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Hello. We re getting increasingly concerned about our experience with them. We paid the firm in full twice, and our case was denied the first time. After that, we waited 1 2 years with no meaningful updates on an issue that was supposed to be handled after the denial.

We contacted them again in August of this year, but it has now been three months with no response. There s nothing urgent we need to submit to USCIS right now, our case is still pending, but the lack of communication from the firm is really worrying.

If anyone has worked with this firm before, could you share your experience? Are long delays or unresponsiveness common with them? Thanks in advance.

Hello my friends

I have a need for advice and hopefully hear from some experienced folks who have gone through this is will in the future.

My wife became a US citizen on 10/10/25. This is not a problem but I asked her what she would plan to do if she decided to move back to the Philippines when I die. I have no problem with it of course because I'd be gone. BUT - i worry that if she indeed moves back, will she be able to continue to access my retirement checks (which she will receive when I die) and that are direct deposit into a local USA bank. I have many questions because I don't want any snafus after I'm gone. SO:

1) What's the best way for her to handle this? Leave the money going into the same bank it always goes into or try to set up an account with a Philippine bank and have the deposits changed to be sent to that new one? I'm not sure at this point that a Philippine bank could or would receive those 2 checks every month or if there's a way to find out.

2) My wife thought leaving the money alone as it is would be the best option. Then she could continue transferring the money every month as needed to a bank account in Phil. In the past I've actually had some remittance companies cut me off because they thought I was a terrorist (Western Union did this to me twice!!) and thought I was moving terrorist money around (yes - that's what they told me!) Anyway, she can't afford to lose access to her money in the USA.

I am beside myself worrying about this. I'm 73 and in pretty good shape but you never know. I want to be sure she will have access to those 2 checks until,her passing as is her right to do, and without some silly bank rule or screw-up suddenly denying her her rightful funds.

3) She would likely pull most of the money out of 2 accounts (and close them) and place it in the one account left to make things simpler for her. My 2 retirements would go into that one account.

My question now: Does this sound problematic to anyone? Do you have a better way of doing it? She is a US citizen now and could fly back to NY if needed to fix something but it would cost a lot obviously. We want to look into banks in Phil. where she could open an account there but we're not sure both my social security check and my New York State retirement check could be sent to a foreign bank like that. I think social security can be though.

Okay - so I'm sure I've confused several people. But if I know one thing about the folks on this site, they're always helpful and have been for me for 11 years. You all got us through this and I trust you all. Best site on the internet in my opinion!!

Thanks for your input and as always, I'm all ears and open to advice of any sort.

Using my email would be best to respond but I'll check back here on a regular basis.

Doug [last name & e-mail removed from this VERY public forum]

My wife has her interview next week. While reviewing and gathering all the documents uploaded with her N400, we noticed that the file for 2024 s federal tax return was actually a duplicate of the state return. I m surprised she didn t get an RFE. She ll bring the federal return to the interview but what s the best way to address it? Is there an appropriate time? Should she expect a delay of the decision?

Hello,

I, the Petitioner, am currently staying with my brother's family. I'm planning on getting my own place before my fianc arrives. Would it be best to move now before the DS-160 is submitted? Or if everything goes well, would I be able to change housing without any problem after the K-1 visa is issued?

Thank you in advance!

My wife has her immigrant visa (IR-1) interview at a U.S. consulate in about two weeks, and I m getting anxious about how a sudden change in my employment might affect the Affidavit of Support (I-864).

Background

• Wife: 36 years old, Chinese citizen, unemployed for several years, still learning English. No children yet.

• Me: 33 years old, U.S. citizen. I ve been on a postdoc fellowship from an Israeli university for the past two years. My fellowship has been extended for the current academic year (Fall 2025), and I m applying for academic jobs in the U.S. for the following academic year (Fall 2026).

• Financials:

  • U.S. bank account + short-term T-bills (6 weeks): ~$83K

  • Israeli bank account: ~$10K

  • Wife s Chinese bank account: ~$20K

Additional note on domicile

Even though my postdoc appointment is from Israel, I ve actually worked remotely for most of the past two years because of various extended visits. Over the last year, I spent roughly six months visiting a U.S. university, three months in Israel, and three months visiting my wife in China, and I filed and paid state taxes for the most recent tax year. Because of this ongoing presence and continued ties, I believe I still meet the U.S. domicile requirement for the Affidavit of Support. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

The issue

Due to the current risk of an Iran Israel conflict, I m considering not returning to Israel. However, due to stricter policy now, my university requires me to return in person soon; if I don t, my appointment will be terminated. They told me I have to make this decision within the next few days which is before my wife s visa interview.

If I lose the postdoc due to safety concerns, how will that affect my ability to meet the Affidavit of Support requirements?

My understanding so far

The official I-864 guidelines say that a sponsor needs income of at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of two, which is $26,438 for 2025. If income is below that level, the sponsor can use assets equal to 3 the shortfall, up to $79,314 if income is zero. Based on that formula, my available assets should technically be sufficient.

My concern

I ve heard that under the current administration, consular officers may exercise more discretion regarding financial stability and the risk of the immigrant becoming a public charge. I m worried that a sudden job loss (even if caused by safety/political circumstances) could be interpreted negatively at the interview.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or does anyone know how consular officers view substantial assets vs. interrupted employment? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.