notaclue

Hi all,

Many of you know my situation. I filed for CR removal back in 2019. Not a peep since.

Life changed and now I run a business down in the Caribbean. My existing bank is dropping us due to location. I can't join a new bank because my PR card is long expired and they will not accept the 18 month extension letter (which is about to expire anyway). USCIS refuses the expedite; I won't have a bank account to pay my staff soon.

Any thoughts on how best to proceed?

Chins

Cant be any help, but like me unless USCIS sorts it’s crap out you won’t be able to drive either,

SpoogleDrummer

Have you considered an online bank account such as Capital One or similar? I'm surprised the bank are asking for your PR card as it's not something that's required, even undocumented immigrants can open bank accounts in the US they just need more proof of identity.

newacct

Call for an InfoPass appointment to get an I-551 stamp.

Chins

Which as I am finding out is not a quick process. Been waiting over 2 weeks for the Infopass team to call me. I’m assured I am in line.
But I agree it’s what the OP should be trying to get ASAP

notaclue

Turns out my extension letter expires in a week! I put in another expedite based on the fact my staff will be out of a job, so will see. Apparently, the nearest InfoPass is on the mainland, but I need to go through immigration before I board the plane down here (even though we are still in the US).

Nightmare! I'd have been better just chancing my citizenship application and hoping for no interview.

Rete

Lots of pitfalls in your scenario so it's hard to tell exactly what to do. Have you been able to reach USCIS through the 1-800 #? Is Miami, FL the mainland you are referring to in your post? I can imagine getting an infopass appointment there will extremely difficult.

Filing for naturalization will help in the long run but since you are now divorced you are applying to removal of conditions without your spouse which is different than a straight forward ROC. Even if the ROC was approved today, it will take 3 to 6 months before you get the new green card. So that is not going to help you at all. You might want to see about an I-551 stamp in your passport. Does your airport have a secondary office for processing immigrants?

BTW there is always an interview for naturaliization.

notaclue

That just put an idea in my head; we have immigration offices at various marinas here so will try stopping in!

newacct

They have USCIS Field Offices in both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Are they not taking appointments?

Only a USCIS office can give you an I-551 stamp. I don't think a CBP office can help you.

notaclue

I'm guessing not, waiting for them to tell me what to do!

notaclue

Interesting update;

I got an appointment, and they took my card. Gave me a stamp in my passport and today, another 18 month extension.

I was of the impression you had one 18 month, and then 12 month extensions.

The officer also requested my file from Potomac to the local field office for processing.

Informed them of my divorce, and they couldn’t have cared less!

tom169

Ah good, and you just got that appointment through calls to the misinformation line?

Rete

Where did you get an appointment? US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico or Miami?

I was under the impression that there was no set timeline for established for extensions. Glad your stamp in your passport and the extension letter both are for 18 months.

Which will be your local field office? As for your divorce, of course, they couldn't care less. They are not adjudicating your application.

notaclue

I had my appointment in St Thomas. The officer specifically mentioned that she would request the file from Potomac to the local field office for final processing, which took me by surprise as I would not have thought a local office could adjudicate....

I was the only appointment for the entire day, so they do appear to have the time to do these things.

Rete

One of two things can happen.

1. She requests the file and it jogs the service center that receives it that it is overdue and it is adjudicated at that point; or
2. It is requested and sent to St. Thomas and you get to visit the island again for your interview.