How should i handle from here on out?

[SFNJ]

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to be prepared on how to handle the upcoming process of my adjustment of status, so I wanna start with a history of how I got to the current situation. I hope this question will not only answer my questions but also the questions of anyone else who might be in a similar situation. So here goes...

I first came to the US in 1990 because both my parents work for the United Nations in NY. After going through High School and college I graduated in the year 2000. After graduating I had a hell of a time finding a job but I finally landed one as an entry level analyst for a fortune 500 firm. I was able to get in because at that time I had my OPT auth because I had switched my Visa from a G type Visa to a Student Visa in the last 1990’s. Do not forget that my G Visa did not allow me to work but I was able to because my social security card was not stamped”not valid for employment” so I was able to produce that and my drivers license and be employed….pretty much at Mc Donald’s during my college years.

My OPT expired in September of 2001 and I was not able to get my company to sponsor me for an H1. I still did not stop working because of the nature of my social security card. So all in all within the last 5 years I have been able to go from being an entry level financial analyst to the manager of finance and I earn a pretty decent living now. About a year and a half ago I met my wife (U.S Citizen) and we decided to have a civil ceremony (actual wedding in March 07) in June to adjust my status. USCIS received my application on Aug 21st and as of yesterday (Sep 5th) I have an appointment on the 14th of September for my biometrics.

Here are my questions.

1) This in my opinion (not that I have any experience) was pretty fast for me to have my biometrics already considering that I’m dealing with a governmental organization… Is this normal or does it usually take longer for biometrics?
2) My driver’s license expires at the end of Oct and I decided to go get it renewed with the appointment letter (797 C) but the guy tells me this is different from the state required form 797… I want to make sure this is true before I go to a diff DMV office.
3) When my papers were getting filled out my lawyer told me to only list my occupation during my OPT… I have worked for 5 years while being out of status. Will this complicate my green card process? What if during the interviewer asks me how I sustained myself after my OPT? Would kinda seem ridiculous to tell him/her that I have been under my parents since… with the fact that I’m 32 now. The lawyers answer was that my wife who makes about the same money (approx 100K a yr) as me would be suffice.
4) What’s an appox. timeframe we should expect as far as the interview is concerned.

Thanks for taking your time to read… any feedback would be appreciated
Cheers
S

[bbreeze]

you do not get many responses, so I will share my Exp.

1) This in my opinion (not that I have any experience) was pretty fast for me to have my biometrics already considering that I’m dealing with a governmental organization… Is this normal or does it usually take longer for biometrics?

I am glad to hear you got that so quickly, We are waiting for ours

2) My driver’s license expires at the end of Oct and I decided to go get it renewed with the appointment letter (797 C) but the guy tells me this is different from the state required form 797… I want to make sure this is true before I go to a diff DMV office.

I am embroiled in a debate with the DMV, but the I797C is only an acknowledgement, the I797A is a notice of action and that is what they need.

3) When my papers were getting filled out my lawyer told me to only list my occupation during my OPT… I have worked for 5 years while being out of status. Will this complicate my green card process? What if during the interviewer asks me how I sustained myself after my OPT? Would kinda seem ridiculous to tell him/her that I have been under my parents since… with the fact that I’m 32 now. The lawyers answer was that my wife who makes about the same money (approx 100K a yr) as me would be suffice.

I assume you filed a I485, technically, your wife should fill out an affidavit of support, They will catch you if you lie, but they screwed up and gave you the wrong SSN card. Not really sure how that turns out. I would avoid the subject if you can. Do not lie, that is the best way to get deported.

4) What’s an appox. timeframe we should expect as far as the interview is concerned.

When you find out, please let me know. We need one as well.

Thanks for taking your time to read… any feedback would be appreciated
Cheers
S[/QUOTE]

[SFNJ]

Hey BBreeze,

Thanks for the Info!! went for fingerprinting today and went seamlessly. all my applications have a MSC as part of the code. I went for the biometrics in Newark NJ... does MSC stand for Newark or is the app being processed somewhere else?

BTW.. are you still wiating for biometrics or the interview? where and under what assumption did you file? also when did you file?

[bbreeze]

Hey BBreeze,

Thanks for the Info!! went for fingerprinting today and went seamlessly. all my applications have a MSC as part of the code. I went for the biometrics in Newark NJ... does MSC stand for Newark or is the app being processed somewhere else?

BTW.. are you still wiating for biometrics or the interview? where and under what assumption did you file? also when did you file?

My wife is going in for Biometrics today. She entered on a k1 visa on August 8,2005, we got married on August 27, 2005 and have been dealing with red tape ever since. Bringing her in on the visa waiver program and getting married would of been alot cheaper and less hassle. We have had to subemit everything twice. The good new is that i have been speaking to a Congressman who is willing to change legislation to make the Fiance/Marriage visa proccess more resonable.We finally recieved a official reciept in August 2006. Hopefully, since we went through backgrounds on the K1, this should be a matter of processing the paperwork. We will see.

[alunel]

Hello,
Answers:
1. I don't have too much experience, but I can tell you how it was in my case. USCIS received my applications in sept 4th, and my appointment for fingerprints in sept 22nd. I went to Hartford, CT, everything went fast and smooth; I was in and out in 30 min
2. I guess I was lucky and I just got a new license, all they needed was: ID (passport), SS card, any proof of address (bank statement, checkbook, etc).
3. Tell the truth about working all this time, anyway then can see where you worked before;
4. I am still waiting for the interview appointment
MSC- Missouri Service Center
Good luck