Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (cwaf @ Jul 22 2008, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Damian P @ Jul 22 2008, 07:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (MissYoko @ Jul 22 2008, 06:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> For those who are still waiting like me... how you deal with that? I try to make me busy as possible, but I can't get it out of my mind.... right now i'm in the ... "angry" mood... but... You know, it kills me... so bad. Most of the CSC filers get approved in an average of 130 days (I don't gonna to talk about VSC or i will become insane)... why we have for some of us to wait more than 150 or 160 days? The way the service centers are working is just so unfair. I mean, when i go in vacation, i don't let open case.. or if i can't finish some stuffs I give it to my co-workers. I don't understand that some petition have to wait because adjudicators are in vacations or sicks ... or lazy... I don't know. I don't understand why march filers got approved before some February filers... uscis says that they works on petitions in order... its not true and it makes us feel just so bad. i just want my approval, please csc get a heart!!!! I deal with it by trying to use a little humour, like creating the now legendary "last touched on the 22nd February" club of which you and I are founder members, Miss Yoko Hey! I am a charter member of that club, too! You certainly are, cwaf, you certainly are! I wonder which one of "the club" gets done first?	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-22 07:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (MissYoko @ Jul 22 2008, 06:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> For those who are still waiting like me... how you deal with that? I try to make me busy as possible, but I can't get it out of my mind.... right now i'm in the ... "angry" mood... but... You know, it kills me... so bad. Most of the CSC filers get approved in an average of 130 days (I don't gonna to talk about VSC or i will become insane)... why we have for some of us to wait more than 150 or 160 days? The way the service centers are working is just so unfair. I mean, when i go in vacation, i don't let open case.. or if i can't finish some stuffs I give it to my co-workers. I don't understand that some petition have to wait because adjudicators are in vacations or sicks ... or lazy... I don't know. I don't understand why march filers got approved before some February filers... uscis says that they works on petitions in order... its not true and it makes us feel just so bad. i just want my approval, please csc get a heart!!!! I deal with it by trying to use a little humour, like creating the now legendary "last touched on the 22nd February" club of which you and I are founder members, Miss Yoko	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-22 06:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	Morning everybody. Another day and night have past - still jack ####, I'm afraid.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-22 01:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (MissYoko @ Jul 21 2008, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cwaf @ Jul 21 2008, 03:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Craig & Julia @ Jul 21 2008, 09:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> the whole mid section of February got skipped... more people from the end and the beginning got approved then the middle of the month I think someone went on a 2 week vacation with a basket full of petitions sitting there! I hope this person will be back today Somehow, I doubt it! I reckon our guy's had a load of fresh applications stuffed in his in-tray, and ours will remain buried for all time!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-21 08:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	So how kind was the weekend for the "last touched in late February" club? Any joy? Nope, me neither!! Perhaps today is the day, eh? Or most probably not, as the case may be. I reckon we should have a little sweepstake on this, as to who's gonna be last!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-21 04:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (Craig & Julia @ Jul 17 2008, 03:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Damian P @ Jul 17 2008, 04:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Which is precisely why I haven't told anyone at work (or any senior figures, at least) what my plans are - your work life can be made very uncomfortable if your bosses think you're going to dissapear. My boss is my best friends boyfriend, and they took me because they know that I need something during the wait. They also went to dinner with Craig and me when he was here in May. We are a total of 9 people (when everyone shows up) at work! Well then you and Miss Yoko are very fortunate in that aspect, because I sure as hell DON'T work for small company, and if they thought my departure was imminent, things would become extremely unpleasant. Suffice to say that I'd be "managed" out of the building.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-17 04:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	Which is precisely why I haven't told anyone at work (or any senior figures, at least) what my plans are - your work life can be made very uncomfortable if your bosses think you're going to dissapear.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-17 03:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (jas_noel @ Jul 17 2008, 02:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (MissYoko @ Jul 17 2008, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Richard was too busy yesterday and doesn't get a chance to call them... so he will do it today. 