonably good that it will be accepted & processed as normal.

[Rafagus 64]

I think a good immigration attorney may help you preparing the letter explaining why you were late. 

 

Nonetheless, I would agree with others that since you would be able to file a new I-485 and get your 10 year green card, USCIS would accept the late filing.

 

 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, Rafagus said:

I think a good immigration attorney may help you preparing the letter explaining why you were late. 

There's nothing a lawyer can write here than OP can't. Meaning, if it was just  that OP forgot to file, there is no nice way to put it.

Even if there was a compelling reason, a simple letter explaining it together with documentation is something that OP can draft. IMHO, no need for an attorney at this point.

[A_K 7]

Please update this thread in the future.  It would be great to know the outcome.