Form I-130 for Sister of USC

Nov. 15, 2013- This day, I send my I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative- siblings of USC) packet application to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox for my married sister.

I have included the following supporting documents in the  Package:

* Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
*Filled and Signed Form I-130  (Me)
*Personal check of $420- processing fee for I-130
*Copy of Petitioner's US Passport (Me)
*Copy of Petitioner's Naturalization Certificate
*Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate- evidence that shows petitioner and sister have one common Mother/parents
*Copy of Petitioner's Marriage Certificate- Proof of legal name changed

*Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate- (sister)
*Copy of Beneficiary's Marriage Certificate- proof of legal name changed


In my country, the visa availability for Siblings of US Citizen is two decades unless something change on the US Immigration process along the way.

Update:
Nov.22, 2013- I received an email and text notification from USCIS informing me that they have received my I-130 Petition for my sister.

Citizenship and Updating Immigration Status at Social Security Administration (SSA)

As you may know or may not know,  I came here on Fiancé Visa or K1. After I got married, I applied for SSN and AOS. I was issued an SSN #  but with a note on the card that says "FOR DHS AUTHORIZATION ONLY". It just means, that without EAD or Green Card, I won't be allowed to work. So, back in 2006, few months after I got married,  I applied for Employment Authorization together with my Adjustment of Status. It didn't take me long to  get the EAD card in the mail . When I got hired, my employer  asked me for my EAD and SSN card.  A month or two, I got the 2 yr. conditional GC, so I gave my current employer a copy of my GC to update my status. Ninety days before my 2 yr. GC expired we filed for the removal of my conditional status. Me and my husband were interviewed together at our local USCIS. After the interview, I was approved and was given a I-551 card for 1 yr extension of my permanent residency while waiting for the actual 10yr GC in the mail.  For some reason, there was a delay of the issuance of my GC. I think because, we moved to a new place and we had to changed our address. So, instead of waiting, I applied for Naturalization. because by that time I was already qualified for file for N400 based on the 3 yr. permanent residency rule, married to the same US citizen spouse. I made a copy of my 2yr GC and the 1 yr. extension card and mailed it together with my N400 application plus some civil documents that were required in filing. Less than a year from filing, I had an interview and passed it. Jan2010, I took an oath and became a United States Citizen.
Right after the oath taking, there were voters registration outside available for us that day whomever wants to register to vote which I did.

After all these years, I did not update my SSN status until today, Nov.8, 2013. The reason of the delay is because I did not change employer where they never ask me again my SSN card. Anyway, we went to the Social Security Administration Office today, 11/8/13  and updated the status of my immigration. I downloaded a form from SSA website and filled it out with my information and brought it to their office with my naturalization certificate and US passport. It only took them 10minutes to update in their system . After that, I was given a receipt showing the date of my visit and I should have my new card  with no restriction on it ( but same #)  in about 2 weeks.

UPDATE: Nov. 15, 2013- I got my new Social Security Card today with no restriction written.

VISA ON HAND (F2a)

Nov. 4, 2013, my brother picked-up the visa packet at 2GO Gaisano Branch, Davao City. His interview was on Oct 29th, and the visa was issued the next day (oct 30). But because of the weekend and the  observance of All Souls day and All Saints day in the Philippines, it wasn't delivered on time. The visa was available for picked-up at 2GO branch after 4 business days from the date it was issued.

VISA ISSUED- CEAC Status

Less than 24 hrs from the interview, we checked the status of my brother's visa application at the CEAC website and to our surprised it's now say ISSUED, very quick indeed. We are expecting to have the visa delivered by 2GO this week.

F2a, unmarried child of LPR under 21yrs old- Interview Done-APPROVED

Oct 29, 2013 at 6:30am, was my brother's immigrant  Visa Interview at the US Embassy in Manila. Approximately 21months from his priority date of Jan 20, 2012. According to him, there were already a lot of people in-line outside the embassy when he got there at 4:30am.  His interview was done at 11:00am. He was interviewed by a Filipino consul first which asked him more questions than the American CO. The final interview was with the American CO, which only took about 1 minute as he speak.
Questions were:
His name & Date of Birth
Name & Date of Birth of the Petitioner
What does she does for living? (petitioner)- Mom is unemployed
American CO asked him who is ( Me, and my Husband)?.. We are the co-sponsors and his sister and bro-in law.
Job/s of co-sponsors
What date/year , mom immigrated to the US?
He was also asked, on what year I (co-sponsor) came to the US.


