ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Philippineswho will go to phil this month
Duplicate thread moved from CR-1 forum as this is not a CR-1 process question, and merged with existing thread in the Philippines Regional forum. It is not necessary to post your question in more than one location as it doesn't get you more answers and just becomes confusing.:)
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-02-16 19:21:00
PhilippinesHELP WITH MY I-130
topic moved from the Vietnam Regional Forum to the Philippines Regional forum
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-02-21 23:01:00
PhilippinesShipping large box to the Philippines
Ah, yes, the differences between 'inappropriate' and 'more appropriate' - hehehe, if it were 'inappropriate' I would have 'removed it' rather than moved it! :lol:
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-02-21 22:00:00
PhilippinesShipping large box to the Philippines
I've moved this topic from Off Topic forum to the Philippines Regional forum as a more appropriate forum for this discussion

Edited by Kathryn41, 21 February 2011 - 09:38 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-02-21 21:37:00
Philippinesearly passport renewal???
I've moved this topic from Off Topic to the Philippines Regional Forum as a more likely place to obtain the correct information as it is Philippines specific
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-02-28 19:22:00
PhilippinesSt Luke's Hospital Sucks
Three posts have been removed for unacceptable personal attacks. It is a violation of TOS to insult or make attacks against other members. You can disagree with the contents of their posts but once you start attacking the poster you have crossed the line. Any further comments in this vein will lead to a thread ban for the poster. As PinayWife noted - BACK ON TOPIC, please.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-04-09 15:59:00
PhilippinesFilipina wife issues....advice please...
Post containing personal attack, thus violating TOS, has been removed . You can disagree with the contents of a post without attacking the poster.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-01-22 19:04:00
PhilippinesIs this a horrible idea?
Alright everyone,

Let's stick to the topic at hand and address the question asked rather than continuing to attack the OP. It is time to answer the original question if you have useful advice to offer on that matter or else move on. Any further off topic posts will be removed.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-02 07:00:00
PhilippinesIs this a horrible idea?
Inappropriate comments have been removed.

To the OP, when someone answers your question politely, it is a good idea to be polite in your response back instead of dismissive. You stand a better chance of getting helpful responses that way.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-01 06:13:00
PhilippinesWhich day of the week is better for traveling?
Three additional posts which continued the baiting and personal attacks have been removed and two posters have been thread banned as I promised in my warning.

Edited by Kathryn41, 19 June 2011 - 08:46 AM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-19 08:42:00
PhilippinesWhich day of the week is better for traveling?

:) Some people never learn. Sorry that they can not resist attacking me. They live for this

You get a pretty star also: :star:


Thank you for the star. Just a reminder, though - baiting is often a two way street. It would go a long way to stopping the attacks if you didn't instigate some of them in the first place by baiting :yes: .
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-18 15:57:00
PhilippinesWhich day of the week is better for traveling?
A number of posts containing personal attacks and baits have been removed. The acceptable part of the initiating post has been returned to the thread below. Please confine your discussion to the topic at hand - travel from the Philippines to the US - and leave personal comments out of it. Anyone failing to confine themselves to the topic or continuing to bait - either the OP or a respondent - will be thread banned from further discussion in this thread.


Tahoma,
It is not what you think. Just that we like to be together soon. We waited "enough" to bring her kid with her, but USEM does not want to co-operate with us. We are thinking in postponing his trip for after school is over in the P. Exactly one year after her K1.


Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-18 11:19:00
PhilippinesSoooooo
Please stop the mean-spirited belittling comments. You have been warned about this before. Personal insults are a violation of TOS and if they continue this thread may be closed. If you have nothing useful to add to the conversation, then do not respond.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2009-08-04 11:44:00
PhilippinesCorrect Address Format for the Philippines
Topic has been moved from Off Topic discussion to the Philippines Regional Forum as a more appropriate location to obtain the requested information
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-06-28 20:40:00
PhilippinesTo submit original or certified marriage contract
Post removed at the OP's request.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-07-04 13:06:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussioni desperately need help. please

Thank you very much to both,of u. can somebody tell me what that waiver is about? is that the VAWA(?) ?? or somethng against violence against women? Sorry im really not,familiar with,immigration terms. Since i can say shes mentally and emotionally abusing me


You are expected to file a joint petition to remove conditions. Both of you sign the form. If you are not able to do a joint petition, then you request a 'waiver' from doing a joint petition. The waiver request is actually printed right on the I-751 form so there is no separate form. You check off the request for a waiver from joint filing and then file on your own and only your own signature is required. There are several reasons given for why you are requesting the waiver. One of them involves violence or abuse, but you need to submit fairly detailed evidence including things like police reports for that one to be successful. (VAWA may or may not be involved in an abusive relationship but it can be - it stands for the "Violence Against Women Act"). Since you will be getting divorced, just use that category. If you get the divorce decree before you need to file, good; if not, you can still file without the divorce decree. USCIS would send you an RFE for the divorce decree. Getting to that stage will buy you more time, possibly enough for the divorce decree to arrive. If it doesn't arrive, you can respond that you are just waiting for the divorce to be finalized and ask them to keep the petition open until the divorce decree arrives and you are able to send it tothem.

As long as you entered the relationship in good faith you should be fine. While you are still married, collect now any evidence you have of your joint status - where the two of you are listed on the same documentation such as a lease, or insurance, or bank accounts or credit card accounts, loan documents, anything like that. This will show that you started your married life together as a couple and the marriage itself just didn't work out.

Good luck.

Edited by Kathryn41, 10 December 2011 - 07:02 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-10 18:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionExpire GC holder with NOA letter deinied at Canadian Border
I suspect she came across an uninformed Canadian border official. The extension letter along with the green card is considered a valid proof of residency. I know others who have successfully crossed into Canada and back using the extension letter. She may wish to try again, making sure to point out the part on the letter that extends her green card status for the additional year. Canadian authorities are not always knowledgeable about US immigration practices. Canada does not require a removal of conditions for its permanent residents so the whole process is foreign for Canada. If she gets denied, she could request to speak to someone in secondary inspection who is aware of the validity of the letter.

The alternative, of course, is to use her Japanese passport to enter Canada and then her extension letter and green card to return to the US.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-11 10:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSending Financial information I-751 Safe?
Duplicate threads merged and duplicate post removed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, it is safe to send financial information. They already have your life's story and all sorts of other personal information on you. :yes: You can blank out numbers if you wish but you will need to show how the cards are related to the same account by sending in copies of the account statement, so you may wish to send just the account statement rather than copies of the actual cards. You can send copies of cards that obviously tie the two of you together such as a dependent's name on a medical insurance card, or both driver's licenses showing the same address.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-18 19:44:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionInterview after sending RFE
I suspect the reason you are getting an interview is because you do not have a lot of documentary evidence due to your circumstances. I would bring with you as many of the following as you can arrange:

a) a letter (preferably notarized) by your parent(s) stating that you live together at their house and the terms under which you stay there (eg help out with groceries, pay difference in utility costs, pay 'rent' even if you have no lease, things like that). The letter should include the dates of when you started to live there.

b) credit card statement and receipt from the college/university showing you paid your husband's tuition

c) proof of your husband's enrollment in the Master's program at the same college/university

e) documents related to the car where you own jointly and/or your husband is listed as the primary driver (insurance papers, etc.)

f) documents showing the cell phone plan

g) do you share a credit card account or have a joint bank account? Send documents showing both names on the accounts

h) Is there a registration form with the College/University where he has listed you as spouse - get a copy of that or a statement from the College/University

i) Do you have health insurance with him listed as your spouse? Has he had any medical treatment or doctor's/dentist's appointments that you have paid for partially or in full? Include receipts listing his name and showing you paying the costs (copies of bank statements or receipts from doctor will work - highlight the relevant items with a highlighter)

j) Bring both of your Driver's Licenses showing you both live at the same address

k) Bring envelopes addressed to both of you at that address or to each of you singly at that address (bills, notices, letters and cards all count)

l) photographs of the two of you with different family members or around the house

j) Affidavits (signed statements) from friends or other family members or neighbours who can verify that the two of you live together at that address

k) Emergency contact list provided to your work listing him as your spouse

l) If you have travelled together by plane, show boarding passes and flight itineraries

m) What about any sort of religious or social community to which you belong? Get a letter from an authority person involved there that the two of you participate at that facility.

