Interview on Tuesday - Nervous as winter is cold...

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benebenes

Registered Users (C)
Hello all. I am nervous about my interview with usc hubby on tuesday dec 8 :(

We were married late Apr 2009. We didnt have a big wedding, just a simple court ceremony, Our families are in Africa (we have the same cultural heritage) so they were not in attendance but our friends and church members were there.

We didnt move in together till end of Aug 2009. Reason? It would have cost more to break my lease than to pay the rest of the months I had on it. We didnt file AOS till early Sep after I moved in with hubby. When we filed, we included our marriage certificate as the only proof of marriage. We never received any RFEs. My AP and EAD were approved and received in Oct 2009. No issues with i864 or medical exam.

We have joint back statements, and I am on my hubby's health insurance from work (I do not work; used to be on F1, now out of status). He doesnt have life insurance. We have joint car insurance. I am not on the lease because it would raise the rent (unnecessarily, we believe). Our driver's licences have our joint address on it.

We also have the other stuff: passports, birth certificates. I have all my I20s, I94. We have no children - yet. My hubby has paystubs. We also have our phone records from when we first started dating (July 2008)

Are we gonna have issues at our initial interview? We are married for real - no question. But we dont have soooo much in way of evidence. We do have some pictures - not a whole lot of albums though, like so many of you had :( Somehow I knew my aversion to picture-taking would bite me...

Anyways, do I have reason to be worried? Should I just expect to be called for a stokes interview? Should I start getting notarized affidavits? Honestly, I really didnt check the internet about the interview and all the prep one must go through because the AOS process has been soooo smooth - no hiccups at all. But after reading all these horror stories, now I wonder if I have been too trusting...

Thanks for your help - y'all have been the best :)
 
Well, you got fast interview date, which basically means OK, like no criminal background to check, etc.

However, it is a good idea to overimpress the interviewer on the first interview. They are like dogs - if you came friendly they let you pad them (DAOs) on the head and will even ommit some lack of evidence that in other cases would drag petitioner all the way in front of BOA (Board of Appeal). However, if you start off on the wrong foot, they will bite you at first, put you on a long wait then reschedule Stokes and even if you prove marriage being legitimate, trust me if they want they can still bring you down, just like if they would interview your parents separate for long enough time, discapancies will come up, even if your parents are married like 30 years.

If you want to pass your first interview that will be hold together (most likely, 99% chance), make sure you got everything prepared: all the joint documents in order, lots of them you did not mention alot. I am too lazy to write examples you found tons of it online. Photo albums are sooo important, this is the first thing that OP will assume scham. Couple came so much in love but then asked "where are your family albums", the response is "oh we dont like take photos", or here there are (10 photos, no photo album). If I were you, I would bring 3 albums minimum, about 150 photos like 1 travel, 1 wedding, 1 overall. Offer OP to look through your albums. Offer to talk about anything he sees, he may aske: who are those people (your joint friends) or where this was taken, so he knows those photos are not staged, like some OPs answer in denials). Another obvious thing you have to get all answers straight up with your spause, like where did you met, who propose, where was your first date, second date, etc.. things normal couple may have forgot. You may forget as well, but this, again will draw a red bold line on your file. So be ready. Stories you read are true; horror things can happen. Overal I give like 70% of being approved lays in pet/ben hands, the rest, however is like with any other human-beings, OPs are just people: bad day, wife/husband did not put out, bills piling in, what I am going to do? oh well at least I can punish those immigrats for coming in. This happens, real. Those people dont care about human lifes, children, stories, etc. Read some BOA online cases from appeals, some are real horror stories, but anyways, its your first interview, be relaxed, smile alot, answer questions, people will tell you "dont volunteer", but I dont believe in it. If you keep your stories and answers short, OP will feel something is not right and put you on hold for years to send you to Sokes Interview (this, again is "interview" not an exam where you should answer: yes or no). If you guys dont have anything to hide, it shouldnt be a problem to give out full long stories to simple questions, right? Yes, affidavits are important in my opinion I've seen OPs calling friends up to double check things, so yes have them ready with you. Make photo-copies of all documents and offer them to OP -- this will make his/her work easier. On docs you can offer originals, offer originals if OP needs to verify, like some state certs, letters from your bank, etc. Be friendly and cooperative. In todays economical crisis and double-digits in unemployment, my opinion is that USCIS goal is not to verify marriage/immigration eligibility anymore: its all about denial percentage and to keep it high. So, you will meet OP in person -- make sure you show your best side so in this short 30 minutes or so, when you leave he may be left with impression: what a nice couple, what an optimistic and good personiality that alien is. Trust me, even if you are a legitimate couple, if you show your nasty side or just keep things cold, they WILL drag you down the line and will put you down (deny your app). So, be nice and friendly.
This is only my 2c. Good luck, keep up posted!
 
