Macaca
01-31 08:33 AM
U.S. Proposes Rise in Immigration Fees (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013001762.html).
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
The Associated Press
Wednesday, January 31, 2007; 2:47 AM
WASHINGTON -- Becoming an American citizen could soon cost almost twice as much.
The Bush administration will propose nearly doubling the fee charged applicants for U.S. citizenship and significantly increasing fees for other immigration benefits, congressional and administration officials said Tuesday.
Fees for a wide variety of immigration services would rise an average of 66 percent, said two government officials who did not want to be named in advance of the administration's formal announcement of the proposal Wednesday.
The current fee of $330 to apply for citizenship would rise to slightly less than $600, an administration official said. Other fee increases are possible for green cards conveying legal residency, which now cost $325.
Applicants also now pay a $70 fingerprinting fee in each case. Fees also are paid for things such as work permits, replacing lost green cards and petitions to adopt orphans from other countries.
The proposed fee increases would not be final until after a public comment period.
Congressional Democrats last week warned in a letter to Emilio Gonzalez, director of the Homeland Security Department's Citizenship and Immigration Services, that they planned to review the agency's analyses behind any proposed immigration fee increases.
The letter was signed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., immigration subcommittee chairman Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and immigration subcommittee chairwoman Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.
Immigration advocates have been bracing for the expected jump in fees. William Ramos, Washington director for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, said the increases are "just going to be devastating to our communities."
"It will basically create another obstacle for those who want to realize their dream of becoming American citizens," Ramos said.
Citizenship and Immigration Services covers its costs with application fees. The agency is required to do a fee analysis every two years to determine whether money raised from fees is covering costs. The agency last raised its fees in 2004, citing the cost of more intense background checks in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Immigrant advocates long have argued that the agency's costs cannot be absorbed by application fees. They want Congress to appropriate money to help pay costs.
Large fee increases would be heavily felt in the Asian community, where two-thirds of the population in the U.S. is foreign-born, said Traci Hong, director of the immigration program for the Asian American Justice Center.
About 70 percent of foreign-born Asians in the country become American citizens, a high rate for immigrants. Hong worried that higher naturalization fees would slow that rate.
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
The Associated Press
Wednesday, January 31, 2007; 2:47 AM
WASHINGTON -- Becoming an American citizen could soon cost almost twice as much.
The Bush administration will propose nearly doubling the fee charged applicants for U.S. citizenship and significantly increasing fees for other immigration benefits, congressional and administration officials said Tuesday.
Fees for a wide variety of immigration services would rise an average of 66 percent, said two government officials who did not want to be named in advance of the administration's formal announcement of the proposal Wednesday.
The current fee of $330 to apply for citizenship would rise to slightly less than $600, an administration official said. Other fee increases are possible for green cards conveying legal residency, which now cost $325.
Applicants also now pay a $70 fingerprinting fee in each case. Fees also are paid for things such as work permits, replacing lost green cards and petitions to adopt orphans from other countries.
The proposed fee increases would not be final until after a public comment period.
Congressional Democrats last week warned in a letter to Emilio Gonzalez, director of the Homeland Security Department's Citizenship and Immigration Services, that they planned to review the agency's analyses behind any proposed immigration fee increases.
The letter was signed by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., immigration subcommittee chairman Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and immigration subcommittee chairwoman Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.
Immigration advocates have been bracing for the expected jump in fees. William Ramos, Washington director for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, said the increases are "just going to be devastating to our communities."
"It will basically create another obstacle for those who want to realize their dream of becoming American citizens," Ramos said.
Citizenship and Immigration Services covers its costs with application fees. The agency is required to do a fee analysis every two years to determine whether money raised from fees is covering costs. The agency last raised its fees in 2004, citing the cost of more intense background checks in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Immigrant advocates long have argued that the agency's costs cannot be absorbed by application fees. They want Congress to appropriate money to help pay costs.
