AOS for Same-Sex married couple

[MtnDew]

Congratulations!
When did you apply? Priority date?

Here,

12/23/16 - Priority Date
12/21/16 - Packet sent to Chicago
12/23/16 - Packet received as per FedEx
01/11/17 - Received Notification of Acceptance - Text & Email
01/21/17 - Received I-797C for I-485, I-130, I-131 and I-765
01/27/17 - Received I-797C for Biometrics Schedule
02/08/17 - Biometrics Done
03/24/17 - Made a Service Request
03/29/17 - "EAD" Card is Being Produced
04/04/17 - Received Mail, Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Approved
04/05/17 - Card Was Mailed to Me

[Sergio Lavalle Ruiz]

AOS i-130, i-485, i-485-A and a i-765 under 245I

Hi Folks, want to share our experience and timeline. Hope similar applicants can share theirs. Same-Sex couple here in Los Angeles, married in 2013. One is a U.S. Citizen and the other entered with without inspection in 1990 but has an application for labor certification filed with the Department of Labor before April 30, 2001.

We filed on January 3rd 2017 thru a lawyer a i-130, i-485, i-485-A and a i-765.

01/03/2017: Mailed i130, i485/i485a and i765 to National Benefits Center
01/25/2017: Got in the mail 3 receipt letters (From i-797c) for all applications, priority date 01/17/2017
02/02/2017: Got in the mail biometric appointment letter, scheduled for 02/13/2017
02/13/2017: Took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped.
04/20/2017: Got email notice from USCIS - "Request for Initial Evidence" mailed on 04/20/2017, now waiting to get hardcopy to see what they are requesting.

[thebe]

Hi Folks, want to share our experience and timeline. Hope similar applicants can share theirs. Same-Sex couple here in Los Angeles, married in 2013. One is a U.S. Citizen and the other entered with without inspection in 1990 but has an application for labor certification filed with the Department of Labor before April 30, 2001.

We filed on January 3rd 2017 thru a lawyer a i-130, i-485, i-485-A and a i-765.

01/03/2017: Mailed i130, i485/i485a and i765 to National Benefits Center
01/25/2017: Got in the mail 3 receipt letters (From i-797c) for all applications, priority date 01/17/2017
02/02/2017: Got in the mail biometric appointment letter, scheduled for 02/13/2017
02/13/2017: Took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped.
04/20/2017: Got email notice from USCIS - "Request for Initial Evidence" mailed on 04/20/2017, now waiting to get hardcopy to see what they are requesting.

Wish good luck!

[VinozzZ]

Hi Folks, want to share our experience and timeline. Hope similar applicants can share theirs. Same-Sex couple here in Los Angeles, married in 2013. One is a U.S. Citizen and the other entered with without inspection in 1990 but has an application for labor certification filed with the Department of Labor before April 30, 2001.

We filed on January 3rd 2017 thru a lawyer a i-130, i-485, i-485-A and a i-765.

01/03/2017: Mailed i130, i485/i485a and i765 to National Benefits Center
01/25/2017: Got in the mail 3 receipt letters (From i-797c) for all applications, priority date 01/17/2017
02/02/2017: Got in the mail biometric appointment letter, scheduled for 02/13/2017
02/13/2017: Took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped.
04/20/2017: Got email notice from USCIS - "Request for Initial Evidence" mailed on 04/20/2017, now waiting to get hardcopy to see what they are requesting.

Have you got your EAD yet? my PD is 1/13/17, but I haven't heard from them since my fingerprint and my I485 is still fingerprint fee received since 2/14

[thebe]

Got AOS approved

Hello Friends,

I originally initiated this thread. I got a lot of support from you guys. Now,
I would like to share a good news with you.

My AOS interview was very smooth. The Immigration officer was super friendly. I wouldn't expect anymore friendlier. We talked for 30-35 minutes. He didn't ask even a single tricky question. All he did just went through the documents that we submitted initially with the applicaiton. We had a very friendly conversation. At the end he gave us positive hint.
Next morning I received the notification that my GC is in production.

Here is the timeline:

January 18th, 2017 : Application sent
January 26th, 2017: PD
Feb 15th, 2017: Biometric
April 27th, 2017: Received EAD
End of June 2017: Interview, and approval notice the next day.

Wish you all good luck and a happy life.

