ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 renewed
Perhaps I assume too much about what may or may not be obvious... In an attempt to see things from your point of view, I re-read the I-751 instructions and didn't see anything in the Processing Information section advising about a one year extension being granted upon acceptance of the petition.

The way the process works is this. After you file the I-751, you get a receipt notice (the letter you just received) extending your status for one year. In a few weeks you should expect another notice telling you to appear at an ASC for biometrics. Once that's done, you may get a request to send additional evidence if USCIS feels it is necessary to adjudicate your application. Once USCIS has all of the evidence they need and makes a decision, they will send you a notice informing you that they have approved or denied your case. If they approve your case, they will then send you a green card valid for ten years.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 21:47:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 renewed
Something tells me you only read the first two sentences of the notice. If you had kept reading it should have been pretty obvious to you that what you got was a receipt notice, not an approval notice.

That said, you're not the only one to freak out when getting a notice from USCIS. Getting mail from them can be rather traumatic. That's why it's very important to read what they send you thoroughly before jumping to any conclusions.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 19:41:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCSC approvals
The official processing time for I-751 is six months from date of filing. The good news is that the speed (or lack of) at which they process it has no impact on how soon you'll be eligible to apply for citizenship. That clock started ticking when your conditional GC was approved.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-08 19:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionThis is a serious question.....to all waiting
When my wife and I filed the I-751, I thought I'd be able to forget about it after she completed her biometrics. After all, no matter how long it takes for them to approve, it doesn't affect when she's eligbile for citizenship.

That said, we need that sense of closure. Once this is done, she doesn't have to do anything for ten years. Sure I'd love for her to become a citizen, but she should be able to choose whether to do that at a time of her choosing, rather than applying just to force a decision on the I-751.

On a side note, you'd be surprised how many people don't understand the extension letter, let alone a valid passport and green card. We had trouble flying Frontier Airlines to Canada last month because the agents thought since my wife's K1 had expired, that her green card must be expired too. sad.gif I can't imagine they'd let us fly if the green card was expired, even with an extension letter...
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-20 19:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionbiometrics photo id?
My wife brought her green card, driver's license, and the biometrics NOA. She did her biometrics with no problem.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 18:17:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-865s can be tracked online
Out of curiosity, I entered my receipt numbers for my Sponsor Change of Address NOAs and to my surprise, they showed up in my Case Status Service Online portfolio. I'll be interested to see if they get touched when CSC processes my wife's I-751.

Edited by jsnearline, 26 December 2007 - 11:07 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-26 23:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFiled I-751 however I-130 touched????
That happened to us too. It makes sense to me since they're supposed to review the A-file prior to making a decision.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 08:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionThings are MORE difficult in NJ!!!
Whether other people in NJ have problems or don't have problems with the DMV doesn't necessarily mean you'll have the same experience. I don't think you can generalize to that level.

For example, my wife had all kinds of trouble in Virginia, which is notorious for not accepting anything other than a valid green card. I've seen other posts however that indicated that people had no problem whatsoever getting their license renewed in VA with a NOA. It all depended on which office they went to and which DMV agent they happened to get.

Bottom line is that you're just going to have to try your luck.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-25 11:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionThings are MORE difficult in NJ!!!
It all depends on who you get at the DMV. Some will only accept an unexpired green card,, while others will accept the NOA. Hopefully you will have some luck and get someone who can read the extension letter for what it is.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-25 09:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOnline case status
Our status did not change. The updated date was modified the day of biometrics and the day after, but the status is still received and pending.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 11:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGood News and Questionable News
Take a look at the fine print on the notice. If it's like the one we got, it will tell you that you have to use the application number on the biometrics notice (which should follow in the next few weeks) to find the case online. The number on NOA1 is a temporary one.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-24 17:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSystems Outages
It makes me wonder why I bothered to sign up for the email updates when I check my case status multiple times a day anyway. Now I'm going through Case Status Service Online withdrawl. smile.gif
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 19:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionA little late in the application process...
How did you calculate you'll be 21 days late? What is the expiration date on his green card? If he arrived in February 2006, then his card should expire no earlier than February 2008. You can file anytime within the 90 days prior to the expiration date on his green card with no problem. It only becomes a problem if you file AFTER his card expires.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-25 22:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhere do I send my I-751
The addresses to send to are on page 3 of the form instructions, left hand side.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 13:30:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWarning to be careful
What form did the OP file by mistake? Did they re-file for AOS? What appointment are they talking about? An interview? InfoPass? More details might be helpful.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 08:43:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRemoving Conditions in January?
QUOTE (Mr. Big Dog @ Dec 25 2007, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If there's no evidence that a bona fide marriage ever existed - and from the original post it sort of sounds that way -


I wouldn't go that far... They obviously had enough evidence to show the marriage was bona fide to get the conditional green card. Obviously things fell apart since then.

