Cody

My wife has been here a year, and finally got her work permit. It was difficult for her to find a job because her English is still relatively weak. At last, TJ-Maxx, a clothing store, offered her a cashier position. We were both very excited at first. I told her that this would be her stepping stone to greater things. However, there is one problem... the pay is only $5.65/hr with 10 hours a week. So after working for one week, she is exhausted and unhappy about her job. She wants to quit immediately and then look for another job with more pay. I advised her to keep the job until she finds something better, but that only made her upset at me... for not being understanding enough. So here is the question. If your so has limited langage abilities, what job does he/she do? Is schooling the best option. My so thought about going to school to be a dental hygenist, but they require adequate SAT scores to get into the program. Are there any vocational courses that would be appropriate? Are there better job options for someone with weak English skills? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

My wife has a two year degree from a college in China, but I don't think that it will be of much use here. So she decided that she wants to study cosmetology and hair dressing. The local beauty school wants $11,000... which is a lot for me, because I am still paying off school loans myself and returning soon for graduate school. Do you know if there are any federal programs to aid new immigrants in funding their educations?

My wife and I decided that we wanted to start saving for our future in a different currency, the Chinese RMB. From what I've read in the news and from my gut feeling, I think that the RMB will rise in value in the near future. However, we are living in the U.S. Is there a way to save my funds in RMB?

I submitted my wife's I-485 early in August, and the receipt that they mailed me states that "USCIS will schedule your biometrics appointment. You will be receiving an appointment notice." I haven't received an appointment notice yet. Does anyone know how long it should take before receiving a notice? Also, I'm trying to find the processing dates for our application, but I'm not sure which USCIS service center it's at. We live in PA, and sent it to the Chicago lockbox... does it stay in Chicago, go to my local USCIS office in Philly, or does it end up at the Vermont Service Center? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I was looking at the required documentation for the I-765, and they ask for a copy of "your last EAD (front and back)". My wife came on a K-1 visa, and never applied for an EAD before. Has anyone faced the same issue? If so, did you send the I-765 without a copy of your last EAD? Also, from what I read, they want a copies of the I-94, passport photos, I-485 receipt notice, and $175 money order. Am I missing anything?

My so arrived through Newark, and it was a hassle. She didn't have any problems getting through customs, but the process took two hours. Her plane from Hong Kong arrived at 3pm, and she did not emerge from the gate until 5pm. I was worried sick during the two hour wait, because I didn't know anything. In addition, the airport personnel were unable to provide any information or assistance. So you can expect a long wait in customs if she arrives through Newark.

There is a bulletin on the I-765 about new direct mail instructions (effective April 1, 2005). If you live in any of the 36 states mentioned, you are required to mail your form to their Chicago Lockbox facility. Does anyone know if the USCIS plans to process the I-765 applications from 36 states in Chicago? And if so, there are no I-765 processing dates listed on the web for the Chicago district office. Can anyone shed light on this?

I have a previous post about this, but the issue has evolved and I could use some advice from you guys. My wife, who came on a K-1, visa has been denied time and time again by Pennsylvania's department of motor vehicles for an ID. They state that her I-94 will expire within less than a month, and refuse to issue a four year ID or license. But here's the catch. The PA DMV has a document posted that indicates that she should be eligible for an ID. Click on the link below and scroll down to K-1. http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fac...ts/pub195nc.pdf However, the DMV phone reps refuse to honor the stipulations of their own document... they gave me an excuse about some vague homeland security act. Then told me that I was confused. Anyway, I talked to a lawyer who suggested that I print everything out and bring it to the DMV... then get a letter from them stating why they can't honor their obligation. Here's where I need advice. Do you think it's worth it to take these idiots to court? And has anyone experienced such problems from their DMV?

I brought my wife to a DMV in Pennsylvania to get her ID, and was told that since her I-94 expires in less than a month, they would not issue her an ID. So I contacted the DMV customer service line, and was told the exact same thing by the representative on the phone. He claimed that there are I-94's issued for more than a year. So I asked him what I could do. His response was to get a green card! Does anyone have any ideas or encountered such a problem?

Thanks for the help. Before reading your emails, I went with my wife (accidentally wrote fiance in the posting) to the DMV and met a very very rude agent. As soon as she saw that my wife was Asian and not a citizen, she treated us with complete disdain. She claimed that our I-94 would expire in one month, so it was not valid. Then she rudely dismissed us... and I heard her mumble something behind my back. I couldn't hear exactly what she said, but by her tone, it wasn't friendly. I never encountered racism until I married a Chinese girl. Narrow-minded, ignorant people drive me up the wall. To make it worse, the lady was a minority herself. What a shame. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Hi, can anyone help me with a question that is specific to Pennsylvania? My fiance finally got her social security card, and we want to get a driver's license or id for her from the DMV. However, their bulletin states that Non- U.S. citizens need proof of residency in the form of tax records, lease agreements, morgage documents, w-2 forms, or utility bills. She just moved here, and we don't have these avaliable. Even if you are not from PA, does your state have similar requirements? If so, what form of proof did you show for the residency requirement?

