US Immigration from Philippines

DHS is proposing a regulation that would rescind the public charge rule that has been in effect for adjustment of status applications since December 2022 and replace it with policy guidance and interpretative tools rather than a new regulation.

If the current public charge rule is rescinded, DHS plans to implement a significantly expanded public charge policy that would lower the threshold for being deemed likely to depend on the government and expand the types of benefits and factors under consideration in a public charge analysis.

From AILA:

https://assets.aila.org/files/0cca0541-ea9d-4bc0-a1f8-849cd628fbed/25111801.pdf?1763485757

Edit: This is set to be published in the Federal Register today, November 19, 2025

Hi VJ,

I'm curious, when my AOS 2yrs GC was approve and my SSN it was under my maiden name, now my ROC filed under married name would they change my SSN also or I will be using the same SSN from my AOS?

Thanks.

Hello VisaJourney Team,

I recently joined your community and am looking for guidance regarding my fianc s K-1 visa process. My USC fianc has a criminal history dating from 1996 to 2020, but there are no recent or pending cases. I would like advice on:

1. How to properly prepare the K-1 visa packet considering this history.

2. How to obtain official records of his past criminal history for submission.

3. If there are any sample K-1 petition packets or templates shared by members that I could reference to understand how they filed successfully.

Because I'll be the one who will do the documentation on his behalf. And I am fully aware of the other documents needed, I just need to know when regard to his Criminal History to avoid RFE. I'm kind of skeptical, tho I have started to gather all our information to compile some of our requirements needed.

Any guidance or resources you can provide on these topics would be greatly appreciated.

I want to share his Criminal History here, but I doubt if it's a good idea. coz I know there were some really serious cases. What do you think?

Thank you very much for your time and help!

Hi VJ,

Our ROC (mine & 3 kids) are filed and being process, when is the right time to apply for citizenship? My ROC was filed earlier this year and has been pending ever since and when its possible is it all four (4) of us will file? Any details are appreciated, thank you.

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]