Large fee increases would be heavily felt in the Asian community, where two-thirds of the population in the U.S. is foreign-born, said Traci Hong, director of the immigration program for the Asian American Justice Center.
About 70 percent of foreign-born Asians in the country become American citizens, a high rate for immigrants. Hong worried that higher naturalization fees would slow that rate.
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lost_in_migration
05-29 04:31 PM
And I thought it could not be worse than what we already got :(
What are they going to do next... Put us in Guantanamo Bay detention camp.... for being immigrants ...and that too legal...and that too high skilled.:mad:
Posting this since almost every thread has the question about the cut-off date after which all LCs or I-140s will be invalidated.
Excerpt from "http://www.ilw.com/articles/2007,0530-endelman.shtm" posted earlier, the cutoff date is May 15, 2007; NOT May 21 2007. (Thanks to "cnag" for finding this link).
Now, the points system waits until October 1, 2008, the first day of the second fiscal year following enactment. From September 10, 2007 until October 1, 2008, over one year, we will have no employment-based green cards! You heard me right friend, no employer sponsorship based on anything after May 15th 2007 and no points system. This is Pat Buchanan's dream come true- an entire fiscal year without any green cards being issued on the basis of employment!
... ...
Thanks,
Jayant
What are they going to do next... Put us in Guantanamo Bay detention camp.... for being immigrants ...and that too legal...and that too high skilled.:mad:
Posting this since almost every thread has the question about the cut-off date after which all LCs or I-140s will be invalidated.
Excerpt from "http://www.ilw.com/articles/2007,0530-endelman.shtm" posted earlier, the cutoff date is May 15, 2007; NOT May 21 2007. (Thanks to "cnag" for finding this link).
Now, the points system waits until October 1, 2008, the first day of the second fiscal year following enactment. From September 10, 2007 until October 1, 2008, over one year, we will have no employment-based green cards! You heard me right friend, no employer sponsorship based on anything after May 15th 2007 and no points system. This is Pat Buchanan's dream come true- an entire fiscal year without any green cards being issued on the basis of employment!
... ...
Thanks,
Jayant
somegchuh
11-26 04:06 PM
I don't think 15-20% drop in 5 years is speculative at least not in California. CNN Money actually predicts a 31% drop in prices in East Bay of SF Bay Area! This is probably the worst time to get into housing market, at least in CA.
But I agree with quality of life issue. Even the most luxurious apartment does not compare with a house. Having a backyard and a garage are the biggest and the best things that apartments do not have. Also, having your own house gives you a sense of belonging. Renting a house won't give you the same feeling. Also, I know more than one friend who used to rent a house but had to move out because the landlord decided to sell when the lease was over.
So apartment doesn't offer the same lifestyle and renting a home might make you move every few years involuntarily. Best thing to so for those in CA itching to live in a house would be to rent a house that the owner is very unlikely to attempt selling. Any ideas on how to determine what houses are actually just rental property and and not really targeted for sale?
I agree with some of your points. However each one of us is in a different situation and have different ways of dealing with situations. If you are happy with your current situation including renting, that's well and good for you.
However taking a generalized view of the entire US housing industry and expecting 15-20% drop in 5 years is highly speculative. Such speculation maybe true for some housing markets like California, Arizona, Florida and the East Coast. However its not true for the mid-west where prices have been more stable. Besides job loss can occur even if one is on a GC. Nothing is permanent in this country. You always need mobility and that's the reason you have several professionals living in one city and working in another. Its not the end of the world loosing your job one city. There are always alternatives like the one just described.
I strongly advocate looking at your current situation before thinking about buying a home. The lifestyle and quality of life experienced by living in a home is unmatched even by living in the most luxurious apartment. The security from owning a home comes from knowing your have your own place and mortgages payments you make help you in increasing your equity in the home which can be utilized in the long-run to start a business or investment in other things.
