mad1nola's US Immigration Timeline
Immigration Checklist for Sandra & Marc-Henry:
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USCIS I-129F Petition:
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Dept of State K1 Visa:
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USCIS I-485 Petition:
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USCIS I-765 Petition:
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USCIS I-131 Petition:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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K1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
California Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Dominican Republic |
| I-129F Sent : |
2012-01-23 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2012-01-27 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
2012-02-10 |
| RFE Reply(s) : |
2012-02-22 |
| I-129F NOA2 : |
2012-02-29 |
| NVC Received : |
2012-03-02 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
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| NVC Left : |
2012-03-07 |
| Consulate Received : |
2012-03-08 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
2012-04-12 |
| Interview Date : |
2012-05-03 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2012-11-17 |
| US Entry : |
2012-12-14 |
| Marriage : |
2013-01-01 |
| Comments : |
DNA test were required for his kids. The DNA clinic required passports(they never had one) to submit DNA results to consulate and getting the passports in DR was impossible even though kids were born there. They were listed as strangers(aliens). So we had to get Haitian passports. All in all this took approximately 4.5 months(kids reside in Haiti/Fiance resides in DR). It was a lot of missed work for him, missed school for kids, visits to SD and San Pedro and a whole lot of DR bureaucracy. Then another wait for results and then response from consulate. We went thru more than we ever thought we had to but he is finally here and we are very very happy. Will marry in Las Vegas January 1, 2013...then to AOS....ugh! |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 33 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 97 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Atlanta |
| POE Date : |
2012-12-14 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
No |
| Biometrics Taken : |
No |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Los Angeles CA |
| Date Filed : |
2013-02-04 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-02-11 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2013-03-11 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
2013-04-26 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2013-04-26 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Greencard Received: |
2013-05-07 |
| Comments : |
Interview: We arrived about 15 minutes early. Place our letter at window and waited for our number to be called. Asian man with thick accent came out of door and called my husband's name and we went into his office. He swore us both in. There was a thick stack of papers in front him on his desk. He wasn't very friendly at all. Then he went through the papers and started asking questions to my husband:
-What is your date of birth? But I put the wrong date of birth for my husband. Instead of his DOB, I put MINE...I could have died on the spot! He went into a rant about how important this was and how I should have been more careful and I agreed wholeheartedly and apologized profusely(could have died right there on the spot! I felt we had lost the battle before it even started. We cleared it up right away...I stated that I filled the forms out and inadvertently put my DOB...innocent mistake. In all three applications I put the wrong DOB on I-485. UGH! then he made a remark at to what a big difference(9 yrs) that was, and I called him on it...I said, "Hey! Are you calling me old?" And gave him a disapproving look. He didn't answer.
Once that was straightened out he continued:
-Where was he born?
-Why he filed in DR?
-How did we meet?
-When did the relationship become serious?
-Asked for marriage license...and was surprised where and when we got married.
-Is he working?
-Does he have ID?
-What's his address?
-Has he ever been arrested?
-Has he ever been in military?
-Is he a communist?
-How did we meet?
-How many times did I visit?
-Why did I visit in DR when he was born in Haiti?
-Have I ever been to Haiti?(yes)
-Asked for both our Birth Certificate but we only had a copy of husband's since we gave SDO embassy the original
-Asked for evidence of co-mingling of assets: I gave Bank Letter, health and life insurance policies, credit cards. -My job pays for housing/utilities tax-free benefit(stated in employment letter) so that's not in either of our names.
He asked me:
-What was my date of birth?
-Where was I born? How was the city doing since Hurricane Katrina?
-What is my current address?
-What is my occupation?
-Asked for tax returns?
-He asked for my passport: and said it wasn't me cause I look much younger now...we all laughed.(he finally stopped being a hard ass)
-How many times was I married? Asked for divorce decree.
-How many children do I have?
-Do we have any children together?
-Will we have any children together?(NO)
-Who do I support?
-Why don't I support my children financially?(they are adults and don't need it).
-Then he said, "Okay, I'm going to approve you." Just like that! Then he asked for my husband's passport and my ID(he already had my passport) and went to make copies. Stamped a white paper and wrote some info on it and gave it to my husband. Wished us good luck.We thanked him and we were out of there.
All of this took about 15 minutes.
-Received email about 1 hour after interview stating that Green Card in production!!! Woo-hoo!
05/07/2013 green card received.