150 days today. I feel bad as possible. I feel like someone is playing with a voodoo doll... i feel hurt physically... I feel like if someone just say me hello i will fall in tears... Why we got the slowest adjudicator from the slowest office from the slowesst center... its just not fair We are in the same boat. Our's reached 158 days today. It's so upsetting. Last night I had a huge fight with my fiance because I keep bugging him to call them but he kept telling me to wait and wait but he called them up anyway and he was told that our case is now with the adjudicator and that we just need to wait for a decision. I have been complaining a lot both to my friends, my fiance and VJ but now I'm tired of complaining and all. I stopped checking Igor's list as well because it only frustrates me more to see those ppl who filed after us got their approvals. Just hang in there. Who knows NOA2 is now on its way to your mail box. I remember when my fiance filed the petition my aunt told me that if every thing will work out that means we are really meant for each other. I hope it won't be the other way around because I love this guy so much. He is my first love and hopefully the last one. I waited 3 years for this opportunity and it sucks that I have to go through this long process just to be with him. Yep, us too (members of the now legendary "last touched on the 22nd February" club - lol!). Like I said before though, there's not a damn thing you can do about it, so why cause yourself any extra grief? Me and 'er indoors are totally philosophical about it - it'll happen when it happens. Trust me, it's the only way to handle this issue without uber-stressing.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-17 03:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	*****NEWSFLASH**** To all those on this thread in the 21st/22nd February club - I just created a timeline, and on completion, was taken to the timeline page. Right there wasn updated processing timeline from CSC: they are currently processing applications received on 21st Feb! LOL!! Today might be the day after all. Interestingly, Vermont is currently processing applications received in April!!!!! So the soundest advice for anyone starting off on this VJ lark is go via Vermont!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-16 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (aravis227 @ Jul 16 2008, 09:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Also...be super, extra polite. I know everyone is frustrated, but don't let THEM know. Just be completely polite...picture grandma polite here...old-school Chip and Dale polite ("No, no, no...you go first." "No Brother...I insist, you go first."). And if they tell you that you still have to wait...continue to be polite. You don't want the person who answers the phone to tell the adjudicators that "this case number just called and they were REALLY rude." I don't know that they'd do something...but I just don't think it's worth testing. Spot on. Probably the soundest piece of advice anyone will receive today. Which is precisely why I won't be phoning them, because they'd get both barrels they p***ed me off. That's why I'm having an attorney deal with it - so I can yell at him instead! QUOTE (Damian P @ Jul 16 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (aravis227 @ Jul 16 2008, 09:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Also...be super, extra polite. I know everyone is frustrated, but don't let THEM know. Just be completely polite...picture grandma polite here...old-school Chip and Dale polite ("No, no, no...you go first." "No Brother...I insist, you go first."). And if they tell you that you still have to wait...continue to be polite. You don't want the person who answers the phone to tell the adjudicators that "this case number just called and they were REALLY rude." I don't know that they'd do something...but I just don't think it's worth testing. Spot on. Probably the soundest piece of advice anyone will receive today. Which is precisely why I won't be phoning them, because they'd get both barrels if they p***ed me off. That's why I'm having an attorney deal with it - so I can yell at him instead! Sorry, rather ballsed up my quoting there!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-16 09:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (ntropy @ Jul 16 2008, 07:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cwaf @ Jul 16 2008, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Damian P @ Jul 16 2008, 08:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (cwaf @ Jul 16 2008, 07:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I just checked again and we still have not had any tocuhes since Feb 22nd. :-( It gets more difficult every day when I see othes getting their NOA2's, but I also know that means it is bound to be our time soon. It is a cautiously frustrated optimistic time!! Interestingly enough, that was the exact same day that mine was last touched - I reckon you and me got stuck in a crappy batch, cwaf! Do me a favour, pal, and let me know when anything happens to yours, and I'll do the same. Cheers Damian I was just looking at Igor's list and saw so many that was after us for NOA1 that have already been approved. SIGH I will definitely post back when I am updated!! Hello, I'm in the same boat as both of you. Last touched on Feb 22nd. Are we all stuck in the same person's inbox? LOL ntropy! That's exactly what I'm thinking!! The bloke that's dealing with us obviously had the ####### on Feb 22nd and is taking it out on us!! Seriously, you gotta laugh!!!