Joint Bona Fide Documents: How to Start meeting the USCIS I-130 Evidence Requirement for a Marriage
fickeymartinez • November 12, 2020
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The I-130 Petition of Alien Relative is a “Relationship Verifying Process” that creates a high level of “document requirements” for marriage-based filings. The younger the relationship/marriage, the less evidence generally exists. This blog post will discuss how to start preparations before filing an I-130 (or if an I-130 is already pending, how to increase evidence).
In order to begin starting a life together, USCIS has broken many aspects of a relationship into categories. For all relationships, Photos and Communication, are absolutely required and are great starting places to bolster your Bona Fide Evidence. The Following categories will add more structure to your preparations.
First Category of Evidence: Joint Relationship Photos
Below is a more thorough review of how many joint photos to provide:
Second Category of Evidence: Comingling Finances
Spouses are expected to have access to each other’s money / finances. A Joint Bank account is MANDATORY if the immigrant has a Social Security Number. When someone doesn’t have a Social Security Number, banks are not generally able to add an immigrant on an account as the Social Security Number is needed for either FDIC Compliance or as a bank policy.
If you are able to have a Joint Account, USCIS would require 12 months of statements, or as many as possible. Meaning, if you’ve been married for 2 years, and have a joint account for 3 years, USCIS would want 3-years of bank statements. The more the better.
Third Category of Evidence: Joint Tax Returns
No US Citizen likes to “play” with IRS filings. As such, the IRS 1040 Tax Return and IRS Tax Return Transcript is a great piece of evidence to prove a marriage. Although a Social Security Number is generally needed, Immigrants (and even US Citizens) can look into an ITIN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to facilitate the “joint” tax filing.
Fourth Category of Evidence: Marital Home
This category is probably the most applicable to married couples. the following list can show how many things can actually be used to help prove marital home:
Mandatory:
- Lease naming US Citizen and Immigrant Spouse or a letter from the landlord or property management stating cohabitation of both spouses.
- Deed to home naming both spouses.
Super Highly Recommend providing at least 3 of the following that contains BOTH SPOUSE’S NAMES:
- Electric/Water/Sewage Bill/Statement
- Internet Bill/Statement
- Phone Bill/Statement
- Bank Statements (an item that can appear above in the comingling finances and here in marital home)
- Health Insurance Bill/Statement
- Car Insurance Bill/Statement
- Property Insurance Bill/Statement
- Amazon Order History that shows the SAME ADDRESS and alternates between both spouses
- Non-amazon mail and packages that shows the SAME ADDRESS and alternates between both spouses
Fifth Category of Evidence: Constant Communication
If your relationship started 5 years ago, then USCIS expects evidence spanning 5 years. Although it is a marriage-filing, USCIS wants to see the full relationship and communication is 100% mandatory for any marriage. Ideally, USCIS wishes to see proof of communication for the following phases of the relationship:
- Meeting/Friendship/Dating Phase
- Engagement Phase
- Marriage Phase
The Types of Communication Proof can be:
- Phone Records for calls and text messages
- Facebook Messenger
- Whatsapp conversation (screenshots)
- Wechat conversations
- Snapchat
- Dated love letter or Bootcamp letters
- Emails
- Screenshots of video calls
Sixth Category of Evidence: Military Related
In the US Military, a spouse is required to be added into the DEERS System, which would provide the following:
- Tricare and a Military Dependent ID
- SGLI, a $400,000 life insurance policy
- Military reports such as a RED Report, Basic Individual Record, Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93), or Enlisted Record Brief
These are great marital records to be provided to USCIS. More guidance can be found here:
Seventh Category of Evidence: Social Media
Social Media Posts are ideal pieces of evidence for younger individuals and are quite common. USCIS likes this form of evidence because social media posts are (1) time-stamped, and (2) can link the people present in the post or photo. Moreover, holding you and your spouse out to the public as “a relationship” or as “a spouse” helps show to an officer that a significant other is important in someone’s life.
No, Social Media does not need to be provided by both spouses. Meaning, at least 1 spouse may be able to provide this type of evidence. However, both spouses sharing their lives on social media, and all posts and photos are recommended to be provided to USCIS. The more evidence the better. Screenshots of the posts are sufficient.