But I agree with quality of life issue. Even the most luxurious apartment does not compare with a house. Having a backyard and a garage are the biggest and the best things that apartments do not have. Also, having your own house gives you a sense of belonging. Renting a house won't give you the same feeling. Also, I know more than one friend who used to rent a house but had to move out because the landlord decided to sell when the lease was over.
So apartment doesn't offer the same lifestyle and renting a home might make you move every few years involuntarily. Best thing to so for those in CA itching to live in a house would be to rent a house that the owner is very unlikely to attempt selling. Any ideas on how to determine what houses are actually just rental property and and not really targeted for sale?
I agree with some of your points. However each one of us is in a different situation and have different ways of dealing with situations. If you are happy with your current situation including renting, that's well and good for you.
However taking a generalized view of the entire US housing industry and expecting 15-20% drop in 5 years is highly speculative. Such speculation maybe true for some housing markets like California, Arizona, Florida and the East Coast. However its not true for the mid-west where prices have been more stable. Besides job loss can occur even if one is on a GC. Nothing is permanent in this country. You always need mobility and that's the reason you have several professionals living in one city and working in another. Its not the end of the world loosing your job one city. There are always alternatives like the one just described.
I strongly advocate looking at your current situation before thinking about buying a home. The lifestyle and quality of life experienced by living in a home is unmatched even by living in the most luxurious apartment. The security from owning a home comes from knowing your have your own place and mortgages payments you make help you in increasing your equity in the home which can be utilized in the long-run to start a business or investment in other things.
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sheela
10-06 09:23 AM
Based on my receipt numbers and looking up on USCIS website, it appears my AOS application that was sent to NSC has been sent to California Center. I have not seen anybody's case being sent to CSC. Dunno how good or bad it is and whether it sppeds up/delays my EAD processing. Anybody had experience with CSC and got any of EAD/AP/GC approved from CSC.
My daughter's AOS: filed at NSC tranferred to CSC (RN say so) again transferred to TSC (online status: transferred to area Jurisdiction) so are the delays
My daughter's AOS: filed at NSC tranferred to CSC (RN say so) again transferred to TSC (online status: transferred to area Jurisdiction) so are the delays
more...
angelfire76
05-29 09:34 PM
Yes.
boreal
10-28 08:57 PM
oh God! all of you self-righteous prigs! get a life and give this person a break. He didnt like something, so came out and expressed it, and very politely, i might add. If all you want to do is show the world how pompous your ego is, then go do it somewhere else..enough already!! If someone expresses something, dont take it personal and start responding as if he directed his comments at you!
more...
pd_recapturing
08-11 05:25 PM
Can anyone tell what will be the status of a person who has used AC21 , and does not get the EAD renewal before the existing EAD expires ? Assume 140 has been approved, 180 days has been passed and got the EAD renewal receipt.
I am exactly in same situation. Based on my research, you need to stop working on the day your EAD gets expired if your new EAD has not been approved. EAD renewal receipt notice is not going to help. I would stop working if this situation arrives.
I am exactly in same situation. Based on my research, you need to stop working on the day your EAD gets expired if your new EAD has not been approved. EAD renewal receipt notice is not going to help. I would stop working if this situation arrives.
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whoever
12-12 01:43 PM
I am of the opinion that EB3 India will be stuck at May 8 for a long time. The trend to follow will be that of Mexico's. By the way, only my opinion. I hope I am really really wrong. And god have mercy on us.
more...
Soul
02-07 09:37 AM
Me too, love medieval! :) Probably something to do with our past lives heh :P
- Soul :goatee:
- Soul :goatee:
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arnet
06-26 02:18 PM
Congrats to all those who got GC approved.
Guys, please post your priority date and EB category, I-485 date, service center when you post it. helps to predict. thanks.
Guys, please post your priority date and EB category, I-485 date, service center when you post it. helps to predict. thanks.
more...
gccube
08-22 08:41 PM
The recent AILA prediction on the cutoff dates for EB3 for the month of october, how accurate can they be considering the following.
