SalishSea

Not correct. As a petitioner myself, I have never once been fingerprinted. Fingerprints for a petitioner are atypical.

This sounds like you're trying to adopt a pet at a shelter.

That income is way too marginal, in my opinion. You definitely risk a denial. I’d pursue the route of joint sponsor if I were you.

I would think that the petitioner would also need to live there.

You don't need a lawyer for this. An approved petition that is not acted upon (i.e, visa pursued via interview etc), simply expires after 4 months. There is no "timeline" restriction/waiver needed (i.e. 2 years) for K-1 beneficiaries, as there is for petitioners - at least not codified into the law for USCIS. However, there is discretion. I would be very surprised if the petition would be denied, as long as eligibility is met. The scrutiny would come from the consulate. You have not disclosed which consulate, but that would be important info for advice here. In general though, it would be extra wise to have had lots of time spent in person together (i.e. not petitioning after "meeting" online, followed by a short visit), and wiser yet to do a spousal visa. Just my 0.2. YMMV.

Right. I would not, but I'm old, and I often assume those that do are young and do not know better.

Yes! Excellent summary. I am a big proponent of spending as much time as possible "dating" long distance (as expensive and heartbreaking as that can be).....because the stakes are so high (marriage). Most of us would never marry someone we met locally after spending minimal time together, why should it be any different with long distance relationships?

We laugh around here, yes. It is not out of cruelty. No one is laughing at you. Most of the veterans here on VJ have seen/heard it all, so we can get a bit jaded when it looks like someone is after a green card. Perhaps invite your friend to join VJ? US immigration is a long and arduous process, so she will definitely want to arm herself with as much knowledge as possible.

As a fellow only child who provided hospice care to my divorced dad, I TOTALLY get it. DM me if you want to.

She wasn't being cruel. She's pretty much the kindest person on VJ. It's true though, that lining up another USC suitor so quickly screams of desperation to get to the US. Perhaps this time around, your 'friend' will take it slow and take time to get to know the potential spouse properly. There is nothing wrong with having a long distance relationship for awhile before rushing to file a petition. Just like how normally, one would date someone in their own town for awhile, before rushing into marriage.

Aren't you meant to submit that petition to the USCIS lockbox stateside?

You won’t need that stuff until it’s time for your AOS interview. Also- you’ll want to keep in mind that you won’t be able to work or travel for up to 8 months, as that’s how long the EAD and AP can take.

Good point. We married in Washington state on a K-1. The officiant was required to submit the documentation herself (vs us doing it), so between that, and the time it took for the certified marriage cert to be available to us, I think it was at least three weeks.

“Videos online showing how wonderful Filipinas can be”? Not sure if you’re aware, but that certainly sounds like you’re commodifying her, combined with Sunk Cost Fallacy. Sure seems like many here on VJ are here to specifically import Filipina wives. I just don’t get that.

Totally agree about the threatening to leave part. That is not a stable home environment for kids. OP, it’s your responsibility to intervene here.

Doesn’t sound like an immigration issue. Is your fiancé new to the world of teenagers? Has she ever spent any measurable time around kids in that age group? Sounds like you could have done better to facilitate things by being honest with the kids about the timeline and what to expect. Just curious, is your fiancé close to the age of the older kids?

That is not what I said, and also not my observation from reading Visa Journey. I was referring to one member who has been encouraging mandamus lawsuits for people who are early on in the process, but complaining about how long the normal process takes.

Right. I was referring to certified copies of birth certificates as the standard ID used for US-born citizens applying for passports. Not everyone on VJ realizes that a certified copy “counts” as an original. In fact, most born here couldn’t get the original if they wanted to, since it is the property of whatever vital records office has jurisdiction.

I didn’t “accuse” OP of anything. Passport application for naturalized citizens is one rare instance when an original is required to be sent (because like I said,, no originals are required for a U.S. -born citizen’s fist passport application). I still think it’s very likely originals could be lost in this process, and no senator can help with that.

Sounds like you need to do some basic research on the process. I suggest you read the guides on the K-1 and familiarize yourself with adjustment of status.

Without being able to demonstrate that you have custody and the right to bring the child to the US, I don’t see an immigrant visa happening.

Your ex has legal custody?

Per the site's TOS, anyone may comment. It is VERY unusual that an original document of any type would be required. Even natural born USCs applying for passports send certified copies of birth certificates. If, however, that was required, then it sounds like they have no standard means of returning them to the thousands of people who do the same thing, so you'd be out of luck.

Not for immigration purposes if the income will not continue in the US.

Why in the world did you send the original???