[Sergio Lavalle Ruiz]

UPDATE on i-130, i-485, i-485-A and a i-765.

Hi Folks, here is an update on our case, just want to share our experience and timeline. Hope similar applicants can share theirs. Same-Sex couple here in Los Angeles, married in 2013. One is a U.S. Citizen and the other entered with without inspection in 1990 but has an application for labor certification filed with the Department of Labor before April 30, 2001.

UPDATED TIMELINE

01/10/2017: Mailed i130, i485/i485a and i765 to National Benefits Center
01/25/2017: Got in the mail 3 receipt letters (From i-797c) for all applications, priority date 01/17/2017
02/02/2017: Got in the mail biometric appointment letter, scheduled for 02/13/2017
02/13/2017: Took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped.
04/20/2017: Got email notice from USCIS - "Request for Initial Evidence" mailed on 04/20/2017
04/25/2017: Got RIF, asking for payment/fee for I485-A application.
04/28/2017: Responded to RIF, mailed proof of payment for I485-A
05/10/2017: Got email notice that they received RIF response
05/26/2017: Got notice of I765 approval
06/01/2017: Got EAD
06/05/2017: Got notice for i485 Interview, scheduled for July 12th
07/12/2017: Went to interview @ Los Angeles, Downtown Office.

Our interview went well, it was short and we had everything that they asked for. The Immigration Officer even commented "Wow, you are making this easy for me". We had photocopies of everything neatly organized. HOWEVER, we were disappointed that we didn't get on-the-spot approval. The officer gave us a letter, "Notice of Interview Results" stating "Your case is being held for review. At this time, USCIS does not require any further information or documents from you. Should further information or documents be required, you will receive a native in the mail. We may also schedule you for another interview, you will receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise, a final decision will be mailed once your case is complete."

Now comes the hopefully not too long wait. We asked the officer how long does he think it will take... he said about "two weeks". However, the letter does say that it maybe up to 120 days until a decision is made.

- - - Updated - - -

Have you got your EAD yet? my PD is 1/13/17, but I haven't heard from them since my fingerprint and my I485 is still fingerprint fee received since 2/14

@VinozzZ, my spouse got his EAD on 05/26/2017.

[kayleigh]

Hi Folks, here is an update on our case, just want to share our experience and timeline. Hope similar applicants can share theirs. Same-Sex couple here in Los Angeles, married in 2013. One is a U.S. Citizen and the other entered with without inspection in 1990 but has an application for labor certification filed with the Department of Labor before April 30, 2001.

UPDATED TIMELINE

01/10/2017: Mailed i130, i485/i485a and i765 to National Benefits Center
01/25/2017: Got in the mail 3 receipt letters (From i-797c) for all applications, priority date 01/17/2017
02/02/2017: Got in the mail biometric appointment letter, scheduled for 02/13/2017
02/13/2017: Took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped.
04/20/2017: Got email notice from USCIS - "Request for Initial Evidence" mailed on 04/20/2017
04/25/2017: Got RIF, asking for payment/fee for I485-A application.
04/28/2017: Responded to RIF, mailed proof of payment for I485-A
05/10/2017: Got email notice that they received RIF response
05/26/2017: Got notice of I765 approval
06/01/2017: Got EAD
06/05/2017: Got notice for i485 Interview, scheduled for July 12th
07/12/2017: Went to interview @ Los Angeles, Downtown Office.

Our interview went well, it was short and we had everything that they asked for. The Immigration Officer even commented "Wow, you are making this easy for me". We had photocopies of everything neatly organized. HOWEVER, we were disappointed that we didn't get on-the-spot approval. The officer gave us a letter, "Notice of Interview Results" stating "Your case is being held for review. At this time, USCIS does not require any further information or documents from you. Should further information or documents be required, you will receive a native in the mail. We may also schedule you for another interview, you will receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise, a final decision will be mailed once your case is complete."

Now comes the hopefully not too long wait. We asked the officer how long does he think it will take... he said about "two weeks". However, the letter does say that it maybe up to 120 days until a decision is made.

- - - Updated - - -



@VinozzZ, my spouse got his EAD on 05/26/2017.

