I-485s - tell me its not so?

[Goombah]

I filed the I-485s for Evia and Nastya back in late March, with a receipt date in early April.  Both had their biometrics taken shortly thereafter.  Since then, we haven't heard a thing. 

I just checked the web site, and the Missouri office is indicating they are only up to last October's request?!?!?  That would mean another 5 months of waiting, and in the case of Nastya, not having a SSN until next year.

Are I-485s really taking a year now?  Is it likely the web page is simply out of date? 

When I look up their receipt numbers, I show activity against both accounts - Evia just a couple of days ago (9/9) and Nastyas last month (8/7) - but the website indicates one should basically ignore that since it might just be their computer system "touching" the accounts.

Can I use the SSN Nastya receives in calendar year 2007 for my 2006 taxes (presuming we get it before I file)?  I'll be annoyed if I can't claim her as a deduction since both have lived with me all year.

Kevin - gasping at how long this takes...

[Bruce]

It all depends where you live.  If you have been following our case, we filed December 2004.  Still nothing.  Soon we will have been married two years and not a word other than that they received our application and transferred it to the California office.  Two I-131's and still waiting.  However, Clyde was married much later than I and he is all through.  He did marry a girl from Ukraine and our situation is from Russia.  Still, its all a dice shoot.

[Turboguy]

Ask your accountant but I see no reason you could not.  The SSN number is just to identify the dependant and so you don't list your Doberman.   That identifies her.  Don't forget you can get two extensions and hold of till October.  This was the first year my taxes went in before October in 10 years.  It is not hard

[ConnerVT]

I don't know how long actual processing times will be.  You always need a dump truck full of patience when dealing with the USCIS.

As for taxes, you may want to PM Jim, as he has been dealing with his wife and son waiting for their GCs for a couple of years now.

You can do several things for the April 2007 --

> If you get the SS#s before the filing deadline, you most certainly use them.  The number follows a person for life, and it is the recognized unique tracking number for tax purposes.

> You can file for a ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number).  It can be used as a substitute for a SS#, for those whom are not eligible for a SS#.  Sometimes, it can be APITA to do.  http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

> You can file your taxes (and pay more now) without the dependents listed, then file an amended tax return once you get the SS#.  A nice refund will then be returned to you (interest free loan to the USA, of course).

[Goombah]

It all depends where you live.  If you have been following our case, we filed December 2004.  Still nothing.  Soon we will have been married two years and not a word other than that they received our application and transferred it to the California office.  Two I-131's and still waiting.  However, Clyde was married much later than I and he is all through.  He did marry a girl from Ukraine and our situation is from Russia.  Still, its all a dice shoot.

We live in Missouri, going through the St. Louis office. 

Thanks!

Kevin

[jb]

IIRC, we had been married for 28 months before we got the GC.  The USCIS Officer told us then that the time required for name checks was running at least 18 months in some areas and more than 24 months in others. 

[Jet]

I filed the I-485s for Evia and Nastya back in late March, with a receipt date in early April.  Both had their biometrics taken shortly thereafter.  Since then, we haven't heard a thing. 

Welcome to our world  Liliya has just recieved her 3rd EAD because:

Application Type: I485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status

Current Status: 

On June 14, 2004, the results of your fingerprint review for your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status were received, and processing has resumed on your case. We will mail you a notice if further action is needed, or when a decision is made.

They recieved our petition in the first week of December 2003, we got the reciept in February 2004, biometrics appointment was scheduled for the end of May 2004. We had our interview in January 2005 but the background checks weren't complete yet (all other paperwork was fine) Back in July, we recieved a notice from Miami that they finally agree that it is taking too long  and they plan to contact the FBI some month soon

So............We're at 33 months and counting

[Voyageur]

Jet,

That is really an unbelievably terrible timeline  . We just received snail-mail notice of our seven-year-old daughter's AOS interview in October. We applied in February, had biometrics in May and had one EAD.  I am not sure if I can get her a social security number in time for the tax year 2006.

We met a couple last weekend - she was from the UK. They have been married ten years and she still does not have a permanent green card. Everyday people in the US have no idea about the difficulty in immigrating into this country. Every couple we met has a different story about the USCIS, it seems.  I still get angry when I remember seeing video of the race across the southern border of the US from illegal immigrants and understand that they may get amnesty from all this "snip".

[Son of Clyde]

We live in Maryland and use the Baltimore office.

I filed both 485's October 14 at the Chicago lockbox, she had biometrics before Thanksgiving, Advance Parole shortly after, her EAD in mid January, interview in June and Green Card July 1.

Our son was delayed somehow and had his biometrics done twice and I filed the EAD later for him. His Advance Parole was done at the same time as his mom's but the 485 was held up.

