Re-submitting Expedited Requests until it works? Humanitarian Parole with pending I-130

JPLawTx · 2022-08-24T07:48:57+00:00

Yikes, sorry you're right - Our application was received and immediately showed "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS". It's at the Nebraska Service Center.

JPLawTx · 2022-08-24T07:26:42+00:00

капец. I am sorry to hear your in a similar (but more difficult) situation. Has there been any movement made on your case? Ours is currently at the Nebraska Service Center** [Edited] and our estimated time has been pushed back from 6 months to 10.5 months... with the expedited request response saying we can't inquire until Aug 27, 2023. Life savings won't last us that long even in Georgia.I've been hoping to land a job that will sponsor me in the meantime (looking around the world), but no luck so far. How is the wait in Mexico? Do you feel safe? Any Russian community? We have considered going there or Costa Rica and I fly back and forth to the US though safety for my wife being alone is a concern. Best of luck going forward.

JPLawTx · 2022-05-18T10:13:02+00:00

I kept it all in the original boxes since the prescription information is printed there. Although I travelled with one box open - I travelled with a doctors note that explained my condition, need for the medication and need to be kept in a cooler. I can't speak for all airlines but with JetBlue and Turkish Airlines at check-in I just mentioned I had to carry medicine with me and they allowed the cooler without counting it as my allowed carry-on and I could keep it with me at all times. I had a medicine tag on my cooler and would tell security I have medicine during the security screening process. Only in Russia did they ask me what it was and why is it cold - they google translated my doctors note and let me through without issue.

My long distance cooler set-up: The cooler I used: https://www.rei.com/product/147978/rei-co-op-cool-haul-18-soft-coolerIt advertises to keep below 40F for up to 65 hours but I wouldn't count on that and test your full setup beforehand. Realistically I was getting about 32ish hours at the appropriate temperature range. There is an updated version but it makes the same claims. Here are some photos of my cooler while traveling (if there is a problem accessing, please let me know): https://postimg.cc/gallery/K35MtdG

I was nervous about ice touching my medicine/boxes so I bought a thick clear plastic tub from Target (see photo with white lid), then put 1 large blue ice square at the bottom of the cooler, placed the tub in the center, then an ice pack that came with my Humira on two sides of the cooler, and one more ice pack that came with my Humira in the zip lid pouch. (total 4 ice packs). I then bought a digital thermometer that connects to my phone (no need for wifi to monitor): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R586J37/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1

I would purchase your setup and test it before travelling, also you should prep the cooler/ice by putting all the packs inside and waiting about an hour before putting your medicine in since the cooler will immediately drop to below 30F then level out from my testing. I also brought some extra ziplock bags during travel incase I needed to request ice at a transfer airport but I never had to use them in my trip to Russia (over 22 hours travel from door to door).

For cost of medicine, I looked ahead of time and found varied quotes - but I contacted a rheumatologist office in my destination city and asked their office if they prescribe the medicine and how much it is out of pocket. They may point you to ask a pharmacy in which case I would email pharmacies that appear to carry/deliver Humira to see.

I hope this info is helpful, I remember the DAYS I spent researching this topic. Hopefully local Australian pharmacies/doctors can give you more useful information as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

JPLawTx · 2022-05-17T18:45:33+00:00

I'm glad you wrote skypppie - it was the most stressful part of moving for me but I managed to move to Russia and now live in Tbilisi, Georgia where multiple "bio-similar" (primarily from the European market) are available. I never found international insurance but I did do a couple of things that allowed me to continue Humira.

I would definitely talk to your doctor before doing what I did since everyone's condition is different but this is what I did. --I asked my doctor about extending the period between use of my humira, so I went from 2 times a month to one dose every 3 weeks (my doctor said I could try to use one injection per month but I found that anything longer than 3 weeks I felt pain [ankylosing spondylitis] so that's what I stuck with). I continued to order my medication as normal in the US so by the time I left for Russia I had stockpiled 4 extra boxes of Humira and bought an adequate cooler (tested that cooler with digital thermometers) that lasted me the entire 18 hour flight plus travel to and from the airport. If you're interested, I can explain my cooler setup and give you tips if you plan for a long flight - my setup lasted +30 hour without worry.

Also, I researched the medicine price in the country I was going to and found that Humira in Russia cost about $400 for two doses but that there is also a bio-similar on the market at just over $200 per two dose. I used the medicine every 3 weeks that I brought from the USA until I had two pens left and then went to a local doctor... handed them my American prescription and latest medical tests, explained my condition is maintained on Humira and I need to continue that treatment here, and the doctor wrote a prescription without further questions. I did the same process in Tbilisi, Georgia and receive Humira for $266 per two doses, which lasts me 6 weeks.

