Here are the interview details!
I went through interview yesterday with my wife and one child. I have two other children who are US citizens. I had my lawyer with me.
First a story:
I made a package of my tax returns and W2’s, which I forgot at my home. When my lawyer asked, I found that out. But, I could not go home to get it (one hour drive one way). I used my lawyer’s computer to print 2004 and 2003 tax return from Turbo Tax web site (I file using their web service). By chance, I had given copy of my 2004 W2 to my lawyer when I met him about ten days ago.
Before the start of the interview, officer told us that she will not be able to approve our case, because she has not received our A file, and she is working with T file. She ordered the A file about four weeks ago, but she is still waiting.
I did my finger on April 2, which was cleared (I went early. Actual appointment date was April 9).
Before interview, she took our signatures and finger print of right index finger on a form.
During the interview, she asked standard questions, which we answered on our applications. Nothing complicated. She asked my lawyer that we never out of status, and he answered ‘yes, as far as I know’. She just believed him.
Documents:
1. All passports: She only looked at the current passports, which we got just recently. She also looked at the previous passports, which we used to enter the USA. We have more passports prior to that, but she did not look at them.
2. She took I-94s, but said that if we need to go out of country before approval, we can get the I-94s back.
3. She took expired (used) advance paroles. Did not take current APs, which are still valid.
4. Did not even look at EADs.
5. Looked at my driver’s license. I noticed, she asked “give me your California DL or ID”. My wife did not have DL or ID. That was ok.
6. Current employment letter. I have changed employer, but did not inform them.
7. Pay stubs. My current salary is about 7K less than what it was at the time of application. She mentioned that, but it was ok.
8. My company did not give me corporate income tax copies and DE-6 forms. It is huge company, so they did not want to search my name in DE-6 forms. She took company’s annual report, and said that she does not care even if that is not available. She can get it from internet.
9. My tax returns and W-2’s. Remember above story. I gave tax returns for 2004 and 2003, and W2 for 2004. She asked me send W2 for 2003. In fact, she said, “I if I had you’re a file, I would have asked you to FedEx it, so that I send you approval right-a-way, but since I don’t have you’re a file, therefore send it by regular mail”.
10. She confirmed my NSEERS registration and took copy of that passport.
11. She asked my lawyer that we were never out of status, which he “yes to my knowledge”. She did not check our passports to confirm. Instead, she just believed him.
12. Proof of marriage: My lawyer gave her birth certificates of my three children, and house deed, which shows that we are joint owners. She did not ask for anything else.
Reason of Transfer:
When she asked about NSEERS, she told me that they could not verify that you registered, so they transferred your case, otherwise it would have been approved over there.
Officer told us at the end that when she will get the A file, she will approve and send approval letters. She told us that she ordered the A files when she sent us interview letter and she is still waiting. She can't predict when she will get the files.