ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaAOS'rs...

You guys are gonna laugh at this. I started my new job today, and I was filling out the I-9, and checked the "Legal Permanent Resident" box, yada yada. Then the lady that does the payroll stuff asked for a copy of my SSN card. So I'm like, "ok, did you want a copy of my PR card too?" And she gave me this dumbfounded look. So then I'm like, "my resident card? Green Card? The prof that I'm allowed to work?" Still, blank stares. So I'm like, "I'm not a US citizen..." then suddenly it clicked. She's like "ohhhhhhhhhh!!! I don't know..." :lol: So, I gave her a copy anyways. And then, she's like "you're not a US citizen but you have an SSN number?" Ohhh boy.

Haha, nice. Is your company not used to hiring non-USCs? I think in the tech field it's pretty common (though most of the time through contracting).
SpoomMaleCanada2010-04-20 09:27:00
CanadaAOS'rs...
My SSA agent checked the "Legal Alien Allowed to Work" box herself. Your card will still say "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" either way.
SpoomMaleCanada2010-04-19 16:58:00
CanadaAOS'rs...
Why not try the local one? Worst case scenario is that security doesn't let you in, and you'll have to go to the one in which you're scheduled. You should be able to tell that the biometrics were successfully recorded to your case by a touch either that day or a business day afterward.
SpoomMaleCanada2010-04-12 12:15:00
CanadaAOS'rs...
If I ever see the USCBP side of the Detroit tunnel again, it'll be too soon.

Anyway, touch on my I-485 today, but oddly neither of the other two. I think that means a CSC officer is looking at it, since it arrived there on the 25th of March! Maybe they'll just adjust me now and forget about the others? :P

Edited by Spoom, 08 April 2010 - 01:01 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2010-04-08 01:00:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS website 500 Internal Error
Error 500 usually means someone made a coding or configuration error. They'll probably fix it pretty soon; email their webmaster if you feel like it.

Edited by Spoom, 16 October 2009 - 02:17 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-10-16 14:17:00
USCIS Service CentersHOW LONG TO GET INTERVIEW DATE OR TRANSFER TO CSC
The K-1 AOS guide has a lot of information on this, including some on the interview. Mostly, they're looking to make sure you are a legitimate couple who didn't just get married for immigration benefits. Most adjustment applicants get interviewed, you should be fine.
SpoomMaleCanada2010-03-27 23:27:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresnext step after I130 is k-3?
Please avoid posting in allcaps, as it's impolite and more difficult to read.

I recommend going the CR-1 route since you're both married. Don't worry about a tourist visa or anything, just wait for the I-130 to be approved, since it leads directly to an immigrant visa after the interview, which converts into permanent residence upon crossing into the US. Also, as long as you have your certified marriage certificate (or certified extract of the marriage records for your marriage), USCIS will be fine with that. Don't bother marrying again as that would only muddy the waters for the consular official processing your case.

The K-3 would likely be a waste of time and money.

Edited by Spoom, 30 March 2010 - 10:15 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2010-03-30 10:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDS-156: Refused entry in 2005, should I say yes to 38b?
Hi folks,

I did a bit of searching around and looking in the guides and such, and while I saw some similar issues with this question, none were my exact problem.

I'm at the Packet 3 stage with my K-1 visa application at the Montreal consulate. Looking at DS-156, one of the subsections of question 38 (which basically says if you answer yes to any of these, you probably won't get a visa) reads:

QUOTE (DS-156)
Have you ever been refused admission to the U.S., or been the subject of a deportation hearing or sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the U.S., or any other U.S. immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? Have you attended a U.S. public elementary school on student ( F ) status or a public secondary school after November 30, 1996 without reimbursing the school?

In 2005 I was refused entry to the United States due to immigration risk. I was given a checklist of things to bring back to the border in order to get through (bank account statement, lease, bills... anything showing ties to Canada). I attempted to get those documents faxed to me in Windsor, but ended up having to go home to London (Ontario) to get the remainder. I came back to the Detroit tunnel a week later and was admitted on an I-94 (yay getting the same immigration officer three times in a row...), which I turned over to Canadian customs when I left (within the allotted time on the I-94; I was never out of status).

Most countries, as I understand it, require a B visa to even get into the United States. Canada does not. This carries with it the risk that you'll be turned away at the border more easily, however.

My questions are these: Do I have to answer "Yes" to question 38b, and if so, what are the chances of it negatively affecting my visa application? I plan on attaching a note with my Packet 3 response explaining the situation to the consular officer.

PS: Avoid the Detroit tunnel if at all possible. I've always had a better time at the Ambassador Bridge. They seem like nicer people, for whatever reason.