What is the I-693 vacc supplement? The I-693 form looks like a complete physical checkup. Is there a separate vacc supplement form, or does the civil surgeon just fill out part of the I-693 form and leave the rest blank?

After waiting on hold for an hour, I was finally able to speak to an immigration officer at the USCIS. She gave me the following AOS instructions for K-1 Visa Holders. 1. The 90 day K1 deadline only applies to the time in which you must get married... not apply. 2. K1 visa holders do not need a medical check-up by a civil surgeon, because it was already completed prior to receiving the visa. My wife still has her x-rays from GUZ, which the immigration officer told me to bring to her AOS interview. 3. I was told to only submit the I-485, I-864, and G-325A to the USCIS PO Box in Chicago. That's all. I couldn't believe it, so I went over everything with the officer again. For those who have been through the AOS process, does this sound right?

I just want to blow off some steam. After calling the USCIS helpline and waiting on hold for over an hour, the lady that answered told me that she could not help me and needed to transfer my call. Then she dropped my call. Upon trying to call back, I get the message that "due to heavy call volume" I should call back another day. Then they hung up! Where does the incompetence end?

The I-864 asks me to count the number of people living in my residence that are related to me through birth, marriage or adpotion. As a recent college grad, I am still living with my parents. Are they still to be included as part of my household, even though I don't support them? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

My wife had a full medical exam with her K-1 Visa, and even has the X-rays that were taken for her visa. Does she need to get a full medical exam again to fulfill the requirements of the I-693? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This form makes no sense! In Section 4.D, they ask me to fill in the following question: Minimum income requirement from the Poverty Guidelines chart for the year of _______________ is $_____________ for this household size. Why would they ask me such an insane question? Shouldn't they know what their own guidelines are? The chart that they include with the form lists 2003 Poverty Guidelines. So should I fill in the guidelines for 2003 or should I try to look up some more recent guideline? Was a guideline even published for 2005? I'm so sick of looking at this form... especially after I filled out an affidavit of Support for the K-1 Visa. It's such a waste of time and paper. Our Government needs to get its act together. Sorry about the ranting, but I'm so pissed after everything that they've put me and all of us through. I'm wondering if our whole government is run by a combination of idiots with lawyers.

My wife is trying to learn English, and she wants to find a decent pocket translator. Does anyone know of a good one that is easy to buy in the States?

It's great to hear encouraging news. The truth is on your side, so they must eventually admit that your case is legit and issue the visa. Then you can come back and see if you have a lawsuit for all of the crap that they put your through.

After spending so much on the K-1 Visa, I was shocked to learn that the I-485 is another $315. To pour more salt in my wounds, I learned that the I-765 is another $175. Do I really need to file the I-765 if my wife wants to work? Can't she work once we get her social security number? The expenses are driving me up the wall.

My so and I have decided to send money each month to her parents in China. Since it will be a regular thing, I don't want to rely on Western Union. Does anyone know of an efficient way? P.S. Her parents are elderly and not to tech savvy.

Alex, It is so good to hear that things are moving forward with your case. And even better to hear that you are still hanging in there with your so. Don't give up. And that lawyer is ridiculous! Apparently, he did nothing but stall your case. Like others have said, I have some suspicions that he may be behind that 3rd party coorespondence. Who else knows enough about your case to draft such a letter? But regardless, you should demand a refund.

My so speaks very little English, and I am trying to find the best way to teach her. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way for her to learn? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

My so only speaks Chinese. I'm teaching her English now, and she is looking at the possiblity of searching for employment soon. I don't want her to get bored sitting at home all day. She attended a college in China for secretarial skills, but I don't think that it will be of much use here. Does anyone have any suggestions of jobs that may be suitable... or jobs that worked for your so? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

The "third party" problem can easily be avoided. In the last year, a few CFL members were given blue slips because of "third party coorespondence". These denials were extremely difficult for some to overcome. Apparently, there are unscrupulous vultures who wait outside the consulate to prey on visa applicants. If you talk to them, they will offer to help you get your visa for a Huge fee. Don't believe them, because they cannot help you and are nothing but trouble. Don't give them your name or any information. Because in the past, they have used that information to blackmail the visa applicants. If the applicants don't pay their outrageous fees, they threaten to send letters or "third party coorespondence" to the consulate in the attempt to discredit the applicant. So the best way to avoid this problem is to keep tight lipped. Don't talk to anyone that you don't know and trust about your case.