Here is my experience, like most NYC filers, it has been a NIGHTMARE!! To the point where I wished we to lived in middle of America…
My Husband and I have been married since January 2018 our timeline is below:
1. March 13, 2018, we received receipt notice for the I-485, I-131 and I-765 (MSC)
2. At the end of March/ Early April he did the fingerprints.
3. For the next 167 days I continued to call the USCIS number every-other day (sometimes 2x a day). Their response was, “WAIT” you are within the time span. It was a nightmare my husband (the beneficiary) was home huffing and puffing. Granted being stuck at home with no money, and trying to adjust to a new Country, new life, new family, etc. is not easy. (most of you know, you cannot visit family, you cannot go home to see mamma, you just have to wait) This was the real test! I know for a fact our marriage will last a lifetime! As we continued to wait for the EDA card I was the sole provider. As you know, living in NYC as one provide it is impossible —we almost foreclosed on our mortgage. So, here we are a newlywed, living in NYC with all the stress of the mortgage, bills, jobless, etc. I consider this time in our lives as we were living in a Communist Government. They control our lives, our income and etc. we literally were “stuck.” I called multiple public projects, job search organization, etc. not one person was willing to help! I now understand the power of a social security and immigrant status. I got to experience the worst of this country. I as a USA citizen, born and raised in NYC now understand the power this county has over immigrants! I honestly do not wish this upon my worst enemy! Here we are a young couple, and instead of this country helping us move forward, promote marriages, we found ourselves in deeper and deeper debt. Hence, poverty!
4. August 27, 2018, he received his EDA and temp. travel card. He eventually got a job and now we are “Okay”, but we had to refile for the renewal of the EDA/and 131 So, annoying!
Any NYC files January 2018- March 2018 have you received your interview status? I honestly cannot wait for the interview… I want to close this part of our lives and move forward to the next chapter.