Case Processing
Request for initial evidence- i485
Hi family, my vawa got approved on 15th February 2024 after which my i485 was transferred to another office. Today I got an update that says “RFE or NOI by uscis). In the body of the update, it says “On April 3, 2024, we sent a request for initial evidence for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Receipt Number XXXXXXXXX. The request for evidence explains what we need from you. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the request for evidence….. can this be medical? And is there a difference between RFIE and RFE?
EMBASSY QUESTION
Si su solicitud de expedite en Santo Domingo ha sido aprobada o negada recientemente, ¿puede decirme cuánto tiempo tardaron en responder a su solicitud, por favor?
If your expedite request in Santo Domingo has been approved or rejected please tell me how long it took them to answer you and when was that!!
N-400. Interview experience. Miami Field Office
I had my N-400 interview today at the Miami, FL, field office.
I applied on the grounds of marriage with a U.S. citizen.
I passed my US naturalization interview. The civics test came first, very easy, but afterward, the interview turned “intense.”
The immigration officer was always nice and respectful. However, he meticulously scrutinized my immigration history, as well as my husband’s. Then he dived deep into our relationship, seemingly searching for any hint of past fraud. Interestingly, our previous interviews – for the marriage (I-485) and the removal of conditions – were smooth; the latter even had the interview waived, and I received the green card in the mail.
The officer focused on a period when we had to live apart for 11 months – me in Boston and him in Miami – during our third year of marriage while I was pursuing a research postdoc at Harvard. I had to demonstrate that our marital union remained intact throughout that period to be eligible based on marriage to a US citizen. I provided photos of his many trips to Boston, my visits to Miami, hundreds of minutes of phone call records, as well as joint financial and insurance documents with my Mass address and both our names on them to prove our continued commitment. Despite the officer’s scrutiny, I was well-prepared; I had studied the USCIS policy manual to anticipate questions about our marriage and this time apart.
He then said he would recommend approval and put me in line for Judicial Oath Ceremony schedule. (At a courthouse, given a name change request).
Lesson learned: It is not wise to assume that just because something was approved in the past, it will be approved “easily” now. The N-400 is the opportunity the government has to scrutinize your immigration history and take action retrospectively. Naturalization is the most significant immigration benefit that USCIS can give and will not be able to be revoked easily. Treat your N-400 interview as if you started from scratch.
it was a very long and weird process but I am so happy it is finally over!
got it the night before my birthday! keep your special dates in the look for the green cards
IR-1/CR-1
U.S. citizen filing for a spouse
Total Days: 693 days
Case
2022-05-11
2024-04-03
I-131
407 Days
I-130
678 Days
I-485
693 Days
National Benefits Center: I-131, I-130, I-485
Update on case
Filed 02/14/23. Got my EAD and approval for travel. Last week I get my local congressman involved. They contacted USCIS for me. My I-30 went from being actively reviewed as of March 30th to today being changed to we've mailed you a letter detailing the actions we intend to take. Now my stomach is in knots. I really hope this isn't a denial.
What’s going on? 😓😓
Are April & May applicants here? Are the stressful days over soon?
Others
Under HRIFA, Indochinese Adjustment Act, Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act, Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness, or NACARA
Total Days: 785 days
Case
2023-05-01
2025-06-24
I-765
686 Days
I-131
710 Days
I-130
779 Days
I-485
785 Days
National Benefits Center: I-765, I-131, I-130, I-485
