Jfury

After I don't know how long, we finally received our letter from
Immigration to remove the conditions for permanent residency. We have
4-4-00 for an admission date and the decision was made 8-12-03. How is
that for a backlog? We use Vermont as our processing center and
Philadelphia is our office.

Ironically, we had already planned to go to the Philadelphia office
Tuesday because we wanted travel authorization and a work stamp. We
have a daughter now and my wife plans a trip to the UK. Our five week
old baby Catie has a US passport and she's been here less!

Timeline
Sometime in 1998: K1 petition done.
4-24-99: Emma entered the US on K1 visa.
5-29-99: We get married in Scranton, PA at my aunt's house.
6 weeks later Social Security Card arrives and Emma can finally work.
In July, 1999 she gets EAD at Philadelphia office.
10-21-99: AOS interview. Not that bad of an experience other than my
wife not letting me go to the King of Prussia Mall after. We brought
advanced parole form with us.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...home.com#link1
4-4-00: Emma gets passport stamped for I 551, good until 4-25-01. Emma
gets Permanent residence card with conditions attached.
1-15-02: we get NOA that I751 Application to remove conditional status
has been received. Estimated processing time: 30 days to 12 months.
7-13-03: Our Daughter Catie is born!
8-16-03: after a longass backlog with the Vermont office we finally
get the approval letter that conditions have been removed!!! The calls
I made to the congressional aide were purely informational and did
nothing to expedite things.

Now Emma can't travel for 6 months until she gets the green card
UNLESS she gets a passport endorsement from the Philadelphia office.

I can't believe how easy it was to get the K1 and how long it took for
the I751! Two factors caused the backlog: 1) 9-11 and the paperwork
backlog and 2)When Homeland Security took over, the Vermont office had
to get all the original files from a storage facility. They were using
copies of files for processing prior to this point.

All I have to say is that this has been a long and interesting
journey. I probably wouldn't have been able to do this well if it
wasn't for this newsgroup and all of your support. There is such a
long list of names of people who helped but the following come to
mind: Rita, Steve and Lisa, Stacey and Nic who we met personally at
Seaside Hieghts, NJ, Matt Udall, Folinskyinla, Grinch, Andy Platt,
Ranjini, Mike: FAQ Guy (!!!!!!!!), and way too many others to mention.

I will let everyone know how the trip for the greencard and the
citizenship process goes.

Thank you everyone!

Love,

Jim, Emma and Catie

Fuzzzb75

Congratulations......this is the first post I've seen that Vermont is
actually processing the I-751 applications, and it is later then the last
posted dates of 12/1/01. I've been waiting not as long yet but only about 3
months behind you, April of 2002. Just wondering if there are any others
that are getting approved, guess I'll have to keep my eyes on this newsgroup
for a bit.

