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Posted
9 hours ago, Rhema1 said:

It's pretty normal. 

They are working on your case. 

Wich EAD/AP category do you have?

I got c09 and my i131 was approved the sent me my AP with my picture on it. Thanks for your response.

5 hours ago, balo101 said:

Lately it is not just you, i know know someone else also received receipt notice as well. I guess either there is glitch in their system or they are working on your case. 

Thanks @balo101 I appreciate your response. 

Posted (edited)
9 hours ago, Navie&Navo said:

Lately I am feeling scared and depressed. I saw this forum ,I really need help .I file for VAWA and I am now having second thoughts to withdraw my petition .My spouse is a greencard holder ,we still living together.i also have  feeling of guilt ,I think he can be convicted and deported because of my application .Also I feel it will hinder his citizenship, I am all alone ,didnt tell no one what I did.i feel this feeling giving me nervousness and I cant eat ,I just need someone to talk to .Please help me .We are together for over 20 years .

Sorry about how you feel.

I have a very long history with mine as well (decades) so I understand the guilt you feel. Mine is also a green card holder. Don’t feel guilty, what happened happened even if they pretend to change or they eventually change… this vawa petition saves us from the so many uncertainties with spouses that derive pleasure in manipulating and controlling or worse.

this is a safe space (although public) but everyone here understands what it’s like. I was told they do not get to know about your case as long as you do not inform them about it. I doubt it will affect them but if it does, it was bound to happen with or without your application. Do not feel guilty please! You can withdraw if you want to but I wouldn’t because gaslighting is part of the many tricks up his sleeve and I’m done being naïve. It’s taken a while for me to come to this realization but that’s my 2 cents. 🌹🤗

Edited by BollyB
Posted
4 minutes ago, BollyB said:

Sorry about how you feel.

I have a very long history with mine as well (decades) so I understand the guilt you feel. Mine is also a green card holder. Don’t feel guilty, what happened happened even if they pretend to change or they eventually change… this vawa petition saves us from the so many uncertainties with spouses that derive pleasure in manipulating and controlling or worse.

this is a safe space (although public) but everyone here understands what it’s like. I was told they do not get to know about your case as long as you do not inform them about it. I doubt it will affect them but if it does, it was bound to happen with or without your application. Do not feel guilty please! You can withdraw if you want to but I wouldn’t because I gaslighting is part of the many tricks up his sleeve and I’m done being naïve. It’s taken a while for me to come to this realization but that’s my 2 cents. 🌹🤗

Thank you BollyB , I was told that nothing will happen to him because its humanitarian and its confidential and it's not about him ,its about me but I still feel guilty, nervous, scared and anxious. Your story is also similar to mine ,thanks for sharing ❤

Posted
55 minutes ago, Navie&Navo said:

Thank you BollyB , I was told that nothing will happen to him because its humanitarian and its confidential and it's not about him ,its about me but I still feel guilty, nervous, scared and anxious. Your story is also similar to mine ,thanks for sharing ❤

Trust me… no matter how bad your case or my case is, there’s been worse. I’m just grateful for life and for summoning courage to go ahead with this. Let the stories of others motivate you… there’s light at the end of the tunnel. This community has helped me. For reassurance you can find time to read through each page… before I filed and was going crazy, at my wit’s end I literally went page by page to read through it all, it helped. Don’t be scared, instead be thankful for this provision to be able to file despite everything. 🤗❤️🌹

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
12 hours ago, Navie&Navo said:

i also have  feeling of guilt ,I think he can be convicted and deported because of my application .Also I feel it will hinder his citizenship

Listen to BollyB.

What happens to your abuser is not YOUR problem.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
14 hours ago, Vale1 said:

I’m a greencard holder! 

Yee-HAAAAA!  :dance: 

 

[Note to T-B.'s self:  Joke worked again... joke worked again...] :P 

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Posted (edited)
40 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Listen to BollyB.

What happens to your abuser is not YOUR problem.

I would personally not go to that extent if I know that something bad would happen to my abuser. 

I personally filled for vawa because I was confident that the hole process was confidential I was not gonna affect in any way my spouse negatively. 

Some spouses are fathers or mothers of our children. So what what happens to them also counts. 

So, let herself determine the degree of gravity those abuses has affected her and try to know whether she herself can go with the process. 

Whether she intends to continue living with her spouse or not. For it will be very difficult to live with him if she chooses to go vawa road. 

We do not know the reason of her guilt feelings for she knows her spouse more than all of us.

At the end, let her chooses the best option for her and will also allow her to be in peace with herself without any reproach or guilt. 

 

Edited by Rhema1
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

It is Sunday, and time for our Official Weekly VAWA-Thread Joke:

========================================================

STINGING AN IDIOT

 

A man came running to the doctor, shouting and screaming in pain.

