Dashinka

Wouldn't things like family members (minor children) listed living in their home country, or work or school commitments be examples of ties? I know there is no ability to add documents such as property ownership or things like that, and many people applying may not have work, school or minor children to list, but it does seem common that decisions are often made before any interview, so the DS160 information seems to be important.

Just to be clear on nomenclature, no one gets an "original" BC, the issuing agency will only provide a "certified copy" (usually stamped or embossed by the issuing agency) which many also refer to as an "original" document. Heck, in many cases an "original" paper copy may not even exist anymore if it was transferred to a digital "original" That said, yes, you need a certified copy of the BC. Good Luck!

I would argue it is more about how the DS160 is filled out showing ties to her home country. Many B2 visa applications seem to be decided well before the 1-2 minute interview. To the OP, yes, she can apply and she should be truthful to both the CO and if the visa is issued to the CBP officer at the PoE. Pay attention to how she fills out the DS160 and make sure she has evidence of her ties to her home country. Good Luck!

Congratulations!

Moved this to the RUB forum as consulate changes are pretty common here, so answers may help (left link in original location)

A trend? I cannot remember if I posted this here, but here is an earlier example of a similar situation.

Hmm, someone said the quiet part out loud. Wait, an NAACP Lawyer Did Not Just Say That About the Voting Rights Act And yes, some of the arguments made by lawyers fighting to keep this provision in place are downright embarrassing. An NAACP lawyer said that race-based congressional districts are essential, since white Democrats don’t support black candidates regardless of party affiliation. You cannot make this up. That’s not true. In fact, one could argue that liberal white women are the reason the Democrats haven’t fallen into total irrelevancy. Second, white liberals are the most hyper-aggressive about these issues and have voted in droves for black candidates. Party affiliation be damned, frankly. These white Democrats now vote based on race alone. The only thing that stops them is seeing an “R” next to the name. There is nothing more insufferable than the white, college-educated progressive who even repels nonwhite voters, which we’ve seen since 2020. https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/10/15/wait-an-naacp-lawyer-did-not-just-say-that-about-the-voting-rights-act-n2664993

Beer and Soju.

I respectfully disagree. My wife and I were thinking about her eventually gaining US citizenship even back when we were going through the K1 process. There was nothing nefarious about it, it was all about our desire to travel after we began our lives together and a US passport was much more advantageous than a Russian passport. That being said, who knows what the OP meant by the comment, maybe they are thinking long-term about living somewhere other than the US, or splitting their time between two countries (Australia and the Northern US would be perfect for snowbirds) and don't want to deal with REPs or other LPR maintenance stuff. There is nothing wrong with planning ahead when starting an immigration journey, in fact it should be encouraged to learn everything they can about the entire process. To the OP, as other's have responded, get married wherever you want, even coming to the US to get married is an option using ESTA with your Australian spouse returning for the process to play out. Good Luck!

Another option is a Utah Zoom wedding, and file the I130 as soon as you meet the requirements of meeting either during or after the ceremony. Good Luck!

Come on, it is mostly peaceful...

All you have to do is read the headlines on the DailyMail to get your daily fill of scary.

Seems this would require some action by Congress which I doubt will come anytime soon.

It may not, but with Trump in the WH, I suspect Hamas knows what will happen if they break the deal. Regardless, time will tell, but hopefully the non-Hamas Palestinians will finally see how their leaders have been treating them.

I am not positive that the daughter can naturalize under the three year rule like your spouse can. I believe she will need to wait five years, but others may know more. Good Luck!

You are relative to AOSing and getting her a GC, but if she wants to naturalize she will have to do that on her own.

Yes, if the step-daughter has a valid GC, and is still a minor at the time the naturalizing spouse takes the oath, the child will automatically also gain citizenship. There is no need to file a separate N400 for the child if they are under 18. Here are the requirements for a child to gain citizenship when a parent naturalizes. The child has at least one parent, including an adoptive parent, who is a U.S. citizen by birth or through naturalization; The child is under 18 years of age; The child is a lawful permanent resident (LPR); and The child is residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.

Assuming your stepdaughter came over on a K2 visa, you need to file a separate AOS package for her as well along with separate I864s, and separate I765/I131 if you are filing those as well for her. I am not quite sure what you mean about the "3 years"? Good Luck!

Is it ‘in addition’? I take it more as if someone is in removal and is eligible to file an AOS, and they are brought before an IJ, the fee is now $1500. If someone filed an I485 with USCIS that was denied, and then filed a new I485 due to an IJ decision, then it would be.in addition too. Regardless, being in removal status is much more expensive, so I would never recommend anyone pursues that path. To the OP file a COMPLETE I485 package ASAP once your brother returns and can sign an I864. You can get everything ready, and he can even get the tax transcripts to you assuming he is still in regular communication and has internet access. Once he returns, have him sign the co-sponsor I485, copy the complete package and send it in. Good Luck!

I agree, do not file an I751 as this is a relatively common situation given the systems USCIS uses. Reminder letters often go out to those where it does not apply, and others do not receive a reminder letter where it does apply. If you file an I751, you are simply throwing away the filing fee as the 10yr GC is correct and you can prove that with your marriage certificate along with the endorsement in his passport upon entry. Pursuing a clarification with your congressperson or senator may help. You can also try the CIS Ombudsman. Good Luck! https://www.dhs.gov/cis-ombudsman

If legitimate I would pursue it. My wife works in home healthcare and oftentimes family members are hired to take care of aging family members. Yes, I would have her estate lawyer look at the situation and see if it is possible. Good Luck!

I have never really found it terribly inconvenient to fuel up. I fuel up my wife's car about once every 10 days and usually combine it with a grocery trip, so not a really big deal. With that I get to avoid dragging cords around, or re-wiring my house (only have a fully utilized 100A service). Sure, they have things like load shedders that I could deal with, but if I want my vehicle charging, I want it charging. Along with that, we love to road trip (just recently took a trip out to Utah), and sure it can be done with an EV, but why when it adds more time to the trip (we do not stop at restaurants, etc., only fuel and bathroom breaks and we bring our food with us). Additionally, I did not see a lot of charging options in the NP's we visited. I am fine with EVs for those that want them, they can be fun to drive, but all this talk that they are so superior to ICE options is ludicrous. EV's are just another transportation option.

It is only my opinion, but with your story, I would think the most you would get is instructions to fill out an I131 for a re-entry permit if this were to happen again. All you can do is answer the CBP officer’s questions truthfully, you are not required to offer additional information unless asked for it, but I agree with @Mozillaman, I would take a copy of your grandfather’s death certificate to show you did return as soon as you could after his passing. Good Luck!

Just curious, and off topic a bit, but if couples from QC keep their birth names upon marriage by law, what determines the surname of any children?

Yes, since your current GC expired yesterday, I agree with that course of action. I would not pursue the SB-1. As other's have said, if a CBP officer suggests signing an I407 or any other form, do not. Hopefully you will receive nothing more than a scolding about filing for a re-entry permit in the future. Good Luck! P.S. My condolences on the loss of your grandfather.