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I think you have enough. My husband and I didn't have a big wedding also. It was in a courthouse with one friend as a witness. We dated for 6 months. Got engaged after then got married two weeks later. When the IO asked about how we met and everything, he was fine that we got engaged and got married so fast. With regards to documents, as long as you have the same address and have been living together, you'll be alright. Bring all the pictures you have. Our IO didn't even look or ask for more pictures. He even returned the pictures that we submitted with the application. Who knows, your IO may not even ask for it also.

Just relax. On the day of the interview, eat a healthy breakfast, stay positive, review all the documents you submitted. If your marriage is for real, you don't need to worry about anything. :) Best of luck!!!
 
thanks JackDan - your answer was very honest, but not condescending - I appreciate it.

Well I am gathering all our pictures - we dont have very many. I have never been a huge picture taker, and my husband isnt either. Most of the pics we have were taken by other people :) And they are certainly not 150 in number.

I did read that we shouldnt volunteer information at the interview. but you say we should. which one is it?

Thank you swtblcn23 - congrats on ur GC! You make me feel better. I've been real worried about our lack of evidence - its not so much. I mean, even after getting married in Apr, we werent soooo quick to pool every last dollar immediately. Our joint docs dont have much longevity.

I guess we will be betting on "chemistry" that day :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
benebenes said:
thanks JackDan - your answer was very honest, but not condescending - I appreciate it.

Well I am gathering all our pictures - we dont have very many. I have never been a huge picture taker, and my husband isnt either. Most of the pics we have were taken by other people :) And they are certainly not 150 in number.

I did read that we shouldnt volunteer information at the interview. but you say we should. which one is it?

Thank you swtblcn23 - congrats on ur GC! You make me feel better. I've been real worried about our lack of evidence - its not so much. I mean, even after getting married in Apr, we werent soooo quick to pool every last dollar immediately. Our joint docs dont have much longevity.

I guess we will be betting on "chemistry" that day :)
Click to expand...

The documents you have should suffice. You shouldn't volunteer information at the Interview, but have all the responses ready just in case the IO asks.
 
by "volunteer" I mean say more thank "yes" "no", "I dont remember". People go to the interview like its an exam and answer to short. OP cannot deny but dont want to approve. People get into second interview where even legitimate couples fall down because of stress.
 
ps. dont worry you will be fine, in the worst case scenario, you wont :)

I have seen couples being denied where legitimate marriage was in place (they were my neighbors), after being denied they got kids, and live together as a loving couple like 8 years later, no biggy life goes on, its not your fault if USCIS failed to properly ready your case, but in the meanwhile approved hundreds of refugees from Cuba.
 
JackDan said:
Well, you got fast interview date, which basically means OK, like no criminal background to check, etc.

However, it is a good idea to overimpress the interviewer on the first interview. They are like dogs - if you came friendly they let you pad them (DAOs) on the head and will even ommit some lack of evidence that in other cases would drag petitioner all the way in front of BOA (Board of Appeal). However, if you start off on the wrong foot, they will bite you at first, put you on a long wait then reschedule Stokes and even if you prove marriage being legitimate, trust me if they want they can still bring you down, just like if they would interview your parents separate for long enough time, discapancies will come up, even if your parents are married like 30 years.