Basically, you want to include any sort of document that a normal married couple would have because they are living together as a married couple. How do you manage your finances? How do you manage your health care? How do you manage your physical space? What joint responsibilities do you have?

Bring as well everything you have already submitted, and make sure the two of you are also aware of and familiar with things a normal married couple would know about each other and your families including names, birthdates and places, family members, sleeping and meal arrangements; personal habits and personal hygiene to name a few.

Good luck. You may find that you have more available than you originally thought. :)

Edited by Kathryn41, 24 December 2011 - 11:59 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-24 23:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-94
They are only allowed to issue the license for the same length of time as is indicated on the immigration documentation. When you say they only issued it for the length of the green card, you mean the green card as extended by the extension letter, or the green card without the letter? The green card and the letter act as 'one document' and need to be considered together. For example, If the green card expires Jan 1, 2012, then the extension letter extends its validity to January 1, 2013, and that is the date that his license should be renewed until. So, yes, bring a photocopy of the extension letter along with the original and highlight the part that states 'extended for one year and is good for work and travel" (or words to that effect). Tell them they can keep that for their records.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-23 20:32:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-94
They are confused. They don't realize that he is a permanent resident not a temporary resident. He should go in person with his green card and the extension letter and if the first person he talks to doesn't understand, then ask to speak to a supervisor. He won't have an I-94 as he is a permanent resident.They should be able to extend his license for the validity of the extension letter.

Edited by Kathryn41, 16 December 2011 - 11:40 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-16 23:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTravel documents required?
Yes, you are legally entitled to live in the US and your passport needs to be valid for your entry to the US and it can expire any time after your entry. You will be fine.

Affidavits are a type of evidence that is suggested to show the validity of your marriage. If you have sufficient other documentary evidence - especially financial showing a co-mingling of liabilities and assets - you probably don't need to provide affidavits. If you are weak on evidence, then family or friends who know your marriage and can attest that you are legitimately married for the right reasons and not just to obtain US residency, can help reinforce your evidence. They are basically letters providing their identifying information and signed by them (may or may not be notarized) stating the circumstances about how they know you and their opinion on the marriage.

Edited by Kathryn41, 25 December 2011 - 10:26 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-25 22:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionChanging last name
At this stage of the game you actually need to do an official name change through the courts. Submitting information to update your green card status isn't the route that will do this.

What you may wish to do, however, is if you plan on applying for Citizenship you can make any name changes at that time. The Naturalization document contains a section where it asks if you wish to change your name. As part of the Naturalization process, USCIS then submits the documentation to a judge who then makes the legal name change official, and then processes the Naturalization application in the new legal name. There is no additional fee for a name change as part of the Naturalization process, but there is one - several hundred dollars, I believe - for a legal name change otherwise.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-12-18 19:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionDenied Application for Driver's License and State ID While I-751 is Pending
Try another office. Make a copy of your green card and the letter for them and highlight the part where it states it extends the validity of your green card for an additional year, then highlight the date on the green card.

I do know that some states require immigration documents to be valid for at least a year when issuing DL. How much of that year's extension has passed? It could be that if there is only a few months left on the extension that they won't issue a DL for less than a year. If you are approaching a year without an approval, then once that years' status has expired, you can get your passport stamped with the I-551 stamp and it will be valid for a year. That should be sufficient to renew a license, although it may mean waiting until then.