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-16 07:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (cwaf @ Jul 16 2008, 07:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I just checked again and we still have not had any tocuhes since Feb 22nd. :-( It gets more difficult every day when I see othes getting their NOA2's, but I also know that means it is bound to be our time soon. It is a cautiously frustrated optimistic time!! Interestingly enough, that was the exact same day that mine was last touched - I reckon you and me got stuck in a crappy batch, cwaf! Do me a favour, pal, and let me know when anything happens to yours, and I'll do the same. Cheers Damian	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-16 07:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	February filers at CSC	QUOTE (MissYoko @ Jul 16 2008, 04:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (RussellandMarie @ Jul 16 2008, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> dont lose hope jas and miss yoko you will get your NOA2 soon..God bless and goodluck!!! Thank you RussellandMarie, its just so hard. 149 days now that we're waiting, i feel like it will never come. 153 days and counting now for me and 'er indoors. Tbf, we've both agreed not to give too much of a toss about it until it happens. I mean, we've been long distance for 7 years now, so it's hardly a new experience. Sorry to sound harsh, Miss Yoko, but it'll happen when it happens - aint nothin' you can do about it I'm afraid, so don't stress about something over which you have no control.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-07-16 05:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Driving was one of the big things I was worried about as well (wrong side of the road and all that) but I had it nailed in a couple of days. And if you haven't driven on UK roads, and your first experience of driving is gonna be over there, then you'll take to it naturally. As as for being a "lady of the night" nah, that happens in Prague airport!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-10-08 08:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (GauraD @ Oct 7 2008, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> quick question for all off you who have done ur flight to the US- VJ.com recommends having a layover of 3-4 hours 'just in case' - ie if the immigration people take forever to proess you. I will be catching my connecting flight in Atlanta, and I have two options- a flight with a 2.40hr stopover, or a 4.25 hour stopover- which do you think is the better choice??? I've read info on the Atlanta POE and some people have gone through in 10 minutes, others have had to wait around for hours and missed their flights!!! Gaura mate, take the 4.25 option - if the price of that little extra peace of mind is 2 hours, then it's a bargain. I always look for the longer connection times whenever I go over there, if for no other reason than international airports are great fun, and it gives you longer to get pi$$ed in the wide selection of bars. Edited by Damian P, 08 October 2008 - 04:04 AM.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-10-08 04:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Hi Kim So glad it's all worked out for you. And you're damn right you'll be staying around here - who else am I gonna bug the ####### out of with endless questions about the whole AOS thing!!??	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-29 07:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (GauraD @ Sep 23 2008, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Damian P @ Sep 23 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Gaura, dial the DOS number, then 0, then 1 to talk to a human being - that easy. I'll pass that info on, thanks Damian!! The suspense is killing me here, I just wanna know its in the bag so I can pop open the wine and don my party hat!!!!! Gaura, I'm a retard - I've sent you a PM. FAO anyone else that might have read this, it's '1' then '0', not '0' then '1' - DUUUUUHHHHHHHHH!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-24 01:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 23 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thank you my friends.. Ummm yeah so Russell is at the airport and apparently he accidentally booked a flight for Monday... last monday! Oooops! It's so not like him...and I didn't even notice it on the itinerary. This whole process just has us in a mess. He just text me from the airport and informed me that he had to buy a new ticket. Expedia wont even give him a break. $1800NZ more to have him arrive an hour and a half earlier... we best make that extra time good, eh? Ahhhh perspective... he's coming home! That blows, Kim. Totally blows. But forgive me, because I had to laugh! Why? Because I'm so happy that I'm not the only one retarded enough to turn up on the wrong day!! I did the exact same thing a couple of years ago: I thought I was leaving on the 10th, but my flight was actually booked for the 1st!! Like Russ, I booked my ticket through a 3rd party (airline network in this case) but the check in staff at Continental were brilliant about it, and once they saw what had happened, and that I'd paid for a ticket that I hadn't used. they simply put me on the flight I thought I should have been on anyway, no call to Airline Network, no drama - I guess they felt sorry for me!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-24 01:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Gaura, dial the DOS number, then 0, then 1 to talk to a human being - that easy.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-23 09:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	You know, it's not that any one couple deserves to emerge from the end of the long, dark, USCIS tunnel more than any other, but this particular reunion seems to have that extra bit of, well, feelgood factor too it! Have a wonderful reunion Kim!