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Hello.
I just sent in my application today (Yay!!!), however, I realized I still have few questions, and would like to be prepared in case of RFEs.
Also, while assembling the packet, I realized there aren't all that many examples on how to do this, so I though I'd share mine, and hopefully this will help someone out.
So, my situation is as follows. I arrived to the US on F-1 visa; visa expired in August 2012; in September of 2012 I was detained by immigration while trying to fly out of McCallen, TX (i know, stupid), however, I was released 2 days later without any documents, notices to appear before a judge, or anything of the sort (I think my, at the time, boyfriend's family and the fact that they are all from there and know everyone, is what led to my release, but can't be sure, as no-one will admit to anything); in December 2012 married the said boyfriend; in March 2016 we had our first baby boy, which brings us to today; filing day.
My questions are:
1. Since I've been out of status for this long, did I need to fill out anything other than the standard packet (described below)?
2. Since I've been detained, is there anything extra I needed to send in (on the form I ended up saying "Never been in immigration proceedings"), even though absolutely nothing ever came of it?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
And now for the assembly "instructions"
I ended up assembling 4 separate folders, with a "main cover sheet" on top of them. Each folder had its separate cover sheet, describing the contents, attached to the front of it. Inside the left pocket of the folders were all of the Form (i.e. G-1145, I-130, G325A's), as well as passport photos, if required. Inside the right pocket were all of the supporting documents for the corresponding forms. The cover sheets are below.
Hopefully this helps someone! Let me know if you think I'm missing anything.
USCIS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL
60603-5517
09/21/2016
Petitioner (U.S. Citizen): (first and last name)
Beneficiary (Alien Spouse): (first and last name)
Dear Sir/ Madam:
Please kindly find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), I-131 (Application for Travel Document).
CONTENTS INCLUDE:
1. FOLDER #1
A. Cover page
B. Check in the amount of $420
C. Forms
i. G-1145, I-130, G-325A’s
D. Supporting Documents
2. FOLDER #2
A. Cover Page
B. Check in the amount of $1,070
C. Forms
i. G-1145, I-485, G-325A
D. Supporting Documents
3. FOLDER #3
A. Cover page
B. Forms
i. I-864, I-765
C. Supporting Documents
4. FOLDER #4
A. Cover page
B. Forms
i. I-131, I-693 (unopened)
C. Supporting Documents
FOLDER #1
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Cashier’s check in the amount of $420
B. Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/ Petition Acceptance
C. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
D. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Petitioner
i. Passport-type photos for Petitioner; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; name printed on the back
E. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Beneficiary
i. Passport-type photos for Beneficiary; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; name printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Birth Certificate for Petitioner
B. Copy of passport’s Biographical Page for Petitioner
C. Copy of Driver’s License for Petitioner
D. Copy of Birth Certificate for Beneficiary
E. Copy of Birth Certificate Translation for Beneficiary
F. Copy of passport’s Biographical Page for Beneficiary
G. Copy of F-1 Visa passport page for Beneficiary
H. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
I. Prove of Bona Fide Marriage
i. Joint bank account statement
ii. Official Deposit Account Balance Summary (showing joint account)
iii. Current joint lease agreement
iv. Copy of Birth Certificate for our son
v. Arrangement of photographs, with event and dates stated on the back
FOLDER #2
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Cashier’s check in the amount of $1,070
B. Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/ Petition Acceptance
C. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status
D. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Applicant
i. Passport-type photos applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographic page; Copy of Applicant’s F-1 Visa page
B. Copy of CBP most recent I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
C. Copy of CBP travel history I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
D. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
E. Copy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate
F. Copy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate Translation
G. Copy of Applicant’s Social Security Card
FOLDER #3
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
B. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
i. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographical page
ii. Passport-type photos for Applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2013
B. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2014
C. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2015
D. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2013
E. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2014
F. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2015
FOLDER #4
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
i. Passport-type photos for Applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
B. Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (unopened)
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographic page
B. Copy of Applicant’s F-1 Visa page
C. Copy of CBP most recent I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
Thanks for reading!
I just sent in my application today (Yay!!!), however, I realized I still have few questions, and would like to be prepared in case of RFEs.
Also, while assembling the packet, I realized there aren't all that many examples on how to do this, so I though I'd share mine, and hopefully this will help someone out.
