OldUser

Hi guys, I'm going to create a thread where I'm going to be posting field reports on using my US passport card domestically and internationally. Sure, this ID should be universally accepted in the US anywhere, even to enter federal facilities and cross border with Mexico and Canada by land. However, we all know sometimes clerks and other people make mistakes and reject to accept one form of ID or the other. Feel free contributing to this thread. Below is what US passport card looks like in June 2025:

Worst case you'll get it back with rejection letter I'd think.

Yes, that's a good idea. When filing online, are there question mark icons next to questions giving examples?

Did you move after filing the I-90?

Yes, even though @igoyougoduke posted DIY guide of filing mandamus yourself, it's typically filed by a lawyer. At that point, the only barrier is cost, it's typically about $5k+ (mostly lawyer fees). But anybody who waited over a year after filing N-400 typically gets traction after mandamus. The most fun part though is... Actually, almost every time nobody has to go to court or see judge. Once mandamus is filed, it just pushes USCIS to do their job within 60 days. USCIS adjudicates case, lawyer withdraws mandamus and nobody goes to actual court hearing. Essentially, the last thing USCIS want is to get involved in legal proceedings. And they do everything to avoid it.

Yep, just listened to known YouTube lawyer's show today. Some person had a fiance case approved for beneficiary in banned country and the only way forward was to marry and file I-130, e.g. start over.

Just make sure not to overstay. If you don't get decision before your status is up, leave the country and apply for visa from outside.

Immigration is very slow. Even with K-1 it's going to be 3+ years for majority of people.

Enumeration Beyond Entry seems to be not functioning. Happened to me after naturalization. I'd advise booking an appointment with SSA and getting SS card at their office.

- Arrive a bit early - USCIS building may have multiple entrances and lines. Make sure to join the right line - If you can avoid wearing metal and boots / shoes with thick soles, baggy clothes l, belts, watches etc don't wear it. Because you'll be going through metal detector. The less stuff you wear the better - Don't bring laptops and backpacks if you can - Be ready to spend 1-4 hours at the building in case of same day ceremony - Bring bonafide marriage evidence for N-400 if you filed under 3 year rule - Bring all valid and expired passports - Bring all green cards (including expired), EADs, Advance Paroles and other ID cards issued by USCIS - Do not talk too much, let officer do the job - Give short, direct, confident answers. If possible, yes or no. If you don't know something, say you don't know. - Remember travel dates, key relationship dates, addresses you lived and worked at. Remember key info about each other. Good luck!

We're blessed in that regard

But you said acknowledging the out of wedlock son will give him some reward. Most likely it will give divorce and strained relationships with his kids. What reward are you talking about? This is my point. The reason I said "I don't think..." is to provide a polite reply, not because I wasn't sure.

From purely mobility perspective, US 🇺🇸 + Chile 🇨🇱 + Ireland 🇮🇪 trifecta provides visa free access to nearly 90% of the countries in the world.

If you were to pick any 3 citizenships, which passports would you rather have and why?

Enumeration Beyond Entry isn't working properly anymore with SSA. Just go to SSA office after scheduling an appointment and get updated social security card without restrictions.

In my opinion, it's always best to have all the cards and be ready to surrender them VS being asked on spot about cards and not have them... Congrats! And sorry about pain of renewing Cambodian passport. This is unfortunate. Many countries allow doing it even online. Maybe one day...

Great ! You can use it for sure. If you're thinking of travelling, consider renewing it in October-November this year. Many countries require 6+ months validity to use it for entry.

Typically unexpired US passport is acceptable proof of citizenship. In very rare cases, you may be asked for other proof such as certificate of citizenship. You only need 1 doc from the list. It's still good to think about replacing certificate of citizenship in the future.

This is a possibility for sure. Perhaps OP was cornered by ex? E.g. file a case for son else we talk to current family?

OP said his name was on child's birth certificate?

Sorry, didn't realize you're beneficiary. Now a lot of this makes sense. Still, as an immigrant coming on K-1, there's going to be a period of time when your US citizen fiancé and later spouse will have almost absolute control over your immigration status. You need to ensure they won't stop process due to issues in relationship or financial problems. I'd take time to know your other half as much as you could before committing to this difficult process. If the lawyer is a real lawyer (searchable on AILA), not a paralegal, then sure, listen to their advice. Best of luck!

Congratulations, thank you for clarifying

The more you meet the better, of course. What's more important, is it going to be a strong marriage if you only spent total of 3 weeks together?

Probably out of status?

Yes, there are H-1B cap excempt employment visas. But it has to be real organization. You cannot set up one to sponsor a relative and workaround immigration rules.