tmkeith

We just got an email that: "On April 4, 2006, a welcome notice was mailed for this case. If 30 days have passed and you have not received this notice. Please call the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 during business hours." Sounds positive? Any thoughts?

Could you cite any non-union funded research to support this? 204442[/snapback] Jimmy Hoffa? 204443[/snapback] forgot about the true union leaders and backers. I take back anything negative I said about unions. They are wonderful! They are great!

Could you cite any non-union funded research to support this?

Are there other Chinese or Asian employees at this employer you could talk to about the situation? Their insight would probably offer you much more constructive information than our personal biases (my own included.)

I'm thinking that may be an annual amount. They may allow you to make pay arrangements if that's the route you choose to go (like 1-2 hours of your weekly pay until it's paid off.) Just be careful to see what your obligations are.

If you're required to join the union, and need the job, I guess you have no choice. Another thing to consider is the stability of the job/employer. If there are layoffs, you're first to go. Seniority reigns in a union. Also, how much will your union dues be? If you have a chance to weigh the cost versus (perceived) benefit, you may or may not find it to be to your advantage. I agree wholly with what Jim just wrote. I do not see unions as serving the same purpose they served last century. They've become big business, and are just as capable of trampling on the rights of their members as the employer.

I am having trouble finding Dettol, too. I realy feel like needing it because we use laundromat. 203898[/snapback] We tried eBay, but the vendor we selected wasn't accepting payment. Got it for about the same price on Amazon...but the shipping made it almost the same price as in Chinatown. ~$10 for a 24 ounce bottle. 204051[/snapback] Thanks for the information. It seems quite expensive. 204054[/snapback] $4.50 or so for the bottle, and $10 for the shipping. So, if you want to buy a few bottles, it actually evens out. We use public laundry, too, so it's worth the investment.

I am having trouble finding Dettol, too. I realy feel like needing it because we use laundromat. 203898[/snapback] We tried eBay, but the vendor we selected wasn't accepting payment. Got it for about the same price on Amazon...but the shipping made it almost the same price as in Chinatown. ~$10 for a 24 ounce bottle.

We also do not use the dryer, except for large items (sheets/blankets, etc.) One thing we do definitely use is Dettol, as an additive to the wash, to "kill the virus" as Wendy says. Actually, that stuff smells pretty good. We just have a hard time finding it. Found it once in a medicine chop in Chinatown (SF), but have been buying it online since. Anyone know where to get a good deal on it? My microwave has been reduced to popcorn duty.

This is an incredible, well-thought-out work of art. I want to use it (properly cited, of course) to help me get my point across to friends who just don't get it. I'm sick of being made to feel that I am racist or hateful just because I feel that all guests should enter through the front door, with an invitation, rather than sneak-in through the back, and loot the place dry.

Okay, it's been a few weeks since we sent in the notarized copy of her birth registry (350 freakin' dollars to translate over here...make sure you get everything translated over there.) Was just wondering who's been through our situation before (passed the interview, but still had to send in more paperwork) and how long until we get word of the status. We've been checking online, but there's been no update to our status since the interview date.

Nothing to fear, David. Bask in the glow of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Well, we had our AOS interview in SF yesterday. Nice guy. About 10 questions for both of us. Every question centered on something in the I-485 application. He also asked us for some pictures, my income verification, and proof of joint assets/property. All went well, until he asked for Wei's birth proof (health department booklet). We only had the certified translation, which got us through every interview, application form, etc...without an RFE...but this guy wants it. So, we have the copy, and only need to get a current certified translation, and can mail that one in within 90 days with a copy of the original. So, i won't complain. I'm just surprised that we made it this far without that booklet. Seems that it's even being phased-out in Beijing. So, no denial...just a delay. I can live with that.

Funny you mention that. Wei raised the issue with me just last night. We're both for it.

Whoa! Wendy was looking over my shoulder as I was going through this forum and said "Yes, yes, I have this." Sure enough, she breaks out with a box of the stuff. How do I know it's true? There's a little white cock on the box (actually, same brand listed on the box - Wuji Baifeng Wan (Tong Ren Tang Pharmacy)) Okay, before I could finish the post, she says "Oh, and I have this for man, too" (Liuwei Dihuangwan) Now, how'd she get it through customs?

Aren't address changes required to be reported to USCIS by anyone who's still a foreign national, too?

If this is for a K-1 Visa, you may want to consider filing anyway, especially if you feel this prenuptial issue can be resolved. Right or wrong as the prenup may be, your application is at the mercy of USCIS timeframes, and time's a wastin'. Now, if he hasn't asked you to marry him yet, what I just stated is a waste of time. Now, back to the pros and cons of prenups

I lived in El Paso most of my life...and there's no way out of that place by road without hitting a checkpoint...and depending on which highway, you'll hit a second one as well. They seem to have one on every roadway crossing the CA/AZ border, too. Last time I took Wendy to El Paso...every checkpoint was closed for the holiday I agree...have your papers in order. But, no matter what, don't panic. As long as she's here legally, the worst you're going to get is a hassle.

Just wanted to share our timeframe, especially for those in the Bay Area. We got the appointment notice today. Dated 12/6, mailed out on the 8th. The appointment is on 2/7/06. I don't have any questions yet. Pretty easy to find stuff on this topic on this site. Seems we have everything on the list pretty handy. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. (No, I'm not quoting Tookie.)

The first time I met Wei, I had a few tips from the woman who had "introduced" us. First was to ASK PERMISSION FOR ANYTHING. Starting with asking to hold her hand. You can't go wrong. Just remember, depending on what you ask for, you may hafta take "NO" for an answer. After asking the first time or two, you'll get a feel for your limits. Best of luck!

We got the appointment notice about 8 weeks after receiving the receipt notice (stating that they will schedule the appt.) Now, we live close to Oakland, and there are tons of Application Support Centers for biometrics in the Bay Area, so we may have had an advantage over some on the simple basis of convenience only. As far as processing dates for the 485...they were showing for the National Service Center but it stopped appearing on the updates about a month ago (it was around 13 months at that time.) We were so focused on the EAD timeframe that the 485 is secondary. She's here, we're married, and she will get her green card at some point. All that's in our way is time and bureaucracy. P.S. I gave Wei her first driving lesson today...and will be drinking heavily for the rest of the evaning. (actually, she was great...I'm the wreck.)

This is vague enough. Does paying the fee for the I-485 count in this category. Please only those who have experience with this filing reply. We can debate the family heritage of the DHS and USCIS at another time. Thanks. 169995[/snapback] We only paid the fee with the AOS app (in August). We added nothing to the EAD app other than the base fee. Last month, we got the EAD biometrics appt notice for last Thursday. That notice stated to bring all receipt notices associated with her application. She took both (AOS and EAD) receipt notices, and had her EAD in hand 5 days later. Long story short...only paid the biometrics fee once.

I agree completely. Wendy got her original ID in Sept with her Chinese signature. Got her renewal today with the same one. Dammit, she got her learner's permit today with her Chinese signature. Why couldn't we have had your pea-brained clerk handling her application?

Nevermind....card arrived in the mail today. Next up...Learner's permit to drive.

Wei's was received in Chicago on August 26. Receipt notice August 30, and was mailed (postmarked) the same day. Once you have the receipt number, you can go to the USCIS website and check-in on the "Case Status Online" section. Also, sign-up for the email updates once you get into that section. Then wait...and wait...and wait...