I don't know what to do, and I'm coming here to get some clarity or for someone to point out something I don't know. I have been following this thread for a year, and sometimes it just brings me more anxiety than reassurance.
I (F, 29) was born in Venezuela and came to the US in 2014 on an F-1 visa. My mother and sisters came to the US in 2016 under a B-1 visa and began the application process for asylum. They submitted their case in January 2017. Because I was still 20y/o, I was added to their case as a dependent. We have not gotten any updates on that case since the submission. We have been able to renew our work permits and legally work while waiting for the case to be reviewed.
Fast forward to now, I have been in a relationship with an American citizen for three years, we are engaged, and we are getting married this month. He had previously married and submitted an I-130 and I-485 for his ex-wife. He was in his early 20s when this happened, and he did not keep anything about that case. There is nothing we can find in the emails. And he is not sure how far the process was when they got divorced.
We are tempted to file the I-130 & I-485 without a lawyer, but I'm hesitant due to how sensitive USCIS has been to minor mistakes. We met with a lawyer last month, and she was hesitant to file without knowing the timeline for the previous submission.
What would you do? If you have any similar experience please please please leave a comment!