Congratulations!!! The hardest part is over and I hope you'll get the approval quickly. Do you mind sharing the questions that were asked during the interview and the documents that they asked for? My interview is scheduled 2 weeks from now at Downtown Los Angeles also. Same sex couple as well. Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

Hello Friends,

I originally initiated this thread. I got a lot of support from you guys. Now,
I would like to share a good news with you.

My AOS interview was very smooth. The Immigration officer was super friendly. I wouldn't expect anymore friendlier. We talked for 30-35 minutes. He didn't ask even a single tricky question. All he did just went through the documents that we submitted initially with the applicaiton. We had a very friendly conversation. At the end he gave us positive hint.
Next morning I received the notification that my GC is in production.

Here is the timeline:

January 18th, 2017 : Application sent
January 26th, 2017: PD
Feb 15th, 2017: Biometric
April 27th, 2017: Received EAD
End of June 2017: Interview, and approval notice the next day.

Wish you all good luck and a happy life.

Congratulations! So happy for you. Thanks for initiating this thread.

[thebe]

Interview Questions

Congratulations!!! The hardest part is over and I hope you'll get the approval quickly. Do you mind sharing the questions that were asked during the interview and the documents that they asked for? My interview is scheduled 2 weeks from now at Downtown Los Angeles also. Same sex couple as well. Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -



Congratulations! So happy for you. Thanks for initiating this thread.

Thank you very much!

The Immigration officer (IO) asked me and my husband very similar questions, eventhough, we both were sitting in front of him.
IO asked me his Full name, Date of Birth, Birth place, His parents names, If I Met his family ( my answer was yes over Facetime to few of the family members).
And then the IO asked my husband same questions about me.

It was a very friendly setting. The IO also asked both of us how and when we met, I guess that's all. Then IO went through the papers we initially submitted with our aplications. Didn't ask for anything else from us. But We handed him over our new joint TAX retrun (copy).
We don't take photos often. We hardly had any photos together except few selfies. No photos in a social gathering. But we showed him few of the slefy.
I just wanted to share my experience hoping if it helps you guys or girls a bit.
I was really benefited, encouraged for my visa journey.
Wish all of you good luck.

[steadygaze]

Thank you for sharing. Extremely helpful!

Thank you very much!

The Immigration officer (IO) asked me and my husband very similar questions, eventhough, we both were sitting in front of him.
IO asked me his Full name, Date of Birth, Birth place, His parents names, If I Met his family ( my answer was yes over Facetime to few of the family members).
And then the IO asked my husband same questions about me.

It was a very friendly setting. The IO also asked both of us how and when we met, I guess that's all. Then IO went through the papers we initially submitted with our aplications. Didn't ask for anything else from us. But We handed him over our new joint TAX retrun (copy).
We don't take photos often. We hardly had any photos together except few selfies. No photos in a social gathering. But we showed him few of the slefy.
I just wanted to share my experience hoping if it helps you guys or girls a bit.
I was really benefited, encouraged for my visa journey.
Wish all of you good luck.

[InLA]

APPROVED I-130, I-148/I-148A and I-765 (Final Post)

Hi Folks,

I'm happy to report and share that my spouse got his I-148 approved and received his Green Card! I'm here to thank everyone who shared their experiences this forum. The posts have helped to keep our sanity and fears in check during this long process. So here is my final post with our experiences from start to finish. I hope that it helps you as other postings have helped us.

BACKGROUND

We are a same-sex married couple based Los Angeles, CA. We've been a couple since 1999, started living together in the early 2000's and married in 2013 when same-sex marriage was legalized. I'm a US Citizen, and my spouse is a Mexican national that came to the US without inspection in 1990.

We applied for Adjust of Status (AOS) based on 1) our marriage and 2) 1990's labor certification petition to qualify for AOS under the 245i/LIFE Act (see link below for more information on LIFE Act)

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/pressrelease/Section245ProvisionLIFEAct_032301.pdf

We hired a lawyer. We consulted with more than one lawyer to see if we had a strong case before filing. We went on to hire the lawyer we felt was best to process and submit all applications; and to attend the subsequent I-485 interview with us. We hired Meredith Brown based in Glendale, CA.

