[also posted under I-485 issues in CA - local transfers]
My case (details below) was approved on 2/8 at the Chula Vista office (San Diego). I wanted to share this fact for at least two reasons: to calm down those anxious guys waiting for the interview and to give the insight on my case, which was quite complicated.
All it started in 2002 when my wife put in the I-485 application based on the employment E1 category. We came to the States on J1/J2 basis. We managed this step (I-485) without the lawyer because it is basically a piece of cake and costs a lot. It saved as $3.500 right there.
I had to move to Boston later on following my career. Stayed there for a year and came back to CA but still maintained a separate address from my wife (life is tough).
In August 2004 (after two and 1/2 damn years of waiting) our cases were transferred to San Diego (my wife’s residence area) for a formal interview. The reason was (I thought) – I was caught and charged for shoplifting (such an idiot I am). ONE month after that sad and embarrassing accident happened I was asked for the second fingerprinting (perfect timing, isn’t it). No wonder that the name check came back positive. It took the INS another 2,5 months to get a record description from the FBI (‘cause FBI has no incentive to work faster, why would it).
In the meanwhile, my wife could not wait longer for her approval because of the work –related issues. We went to Chula Vista and asked to break our case into two separate interviews. To our surprise this request was approved and we even got the interview date for her (she is smart enough to not to shoplift). The latter required us two more trips to Chula Vista (which was a pain in the a**). During those several visits and chit-chats with the immigration officer who became something a like a family friend for us we have learned why our cases were marinating at the Office without being put on the schedule. It had nothing to do with my FBI “hit”, it had to do (I am quoting) with “Our Office mainly involved with the family petitioned cases, and therefore the staff has never had enough experience with employment based one. So, no one officer here wanted to pick it from the pile and it was postponed for later scheduling [infinitely]. {After I have heard that I almost had a heart attack
}. We were also explained why our cases were transferred. I thought it was because of my fingerprint “hit”. It appeared – no. Initially the transfer happened by a mistake. Namely, for some reason (which can only be explained by a not willingness to work,to think and to be a human being) the reviewing person at the CSC thought that my case (and not my wife’s) is a LIFE Act case. {It does not matter what was the LIFE Act. To give you the analogy, to confuse me for the LIFE Act is the same as to get me confused for Madonna.) In essence, that is why in August 2004 the cases were dumped on the Chula Vista office where they were collecting the dust for another three months and if not our involvement would have been sat there for another many-many-many-many months (and then possibly shredded).
Never the less, my wife was asked for the interview, which we (as an experiment) took the lawyer to. As I suspected it was like to take a donut. She pleased the officer with a good smell but that was it. The questions were standard. The only one oddity was in that the officer asked her for the letter OR the pay stubs as a proof of employment. No tax reports were required. As planned my wife got approved and her passport stamped; the plastic was in the mail in two weeks exact. I was sent home unhappy and advised to wait for the FBI response, which “will be back any moment soon”. All I could do is to write to the FBI Dissemination department and beg them of sending my profile to Chula Vista directly and ASAP. I doubt that it helped but two days after the wife’s interview (while my letter was in transit to DC) I got a letter of appointment for myself. I tried to re-schedule it on the earlier date (through the e-mail and in person) but was turned away.
I went to the Court and got my Certified Court record (this thought was the only wise advice from the lawyer), arresting and disposition papers. The interviewing officer was the same guy who did my wife’s (the “family member” guy). It was just a coincidence I guess. He asked me “did you bring your court papers”. I said “yes”. He took the originals and said “do not worry, we all make mistakes”. NO other questions were asked!!!
Two minutes later I was flying out of his office with the passport carrying the stamp on page 6.
The End.
I-485 filed October 2002
Transfer from CSC August 2004
Interviews: December 2004 and February 2005
My case (details below) was approved on 2/8 at the Chula Vista office (San Diego). I wanted to share this fact for at least two reasons: to calm down those anxious guys waiting for the interview and to give the insight on my case, which was quite complicated.
All it started in 2002 when my wife put in the I-485 application based on the employment E1 category. We came to the States on J1/J2 basis. We managed this step (I-485) without the lawyer because it is basically a piece of cake and costs a lot. It saved as $3.500 right there.
I had to move to Boston later on following my career. Stayed there for a year and came back to CA but still maintained a separate address from my wife (life is tough).
In August 2004 (after two and 1/2 damn years of waiting) our cases were transferred to San Diego (my wife’s residence area) for a formal interview. The reason was (I thought) – I was caught and charged for shoplifting (such an idiot I am). ONE month after that sad and embarrassing accident happened I was asked for the second fingerprinting (perfect timing, isn’t it). No wonder that the name check came back positive. It took the INS another 2,5 months to get a record description from the FBI (‘cause FBI has no incentive to work faster, why would it).
In the meanwhile, my wife could not wait longer for her approval because of the work –related issues. We went to Chula Vista and asked to break our case into two separate interviews. To our surprise this request was approved and we even got the interview date for her (she is smart enough to not to shoplift). The latter required us two more trips to Chula Vista (which was a pain in the a**). During those several visits and chit-chats with the immigration officer who became something a like a family friend for us we have learned why our cases were marinating at the Office without being put on the schedule. It had nothing to do with my FBI “hit”, it had to do (I am quoting) with “Our Office mainly involved with the family petitioned cases, and therefore the staff has never had enough experience with employment based one. So, no one officer here wanted to pick it from the pile and it was postponed for later scheduling [infinitely]. {After I have heard that I almost had a heart attack
}. We were also explained why our cases were transferred. I thought it was because of my fingerprint “hit”. It appeared – no. Initially the transfer happened by a mistake. Namely, for some reason (which can only be explained by a not willingness to work,to think and to be a human being) the reviewing person at the CSC thought that my case (and not my wife’s) is a LIFE Act case. {It does not matter what was the LIFE Act. To give you the analogy, to confuse me for the LIFE Act is the same as to get me confused for Madonna.) In essence, that is why in August 2004 the cases were dumped on the Chula Vista office where they were collecting the dust for another three months and if not our involvement would have been sat there for another many-many-many-many months (and then possibly shredded).Never the less, my wife was asked for the interview, which we (as an experiment) took the lawyer to. As I suspected it was like to take a donut. She pleased the officer with a good smell but that was it. The questions were standard. The only one oddity was in that the officer asked her for the letter OR the pay stubs as a proof of employment. No tax reports were required. As planned my wife got approved and her passport stamped; the plastic was in the mail in two weeks exact. I was sent home unhappy and advised to wait for the FBI response, which “will be back any moment soon”. All I could do is to write to the FBI Dissemination department and beg them of sending my profile to Chula Vista directly and ASAP. I doubt that it helped but two days after the wife’s interview (while my letter was in transit to DC) I got a letter of appointment for myself. I tried to re-schedule it on the earlier date (through the e-mail and in person) but was turned away.
I went to the Court and got my Certified Court record (this thought was the only wise advice from the lawyer), arresting and disposition papers. The interviewing officer was the same guy who did my wife’s (the “family member” guy). It was just a coincidence I guess. He asked me “did you bring your court papers”. I said “yes”. He took the originals and said “do not worry, we all make mistakes”. NO other questions were asked!!!
Two minutes later I was flying out of his office with the passport carrying the stamp on page 6.
The End.
I-485 filed October 2002
Transfer from CSC August 2004
Interviews: December 2004 and February 2005