Eighth Category of Evidence (But not really Evidence): Introduce and Timeline your relationship for USCIS
A summary, introduction, and timeline of a relationship can help “condense” a relationship into a quick bite-size snapshot. “A Letter to your USCIS Officer” is a nice courtesy. The following post will help explain further. However, a summary is INSUFFICIENT by itself. There must be evidence to prove a relationship, and a letter is not considered evidence.
A letter to your marriage-based I-485 USCIS interviewing officer
Related Blog Post:
Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
Polygamy is not recognized in the United States. Polygamy is the historical custom or religious practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. It is also called plural marriage. When it is a man having multiple wives, the proper term is: Polygyny . When it is a woman having multiple husbands, the proper term is: Polyandry. Polygamy is illegal and a criminal offense in all fifty states of the US. As a similar note, Bigamy is the crime of being intentionally married to more than one spouse at a time. It is similar to Polygamy, except it focuses on the spouse that connects multiple marriages together. Bigamy is a Crime of Moral Turpitude that may permanently bar an immigrant from ever being able to Naturalize as a US Citizen. Should you apply for a Green Card, if you’ve practiced polygamy? No, if the subsequent marriage is being attempted to be the basis of a marriage-based Green Card filing, and no divorce(s) have occurred. Yes, if all prior marriages have been divorced, AND the marriage that is to be the basis of a marriage-based Green Card filing has been re-married. Should you apply for a Green Card, if you have committed bigamy? No, if the subsequent marriage is being attempted to be the basis of a marriage-based Green Card filing, and no divorce(s) have occurred. No, unless ABSOLUTE FULL DISCLOSURE is completed, zero omissions have occurred, and the adjudicating immigration officer at USCIS or DOS is able to review and decide on eligibility. Should you apply to naturalize if you’ve practiced polygamy? If you had practiced polygamy in the past, prior to coming to the United States, your history of polygamy should not be a barrier to becoming a U.S. citizen. However, if you have practiced polygamy within the U.S., you should not naturalize without first consulting with an immigration attorney. Polygamy is illegal; regardless if you've ever been charged or convicted. Denial is possible; which if there is a denial, deportation is a possibility. Should you apply to naturalize if you have committed bigamy? Depends! If you intentionally committed bigamy and used a bigamous marriage to apply, enter, or immigrate to the US, then NO! If your bigamy was accidental: examples: IF you believed your prior spouse was dead, but they turned out to be alive, or IF you believed that you were divorced, but the divorce filing was never finalized or were forged by the prior spouse THEN you may or may not (heavily depends on the facts) need to wait for five years from the time of the legal divorce to naturalize. You would still need to fully disclose the marital history in the N-400 application. However, the USCIS officer will consider whether you meet the good moral character requirement for naturalizing. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
The Philippines, a beautiful country with polite people, delicious food, and a positive culture. Marrying someone from the Philippines is wonderful! This article will discuss the two common questions: How does a US Citizen marry in the Philippines? How does the Philippine Spouse immigrate to the US? If you are interested in the US K-1 […]
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This article will cover specifically Catholics that are considering teaching for a Catholic School under the R-1 Visa for Religious Workers. Over the years, the following article has led numerous J1, F1, and H-1B Teachers to R-1 Teaching Positions: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/r1-visa-for-school-teachers-at-religious-private-schools-an-alternative-to-the-h-1b-visa However, the common questions are always raised: How do I locate Openings at a Catholic School? There are many locations in which to find current availabilities. The primary source is the online listing for any given Dioceses. Our main office is located in NC, which the Charlotte and Raleigh Diocese availabilities can be seen here: https://dioceseofraleigh.org/employment https://charlottediocese.org/employment-opportunities/ N ational listings can be seen here: h ttps://www.catholicjobs.com/search/teacher https://jobsforcatholics.com/jobs/?q=teacher&l= https://careers.ncea.org/ What kind of Schools can Sponsor an R-1 Visa? Catholic schools have a very close connection with the local Parish/Catholic Church, and fall within the organizational structure of the