Kristien is a Permanent Resident
Our journey through U.S. immigration has been full of waiting and wondering, but one that has finally ended in happiness. Kristien received her most uplifting I-797C Notice of Action on May 12, 2009. The decision was made on 5/6/2009 to make her a lawful permanent resident of the United States of America. To quote the notice:
Congratulations! Your request for the removal of the conditional basis of your permanent resident status has been approved. You are deemed to be a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States as of the date of your original admission or adjustment of status.
The paper goes on to say a new Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 (green card) will be issued within 60 days. In fact, Kristien has already received it. The process has moved forward and concluded faster than we expected – less than one month after mailing our additional evidence. If you haven’t read the previous post enumerating the pile of evidence we sent, then I suggest you scan the list. I’ve encouraged preparedness as a means to completing those demanding government forms, but the payoff in this instance is huge; I get to keep my wife.
In previous posts I’ve mentioned the number of days since starting this process. Just to recap, the petition for Kristien’s immigration visa (I-129F) was sent to the government on February 7, 2005. It has been 1562 days or 4 years, 3 months, and 12 days, from that day to Monday, 5/18/2009, when she received the Permanent Resident Card. We asked each other if it actually felt that long and we both agreed it hasn’t. We’ve continued on with our lives, working, maintaining our home, going on vacations, and generally forgetting the process. Sure, we both thought about the outcome but we didn’t let it control our lives.
Whether Kristien becomes a citizen is her choice to make. It’s the next logical step but it’s not a forgone conclusion. Right now we’re ready to slow down and enjoy life without the paperwork.
I-751, The Effort Continues
It’s almost a year to the day we submitted the I-751 form and we finally received a letter pertaining to its status on April 18, 2009. Unfortunately, the letter is not good. The submitted proof that our relationship is ongoing was “insufficient” and now the USCIS wants more. I can’t say if these requests are routine, but the paperwork which accompanied the notice was not helpful.
Included in three blue pages was an extensive list of what could qualify as evidence. The letter asked us to provide new information not previously submitted. However, the letter gave no indication why or if the evidence we previously sent was invalid. We were given until the end of May to submit further paperwork.
We reviewed the original I-751 packet and decided we could provide much more evidence of our ongoing (and valid) marriage. Here’s what’s included in the new packet:
- 2008 tax return, jointly filed, married
- Updated bank statement showing the account is held in both of our names, itemized deposits which include our 2008 tax refund from the Treasury, and direct deposits from both of our employers
- Updated verification of car insurance; 1 car, 1 policy, two drivers
- A printout of my employer benefits which indicate Kristien is the 100% beneficiary of my life insurance policy, and the dependent on my health plans
- Several medical invoices showing the joint health benefits are active
- Printouts of both of our pay stubs, which indicate direct deposit to the above mentioned bank account, and deductions for health benefits
- Furniture invoice showing both our names and our address together
- Veterinary invoice showing both our names and our address together
- Signed wills for both of us, with two confirming witnesses, and a notarized affidavit, both which indicate we are the primary inheritors of the other’s possessions
- Sworn affidavits from two of our neighbors which state that our marriage is, in fact, a real relationship.
I hope this is sufficient proof. Either way, the government will provide a response within 60 days of receiving the evidence. We sent the notice on April 25, 2009, just a week after receiving the request. The wills were something we had already planned but just needed to have witnessed and notarized. It seemed like a good step towards proving our commitment to each other.
After one year of silence it’s good to know the wheels are still turning. Let’s hope they’re moving in our favor.
No Update from the Government
It’s already 2009 and no news yet from the government. Up to this point I was very impressed with the speed of the immigration process. Perhaps our application is in a larger queue of couples seeking approval for permanent resident status. Maybe our region of the U.S.A. has higher volume and, therefore, the wait is longer. Maybe when our application hits someone’s desk he’ll say “Oh, everything’s in order” and stamp the go-ahead. But for now the wait continues.
On a side note, there’s a single blog entry on my site that’s gathered more comments and questions than any other since the inception of this journal: the I-797C. Most of the questions or concerns are written in broken English and usually pertain to the status of an application. Let me be clear: I’m not the government. I can’t possibly know these things. If it’s economically viable I recommend you get an immigration attorney or specialist to help. Sometimes the language barrier is too great to overcome when dealing with government paperwork. Focus your questions and refine them into clear English. I love the effort but direct your energy where it can help you the most.
I-797C, Conditional Form Received
The Government has received our petition to remove Kristien’s conditional resident status. The letter also states that we will receive another letter including a scheduled appointment time at the Application Service Center for yet another biometrics update. Thank you, but we already received that letter. It seems some departments work faster than others.
