ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IMBRA Special TopicsORIGINAL IMBRA RFE
I got my RFE on Friday. I answered the appropriate questions, made copies of everything and mailed back the originals, putting the original RFE NOA on top as instructed.

I have kept the copies and if in the future I need to respond again with comment on this, I will make sure I include a copy of all this information. Of course I am hoping I will not have to respond again.

Edited by Danny&Adri, 02 July 2006 - 09:39 AM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-07-02 09:38:00
IMBRA Special TopicsReceived IMBRA REF
I received my RFE for IMBRA. It was three pages of data, but really on the three newly required questions.

My application status never was noted with a "touch". I never received an e-mail that an RFE would be coming. I just found it in the mail.

My RFE stated that I had until 9/18 to submit the requested information. I sent mine back right away, but I would suggest that everyone else that receives these from CSC take several months to check, double check and triple check their information. In fact, there is no reason to rush in sending the information back. If the folks at CSC are bored and my form is the only one they have to work on, this is okay with me. :D
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-07-02 09:50:00
IMBRA Special TopicsTouched July 4th CSC
What exactly do y'all mean by "touched"?

The only place I know to check is the page titled "Case Status". If my status changes is the only time I know there is activity. Is there something else that I am missing?
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-07-05 04:46:00
IMBRA Special TopicsK1 help

help to explain to me IMBRA?

International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005.

Here is my blatantly opinionated understanding of it:

The congress decided they needed more regulation over Marriage Brokers, and started requiring them to notify their clients that they were indeed marriage brokers. They have to supply words something like, "We're a marriage broker but we have not checked out the person we are setting you up with."

Because the marriage brokers were stating they had not "checked people out", Congress then decided they would require the US Citizen to respond to some additional questions like, "Have you ever been arrested" and "Have you ever been accused to spousal abuse."

Congress also wanted to start tracking anyone that might have sponsor multiple "marriage" visas. So they started asking, "Have you ever sponsored another marriage visa before this one."

So... with just a couple of extra questions on the form.... why the problem? The Congress started requiring that petitioners answer the questions but they did not put them on the form yet. So many people had to first submit their form and then wait for the government to send them an RFE that would ask them the additional questions that were not on the original form.

Another big problem is that the process for sending this RFE was not established immediately, so people from 3/6/06 (when the law when into effect) until somewhere the end of June, just had their paperwork set untouched while we waited for the process to be redefined. This became a bottleneck and CSC is still trying to catch up with all their back work. I think VSC is back on a schedule.

All this trouble, basically over three new questions they needed to add to the form.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-08-16 05:53:00
IMBRA Special TopicsNEW POLL for CSC - MARCH - Post IMBRA ONLY

...how do you save it as a picture so it can be posted?

The way I do it is:

1.* While the Excel chart is on your screen, do <alt> Print Screen. (This copies it into your "cut-and-paste" buffer.)
2. Open up "MS Paint" or other picture editor, and paste the image from your buffer.
3. Edit, crop, resize and adjust the picture as needed, before saving it.
4. Put the picture at some personal web site that can be accessed by everyone.
5. When creating the message here, post the link using the image function.

*Note for #1 - Some time it won't all display on open screen, so you might need to use functions in #2 to merge images.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-07-30 04:02:00
IMBRA Special TopicsNEW POLL for CSC - MARCH - Post IMBRA ONLY
The following chart is information from the reports we can all run here at VJ.

I chose to do it for all people that had an RFE Reply date on their timeline. I also chose not to include VSC.

(You too can run these reports. See the menu selection above for "Immigration Timeline" and then select the drop down for "Visa Timelines" and then "K1 Visas".)


Posted Image

Edited by Danny&Adri, 29 July 2006 - 08:44 PM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-07-29 20:39:00
IMBRA Special TopicsIMBRA Shock

Should we wait till they will notify us? I feel like I'm crying.

Why wait? If they want to send you the RFE to get the additional questions answered they will. But why not try something else.