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-23 07:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Congrats on your P4, HS. Shooting off on a completely different and random tangent, can I just say that I find your flawless command of the English language (both grammatical and in terms of spelling) absolutely phenomonal. I've known plenty of foreigners who speak fluent English, but you take it to a new level - are you sure you're Italian!!???	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-22 12:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 16 2008, 08:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> YEAH BABY!!!!! I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet but he text me and said it was all good and the visa will be delivered to his house by Monday! Waiting for him to get home now so we can chat. omg... I can hardly believe we're finally here. Great news, Kim - I'm genuinely chuffed for you. I think it's all the more cool in your case, because despite being together forever, like me and 'er indoors, (who are like "m3h - it happens when it happens" ) you two are like a pair of lovestruck kids!! You go, girl!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-17 05:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (GauraD @ Sep 9 2008, 05:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ahh its scary Ive got my interview THIS week!! I went into town and found the American Embassy (just to be sure to be there in time for my EIGHT AM interview- its SOO early!!!) Its quite the formidable/intimidating building! Im gonna fill up on coffee and be a jittery wreck that morning hehe Even though our relationship is as real as my heart Ive still been revising my 'facts' lol, like when did we meet, where did he propose etc Now Ive got to get my 'evidence' together, I have about one zillion emails, so I guess a screenshot of how MANY emails and a few print outs + photos + plane tickets should do? Then its the medical on Monday...oh joy...the needles and invasion of privacy...the things we do for love!!! When you say plane "tickets" Gaura, do you mean the emailed e-tickets? It's just that all they do is prove you purchased a flight, not that you actually took it. What you'll need for proof is the boarding passes and/or luggage tags. Did you keep them?	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-09 06:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	I'm having a ####### start to my week, Kim, on account of me feeling violently ill after a heavy weekend on the lash. Just thought you'd like to know.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-08 06:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 6 2008, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks everyone... we've got those stupid grins we had after noa2 going again. Been watching our package move all night....NH, NY, Ohio...on it's way to LAX. All this movement after so many years... it's better than Christmas! Graham, I thought you were leaving on the 12th?? Was I dreaming that? Sounds like you found a deal on a flight tho! I am the queen of low airfare/hotels (priceline helps ) but you just can't find those deals to/from NZ. It will cost Russell about 1,500 to fly home and that's VERY cheap. In January I paid $2,600 for a r/t ticket. Just having a date has got to feel so good. I'm thrilled for you! Bit late on this (just got back from scouserland - cracking night) but congrats. Oh and btw, I got my flight to St Louis for £183. I think you'll find that makes ME queen of cheap airfares, Miss Kim................................I mean king...............KING.....	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-07 12:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (GauraD @ Sep 4 2008, 04:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi all!!! Just back from my 2 week holiday - first time in America- and I FINALLY got to see my sweety after 4 months apart!! It was great (cept for my connecting flight being canceled due to a hurricane and me having to shell out another £200 on a flight with a different airlines- thanks AA for a great 'welcome to America' lol) Gaura, why did you shell out another £200 for a different flight!!??? The airline you booked with (AA) should have put you on another flight as soon as the storm subsided. I know, because the exact same thing happened to me the last time I was over there. I had to spend a night in Detroit airport, but by God, I made damn sure I was on the first flight out in the morning. I also wrote to the airline concerned (Southwest) expressing my total dissatisfaction at the way things were handled, and received a written apology (which I will be presenting as evidence of an ongoing relationship at the interview, btw ) and a full refund. The moral of the story here is, that if these c***s #### you about, piss and moan about it BIG STYLEE! Edited by Damian P, 04 September 2008 - 05:24 AM.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-04 05:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Sep 3 2008, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm actually 39 in October..so it's 9 years for us. You just don't understand... I need a younger man! Seriously, we actually met when he was just 19 and still in school...but still wiser than any man I knew. We dont think about the age differnce at all. We just fit right together. I hear ya - we don't notice it either. It wasn't like that at first though. When we first met, I was 30 and she was 38 - but she told me she was 34!!! It took 3 months before she came clean and told the truth! She thought I was gonna dump her, but I actually just pissed myself laughing!! Edited by Damian P, 03 September 2008 - 11:41 AM.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-03 11:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Interesting with the 8 year age difference on this thread - 'er indoors is 8 years older than me. Cradle snatchers, the lot of ya!