III. Sr Para / New Atty: USCIS and DOS Best Practices and Procedure Flashcards
Elements of an acceptable copy/scan
- -See all four corners
- -Legible or “best available copy”
- -Vertical
- -Minimally highlighted to pin point probative or relevant information
4 pts
What do you check to see how long it takes for immigrant visa availability?
DOS Visa Bulletin
Where do you find what documents are acceptable?
Table of Reciprocity
What are common red flags for USC birth certificates?
- -Late registered
- -Puerto Rican documents
- -Born at home with a mid-wife
Where is the document number on a BCC?
- -Back of card
- -Characters between the <> at the end of the top line
Where is the visa number on a visa foil?
- -Red number
- -Mid-bottom, right
Where do you find processing times?
USCIS.gov/casestatus
What cases should have a copy of the full passport for relevant time periods?
- -N-400
- -245(m)
- -Best practice in most others to show entries/exits or lack thereof
How do you get / find an I-94 number?
- -CBP I-94 website
- -Card stapled in the passport
- -Infopass
- -FOIA
- -I-102
Declaration oath for affiants outside the US
“I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date).
(Signature)”.
Declaration oath for affiants inside the US
“I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date).
(Signature)”.
What should be included in and with an affidavit?
Oath Full name Address Phone number or email Elements seeking to establish Status documentation, if any Notarization Pen to paper signature
What evidence should not be included for bona fides?
- -Nudity
- -Sexually explicit
- -Drugs
- -Referrals to drugs, violence or illicit activity
What do you look for in reviewing bona fides?
- -Comingling finances (assets/obligations)
- -Shared social and family life
- -Joint residence
- -Shared caretaking
- -Communication within the couple OR to/from couple
- -Anything inconsistent with the above
What are some landmines to be aware of in financial statements?
- -Dispensary purchases
- -Excessive alcohol purchases
- -ATM withdrawals in/near dispensaries
- -Lack of household transactions
- -Transactions inconsistent with theme of the case
For which agency background checks does the requestor provide fingerprints?
OBIM
FBI
Bonus: OBIM can be a digital copy, FBI has to be physical
What needs to be included in a birth certificate?
- -Name
- -DOB
- -POB
- -Mother’s full name
- -Father’s full name
What documentation do you need to establish a legal marriage?
- -Prior divorces, annulments or death certificates
- -Marriage certificate, affidavit of common law marriage or evidence of common law marriage
How much does a person need to earn for an income based fee waiver?
Less than 150% of the federal poverty level
How do you determine the options for where to consular process an IV?
- -Check to see what consulate in home country which consulate has authority
- -If client has status in third country, check to see if IV consulate in that country offers third country national (TCN) processing
When must you file a change of address?
Non-citizens
–USCIS: Within 10 days
–EOIR: Within five days
Sponsors
–USCIS: Within 30 days
How do you file a change of address?
FNs
–AR-11 online, generally
–E-33IC with client signature
–AR-11 paper and new G-28 with client signature to VSC or NSC via email for Us and VAWAs
Sponsors
–I-865 in paper with sponsor signature
Marriage fraud red flags
- -Known too long (family friends) / not long enough
- -Age difference
- -Religious / cultural differences
- -Education differences
- -No common language
- *illegal, but happens: different races, from Nigeria or Peru
What is your favorite type of case and why?
Freebie