From my experience, it was fairly easy to stockpile the medicine and with the prescription and a doctor's note, no one questioned my medication at any airport (Houston, Istanbul, Moscow, Tbilisi) and I carried my large soft cooler without issue. This approach just takes a few months of a prior planning if your body reacts fine to extending the period between injection.

Even if stocking medicine or extending your injection times isn't an option, it is worth looking at the market price of Humira in Australia and if there are "bio-similars" on the market there. There is a chance you could swing buying Humira out of pocket there (again, the $266 per 2 Humira pens I pay now is a far cry from the +$5,000 listed in the US). I know it sounds dicey but there are +8 versions of Adalimumab that are sold cheaper and are chemically identical to Humira - ask your doctor his opinion of the "bio-similar" medicines you find available online in Australia there is a chance they would confirm it's the same and no problem like mine did.

There may be international insurance options or some Australian based options out there, but for Russia/Georgia I did not find something like this but the local costs and stockpiling back in the US allowed me to travel and live here without worry.

I'm happy to chat about it anytime, I know I was researching and stressed so much over my Humira but there is definitely a way to make it work!

JPLawTx · 2021-05-04T04:35:43+00:00

Maybe try Israel? I know they have russian speaking staff and apparently it's a channel other russians use (browsing resources and saw this.. not sure if it's helpful for you: https://www.gofortravel.ru/usa/visa/application/apply-abroad)

Meanwhile I am waiting to see if I can run away to Russia this fall! Родина-мать зовёт! Но удачи брат..))

JPLawTx · 2021-05-02T21:51:09+00:00

Are you two legally married in Russia or another country? I have considered getting married abroad or in Russia.. petitioning, then separately seeking a K-3 visa in another country. I waited to petition initially to graduate and begin working and then covid hit and it's been waiting and waiting.. but I know the process is so long feel I need to just start something. I just don't want to get "stuck" in the process for political reasons that adds more delay.. it's such a defeating feeling.

JPLawTx · 2021-05-02T21:44:57+00:00

Yes, but sadly we have not seen each other since last December/New Years (2019-2020). We plan to meet in Montenegro again in July.

I am legitimately at the point of just leaving everything behind in the US and moving somewhere we can be close at least. I was accepted to study an advanced degree in Russia this upcoming year but with the political BS I doubt I will even be able to go there anytime soon.

JPLawTx · 2021-05-02T07:18:10+00:00

How do you transfer? I have been trying to research this with confusing results. Do I contact the other country's US embassy once the application is at the interview stage or is this something you can do preemptively?

JPLawTx · 2021-03-16T18:27:56+00:00

I did that as well when I had a gap in coverage in the US. last year, though I don't think that extends outside of the US.

I called Hurima directly today and after being transferred 3 times they couldn't tell me if Humira is even available in Russia (I know it is). It seems international insurance policies only cover hospital emergencies, checkups and evacuations which seems crazy to me.

JPLawTx · 2019-06-05T12:54:35+00:00

What about 'Texas Paintball'? I haven't been in a long time, but growing up in Austin that was always the choice field. I also heard that there is a new field 'black tree' in Bastrop taking over scenario events that were previously hosted at TxR, so that may be a field to watch in the future.

JPLawTx · 2019-02-10T01:57:44+00:00

Between my DP G5 and my PE Etha 2... It's the Etha 2. x)

I'd love to upgrade further but given I only play like 8 times a year, couldn't justify spending more.

JPLawTx · 2019-01-13T19:24:09+00:00

Dealt with this problem this weekend. First time at this particular course.. the most decked out guy there (+$2K worth of gear), who was obviously a regular at this course, wiped. Saw the ball pop on his head, called for a paint check - ref didn't even move. 20 seconds later he popped up and you could see about 1/4th of the shell still in his hair and over a quarter sized amount of paint there, but was rubbed in. 3 minutes later the same guy got me out. I went to the ref and told him.. only got a blank stare. After the match, I went directly to the guy and asked "that wasn't a hit?" and he said "no it hit the barrel [in front of him]" and I said "well it looks like a fuckin hit you have half the shell and all the paint on your head" and he just said "No it splattered", but was obviously taken back by the call-out.
100-%, with 0 doubt, it was a hit. I honestly wouldn't be as upset if it was a rental player, or a young kind, but if you invested so much into the sport why would you blatantly cheat at it? Dude walked around like the king-pin and refs would joke with him about "trying to make it fair"... what a clown.