local Dioceses. Now, it is important to note, not every Catholic School may be interested in sponsoring an R-1 Visa. If they have never sponsored before in the past, they may not want to begin now. However, as there is generally a teacher shortage in almost every state, Teachers are in high demand. For a Catholic School, the teacher would also have to be a Catholic/of the same denomination (which that is true for any catholic teacher position, whether hiring a US Citizen or for sponsoring a foreign national). What are the Requirements for the Teacher to Qualify? Yes, the Teacher must Generally: Prove belief in the Catholic Faith for at least 2 years prior to any R-1 Employment, which would be evidenced by certificates of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion/Sacrament. If you do not have a Catholic Record/Certificate, they can be ordered from the local Parish anywhere in the world. Proof of weekly Mass Attendance, evidenced by support letter from the Priest. If attended Mass at multiple Parishes/Catholic Churches over the years, then evidenced by support letters from the respective Priests. Teacher Specific Items: Passing Score in the PRAXIS Credentialing of any and all education, Credentialing explained below Applying for Teacher Licensure in the state of employment Do you recommend any Credentialing Companies? Our clients have had positive experiences working with World Education Services , International Education Evaluations , and Education Credential Evaluators . However, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) provides a list of qualifying companies: https://www.naces.org/members . USCIS requires applicants to provide evidence of all degrees, certifications, or licenses received, including specifically include: (1) Transcripts, (2) Diplomas, (3) Degrees, and (4) Certificates. How Long is the R-1 Visa good for? 3 0 Months or 2.5 Years, and it can also receive a 30 Month/2.5 Year Extension. So, in total, the R-1 Employment can be as long as 5 years. Can an R-1 Teacher Position lead to a Green Card? Yes, it is very much possible and common, especially since there is always a shortage of teachers, and Catholic Teachers. Can a J1 that is Subject to the 2-Year Home Residency Requirement apply for an R-1? Yes, it is common for J1 Teachers that are subject to the 2-year Home Residency Requirement to pursue a non-disqualified teaching visa. A J-1 waiver can be applied for during the R1 Teaching period. Meaning, an R1 Visa does not have the same restrictions as an H1B Teaching Visa. Alternatively, the teacher can return to the home country every summer and long break, contributing to the 2-year Satisfaction. If a prior J1 spends 2 years back in their home country, a J1 Waiver would no longer be required as the restriction would have been satisfied. Again, if you send 3 months abroad between the J1 and R1 Employment, then 3 months every summer over the next 5 years, you would have about 18 out of 24 months already "satisfied." What Does the School Need to do? To summarize: Be Interested in sponsoring the visa, providing mandetory documentation, and paying the immigration fees. File Form I-129 on behalf of an alien seeking to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant minister, or a religious worker in a religious vocation or occupation. Provide Proof of Tax-Exempt Status/the IRS 5 01(c)(3) letter Documentation that establishes the religious nature and purpose of the organization, including, but not limited to: A copy of the organizing instrument of the organization that specifies the purposes of the organization; Organizational literature describing the religious purpose and nature of the activities of the organization; and A religious denomination certification, included as part of the Form I-129, Supplement R, stating that the petitioning organization is affiliated with the religious denomination. The religious denomination certification should be signed by an organization other than the petitioning organization, and attest that the petitioning organization is part of the same religious denomination as the attesting organization. Provide Proof of Salaried Compensation showing how the school intends to compensate the religious worker/teacher, including specific monetary or in-kind compensation. Provide Proof of Denominational Membership and Evidence Regarding the Prospective Position of the intended Visa Holder. Disclaimer: This Blog is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
[Publicación en español] Finally, the interview is here!!!! The finish line is within arms reach. However, many things need to get done, and be done ASAP. But but but THEY MUST BE DONE IN ORDER. Please don’t focus on something minor, when other matters must be done since time is of the essence. First: LOCATE […]
The post Immigrant Visa Interview Scheduled: What to Focus on Now and In What Order appeared first on Fickey Martinez Law Firm.