I'm not trying to pressure the OP to sign the paperwork if she believes the relationship is not bona fide. I'm just saying she cannot have it both ways. If she truly believes her marriage is not bona fide then she should take steps to end it.

I remember reading sometime back on VJ that a spouse refusing to sign a I-751 while still married can be used as evidence of spousal abuse. Refusing to sign the removal of conditions paperwork without taking steps to file for divorce sends a mixed message that a good attorney might be able to exploit to allege spousal abuse.

There are two sides to every story and we don't know the facts of the case.

My advice... Sign the I-751 or cut him loose.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-26 13:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRemoving Conditions in January?
He can't file it on his own unless he requests a waiver because of divorce, death, or spousal abuse.

Why leave him in limbo like that? If you won't support lifting his conditions, why haven't you filed for divorce?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-25 17:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI am devastated
Although I pointed it out to them, I wasn't about to make it a federal case. My company made me a very generous offer and even paid relocation when they hired me on. I'm sure they just were doing what they always had done. My company is quite sizeabe, but the office I'm based out of is a pretty small group.

I don't ever recall being asked for my social security card when I was a federal government contractor. They always took my passport no questions asked.

Bottom line is that an employer may not necessarily be actiing maliciously when asking for specific documents. They may just not know any better.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 19:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI am devastated
My employer refused to accept my US passport when I was hired three months ago. They wanted my social security card and state ID. Legally they should not have done that. I did point out to them that all that was required was the passport. They asked me to give them the social security card anyway because they needed it for tax records. I decided to drop it then. I could have protested, but I'm sure they could have found some reason not to hire me.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 18:18:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI am devastated
Legally, she doe not need to prove anything again, but the practical implications of not getting an unrestricted Social Security card or I-551 stamp could mean losing her job because her employer doesn't know the rules. I'm sure she would win a lawsuit in the end, but where is she going to get the money to sue without a job? Not to mention how long it takes for lawsuits to go to court.

If the issue can be resolved by getting an I-551 stamp, I'd suggest doing that, rather than refusing on principle and inviting so much potential hassle.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 12:15:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGot my NOA1 today!
Someone else had the same thing happen. Maybe California is getting backlogged too and they're trying to even out the workload.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 18:22:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionRFE :Sending extra documentation
I'm not sure it was such a wise idea to post the full text of your letter including your full home address here on VJ for all to see. I'd suggest redacting personal information like that when posting stuff in the future.

Good luck with the RFE.

Edited by jsnearline, 27 December 2007 - 02:14 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 14:13:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion1 year extension????
Good question. That's something I've been wondering as well...
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-27 12:09:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionChange of Address
If you are removing conditions based on marriage, then your spouse is your sponsor. They have to file an I-865 every time both of you move.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-01 10:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionoops, filing I-751 late! help!
Here's what the I-751 instructions say about late filings (see page 1):

QUOTE
3. Effect of not filing. If this petition is not filed, you will automatically lose your permanent resident status as of the second anniversary of the date on which you were granted conditional status. You will then become removable from the United States.

If your failure to file was through no fault of your own, you may file your petition late with a written explanation and request that USCIS excuse the late filing. Failure to file before the expiration date may be excused if you demonstrate when you submit the application that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control and that the length of the delay was reasonable.

Edited by jsnearline, 21 December 2007 - 11:09 AM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 11:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionoops, filing I-751 late! help!
You'll need to include a letter to the director of the service center with your filing explaining why the filing is late and asking them to accept it.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2007-12-21 10:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhich date shows up online?
Our NOA was dated November 5, but the message on the online status site says CSC received it on the 16th.