Edited by Spoom, 12 August 2009 - 08:25 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-08-12 20:25:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionForm DS-156K
Just send the forms and the checklist. They're not clear about it, but the point of the checklist is for you to verify to them that yes, you have obtained the rest of the items and will be able to bring them to the interview. I don't think you have to send them in packet 3; I mean, Montreal couldn't possibly expect you to go "four to six months" (it's actually much less from the stats here, they're just highballing it so as not to disappoint) without a birth certificate.

Remember that you need the long form birth certificate, not the "card" version.

Edited by Spoom, 09 September 2009 - 03:51 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-09 15:50:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMontreal Consulate Interview Wait Time
Hi folks,

I know the processing times section of the website currently says 76 days from packet 3 to interview at Montreal, but I'm wondering about that since I read four to six months on the packet 3 instructions, and even higher elsewhere on these forums. The number here is only valid for people who have already had their interview as I understand it, so I'm looking for more recent numbers.

Can people who recently received packet 4 from them tell me the dates of their interview?
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-09 16:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat exactly will they check for in the medical exam?
Can you back up the drug test claim? I'd heard they don't test that unless they suspect something.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 05:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMedical Exam and Case number: Should I be Worried?
I would have waited (and am waiting) for my interview date personally, but I don't think it'll be a problem. Call the panel physician where you got your medical and give them the number. They have to file a version directly with the Consulate I believe, so they'll need it.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 11:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionmaking copies of the K1 packet
Isn't the copy just for your personal records anyway? You don't need to send them a duplicate copy of your check (as far as I know).
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 11:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Processing before Interview
AP usually means a hit on a database, whether it be a name database or a crime database. As long as you were honest and are eligible, you shouldn't have a problem.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 13:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificates Help
The State Department, among other things, says:

QUOTE (US State Department)
The following is required:
  • ...
  • Police certificate from all places lived since age 16
  • ...

So you'll need to get the certificate from there, which unfortunately looks like you'll have to wait the two to three months.

The police certificate is basically just a document from a police department that states that they have searched the relevant local and nationwide criminal databases for your name and date of birth, and that there were no hits (or a list of whatever convictions / arrests you have had in the past).
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 14:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Certificates Help
Call the police department where she lived in Japan (they'll have a local, non-emergency number) and ask. They generally differ in their procedures. You might be able to get them to courier it to you.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 10:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionInterview Date?
http://www.visajourn...ge=k1historical


SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 10:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW PROCESS WENT STRANGE.
Hey, up to you, I'm just giving my interpretation of the laws. You were the ones asking for advice here; I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Perhaps your attorney was gambling on the fact that they wouldn't see it in your records.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 09:09:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW PROCESS WENT STRANGE.
Administrative processing is usually because either your name is on a government checklist (which usually puts you in AP at the National Visa Center stage, not the Consulate stage) or that they found something in your record.

It doesn't matter how long ago the citation was, whether it was paid, or whatever other factors you might put in there. Those things may have mattered if you had explained on the forms that the beneficiary had had the citation (in which case they'd probably get you to file for a waiver), but now you've defrauded them by wilful omission, which incurs an automatic denial and automatic ban.

I guess you just need to hope that that's not what they're looking at right now. If it is, I echo the others that you should explain that you didn't realize that the question included citations, though I don't know how much that will help you.

Edited by Spoom, 10 September 2009 - 09:02 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 08:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW PROCESS WENT STRANGE.
Shoplifting (i.e. theft, i.e. larceny) is a crime of moral turpitude. If you don't like Wikipedia's page on moral turpitude, you could always look at the State Department's definition [PDF].

QUOTE (US State Department)
The most common elements involving moral turpitude are:
(1) Fraud;
(2) Larceny; and
(3) Intent to harm persons or thing.

It later specifies that the larceny can be grand or petty.

Sorry. I think your visa is going to be denied if that's what they're looking at, and at this stage, I don't think there is anything you can do about it.

Edited by Spoom, 10 September 2009 - 08:49 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 08:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionINTERVIEW PROCESS WENT STRANGE.
If you had a record and didn't disclose it, your visa will be denied, and you will incur a three year ban (or possibly longer).

However, it looks like it's not a crime of moral turpitude, so you'll probably be OK.

Administrative processing can occur for any number of reasons. I wouldn't freak out about it.

Edit: I take it back. Wikipedia marks larceny as a crime of moral turpitude. I don't know what to tell you.

Edited by Spoom, 10 September 2009 - 05:23 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-10 05:18:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThe Montreal slowdown !!!
QUOTE (Ron/Sharon @ Oct 19 2009, 04:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you e-mail Montreal always use the reply button on any e-mail they answered as it give you direct contact to the last person who contacted you, otherwise you end up in the generic mail batch and may never get an answer.