 

"Please, doctor, you've got to help me.  I've been stung by a bee."

 

"Don't worry," said the doctor, "I'll put some cream on it."

 

"You will never find that bee.  It must be miles away by now."

 

"No; you don't understand," said the doctor.  "I'll put some cream on the place you were stung."

 

"Oh!  It happened in the garden in back of my house."

 

"No, no, no!" said the doctor, getting frustrated.  "I mean on which part of your body did that bee sting you."

 

"On my finger!" screamed the man in pain.  "The bee stung me on my finger and it really hurts."

 

"Which one?" asked the doctor.

 

"How am I supposed to know?  All the bees looked the same to me!"

:P 

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Posted

Hi Everyone,

 

Hope everyone is in good spirits. I wanted your advise on my situation if you and it would mean a lot. I entered the US on a F visa and later filed a family petition while I was maintaining lawful status. Later in year 2021, my only status was pending I-485 based on I-130 and then I filed VAWA in January 2022. I received the receipt notices and recently received my EAD from the pending vawa petition. My previous employer had applied for my H1B and I got selected in the lottery. Now I'm filing my H1B because I want to keep that route open as well. I know H1B is a dual intent visa so I can file the H1B but the only confusion I have is that in order to file an H1B you have to maintain a lawful status at all times. After expiration of my OPT my status was based on the the pending I-485 based on I-130 (I never received an EAD through my family petition) and then I filed VAWA before my spouse withdrew our family petition. And I recently received EAD based on VAWA which is valid for 2 years. Would appreciate your thought and advise about filing the H1B. Senior members would really mean a lot to hear from you guys. @sandranj @Demise @HustlingStill. Thanks a lot!

 

Posted
On 5/28/2022 at 8:19 AM, Navie&Navo said:

Lately I am feeling scared and depressed. I saw this forum ,I really need help .I file for VAWA and I am now having second thoughts to withdraw my petition .My spouse is a greencard holder ,we still living together.i also have  feeling of guilt ,I think he can be convicted and deported because of my application .Also I feel it will hinder his citizenship, I am all alone ,didnt tell no one what I did.i feel this feeling giving me nervousness and I cant eat ,I just need someone to talk to .Please help me .We are together for over 20 years .

If you recently put together your VAWA, then you are in an emotional state , just recounting your abuse is triggering enough and without treatment/ therapy you will likely continue to “ feel “ depressed, scared and guilty. 
Guilt, shame , self-doubt and maybe even “ he’s not that bad..” have kept you stuck and accepting circumstances that will NOT change for the better without help…and if you have children, they suffer great harmful collateral damage ( even when not in the direct line of fire from the abuser). 
 

So , I hope you Google some free resources and start helping yourself HEAL and get some treatment so you can GET BETTER and slowly feel better. I know it cannot be easy living together and pretending it’s all normal….. , hiding such a secret ( VAWA filing) and hiding treatment or even attending support groups for Victims of Domestic Violence, but they are the first steps to helping you cope and hopefully change your circumstances for the better.

 

They won’t take his LPR status away ( so don’t hesitate to keep safe and call the police if things get physical ) ..lots of legal maneuvering available to him. He will be OK…but you may not be. 


Personally, I hope you get your VAWA and US Citizenship BEFORE your abuser LPR husband does….but just think USCIS will not discuss/ disclose your VAWA claim with your ABUSER.


 

 

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: India
Timeline
Posted
18 hours ago, perseverance_ said:

Hi Everyone,

 

Hope everyone is in good spirits. I wanted your advise on my situation if you and it would mean a lot. I entered the US on a F visa and later filed a family petition while I was maintaining lawful status. Later in year 2021, my only status was pending I-485 based on I-130 and then I filed VAWA in January 2022. I received the receipt notices and recently received my EAD from the pending vawa petition. My previous employer had applied for my H1B and I got selected in the lottery. Now I'm filing my H1B because I want to keep that route open as well. I know H1B is a dual intent visa so I can file the H1B but the only confusion I have is that in order to file an H1B you have to maintain a lawful status at all times. After expiration of my OPT my status was based on the the pending I-485 based on I-130 (I never received an EAD through my family petition) and then I filed VAWA before my spouse withdrew our family petition. And I recently received EAD based on VAWA which is valid for 2 years. Would appreciate your thought and advise about filing the H1B. Senior members would really mean a lot to hear from you guys. @sandranj @Demise @HustlingStill. Thanks a lot!

