A Latina married to an American man decided to tell her story on social media about the day she was filling out the paperwork to remove conditions from her green card. Her story went viral because, even though she had prepared very carefully all the evidence of her marriage, she made a simple mistake that cost her time: she sent the documents in the wrong type of folder.
Thanks to her testimony, today many people can avoid making the same mistake and save stress on the immigration process. So, let’s find out more about this situation.
Conditional Green Card
When a foreigner obtains residency in the U.S. through marriage with a citizen or permanent resident, and the relationship is less than 2 years at the moment of checking the situation, this person obtains a conditional green card.
This residency card is valid for 2 years. Before it expires, the marriage must prove the relationship is still a real thing and not just an agreement to obtain the papers to stay in the U.S. That’s why it’s mandatory to fill the Form I-751 along with evidence of a life together. If the USCIS approves it, the residency becomes permanent for 10 years.
The Latina’s experience on TikTok
This Latina’s user on TikTok is @caigotravel and she posts content about her life in the U.S. In one specific video she showed how she prepared her folder to remove the conditions from her green card. What she included in that folder was:
- A cover letter, used as a table of contents.
- Form I-751.
- Form G-1450 to pay the $750 filing fee by credit card.
- Photos of the couple organized by year (2023, 2024, 2025).
- Copies of both spouses’ IDs and her green card.
- Letters from friends and relatives confirming their relationship.
- Marriage certificate.
- Joint tax returns.
- Lease agreement, health insurance, and shared phone plans.
Everything seemed okay, but she made a mistake by using a binder with plastic sleeves.
Folder mistake
USCIS’ rules must be followed and one of them is: not to send documents in folders, binders, or plastic sheet protectors. Why? Because they need to scan each page fast to digitize them into their system. So, these objects to keep the documents only delay the process.
This is why what the Latina prepared was sent back to her house. Instead of panicking or being sad, she prepared everything again but this time sending the documents the proper way: loose paper, stacked neatly, and held together with simple paper clips.
In her new video she explained the following to her followers: “Don’t send your package in this kind of folder. Uscis wants loose papers so it’s easier to scan them.”
A second chance
The Latina sent the application and soon she received the approval, so her green card was renewed and she is now a permanent resident for 10 years!
Her story is a reminder that sometimes it’s not just about having the correct documents, but also about following the instructions about the format the USCIS requires.
Tips for people in this situation
This Latina’s testimony can help anyone in the process of filling the Form I-751. So, you’d better:
- Never use binders or plastic sleeves. Send loose sheets or use paper clips only.
- Include a cover letter. It helps Uscis officers navigate your evidence.
- Organize evidence by year. Photos, bills, and contracts that show a timeline are powerful.
- Add third-party affidavits. Letters from friends and family strengthen your case.
- Check your payment. Ensure the fee is correct and your authorization form is signed.
Next time you have to do any paperwork, check all the details and think about what happened to this Latina.