Case Processing
Do I need a lawyer for AOS due to prior name/father inconsistencies?
Posted on Reddit earlier but posting here to maybe find people in same station as me…
I’m adjusting status through marriage to a U.S. citizen and trying to decide whether I need an attorney or if I’m overthinking this. I’m on F1 visa.
Here’s the situation (using example names for clarity):
• I was born in 2002.
• My biological father passed away in 2008.
• My mother remarried in 2013.
• In 2015 (when I was 13), my surname was changed in school and passport records to my stepfather’s surname.
Example: Jane Doe (birth name) → Jane Smith (after mom married stepdad).
• My passport has listed my stepfather as my father since 2015.
• I learned last year that I was never formally or legally adopted.
Immigration history:
• F-1 visa approved in 2020.
• On DS-160, I used my passport name (Jane Smith in this example) and did not list my childhood surname (Jane Doe) under “other names used.” I completely forgot and filled this form out when I was 18. I had not used my birth last name since I was 13.
• During the F-1 interview, I clarified that he was my stepdad.
• OPT (2024) and STEM OPT (2025) were approved.
• On OPT/STEM filings, I listed my current legal name and disclosed my childhood surname under “other names used.”
• All U.S. systems (I-20, SEVIS, I-94, EAD, SSN, visa) reflect the same name (Jane Smith) consistently.
Now for AOS, I’m:
• Listing all prior names used.
• Listing my biological father.
• Submitting an affidavit and supporting documents (biological dads death certificate, my mom’s marriage certificate to stepdad, and school and government documents from 2015 to 2020 explaining the name and father history.)
My concern is whether i need a lawyer for this because there is a high risk of RFE OR NOID etc, even though:
• I had no prior U.S. history under that name,
• No criminal or immigration issues,
• No benefit gained from omitting it,
• And I later the name disclosed it in OPT/STEM filings (both approved).
Has anyone dealt with something similar?
Does this sound like something that realistically requires hiring an attorney, or does it fall into normal documentation complexity?
Also my husband and I have been living together since last year and have plenty of evidence so not concerned about that at all.
I’m really upset with my mom for creating this mess and it’s been difficult because it’s not in my control.
Thank you
Thank god 🙏🙏
130 for spouse
PD 02/02/2023
Update from FD2 to IR1 November 17 /2025
Contact Congress woman 01/07/2026
GOT REF for evidence 02/6/2026
Send evidence 02/11/2026
approval 02/11/26
####
IR-1/CR-1
U.S. citizen filing for a spouse
Total Days: 1107 days
Case
2023-02-02
Today
I-130
1107 Days
California Service Center: I-130
Beware of Spam Calls
Suspicious call from +1 (888) 673-6978 claiming to be DHS. I did not provide any info. She mentioned my University name and that I came in with student visa which I did not and I ended the call. I sent in Ar-11 at first and so I was initially afraid if that might have prompted the call. Also I don’t have a lawyer and thinking whether to add one at this stage even though I have multiple prima facies with no rfe. I know these kind of calls can be annoying and but let’s hold on with faith.
Submitted (Oct 14), receipt notice (Oct 16), biometric reused (Oct 24), spouse EAD approved (Oct 28), my EAD applied and approved (Nov 28 & Jan 16). Case approved for VD (today for both)!
USCIS refreshed our case first on Dec 23, closed our TPS on Dec 30, closed my OPT EAD on Jan 5, closed my spouse’s EAD on Jan 9, closed my EAD on Jan 16, refreshed our cases on Feb 11 pre and during office hours. Approved my first and my spouse’s sometime after an hour!
Can USCIS Approve an I-140 If the Applicant’s Country Is Under an Immigrant Visa Ban (temporary)?
Very important question to clarify some confusion.
If a country is temporarily banned from immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates, can a petitioner still obtain I-140 approval from USCIS?
In other words, does a consular immigrant visa restriction affect USCIS’s adjudication of the I-140 petition itself, or would USCIS still approve the I-140 while visa issuance is simply paused at the consular level?
I would really appreciate input from anyone who has experience or reliable information on this. Thank you.
stuck in home country and not allowed reetry from delhi
Hi, I have traveled to my home country with a valid travel parole but they have denied my re-entry from my home airport. I have traveled before 3 time but this is my 4th time. Yesterday I cleared my home country immigration and went to qatar but they sent me back saying contact uscis. Today I tried to booked another direct flight from my city but upon arriving they did not give me boarding pass saying my travel card is not valid, can you guys please help and share experience asap I really need help very badly. Please note I have No criminal record, valid combo card with advance parole but now I am stuck in my home country with no help as my attorney isn't responding well. I have been livinb in usa for 8 years and entered legally and no over staying.
#pleasehelp #vawa #denied-entry
VAWA I-360 Approved — Medical Request & Interview Timelin
Has anyone had an I-485 interview after their I-360 was approved?
How long did you wait for a medical request after your I-360 approval? (I filed my I-360 and I-485 together 4 years ago.)
How long after USCIS received your medical exam did they schedule an interview? Did anyone receive their green card by mail without an interview?
If you had an interview, what kind of questions did they ask? Did they ask anything about the abuse?
Based on a pending I-485 application
Total Days: 1386 days
Case
2022-04-22
2026-02-06
I-131
115 Days
I-360
1386 Days
Vermont Service Center: I-131, I-360
DMV Cancellation of REAL ID
I recently received an email from the DMV stating that my REAL ID driver’s license would be canceled. I went to the DMV office today to update my documents; however, my green card has already expired, and I only have the extension letter from my filed Removal of Conditions. As a result, they canceled my REAL ID and issued me an AB-16 license instead. I would like to know if you’ve had a similar experience or how this was handled in your case.