1. Dates until May 08 2001 were current for a long time until 2007 June. So most of the guys with that priority dates have already applied for AOS. Most of them might already gotten their GC. There may be a very few stuck in the process but that number should be very less.
2. For the month of June 2007 they moved the dates ahead by more than 2 years with whatever information they have.
3. Now by October 2007 there might be a few more cases, with PD before 2001 May 08, might get added but this number should be very less(I think).
Considering these factors how can there be a huge demand for visa nos with PDs before May 08 2001?
May be I am missing something really big here. My guess (wild) would be it would move ahead by atleast a year from Pre June 2001 VB dates when they open up in October 2008. Anyway I don't have as much info (or exp) as AILA and I could be grossly wrong.
This is no advice or suggestion, but purely my opinion.
1. Dates until May 08 2001 were current for a long time until 2007 June. So most of the guys with that priority dates have already applied for AOS. Most of them might already gotten their GC. There may be a very few stuck in the process but that number should be very less.
2. For the month of June 2007 they moved the dates ahead by more than 2 years with whatever information they have.
3. Now by October 2007 there might be a few more cases, with PD before 2001 May 08, might get added but this number should be very less(I think).
Considering these factors how can there be a huge demand for visa nos with PDs before May 08 2001?
May be I am missing something really big here. My guess (wild) would be it would move ahead by atleast a year from Pre June 2001 VB dates when they open up in October 2008. Anyway I don't have as much info (or exp) as AILA and I could be grossly wrong.
This is no advice or suggestion, but purely my opinion.
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GC_SUCK
07-19 02:29 PM
Sorry you answer is not clear to me. You mean I was out of status and I will have problem at 485 stage?
You are still with in 180 days window of being out of status.
You are still with in 180 days window of being out of status.
more...
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Berkeleybee
04-10 06:55 PM
Friends:
I was just going through the Immigration and Nationality Act as posted on the USCIS webpage. http://uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/INA.htm (see Section 274A)
I did not find any reference to the employment authorisation document (EAD card) in the INA. The reference to the EAD occurs in the Title 8 of the CFR (http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-10903/slb-27920?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-cfrp274a) The CFR is defined on the USCIS website as below (emphasis added by me).
"The general provisions of laws enacted by Congress are interpreted and implemented by regulations issued by various agencies. These regulations apply the law to daily situations. After regulations are published in the Federal Register, they are collected and published in the Code of Federal Regulations, commonly referred to as the CFR. The CFR is arranged by subject title and generally parallels the structure of the United States Code. Thus, Title 8 of the CFR deals with "Aliens and Nationality", as does Title 8 of the U.S. Code."
Unless, I missed something, the Secretary of the DHS has the authority to issue a regulation requiring the agencies to issue the EAD at any stage, similar to the powers the Secretary has to extend the validdity of the EAD beyond a year if he seems fit. Am I correct in my interpretation? I would welcome any person to please point out the applicable law (not regulation) which mentions that EAD can only be given after appling for adjustment of status and not before.
If I am way off base on this, then brickbats are also welcome.
bkarnik,
Excellent, creative question. Alas, the answer to this lies not in the INA itself but the Code of Federal Regulations.
To be specific, 8 CFR 274 a.12(c) (9) (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2006/janqtr/pdf/8cfr274a.12.pdf) is what allows employment authorization at the adjustment of status stage. See page 658 of the linked document.
I was about to write an explanation of 8 CFR 274, but then I found this excellent summary which describes the regulation of the employment of aliens http://www.coane.com/pdfs/workpermits.pdf
Now how do we go about changing this provision to include I-140 -- not sure.
However, it is simply a case of moving the ball around --
either you ask that people be able to file adjustment of status even if visa numbers are not available
OR
you ask that 8 CFR 274 a.12(c) (9) be amended so that people with approved I-140s be allowed to get EADs and Advance Parole.
