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Thread: Interview on Feb. 22nd at Chicago DO, and I am approved !!!!!!!!!!!!

  1. #1

    Interview on Feb. 22nd at Chicago DO, and I am approved !!!!!!!!!!!!

    Incredible, but I have a problem with the forums all morning long. And after having write down my interview experience a few minutes ago, when I hit the submit button, I just had a blank page. Nothing......
    So, now, I have to re-write everything. It's not that I mind to write again, it's just that my first thread was really long and explicit .
    I have to shorten everything now !
    We had our interview appointment at 11.05. We left home at about 8.00. And of course, Chicago would not be Chicago if there was no traffic jam, so we left the highway to take an alternate route. After spotting the INS building, we looked for a parking. We enter the building at 10.00.
    The security went fast and we went to the 2nd floor where we waited for about 1 hour and 45 minutes !! Yes, so long ! The guy called us at 11.45 and we took the elevator to the 23rd floor where the small waiting room was full. We waited there another 20-25 minutes, and then a man came from the hallway and called my name. We followed him in his office. He went out and came back with toys for my daughter to play with. I can tell you she was very happy to see them because she was getting impatient with all the wait !! The officer swore us in and we sat down. He asked us for ID's. He then asked us if we were at the same address, we said yes. Here are the questions he asked me :
    - my I-94 (I gave him my son's and my expired passports with them inside, he took the I-94's and gave the passports back) ;
    - my date of birth ;
    - my social security # ;
    - if I was employed.
    He asked for the originals of birth certificate, marriage certificate. Also for copies, that he took for the file.
    While I was answering, he wrote every answer with a red pencil on the I-485 that I submitted few months ago. Then he turned towards my husband and asked his date of birth. He then asked for my husband's paystubs and proof of employment letter. I gave again originals and copies. He smiled and asked my husband, joking, how many jobs did he got. He then gave a paper to my hubby to sign and date (I didn't even read what was on there, but I know now that's regarding our I-130's), he did that and then I signed and dated the paper. He made a joke with my son and asked him his date of birth. My son told him and I think the officer was impressed he knew it, hahaha...
    He asked for my son's original birth certificate and then the copy. Then the same for my husband's. He gave another paper to my husband to sign and date, then to my son.
    After that he asked for documents on both our names and I gave him copies of :
    - gas bills,
    - phone bills,
    - bank statements,
    - car insurance,
    - house papers.
    He made a few jokes asking my son if he was married, had a job and kids. We laughed. Then I saw him put a stamp on the docs and saw a red APPROVED on it ! Yay ! I said to myself. I didn't show my emotions, of course. He gave us the papers where it's written that we have been granted the LPR status. Oh ! I almost forgot to tell that he stamped our passports and told us the GC should arrived in 2 weeks .
    He said to us Good luck to you ! and asked us if we had any questions for him. I asked him if he wanted to see some pictures (that reminds me of someone ) and he said he did not needed to !
    We shake hands, thank him and left his office.
    Man, in the elevator, I kissed my hubby, I was so excited.
    I know I have been boring to you all with my questions and all !! I thank everyone in this forum who helped me answer the questions I asked. Thanks for all the advices and support that you gave. We really need that !
    Jane, my dear, a special thanks to you !
    I am sorry not to have posted the interview experience yesterday, but I was so tired !!
    Overall the officer was very pleasant, nice and kind of friendly . The interview last for about 30 minutes but he took most of that time to punch-hole every doc I gave to him !
    I am relieved, you know the feeling, right ?
    To everybody, God bless ! Thanks again for all the help !

    Ema.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    2,191
    woohoo.... Another successful interview!! Im happy for you.
    CONGRATS !! GO CELEBRATE!!!

    So i assume your GC is not conditional?
    Last edited by ari4u; 23rd February 2006 at 02:45 PM.

  3. #3
    No, not conditional. We have been married for more than 4 1/2 years !

