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DV 2021 AOS Only

Shilaesf said:
thanks for the reply Mom,
yes I know all the things that you mentioned. the problem is that I received 2 bio letters and done mine on the earlier date. but my assumption is that the interview is scheduled according to my later bio date.
I already sorted out the duplicated bio notices issue. and I was wondering if writing to the FO helps.
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I don't see what the problem is with the bio dates. Dual bio dates/notices is irrelevant. If they go by the bio date, people wouldn't be rushing around and looking for places where they can do walk-in bios ahead of their scheduled dates, right? Or you've not seen posts about some doing bio walk-ins? You already have your interview date, just wait for it as scheduled. The FO will reach out directly if they wish for you to come in earlier than scheduled.
 
onero said:
Same. I finally did my bio today. The ASC had only two people working. One of them first did the check ins, and once there was no one she also went back and help the other officer for fingerprints. (This is once again where I realize USCIS has budget issues. They cannot hire more people.) There were only two branches for fingerprints.

It took literally 10 min. The place was empty before our scheduled time. With 5 or 6 people, we entered together. I guess we all had the same scheduled time.

One of my fingerprint signed a yellow signal while others were green, but the officer said it was okay.
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Interesting, cause I had one finger yellow, and she just redo that one finger.
 
Sm1smom said:
I don't see what the problem is with the bio dates. Dual bio dates/notices is irrelevant. If they go by the bio date, people wouldn't be rushing around and looking for places where they can do walk-in bios ahead of their scheduled dates, right? Or you've not seen posts about some doing bio walk-ins? You already have your interview date, just wait for it as scheduled. The FO will reach out directly if they wish for you to come in earlier than scheduled.
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yep I keep calm and wait :)
 
Interview Experience (Boston FO)

Hi everyone, my wife (principal applicant) and I had our interview at the Boston FO 8 days ago (Aug 4). We entered the JFK building 15 min early, went through security, and checked in with reception. We waited 40 mins for the IO to call us. He asked to interview my wife first and me second. This is probably because we got married after her DV selection.

Her interview lasted 25 mins. He asked to see all the passports, EAD, and I-20s. He also inquired about her status throughout her time in the US. The IO also repeatedly asked if she was working - I guess trying to see if she was working out of status. He asked all the I-485 questions. Then, he asked to see some photos of us together. He flipped through the whole album and then proceeded to ask questions to check the validity of our marriage. At the end of her interview, the IO asked if she had any additional documents she wanted to submit and she said no.

Afterwards, the two of them came out and it was my turn. My interview was shorter, maybe 10 mins. He asked about my various names and aliases, immigration history, and work. He then proceeded to ask all the I-485 questions. Then, he asked me all the same questions he asked my wife to confirm the validity of our marriage. He seemed pleased with our answers. At the end of my interview he said he knows about the Sept 30 deadline for DV AOS and that he will contact us via phone if he requires additional information. I asked him if our background checks have cleared and if he got our KCC file. He said yes and that he has everything he needs and that he needs to do his checks.

The IO walked us out and was generally friendly. When we checked our status afterwards, it said:
-We updated your name for your Form I-485 and
-Interview Was Completed And My Case Must Be Reviewed

We thought we would get approved on the same day like other Boston folks. So we're pretty disappointed. This feels like the most stressful part of the AOS process so far - we're checking the USCIS account every few minutes!! We did notice that @Khalila waited 4 weeks to get the approval after the interview. Did you figure out why it was delayed and if you did anything to expedite the process?

Thanks to anyone who read this long post and all the advice and help over the last few months. We really appreciate it! Good luck to everyone!
 
Sm1smom said:
Have you contacted EMMA to find out if your bio has already been scheduled? Do that first if you haven't done so recently. There's still plenty of time left, especially since you've already completed the interview.
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Yes, I have even talked to operators at USCIS, but they haven’t scheduled my appointment
 
msypan said:
Interview Experience (Boston FO)

Hi everyone, my wife (principal applicant) and I had our interview at the Boston FO 8 days ago (Aug 4). We entered the JFK building 15 min early, went through security, and checked in with reception. We waited 40 mins for the IO to call us. He asked to interview my wife first and me second. This is probably because we got married after her DV selection.

Her interview lasted 25 mins. He asked to see all the passports, EAD, and I-20s. He also inquired about her status throughout her time in the US. The IO also repeatedly asked if she was working - I guess trying to see if she was working out of status. He asked all the I-485 questions. Then, he asked to see some photos of us together. He flipped through the whole album and then proceeded to ask questions to check the validity of our marriage. At the end of her interview, the IO asked if she had any additional documents she wanted to submit and she said no.