I was just going through the Immigration and Nationality Act as posted on the USCIS webpage. http://uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/INA.htm (see Section 274A)
I did not find any reference to the employment authorisation document (EAD card) in the INA. The reference to the EAD occurs in the Title 8 of the CFR (http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-10903/slb-27920?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-cfrp274a) The CFR is defined on the USCIS website as below (emphasis added by me).
"The general provisions of laws enacted by Congress are interpreted and implemented by regulations issued by various agencies. These regulations apply the law to daily situations. After regulations are published in the Federal Register, they are collected and published in the Code of Federal Regulations, commonly referred to as the CFR. The CFR is arranged by subject title and generally parallels the structure of the United States Code. Thus, Title 8 of the CFR deals with "Aliens and Nationality", as does Title 8 of the U.S. Code."
Unless, I missed something, the Secretary of the DHS has the authority to issue a regulation requiring the agencies to issue the EAD at any stage, similar to the powers the Secretary has to extend the validdity of the EAD beyond a year if he seems fit. Am I correct in my interpretation? I would welcome any person to please point out the applicable law (not regulation) which mentions that EAD can only be given after appling for adjustment of status and not before.
If I am way off base on this, then brickbats are also welcome.
bkarnik,
Excellent, creative question. Alas, the answer to this lies not in the INA itself but the Code of Federal Regulations.
To be specific, 8 CFR 274 a.12(c) (9) (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061500/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2006/janqtr/pdf/8cfr274a.12.pdf) is what allows employment authorization at the adjustment of status stage. See page 658 of the linked document.
I was about to write an explanation of 8 CFR 274, but then I found this excellent summary which describes the regulation of the employment of aliens http://www.coane.com/pdfs/workpermits.pdf
Now how do we go about changing this provision to include I-140 -- not sure.
However, it is simply a case of moving the ball around --
either you ask that people be able to file adjustment of status even if visa numbers are not available
OR
you ask that 8 CFR 274 a.12(c) (9) be amended so that people with approved I-140s be allowed to get EADs and Advance Parole.
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hpandey
11-20 10:18 AM
I am waiting for GC for buying a house myself. I am sure there are many more people who think this way esp in this market.
I am also waiting for a GC to buy a house ... can't buy on a H1 visa with a project that keeps on getting extended every 3-6 months. You need stability for at least a few years to put in a committment for a mortgage that you are going to pay for 30 years.
I am also waiting for a GC to buy a house ... can't buy on a H1 visa with a project that keeps on getting extended every 3-6 months. You need stability for at least a few years to put in a committment for a mortgage that you are going to pay for 30 years.
more...
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GKBest
08-20 07:55 PM
Do you happen to know who used your labor certification? If you have a copy of the LC and I-140, inform the DOL /USCIS that someone has used your LC and I-140 without your knowledge. I'd like to believe that USCIS will take note of this and will deny the application of the person who used your LC and I-140. Your employer will be in deep trouble because of what he has done. USCIS may investigate the case. It will be wise not to mention that you paid anything. The fact that you were hired under H1 status and is still working with him shows that the LC and the I-140 rightly belongs to you.
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hopefull
07-06 04:26 PM
Sorry to hear someone hurting this much!
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TRUTH HURTS AND WHY ARE SO SORRY..
DID ANYONE ASK U FOR YOUR WISE COMMENTS ..
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ABEY DHAKKAN
TRUTH HURTS AND WHY ARE SO SORRY..
DID ANYONE ASK U FOR YOUR WISE COMMENTS ..
KEEP UR TRAP SHUT IF U HAVE NOTHING TO SAY
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singhsa3
08-16 09:09 AM
Folks,
I am going to share with you what I have done regarding refilling and why I have done that.
Call me a paranoid or something else but the fact of the matter is that time period between July 2nd and Aug 17th is a golden opportunity that may not present itself for several years now.
Though the chances of my application getting rejected due to mail room error is less but in the game of probability everyone of us stand equal chances of getting hit by a thunder bolt.