So, my situation is as follows. I arrived to the US on F-1 visa; visa expired in August 2012; in September of 2012 I was detained by immigration while trying to fly out of McCallen, TX (i know, stupid), however, I was released 2 days later without any documents, notices to appear before a judge, or anything of the sort (I think my, at the time, boyfriend's family and the fact that they are all from there and know everyone, is what led to my release, but can't be sure, as no-one will admit to anything); in December 2012 married the said boyfriend; in March 2016 we had our first baby boy, which brings us to today; filing day.
My questions are:
1. Since I've been out of status for this long, did I need to fill out anything other than the standard packet (described below)?
2. Since I've been detained, is there anything extra I needed to send in (on the form I ended up saying "Never been in immigration proceedings"), even though absolutely nothing ever came of it?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
And now for the assembly "instructions"
I ended up assembling 4 separate folders, with a "main cover sheet" on top of them. Each folder had its separate cover sheet, describing the contents, attached to the front of it. Inside the left pocket of the folders were all of the Form (i.e. G-1145, I-130, G325A's), as well as passport photos, if required. Inside the right pocket were all of the supporting documents for the corresponding forms. The cover sheets are below.
Hopefully this helps someone! Let me know if you think I'm missing anything.
USCIS
131 South Dearborn – 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL
60603-5517
09/21/2016
Petitioner (U.S. Citizen): (first and last name)
Beneficiary (Alien Spouse): (first and last name)
Dear Sir/ Madam:
Please kindly find enclosed concurrent filing of forms: I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), I-131 (Application for Travel Document).
CONTENTS INCLUDE:
1. FOLDER #1
A. Cover page
B. Check in the amount of $420
C. Forms
i. G-1145, I-130, G-325A’s
D. Supporting Documents
2. FOLDER #2
A. Cover Page
B. Check in the amount of $1,070
C. Forms
i. G-1145, I-485, G-325A
D. Supporting Documents
3. FOLDER #3
A. Cover page
B. Forms
i. I-864, I-765
C. Supporting Documents
4. FOLDER #4
A. Cover page
B. Forms
i. I-131, I-693 (unopened)
C. Supporting Documents
FOLDER #1
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Cashier’s check in the amount of $420
B. Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/ Petition Acceptance
C. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
D. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Petitioner
i. Passport-type photos for Petitioner; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; name printed on the back
E. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Beneficiary
i. Passport-type photos for Beneficiary; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; name printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Birth Certificate for Petitioner
B. Copy of passport’s Biographical Page for Petitioner
C. Copy of Driver’s License for Petitioner
D. Copy of Birth Certificate for Beneficiary
E. Copy of Birth Certificate Translation for Beneficiary
F. Copy of passport’s Biographical Page for Beneficiary
G. Copy of F-1 Visa passport page for Beneficiary
H. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
I. Prove of Bona Fide Marriage
i. Joint bank account statement
ii. Official Deposit Account Balance Summary (showing joint account)
iii. Current joint lease agreement
iv. Copy of Birth Certificate for our son
v. Arrangement of photographs, with event and dates stated on the back
FOLDER #2
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Cashier’s check in the amount of $1,070
B. Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/ Petition Acceptance
C. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status
D. Form G-325A, Biographic Information for Applicant
i. Passport-type photos applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographic page; Copy of Applicant’s F-1 Visa page
B. Copy of CBP most recent I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
C. Copy of CBP travel history I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
D. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
E. Copy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate
F. Copy of Applicant’s Birth Certificate Translation
G. Copy of Applicant’s Social Security Card
FOLDER #3
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
B. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
i. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographical page
ii. Passport-type photos for Applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2013
B. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2014
C. Copy of Sponsor’s Federal Tax Return for year 2015
D. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2013
E. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2014
F. Copy of Sponsor’s W2’s for year 2015
FOLDER #4
1. LEFT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: FORMS
A. Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
i. Passport-type photos for Applicant; in a plastic bag, attached to a paper; names printed on the back
B. Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (unopened)
2. RIGHT POCKET OF THE FOLDER: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
A. Copy of Applicant’s passport’s Biographic page
B. Copy of Applicant’s F-1 Visa page
C. Copy of CBP most recent I-94 Retrieval Print-Out
Thanks for reading!