Here is what I did. I was caught in the original IMBRA stuff. My application like everyone's else here was put on hold. During that hold period, I found a copy of the new form that was not even official yet, but I didn't care. I completed the new form, sent it in and asked them to add it to my file. I still received the RFE that everyone else got. When I completed it and sent it back I was one of the first to get approved. Was this because of my extra step? Was I just a lucky one? I don't know, but I think you should give it a try.

If you complete a copy of the new form, send it in and reference it to your case number, maybe they will put it with your file and not have to send you the RFE for the IMBRA information. Or perhaps they will send you the IMBRA RFE anyway. In that case, you still haven't lost anything except a 39¢ stamp.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-10 10:18:00
USCIS Service CentersProcessing Times
With NOA1 just received, I know it is too soon to start getting impatient. That is not my post.

This is in regards to the web page:
https://egov.immigra...nter=California

The first time I reviewed that page was about 4/26/06. It showed an update date of 4/21/06 and a I-129F processing date of 2/3/06.

Perhaps they only update the page periodically, or perhaps I should have hit my browser's refresh button, but until today, I never saw a change.

Now the update date is showing 5/8/06, but the I-129F processing date is still showing 2/3/06. It seems CSC has not processed any I-129F forms. Can I ask them just to send mine to Vermont? (That's a joke and wishful thinking.)

Does anyone have ideas on why the date has not changed? I'm hoping it is just an admin error where it was not updated on the web page - - - or could it really be that they have fallen further behind?
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-05-09 05:45:00
USCIS Service CentersBacklog in Texas?
On April 21, the date they received my paperwork, TSC (a.k.a. CSC) had the same processing date of 2/3/06. When the web site was updated on May 8th, that date did not change. I'm hoping it was just a clerical error with the person updating the web page.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-05-17 05:11:00
USCIS Service CentersSpeaking to live person at USCIS?

Is there a different number? Would I stand a better chance of getting through to someone if I dialed it from Vermont?

There is no different number. Calling from Vermont will not help.

If you choose the proper selections, this number will allow you to get to a live person. Calling mid-week will make your hold time a little less. Do not expect them to answer any questions on your case other than what you can see on the USCIS web site. Do not expect them to know any more answers than what you can find here at VJ.

But don't waste your time. The only "benefit" I saw in calling was that if your case is overdue, they will add some kind of special follow-up message. (By overdue, I mean older than the date posted at the USCIS website for your service center. CSC right now is March 8, 2006.) And even then, I don't think this "follow-up message" will do much.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-10 05:27:00
USCIS Service CentersAre you pissed off at USCIS?
Dr. Phil is currently supporting on of the online dating services. He is also a big advocate of stuff like this and he is based in California.

Is there anyone that met their fiance(e) using his service? If so, that could be an "in".
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-08-31 04:06:00
USCIS Service CentersI was wondering about Service Center impact from government budget

. . . and the attached is what I found.

 

 

Attached Files


Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2013-10-01 08:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionwhich forms i have to fill for my kids?
I'm still waiting for NOA2 but trying to prepare ahead. The US Embassy page for Colombia, my finacee's country, mentions the DS-156 form, but not the DS-230.

What is the DS-230 and how is it's purpose different than the DS-156?
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-05-17 05:08:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionK-2 authorization letter
My understanding is that this is whatever is required by the beneficiary's country to give him/her permission to leave the country with the child.

In our case, we require a notorized letter from the father stating that he is allowing this. That is what we have.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-08-18 17:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDCF vs K-1 at Paris embassy

When this whole IMBRA stuff happened, it didn't even occur to me to go get married in Paris and file DCF there.

Could you "go get married in Paris" or would you have had to move to Paris/France, i.e. establish legal residency there?

We only briefly considered a DCF but thinking a change of residency would be required, knew I could not.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-16 06:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI will be in Bogota next week.

Congratulations..I have a question how can you find out trough the embassy website your appointment date before package 3 arrive? I try and I have not been able to do it

On my letter from the National Visa Center, they listed my new Case Number. Mine started with "BGT". This number is what is posted on the US Embassy's web site:
http://bogota.usemba...ov/wwwfivad.pdf
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-14 19:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI will be in Bogota next week.

.. any idea on how soon the Visa will be issued ? is this an overnight wait or does it take longer to receive it ?