 

I was in the same boat in 2021. I filed VAWA in Nov 2019, my lawful status through h1b expired in may 2020. So you are not accruing unlawful status until you have a pending I485, but you are "out of status" since you are not on a valid visa since the h1b / OPT expired. I know this is confusing but US immigration law was intentionally designed to be confusing. You cannot extend your h1b from within the country if you file for h1b AFTER you become out of status. You can go through H1B consular processing which means leaving the US and applying through a consulate in another country, preferably your country of citizenship. Obviously its a hassle, its expensive and time consuming. And there is a risk of getting stuck outside the US. You can live and work in the US with your C9 EAD and travel with advance parole. Going the h1b route doesn't make much sense at this time. Just my two and a half cents.

Divorced US citizen spouse in December 2017. 

Filed I-360 on Nov 12, 2019

Filed I485/ C31 EAD / AP in Feb 2020 (Stupid lawyer filed C31 instead of C9, and I didnt know EAD codes, didnt know about this VJ forum either)

On H1b status since 2014, H1b 6 years expired in May 2020. Out of status / Period of authorized stay since then. 

Amended EAD petition to C9 and filed expedite request for same in mid-may 2020. 

C9 EAD approved June 4, 2020. 

Biometrics done in Oct 2020. 

I485 case transferred to NBC for "faster processing" on September 30, 2020

Filed C9 EAD / AP Renewal petition in February 2021. 

Initial Advance Parole (from Feb 2020 application) approved in June 2021. 

C31 EAD production update - Nov 1st, 2021. 

C31 card delivered to attorney's office on Nov 8, 2021. 

I-360 case approved status update - Nov 22, 2021. 

No RFE throughout.  

Senator's office confirmed via congressional inquiry that the St. Louis office has received the I485 file and is currently awaiting interview scheduling - March 7, 2022

C9 EAD renewal card production case update - July 20, 2022 (took them just 17 months to process)

C9 EAD / AP renewal approval case update on both cases on July 21, 2022.

Combo card delivered to attorney's office on July 27, 2022

Medical exam RFE Drama: Second congressional inquiry sent in early July 2022 for I485. USCIS responded on 8/12/22 to this congressional inquiry that they issued an RFE on 5/24/22 and were waiting for my response. My lawyer denied receiving RFE and there was no such update on online USCIS portal. Lawyer's old firm was safe mailing address on my case. Lawyer changed firms a year after I hired her but did not change mailing address for my case with USCIS, she said she had a deal with her old firm to forward all her clients' mail to her new firm. Old firm denied receiving RFE. Sent another congressional inquiry requesting copy of RFE on 8/17/22. I also got medical exam done on 8/17/22 as I assumed RFE was for medical exam (thanks for this forum's insights.) Yelled at lawyer and threatened her with dire consequences. On 8/18/22 my lawyer's old firm finally found scanned copy of RFE in their "archived scans" (whatever the duck that is) and emailed it to me. It was indeed RFE requesting medical exam. On 8/20/22 I mailed medicals sealed packet with copy of RFE to St. Louis field office. Also sent a notarized letter with the packet - updating safe mailing address to my home address and informing St. Louis field office that I fired my lawyer. Sent similar letter to Vermont Service Center on the same date. 

8/23/22 - Fedex confirmed delivery of medicals packet to St. Louis Field Office. 

8/26/22: Case update on I485: New Card Is Being Produced

8/29/22:  On August 29, 2022, we approved your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS

9/3/22 green card delivered to attorney's office (they didn't change safe mailing address despite my written requests to FO AND VSC.) 

9/6/22 VSC returned AR11 and my letter requesting safe mailing address change. In their letter they said something to the effect of "you can do this online, we wont do it via snail mail request etc." Just posting as an FYI, its weird. Also received I485 approval notice on the same date. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Posted
44 minutes ago, shiva32 said:

I was in the same boat in 2021. I filed VAWA in Nov 2019, my lawful status through h1b expired in may 2020. So you are not accruing unlawful status until you have a pending I485, but you are "out of status" since you are not on a valid visa since the h1b / OPT expired. I know this is confusing but US immigration law was intentionally designed to be confusing. You cannot extend your h1b from within the country if you file for h1b AFTER you become out of status. You can go through H1B consular processing which means leaving the US and applying through a consulate in another country, preferably your country of citizenship. Obviously its a hassle, its expensive and time consuming. And there is a risk of getting stuck outside the US. You can live and work in the US with your C9 EAD and travel with advance parole. Going the h1b route doesn't make much sense at this time. Just my two and a half cents.

Hi Shiva32,

 

Thanks for your response. So my reason of applying for an H1B is to make sure I have two routes open. I don't mind going back to my country which I'm planning to do anyways because I haven't been home in a long time. I also know that I won't get stuck there because I already have the EAD+AP Card which I can use to enter the US if H1B thing doesn't work. But I just wanted to know if even going through consular processing would create any issues? What was your experience? But since you already had an H1B it might be a little different. Appreciate it

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
3 minutes ago, 2020filer said:

I made it.

Good for you, and what a nice feeling!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

 
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