Green Card

[START2]

Hey All,
  We've known for almost 2 weeks that my wife and sons GC was approved but before I posted I wanted to see them with my own eyes. Today they arrived and it feels so goooooood  to have them in hand. Also no more docs to fillout out for 21 months until we do it again for the 10yr card. It seemed like a long winding road but in the big picture not that long. We could have actually got this done in June but had to cancel due to vacations.
   We had our interview in Memphis and it was so smooth. A few surprises though. I've always made it a policy not to offer info that's not asked for but I did at the end of the interview. Val and Ihor had their first medical in Kiev in July of 05. We had heard that these were only good for a year, so in Aug. of 06 we went to the civil surgeon to update the medical for the interview in Sept.  Paid $200 total for both exams. As it turns out, that was a waste. At the end of the interview I asked the interviewer why he didn't ask for the medicals. He politely told me the original ones were all he needed as we applied for AOS before the year was up. He also said that he knows everyone seems to think they are only good for a year, but apparently if you apply for AOS before a full year has passed, the original med. exams are sufficient. In my mind as I was walking out I kept thinking as soon as I didn't have them updated, that's when they'd ask. I just chalked it up to paying for insurance. It was less painfull that way. We didn't even have to have the passport pics they said were needed.

    Here's a bizarre twist. We know a couple from Nashville. The Ru woman is very nice. Her husband not so. In my opinion he's just extremely jealous. He didn't allow her to get a drivers license, AED card, filed late on all documents, didn't put her name on anything jointly, including a house they bought, only took a copy of her passport to the interview, said she lost it(I believe he hides it from her), and at the interview for her GC they pass with flying colors. Go figure.

    My sister lives near Memphis so we went a few days before the interview to visit. While there, we were fortunate to meet Brad(captmonk) and his wife Katerina. BTW, how you guys doin? Extremely nice couple. They are a good match. Val and I mentioned to each other that they could be brother and sister in that they look like they belong together. We all went out had dinner one night and then lunch the next day. Had a good time and will get together again. They live only 4 miles from my sis.

   Val is in college upgrading her engineering degree and staying busy. Ihor speaks more and better english than most citizens here and he's almost 10.

   Another cause for celebration. Our first American anniversary is Sunday  Sept. 24. It's been a good run so far. Ya'll take care!!

 

[Bruce]

Congratulations!  You are fortunate to live in a fast processing State.  Continued good luck!

[Patrick]

Hey D, good news. It was a real pleasure meeting you and your family. The door is open anytime you are in town. I know that Valtntina and Igor are happy as well. Maryna says how ya'll too.

[Son of Clyde]

Congratulations Start2, it was also a pleasure to meet you after speaking to you on the phone several times and countless PM's. If I remember correctly we started this process only a few months apart so we both have not had any major delays. Our timelines have been very close. We should meet again in the not too distant future.

[catzenmouse]

Well now my friend!

 That is wonderful! Elena informed me last evening and also that Val is doing great in school (no surprise there!). Of course I am jealous and I think that Sergei will probably graduate from medical school before we get his...

 I'll catch up with you this weekend. Got some news for you as well!

Ken

[START2]

Thanks Bruce. We're in a very friendly illegal alien state so it seems anyone who does this legally breezes right through. We've been in immigration offices in Nashville and Memphis and both were never more than a 15 minute wait when we signed in. Actually very friendly people. Wish the National offices were that way!! Bruce, I also came across your ordeal in Ru. the other day. OMG My jaw dropped to the floor. Sorry I didn't see that sooner. I know it's belated but we send you our regards and hope that your wife and daughter are ok now and life is back to normal. I drop out of here from time to time and miss some things. God's speed brother.

 Patrick.... Thanks!!  Even though the initial meet had a twist we enjoyed meeting you guys as well. You have a beautiful wife. Val sometimes wishes we lived in a neighborhood as you do. The wide open spaces get to her at times but since she's been driving town is just "down the road a piece" . Hope your biz is good. When's the next trip over?

  Larry....Congrats to you too. Lets see......Ya'll have EAD(not needed now) GC, and if I'm not mistaken, 1 yr of marriage under your belt. Yes, we were very close on time lines. When we saw you at the mall, we knew that was you. Wasn't to sure what Iryna would be like but she's a lovely lady. Val so much enjoyed her company at the restaurant and found her delightfull and funny. On our trip back to Tn., I would hear Val giggle and I'd ask what that was for and it would be something she and Iryna had talked about. Great sense of humor!!! We would like to hook up again sometime with all you guys. Yes, even Matt. 

  Oh, and for you scarecrow(Ken)... we've missed you the most of all. Yea yea, we talk on the phone from time to time (the gals all the time) but it's nothing  like being there. I'll always keep it a secret that we only had 3 beers while playing pool that night. For those who might think what that means, it means the wives think 3 beers not the 3 pitchers we killed shootin pool that night. We had a great time. Well, I'm sittin here wondering what your news is. Get in touch soon.