Martin


"JFURY" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > After I don't know how long, we finally received our letter from
    > Immigration to remove the conditions for permanent residency. We have
    > 4-4-00 for an admission date and the decision was made 8-12-03. How is
    > that for a backlog? We use Vermont as our processing center and
    > Philadelphia is our office.
    > Ironically, we had already planned to go to the Philadelphia office
    > Tuesday because we wanted travel authorization and a work stamp. We
    > have a daughter now and my wife plans a trip to the UK. Our five week
    > old baby Catie has a US passport and she's been here less!
    > Timeline
    > Sometime in 1998: K1 petition done.
    > 4-24-99: Emma entered the US on K1 visa.
    > 5-29-99: We get married in Scranton, PA at my aunt's house.
    > 6 weeks later Social Security Card arrives and Emma can finally work.
    > In July, 1999 she gets EAD at Philadelphia office.
    > 10-21-99: AOS interview. Not that bad of an experience other than my
    > wife not letting me go to the King of Prussia Mall after. We brought
    > advanced parole form with us.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...home.com#link1
    > 4-4-00: Emma gets passport stamped for I 551, good until 4-25-01. Emma
    > gets Permanent residence card with conditions attached.
    > 1-15-02: we get NOA that I751 Application to remove conditional status
    > has been received. Estimated processing time: 30 days to 12 months.
    > 7-13-03: Our Daughter Catie is born!
    > 8-16-03: after a longass backlog with the Vermont office we finally
    > get the approval letter that conditions have been removed!!! The calls
    > I made to the congressional aide were purely informational and did
    > nothing to expedite things.
    > Now Emma can't travel for 6 months until she gets the green card
    > UNLESS she gets a passport endorsement from the Philadelphia office.
    > I can't believe how easy it was to get the K1 and how long it took for
    > the I751! Two factors caused the backlog: 1) 9-11 and the paperwork
    > backlog and 2)When Homeland Security took over, the Vermont office had
    > to get all the original files from a storage facility. They were using
    > copies of files for processing prior to this point.
    > All I have to say is that this has been a long and interesting
    > journey. I probably wouldn't have been able to do this well if it
    > wasn't for this newsgroup and all of your support. There is such a
    > long list of names of people who helped but the following come to
    > mind: Rita, Steve and Lisa, Stacey and Nic who we met personally at
    > Seaside Hieghts, NJ, Matt Udall, Folinskyinla, Grinch, Andy Platt,
    > Ranjini, Mike: FAQ Guy (!!!!!!!!), and way too many others to mention.
    > I will let everyone know how the trip for the greencard and the
    > citizenship process goes.
    > Thank you everyone!
    > Love,
    > Jim, Emma and Catie

Lkish

Martin

Linda and Chris (using VSC) - also waiting since March 2002. We actually went
to Newark in early July 2003 to get a stamp in Chris' passport to extend the GC
as his conditions have not yet been removed and the extension letter expired.
Chris applied April 2003 for US citizenship and was fingerprinted June 2003!

Timeline
K1 petition 7/1998
Approval Vancouver 11/1998
Married 12/1998
AOS Interview 4/2000
GC arrived 6/2000
Sent in I751 3/2002
Sent in N400 4/2003

We also have been out with Stacy and Nic - what a great couple! Trying to meet
up with them again before the summer is out.

Linda and Chris
Can-Am Class of 1998

Jfury

We could have sent the N400 months ago but I stuck to the strict
interpretation on the Immigration site that the green card has to be
approved first. I realize they just don't process the naturalization
paperwork until after the I751 paperwork is done. But given how long
this took place, we aren't in any hurry to wait for the next round of
paperwork. Quite frankly I don't care if my wife wants full
citizenship or not given the long delays we experienced.

I hope all the others who were waiting will get their conditions
removed as well.

Linda and Chris, it looks like Stacey and Nic get around! If you see
them, tell them to e-mail us. We had fun riding in a helicopter right
above the ocean as Stacey watched.


Jim

[email protected] (LKish) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Martin
    >
    > Linda and Chris (using VSC) - also waiting since March 2002. We actually went
    > to Newark in early July 2003 to get a stamp in Chris' passport to extend the GC
    > as his conditions have not yet been removed and the extension letter expired.
    > Chris applied April 2003 for US citizenship and was fingerprinted June 2003!
    >
    > Timeline
    > K1 petition 7/1998
    > Approval Vancouver 11/1998
    > Married 12/1998
    > AOS Interview 4/2000
    > GC arrived 6/2000
    > Sent in I751 3/2002
    > Sent in N400 4/2003
    >
    > We also have been out with Stacy and Nic - what a great couple! Trying to meet
    > up with them again before the summer is out.
    >
    > Linda and Chris
    > Can-Am Class of 1998

Lkish

Jim

We have been told that the current wait at VSC/Newark for citizenship is not
long, most likely because 2004 is an election year and they want as many new
voters as possible! We decided to apply for the N-400 while the wait times were
short. It only took them 8 weeks from data of receipt of the paperwork for
Chris to be fingerprinted. Will let Stacy and Nic know that you guys say hi.

Linda and Chris

Jfury

Well since its the VSC that processes the paperwork, that should apply
to each office in the regional area? We'll get our stuff going soon
too with the N-400. I'm actually more fed up than my wife is about how
long it took.

Thanks for passing the word on.

