biggish data

Today my mother left for Heaven

My condolences for you loss. She is truly in a better place - it's been 6 years since I lost my step-mother (she raised me as her daughter since I was 5) to cancer and I miss her everyday.
God Bless you and your family and I pray He holds you close and comforts you during this time

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-10-17 21:48:00

Interview on Monday 19 NOV

You'll do fine...best of luck to you on Monday. You will be in our thoughts and prayers!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-11-17 23:38:00

Visa in hand

Congratulations!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-11-26 17:48:00

Um I brought back a souvenir from Algeria

Awww....Congratulations!!!

We're certainly excited and happy for you

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2008-01-14 18:19:00

Guess What????????!!!!!!!!!????????????????

Congratulations!!

I am so very happy for you!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2008-01-14 22:54:00

Should I make one more trip or not? Help!

If it's not a financial burden on you, I think you should go home for another visit. You need to have as much proof of a bonafide relationship as you can to be successful. I wish you all the best.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2011-03-12 16:13:00

QUOTE (milimelo @ Feb 2 2008, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Update: things seem to be moving... I received a letter from a congressman that has an attachment to it - a print out of our case worker's email - in which TSC is saying that I need to refile I-90B (with NO fees) - their exact words black on white and to send the supporting documents to their address.

I hope this will work, I'm going to mail everything Monday morning!!!

That's a start. I am so happy for you! I hope you get your GC in hand very soon!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2008-02-02 19:57:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Jan 28 2008, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got the GC scan from my pal in Atlanta

IT IS ALL CORRECT ! I MEAN EVERY DETAIL IS CORRECT - it's only a little card but I have looked at it 5 times and blown it up with photoshop and I cannot find anything wrong

MY GC EXISTS !!!!!!

NO WAY will I let him mail it to me - I am going to drive my V6 1100 miles round trip to Georgia to collect it from him in person and to hell with the planet's future !

Phew well a journey that started with K1 in January 2005 is ended at last - I am FINISHED with the USCIS for 10 years (apart from online change of address sometimes)

Now I just have to get over the post traumatic stress and I am not kidding.

This would have been totally impossible without VJ and the perspective it gives and the shared info was simply unique.

Immigration lawyers are an absolute waste of time and VJ is billions of times more help.

ok I will will lay down and quiver for a week or so then I shall return to lend a hand...

alan

Congratulations Alan...I am excited that your mind has been out at ease. Congrats on getting the 10yr GC!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2008-01-29 19:40:00

Wow...congratulations to everyone who finally got their GC's. For all those who are still waiting, I hope that the USCIS can finally sort their mess out!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2008-01-25 23:43:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 09:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice ! got my real DL two weeks ago and it counts for a lot here in the USA for some reason - its great even though I look like a pencil necked geek

feels good eh....

PS the world was never a place of love and happiness and never will be so don't raise those expectations eh ?
There are more divorces and domestic assaults over xmas than at any other time...
My neighbours have blood on their stairs and split up in a really ugly fashion xmas eve. Personally I dislike xmas intensely...

alan

Wow, that's intense; sorry that you feel that way and that your neighbours had such a traumatic holiday thus far. I love Christmas and mine was filled with lots of love and happiness. Sorry that others are not able to find that.
Have a great day and I hope your GC is on it's way

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-26 09:52:00

QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 22 2007, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my hubby's case, he had a DL from Jamaica, but he still had to take the computer test and driving test here in Florida. They issued him a temporary DL (it's a sheet of paper signed by some administrator) that is good for a month. Hopefully he will get his DL in the mail before the temporary DL expires. He should be able to drive on his Jamaican license until then, though.

Best of luck to you and Merry Christmas. It seems to have been an amazing year for you!

I wish you all the best in 2008!

UPDATE - Hubby got his DL in the mail on Christmas Eve. I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas filled with love and happiness and as I said before, have a great 2008!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-26 09:42:00

QUOTE (kalai&malia @ Dec 24 2007, 03:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Ness and Keith @ Dec 24 2007, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi VJe'rs

Does it necessary that we have the green card before we can get a job here in the US? or the Social Security Number is ok?

You'll need your green card in order to work.

Having the physical green card in your hand is not necessary to work. As long as you have your SSC and your passport has the I-551, which is your "green card" (as stated by Alan) is sufficient for appying and accepting a job. On the W9 form that you have to fill out, your passport and SSC will be sufficient as the 2 forms of ID that HR requires to send to IRS.

Best of luck to you!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-24 15:59:00

I wish you all the best in 2008!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-22 12:38:00

QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 21 2007, 12:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the response JA TAM with the mailing info.

Talk about timing...as I stumbled on this topic and started getting worried about my wife's GC, it arrived in the mail today! It even looks correct although I will follow Alan's procedure and look at again in the morning.

The good part is it is correct info. The bad part is it only lasts 2 years since it is the CR-1 variety. I hope the IR-1 version doesn't get screwed up or hopefully it's something my wife and I can pick up.