I have been told by several here at VJ that the visa in Bogota are issued the next business day. They use to send them to you via messenger, but I think you now leave your passport and come the next day to pick it up.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-14 03:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionI will be in Bogota next week.
It sounds like your fiancee might be from another Colombian city. My fiancee, Adri, is from Bogota and had her medical exam today. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like me to pass along any questions about the city to Adri.

I have been to Bogota three times now, but I'm afraid about the only questions I could answer are about flying into the Bogota airport, or what's on the breakfast buffet at the Radisson. :)

I will also be traveling to Bogota from 9/26 to 10/1 for our interview at the embassy. Obviously we are anxious to get this process completed.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-13 23:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBogota Embassy

Anyone with info on the time it takes for Packet 3 to arrive in Cartagena after they recieve the case would be appreciated.

My fiancee lives in Bogota and the packet 3 was sent to her via a private messenger service. (In other words, the US Embassy did not use the notoriously bad Colombian postal service.) Our timeline was:
2006-08-09 : NVC Left
2006-08-11 : Consulate Received
2006-08-14 : Packet 3 Received

"PachucoBro" (user nbr 21145) is from Barranquilla. Their timeline shows:
2006-08-14 : NVC Left
2006-08-16 : Consulate Received
2006-08-29 : Packet 3 Received

Hope that helps some.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-20 04:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProcess at Embassy with a Child
Finacee and her 10 year old son have the interview at the embassy next week. My understanding is that the son does not have to be there.

However, does anyone who has been through this at Bogota or elsewhere know what kind of paperwork they are expecting regarding the son's "right" to leave the country? The divorce paperwork has it noted that the father gives permission for this. We have submitted copies of this already.

We also have a notorized statement from the father saying it is okay. We have just the one original copy where the father's signature was notorized. We we need to have a copy of this to leave at the embassy?

I'm just looking to find what might be expected.

Thanks for your assistance.

Dan
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-21 20:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionStrange Medical Exam Question/Form

She 'needed' to ssign the DS-156 form in front of the doctor? Why? That form doesn't have anything to do with medical stuff.... ???

So the nurse said they need 6 photos just for the medical exams? Did your finacee have all 6 with her already or did she have to come back?

I'm not sure why. When she made her appointment, the nurse told her about the form and about the photos. My personal opinion is this doctor's office either did not understand these forms and processes, or they perhaps they could not explain them fully.

I can sympathize with someone not understanding US Government forms and processes, however, the curt attitude from this office was not appreciated.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-15 05:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionStrange Medical Exam Question/Form

Sounds like form DS-3025.

I check out that form and noted the e-mail comments that my finacee sent and I think you are right. After reviewing and talking it over, I believe we do not have an issue.

Apparently the box that was checked was "Applicant may be eligable for blanet waiver because vaccinations not medically appropriate". In other words, some of the vaccinations on the spreadsheet are not needed because of her age, or her son's age, or other medical factors. Basically, they are saying "here's a blanket waiver to skip these items."

May I ask which doctor office she visited in Bogota for the exam ? If this doctor is not very user friendly we may seek another.

I think one of the frustrating thing was that the doctor did not want to explain this form. He was "either sign it and move on, or just move on." His name was Jairo Roa and my fiancee suggested y'all avoid him if possible. She also wanted to remind you that you need to sign the DS156 in front of the doctor, you will need your vaccination card and (according to Jairo Roa's nurse) you have to have six pictures for them.

I'll update you after our next experience, the interview on 9/28.

(We'll actually our next "experience" will be smooching on 9/26 when I see her again... but I ain't updating y'all on that. :blush: )
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-14 20:00:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionStrange Medical Exam Question/Form
Over the last couple of days, my fiancée and her son got all their vaccines updates. (Their poor arms.)

Today, they had their medical exam for the interview at the embassy in Bogotá in two weeks. After the medical exam, the doctor mentioned that all was good and there were no issues. But then he had my fiancée sign a form that raised questions for us.