Best advice I can give is be honest, no matter how nervous you are, just tell the truth. |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2013-02-04 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-02-11 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2013-03-11 |
| Approved Date : |
2013-04-01 |
| Date Card Received : |
2013-04-08 |
| Comments : |
EAD/AP COMBO CARD |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 56 days. |
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Advance Parole
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
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| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2013-02-04 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-02-11 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Date Received : |
2013-04-08 |
| Comments : |
EAD/AP COMBO CARD
Status at USCIS remained in initial review, but received name updates to file. Status never changed, but received as combo card with EAD. |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your AP was approved in 56 days. |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
California Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2015-02-13 |
| NOA Date : |
2015-02-17 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2015-03-16 |
| Interview Date : |
2016-05-19 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2016-06-06 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
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| Green Card Received : |
2016-06-08 |
| Comments : |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Dominican Republic
Review Topic: I-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
May 6, 2012 |
| Embassy Review : |
We stayed at the Jardines del Teatro the night before. It was only a couple of blocks from embassy. We arrived at the embassy at 5:30 am and there were already about 75 people in line. At around 5:55 we got the blue letter stapled with the number 282 then at 6:10 they separated men from women and started letting us in thru security. Saw those infamous metal benches and just laughed(but wasn't laughing after 4 hrs...my butt as numb. At 7:15 we were called to window 15 and we handed in documents. Somehow I left DS 156k and we had to fill out another and Marc had to retake one passport photo because one that he gave was too dark. Then he had to go to Banc Popular because he had a receipt for PIN and not visa processing fee. He got the photo taken in the embassy and then went to bank and came back and gave to CO at around 8:30. We we waited til 1030 for our number to be called to go to window 13 to get fingerprinted. Then they called again to pay visa fee of $80 at window 12. Then around 11:00 we were called to window 21. There was a very nice young lady and she swore us in. The asked my fiance, in spanish, why he wanted to marry in the US. He said, in Spanish, he would marry me anywhere. In fact, we tried to last October but my divorce was only 2 months and couldn't do in DR cause of law for women there (I think that signaled we may be married already)Then she asked me if I spoke Spanish and I said no. Then she asked did we have any pictures and I said yes and showed them to her. Then she said ok. Go wait and a CO would call. I knew then was trouble. We waited for about 10 minutes and we were called to window 21 again. Then she asked did we have kids in common(in English), and I said no cause Marc didn't understand the question. Then she asked him in Spanish and he said no. Then she said, oh, I thought you did...I must have gotten the cases confused and sent us back out to wait and said CO would call. Now we waited for another 2 hours and nothing. Numbers were being called. People were getting approved left and right and we were sitting on those benches and I was wilted from the heat. We saw about 3 couples that didn't get approved right away and had to wait like us. One couple had to go to window 11. and they came back and waited about 3-4 hrs and were called back to their original window and then denied. That's when I got really nervous. Was feeling really negative but Marc kept my spirits up! With small gestures and kind words and gentle touches. Then our number was called but this time for window 11. The interrogation room!!!! We were greeted by a tall white guy and he told me to wait outside and asked Marc to come in with the evidence. He was in there for about 10 minutes and then he called me in(on his way out Marc said baby take it easy, it will be ok and gave me our evidence and kissed me) and he asked me questions. Then he asked Marc to come back in and they spoke in Spanish. Then Marc was making hand gestures and then the guy asked him to turn around and then it looked like a light went on in Marc's head and whatever it was they both laugh and I was like what are you guys talking about. And the officer told me and I said, wow Marc take it easy. javascript:emoticon(' ') Then he told us to go back out and a CO would call us. We waited another hour or so and then our number was called again to window 21. We were so tired by now and it was sooo hot. We went up to the window and the lady told Marc in Spanish that everything was ok and that we were approved and that we needed to pay domex and he would receive his visa. I didn't know what she was saying so I blurted ARE WE APPROVED? She laughed and said yes, javascript:emoticon(' ')you are approved. She gave us that green card to take to Domex cubicle. I shrieked before we left out to pay. I couldn't stop smiling and kissing him. Marc paid the lady at Domex. We left at aroung 3:45 pm and the rest will be history.
Some of the questions asked to me during interview:
How did you meet?
Where do you stay when you come?
when did you arrive this trip?
How did you get here?
Where is the television in his house?
how many times have you been here, when was the first time?
When did you first kiss?
When did you first have sexual relations?
When was the last time you had sexual relations?
Were the lights on or off?
What side of the bed does he sleep on?
Who showered first this morning?
Did you use protection the first time you had sex?
Do you use protection now?
Does he know?
Does he have any family in the states?
Have you met them?
How many children do you have, what are their names?
how did I give birth
Does he have any children?
Where do they live?
Have I ever been married before and how many times?
When did I get divorced?
Has my fiance ever been married?
When did you get engaged?
where did you get engaged?
When did he buy the ring?
When did he give you the ring?
Was any family present?
Where will you get married?
will it be a ceremony?
who will attend the wedding?
What do you do for a living?
How long have you been doing it?
What does your fiance do for a living?
where does your HUSBAND, I mean your fiance work? (think CO's thought we were already married cuz Marc told 1st CO that we tried last October)
Does he have any tattoos?
There were probably a dozen more questions but I just can't remember them all but more or less they asked Marc the same questions. We got tripped on one question each. But it was understandable with all the stress of the day.
If not for the heat and the long wait I would say that overall the whole process was great! We had some red flags going in and we faced them head on: age difference(9 yrs), professional/educational status, language(His English is sooo much better than when we met...my Spanish/Kryol...not so much...lol). They didn't ask anything about them. We put God first and let them see that we are in love and there are no barriers to love. Looking back on everything I can see how God's hand moved all obstacles even when I thought they would be insurmountable.
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| Rating : |
Good |
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Timeline Comments: None yet, be the first!
*Notice about estimates: The estimates are based off averages of other members recent experiences
(documented in their timelines) for the same benefit/petition/application at the same filing location.
Individual results may vary as every case is not always 'average'. Past performance does not necessarily
predict future results. The 'as early as date' may change over time based on current reported processing
times from members. There have historically been cases where a benefit/petition/application processing
briefly slows down or stops and this can not be predicted. Use these dates as reference only and do not
rely on them for planning. As always you should check the
USCIS processing times to see if your application
is past due.
** Not all cases are transfered
ver 5.0