Fortunately, they were both approved for the same interview.

I really think it is a case to case basis, where you live and how competant the clerks are who handle your case.

[catzenmouse]

Voyager,

 This is the reality of USCIS. Elena has had her GC for about a year now but we've had to file 3 times (again paying the fee each time) and still have nothing for our 6 year old. We did get him an ITIN number which you could probably do for your taxes. It needed to be filed with the tax return and they would not give us one ahead of time but best to check with your tax man/accountant as the IRS is a cousin of the USCIS and they do strange things as well.

Ken

[Goombah]

This is frustrating me for a couple of reasons - please let me know if any are solvable some other way:

1)  Although Evia has a SSN (established while she was a Fiance), her right to work was suspended after the 90 days (technically, after we got married, but the I-94 had the 90 day date, and I doubt anyone would check beyond that)

2)  We cannot change Evia's last name on her SSN until the I-485 is complete per our SS Office.  We are told she needs a new I-94 stamp that supposedly comes during that process.

3)  Without a valid I-94, Evia cannot even get a valid State ID (her old one is now expired), much less a drivers license.

4)  Without a valid state-id or drivers license, I'm having problems establishing a bank account in Evia's name.  A SSN alone doesn't appear to be enough.

5)  As others noted, her daughter is in IRS limbo.

6)  The screwy lawyer we are using to change her daughters last name continues to delay and delay (earlier, we HAD to notify the biological father of the name change, despite no known address + the Russian government doesn't acknowledge him as the father + her current last name is her mothers maiden name = totally stupid).  Now he is claiming we need to have a SSN before the name change can occur...

Thanks,

Kevin

[catzenmouse]

Regarding #4:

 We got a bank account with her SSN, her passport, and a utility bill in her name showing her address. Check with your bank regarding other forms of ID or check with another bank. Having her name on a bill also is proof of residency in case she wants to go to school in the future.

Ken

[philb]

Regarding #4:

 We got a bank account with her SSN, her passport, and a utility bill in her name showing her address. Check with your bank regarding other forms of ID or check with another bank. Having her name on a bill also is proof of residency in case she wants to go to school in the future.

Ken

Same here.  The bank required a social security number and two forms of ID only one of which needed to be a photo ID.

[Jet]

Filing an I-765 (EAD) and recieving it will solve virtually all your problems - should take around 90 days & $170.00
1. she'll be allowed to work
2.SS office will accept EAD in Leu of I-94
3.she can get an ID or DL with the EAD (it will expire on the date the EAD does)
4. It's valid gov't issued picture ID
5.daughter would need an EAD of her own to get a SS# :

6.Lawyer sounds like an idiot, but I digress....

[BC]

That's one handsome Son you got there Jet.. I'm sure as smart as his looks too.

If a salt filled shotgun is the choice for daughters, what you gonna use?

 

[BC]

Is strange though that country of birth is listed as Ussr instead of Russian Federation...

[ConnerVT]

Is strange though that country of birth is listed as Ussr instead of Russian Federation...

They did the same thing on my son's GC also.  Even more interesting, the USSR no longer existed when both of these boys were born.   ???

I did not think of getting an EAD for an a child that is too young to legal work virtually anywhere in the US.  But Jet showed it can be done.

We did get an EAD for my wife -- not so she could work, but because the VT Dept of Transportation would accept it as proof of legal residency.

Living in VT, we had a very favorable timeline.  Filed for AoS early Aug 2004, and both received their Conditional Resident Cards Dec 13, 2006.  On Friday, I am mailing out the package with application for their permenant cards.

[Son of Clyde]

You may have heard that contacting Congress will have no effect on the results but remember this is the federal government and USCIS does not like being embarrassed by a letter from Congress. If you can clearly prove it was their incompetance it may actually work on your behalf. Where i work if we receive a Congressional letter about the way we mishandled a case the management must respond personally. This will make them have to investigate the situation. You don't want to use Congress just to speed up the process you want to use them when someone fouls up your case time and time again.

[Jet]

Been there, done that  :seething:

Congressional inquiry was made and we got a letter back 6 months later saying that they are still processing and will get back to us when it's done.

...Like water rolling off a duck's back 

Some Congressional immigration liasons are really good, ours isn't.

[Vaughn]

Jet,

 Is it Florida that's slow or do I imagine it? I've got
a close friend just north of Orlando who filed AOS
in November 2002. His wife and stepdaughter just
received their GCs very recently. I know all cases
vary, but I keep hearing snail stories from FL.

Vaughn

[Jet]

Is it Florida that's slow or do I imagine it?

Miami Distict office is about as @ss-backwards as any office could possibly be.