Ah, cool. Thanks for the advice, I'll try this the next time I want to email them.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-10-19 16:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionThe Montreal slowdown !!!
Not really.

Once you hit four months, I'd recommend involving a senator or congressperson. Beyond that though, not really. Montreal has deliberately limited contact methods so that we can't even directly talk to them except through email, and more often than not, the email address will fail to respond to your message personally.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-10-19 15:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionForm DS-156 Question 38 please help
My interpretation is that you have to answer yes. I'd write a supplement letter explaining the details.

Edit: Take a look at the Wikipedia article for moral turpitude; if your crime is not in the moral turpitude category, you can likely get a waiver.

Edited by Spoom, 24 February 2010 - 03:46 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2010-02-24 15:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionArrested for Red Light Camera Violation
I'm surprised nobody's said the obvious here: Get a good criminal lawyer. There are some that specialize in beating traffic offenses like this.

A criminal lawyer could give you far superior advice than most people here; we're generally good at immigration, not criminal law.

That said, driver's suggestion sounds good if you can't do the above.

Edited by Spoom, 19 January 2010 - 11:02 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2010-01-19 11:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhen to file for citizenship
Yep, as long as you meet the three (for spouses to US citizens) / five (everyone else) year residence requirement, you can file whenever you want, as long as you're still a lawful permanent resident.

Edited by Spoom, 25 February 2010 - 09:20 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2010-02-25 09:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 document
Also check the Naturalization Guide, right here at VisaJourney. :guides:
SpoomMaleCanada2010-05-06 00:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUSCIS contacted after became a US citizen
USCIS would never send something important like a request to appear via email (at least without first contacting you another way, like mail).

Anyone can fake a From address in an email. I could do it right now. If you want some technical help, post the full headers of the email.

Call if you like, make an INFOPASS if you're still unsure, but I seriously doubt this is valid.
SpoomMaleCanada2012-03-16 08:56:00
Canadawrote Vancouver as my consulate on 129f - - help
Besides which, I believe I remember seeing something on the form stating that it was basically a preference, i.e., that they would tell you where to go anyway and you had to go there as opposed to what you put on the form. I think it'd be silly for them to send an RFE for this; I wouldn't worry.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-02-24 02:01:00
Canadapacket 3 questions
Firefox WILL NOT print the new DS-160 application.

You must do the application in Internet Explorer, or restore an application save file from Internet Explorer, to be able to print the entire application successfully.

Firefox can print the confirmation page, but again, it CANNOT print the full application.

I had to go through the form twice because of this.

ATTENTION VISAJOURNEY STAFF: Can you put this in a sticky somewhere?

Edit: FYI, the 1-900 number said that multiple submissions were no problem, you just might need to explain what happened to them at some point.

Edited by Spoom, 04 September 2009 - 02:33 AM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-04 02:31:00
CanadaDid you feel safer in Canada or in the U.S.?
Canada, but mostly because of health care. We're out in the country here in the US, so the safety level is roughly the same, at least in my mind. But it does scare me that I could have to pay through the nose if I even break a bone or two here. Thankfully we have a plan to fix that once I get my green card.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-14 23:11:00
CanadaBorder crossing
I don't want to make you feel worse, but let me play the Devil's Advocate here and show you how the border officer is looking at this.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had a lot of proof

They only care about verifiable paperwork specifically related to the items on the checklist they gave you.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I do have a place to live or go in BC whenever I am ready to go back there

If you don't have a lease, you don't have ties. "Having a place to go" does not create ties to Canada. They want to see that you have a contractual, financial obligation to return, and that can only be satisfied with a lease or mortgage.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would have to return after the 6 months or 1 depending how long I stayed in the US anyway.

Prove it. They don't think you will.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had proof of my tuition paid and the courses I am taking in BC online

Stop right there. You're taking courses online, which means that you can take them from anywhere, which means they're not ties to Canada. You don't have to return to take them, and you can pay for them online with your credit card, which you so helpfully pointed out to them.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I had proof of my disabilities

...meaning precisely nothing...

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
as well and of my address as well as my phone bills etc. and I provided phone numbers to verify where my residence is in BC and where I was going in the US they just chose not to use them.

Border officers on the US side will never call anyone at your request. Never. Canadian ones will, but not the US ones. Furthermore, your residence means nothing as it was previously shown, since you don't have a contractual obligation to return and pay. The only thing that is of value here are your phone bills, and those can be cancelled with a single call.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
On top of that they refused to listen to me about my disabilities.

