My interview was mostly a non-event, both in experience and in results.
But first, a little more information on my circumstances. I sent in my application on Dec 5th, but my notices weren't issued until Dec 31st. My interview date was March 12th, but I haven't received my EAD or AP yet, and there have been no updates on these applications even after the finger prints were taken on January 25th.
My interview was in Milwaukee office. We ended up with an interview officer who had been separating couples for questioning (we could observe that in the waiting room). When he called us in, he only wanted me to come in, but then he saw my wife holding the BIG wedding album and said never mind, you could both come in.
After the oath, he briefly asked me how long I had been in the U.S. and when I left the country (I was on F1, then on H1, so I traveled in and out a lot). He took notes of it, and then asked me to give the timeline of when I met my wife, etc. I was barely listening as i was talking but took notes.
He kept the documents we had brought (copies of insurances, lease, bank and tax records). Kept the pictures we had brought, and requested that we send him additional pictures from our 'wedding ceremony' by mail. (Our album was a 'printed' album, and pictures couldn't just be taken out).
I asked him if my background check was clear, he said no. I tried to ask him if my background check will be run from scratch again even though I had had this done TWICE for me already at the time of visa renewals. He went into a long incomprehensible vent on how the checks can take a long time. I tried to ask him about the 180 day rule for background check, but at this time, he wasn't even paying attention.
Overall the experience was friendly, but our inteview officer himself was an immigrant (had an AFrican name and a thick accent), and we came out not knowing what had happened. My impression is that his purview was only to assess the legitimacy of the wedding and had no idea beyond that. I do not know if my case is approved, or approved pending name check.
But since he was completely satisifed with our interview, my guess is that he is going to give the OKAY and let the proceedings go on from there. I guess we'll have to make phone call to find out where our case is now.