Afterwards, the two of them came out and it was my turn. My interview was shorter, maybe 10 mins. He asked about my various names and aliases, immigration history, and work. He then proceeded to ask all the I-485 questions. Then, he asked me all the same questions he asked my wife to confirm the validity of our marriage. He seemed pleased with our answers. At the end of my interview he said he knows about the Sept 30 deadline for DV AOS and that he will contact us via phone if he requires additional information. I asked him if our background checks have cleared and if he got our KCC file. He said yes and that he has everything he needs and that he needs to do his checks.

The IO walked us out and was generally friendly. When we checked our status afterwards, it said:
-We updated your name for your Form I-485 and
-Interview Was Completed And My Case Must Be Reviewed

We thought we would get approved on the same day like other Boston folks. So we're pretty disappointed. This feels like the most stressful part of the AOS process so far - we're checking the USCIS account every few minutes!! We did notice that @Khalila waited 4 weeks to get the approval after the interview. Did you figure out why it was delayed and if you did anything to expedite the process?

Thanks to anyone who read this long post and all the advice and help over the last few months. We really appreciate it! Good luck to everyone!
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I had my interview the same day as you and I got the same update "case must be reviewed" ... She assured me that I will get my GC in 2 weeks and now it's been 8 days and no update yet...!
 
Hey everyone and Mom @Sm1smom !
I wanted to share my bio metrics experience as well as asking one question. I hope this might be helpful for someone who is in the same shoes as me. (Having two applications, received a bio appt for both, and second/soon-to-be-rejected one happened to be scheduled earlier than your main one)

Question:
Do you think we need to do something such as sending a withdrawal request for the second package to avoid future confusion at SF FO due to potentially having two applications going at the same time? Or simply let it flow as far as it does?

Biometrics Experience at ASC in SF:
As I explained my situation before, (TLDR; I sent two packages, second one is supposed to be rejected due to the insufficient payment, but not yet and second package’s bio date is 2 days earlier so I decided to do my bio for the first package on the second package’s bio date)

Following this forum’s advice, I went to do my bio, which was originally scheduled for my second package which is supposed to be rejected at some point. I was able to complete my bio at SF ASC for my first application.

However, even after explaining my situation to them, they told me that in order for them to complete my bio for the first package (main one), they requested to also complete my bio for the second package because the bio on 8/10 is originally scheduled for it. I was originally hoping that I can only do my bio for the first package so they will mark my bio for the second package as no-show, which then leads to be abandoned so there is only one application going for me. It was not what happened but at least they completed my bio for both of them. I am not sure if this is true to other ASCs but it was how things worked at SF!

I stopped the payment for the second package a while ago so it should be rejected at some point but I am just not sure how much longer my second apps keeps going…lol and I hope this would not cause any future problem. Would love your thoughts and thank you! lol
 
Appalachian said:
Interview experience

First of all, many thanks to @Sm1smom, @SusieQQQ and all the helpful people that have been guiding and helping people. Your help is very much appreciated. The journey was long and ended up with good results.

Me and my wife had got two different interview letters. My interview was scheduled at 10:15 AM and my wife’s interview was scheduled for 10:45 AM. We went there around 9 AM and went through the security check at 9:15 AM then we went to the check-in desk where they took our index finger’s fingerprint and also took our photo and told us to go to the respective floor. We waited there for about Half an hour. Then the IO officer called our name and took us to his office room for the interview.



He first asked for each of our’s drivers license and passports, and also my EAD card.

He first went through my documents and asked about my status and when my OPT is expiring. Asked about my work and salary. I was afraid if he would ask about the Employment Verification Letter since I had only taken offer letter and recent paystubs. He didn’t ask those. He asked how many time I filled DV- told couple of times.

Went through i485 yes/no questions. He asked each of our’s birthdate like 10 times during the whole conversation.

Then he started asking my wife. Asked her how we met, about our marriage, how many people at wedding, when did she come to US, how long have we been together in US, what she is doing now, and all that. Asked the marriage date couple of times to both of us. Asked what her plan was. He also asked for our marriage photos. Luckily, I had taken the wedding album. He asked us to take out 10 photos with 2 of us together and the whole family. He attached the photos in the file.



He was also interested in my home country’s king. I told him the story



Finally, he said I’m approving your case. You guys have everything that is needed. All the best.



The case status now shows NEW CARD IS BEING PRODUCED.