Because as far as ties to Canada go, they mean nothing.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They made up their minds from moment one at both borders and there was no way I was going to cross even if I owned a home and was a millionaire they had my number and that was that.

No, they didn't. You simply haven't provided what they ask for, and you probably (unfortunately) cannot, given your situation.

QUOTE (LandRStepp @ Sep 18 2009, 07:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As far as working goes because of my disabilities I am not required to work in BC that is why I chose to go to school even so and see if I could have a career that won't be affected by my disabilities instead of giving in to them.

Your disabilities do not give you a pass to enter the United States. They actually hurt you here because you're saying you're unemployed, which means you cannot satisfy the requirement of a note from your employer, and means that you probably can't provide proof that you'll be able to support yourself in the US.

USCBP wants proof that you will return to Canada. Usually that proof is in the form of contractual obligations that would cause you harm were you not to return, or other obligations that would do the same thing (such as being a student at a college in Canada, since missing classes would cause you to fail).

All in all, you simply don't have a very good case here. Until that changes, I don't think you're going to be allowed in without a visa. Sorry.

Edited by Spoom, 22 September 2009 - 02:55 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-22 14:54:00
CanadaBorder crossing
Greyhound will usually take a ticket before its date. Just try to use it; worst that'll happen is you'll have to pay a 20% change fee.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-15 15:16:00
CanadaBorder crossing
I've been there, ridiculous "inadmissible as a visitor for pleasure" checklist and all.

Border guards have the most power of practically any law enforcement officer, as well as the ability to search for any or no reason. They can let you through due to a hunch, or ban you for life due to that same hunch.

You can get in the country again but only if you have EVERYTHING they request in EXACTLY the format they request it, including everything they've said to you that's not on paper (because lord knows you have a lot of text on you in their database now, believe me). If I remember the checklist correctly, you need:
  • Lease (full, they might not believe you if it doesn't have original signatures; I was living with my parents and so got an affidavit which they pretty much laughed at, but did let me through as I had everything else)
  • Bills (as many as you can find)
  • Cash money ($250 per week you intend to stay)
  • Letter from your employer (God help you if you're unemployed, or worse, self-employed, as I am)
  • Full bank statement for the previous year, preferably signed by a bank officer on official stationary (contact your bank, they can probably do it for a minimal charge)
  • Student and class registration (again, signed by a university officer if possible)
Am I forgetting anything here? You want to prove you'll return to Canada. If you have everything they ask, you should get through. Flood them with documentation, anything you can think is even remotely relevant and in your favour. You'll likely be issued an I-94 if you do get through; make sure USCBP gets it back when you leave, otherwise they won't believe that you left in time the next time you try to enter and you'll be banned.

However, if you have everything, and they still want to reject you, ask for a supervisor. You have that right (it's on the posters at all land border crossing secondary areas, I believe), and they shouldn't be able to ban you simply because you asked (though they probably can).

Good luck; I remember the hellishness that was my rejection in 2005 (which is why I always tell people to avoid the Detroit tunnel if you have a choice).

Edited by Spoom, 14 September 2009 - 11:37 PM.

SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-14 23:35:00
CanadaMistake on I-134...what to do?
QUOTE (trailmix @ Sep 22 2009, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I wouldn't white it out, I would cross it out and put the new information beside it and initial it - it shouldn't be a problem smile.gif


I think the problem here is that the author of the initial form (the petitioner) isn't available to initial it.

I think you should probably be OK whiting out the information.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-22 15:45:00
CanadaMistake on I-134...what to do?
Can you get him to overnight you a new one?
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-22 15:01:00
CanadaFreedom of Information Act and Border Crossings
Depends. They might have scanned your driver's license, or if you had previously used a passport, they'd have a record whenever they scanned that. You can ask them to do a search on your name, you just have to be precise about what information you're requesting.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-22 15:44:00
CanadaFreedom of Information Act and Border Crossings
There's actually a USCBP FOIA information website which provides a list of things they can and cannot give you. The main thing here is that you'll probably have to pay for it, and there will be some significant delays in getting that information. It's not impossible though.
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-22 15:05:00
CanadaI want to make sure I'm reading this right...
Yeah, you can pay another $30 or something to rush it if you're from Ontario. And you can get your birth certificate online without having to visit the courthouse or anything. I got my long form in like three days or something ridiculous like that (though, y'know, it was completely unnecessary to rush it as Montreal are slow as hell).
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-24 01:17:00
CanadaWho is waiting for an interview date in MTL?
I'm on this list. All signs point to November, and I send in my packet three in August (see signature).
SpoomMaleCanada2009-09-24 01:48:00