I did not see it, but from my understanding it had several check boxes about:
  • vaccines completed
  • vaccines not completed with waivers
  • vaccines not completed with no waivers
He had checked her form with "vaccines not completed with no waivers". She questioned him on this. He insisted that it was proper but gave little explaination. (He had a 'take it or leave it' attitude.) It is confusing because my fiancée and her son brought in their forms showing that they had their vaccines up to date.

Has anyone seen this form when they went to their medical exam? If so, what information can you give me about the form. I'm a little concerned that [a] the embassy might think the vaccines are not in order, or [b] when my fiancée and her son arrive here, future medical exams might want them to get vaccinated again.

Thanks for your help.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-09-13 23:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionResults of Interview in Bogota

The embassy received our petition on 9/5/06 and still no packet 3.


Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. We are definitely excited!

salgood -- We got our packet 3 quickly in Bogota, however I heard news from others that the packets sent to other places, Cali or Barrenquilla, were quite a bit slower... but a month seems like a long time.

Check out the process for calling the embassy... with the PIN number. I heard a couple of folks stating it was lost in the mail.

ALSO - please note your new number on the notice from the NVC, beginning with "BOG". You will find that is the number they use on the web site to show your interview date.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-03 16:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionResults of Interview in Bogota
So here's the story... but important things first:

WE GOT THE VISA !!!

I'm sorry if there is too much detail, but if others are as anxious as I was, they might want to know.

I went to Bogota on 26th to be at the interview, too. We spent the 27th going over paperwork. I week or so before the interview, I check the Visa Journey reports (under "Immigration Timelines" above) to see if any other VJers had an interview scheduled in Bogota for the 28th. I found that Audrie and Jose Carlos (user name Audrie) would be, so I sent an e-mail so we all could at least say hello.

As I talk of "embassy" and "windows" and "interviewers" do not think so much of an office environment as I was expecting. Picture an outdoor pavillion with lots of black iron fences and concrete walls. The seating area was a covered concrete area, perhaps like the an eating area at your favorite amusement park. The windows where the questions and interviews where held seemed more like concert ticket windows than anything else.

Our appt was for 7:00. We showed up at 6:00 and were about fifth in line. A couple of street vendors were selling coffee, gum and cigerettes. At about 6:30, several embassy employees started dividing us into lines for K1 visa or other stuff. We were told to double check our paper work and they discussed what we would need. In doing so, we realized we were missing from our stack an old passport. Adri called her brother who said he would bring it to us. We asked one of the ladies outside, how could we get the passport once it was delivered. She said there was a process, but that someone inside would have to tell us.

We were then taken through security where no cameras were allowed. I don't think other electronic equipment was either, like computers or music devices, but I'm not positive about that. Cell phones were allowed.

After security, we walked down a sidewalk through a second entry way that took us into the pavillion area mentioned. The person at the gate had the K1 folks set along a long bench. Right at 7:00 a lady went over the process again, basically reading a large print out of Packet 4 letter. She then started processing us, giving us a folder labeled "K1" and having us arrange our paperwork in there. This lady was the same lady we had asked outside about getting the passport from Adri's brother. Adri asked who could tell us. She then told us the process, which I'll detail in the next paragraph. (I found this amusing that she would not tell us outside but would after we were in - - - She was quite rude in all of her attitude.)

We were sent to a seating area to coordinate our paperwork into the folder. In about 10 minutes we were called to "Window 29" where a lady checked all our paperwork. She had a copy of the file that we initially sent to Texas Service Center (then CSC) and she returned a large number of things out of that file that she did not need, like extra translations we had done that I guess were not needed. About this time Adri's brother called on the mobile stating that he was outside the embassy. They would not let him in. What they did allow was for me to leave the pavillion area, but NOT leave out of the secure area. I walked to the secure area where Adri's brother handed me the passport through the fence. I was surprised the guards did not seem to watch me to closely, but perhaps they could tell it was just a passport even from a distance.

I took the passport back to Adri who was still at the window. She was speaking through a phone to the lady behind the window who was very quickly checking the folder from the CSC and the folder of items required in packet 4. This whole process, including me going up to the front security, took about 15 minutes. She told us we would be called to "Window 2" for fingerprinting. We were called after about 20 minutes and then told to wait for the interview. By now, it was approximately 8:00. We started the long wait.