Kristien did a little research and the government is currently reviewing applications from two years ago. This doesn’t sound good. However, we’ve seen estimates online and usually the Government responds faster.
In other good news the form says Kristien’s conditional resident status is extended for one year.
ASC Biometrics
We received notice today that the biometrics appointment will be on June 3rd. Once again, the government is moving very rapidly. Almost everything has been processed or scheduled within one month’s time. The appointment is early morning, right during rush hour, so that means an early wake-up to drive and get there on time.
I-751, Removing Conditional Status
If you’ve been tracking our status, welcome back! I’ve had a long break but it’s time to revive those government form application skills. Almost two years after obtaining a green card, Kristien and I now must petition the Government to remove her conditional status. This means submitting a I-751 form.
The required form information is minimal: name, address, where we got married, a copy of her green card, and our signatures. There are other fields but the most important part is the evidence that proves your marriage is valid. We attached several pieces of information that would prove the marriage is not just for show.
- Bank statement showing the account is held in both of our names
- 2006 and 2007 tax returns, both filed jointly married
- Confirmation of our jointly-accessible safe deposit box
- Verification of car insurance; 1 car, 1 policy, two drivers
- Sworn affidavits from my parents that our marriage is, in fact, a real relationship.
We sent the forms, evidence, and $545 check via USPS certified mail. The check includes the cost of the form processing and a biometrics appointment, which is scheduled later.
Received Green Card
Kristien received her permanent resident card or “green” card today. I think for historical reasons the DHS feels like there should be some green color on the card. In fact, part of the back side has text printed in green.
There’s very basic information on the card much like a passport. The back side, however, has a very interesting metallic appearance. Also printed on the back is a reassuring statement: “The person identified by this card is authorized to work and reside in the U.S.”
I-797, Welcome Notice
The United States of America officially welcomed Kristien as a permanent resident. We received the notice in the mail today.
To paraphrase the notice:
- “This is to notify you that your application for permanent residence has been approved. It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to permanent resident status in the United States.”
- “We will soon mail you a new Permanent Resident Card. You should receive it within the next 3 weeks. You can use it to show your new status. When you receive your card you must carry it with you at all times if you are 18 or older. It is the law.”
- “Your new card will expire two years from when you became a permanent resident. By law your resident status is conditional, and you must apply to remove those conditions before your card expires. We recommend you apply several months before your card expires.”
- “Once again, welcome to the United States and congratulations on your permanent resident status.”
Green Card Approved
After 539 days Kristien finally achieved conditional permanent residency status. Her passport is stamped and the green card is in the mail. The I-551 stamp allows her to travel to and from the United States freely. She may also work without explicit authorization from the government.
We arrived at the Department of Homeland Security office 15 minutes before our scheduled appoinment. After waiting in an air conditioned trailer for five minutes Kristien was called. We then went through the security checkpoint and waited another five minutes. Kristien was called again and we proceeded to the immigration officer’s meeting room.
We were first sworn to tell the truth. After briefly scanning over our (huge) stack of submitted documents the officer concluded that everything was in order. What accelerated the process is that Kristien was previously interviewed at the US Embassy in Brussels. On the negative side is that our $170 for the advance parol (travel document) is probably gone. He said the travel document will probably be approved but the passport stamp should override it.
The next and final step is to remove Kristien’s conditional status 90 days before the 2-year expiration date printed on the green card.
Photographers
Today’s entry is a follow-up to one posted a few days after our wedding. I later mentioned that a review of the photographer was pending until proofs arrived in the mail. The proofs arrived but I thought, why not wait until the final prints are in-hand? After two deliveries we have the final prints and my review is ready.
Ups and downs included, it was a positive experience. Enchanted Forest Photography provided very personal service from start to finish.
You might be wondering what the “down” part is about. Actually, it has little to do with EFP and more to do with the mail carrier. Although our prints were sent via flat-rate USPS priority mail, the mailman thought it was okay to bend the package into our tiny mailbox, disregarding the rigid cardboard used inside. Unfortunately, two of the 5×7 prints were bent on the edge as a result.
Adding to the moment, upon opening the package I found that the 5×7 photos (four in total) came in two uncut sheets. Why not cut them? The wallet prints were cut and the edges trimmed to nice half-rounds. The 4×5s were cut. It was a detail that slipped through the cracks.
After only a few e-mails the problem was resolved and replacement 5×7 photos were sent via UPS at no charge. No one likes problems but when they’re resolved quickly and without fuss, that’s good service. EFP is very much an entrepreneur-level business, both in price and operation but they genuinely care about getting the job done right.