LovePacino
07-21-2007, 12:05 AM
Hi, this is my first time posting to this site and I'm hoping to connect with others who have gone through, or are currently going through, similar situations. In a nutshell, here's our story thus far:
-- I am a U.S. citizen, born and raised in the U.S.
-- My husband entered into the U.S. illegally in early Nov. of 2003 and joined his family in N.Y. (which is where we met, less than a month after his arrival).
-- We became a couple thereafter, and married in Las Vegas in Aug. of 2005 (we chose Vegas because we didn't want a big wedding, but also because my whole family is from L.A. and that made it easier for everyone to attend).
-- We moved from N.Y. to L.A. in May of 2006...which is where the trouble began - INS agents pulled us off the train en route to L.A. and he was processed and released.
-- We requested and received a change of court venue from N.Y. to L.A.
-- With the advice of counsel, we attended the mandatory court dates (requesting extensions, etc.) until finally, with no more options, my husband requested and received Voluntary Departure. He left the U.S. on April 10, 2007 and returned to Chile.
-- As advised by counsel, he presented himself at the U.S. Consulate in Santiago, Chile two days later.
-- Around late April (early May?), the I-130 was completed and submitted.
-- To date, we have NOT received the "receipt" indicating that the I-130 paperwork was received; our paralegal is looking into the delay (is this normal?).
-- We have been advised that after the I-130 is processed, we will also have to file a waiver due to my husband's unlawful presence in the U.S.
-- On top of all this, we are expecting our first child together (due date is Sept. 7). In the coming weeks we will request (but do not expect to receive) a special type of visa to allow him to travel to U.S. for the baby's birth - has anyone heard of this? Just wondering if this type of request is EVER granted in this sort of situation.
That's about it until now. Any advice, suggestions and/or similar stories any of you can offer would be GREATLY appreciated. Luckily, both of our families (his in Chile, mine in L.A.) are incredibly supportive. Also, my husband and I talk, e-mail, and/or chat online (with a webcam) every single day. BUT it's still so very difficult, especially with our baby son on the way (and due to the pregnancy AND my having fairly new job, I have been unable to travel to Chile yet). If you have words of advice, or just want to share, please write! Thank you...Maria.
-- I am a U.S. citizen, born and raised in the U.S.
-- My husband entered into the U.S. illegally in early Nov. of 2003 and joined his family in N.Y. (which is where we met, less than a month after his arrival).
-- We became a couple thereafter, and married in Las Vegas in Aug. of 2005 (we chose Vegas because we didn't want a big wedding, but also because my whole family is from L.A. and that made it easier for everyone to attend).
-- We moved from N.Y. to L.A. in May of 2006...which is where the trouble began - INS agents pulled us off the train en route to L.A. and he was processed and released.
-- We requested and received a change of court venue from N.Y. to L.A.
-- With the advice of counsel, we attended the mandatory court dates (requesting extensions, etc.) until finally, with no more options, my husband requested and received Voluntary Departure. He left the U.S. on April 10, 2007 and returned to Chile.
-- As advised by counsel, he presented himself at the U.S. Consulate in Santiago, Chile two days later.
-- Around late April (early May?), the I-130 was completed and submitted.
-- To date, we have NOT received the "receipt" indicating that the I-130 paperwork was received; our paralegal is looking into the delay (is this normal?).
-- We have been advised that after the I-130 is processed, we will also have to file a waiver due to my husband's unlawful presence in the U.S.
-- On top of all this, we are expecting our first child together (due date is Sept. 7). In the coming weeks we will request (but do not expect to receive) a special type of visa to allow him to travel to U.S. for the baby's birth - has anyone heard of this? Just wondering if this type of request is EVER granted in this sort of situation.
That's about it until now. Any advice, suggestions and/or similar stories any of you can offer would be GREATLY appreciated. Luckily, both of our families (his in Chile, mine in L.A.) are incredibly supportive. Also, my husband and I talk, e-mail, and/or chat online (with a webcam) every single day. BUT it's still so very difficult, especially with our baby son on the way (and due to the pregnancy AND my having fairly new job, I have been unable to travel to Chile yet). If you have words of advice, or just want to share, please write! Thank you...Maria.