The chairs were like uncomfortable lawn furniture. The wind was blowing some and it was quite cool unless you were in the sun. There were restrooms and a small cafeteria where you could get coffee, sodas and some danished. During this time we started looking for Audrie and Jose Carlos, the other VJers I mentioned. We found them. They seemed to be about an hour behind us in the process, meaning their Window 29 and their fingerprints seemed to happen about an hour after ours did.

So we sat and chatted. Audrie and Jose Carlos seemed as nervous as us. I think Audrie was the same as me, in that we flew down just to make sure we were there to assist our fiance(e)s however we could. It was good to have the company while we stared at the walls.... and waited.... and waited some more.

At about 11:30, Audrie and Jose Carlos got called. Me and Adri got really nervous... what had we missed or what had happen to cause us to get missed? We didn't know. We thought we were about an hour ahead. (Maybe because we are getting a K2 also, for Adri's son.)

After about a 3 minute interview Audrie and Jose Carlos came back with great smiles on their faces. They were told to pick up their visa that afternoon at 4:00. We of course were so happy for them, but still terribly nervous ourselves. About 5 minutes later we were called.

Up until this time, everyone we had seen, all the security, all the folks behind the windows, all the assistances, seemed to be Colombian. They ones I spoke English to, could not understand me. (I do not speak Spanish.) They all also seemed to be "extremely business like", bordering on rude.

The man that interviewed Adri was an American, but Adri said his Spanish was very good. He was still business like, but not so terse.

When she got to the window and picked up the phone, she said, "Buenos tardes." He looked at his watch and said in Spanish something like, "What? No, not yet. Don't scare me like that." He was very personable, asked a couple of questions in Spanish like, "Where did you meet?", "Has Danny met your son?", "How does your son feel about him?" Then without warning he switched to English and said, "So where did you learn English?" and finished the interview with a few questions in English. Since Adri is so fluent in English and in the English e-mails she sent to me, I'm sure he was just checking to make sure the e-mails and her communications were really from her. After about 3 or 4 minutes of questioning, he handed her a slip of paper and said we could pick up the visa the next day at 4:00. (WOO HOO)

I was standing about 5 feet from her, but he never asked to talk to me. At the end of the interview he handed us back the pictures we submitted last April when we started the process. He never asked for the additional proof of the relationship that we prepared for the interview; they had all the previous paperwork.

Next day, picking up visas - -

They would only let the beneficiaries in, the sponsors had to stand outside the embassy. I saw Jose Carlos who told me the embassy was not able to get theirs done on the previous afternoon (the same day as the interview) so he had to come on the following day, like us. I am speculating that since he was from Barrenquilla, they might have tried to get his visa completed on the interview day. Adri lives in Bogota. so they might have planned ours for the following day.

They would not let anyone in the gates until 4:00. They then passed out the visas in the same order as they were approved on the day before. We were one of the last, but still Adri got out by about 4:30. She had the visa and a sealed envalope to give to the US Immigration officer at her point of entry. The embassy official was joking some and said the envalope contained a letter that basically said, "If this person does not get married in 90 days, here is the address you should hunt them down at." :-)

While the beneficiaries were inside getting the visas, the sponsors who were there were chatting out side. I met a man (non-VJer) that said that his fiancee had an interview one week before and was denied. He said that according to his fiancee, the lady that interviewed her denied everyone that day. She was told she did not have enough proof of relationship and asked why her fiance was not there to support her if they had the relationship. They man I met said that after this, he flew down to Bogota for the re-interview on the 28th and that he and his fiancee brought "tons" of extra proof of relationship documents. On the 28th, his fiancee got the same interviewer as my fiancee did. This interviewer did not even ask to talk to him, just as I was not asked to speak to the interviewer either. Perhaps just being there was sufficient.

We then left, bought plane tickets for Adri and her son and went home to celebrate with her family. Some tears of joy and some tears of sadness that she would be leaving.

I'm too tired to go back and proof read this, but if any of you have specific questions, feel free to post them or e-mail me.

There is one thing I wanted to mention. Adri and her son were getting K1 and K2 visas. We were told her son not only did not need to be there, but that children were not allowed. This did not seem to be the case. There were a number of kids in the interview process. Adri took her son the second day when she picked up the visa. It was not a problem.