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-09-03 11:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (moroccousa @ Aug 25 2008, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Can someone explain what it means to "contact DOS" and how I do that? Thanks! Yep. The DOS (Department of State) in Washington can be contacted on 202-663-1225. Basically, they can tell you pretty much everything that your embassy can about your case once it's left NVC.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-25 10:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (HighwayStar @ Aug 20 2008, 08:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Got a nasty surprise this morning when I went to my local public registry in order to request my 'long' birth certificate.... After I gave the woman there the filled-in form, she told me that the certificate would be ready in 60 DAYS!!!!! This is utterly preposterous... I'll have to go to their PR office to enquire as to the reason for this incredibly long wait (which wasn't advertised anywhere btw), and possibly tell them that I NEED to have that cert much sooner than that. Well, I have to say this will be one more reason for me NOT to miss Italy or regret my move. I didn't request it earlier because I knew it was only valid for 6 months, and for what I knew we could've waited much longer for that approval. Hopefully they'll be able to do something, or I'll be forced to take action in some way. Blimey - 60 days!!?? I ordered mine yesterday, and was told I'd have it within 5 days.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-20 08:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	Kim I'm taking time out from my uber-intensive course to post this congratulatory message - well done you!!!!!!!!! This is the only time I will post on here this week - consider yourself honoured!!!!!!!!!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-14 02:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (HighwayStar @ Aug 10 2008, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fernanda's post moved me quite a bit... To be perfectly honest, if I may say so, I even felt a bit envious. I really wish I could feel the same about my own country, instead of looking forward to leaving everything behind as I am. The only thing I will probably miss is my hometown of Rome... As noisy, crowded and messed up as it is, I love it to death, and it is the only place in Italy where I would live (I did live elsewhere, in a smaller town, and I swore to myself, never again). As I wrote some time ago, here I have almost nothing left. I live in a very big flat which used to be my family home, and now is full of memories of a life that is gone forever. My brother has cut me off because of his wife's meddling, and I haven't seen or heard from them for over four months (they live in Rome too). As much as I resent the whole visa process, I know it is nothing in comparison to other things that have happened to me in the past. However, I really wish I would feel a little bit like Fernanda does... I wish I had at least one lifetime friend to leave behind, or some family member younger than 81. That makes me feel like such a failure... I will be 48 next December, and will probably leave nothing behind me. Sometimes I wonder what Michael sees in me that no one else did... I wonder if one day he won't open his eyes and realise he made a mistake. Sorry for being so morbid, but sometimes it all gets a bit too much... I hope you understand. Raffaella, you really shouldn't be so hard on yourself: not everyone comes from a picture postcard backround. You think you're the only one that comes from a disfucntional family!!?? Trust me, my situation is markedly similar to yours. You're not a failure. I'd bet my bottom dollar that you've been totally your own person all your life, have never "followed the crowd" just to fit in. That can leave you pretty isolated at times, but that's a damn site better than selling yourself out just to aspire to tbe he kind of social animal you sometimes think you should be. But you don't sell yourself out - you're true to you. Perhaps Michael can see that too. And perhaps he's drawn to you for just that reason. Ever thought about that? The overtly social lifestyle isn't for everyone. And there's nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Sporting events aside, give me the quiet life any day of the week. Erm, that's it really!! Chin up, girl!!!	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-10 14:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (susita83 @ Aug 7 2008, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Congratulations on all the new approvals!!! I sent in my RFE today, easy as pie ! I hope it gets approved quick! Hey here's a question for all of ya: Me and Luis communicate in Spanish, it's the language we both speak perfectly so it works. How do some of you guys with language barriers manage to communicate? I heard 'love' knows no languages (or boundaries), but I'm curious. I'm a foreign language major so it interests me I'm studying the interactions of the indigenous people of Latin America during the colonización when the conquistadores made their first contacts with people who spoke another language, and trying to understand how communication was possible. Don't know how VJ can apply to that, but LOL, just curious anyway. Also, FYI Peruvian Spanish and Puerto Rican Spanish are so different in so many ways. We use a lot of English words and in Peru they don't so we had the 'broccoli' incident that one time where I made a fool of myself. Or the hangear incident where Luis actually thought I was talking about actually hanging from something as opposed to "hanging out." So we have our own boundaries. LOL 'er indoors speaks a strange dialect called "Hick" Susy. I've picked it up quite quickly, actually.	