If you want to pass your first interview that will be hold together (most likely, 99% chance), make sure you got everything prepared: all the joint documents in order, lots of them you did not mention alot. I am too lazy to write examples you found tons of it online. Photo albums are sooo important, this is the first thing that OP will assume scham. Couple came so much in love but then asked "where are your family albums", the response is "oh we dont like take photos", or here there are (10 photos, no photo album). If I were you, I would bring 3 albums minimum, about 150 photos like 1 travel, 1 wedding, 1 overall. Offer OP to look through your albums. Offer to talk about anything he sees, he may aske: who are those people (your joint friends) or where this was taken, so he knows those photos are not staged, like some OPs answer in denials). Another obvious thing you have to get all answers straight up with your spause, like where did you met, who propose, where was your first date, second date, etc.. things normal couple may have forgot. You may forget as well, but this, again will draw a red bold line on your file. So be ready. Stories you read are true; horror things can happen. Overal I give like 70% of being approved lays in pet/ben hands, the rest, however is like with any other human-beings, OPs are just people: bad day, wife/husband did not put out, bills piling in, what I am going to do? oh well at least I can punish those immigrats for coming in. This happens, real. Those people dont care about human lifes, children, stories, etc. Read some BOA online cases from appeals, some are real horror stories, but anyways, its your first interview, be relaxed, smile alot, answer questions, people will tell you "dont volunteer", but I dont believe in it. If you keep your stories and answers short, OP will feel something is not right and put you on hold for years to send you to Sokes Interview (this, again is "interview" not an exam where you should answer: yes or no). If you guys dont have anything to hide, it shouldnt be a problem to give out full long stories to simple questions, right? Yes, affidavits are important in my opinion I've seen OPs calling friends up to double check things, so yes have them ready with you. Make photo-copies of all documents and offer them to OP -- this will make his/her work easier. On docs you can offer originals, offer originals if OP needs to verify, like some state certs, letters from your bank, etc. Be friendly and cooperative. In todays economical crisis and double-digits in unemployment, my opinion is that USCIS goal is not to verify marriage/immigration eligibility anymore: its all about denial percentage and to keep it high. So, you will meet OP in person -- make sure you show your best side so in this short 30 minutes or so, when you leave he may be left with impression: what a nice couple, what an optimistic and good personiality that alien is. Trust me, even if you are a legitimate couple, if you show your nasty side or just keep things cold, they WILL drag you down the line and will put you down (deny your app). So, be nice and friendly.
This is only my 2c. Good luck, keep up posted!
Click to expand...

I liked your information. You can volunteer information if you know how to make that positive for you. Should not volunteer any information if you don’t know how to make that useful. That’s true for anything.
 
Indian_Citizen said:
I liked your information. You can volunteer information if you know how to make that positive for you. Should not volunteer any information if you don’t know how to make that useful. That’s true for anything.
Click to expand...

obviously, you sohuld always do something if you know what you are doing.
if one knows he/she gets extremly nervous in such a situation (like exams), its smart to keep it simple and short, but on the other hand couples that dont feel afraid, my opinion they should speak loud and clear.
 
Thank you all soooo much for your encouragement and guidance these past few months :)

My interview went very smoothly and I was approved on the spot. The supervisor didnt even ask for 3/4 of the things I took as proof. He just looked over our G325s and asked the "no" questions. Asked to see our passports. And that was it!

Thank you all again. I shall be sleeping VERY soundly tonight! :D
 
swtblcn23 said:
Our IO didn't even look or ask for more pictures. He even returned the pictures that we submitted with the application. Who knows, your IO may not even ask for it also.
Click to expand...

I thought you need to show pictures only at the interview. Do you recommend to send pictures WITH the application??? If so, how many and what type of pictures? wedding pictures, casual, trip? i mean, there's just so much you can add with the application, i didn't know applicants were actually sending pictures with their applications.

please advise, because i'm about to send my petition.

thanks!
 
minoo said:
I thought you need to show pictures only at the interview. Do you recommend to send pictures WITH the application??? If so, how many and what type of pictures? wedding pictures, casual, trip? i mean, there's just so much you can add with the application, i didn't know applicants were actually sending pictures with their applications.

please advise, because i'm about to send my petition.

thanks!
Click to expand...
Our lawyer included some pictures with our application. We submitted about 6 wedding pictures, 2 honeymoon pictures, and 4 pictures with friends. I guess there's really no harm in doing it don't you think? ;)
 
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