a Tarjeta Verde I-551 es la versión actual de la Tarjeta de Residente Permanente Legal. Sin embargo, existe mucha confusión sobre si las tarjetas verdes “sin fecha de vencimiento” siguen siendo válidas. S i el I551 se emitió entre 1977 y agosto de 1989, la Tarjeta Verde no tendría fecha de vencimiento, pero sigue siendo una Tarjeta Verde válida y aceptable. Est a Tarjeta Verde vigente fue la edición entre la (1) Tarjeta Verde I-151 que ya no es válida y (2) la Tarjeta Verde I-551 que tiene fecha de vencimiento. Imagen frontal y posterior de la Tarjeta Verde I-551:
El antiguo Servicio de Inmigración y Naturalización (INS), ahora USCIS bajo el DHS, emitió el Formulario I-151 (Tarjeta de Recibo de Registro de Extranjero), comúnmente llamado “tarjeta verde”, a extranjeros de Julio de 1946 a 1978 . En 20 de marzo de 1996 , la Tarjeta de Recibo de Registro de Extranjero I-151 dejó de ser válida por ley. El INS (ahora USCIS) recomendó a los titulares de la tarjeta I-151 que solicitaran una nueva tarjeta verde. Aunque no se consideraría que los titulares del I-151 hayan perdido su residencia permanente, han tenido y siempre enfrentarán dificultades para obtener empleo, beneficios y reingresar a los EE. UU. desde el extranjero. Si intenta volver a ingresar a los EE. UU. con la tarjeta I-151, finalmente se le permitirá ingresar a los EE. UU., pero esperará retrasos y complicaciones. Por el contrario, al buscar empleo, la Tarjeta I-151 no es prueba válida de autorización de empleo. Otr a versión de la I-151:
Si USCIS proporciona un aviso de denegación para la presentación del I90, el aviso también debe indicar que la ley exige que el titular de la tarjeta verde presente el I-751. El I-751 se centra en el matrimonio subyacente que proporcionó la tarjeta de residencia de dos años. USCIS evalúa el período de tiempo después de que se emitió por primera vez la tarjeta verde, generalmente dos o tres años antes del momento de la denegación de la I-90. Ahora bien, hay dos escenarios que pueden ocurrir. ¿Tiene una presentación I-90 denegada porque presentó el formulario incorrecto? Este es un error común para muchos titulares de una Tarjeta Verde. Cuando busca en línea, ve que el formulario I-90 de USCIS es el formulario de renovación para cuando una tarjeta verde está a punto de expirar. Lo que comúnmente se pasa por alto es que una tarjeta verde (condicional) de dos años tiene la condición de que, cuando esté a punto de expirar, se debe presentar el formulario I-751 de USCIS para convertir la tarjeta verde de 2 años en una tarjeta verde de 10 años. En el primer escenario, solo se puede presentar el I-751 ante el USCIS, lo que el resultado sería una tarjeta verde de 10 años recibida entre uno y cuatro años después de la presentación. El proceso I-751 es extremadamente lento y los tiempos de procesamiento se pueden encontrar aquí ( Tiempos de procesamiento de USCIS ). Segundo escenario, si todavía está casado con el ciudadano estadounidense que le brindó patrocinio y solicitó la tarjeta verde, y el matrimonio sigue siendo amoroso y próspero, puede considerar presentar el I-751, recibir la extensión I-751 de 24 meses y luego solicitar la naturalización N-400. Para calificar para la naturalización, el titular de la tarjeta verde debe haber mantenido su tarjeta verde por un período de al menos tres años si la tarjeta verde se recibió debido al matrimonio con un ciudadano estadounidense y el matrimonio aún existe y está prosperando después de tres años. En este escenario, en lugar de esperar muchos años para que se procese el I751, el tiempo de procesamiento depende de la presentación del N400. En algunas jurisdicciones, como en la oficina local de USCIS en Raleigh Durham, la solicitud de naturalización puede realizarse en unos pocos meses. Cuando compara unos pocos meses de tiempo de procesamiento con la posibilidad de esperar de 1 a 4 años, puede ser más beneficioso simplemente convertirse en ciudadano estadounidense y terminar por completo con el proceso de inmigración. Si ha recibido una denegación I-90, no dude en comuníquese con nuestra Firma de Abogados de