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-07 12:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	APRIL '08 Vermont K-1 Filers	QUOTE (HighwayStar @ Aug 6 2008, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry if I am in a hurry (getting ready for work), but I had to share the great news with you... WE'VE FINALLY BEEN APPROVED!!!!! I want to thank you all for putting up with me, and wish ALL THE BEST to everyone.. those still waiting, and those who will be soon facing interviews. More later! There ya go!! That only took 131 days too!! More than a month less than mine - what were ya worried about!!!!??? So I trust we'll be seeing a happier Highway Star around here now, mmmmmmmmm???? Oh, thought ya might like this.....	Damian P	Male	England	2008-08-07 03:09:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Dec 18 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Daymo I know what you mean about the no joint things. I was wondering what we would show had we been required to interview. We've got nothing joint, except recently put the cars in both names. I didn't even change my last name. I think you provide mail and statements showing you both received things at that address, thus lived together. You get a lot of people to write affidavits stating they knew you and testify to the trueness of your relationship and marriage. Surely the kids can write something on your behalf, even if affidavits have to be from adults. I would put them in for the emotional pull. You will file a joint tax return for 2009. If you were married one day in 2009, then you can file jointly. You'll have to wait until early February for all the W2s and any interest statements (1099s) to come in. It will be a normal tax return, but on the line where her name is written it will say Mary Ann Jones DECEASED and her SSN. I'll do your return for you if you want. Because it's so near the end of the year, if any money comes in on her behalf after Jan 1, then that income must be shown on a 2010 return (filed in 2011). You will have to get an ITIN number for The Estate of Mary Ann Jones, because she can no longer file as an individual under her SSN in the year after her death. And the executer of the "estate" ( if there is one) can file or you can as spouse. I had to do that because a stock dividend check came in January payable to my husband. There was no tax liablity but I had to file an estate return showing the small amount of money and that I gave the money to me. Then I had to claim it as income on my single return. The IRS is complicated, but I have read a gazillion pages of tax publications concerning death of a tax payer and then last year about immigrants. So I've got ya cover on both areas. You have a green card and already passed through the scutiny of adjudication. I think you will interview and you just tell them everything honestly and they will believe you. Not everybody has the perfect little package to present, but we think outside the box and convince them in whatever way we can. The checklists are for the masses. You are special and will invent your own checklist. I wouldn't worry about it and I would wait until I filed a joint tax return. You will need a subsitute sponsor, won't you? Better figure the affidavit of support part out and get your ducks in a row before you file for ROC. You will be fine with immigration. You were in a honest relationship and they will believe you. Full stop. Thanks again. I'll wait until I've filed the joint return. QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Dec 18 2009, 01:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Nich-Nick - No sponsorship is required for Removal of Conditions. Thank God for that!!! Jayde, Nagishaw, & Mrs Silverman - thank you. Edited by Damian P, 18 December 2009 - 02:12 PM.	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-18 14:11:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Dec 18 2009, 11:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Damian-- I think the link you provided is about people who have never received a green card at all. There was a lot of TV coverage of widows who had married, settled into US life, had a couple of kids but they had never gotten around to filing for Adjustment of Status. Suddenly they were widowed and USCIS ruled that they could not adjust status based on marriage to a USC, because they were no longer married to a USC. They were supposed to be deported even though they had lived here many years, their children were USCs, and the in-laws loved them and were willing to support them. A group of them were gathering and fighting the USCIS. I can't remember all the details, but the widows and their lawyers were gaining some ground toward allowing the women to remain in the US. It made a good point why AOS shouldn't be delayed. Had they even had their conditional green card, then there would have been no problem, but they had never applied. So I think this reference must be changes concerning the legal wranglings on behalf of these women. It refers to a submitted I-130 being converted to another document for widows/widowers. The I-130 is what is filed if you are already married and are going for the K3 visa. Just reading over this quickly it seems like if a USC was married and had started the visa process, the widow could continue on her own now with the new forms. Or if they had not completed the AOS process or even started it, then there is a new way for them to do it on their own. And the FAQ mentions "what if I am in deportment proceedings"? meaning some of the early ones who were widowed with no USC marriage any longer and deportment had already been started on them. I believe the question you quoted is saying if you are one of these widows with no green card, you go straight to the permanent one and don't file for it after 2 years on a conditional one. You already have a green card, so your permanent one is a different issue than the link discusses. Thanks, mate - comprehensive as always. OK, now I'd like your thoughts on what to do about the I-751 paperwork. I'm going to list the issues by category: Problem; Reason; Solution. I'd like your input on each. OK, here we go: Problem USCIS consider joint bank accounts as strong evidence. My wife and I did not have any. Reason When I arrived here in March 2009, my wife had been receiving social security survivor benefit for the two kids, due to their biological father's death in January of this year. Social security requested that a single account (and named trustee) be provided, into which said payments would be made. My wife and I figured that turning the account into a joint account may cause some legal issues with regard to payment of the survivor benefit, and as such, we opted not to take that option. Bearing in mind that I already had a checking account of my own, which I'd opened in 2004 whilst here on a F1, this seemed the logical choice. Solution Explain the situation in the cover letter that will accompany the I-751, and enclose copies of the relevant correspondence from social security to substantiate the claim. Problem USCIS consider joint lease agreements strong evidence. My wife and I did not have a joint lease. Reason Although with the benefit if hindsight (and aint that a wonderful thing) I should have had her add my name to the lease, we simply didn't get around to doing it. We weren't planning on living there for very much longer anyway, as we had plans to move as soon as our eldest graduated high school. Solution Provide USCIS with a letter from our landlord, confirming that we were indeed living together at the same residence for the duration of our marriage. Support this claim by enclosing our individual bank statements, credit card bills etc to cover the duration. Problem USCIS consider joint tax returns as strong evidence. My wife and I have none. Reason Quite simple really: she passed away before we could file our first joint return. Solution I'm not sure there is one. One would assume that, due to my wife's passing, any subsequent joint filing of tax returns would become wholly irrelevant. Should I even bother? OK, I'm listening..... Edited by Damian P, 18 December 2009 - 11:13 AM.	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-18 11:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	I've just found this on the USCIS website: "Q. If I become a permanent resident based on my marriage to my deceased spouse, will I have to submit Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence? A. No. Those who obtain permanent residence based on being the widow(er) of a citizen are not subject to conditional permanent residence and will not have to file Form I-751." This has something to do with a law that was passed on October 28th of this year. Here's the link to the article: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD They also mention form I-360?? OK, now I'm confused Edited by Damian P, 17 December 2009 - 11:57 PM.	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-17 23:54:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Dec 17 2009, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> *hugs* *thanks*	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-17 20:16:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	QUOTE (Chica Yeyé @ Dec 17 2009, 07:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hermano, I am not so sure; but I *think* you could potentially file now. The 2 month window day window relates not to your wedding date,but to the date of your greencard expiration. to you Muchos gracias, chica. QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Dec 17 2009, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Damian P, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't know about your wife's passing. Actually, you can file now to remove the conditions on your residency. You don't have to wait. You would need to include a copy of the death certificate and on part 2 check the waiver of the joint filing condition due to the death of the US spouse. I know you are busy with many different things right now, but as soon as you are able to address this, it is something you will want to take care of sooner rather than later. Good luck, and again, my condolences. (moved from AOS forum to Removal of Conditions forum). Thank you, ma'am. QUOTE (Nich-Nick @ Dec 17 2009, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh my! Damian, I am so sorry. I didn't know as I've been in the hospital 3 times in the last 2 months and just a week out of surgery now. I am the paperwork queen and also have done the widow thing not too many years back, so please let me help you with whatever you need. If I don't know it, I'll research it. I'm well versed in filing taxes final return and "the estate of..." for the following year. I'll work on your ROC paperwork for you. I can't drive and we're laying low for Christmas so whatever you need, I think you have my phone number whenever you need something. So, so sorry... You so know I'll be talking to you about stuff.	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-17 19:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Filing For Removal Of Conditions After Spouse's Death	As some of you are aware, my wife (the USC) passed away a couple of weeks ago. Obviously, I have been extremely busy trying to sort out the ungodly mess a bereavment leaves, and of course, the added issue of the whole ROC thing. Now my understanding is this: I wait until 3 months before the 2nd wedding anniversary, just as I would have done had my wife lived, file the same I-751 form, but indicate on said form that she is in fact deceased. Is that correct? Edit: can a mod move this to the removing conditions forum please? My bad. Edited by Damian P, 17 December 2009 - 07:01 PM.	Damian P	Male	England	2009-12-17 18:59:00