I would definitely try another office. If they deny you, they deny you. What time frame does California allow for you to drive on an out-of -state license? Some states make it 30 days - some make it 90 days. You may still be able to use the license from your previous state to drive until your I-751 is approved - you just won't have a DL that shows your California address.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2011-10-06 22:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionreceived RFE
Inappropriate comment has been removed along with two posts quoting in. Any further remarks like the one removed will result in a thread-ban.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-01-10 11:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionROC question
The thread is in the correct forum. You were asking a question about the Removal of Conditions for your wife's green card and posted a status update on your son's expected interview. As the question could be answered while the first was for information purposes, the thread was moved to the correct forum 'Removing Conditions on Permanent Residence".

I will split off your last post and move it to the CR-1/IR-1 forum as it relates to your son's situation and it can start a new thread.

The thread related to your son's visa is located here: http://www.visajourn...-for-wifes-son/

Edited by Kathryn41, 09 February 2012 - 11:43 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-02-09 23:35:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion2 year or 10 year
Topic has been moved from the AOS file as it concerns the timing of entry in relationship to having to Remove Conditions or not having to Remove Conditions and is a better fit in this forum.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-02-19 10:57:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLifting Conditions Filed today
Good luck!

I've moved your topic from the Waivers Forum to the Removing Conditions on Residency forum as this is where you will find the discussion on the ROC process.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-03-24 20:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJoint Bank Account
It is not too late to add your wife to your bank account and credit cards. You may also wish to add her name to a house deed or a lease as well although this isn't necessary. Ideally, you wish to show how the two of you are sharing both assets and the liabilities in your lives together. While you are supporting her financially, it is a good idea to make sure her name is also listed on such things as bank accounts, credit cards, property documents, etc. just in case something ever happened to you.

Other good evidence, especially if you haven't had her on your accounts up until now, is to do your wills and each of you have the other listed as beneficiary. You can also list each other as Executor/Trustee but this isn't necessary as long as you show that you have provided for each other legally in case something happens. Is she listed as your emergency contact with your employer? You may be able to get a copy of that to include.

What about retirement funds? Do you have her listed as your beneficiary there? What about insurance plans? Is she listed as a beneficiary if you have one? She has a driver's license. Is she also listed as an insured driver on your vehicle? Does she have a car of her own to drive? Does she have her own credit cards or debit cards that you pay the expenses for? If so, include copies of those. Even if she isn't working she is still eligible to buy an IRA for her own retirement purposes each year. Not only is it a good investment, it is also a good deduction on your income tax returns each year. While you would be paying for it ,it would be in her name and you, of course, would be listed as the beneficiary if anything happens to her. If you have any extra money you could buy a CD in both of your names. All of these things show planning not just for today's needs, but tomorrow's needs as well. A marriage is expected to be a long-term relationship so planning for the future together is definitely considered good evidence for the I-751 as well.

Does she receive any magazine subscriptions or things like that at the house? Any letters or cards sent to her? You can include the envelopes showing her name - and even better, something addressed to the two of you at the same address - also as evidence. Do you have a family cell phone plan with separate numbers for each of you listed? Include a copy of that statement as well.

It is good to have a variety of evidence. Photographs are great, but the more you can show how you have married your financial and legal lives together as well will definitely help to prove the validity of your marriage when you apply to remove the conditions.

Edited by Kathryn41, 16 April 2012 - 11:23 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-04-16 23:21:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionJoint Bank Account
A number of totally unacceptable comments and responses have been removed. The OP did not ask for your judgments about his situation. He asked specific questions that have straight forward answers. If you do not wish to provide the requested information in a courteous and supportive manner, then do not respond in this thread. One member has also been thread-banned.

If someone posts an inappropriate comment in this thread, do not respond! Report the offense to the moderators by using the report button. We can deal with the violations much more effectively and you won't risk receiving moderator attention yourself for inappropriate responses.