Jim

[email protected] (LKish) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Jim
    >
    > We have been told that the current wait at VSC/Newark for citizenship is not
    > long, most likely because 2004 is an election year and they want as many new
    > voters as possible! We decided to apply for the N-400 while the wait times were
    > short. It only took them 8 weeks from data of receipt of the paperwork for
    > Chris to be fingerprinted. Will let Stacy and Nic know that you guys say hi.
    >
    > Linda and Chris

Tracy and Dave

CONGRATS!!! You have NO idea how happy I am to see this since we have a receipt date of early February...... waitttttttttttttt - don't want to jinx myself

Jfury

Yesterday we went to the Philadelphia Immigration office and got there
around 10. I waited in line while my wife watched out baby. You have
to wait in line to show someone that you have the right paperwork and
then get a number. Then you have to wait until your number goes up for
another person to check your paperwork to see if it is right and
process it. I like how they send you stuff in the mail and ask you to
bring it back to them.

I have to say that the people at the Philly office are really nice and
the security people make jokes to make the time pass easier. A lot of
people enjoyed meeting my 5 week old daughter too. I still can't
believe how quiet she was all day. People told me that the NYC office
staff like to rip people apart but are speedier. I think I like the
Philly version better even though NYC is an hour and a half from my
house.

But almost all morning and afternoon, the number counter barely moves
and there are 1-2 processors at a time. When 3pm hit and they locked
the doors, there were suddenly 5 immigration workers to process and
things moved rapidly.

My wife got a passport endorsement so she can travel, her EAD stamp
and her greencard without conditions will arrive in 6-12 months. She
needed bith certificate because her maiden name changed, three
passport photos for the new greencard (they take the old one with
conditions on it), her driver's license and of course her passport.
They want the driver's license as a government ID.

We left at 4pm and miraculously the Schuckyll Expressway (I-76) wasn't
that jammed up.

One thing I did see was a lot of people who let things expire years
ago and they really hold things up. I wish Tom Ridge could change
things like he did to make the PA driver's license centers speedier.
Maybe there should be a Got your Act Together Line and a Confused as
Hell line.

Jim

Tracy and Dave <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Originally posted by Jfury
    >
    > > After I don't know how long, we finally received our letter from
    >
    > > Immigration to remove the conditions for permanent residency.
    >
    >
    >
    > CONGRATS!!! You have NO idea how happy I am to see this since we have a
    > receipt date of early February...... waitttttttttttttt - don't want to
    > jinx myself

Tracy and Dave

Sorry - why did you go to the Philly office? I'm just wondering if we should plan on that. Right before the year extension on the NOA expired, Dave and I went to NYC to get another I-551 stamp in his passport so he could travel if needed. Is that all you did at Philly? Get another I-551 until the green card comes?

Thanks

Rete

After your I-751 is approved you have to appear at the local BCIS office (yup we have to go back to NYC) and complete another I-89 card which is used to manufacture the new ten year green card.

Jim and Emma, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. And congratulations on the successful, without interview, removal of conditions. You have reinstated hopes in our hearts that we waiting members of the classes of '98 and '99 will be hearing good news ourselves soon.

My Jim has his appointment for naturalization interview/test for December 1 and we have still not heard about the removal from Vermont.

Best regards

Rete aka Rita

Jfury

We went to Philadelphia because we live in Northeast PA (poconos) and
that is the closest immigration office in Pennsylvania. We are under
the impression that you have to go to the office that is located in
the state you live in.

All it really was is just like you said- getting the I551 in the
passport until the green card arrives. But we also got a passport
endorsement to travel-that is free unlike Advanced Parole.

Watch out for one thing. The FAQ says bring two passport photos with
the approval letter. You really need THREE, FAQ guy you out there?

Jim

Tracy and Dave <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Originally posted by Jfury
    >
    > > Yesterday we went to the Philadelphia Immigration office
    >
    >
    >
    > Sorry - why did you go to the Philly office? I'm just wondering if we
    > should plan on that. Right before the year extension on the NOA expired,
    > Dave and I went to NYC to get another I-551 stamp in his passport so he
    > could travel if needed. Is that all you did at Philly? Get another I-551
    > until the green card comes?
    >
    >
    >
    > Thanks

Jfury

Rita,

Thank you for the congrats and all the help. I'm glad my post brings
hope to people who have been waiting. We met a few others at the
office who were in the same boat we were. Any longer and we would have
known everyone in the waiting room by name (baby power!).