At the Filipino CO, he was asked to provide his baptismal certificate. We did not expect them to ask for one but we're glad my brother had it with him during the interview. The Embassy returned back all the photographs and some of the original documents that we submitted at the NVC, like, co-sponsors marriage and birth certificates.
After the interview, he was told by the American CO, that his visa is APPROVED. He also seen the consul stamped APPROVED after the interview. He was instructed to proceed to 2GO, the visa courier for final steps. 

3 weeks before his interview I sent a duplicate copy of all the paper works/documents that I've sent to NVC to my brother. He wasn't asked any of those. Contrary to what others say, that the US Embassy in Manila might asked for the new DS260 Form, my brother wasn't ask to provide the new Online Immigrant Application form, this is because he already submitted the old DS230 Form prior to the implementation of DS260, which was before Sept 1. 2013.

PRIORITY DATE- JAN 20,2012
DATE OF APPROVAL- JUNE 11,2013
CASE COMPLETE- SEPT 6,2013
Interview letter received- Oct 15,2013 (expedite approved)
Interview Date- Oct 29, 2013

Medical Done in 1 Day @ SLEC

Oct 17 & 18 was my brother's scheduled  medical exam at St. Lukes  Extention Clinic (SLEC) . A day before his scheduled medical, he made an appointment by registering online  at the SLEC website and printed out the appointment confirmation. He made photocopies of the SLEC appointment letter and took it with him including 3 (2x2) id pictures with white background, 2 photocopies of his passport(biographic page), medical fee of  $223 . Fees must be paid in Philippine pesos at a current prevailing rate.

 But, that online registration  does not guarantee him or any applicants for  fast service because it's a first come, first serve basis. So, whoever gets there early, will be served first.

According to SLEC website, EACH APPLICANT/IMMIGRANT  MUST PRESENT THE FOLLOWING:
1. Valid passport
2. Photocopy of Passport Biographic/Data Page, the page in the passport that contains the applicant's photo and information. The photocopy should be the same size as the original, not enlarged or reduced.
3. 3 pieces recent 2x2 visa photos (2 for submission to the U.S. Embassy, 1 for clinic file)
   
   The US Embassy requires you to bring the 2x2 photos for your visa issuance. SLEC, regret not to release the medical report until such time that the applicant can provide this requirement.
4. Visa Interview Appointment letter from the Embassy or Instruction letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), if available,
5. 2 photocopies of your Appointment Letter/ Instruction Letter
6. Applicants are also required to provide the name, address and contact number of their petitioner in the U.S.A.

My brother stayed at the nearby Casa Bogobo hotel, a walking distance to SLEC. He  thought he was there early, but was 10th in line. When the clinic opened, the guard called the first 10 to get inside and start by filling out the necessary paper works  that was given by the staff.  The reception area opened at 6:00am. He was done with his medical by 11:00am and was instructed to come back in the afternoon for the result. He went to his hotel room for lunch and came back around 1:00pm at SLEC. He PASSED his medical and he was given a CD. Basically, his medical was done in half day. If he had a problem on his x-ray, it would be a different story.


Next is his interview at the US Embassy on Oct 29, 2013.

NVC Expedite Approved

On Sept 7, 2013 , a day after my brother's F2a case was completed at NVC, I faxed a letter ( explaination and reason for expedite) including a privacy release form to our State Senator asking for assistant to expedite his interview. I did not hear from them until first week of Oct. The senator's office sent me a letter in the mail with the attached letter from NVC stating that our request for expedite has been approved by the US Embassy in Manila and NVC, and that my brother's case has left NVC building on Sept 30, 2013. We were also instructed that all future inquiries will be directed to the Embassy or the Department of State including interview schedule. I called NVC the following day to confirm about the letter, and yes the agent told me on the phone that the US Embassy in Manila is now responsible for my brother's interview scheduling.
Oct. 2, 2013- CEAC status in now  "In Transit". I called Manila on Oct 7 to follow-up but the lady told me that they have not gotten the file yet. Oct. 8, CEAC status is now  "Ready" and says it's ready for interview. Because of the time difference, I was not able to call back the following day.
Oct 15, -My brother called the US Embassy and to our surprised he was told that he can schedule for his interview right away. He was given dates to pick for interview. He picked Oct 29 @ 6:30am as his interview schedule. After 10 minutes we got an email appointment confirmation for his interview. On the phone, he was instructed to have his medical done a week before his interview. He decided to have it done on Oct 17 &18. So, I booked a round trip flight and hotel  right away.

1 Day Medical Done....next post