The big day arrived - we got to San Jose INS on Monterrey rd at 6.30 am per the experiences of others in this forum. Our hearts sank when we saw how many people were in line already - at least 30 or 40. By 6.50 a guard came out and " read the riot act" regarding sharp objects , cameras, cell phones with cameras etc etc - also no food - had to run back to the car to take baby food back - water and baby formula ONLY.
I had figured from others on this forum that we could go in the appointments line but when I tried to confirm this the guy ( which I only realized afterwards was a guard and not an INS officer and was therefore not well informed) said -NO - NO appointment - other line. This ended up costing us at least an hour - because when I double checked about 10 min later with one of the INS guys ( white shirts , no guns !!) - he told us to go to the appointments line - but by then we were way back compared to what we would have been. Once inside it was pretty pleasant and would have been quite bearable if we didn't have a 5 year old and a baby to contend with for the next 3 hours.
We got called up at about 9.30 - had to hand in all EAD's, H1's , APs etc etc - also required photo and did fingerprints - then had to wait about another 10 min for them to do " a background check" - ( ok , so what have they been doing for the last 3 years?)
We were out of there by 9.50 am which given our nearly 4 years of dealing with the INS was not too bad in the spectrum of things. They were very friendly.
Now we wait for the plastic card and then hopefully no more INS for 10 years !!
Regards and speedy green cards to all .
LindaMac
wac0206155*****
rd 12/07/2001
nd 12/12/2001
fp 5/2002
2nd fp 10/03
rfe for 3 paystubbs and 2002 tax return and W2 -11/03
approved 12/30/03
passports stamped today 1/14/04
I had figured from others on this forum that we could go in the appointments line but when I tried to confirm this the guy ( which I only realized afterwards was a guard and not an INS officer and was therefore not well informed) said -NO - NO appointment - other line. This ended up costing us at least an hour - because when I double checked about 10 min later with one of the INS guys ( white shirts , no guns !!) - he told us to go to the appointments line - but by then we were way back compared to what we would have been. Once inside it was pretty pleasant and would have been quite bearable if we didn't have a 5 year old and a baby to contend with for the next 3 hours.
We got called up at about 9.30 - had to hand in all EAD's, H1's , APs etc etc - also required photo and did fingerprints - then had to wait about another 10 min for them to do " a background check" - ( ok , so what have they been doing for the last 3 years?)
We were out of there by 9.50 am which given our nearly 4 years of dealing with the INS was not too bad in the spectrum of things. They were very friendly.
Now we wait for the plastic card and then hopefully no more INS for 10 years !!
Regards and speedy green cards to all .
LindaMac
wac0206155*****
rd 12/07/2001
nd 12/12/2001
fp 5/2002
2nd fp 10/03
rfe for 3 paystubbs and 2002 tax return and W2 -11/03
approved 12/30/03
passports stamped today 1/14/04