All the best for you guys who have been waiting for your interview.
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Congratulations! :)
 
Update: I requested Tier 2 inquiry on 07/30 (I was told I should expect a callback within 30 days), and congressional inquiry via Senator's office on 08/01 because my biometrics and interview were not scheduled. On 08/09, I called Senator's office as a follow-up regarding my case. The staff told me that since the case (immigration) is a federal issue, Senator's office can not do anything because they only function on State level (I know some of you were able to do via Senator's office). Then, I requested the inquiry via congressman's office on the same day. Today, I received a call from my FO, and the agent told me that though my biometrics is scheduled for 09/07, I can try walk-in (the ASC will be notified within 3 business days) because of time-sensitivity of my case. I tried it today and was successful. The agent also told me that she will schedule the interview after she receives the biometrics info - indicated probably 08/30. Phew!
 
ishmog said:
Thank you for sharing! So you are saying that you didn't have to choose one of the categories that you believe should justify why USCIS needs to expedite your case. In that case, I'm assuming that the agent on the phone must have made the choice for you. I guess the agent's word has more weight since he/she requested for the expedite on your behalf. I'm curious which category the agent chose when he/she made the expedite request.

Do you know if you are the only one who was able to get the expedite request approved on this thread?

In my case, the live chat agents cannot offer help or make a choice of the category. Not even an advice lol.

View attachment 2879
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I think the agent made a choice. I suggest you to call, instead of chat. I did the same for my wife but did not get any notice of approval or deny for her. In my case it was accepted and the case was in expedited process. I got my Bio for August 24, and for my wife is on August 30. But today surprisingly we got an Interview letter for September 22. Yesterday, I asked the live agent and he was saying there is no update for the interview. Call them, if you find a agent who really want to help you then they will do for you. I have one friend @bhanu in this thread and his expedite request was accepted. Good luck, finger crossed for you.
 
hima1990 said:
Hey all,

My AOS package was delivered to Chicago Lockbox on 06/07. I received the acceptance text on 06/29. I had my Bio-appointment this week. However, I have not received an interview date yet. I contacted an USCIS agent via live chat today, and I was informed that an interview date is not scheduled for me yet. As we are approaching the end of the fiscal year, is there anything I can do at this point? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you
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I talked to live agent yesterday and he said interview hasn't be scheduled. Surprisingly, today I got my interview letter in mail, it seems some of the cases are not updated in the system?
 
SELisa said:
After being denied I got my case reopened. Then I received RFE letter and had to gathered police clearance letters from several cities and countries. I did a walk-in biometrics and now I've been waiting to get my IL....

But this morning an IO from my field office called me and said my interview was today but they had forgot to send me the IL (!?) but he had everything he needed so he APPROVED MY CASE!!! "New card is being produced" YASSSS it finally happened!

Never give up, everything works out at the end, believe me.

Thank you for an amazing community, spreadsheets, guides and help!!
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Congratulations! :)
 
Sm1smom said:
You need to update the timeline spreadsheet with your info. This will enable us have a better picture as to what is going on by comparing your case to similar cases and better guide you on if you need to initiate any thing at this point or not.
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Thank you for the reply mom. I have just sent a request to edit the spreadsheet. I will update it as soon as I get the permission. Thanks.
 
SELisa said:
After being denied I got my case reopened. Then I received RFE letter and had to gathered police clearance letters from several cities and countries. I did a walk-in biometrics and now I've been waiting to get my IL....

But this morning an IO from my field office called me and said my interview was today but they had forgot to send me the IL (!?) but he had everything he needed so he APPROVED MY CASE!!! "New card is being produced" YASSSS it finally happened!

Never give up, everything works out at the end, believe me.

Thank you for an amazing community, spreadsheets, guides and help!!
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I am so happy for you! I was waiting to see an update from you lol! Congratulations!
 
HEM_NEPAL said:
I think the agent made a choice. I suggest you to call, instead of chat. I did the same for my wife but did not get any notice of approval or deny for her. In my case it was accepted and the case was in expedited process. I got my Bio for August 24, and for my wife is on August 30. But today surprisingly we got an Interview letter for September 22. Yesterday, I asked the live agent and he was saying there is no update for the interview. Call them, if you find a agent who really want to help you then they will do for you. I have one friend @bhanu in this thread and his expedite request was accepted. Good luck, finger crossed for you.
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Thank you and congratulations on receiving your interview letter. I'm still considering whether to call or not since I already initiated a congressional inquiry the day before.

Do you have any tips on what to tell the agent to convince him/her to approve the expedite request?
 
ishmog said:
Thank you and congratulations on receiving your interview letter. I'm still considering whether to call or not since I already initiated a congressional inquiry the day before.

Do you have any tips on what to tell the agent to convince him/her to approve the expedite request?
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Personally, and I want to emphasize that this is just what I think, I wouldn't initiate more than one process at the same time. You can try one way and if it doesn't work you move on to the next one. I think it's counterproductive to use all of the resources available at the same time.
 
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