Interview in Chicago

[teacher2003]

Hi guys
My wife and I have an early morning interview in downtown Chicago(sometime in late Nov)
I live in west suburbs. I have questions, can you please help
1. Can we take our little kids (who are US citiz) to the interview?
2. Is it better to take Metra, car (that day), or stay downtown overnight?
3 If we stay in a hotel, which is one is recommended - close by and affordable. I don't to pay for Hilton
Thanks
Raja

 

[WBH]

1. Can we take our little kids (who are US citiz) to the interview?

Yes. It may differ from one DO from another. But generally there
is a waiting room outside interview area. So just let one spouse
and kids wait outside and when the other is doing interview.

You can ask recepotionist to arrange that so there is no overlapping
between two interviews. I think nowadays USCIS is not that busy
and it can be arranged.

 

[spiderman03]

Hi guys
My wife and I have an early morning interview in downtown Chicago(sometime in late Nov)
I live in west suburbs. I have questions, can you please help
1. Can we take our little kids (who are US citiz) to the interview?
2. Is it better to take Metra, car (that day), or stay downtown overnight?
3 If we stay in a hotel, which is one is recommended - close by and affordable. I don't to pay for Hilton
Thanks
Raja

Driving or metra is fine. Time your departure from home in such a way that your arrive at the destination (USCIS bulding) 90 minutes before the interview time. That way, if some unexpected event happens on the way, you will have enough time to take a cab and proceed to the destination. If the kids are too young and get cranky from early morning wake up, then staying in a downtown hotel isn't a bad idea. For best hotels, go to www.orbitz.com, you can locate hotels by address (USCIS building address on the interview letter). It will give you price and distance as well. It's simple.

 

[DreamUSA]

do not rely on metra...bad idea...as commuter i can tell you they are often late and ran into all kind of problems.

If you do use metra, allow 3-4 hours lead time...

staying in hotel overnight is not a bad idea, you will not be stressed and can take a cab to the interview....check major hotels, marriott, hilton, etc...you get good deals from them too....

 

[spiderman03]

Hi guys
My wife and I have an early morning interview in downtown Chicago(sometime in late Nov)
I live in west suburbs. I have questions, can you please help
1. Can we take our little kids (who are US citiz) to the interview?
2. Is it better to take Metra, car (that day), or stay downtown overnight?
3 If we stay in a hotel, which is one is recommended - close by and affordable. I don't to pay for Hilton
Thanks
Raja

Please post your experience in detail after the interview. Thanks. Good luck

 

[Triple Citizen]

That is relative
My line, BNSF, is 95% on time!!!

do not rely on metra...bad idea...

 

[guju]

do not rely on metra...bad idea...as commuter i can tell you they are often late and ran into all kind of problems.

If you do use metra, allow 3-4 hours lead time...

I took Metra UPNW line for almost 5 years and only once or twice did it give me trouble.

 

[brahmachari99]

I did the interview/oath a few weeks ago and I can tell you from my experience:

1. Yes, they allow kids. My wife took my daughter even to the interview room.

2. From the Western Suburbs, you can take Metra to the Union Station, from there it's about 10-15 minute walk. I however took my car, and with the early morning traffic, it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours. So plan ahead. Since your interview is in November, which might be chilly, you'll be better off taking the car even if it takes 1-2 hours to get there. There's a parking right next to the CIS building, and if you reach there before 8am, then you play only $13 for the whole day. Otherwise it's $17 for 2 hours, and $19 for more than 2 hours.

2. CIS asks you to not arrive more than 30 minutes before your appointed time. I arrived right at the appointed time and was OK.

3. I have no idea how expensive the hotels would be, but for me, taking the car was the most cost-effective option. At the interview, it's good to have a car in case the IO asks you to go back and bring a document that you don't have (DMV record, tax statemnt, court documents, etc). Also, after the oath, you can go around downtown in your car and celeberate!