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Hi Srini123,ASC and NDOCT99,
First of all let me tell you the happy news! As of 12PM today, I am a permanent resident!!! All passports (Mine/wife/Kids) were stamped for permanent residence. Thanks to the sweet and helpful INS officer!!
I am sorry, I am getting back to you this late. I live almost 125 Miles from INS Arlington. I got home only by 4 PM.
I reached Arlington by 9:30 AM. My attorney was already waiting for me (Please do not go without your attorney !!).My interview was to take place in Room 311. When I reached there, there were about 30 people already waiting. Most of them had their attornies. With an attorney sitting next to you, you probably stand a better chance of taking less questions. My Intervirew was scheduled at 10AM. I dropped my call letters in the drop box and with in 10 Minutes, my attorney took me inside to the INS Officer.
She grilled me for an Hour and fifteen minutes atleast (1:15), can you believe that !!
These are the documents that I took (rather, I was asked to take with me). Some may not be applicable to you depending on your situation:
1. Passport with I-94
2. Immigration Photos
3. Interview letter
4. Letter of Employment
5. House Lease document ( for proof of residence of me/wife living together)
6. Bank Statement ( for proof of residence )
7. All Marks cards, degree certificates, Exp. Letters
8. Birth certificates (my wife had affidavits)
9. Tax returns for the past three years with W2’s (Both Federal and State)
10. Marriage certificate
11. Form I- 134 (Affidavit of support)
12. EAD card
13. Pay slips of past three months
14. Photo Album showing photos for proof of shared life
15. Copy of Driver’s License
16. SSN card
17. Copies of Passports
18. Copies of all the above documents.
Yea, sure, it is a truck load!!! But if it would get my GC, I was willing to carry it. They sure don\'t have any Xeroxing facility at INS! So, better carry all that you need.The interview letter itsef was very clear, all the above documents + any other document relevent for the case.
She started off with the basic question, proof that my company was still interested in keeping me after the GC. I had an updated letter in which my company had clearly stated that after the GC my chances of continuing in the company are excellent. They wanted a letter which clearly indicated my position in the company, my current salary and whether the position was temporory or permanent. Well, there was some discussion about which was the company, what they do and all that. The officer told me that it was not clear to the INS about the intent of my company, whether they would continue with me, so it seems my case went for an interview ( I cound not buy that, b\'coz, two others who applied along with me from the same company, did not have to go to the interview !).
Next were all the personal documents. My tax payments for the last three years was just seen. My marriage certificate was thoroughly scrutinized. I had to answer why I took my marriage certificate after 8 yrs of marriage and not before.When I told her that in India, things were different, she looked at me with utter disbelief!! Added to that, my birth certificate was also recent. She was not able to believe that some one could have existed with out a B\'certificate !!
Next she asked me for an updatd affidavit of support for my wife and family. Fortunately my attorney had asked me to carry the same and I had it.
Subsequent to that B\'certificates of my family was also checked, verified.
A word of caution if you happen to have affidavit in lieu of actual Birth certificate. My wife had it. It has to be from two people (Only one of whom can be the parent). They have to state in the affidavit as to how they got the knowledge of the child\'s birth. In my wife\'s affidavit, this was not stated. She was about to send me back for that, but fortunately, she reconciled.
It was jsut a courtesy interview for the family. She quickly finished with them and asked for our passports. My I-94 was taken off and replaced with the stamp of permanent residence.
Sorry if I bored you with too many details. I just wanted you to be aware of what all took place. Depending on how your situation is, your intervew could either be shorter or longer.
Thanks to each of you for sharing information. This board was all I had, to run for comfort, at the time of distress.I must convey my special thanks to Mr.RK for keeping this chat board.
Srini, I hope your case will go through without the need for an interview. Thanks for all the inspiration that you gave, as you always have done.
ASC, I will get back to this board if you need anything more. I sincerely hope and pray that you get your call sooner. Your RD is earlier than mine, but I waited from October for this call. As I was being over cautious in terms of carrying documents,my boss said, INS is out to help you and they will definetely go to any extent to do that.If they decide to screw you, they will make sure of that too by going to any extent.
All the feelings of hurt and rejection of waiting will vanish when you have your passport stamped. All the best !!!