The date of the mailing was the 12/17th. That is one day short of a month since we arrived. Not bad. I wish everyone would have this kind of luck. Alan, I think we will buy a lottery ticket tomorrow.

Good luck to everyone else waiting on their GCs and SSNs!

WOW!!!! Congratulations! That was amazingly fast. Well, your next milestone is removing conditions in 2009; best of luck to you!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-21 18:20:00

When we filled out the DS 230, I was hesitant in ticking the box for the SSN to be issued. We ticked it at the last minute and the CO at the Embassy reconfirmed that we wanted USCIS to issue his SSN. It worked out for us, since he got it in 9 days.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-20 19:27:00

QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 20 2007, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For those that received the GC already, was it addressed to the alien spouse or the USC / PR?
Our welcome letters were mailed in USCIS marked envelopes with my wife's name in care of me (the USC).

The envelope was addressed to my hubby in care of me (the USC); similar fashion to how the welcome letters were addressed.

QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Dec 20 2007, 03:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I were to do this whole DS-230 all over again, I wouldn't have checked the SS# box on there. That was the worst because I didn't know if we had to wait or go to the SSA office to get his number. Turns out the USCIS hadn't notified the SSA about him coming to the US so we had to file again and wait another 4 weeks.

Diana

Oh Diana, I can't believe he just got the card 2 weeks ago. That is crazy that you all had to go and reapply at SSA because the USCIS didn't do their job! At least he has it now and he can get on with life in the USA

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-20 19:19:00

QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 20 2007, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Alan and others,

here's an update on my green card: we went in yesterday to Infopass in Chicago. Showed up half an hour earlier and were immediately let in. There were very few people there and we were at the counter in no time after they checked in our appointment and gave us a receipt with a number to watch for on TV screen. A lady working there checked my papers and then read from the computer that my card has been sent off in July '07 and that they have no idea why I did not received it, but that it happens all the time! At that point my husband started inquiring how come no one has to sign for the card when it is delivered either to the post office and then to the immigrant. She said the same thing we all know - that it is being sent via regular mail with no protection and no signature required.

My only option is to e-file I-90 and she says the good thing is you can print your NoA immediately once the payment is processed (CC). So I guess we will have to go that route as she clearly said I won't be getting a stamp after May 2008 unless I show proof of filing.

My husband is now thinking of writing to his Congressman and Senators about this matter.
Also brought up is class action suit for all those people whose green card never showed up (happens all the time) and they had to pay another $370 to get a new one (also happens all the time?).
Does anyone here have any idea what number of people who have never received their green cards and had to refile I-90 (and pay $$$) are we talking about?

End ranting...

THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!! I can't imagine that they are forcing you to pay to have another GC processed for you because it was lost in the mail. THEY SHOULD ISSUE ONE FOR YOU RIGHT THERE...That is absurd! I hope that you are able to get an answer from your Congressman or Senator. If the possibility is there to sue the government for this, then I am all for it!!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-20 19:09:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 15 2007, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 15 2007, 02:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

UPDATE: When I got home this evening, I realized that we received a second welcome letter and in a separate envelope was my hubby's GC. Everything is correct; his name, birthday, picture, expiration date...

I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!!

WOW !!! read it again and again !!!! it's all correct ? - the deliberate error department at USCIS must have made a mistake and sent it out correct !

thats wonderful news - right first time !!!!

big relax now eh ? congrats - now dont lose it !!!!! and no 'moral turpitude' ok haha !

I am 6 weeks on Monday so another week or two might do it !

hooray ! alan

God's willing, they will surprise you too!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-16 22:49:00

I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-14 21:19:00

QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 12 2007, 03:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Alan,

the POE officers made sure I was immediately in the 'SAVE' system (as I was the only CR1 immigrant at that hour) and it turned out to be true since I went four days after we arrived to update my SS card status and there was no problem with that. It's the misinformation line people who are giving out wrong information that gets to me. Oh well, I have made an infopass appointment for 12/19 so will let everyone know what happens.
Do you suggest coming with a filled form for replacement of the card and check book ready?

I can't believe you have been waiting 2 months since the welcome notice to get your greencard. That is crazy. I understand that they are overworked over at USCIS, but my Lord, the AOS GC's are being received within days and we are waiting months to get something this important.
I hope you get that little piece of plastic soon.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-12 21:20:00

QUOTE (hhk3 @ Dec 10 2007, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 10 2007, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (hhk3 @ Dec 10 2007, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My wife's green card finally arrived last Friday, about eleven weeks after she entered the US. I guess anything within three, four months is to be considered normal these days.

How long after the welcome notice did she get her greencard?

She has received two welcome notices, with identical wording, but different mailing dates, both basically just saying that the paperwork had been forwarded to USCIS from the POE, and that further communication would follow within 30 days. The first one (dated Nov. 1) arrived on Nov. 16, i.e., about three weeks before the Green Card arrived. The second one (dated Dec. 1) arrived one day after the Green Card. I guess the purpose of the second notice was just to keep the promise made in the first one since its mailing date is exactly 30 days after the first one, and somewhere along the line they actually managed to produce and mail out the actual Green Card.