This board has been so wonderful to me in getting us through the process, I hope this helps some of you in your expectations of the interview process.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-02 22:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionEmbassy Interview Experience

The consul then saw I was standing there behind my fiancee eager to speak to him...

CONGRATULATIONS! And best of luck.

As for me, the consul saw me there standing much as you were, but he never even glanced my way. Of course I didn't care one way or the other once he handed my fiancee the receipt and said, "Come pick up your visa tomorrow." B)
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-04 15:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPACKET 3 AFTER LONG DELAY-COLOMBIA

Since Tulua is not that close to Bogota we are hoping for an interview date no sooner than November 3...

The embassy web site has already posted interviews through 10/31, so if you don't see it yet, you might get your wish.

Best of luck!
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-07 08:04:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBogota embassy questions
Our paperwork left NVC on 8/9/2006 and the Bogota embassy received it on 8/11/06. My fiancee lives in Bogota and received packet 3 on 8/14/06. (I've heard stories of those in Cali or elsewhere not getting their packet 3 as quick as that.)

My fiancee had no problem getting a medical appointment, however she had concerns about the one she selected. His name was Jairo Roa and she suggested y'all avoid him if possible. See thread I posted.

I don't remember exactly what it was she submitted to get the appointment at the embassy scheduled, but I know it was minimal. The information in packet 3 was very clear.

The web site for the U.S. Embassy in Bogota has more information about some of the items requested. The English page is at U.S. Embassy in Bogota. It states, "All Colombian citizens over 18 years old must obtain a police certificate at the nearest DAS (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad) office."

I posted a long narrative of what to expect at the embassy. To see it,
click here.

Good luck! Overall, this part was pretty easy... even though we were quite nervous.

Edited by Danny&Adri, 10 October 2006 - 08:39 PM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-10 20:38:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAlert - leaving Bogota with Children
Please check here.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-16 07:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionpacket 4 colombia

Is it normal that it take so long to recieve packet 4 its been 20 days since the embassy in Bogota recieve the fax copy from packet 3 any suggestions!!

We sent our packet 3 on 8/24 and received packet 4 on 9/7. This was 14 days and my fiancee lived in Bogota. I would not worry about the mail, since the embassy did not send it through the Colombian mail, but through a private courier.

If you have not received it after one month, then you might want to by a PIN and follow-up with a phone call to the embassy.

I realize the waiting is difficult. We were just as impatient. We bought our PIN on the 14th day to follow-up, but then received the packet later that day.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2006-10-25 05:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship for under 18 years old
Thank you all for the very good input.

Finding this web site back in 2004 was a God send. The whole visa journey community has been fabulous with all the questions I have had. Much more helpful than my calls to the USCIS, my visits to my local office and even my letters to my Senator. Thank you all so very much.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2011-04-27 20:29:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship for under 18 years old
I was born in the US. My wife and step son got their Green Card in June 2007. My wife is exploring the US Citizenship process. My step son is 14.

1. Is there a way for my wife and step son to both get their citizenship processed at the same time (now, not waiting for him to turn 18)?
2. If so, is there a significant risk that his might be rejected and hers approved?
3. If not, is there a way for perhaps my wife to get her citizenship and then for her to sponsor the citizenship for my step son (her biological son) before he is 18?

Edited by Danny&Adri, 24 April 2011 - 09:31 PM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2011-04-24 21:31:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAnything to do between Green Card and lifting conditions?
QUOTE (MarilynP @ Jan 22 2008, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
you can travel with the conditional green card.... good.gif you don't need AP or anything no0pb.gif


?!?!? I guess I need to go back and read the conditions of the green card.

Thanks for the info on both questions.

Edited by Danny&Adri, 23 January 2008 - 06:06 AM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2008-01-23 06:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionAnything to do between Green Card and lifting conditions?
A couple of questions. I feel like it's been a while since I filed anything and I want to make sure I'm not missing steps.