Edited by Kathryn41, 16 April 2012 - 10:36 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-04-16 22:35:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionmy form I-90 is denied because i didnt file form I-751to remove my codition
This appears to be a situation where you or your spouse did not do enough research first. US Legislation states that all foreigners who are married to US citizens for less than 2 years when they receive their green card are only eligible to receive a 2 year conditional greencard and must file to remove those conditions before they can receive a 10 year green card.. That means that all fiancees who enter the US to marry a US citizen and apply for a green card receive a 2 year conditional green card only. (The only time this isn't the case is if the couple fails to file for a green card until after they have been married for 2 years. Then, they cannot file based on the K-1 visa anymore but must use an I-130 petition in its place). Sometimes USCIS does send out a notice to people who hold 2 year green cards that they have to file to remove conditions, but many times they don't. Regardless, you should have received a notification that came with your green card advising you that it was conditional and that you needed to apply to remove those conditions during the 90 days before the 2 year period expired.

Here is the legislation involved: http://www.uscis.gov....html#0-0-0-469 - look under b)

Whether or not you get approved for your ten year green card is up to you. USCIS' decision will be based upon the evidence that you submit with your I-751 application proving that you and your wife have combined your personal, financial and social lives together and are living and presenting yourselves to the world as a married couple. Read over some of the other posts that people have made showing the type of documentary evidence they have included. The I-751 form itself gives you a good list of what you should include. Make sure you include documents from all stages of your marriage - the beginning up until now because you want to show a continuity.

Good luck.

Edited by Kathryn41, 05 May 2012 - 11:09 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-05-05 23:04:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussionmy form I-90 is denied because i didnt file form I-751to remove my codition
You are not eligible to file an I-90 so there is no reason to file a motion to re-open it. I suspect that might be standard wording that is on the denial letter for those who may want to challenge the decision.

Your green card is a conditional green card. The condition is that before you are eligible to receive a 10 year green card, you have to prove that you have a valid marriage and did not get married only to get the immigration benefits. So, you need to file the I-751. Forget the I-290B - you weren't eligible to file the I-90 to begin with so they cannot change the denial..

Make sure you file the I-751 during the 90 days before your green card actually expires. You don't have to file it right at the 90 day mark, but you want to make sure that they have it and it is complete before your 2 year green card does expire. When they receive your petition and all of its accompanying evidence, they will send you a receipt letter. This letter will include a statement that your current green card status is extended for 1 year. You need to carry a copy of that letter with your green card as they now 'work' together. The letter means that your green card is still valid for work and travel purposes.

When you get your 10 year green card, you actually become a permanent resident. That means your status does not expire in 10 years, but your proof of that status expires. You would file an I-90 to apply for new proof of your PR status when your 10 year card expires. If you lose your 10 year green card, you would also use the I-90 to file for a replacement card. Of course, if you apply for US citizenship when you are eligible (after 3 years as a permanent resident married to a US citizen), you won't have to file an I-90 at all.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-05-05 22:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI-751 Denied

I reported it after my comments (when I noticed) and yet it hasn't been closed... weird.


The first and only report that was logged in on this thread came in this morning at 11:15 am. It is now 12:07 pm, not even an hour later. If there was an earlier report it didn't make it to the report forum or else there is some sort of a lag in the report function..

Regardless, as this OP has not logged in since this thread was last active we will probably not be getting an update on the situation. To prevent further responses as if this is a current situation, I am closing the thread to further discussion. If the OP does return he can start a new thread for his update.

Edited by Kathryn41, 16 June 2012 - 11:11 AM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-16 11:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair

And this works even if ROC has not been processed yet, right? So then there's no need to stress. You file for ROC, and when the time comes, you either get your 10-year GC or you file for naturalization. In that case, though, you will not be able to include a copy of your 10-year GC in the application, I guess you'd have to include the ROC NOA.


Yes, it works if ROC has not been processed. Filing the N-400 means that when they start to process it they will see that the ROC is still outstanding. That will force the ROC to be processed and a decision made as the Naturalization can't go forward until that happens. USCIS - and elected officials- tend to be a little more insistent that potential voters get processed in a timely way, so a lot of focus is put on processing Naturalization applications in less than 6 months. You just explain when you file you do not have your 10 year green card yet because you are still waiting for ROC to be processed. You could certainly include a copy of the NOA1 from ROC with the N-400 petition. This approach only becomes unworkable if the immigrant does not wish to file for Naturalization.