Just a side note - They install lightning rod on buildings to protect from lightening even though chances are 1 in 700,000. Well, my odds are much worse than that. Hence, I need to protect myself.
Regarding filling multiple 485 applications, Rajeev Khanna has categorically stated in one of his meetings that he is doing it. And we all know he is a person of good reputation.
There are two scenarios I can think about:
a) My July 2nd is accepted: In such cases either my later filled application is automatically rejected or they will send me a letter asking me to choose one.
Someone on one of his/her post had mentioned about stop payment idea. He may have a point. Call USCIS and you will find out that only thing they will do is reject your application, which is what you want if your earlier application is already in process.
Somebody also stated just like what they did in H-1B cases on 04/02/07, they may reject both applications, well; H-1B case was different due to lottery system.
b) My July 2nd application is rejected: Well, I just protected myself from a thunder bolt.
Having suffered in Green Card race for so long, my risk taking capacity has greatly been reduced. I am not advising or urging anyone to take any action. I am just sharing what I did.
I am going to share with you what I have done regarding refilling and why I have done that.
Call me a paranoid or something else but the fact of the matter is that time period between July 2nd and Aug 17th is a golden opportunity that may not present itself for several years now.
Though the chances of my application getting rejected due to mail room error is less but in the game of probability everyone of us stand equal chances of getting hit by a thunder bolt.
Just a side note - They install lightning rod on buildings to protect from lightening even though chances are 1 in 700,000. Well, my odds are much worse than that. Hence, I need to protect myself.
Regarding filling multiple 485 applications, Rajeev Khanna has categorically stated in one of his meetings that he is doing it. And we all know he is a person of good reputation.
There are two scenarios I can think about:
a) My July 2nd is accepted: In such cases either my later filled application is automatically rejected or they will send me a letter asking me to choose one.
Someone on one of his/her post had mentioned about stop payment idea. He may have a point. Call USCIS and you will find out that only thing they will do is reject your application, which is what you want if your earlier application is already in process.
Somebody also stated just like what they did in H-1B cases on 04/02/07, they may reject both applications, well; H-1B case was different due to lottery system.
b) My July 2nd application is rejected: Well, I just protected myself from a thunder bolt.
Having suffered in Green Card race for so long, my risk taking capacity has greatly been reduced. I am not advising or urging anyone to take any action. I am just sharing what I did.
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hopefulgc
07-27 05:42 PM
and u are saying this coz u r a programmer for uscis?
A common misconception.
Approving 25000 485s that were already processed and sitting in cold storage will take less than a minute.
Approving meant simply running a program that assigned a visa number to a processed case in a loop that ran 25000 times. Such a program will complete in seconds. The paperwork for these 25k approved applications is going to take months and online updates of 485 approval are still trickling in.
So there was no new found efficiency in USCIS as many seem to believe.
A common misconception.
Approving 25000 485s that were already processed and sitting in cold storage will take less than a minute.
Approving meant simply running a program that assigned a visa number to a processed case in a loop that ran 25000 times. Such a program will complete in seconds. The paperwork for these 25k approved applications is going to take months and online updates of 485 approval are still trickling in.
So there was no new found efficiency in USCIS as many seem to believe.
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140jibjab
05-13 04:27 PM
I am the primary applicant. I am planning to get married in next 1 year or so with a girl from India. If I get my GC then she will fall under family based which will take years for her to come here. I do not mind moving back if that happens.
Since I have valid H1 can I do something,
Since I have valid H1 can I do something,
nrk
10-26 10:49 PM
Thanks i will talk to the attorney tomorrow and take an info pass accordingly.
Take an infopass appt ASAP.
The officer in the local USCIS office will be able to give more details about your case.
Take an infopass appt ASAP.
The officer in the local USCIS office will be able to give more details about your case.
pd_recapturing
03-26 11:47 AM
Hello Sanbaj, where did you send your interfiling request ? I mean which center ? I am also in same situation but I did not send the original I-140 approval copy.
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