    Ema.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Maine, USA
    Posts
    313
    Congrats !!!

    I'm so happy for you
    Nationality German, Married to a USC
    I-130, I-485, I-765 to Chicago Lockbox
    12/27/05 RD MSC-06-091-xxxxx
    01/04/06 ND
    02/13/06 FP & Bio (NOA ND 01/23/06)
    02/27/06 EAD card received
    05/01/06 Interview (NOA ND 03/08/06)
    05/01/06 Legal Permanent Resident
    05/22/06 GC received via mail


    "You aren't only responsible for what you're doing
    but also for what you're not doing
    " Lao Tzu

    всяк своего счастья кузнец

  5. #5
    Congratulations, ema76!

  6. #6
    Ari and Rex thanks a bunch !!!

    I forgot to mention that the officer asked for the 2004 tax return. He asked if we have filed for the 2005, we said we will this month ! I gave him the copies. Wow ! I am so relieved now. We are going to celebrate probably tomorrow at Olive Garden. That's where we went when hubby got his GC !!

    Ema.

  7. #7
    Congrats Ema!!! I had problems with the website too...

  8. #8
    Congratulations Ema !!! Well done!

    It's great everything went smoothly with your interview.
    Did the officer ever ask you for the affidavit?
    Last edited by myjuls; 23rd February 2006 at 03:14 PM.

  9. #9
    RareGold, Cherr, thanks !!!!
    Myjuls, thanks ! The officer did not even ask for my husband's affidavit of support. I guessed the new paystubs were enough and he got the affidavit from before.

    Ema.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    dallas, TX
    Posts
    99
    Congratulations Ema!!! Isnt the feelign awesome once the whole thing is done with? Take care!
    Application to Remove Conditions - I 751
    Sent to TSC
    RD by TSC: 12/3/07
    Check Cashed: 12/19/07 (WAC number on the check..transferred to CSC?)
    Biometrics NOA RD: 12/28/07
    Biometric Done: 1/8/08
    NOA GC extension: 1/12/08
    Card Ordered: 3/27/08
    Card Received: 4/4/08

  11. #11
    Oh yes indeed, Meers ! I feel so relieved ! I know I worried too much, but can I do ? I am like that .

    Ema.

  12. #12
    Congrats Emma. You can relax now. I told you the officer was nice. He just looks intimidating.

  13. #13
    Thanks AOS_GUY !! Yes, I was surprised how nice he was !
    We have always an idea of INS officers to be cold-blooded people. I think they teach them to be like that to intimidate people who are not in a bona fide marriage . I forgot to tell also that the officer totally forgot to ask for the EAD cards and I gave them to him before leaving his office.

    Wow ! It's a strange feeling, really ! 10 years of LPR status ! I don't have to apply for citizenship right away, hahaha...
    I wish good luck to anyone who is waiting for his/her GC interview. Don't be stressed if you are married for the good reasons ! I know, it's easy to say, but hard to do !

    Ema.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by ema76
    Wow ! It's a strange feeling, really ! 10 years of LPR status !
    I could understand your feeling. However, I must correct you on something. Your LPR is not for only 10 years; rather it is for a lifetime. However, your plastic green card would be good for only 10-yrs, which you would need to renew it upon its expiry.

    The reason for your interview to have a easy-one is because officer was aware of the longevity of your marriage unlike most of the cases in this category.

    Unless you violate the terms of your LPR, you will remain to be a LPR of this country. However, if I were you, I would file for US citizenship after 2 yrs and 9 months, because the immigration laws are very tricky. I mean an alien could be forgiven for doing something wrong prior to obtaining a LPR (thru filing a waiver), but there is a zero tolerance policy for the same alien once s/he becomes a LPR. Not even US citizen children and spouse would be able to save a LPR from a deportation who will face not only a deportation but also a LIFETIME bar to re-enter into the US in any category.

