How and where to mail your I-485/I-767/I-131

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

8 minutes ago, Scandi said:

It's very much open, they are certainly working there. But they don't appear to be stopping the actual freeway very often at all. You also see their cars parked in random places all along that part of the freeway, "hiding" in the little bush that is there. That station is permanent and operating 24/7 I believe. We drive past at least once a week and have only been stopped once. 

 

It was so crazy to see how they stop the entire freeway going north, with traffic lights, large signs (yes that little "bridge" you drive under have large signs on it that they light up when they need traffic to stop) and temporary stop signs on the street. A little intimidating but cool experience, but maybe not so much if you don't have any documentation.

 

Not sure if you're sad or glad you haven't had to experience it. 😁

I would totally hate the traffic it would create, of that I'm sure! 

 

I've seen the cars parked around but that's about it. Have never seen a human.

And now I seem to remember one day I saw them stopping trailers? I could be making that up though. 😅

[mam521 2,113]

16 minutes ago, Scandi said:

It's very much open, they are certainly working there. But they don't appear to be stopping the actual freeway very often at all. You also see their cars parked in random places all along that part of the freeway, "hiding" in the little bush that is there. That station is permanent and operating 24/7 I believe. We drive past at least once a week and have only been stopped once. 

 

It was so crazy to see how they stop the entire freeway going north, with traffic lights, large signs (yes that little "bridge" you drive under have large signs on it that they light up when they need traffic to stop) and temporary stop signs on the street. A little intimidating but cool experience, but maybe not so much if you don't have any documentation.

 

Not sure if you're sad or glad you haven't had to experience it. 😁

I'm chuckling...wasn't that mocked in the movie Superbad?  

 

There's a checkpoint on northbound CA-86 near Salton Sea that we make a point of avoiding when possible.  It's basically in the middle of nowhere, too. Looks abandoned half the time.  Don't need to test it.  Hard pass!

[Family 4,065]

42 minutes ago, mam521 said:

I left to prevent visa overstay myself because I wanted to follow the rules!  I had 5 and a half years of paying taxes, filing taxes, contributing to the economy and my community and I was rewarded with having to leave and spend over 600 days to get through the immigration process

Did you make a DIY decision to leave ? I cannot imagine a skilled immigration attorney telling you consular process was the only option…

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

43 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Don't need to test it.  Hard pass!

We've been through a checkpoint twice and it was basically this: 

[Mike E 11,741]

Well based on those two

anecdotes, no need to worry. 😂

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

4 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Well based on those two

anecdotes, no need to worry. 😂

 

The animated gif cop is actually part of CBP guidelines.

Source: trust me. 

 

[Mike E 11,741]

24 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

The animated gif cop is actually part of CBP guidelines.

Source: trust me. 

 

 

Well I am sold. All the counter experiences well documented elsewhere must be fake news.

 

Including my own.

 

This thread has run its course. OP has disappeared, and now the dominant advice is to not worry about BP.

 

I will not participate in another SpaceAge calamity.

 

I am out. 

[Noktor 4]

Horrible for that other person. My condolences go out to them.

 

So once I file for AOS, and they send me the NOA. I'll be fine then? Or do I have to wait and actually receive the greencard to be okay?

[Noktor 4]

Yes, I think you mean I-864. I will be submitting those as well. 

 

What method of payment do you guys recommend? Personal check or money order? Which is the safest and most efficient?

[Dashinka 24,639]

19 minutes ago, Noktor said:

Horrible for that other person. My condolences go out to them.

 

So once I file for AOS, and they send me the NOA. I'll be fine then? Or do I have to wait and actually receive the greencard to be okay?

You will be in a period of authorized stay until the AOS is decided.  Keep a copy of your AOS acceptance NOA (maybe make a few copies) with you.

 

Good Luck!

[Scandi 4,173]

22 minutes ago, Noktor said:

Horrible for that other person. My condolences go out to them.

 

So once I file for AOS, and they send me the NOA. I'll be fine then? Or do I have to wait and actually receive the greencard to be okay?

Once USCIS has received and accepted your i-485, you will be under "authorized stay". Ie you can stay legally until they have made a decision on your case. 

Dashinka just beat me to it. 😆

Edited April 14, 2023 by Scandi

[Noktor 4]

4 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Once USCIS has received and accepted your i-485, you will be under "authorized stay". Ie you can stay legally until they have made a decision on your case. 

Dashinka just beat me to it. 😆

And how long does it usually take for USCIS to receive and accept your I-485 from the time that you mail it?

[Dashinka 24,639]

1 minute ago, Noktor said:

And how long does it usually take for USCIS to receive and accept your I-485 from the time that you mail it?

A few days to a few weeks in general.

[Noktor 4]

2 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

A few days to a few weeks in general.

That's good to know. I thought you would need to wait for your official greencard approval and in hand in order for it to be legal for your spouse to stay. And I know it takes around a year or more to receive it. But now that you and others have mentioned, once I get the NOA after submitting my AOS packet. I will be okay. That was the part I was most concerned about. Thank you all once again.

[Dashinka 24,639]

5 minutes ago, Noktor said:

That's good to know. I thought you would need to wait for your official greencard approval and in hand in order for it to be legal for your spouse to stay. And I know it takes around a year or more to receive it. But now that you and others have mentioned, once I get the NOA after submitting my AOS packet. I will be okay. That was the part I was most concerned about. Thank you all once again.

What happens is once you submit the AOS package to the lockbox address, it is initially reviewed to make sure all the required forms and required evidence is included, then USCIS will cash the check or charge your credit card, and they will issue an acceptance Notice of Action (NOA) which will be your proof that you properly filed the AOS and are authorized to stay until your AOS is decided.  This review is fairly quick and the NOA should show up fairly quickly.  If you were to leave the US before receiving your AP card or GC, then you will have abandoned your application.  Once you get your EAD and SSN you can legally take a job (you can look for one before getting the EAD, but cannot officially start working until you actually receive it).  Then in 12-18 months or so, your AOS should be decided.

 

Good Luck!