They're supposed to process cases in order of their NOA dates. I know this does not happen because I've seen a few cases filed after mine that have already been approved.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-04 18:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionMy Conditional Resident Status is Extended for 1 year only?
Note that the "conditional" residence has been extended, meaning that the conditions have yet to be removed.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-04 21:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionFull on panic!
I recall reading somewhere that the letter needs to be addressed to the Director of the Service Center you are applying to.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-05 19:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionnew baby
I did send medical records with our filing showing my wife was pregnant. I may just wait and see what happens with the case. If we get an RFE, then I'll definitely send the birth certificate. Like I said, I don't want something intended to help our case to cause a delay in processing it.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-05 18:37:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionnew baby
My wife and I had a baby boy just after Christmas.

I noticed that our receipt notice from CSC has an address to send additional evidence of relationship to, I'm wondering if it would be worth sending a copy of our son's birth certificate to add to our filing. On the plus side, it's a very good piece of evidence that we didn't have when we filed. At the same time, I don't want to delay the processing of our case if it's already on someone's desk waiting for adjudication.

Any thoughts?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-05 12:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLiterally fighting over the I-751
You can file anytime within the 90 day window. Usually people tend to file as early as they can. That way they get their NOA before the card expires. Also, filing as soon as you can helps in case there is a problem with your filing and it gets returned to you. That way you have time to fix it and re-file before the 90 day window closes.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-08 17:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCard orderd
Congrats. When did you apply and which service center?
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2008-01-10 13:54:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
QUOTE (queendlee @ Jun 25 2009, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This maybe a dumb and nit-picky question, but for those questions that have multiple answers but don't specify in the question to give a certain number of responses, do you chose one or say them all: example
why did the colonist fight the British? 1 - because of hight taxes (taxation w/out rep) 2- because the British army stayed in their houses, 3 - because they didn't have self-government.

also, has anyone had problems with paraphrasing. I am not good at memorizing word for word and regurgitating, I am better at understanding and then answering accordingly. So Do I need to memorize the words or just repeat the gist of the answer?


In answer to your first question, I've assumed that one of the listed answers is acceptable to get the question right. However, I can't find anything in the test instructions to confirm or refute this.

As for paraphrasing, here's what the USCIS site says..

QUOTE
Although USCIS is aware that there may be additional correct answers to the 100 civics questions, applicants are encouraged to respond to the civics questions using the answers provided below.


Given that, I've been encouraging my wife to do her best to give the answers exactly as they are written.

Edited by jsnearline, 25 June 2009 - 01:11 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-25 13:10:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
I remember taking a test in grade school that said READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE STARTING. Well, one of the instructions was to answer question 3 and turn the test in. I didn't read that far down, so I answered all the questions. Even though I got all the questions right, I ended up failing the test because I didn't follow the directions properly.

I just want to make sure she doesn't have a "gotcha moment" at the interview.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-24 22:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
That was my thought too, that in trying to show she knows all the possible answers, she may get the IO thinking her English isn't proficient enough. She could pass the civics, but fail the English.

Edited by jsnearline, 24 June 2009 - 09:08 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-24 21:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test
A number of the questions on the naturalization exam say something like:

"Name one right or freedom..."

"Name two wars fought in..."

In our practice sessions, my wife keeps giving more than the required number of answers. For example, if the question asks for two and she answers with three or more, will she get the question right or will they consider it wrong for not giving the number of answers required?

I ask because the questions have emphasis on the number, going so far as to underline it.

Edited by jsnearline, 24 June 2009 - 08:41 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-24 20:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDismissed Ticket for Driving without licence - Disclose on N-400?
You should disclose it on the N-400 application, but there is no need to include any court or DMV documentation regarding it.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-30 16:46:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOath letter delay- Should I be worried?
You could try making an InfoPass appointment to see if they can tell you what is going on. The 800 number is worthless.

It's possible they're waiting to get a court date for the name change.

Edited by jsnearline, 30 June 2009 - 04:53 PM.

jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-06-30 16:48:00
US Citizenship General Discussionaddress change before interview date
Is your new address still in the same District Office jurisdiction? If so, then I wouldn't think there'd be a delay. If not, then you will have to wait for the case to be transferred and a new interview scheduled.

The fact that you and your husband won't be living together when you have your interview could be an issue since you are applying under the 3 year rule.
jsnearlineNot TellingPhilippines2009-07-01 10:14:00