    Congress is making laws tougher and tougher everyday. The new bill that will be debated next month in the Senate has a proposition that if it passes, then even one time of reckless driving will make a LPR deportable. Right now, a small act of domestic violence is a done-deal to trigger a deportation. A little argument could be interpretated differently by INS. Thus, it is better to immune yourself from deportation. Just my 2 cents.

    Congratulation.
    Last edited by JohnnyCash; 23rd February 2006 at 07:59 PM.

  15. #15
    Congratulations.

  16. #16
    Thanks Kamrans !

    JohnnyCash, I totally agree with you. I was joking when I wrote that. I cannot wait to apply for my citizenship !! It's good I have "only" those 2 years and 9 months until then ! I know how they make it harder and harder to change laws and I know they are fast in changing them.

    Ema.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Santa Clara, CA
    Posts
    365

    Congratulations!!!

    Ema, Congrats!!!! And thank YOU for your contribution to the community. Keep visiting us once in a while as a lot of ppl here hope to gain from your experience n knowledge on the topic.

    USC

  18. #18
    Congratulations, Ema.
    I'm very happy for you!
    You deserve a day off from the forum to celebrate your new status.
    We expect you right back after that.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    FL
    Posts
    599
    Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

    Ema, congratulations! I am so happy for you!

    Jane

  20. #20
    Congratulation i'm happy for u .

  21. #21
    A_usc, thanks ! I really hope to be as helpful as the people who helped me !

    Sjiwani, Anahit thanks ! Man, it's like a big family here ! That's what is great ! So many people to encourage and congratulate me, that's just great !

    Jane, thanks a bunchhhhhhhhh for all the help !
    I wish everybody good luck. God bless !

    Ema.

  22. #22
    Ema, Congratulations!
    I'm so happy for you!

  23. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by ema76
    Incredible, but I have a problem with the forums all morning long. And after having write down my interview experience a few minutes ago, when I hit the submit button, I just had a blank page. Nothing......
    So, now, I have to re-write everything. It's not that I mind to write again, it's just that my first thread was really long and explicit .
    I have to shorten everything now !
    We had our interview appointment at 11.05. We left home at about 8.00. And of course, Chicago would not be Chicago if there was no traffic jam, so we left the highway to take an alternate route. After spotting the INS building, we looked for a parking. We enter the building at 10.00.
    The security went fast and we went to the 2nd floor where we waited for about 1 hour and 45 minutes !! Yes, so long ! The guy called us at 11.45 and we took the elevator to the 23rd floor where the small waiting room was full. We waited there another 20-25 minutes, and then a man came from the hallway and called my name. We followed him in his office. He went out and came back with toys for my daughter to play with. I can tell you she was very happy to see them because she was getting impatient with all the wait !! The officer swore us in and we sat down. He asked us for ID's. He then asked us if we were at the same address, we said yes. Here are the questions he asked me :
    - my I-94 (I gave him my son's and my expired passports with them inside, he took the I-94's and gave the passports back) ;
    - my date of birth ;
    - my social security # ;
    - if I was employed.
    He asked for the originals of birth certificate, marriage certificate. Also for copies, that he took for the file.
    While I was answering, he wrote every answer with a red pencil on the I-485 that I submitted few months ago. Then he turned towards my husband and asked his date of birth. He then asked for my husband's paystubs and proof of employment letter. I gave again originals and copies. He smiled and asked my husband, joking, how many jobs did he got. He then gave a paper to my hubby to sign and date (I didn't even read what was on there, but I know now that's regarding our I-130's), he did that and then I signed and dated the paper. He made a joke with my son and asked him his date of birth. My son told him and I think the officer was impressed he knew it, hahaha...
    He asked for my son's original birth certificate and then the copy. Then the same for my husband's. He gave another paper to my husband to sign and date, then to my son.
    After that he asked for documents on both our names and I gave him copies of :
    - gas bills,
    - phone bills,
    - bank statements,
    - car insurance,
    - house papers.
    He made a few jokes asking my son if he was married, had a job and kids. We laughed. Then I saw him put a stamp on the docs and saw a red APPROVED on it ! Yay ! I said to myself. I didn't show my emotions, of course. He gave us the papers where it's written that we have been granted the LPR status. Oh ! I almost forgot to tell that he stamped our passports and told us the GC should arrived in 2 weeks .
    He said to us Good luck to you ! and asked us if we had any questions for him. I asked him if he wanted to see some pictures (that reminds me of someone ) and he said he did not needed to !
    We shake hands, thank him and left his office.
    Man, in the elevator, I kissed my hubby, I was so excited.
    I know I have been boring to you all with my questions and all !! I thank everyone in this forum who helped me answer the questions I asked. Thanks for all the advices and support that you gave. We really need that !
    Jane, my dear, a special thanks to you !
    I am sorry not to have posted the interview experience yesterday, but I was so tired !!
    Overall the officer was very pleasant, nice and kind of friendly . The interview last for about 30 minutes but he took most of that time to punch-hole every doc I gave to him !
    I am relieved, you know the feeling, right ?
    To everybody, God bless ! Thanks again for all the help !