It does really feel good to get the GC out of the way. Thanks to all that gave advice and personal experience. Larry, Ken, Vaughn, jb, Bruce. There's such a wealth of info here.

[catzenmouse]

Even though this is an older topic I thought it best to not start a new topic to mention this:

Sergei has finally received his Green Card. Last we looked/and heard from the congressman's representative they would not even begin processing this application (the third one we had to file due to USCIS ineptitude and total lack of accountability) for another 6 to 8 months, then we get a letter welcoming him to the US and a week later his GC. Only a 20 month process so I guess I should be happy they did it at all but I am STILL burned a bit by having to pay the fee again each time we had to file even though they admitted in person to us that they screwed up on this twice!

 Gotta love those folks down there at USCIS!

Ken

[START2]

Kenny Boy,
   Val told me about Sergei's GC coming. Bout freaking time. BTW, I just read another thread talking about dildo's. What a lovely holiday gift it would be to send one to the USCIS .

[Vaughn]

I still submit that they owe you an apology and a refund. Throw in gas and mileage for good measure. Newbies, see what can happen when your future wife gets a GC by mail sans interview? Her K-2 child becomes a separate case - and we had to laugh when an 8 year old Elena down this way had to assert she'd never dealt drugs, been a prostitute or a member of the Communist Party...

It'll be interesting to read your future I-751 experience, Ken. Congrats to Sergei - it's been a long time comin'.

[Turboguy]

Congratulations Ken,  They deserve a kick in the butt and you deserve the metal of honor or at least a purple heart.

[ConnerVT]

- and we had to laugh when an 8 year old Elena down this way had to assert she'd never dealt drugs, been a prostitute or a member of the Communist Party...

Let's not jump to conclusions about being a member of The Party -- both Jet and I have 8 y.o. boys whom USCIS insist were born in the "USSR"   

Natalya, Pasha, and I are going down the next path -- getting the conditions removed from their 2 year cards.  About 4 weeks from VSC receiving their application, we got a very unofficial looking document (ie. cheap laser printer on copy paper) stating that Pasha was on the application they are processing from his mom, and that this paper was proof that his green card was good for another year and that he could travel in/out of the country.    (I'm very nervous what Russian Immigration or even the people at Delta/Aeroflot's service counter at SVO will think of this "document").

About 3 weeks later, Natalya received both her NOA and biometrics appointment documents (different envelopes).  No mention of an appointment for Pasha.  Hmmmm....

So I telephoned USCIS yesterday.  I actually got transferred to someone at VSC who wished to be helpful.  Wasn't her fault she couldn't come up with better answers (she tried).  But we plan to take him with us on Monday for Natalya's appointment, as unlike some of the sub-district offices you have to deal with, the St. Albans, Vermont office is usually pretty dead quiet.   

[Jet]

It'll be interesting to read your future I-751 experience, Ken. 

Interestingly enough, I was just doing some "light reading" through INA 216.1  And found where the law backs up William3rd's assertion that if issuance occurs before the marriage is 2 yrs. old then the K-1 or K-2 derivative are subject to the I-751. If it's after the Catzenmouses' 2nd anniversary Sergey should NOT be subject to conditional LPR status.

INA: ACT 216 - CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN SPOUSES AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS


Sec. 216. [8 U.S.C. 1186a]

(a) In general.-

(1) Conditional basis for status.-Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an alien spouse (as defined in subsection (g)(1)) and an alien son or daughter (as defined in subsection (g)(2)) shall be considered, at the time of obtaining the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, to have obtained such status on a conditional basis subject to the provisions of this section.
etc, etc, etc...

[Vaughn]

Jet, that is a fact. The little 8 year old girl I mentioned holds
a 10-year card while her Mom still has to remove conditions...

I'm not sure if Ken and Elena have been knotted 2 yrs yet.

[Son of Clyde]

Ken,
This is great news.
You should send USCIS a bill every day for 20 months and maybe you will get a partial refund.
I can only say, as a government employee, that some of us try to do a good job but we are not encouraged to do so.
It is pretty much up to the individual, if they have a conscience, to do good work.

[Jet]

Jet, that is a fact.

It is also directly contradictory to what we've been told several times in Miami  :noidea:

[rasdave]

CONGRATS Jet! Excellent news! My wife and I have our 2nd interview for the unconditional green card in a few months. In fact i should start getting my ducks in a row now!

[catzenmouse]

Let's not jump to conclusions about being a member of The Party -- both Jet and I have 8 y.o. boys whom USCIS insist were born in the "USSR"   

Sergei is also listed as being born in the USSR. Now I understand all those "How to build an AK-47 from household materials" books I see in his room... 

And no, the two year mark is still about 50 days away. They probably sent it just so they could screw us for another fee for the 751. Dirty Rat Bastards!

Ken