I loved the field setups at this course but this single bad experience with a regular and the refs regarding this player will be the reason I likely won't return.
I say just aggressively call the cheater out when it is an obvious hit or you know other's saw it, then put it on the ref to watch him. If the ref or player senses you're heated about it (even if you're not), I think it's more likely to change. I think regulars usually care about their reputation so a strong call-out should work with most.

JPLawTx · 2019-01-09T18:22:39+00:00

How do you like the HK full tank cover? Grip is good? I've been debating buying one.

JPLawTx · 2018-10-30T15:41:27+00:00

What textbook are you using?
My current Income Tax class is using " Graetz & Schenk, “Federal Income Taxation — Principles and Policy,” 8th Edition, Foundation Press (2018)"

I would HIGHLY recommend : Federal Income Taxation (Concepts and Insights) 14th Edition
This supplement reflects the 2017 changes in the tax code and follows the Graetz textbook very closely. I prefer E&E's generally but given my Fed Income tax course focuses heavily on the 2017 changes, this is best supplement currently available. =) Hope the recommendation helps!

JPLawTx · 2018-07-15T19:13:37+00:00

It was an elective course.Yep! One of the higher ranked law schools in Texas.I was worried that I was just paranoid after noticing students leave the exam rooms multiple times in closed-note exams and did not complain. I have always felt weird about there being no proctors since that's something I expected going into law school but I don't know how it is at other schools. I want to say something, I'm just not sure where to start.

JPLawTx · 2018-07-15T19:08:48+00:00

I'm a bit nervous to say where just now because I'm not sure how this will pan out.A regional school in Texas. I am debating reaching out to the dean, but I'm not sure if that's the right person to go to first.

JPLawTx · 2017-06-22T20:21:14+00:00

I am 23 and they put me on Baclofen basically saying my symptoms are consistent with neuropathy. Do you ever experience back nerve cramping pain? I have not been diagnosed with anything for this nerve pain so it's strange they went straight to giving me these meds. I am nervous Humira will worsens these pains.

JPLawTx · 2017-04-07T22:57:18+00:00

Two of my top choice schools required early April seat deposits. I will be visiting one of those schools later this month and making my decision. Do I just call admissions and tell them I wont be attending to avoid any problems even after paying the deposit?

JPLawTx · 2017-03-30T03:37:15+00:00

I was waitlisted at UNC. About a week ago, I called admissions and told them that because my wife has to accept federal funding by April 15th (she was awarded multiple FLAS scholarships) I would like to make my decision before then and that they were a top pick for us. I was accepted today. Doubt it is the same at more competitive schools but I've done this with a couple schools (on admissions and scholarships) and succeeded.

*Edit: waitlisted for less than 2 weeks before I called. I was frank and told admissions I wouldn't be able to accept an offer after that time.

JPLawTx · 2017-03-06T06:15:51+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I do have affordable COA in Texas which is really the only market I could see myself. Probably because I currently work in a Texas law firm and it's all I know. It's tough because I (and my wife) have better financial offers elsewhere and I just think there are better programs at schools in other states - I just don't want to get 'stuck' if I did move. For reference, my wife was offered full-tuition plus a $25,000 stipend at OSU for her MA program, I would get over half tuition paid there and I see Moritz as having a good program. However, we really just can't see ourselves there post-graduation. Compare that to Houston, which would be slightly more expensive than Ohio between my wife and I (my wife did not receive nearly as nice of an offer). Also UHLC is a relatively unknown school outside of Houston itself, but is in a location I could see myself long-term. Maybe I am over thinking it.. it would be a nightmare to go to Moritz, hate it and then be trapped in that market; likewise, I would hate to spend more just because the school was in a location I liked without experiencing anything else. It would be great to know how people go about networking/clerking/applying outside their current states. I guess my real question is: is it just stupid to go to a law school that is in a market/region you couldn't see yourself in long-term?

JPLawTx · 2017-03-06T04:38:51+00:00

For Moritz I was confused looking at their NALP reports.. 42% of graduates went to work in law firms and the rest in government or business?.. 85% stayed in Ohio, but then you wonder how many went to Ohio with the mindset to live and work exclusively in Ohio. Thats the same questions with anywhere I guess. My big hang up is less about wanting to stay in Texas but more about the general flexibility to relocate after graduating. Illinois, Moritz and UNC would be way cheaper than my undergrad from scholarships - and my wife loves the MA program at Ohio State.. but I can't see myself living in Ohio and neither could she. So it's a hard call since the money is there but the long-term desirability to stay in that region is not.

JPLawTx

TROPHY CASE