DairyFarmer's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: John
Beneficiary's Name: Melannie
VJ Member: DairyFarmer
Country: Australia
Last Updated: 2012-10-15
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Immigration Checklist for John & Melannie:
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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 : |
London, United Kingdom |
| I-129F Sent : |
2008-05-02 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2008-05-06 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
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| RFE Reply(s) : |
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| I-129F NOA2 : |
2008-09-17 |
| NVC Received : |
2008-09-23 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
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| NVC Left : |
2008-09-26 |
| Consulate Received : |
2008-10-01 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2008-10-18 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2008-12-02 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2009-01-29 |
| Interview Date : |
2009-02-13 |
| Interview Result : |
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2009-04-20 |
| US Entry : |
2009-04-22 |
| Marriage : |
2009-05-01 |
| Comments : |
Approved pending the supply of my missing Australian Police Certificate given 221g, sent in passport and certificate the following week, then stuck into AP. Lasted 62 days. |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 134 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 283 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Chicago |
| POE Date : |
2009-04-22 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
No |
| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
5 |
| Comments : |
So the flight got in a little early around 7:20pm. There were no other people lined up so I think our flight was the only one at that time.
The first immigration officer (at the booths) didn't know what she was doing so we had to wait till another guy was free. Before he came over she asked why had I left the country I was confused and said because I had to. She then said why are you here??? I said to get married as the K1 is a fiancee visa. The other guy finally came over, set her straight, they took basic fingerprints then the lady took me into the office area and told me to sit down. Didn't feel like I waited long before I was taken into interview 1 by Immigration Officer Ruiz. A large man who has mastered the mean deadpan expression. I did however manage to make it slip twice though.
He asked had I ever been in any immigration trouble. I said no, but did explain about my college visa being revoke and explained the gist of the scenario.
He asked when I had been to the US, I said 4 times, B2, F1-J1, VWP and VWP. He asked had I ever been taken aside into the offices I said no never, and it made me very nervous to be in here today. He kind of grinned !!! He then asked why not. I didn't know what to say but said I had never done anything wrong so I guess no one felt the need to interview me.
He asked how long John and I had known each other and how we met. Did we intend to get married. (????)
He then took my biometrics. Sent me back to the room and came back and re-asked about me being in trouble. I said no, only the time I told you about. And then gave the story but in detail this time. He asked had I told the USE London. I said yes. I explained it hadn't originally been included on the paperwork b/c the lawyer had checked into it and didn't think it was relevant. But when questioned they had notified the USE London it was their fault and took full responsibility.
He then asked again how long had John and I known each other again. I answered and then said we had figured from the day we are getting married it will be 1 year exactly since we submitted our paperwork. He looked confused and checked our paperwork. Then he asked what I did for a living. (I was still nervous and gave an extensive explanation) He then asked if I had met John's parents I said yes that we lived on the same property and I could see their house from my bedroom window. His masked dropped and he gave me a look of what I can only describe as a mixture of horror and pity.
He then asked did I have another ticket and I said yes I had bought a return cause it was cheaper. He asked when was I flying back (yes I began to panic)I said I wasn't I intended to marry John. Then he asked again and it dawned on me he was talking about where I was going when I left the airport. I then said that John was picking me up and should be waiting right now, as he had been intending to finish milking and then driving in.
(There were other questions but I am drawing a blank at the moment)
He left the room came back opened the 'YELLOW ENVELOPE' started stamping it, I was STILL freaking out a bit and then started nervously chatting asking how many cases like mine they processed he said a lot I said I hadn't seen any other yellow envelopes in line and he said he thought about 10 a day. Then he gave me a look and said just wait a moment and we will get you out of here. He left the room came back completed my I 94 and then directed me out.
It was nerve racking but over with Thank the Lord!!!! |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago IL |
| Date Filed : |
2009-12-17 |
| NOA Date : |
2009-12-22 |
| RFE(s) : |
2010-03-29 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2010-02-15 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
2010-03-25 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2010-03-25 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Greencard Received: |
2010-04-24 |
| Comments : |
6 hour round trip to Detroit, interview lasted 8 minutes. Interviewer quite pleasant, brief conversation, confirmed all current contact information, address etc and the proceeded to re-ask me questions from page 3 of my app, Am I a terrorist?, am I a spy? and have I ever discriminated against anyone, for race religion, creed, disability of sexual orientation?. I said my husband would say I would discriminate against him, and the interviewer said that didn't count. Looked at NO original documentations said he thought I was trustworthy so he didn't need to see them. Took copies I gave him but offered to make copies for me including of photos even though I said he could keep originals as I had duplicates there!!! Next thing we knew we were signing the release about lifting conditions. Asked about stamp in Passport, was informed Detroit doesn't stamp as it appears to create more problems in the future when re-entering the country even with Greencard, he said it should only take 2 weeks to arrive. Didn't take or even ask for AP or EAD. |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago IL |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2009-12-17 |
| NOA Date : |
2009-12-22 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2010-01-15 |
| Approved Date : |
2010-02-22 |
| Date Card Received : |
2010-03-01 |
| Comments : |
Biometrics Appointment Date Jan 27 went early (Grand Rapids)did a walk-in. Big mistake was interrogated forever. Lectured about not carrying passport as well as all other ID. |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 67 days. |
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Advance Parole
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago IL |
| Filing Method : |
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| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2009-12-17 |
| NOA Date : |
2009-12-22 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Date Received : |
2010-02-26 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your AP was approved in 67 days. |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
California Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2012-04-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2012-04-13 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2012-05-14 |
| Interview Date : |
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| Approval / Denial Date : |
2012-10-10 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
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| Green Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
No Interview Required |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
February 14, 2009 |
| Embassy Review : |
So it felt like a long day. I was on Bond Street by 7:30 so went to Starbucks and bought a coffee, tasted awful the milk was burnt, couldn't have drunk it anyway for the nervousness I felt.