TIMELINE (complete)

01/10/2017: All applications (I130, I485/I485a, and I765) mailed to National Benefits Center.
01/25/2017: We received three receipt letters (i-797c) by postal mail to all the requests, Priority Date 01/17/2017
01/25/2017: Sign up for email and text status alerts via USCIS website
02/02/2017: We received biometric appointment letter by postal mail, scheduled for 02/13/2017. We got no email/text alert before receiving the appointment letter.
02/13/2017: Spouse took biometrics @ Application Support Center / USCIS Wilshire, got appointment letter stamped. We got no email/text alert after biometrics appointment.
04/20/2017: Got email/text alert notice from USCIS that a "Request for Initial Evidence" (RIE) was mailed on 04/20/2017
04/24/2017: Received RIE letter by postal mail asking for payment/fee or proof of payment for I485-A application.
04/28/2017: Responded to RIE, mailed proof of payment for I485-A
05/10/2017: Received email/text notice that they received RIE response and that they started working on the case again. We got no notice/letter via postal mail
05/26/2017: Received email/text notice about our I-765 application: "Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production. On May 26, 2017, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxx"
05/31/2017: Received email/text notice about our I-175 application: "Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production. On May 31, 2017, we mailed your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxx, to the address you gave us."
06/02/2017: We received an approval letter for our I-765/Employment Authorization application by postal mail.
06/03/2017: We received the actual Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card via postal priority mail.
06/07/2017: We received email/text notice about our I-485 application: "Your Case Status: Testing and Interview. On June 7, 2017, we scheduled you for your interview and mailed you an interview notice for Receipt Number MSC1xxxxxxxxx. Your interview is on July 12, 2017."
06/12/2017: Received I-485 appointment letter for interview, scheduled for July 12th
07/12/2017: Attended in person the interview @ Los Angeles, Downtown Office.
07/31/2017: We received email/text notice about our I-485 application: "Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production. On July 31, 2017, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxxxx and will mail it to the address you gave us."
08/04/2017: We received email/text notice about our I-485 application: "Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production. On August 4, 2017, we mailed your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxxx, to the address you gave us."
08/04/2017: WE RECEIVED APPROVAL LETTERS FOR I-130 AND I-485 BY POSTAL MAIL!
08/07/2017: WE GOT THE GREEN CARD!!!!!!!!

I-485/I-485A AND 245(i)/LIFE ACT

During the mid-1990's my spouse was petitioned by his then employer for an I-140 labor petition/certification. The company closed and subsequently, he lost the all files/paper related to the labor certification. Fast-forward to 2013, same-sex marriage is now legal, and we got married. We started to look and eventually found proof that a he was a beneficiary of a labor certification thru the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The EDD letter stated that a labor certification was indeed filed and that my spouse was the beneficiary and it also gave the priority date.

To be "grandfathered" and to AOS via 245i/LIFE Act we submitted: 1) a letter from the CA EDD, 2) two letters, one from a former employer and another from a coworker/supervisor, testifying he had skills related to the then labor certification, and 3) a paycheck stub from December 2001 as proof he was in the US at the time the LIFE Act took effect.

I-130/I-485 INTERVIEW

We had our interview on July 12th, 2017 at the Los Angeles downtown USCIS office. Our interview went well, it was short, and we had everything that they asked for. The Immigration Officer even commented, "Wow, you are making this easy for me." We had photocopies of everything neatly organized. It included basic stuff like lease agreement, health insurance, renters insurance, joint bank statements, utility bills, joint income tax returns from 2013 thru 2016, photos, marriage certificate, etc.

Almost all the questions were directed to my spouse, the beneficiary: "When did you meet?", "How long did you date?", "When did you arrive in the US?", and a lot of yes/no questions... all very basic questions and no trick questions at all. I was asked mostly yes/no questions and one "When did you get married?".

We didn't get on-the-spot approval. The officer gave us a letter, "Notice of Interview Results" stating "Your case is being held for review. At this time, USCIS does not require any further information or documents from you. Should further information or documents be required, you will receive a native in the mail. We may also schedule you for another interview; you will receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise, a final decision will be mailed once your case is complete."

EAD / GREEN CARD TRACKING

Both EAD and Green Card was delivered via priority mail. However, USCIS does not provide a tracking number. We were able to track the delivery of these documents by going to USPS website and setting up an alert/notification for any and all documents or packages sent to your home address via priority mail. Very useful to remove any guessing on when the green car will arrive.

[steadygaze]

Thank you for sharing! Extremely helpful! Good luck moving forward!

[Hope*N]

Good luck ~