I'm just curious. Once you apply for naturalization, where do you go
to take the test?

Thanks,

Jim
    >
    >
    >
    > After your I-751 is approved you have to appear at the local BCIS office
    > (yup we have to go back to NYC) and complete another I-89 card which is
    > used to manufacture the new ten year green card.
    >
    >
    >
    > Jim and Emma, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. And
    > congratulations on the successful, without interview, removal of
    > conditions. You have reinstated hopes in our hearts that we waiting
    > members of the classes of '98 and '99 will be hearing good news
    > ourselves soon.
    >
    >
    >
    > My Jim has his appointment for naturalization interview/test for
    > December 1 and we have still not heard about the removal from Vermont.
    >
    >
    >
    > Best regards
    >
    >
    >
    > Rete aka Rita

Rete

Jim

The N-400 is sent to the service center. For Emma that would be Vermont, again. From there she will receive a notice of action giving the Case number and date and how long to expect before the completion of naturalization. Then Vermont sends you a fingerprint notice. My Jim was lucky and it was scheduled for a Saturday very close to our home. Then Vermont sends you an appointment letter to appear at your local BCIS for the interview/test which they say should take about 2 hours. In actuality, others have reported the time is less than 1 hour. For Jim it is NYC again and for Emma it would be Philly.

Vermont originally said over 365 days for naturalization. In reality his test/interview is less than 6 months from date of filing.

Rita

Jfury

So this means we have to go back to Philly for the test? I hope you
don't need to get a number for that!

Jim

Rete <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > Jim
    >
    >
    >
    > The N-400 is sent to the service center. For Emma that would be
    > Vermont, again. From there she will receive a notice of action giving
    > the Case number and date and how long to expect before the completion of
    > naturalization. Then Vermont sends you a fingerprint notice. My Jim
    > was lucky and it was scheduled for a Saturday very close to our home.
    > Then Vermont sends you an appointment letter to appear at your local
    > BCIS for the interview/test which they say should take about 2 hours.
    > In actuality, others have reported the time is less than 1 hour. For
    > Jim it is NYC again and for Emma it would be Philly.
    >
    >
    >
    > Vermont originally said over 365 days for naturalization. In reality
    > his test/interview is less than 6 months from date of filing.
    >
    >
    >
    > Rita
    >
    >
    >
    > Originally posted by Jfury
    >
    > > Rita,
    >
    > >
    >
    > > Thank you for the congrats and all the help. I'm glad my post brings
    >
    > > hope to people who have been waiting. We met a few others at the
    >
    > > office who were in the same boat we were. Any longer and we would have
    >
    > > known everyone in the waiting room by name (baby power!).
    >
    > >
    >
    > > I'm just curious. Once you apply for naturalization, where do you go
    >
    > > to take the test?
    >
    > >
    >
    > > Thanks,
    >
    > >
    >
    > > Jim
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > > After your I-751 is approved you have to appear at the local
    > > BCIS office
    >
    > > > (yup we have to go back to NYC) and complete another I-89 card
    > > which is
    >
    > > > used to manufacture the new ten year green card.
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > > Jim and Emma, congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
    > > And
    >
    > > > congratulations on the successful, without interview, removal
    > > of
    >
    > > > conditions. You have reinstated hopes in our hearts that we
    > > waiting
    >
    > > > members of the classes of '98 and '99 will be hearing good
    > > news
    >
    > > > ourselves soon.
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > > My Jim has his appointment for naturalization interview/test
    > > for
    >
    > > > December 1 and we have still not heard about the removal from
    > > Vermont.
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > > Best regards
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > >
    >
    > > Rete aka Rita

Steff

JFury, did your wife have any trouble getting a PA driver's license? My husband is having a lot of trouble and I don't know what to do. (Sorry, I would have PMed you but it doesn't have it by your name)