Surreal David Lynch moment as 20 or so police horses were exercised down bond street.
I arrived at the USE by 8am for my 9am interview. There was already quite a line. It was a cold brisk morning in London, whilst lined up outside there was a few snow flakes.
Took about 35 mins to get inside. I was issued a 1000 number (1052) which I questioned (thanks VJers) then I was issued a 5000 number (5009). When I sat down numbers 5005 through to myself were on the board. (Before I left it ha only risen to 5016)
Then sat and waited over 2 hours for my first call up. There was a K family (K3 & K2) at the counters and one of the K2 children ended up fainting and then having an epileptic seizure. This meant there were no 5000 numbers being processed.
Finally up to window 14, a young Brit guy, sent me directly to the cashier at window 12, back to window 14, provided all docs (bar the Aus Police Cert), he then said be aware you will be denied until we receive it. We discussed AP and AOS (I knew way more than him, he gave some weird misleading info re the AP) We chatted a little more, (I'm sure he was trying to soften me up, but I love to talk  no softening was really required) as it turns out his sister met her husband on-line in a chat room. He said he'd met plenty who met in on-line chat rooms but a mobile phone chat room was a first for him. (He was also the one to tell me about the K family he had been serving them at the time) Interestingly he says there is usually a fainting at least once a week!!!! Asked why weren't moving to Australia, I said the farm wasn't very movable. He then took my finger prints and then sent me back to the waiting room. Sat for another good while.
Called up to window 16 young American guy (Hart) this time. He made me repeat my fingerprints said he didn't know why they hadn't accepted them the first time as they were a good set.
He asked me when I had been to the US before. Was surprised my visits in the early 90's weren't listed. He thought the records normally went back that far. Asked what John did for a living? Who he farmed with? Did he own the farm?
Then he cross checked the I-134's VERY carefully, asked why I would want to move to Michigan, I said John was there, he asked how he had proposed it flustered me, I knew it was a possible question, but I was embarrassed. It is quite a personal moment between John and I. Then he asked why his dad was co-sponsoring, I said he wasn't his mother was, he checked the I-134 again and laughed, I was right.  Duh I know I'm right, wasn't sure if he was testing me. Maybe not.
He had been busy filling out a blue form which he then handed me. A H/iv/IV30SVA2007(UK59)
Your visa application has been suspended under Section 221() of the Immigration and Nationality Act because you have not presented some required documents. Your application will be reconsidered when you have returned the additional documents indicated below. (Australian Police Certificate & Passport)
Explained I would call for the Courier to come pick them up and my Passport and Visa would be returned 5 days later. I said thanks and he then said Congratulations. I stood there for a moment, and then felt the tension release and my face broke into a smile which hurt my cheeks. |
| Rating : |
Good |
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Local US CIS Office Review: Detroit MI
Review Topic: cis_topic
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
March 28, 2010 |
| Embassy Review : |
Firstly we were up at 3am to complete chores before we left. As we had to drive from the other side of the state we left 4 hours early even though the drive should have been 3. Our appointment was at 9:30 and we didn't want to be delayed by peak hour. When we arrived (7:45) there were 2 cars in the main lot in front of the building. We needed a bathroom break and knew the appointment letter said not to enter more than 30 mins early so we drove a little bit, found a McDonalds where we were hit up by a homeless guy for breakfast, he got breakfast.
When we returned we waited in the parking garage, we were the only car on the roof. (NOTE lots of free parking) After being there about 30mins a security guard came to see what we were up to. We explained, he said go in a bit earlier if you like you have to clear security. So we did it took maybe 3 mins. Then we were asked why we were there, directed to the large waiting room on the right an instructed to drop the appointment notice at window 8 (the last window) and have a seat. Nobody was in window 8 and we dropped our appointment notice on the pile sitting there.
I had everything organized in 2 folders the first containing originals the second on correlating pages copies of everything. Additionally John was carrying a second bag which had all originals or copies of other documents submitted throughout our case.
We were called just after 9:30 have to say I was a little disappointed after a
6 hour round trip to Detroit, our interview lasted 8 minutes. Interviewer quite pleasant, brief conversation, confirmed all current contact information, address etc and the proceeded to re-ask me questions from page 3 of my app,
Am I a terrorist?
Hm I a spy?
Have you committed a crime that you have not been caught for?
Have I ever discriminated against anyone, for race religion, creed, disability of sexual orientation?. I said my husband would say I would discriminate against him, and the interviewer said that didn't count.
Then he asked for evidence of our marriage, I gave him the photos and then started getting out documents which he didn't really want but felt he had to take as I was sitting there with my folders laid out on his desk. (And I had been worried because we have no utilities or residential evidence because it is all paid for through farm) Which John volunteered. Looked at NO original documentations said he thought I was trustworthy so he didn't need to see them. Took copies I gave him but offered to make copies for me including of photos even though I said he could keep originals as I had duplicates there!!!
Next thing we knew we were signing the release about lifting conditions. Asked about stamp in Passport, was informed Detroit doesn't stamp as it appears to create more problems in the future when re-entering the country even with Greencard, he said it should only take 2 weeks to arrive. Didn't take or even ask for AP or EAD.
By the time it was all said and done and another visit to the bathroom in the USCIS office we were back in the car and headed home by 9:46.
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| Harassment Level : |
Very 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