    Ema.
    hello ema.
    congratulation, i,m so happy for coz u,ve been so good on this forum. and care alot .celebrate girl is ur time.see u in the citizenship forum. good luck

  24. #24
    ema76...Congratulations.I am very happy for you.Go celebrate.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    512
    Congratulations Ema...I am really happy for you.

    Eric
    04/11/2001 - I-130 mailed
    05/22/2002 - I-130 approved
    11/18/2004 - Wife became USC
    11/19/2004 – i-485 filed through DORA.
    11/30/2004 – FP
    11/22/2005 - Applied for Renewal EAD
    12/16/2005 - Biometrics for Renewal EAD
    02/23/2006 - Received Renewal EAD
    10/31/2006 - Applied for Renewal EAD
    11/25/2006 - Biometrics for Renewal EAD
    12/01/2006 - Received Welcome Letter Mailed Email from USCIS
    12/05/2009 - Filed N-400
    01/05/2010 - Biometrics
    02/16/2010 - N-400 Interview - Approved

  26. #26
    Princesskate, Siri80, thanks guys !

    Eric Nees GC thank you ! Do you have any news on your case ?

    Yahayajp, thanks a lot ! I am gonna celebrate tonight !! Can't wait ! People in this forum cared about my situation and questions I think more than people I know here, hehe... that's why I give 100% support to all in need of encouragments !!

    Ema.

  27. #27
    Congrats Ema...big celebration this weekend!

  28. #28
    Hi Ema,
    When I was reading your interview experience I was imaging myself in that Chicago traffic, that building by Adams...security...oooo!!!!
    I'm also form Chicago and reading your posts makes me so excited and stressed (?)
    Anyway BIG BIG CONGRATULATION!
    That's nice to hear there're some "human officers".
    I am really happy for you and your family!!!

  29. #29
    Thanks Dula !
    Man, that traffic is horrible, but fortunately I don't live in Chicago anymore, but in Joliet, 30 miles from Chicago. It's south of Chicago, you probably heard of the city. Where are you exactly in Chicago ?

    Ema.

  30. #30
    Well, I don't live exactly in the city. I used to.
    I was living a little with my future (that time) husband in Lombard, with his parents. Then before we got married we moved to Roselle. So we live in Roselle with our doggy
    I have some friends living on the southside- Romeoville.

    Ema, when I got my interview letter (hopefuly before end of summer- I wish), I will probably try to find you on this forum to ask some questions! My sis is getting married, this October, back in my homeland...I hope I'll get papers before that!!
    Lately I'm getting more angry about myself that I didn't apply ealier- I'm so stupid! What I was waiting for? Now I'm counting days and getting "obsessed" with dates, becouse of my sis wedding!
    Grrrr.....!

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