Inmigración para programar una consulta para determinar la mejor ruta de inmigración. Descargo de responsabilidad: Este Blog lo pone a disposición el abogado o el editor del bufete de abogados únicamente con fines educativos, así como para brindarle información general y una comprensión general de la ley, no para brindar asesoramiento legal específico. Al utilizar este sitio de blog, usted comprende que no existe una relación de abogado-cliente entre usted y el editor del blog/sitio web. El Blog no debe utilizarse como sustituto del asesoramiento legal competente de un abogado profesional autorizado en su estado. on it
Before addressing the Main Question, a few items MUST first be explained regarding timing and expectations: First, the K1 Fiance Visa is 100% Different from a Tourist Visa. It is NOT as fast as a Tourist Visa. It is handled by the Embassy or Consulate’s Immigrant Visa Division, NOT the Nonimmigrant Visa Division. It REQUIRES […]
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Generalmente ¡Sí! Es posible que pueda solicitar la Naturalización N-400 con USCIS aunque tenga una Tarjeta Verde antigua o vencida. ¿Qué constituye una "vieja Tarjeta Verde"? Posiblemente la tarjeta verde "antigua" más común sería una tarjeta I-551 emitida entre 1977 y agosto de 1989. ¿Por qué? Las tarjetas emitidas entre esas fechas no tienen fecha de vencimiento, pero siguen siendo una Tarjeta Verde válida y aceptable. Se puede ver una imagen aquí: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-551-green-card-with-no-expiration-date ¿Qué es una tarjeta verde "antigua" menos común? Esa tendría que ser la Tarjeta Verde I-151, mucho más antigua. Estas Tarjetas Verdes se emitieron entre julio de 1946 y 1978 y tampoco tenían fecha de vencimiento, pero el Congreso forzó/aprobó una expiración en 1996. Se puede ver una imagen aquí: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/i-151-green-card-things-to-know Para Confirmar, ¿puede una Tarjeta Verde vencida solicitar la Naturalización? ¡Generalmente sí! Sin embargo, la verdadera pregunta sería "¿Por qué" expiró? Si estuvo en el extranjero durante muchos años (solo como ejemplo) y nunca renovó su tarjeta de residencia ni solicitó dicho permiso de viaje, es posible que la tarjeta de residencia haya sido abandonada, lo que hace que alguien no sea elegible para naturalizarse. USCIS también puede solicitar que se presente simultáneamente un I-90 si necesita alguna prueba de residencia permanente legal (también conocida como Tarjeta Verde) mientras el N-400 está pendiente. Si tiene más preguntas o inquietudes, debe hablar con un abogado de inmigración con experiencia. Puede ver más información en nuestra página web de Naturalización: https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/practice-areas/naturalization-citizenship
La Petición I-129F aprobada significa el final de (probablemente) un largo proceso de inmigración y el inicio de un proceso consular (generalmente) más confuso. ¡¡¡¡Felicidades!!!! Pero el viaje aún no ha terminado. . . . estás casi en la mitad del camino. Para empezar, recapitulemos. El proceso de visa de prometido se divide en 3 partes: Parte 1: Petición I-129F para reconocer la relación en USCIS Parte 2: Solicitud de la visa DS-160 y la promesa de casarse y apoyo financiero I-134 (el paso real de la visa K1) Parte 3: Ingrese a los EE. UU., cásese dentro de los 90 días, obtenga una tarjeta de Seguro Social durante el período de 60 días en la SSA y ajuste su estatus con USCIS Esta publicación se ENFOCARÁ principalmente en el período de transición entre la Parte 1/Paso 1 y la Parte 2/Paso 2. ¿Qué significa el Aviso de aprobación I-129F? Significa que USCIS “calificó” la relación para recibir una Visa K1. El Centro de Servicio de USCIS (generalmente en California) enviaría por correo el Aviso de Aprobación al Ciudadano Estadounidense (y al Abogado, si se contrata uno). Por último, USCIS indicaría en el aviso de aprobación que están transfiriendo la presentación al NVC para su posterior procesamiento. A continuación se muestra un diagrama del correo/transferencia I-129F:
