My interview experience in Garden City, NY

[jdawg9]

Hey guys, I would like to share a little bit of my interview experience today and maybe it will be helpful to someone. First I like to say thanks to everyone so far. Even though I’m rarely post messages, I read this forum like there is no tomorrow and there are some great folks here whose unselfish acts and wisdom go a long way to help the often GC-desperates (like myself).

I little background on me. Brazilian male, came here at 14 with a B1/B2 multiple entry visa. Overstayed that visa until now. Paid the section 245i penalty for AOS. Applied for i-130 7 months before I turned 21 through GC holder mom.

I had my relative based (mother) AOS interview this morning (2/28/06) at 7:00 in Garden City (Long Island) NY. I left my house a little late since I live only 5-10 minutes away. I got there at 6:45, to find a huge line. Luckly, my lawyer, who was traveling from about 1 ½ hour way, caught up with me (and cut the line) just before I made into the security check point.

We did the usual, checking in by giving appointment letter and waited for someone to bring a group of people to another waiting room. I then waited for another 20 minutes until I was called along with my mom and my lawyer by the intimidating-at-first but friendly after immigration officer.

Since my mother doesn’t speak English, I had to translate to Portuguese for my mom the sworn statement as the officer said to me. (So I actually got away with repeating in English).

Officer asked me for passports, I-94, my birth certificate (and translation) asked me if I ever left the US after entering (No!!). Then asked me to get my mother’s LPR card, birth certificate (but I gave him marriage license b/c she doesn’t have one) and translation.

My lawyer had prepared in a spreadsheet with a summary of all the evidence that made me eligible for AOS under the Child Status Protection Act. After checking my file and the computer, he started arguing with my lawyer something about F27/F29, saying that I was missing a requirement (I’ll ask my lawyer tomorrow). After a lot of back and forth exchange, my lawyer finally said that I would not have received the notice if I wasn’t eligible, he kind of bought that and said the his job was to check my qualifications and send the file over for visa request “to see what will happen”. I didn’t like this aspect of the interview.

He then went over my Affidavit of Support. I had filed a self support petition (probably bad piece of advice from lawyer). The officer immediately dismissed my Aff of Supp, saying that he would “recommend” a joint sponsor b/c they don’t like to see beneficiary file for him/herself. I had a co-sponsor’s Aff of Supp prepared, just in case. So I handed him the forms (+letter of his self employment, copy of sponsor’s passport/birth certificate, his w2s, etc)

He took all the evidence, punch holes and said everything looks ok and that I would get a letter from him within 10 days if something was wrong or he needed anything. He also said that I don’t hear anything from him it would mean that he moved forward with request for visa and that the file would be “off his hands”. He ended by saying “Before you ask how long it will take, I am telling you that it will take as long as IT TAKES”.

He wrote pending i-485 on my passport and handed to me. No stamp/no decisions.

I guess I just jumped on the same boat that most of the forum is

[ema76]

Hi ! Sorry to hear that ! Don't be discouraged !!

Ema.

[bps01]

JD,

Well your interview was tough but I guess there is light at the end of the tunnel caz he did not reject you and as for the waiting well everyone here is in the same boat with the INS.

I also have my interview at garden city in 2 months and I was freaked out that it was at 7 Am... well seeing from your experence I guess it is normal to get an interview so early... just paranoid I guess...

Well good luck and thanks for posting your exp with the INS peeps

[hbr11]

Actually it looks like your case should be approved. You should see your online case status disappear in a couple of days or so, and then, a few days after that you will get your approval notice & GC. Your name does not seem to be stuck in background check, and the officer, though he seemed to be looking for "trouble" in your file, actually did not.

So just be patient, and let us know when you get your approval notice

[jdawg9]

ema76 , bps01 & hbr11:
maybe i came off the wrong foot with my after-thought. i actually feel pretty satisfied with the interview and relieved that is over. Maybe just a little disappointed that i got no stamp, but i kind of expected that since most ppl in my area are not getting it.

thanks for the support. i'll keep you all posted.

bps01: The only bad part about being so early is that the security check up opens right before 7am, so the line outside gets pretty huge (and today was 15 degress out, i just felt sorry for my elderly mom).

hbr11: Thanks