Thank you so much

. That simply means the wait continues....

QUOTE (SHELLYandFCO @ Dec 11 2007, 06:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We entered on a K-1 followed by AOS. Filed AOS in October and received green card 12/1/07.

Wow that was fast, congratulations

.
One of co-workers did the AOS interview in Palm Beach and his wife got her GC within a week. I can't understand why it takes so much longer for those of us that interview out of the country and POE.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-11 18:29:00

QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 10 2007, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Let me join the club of those who still do not have the physical green card.

For me, it has been close to 6 months - I arrived on 5/31, first welcome letter 7/6 then another one on 7/19. Called the useless info line first in October as I wanted to give them time since they had the fee increase in July. Told me the same thing I can see on case status online - it has been approved but they do not know why I still do not have it and they will do the "service info request" or whatever that is called and that I should call back on 11/29. I call on 11/29 no news, but the guy tells me call tomorrow maybe we will have news then. I call on 11/30 only to be told by a lady that since I called the day before I now need to wait another 30 days before I call them back.

Now I am just going to make an Infopass for next week and go see should I just apply for a replacement of the card I never received.

I hope no one else has to go through anything similar to the above!

I hope the Infopass will work this out for you. When I had to replace my 10 year GC, it was the year that Fort Lauderdale got hit by Hurricane Wilma. The USCIS Application Support Center had roof damage, but was open within a month. They did my fingerprints and by that afternoon, they had my GC ready for me. Hopefully they will be able to give it to you same day. I am not sure if that is a regular occurence what happened with me or if it was because we had a natural disaster.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-10 22:06:00

QUOTE (hhk3 @ Dec 10 2007, 09:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My wife's green card finally arrived last Friday, about eleven weeks after she entered the US. I guess anything within three, four months is to be considered normal these days.

How long after the welcome notice did she get her greencard?

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-10 22:02:00

QUOTE (kimmykashi @ Dec 5 2007, 01:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tam my hubbys GC came about 7wks or so

Thanks Kimmy

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-05 21:26:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 4 2007, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's good news

I just found a massive thread for people who's green card is wrong ! There are trillions of em - well a lot

Ladies with their middle names spelled wrongly and some guy's photo on their green card !

Just shoot me if that happens as it is another nightmare to sort out and takes a loooooong time.....

If mine is right I will parcel tape it to my chest and never bathe again

If its someone else's photo and they are better looking than me I might just keep it

alan

That would certainly suck. One of my co-workers had issues with her greencard and how her name should be listed on her greencard. She sent it back and it took a few months for her to get the corrected card.
All these issues certainly are scary!

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-04 19:19:00

Thank you all for the replies.

I am blushing, because as soon as I came in this afternoon, I saw that we had received the Welcome letter in the mail (snail mail indeed)! I anticipate that he will get the greencard within the week.

Diana - Thank you for pointing me (and others) in the right direction for inquiries on the green card. That certainly puts me at ease.

Alan - Thank you for answering my question and yes, the letter confirmed that the registration number is the A#. We had checked the section for the SSN to be issued on the DS-230 form and he received that within a week of POE. We had originally been told by the Immigration officer (bureaucracy is certainly rife with mis-information) at POE that we could go to the SSA office the next day to apply for his SSC and after sitting there for 4 hours, with pretty interesting characters, we were told that we should wait at least 3 weeks to see if it is sent in the mail. So it was a relief to get it the following week.

Ace3, that was a certainly long wait to receive the actual card.

Thank you all again

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-04 18:41:00

Hello VJ Family,

So my husband has been here for 7 weeks and he still has not received his GC. What is the general time frame for the green card to be delivered? Is there any agency that I can contact to inquire about it? He has not received the Welcome letter and we are not entirely sure what is his A#. I have read that on the MRIV, it is the registration number. Is this true? We need his A# so that he can apply for Financial Aid for his degree programme, which starts in Spring.

Thanks for all your

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-12-03 22:17:00

J-1 student visa approval (or non immigrant visa) while I-130 pending?

I second that (about using a lawyer). Using a lawyer has slowed the process for my husband's IV. They filed paperwork that they needed to send to me to have action taken on it and it was sitting in their offices for almost 6 weeks. I had to be the one to point out to them that they need to locate the paperwork so that we could get the process moving. If I had been dealing with this myself, I believe my husband would already be here.
Take your chances on your own and we'll be praying for you. :thumbs:

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-07-06 14:12:00

What is the new fee effective July 30?

yes, that is for the filing fee right (I-130)..
how about the IV fee bill at NVC, will it change too?
from $380-_____???

We may have to wait and see on that one. I haven't seen anything about this fee increasing.

JA Tam

Female

Jamaica

2007-07-11 19:15:00