Edited by Kathryn41, 24 June 2012 - 05:47 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-24 17:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair

If you apply for ROC and after a year they haven't processed your application, can you apply straight to be naturalized at the 3-year mark?


Yes, as long as you meet all of the criteria - still married to the same US citizen, have been married at least 3 years when you apply even if you haven't had your green card for the full three years (you'll be within 90 days), etc.. The naturalization itself would have to wait until you actually had your green card the full three years but you can do the rest of the process during those 90 days prior to the green card anniversary date. It does tend to be the fastest part of the whole process for most immigrants.

Edited by Kathryn41, 24 June 2012 - 12:06 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-24 12:05:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair

I sure don't want to get or start a heated argument, but having spent my entire life working for the US Government and the last position was in Homeland Security which USCIS falls under there is no way it operates on the fees it collects. Can you imagine how much money it cost to do a background check on a forgein national? Pres. Bush may well have said the agency should support it self, but if you go back and read he was talking about the screeners at the airport TSA would support thier self by the fees collected from each each passenger for each leg flown. THat did not work either.But I thank you for all your useful info I have read in the short time I have been a member here, Thanks



Read my post with the second link. It contains the actual Fact Sheet from USCIS stating that 90% of their funds come from filing fees with the remaining 10% from Congressional appropriations. It is the only federal Department required to do so. The rest of Homeland Security is funded through tax based dollars.

http://www.uscis.gov...0004718190aRCRD

Edited by Kathryn41, 23 June 2012 - 07:44 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-23 19:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair

I would like to know who told you these people at USCIS work only from the funds paid by the fees charged from us the customer?? There is not a US Government that has ever operated from fees charged. If our present President could pull off something like that it would be a slam dunk reelection)))


Here you go- details: http://www.uscis.gov...0004718190aRCRD

partial quote:


USCIS is a primarily fee-based organization with about 90 percent of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners for immigration benefits. The law requires USCIS to conduct fee reviews every two years to determine whether it is recovering its costs to administer the nation’s immigration laws, process applications, and provide the infrastructure needed to support those activities. Remaining funds come from appropriations provided annually by Congress. The final fee rule concludes a comprehensive fee review begun in 2009.

USCIS’s Fee-based Budget

Fees account for approximately $2.4 billion of USCIS’s $2.8 billion budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2011. More than two-thirds of the budget supports the adjudication of applications and petitions for immigration benefits at USCIS field offices, service centers, customer service call centers and records facilities. The remainder supports USCIS business transformation efforts and the funding of headquarters program offices.

The adjudication areas supported by fees include the following:

  • Family-based petitions - facilitating the process for close relatives to immigrate, gain permanent residency, travel and work;
  • Employment-based petitions - facilitating the process for current and prospective employees to immigrate to or stay in the U.S. temporarily;
  • Asylum and refugee processing - adjudicating asylum and processing refugees;
  • Naturalization - adjudicating eligibility for U.S. citizenship;
  • Special status programs - adjudicating eligibility for U.S. immigration status as a form of humanitarian aid to foreign nationals; and
  • Document issuance and renewal - verifying eligibility for, producing and issuing immigration documents.
USCIS’s fee revenue in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 was much lower than projected, and fee revenue in fiscal year 2010 remains low. While USCIS did receive appropriations from Congress and made budget cuts of approximately $160 million, this has not bridged the remaining gap between costs and anticipated revenue. A fee adjustment, as detailed in the final rule, is necessary to ensure USCIS recovers the costs of its operations while also meeting the application processing goals identified in the 2007 fee rule.



Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-23 18:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair

I would like to know who told you these people at USCIS work only from the funds paid by the fees charged from us the customer?? There is not a US Government that has ever operated from fees charged. If our present President could pull off something like that it would be a slam dunk reelection)))


Actually, I believe this was a requirement set up by President Bush when USCIS became part of Homeland Security. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, it is so. Between 95 to 98% of USCIS funding comes from the fees paid by users. While I don't have the link at hand to the actual law in the Federal Register, here is a link to a news story based on the news release from USCIS in 2009 explaining why the fees were increasing because USCIS is mandated by law to be self-supporting from their fees and there had been a drop in applications. It is the only federal department that has this requirement:

http://articles.lati...ocal/me-immig24

To quote partially from the article:

Immigration officials consider more fee increases
Immigrant rights groups fear that further fee hikes would cut many out of the
citizenship application process. The immigration agency, which must be
self-supporting, faces a $118-million shortfall.

U.S. immigration officials are considering another possible round of fee increases and budget cuts next year, prompting concern among immigrant rights groups.Alejandro Mayorkas, the new director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said during a visit to Los Angeles on Wednesday that "financial challenges" have caused the agency to consider potential fee increases but no decision has been made.

The agency is facing a $118-million revenue shortfall this year in part because applications for citizenship and skilled worker visas are below projections, according to officials.

Citizenship applications plunged to 58,000 last year from 254,000 the previous year in the Southern California district. Most experts blame the decline on a fee increase of 69% to $675 in 2007.

But immigration officials said the agency is required by law to be self-supporting and that the fee increase was required because a special congressional appropriation to help reduce application backlogs had run out.

To help close the shortfall, Mayorkas said, the agency has requested $206 million from Congress.

"It is financially responsible to examine all of the options that are available . . . as the agency confronts financial challenges," Mayorkas said.


Edited by Kathryn41, 23 June 2012 - 06:47 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-23 18:46:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionSO Unfair
Not to rain on anyone's parade but I would have loved to get my ROC in 8 or 9 months. Mine took 12 months - and that was back from February 2008 to February 2009. That was the normal rate back then. Getting them processed in 8 or 9 months means they have sped up the process in the last few years. I remember individuals who waited even longer than the usual 12 to 14 months. A number of them 'forced' the decision on their ROCs by applying for Citizenship since they were eligible. An ROC petition has to be approved before the Naturalization petition can be approved, so when the processing of the N-400 reached that stage it automatically triggered processing of the ROC.

I'm just saying that yes, it is difficult and frustrating to wait, and yes, USCIS is under-staffed and making do on the funds solely from users and not from tax-payers. There is always some crisis or another that people state will detract USCIS workers from working on their petitions. I would wait and see what happens - since you are waiting anyways - rather than lament that someone else might move ahead of you in line. Someone is always moving ahead off you in line at USCIS - and you are always moving ahead of someone else. It's the way the 'beast' is designed.

Edited by Kathryn41, 23 June 2012 - 04:54 PM.

Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-23 16:51:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionNot receiving Extension Letter
My experience isn't with California, it was in Georgia but the circumstances were the same. I never received the NOA1/extension letter when I filed for ROC. My DL was also due to expire the same day as my green card. I made an infopass appointment for 2 weeks before my green card expired, brought my proof of filing for ROC and my biometrics letter which I didn't need as they just used my A number from my green card, they verified I had indeed submitted the ROC, then placed the I-551 stamp in my passport, valid for one year. (It has a date on it).

I then went to the local DMV office, showed them the stamp in my passport, and was able to renew my DL for the same length of time as the stamped I-551 was valid.. As I had applied for ROC about 75 days before my green card expired, I was able to receive my 10 year green card before the I-551 stamp expired even though it took 12 months to be processed. When I got my 10 year card, I went and renewed my DL again, this time for 3 years - the maximum time Georgia allows for a non-citizen.

You should have absolutely no difficulty renewing your California license with the I-551 stamp. Most people don't realize it but the proper name for the green card is an I-551 card - so they are basically the same thing. You will probably have your DL renewed for the same length of time as the stamp in your passport is valid.
Kathryn41FemaleCanada2012-06-24 18:23:00