Hi Everyone,
I had my interview for marriage based AOS yesterday in Chicago. I sent my application in July 2004, after we married. Our situation is a little complicated. My wife has two kids although she has never been married to anybody else before. Also, seven months ago, I moved and started working in NJ (I got a very good job) and she cannot come with me because the fathers of her kids have the right to see the kids every weekend. But I come and see her every other week.
We were interviewed by a young lady. First, we were asked for typical documents like birth certificates, tax returns, copy of my passport, etc. Then for specific documents that proove my eligibility for AOS, like insurance policies or assets on both our names. We gave the officer copies of medical insurance card and explanation of benefits letters. The company that I work for provides medical insurance and my wife and the kids are also beneficiarees of this policy. We were asked about joint bank accouns. We said we had one, but she did not ask for the bank statements. Then she asked us whether we had separate accounts. We said yes. Then, at her request, we provided a copy of joint tax return forms, employmemt letters and appartment lease with both our names. Also, I gave her a paper that shows that my wife is beneficiaree for my life insurance and 401K savings plan.
The officer did not smile too much, but appeared to be OK with the documents that we provided. But she asked my wife to come with her outside the room. She separated us and asked us the same questions separately: when and where we met, when and where did I ask her to mary me, how much the wedding bands cost, how much we pay rent in Chicago, how much I pay rent in NJ, where do I live in NJ, whether she gets child support, what did we do on Saturday, what did we eat last night, how does the bedroom look like, what colour is the bed cover, etc. We gave the same answers, except for two questions. My wife has never been to NJ, so, instead of giving the interviewer the name of the city where I live now, she got confused and gave the name of the city where I work. Also, my wife has a verbal agreement with the fathers of her kids and they provide some financial support for the kids (nothing official, they give her whathever they can). Therefore, I got confused and, instead of saying "No, she does not get child support", I said "Yes". The other 15-20 answers matched. The officer printed the answers and asked us to sign.
Everything took 1.5 hours. She did not appear neither satisfied nor unsatisfied. But she said we would get the answer in the mail in a couple of weeks.
Now I am very worried. Does any of you know what does this mean? Is it common to get approval notices this way or I should expect a denial now?
Maybe request for another interview or additional evidence (this does not appear likely to me) ?
Also, I made a terrible error: I only gave the officer documents that she asked for. She did not ask whether we wanted to present more documents that prove the "real" marriage. Then, we did not say anything, since she saw the folder with a mountain of papers on the table. I think I did it wrong: I should have asked her whether she wanted to take copies of joint credit cards, flight tickets that show I come to see my wife every other week (I only told her I travel, but I did not show her the tickets), self phone, land phone and cable bills with both our names on them, junk mail for both of us, photos.
My question is: do you think I should make an INFOPSS appoiment to speak to an immigration officer and give him/her a letter for the officer that interviewed us, along with a file containing the documentation that I did not offer yesterday? I could only find the earliest appointment time two weeks from Friday (16 days after the interview) and I am afraid the decision will have already been taken by that time. I am also thinking about just going to the building where the interview took place, but I don't think they will let me in without a "Request for Interview" letter for that day. Also, I cannot see anything that I could do over the phone.
Another problem is I don't even know the name of the officer; she did not tell us her name. Is there any way I can find this?
OK. This is my story. Now, how do you think I should proceed? I would really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Maxim
I had my interview for marriage based AOS yesterday in Chicago. I sent my application in July 2004, after we married. Our situation is a little complicated. My wife has two kids although she has never been married to anybody else before. Also, seven months ago, I moved and started working in NJ (I got a very good job) and she cannot come with me because the fathers of her kids have the right to see the kids every weekend. But I come and see her every other week.
We were interviewed by a young lady. First, we were asked for typical documents like birth certificates, tax returns, copy of my passport, etc. Then for specific documents that proove my eligibility for AOS, like insurance policies or assets on both our names. We gave the officer copies of medical insurance card and explanation of benefits letters. The company that I work for provides medical insurance and my wife and the kids are also beneficiarees of this policy. We were asked about joint bank accouns. We said we had one, but she did not ask for the bank statements. Then she asked us whether we had separate accounts. We said yes. Then, at her request, we provided a copy of joint tax return forms, employmemt letters and appartment lease with both our names. Also, I gave her a paper that shows that my wife is beneficiaree for my life insurance and 401K savings plan.
The officer did not smile too much, but appeared to be OK with the documents that we provided. But she asked my wife to come with her outside the room. She separated us and asked us the same questions separately: when and where we met, when and where did I ask her to mary me, how much the wedding bands cost, how much we pay rent in Chicago, how much I pay rent in NJ, where do I live in NJ, whether she gets child support, what did we do on Saturday, what did we eat last night, how does the bedroom look like, what colour is the bed cover, etc. We gave the same answers, except for two questions. My wife has never been to NJ, so, instead of giving the interviewer the name of the city where I live now, she got confused and gave the name of the city where I work. Also, my wife has a verbal agreement with the fathers of her kids and they provide some financial support for the kids (nothing official, they give her whathever they can). Therefore, I got confused and, instead of saying "No, she does not get child support", I said "Yes". The other 15-20 answers matched. The officer printed the answers and asked us to sign.
Everything took 1.5 hours. She did not appear neither satisfied nor unsatisfied. But she said we would get the answer in the mail in a couple of weeks.
Now I am very worried. Does any of you know what does this mean? Is it common to get approval notices this way or I should expect a denial now?
Maybe request for another interview or additional evidence (this does not appear likely to me) ?
Also, I made a terrible error: I only gave the officer documents that she asked for. She did not ask whether we wanted to present more documents that prove the "real" marriage. Then, we did not say anything, since she saw the folder with a mountain of papers on the table. I think I did it wrong: I should have asked her whether she wanted to take copies of joint credit cards, flight tickets that show I come to see my wife every other week (I only told her I travel, but I did not show her the tickets), self phone, land phone and cable bills with both our names on them, junk mail for both of us, photos.
My question is: do you think I should make an INFOPSS appoiment to speak to an immigration officer and give him/her a letter for the officer that interviewed us, along with a file containing the documentation that I did not offer yesterday? I could only find the earliest appointment time two weeks from Friday (16 days after the interview) and I am afraid the decision will have already been taken by that time. I am also thinking about just going to the building where the interview took place, but I don't think they will let me in without a "Request for Interview" letter for that day. Also, I cannot see anything that I could do over the phone.
Another problem is I don't even know the name of the officer; she did not tell us her name. Is there any way I can find this?
OK. This is my story. Now, how do you think I should proceed? I would really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Maxim