1. Conditional Green Cards were received for my wife and stepson in June of 2007. I know I need to submit the I-751 paperwork in March/April of 2009. Is there anything I need to submit before then? (I used to see these notices in the 1970s stating that Permanent Residents had to update the government with their current address every Jan 15. Is that still a requirement?)

2. Christmas is just over and the family back in Colombia is being missed very much. If there is no hardship and no special circumstances, is there anyway to get back there before the I-751 is approved in 2009?

Thanks for your input.

Dan
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2008-01-22 22:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion751 Reject - Child's Green Card not same date as Mom
Update: Our plans are to:
  • just pay the extra bucks and file separately (DONE.)
  • once the conditions are removed, send inquiry to ??? to get response on why if mother and child file for green card in same "packet" that the child's was issued first, causing this problem,
  • forward that response to our Senator attempting to get refund (HA HA - yeah, right!) and explain how we think the regulation is in error to see if it can be changed so future folks will not have this same issue.

Thanks to all for the input.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-25 15:16:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion751 Reject - Child's Green Card not same date as Mom
Check is made out properly to Department of Homeland Security.

Apparently child has to be within 90 days after mother and cannot be 90 days before; at least according to the response on the NOA. (They cited 8CFR Sec 216.4, but I do not even know where to look up this particular code reference to double check if they are correct.)

I called the USCIS this morning and got some person that just acted like a robot... not thought... just kept saying, well you've got to do what it says on the form. When I asked how to appeal, they said there is no appeal process because the application was never considered to have been received.
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-18 07:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion751 Reject - Child's Green Card not same date as Mom
I will be happy to keep you all informed as to what I find out and how it goes.

During this whole multi-year process the visajourney community has been so very, very helpful. Thanks to you all.

Edited by Danny&Adri, 17 May 2009 - 05:59 PM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-17 17:58:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion751 Reject - Child's Green Card not same date as Mom
QUOTE (payxibka @ May 16 2009, 05:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
check should be for $625 ($465 fee + $80 + $80 biometrics)

Yep, that's the amount we had but it got sent back twice.

QUOTE (Haole @ May 16 2009, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It sucks but I wouldn't fight it.

I'm going to "fight" it a little, at least call them and ask. Maybe call my Senator as jane2005 suggested. I think that will be mostly to gripe as I have little faith in the government's ability to actually give a flip.

However, I'm not going to risk it by letting the date get too close. I will probably end up sending the multiple forms and the extra $$$.

Edited by Danny&Adri, 17 May 2009 - 11:55 AM.

Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-17 11:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion751 Reject - Child's Green Card not same date as Mom
Mom and son entered US on a K1 and K2 visa on 10/15/06. After the marriage, we filed the 485 forms for both on the same day and in the same package. Both received their biometrics appointments on the same day.

The green card was sent for the son about 15 days prior to mom's. No big deal, so we thought...

We submitted our I-751 form and it was rejected and returned almost without comment, noting the check amount was wrong. We double checked the amount, called USCIS offices and talked with two different people ensuring us the check was right and that we should resubmit the paperwork with a letter asking a supervisor to review. We did.

Today, Saturday, we've received the rejection NOA and returned package again. They have noted that the child can only be included on the same I-751 form if the child received the green card "concurrent with or within 90 days after the parent." They want us to resubmit the forms again, with multiple I-751 forms.

Issue 1 - (minor considering) is there a way to appeal this. It doesn't seem 'fair' to me that I have to pay an extra $465.
Issue 2 - I'm concerned that this refiling will cause green cards to expire. For my wife and her job, is there something we can do to ensure all is still okay with her job.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
Dan
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-16 13:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNOA Extention - What exactly does it mean?
QUOTE (ELW @ May 30 2009, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have also never heard of a green card with travel restrictions on it.

huh.gif

Through the processes when my wife entered on a K1 (fiancee) visa, she was issued a green card but was told she had conditional residency. The only condition they noted was that she could not leave the US for two years. I thought that was standard for a green card issued with a K1 visa.

If that's not the standard process, what other types of conditions are there that are causing everyone to so anxiously wait to be removed, in this forum titled "Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion"?

Dan
Danny&AdriNot TellingColombia2009-05-31 06:14:00