Hey everyone, new user here! 
I really thought I wouldn't have to come here only unless I needed very serious help.
My story goes like this: I went to my interview yesterday, June 2nd 2011, on time, no problem here.
When I get to my interview, I am met with a very rude and stickler of an immigration officer. I really thought there would be no problems since I had all my documents and everything prepared.
Everything went smoothly until we got to my "criminal record" history. He asked me if I had court documents for these two cases I had. For the first one, a rather silly one, I showed an MTA disposition for sitting on the platform stairs at 2 am June 2006. No issue.
Then I gave him a docket transcript sent from a Centre County, PA local court to show that I settled a public urination charge when I was in college in January 2009. Now I know this is an embarrassing mistake, but I had no idea of the implications it would bring to this interview. I did research concerning moral turpitude and good moral conduct, and I read from legal opinions that this certain violation wouldn't be enough to hold me back. I even read civil lawsuits are not really of a concern to IOs, what a terrible assumption!
First, the officer dismissed the court document as insufficient, even though it was the original court disposition that was sent to me by the court office. He would continue my case until August 29, 2011, a huge setback for me because I am married and would like to have my wife some sort of legal status soon.
I told the IO that I was surprised that they didn't accept the court order, even for something that I thought was a civil offense, not criminal. He then proceeded to tell me that it was a misdemeanor in NYC, even though my case was in PA. I then had to tell him that Disorderly Conduct was not moral turpitude, so I didn't know why I was being questioned on terms of morality. He then told me the document stated physical hazard/liquids on the charge, and that he didn't know what that was. I then asked that I thought I would be compared to the average American so I didn't know why I was being treated so harshly for a minor offense. He then remarked that it was nice of me to think average Americans urinate in public, not what I meant at all, mind you. He said he would check with the supervisors on the authenticity of the court document. Of course, the supervisors rejected the court document and told me to get an approved document for August 29th.
The only problem was I called the local court office numerous times and they told me that's the only court document they send. That they wouldn't change their standards for me. They told me this was the first time anyone had a problem with this.
When I went back to the supervisor to speak to him about this, he was just deaf to the situation. He kept demanding such court documents based on a national legal standard which apparently this court wasn't following. He then proceeded to tell me to go all the way to PA to get this required document. So I balked at this order and called it unreasonable. Then he proceeded to say I did the crime and continued demonizing me for my violation, like I was a real criminal. I didn't appreciate that and told him that everyone makes mistakes, why was I being demonized for something that's not even a criminal offense in PA and that could have happened to regular Americans as well. Of course, everyone there feels that Americans are perfect and commit no offenses, so he ended the discussion and told me to get that document.
All of this wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't called the local court office and have them tell me that they wouldn't produce such a document even if I came there physically. Feeling as if I had no options, I contacted the Ombudsman and am awaiting his/her response. I am considering to call my district representative and ask for their help on this.
Having read this, is there anything else I can do? I would not like to wait until August 29 because I felt I was continued unfairly since I had original documentation to prove I settled my case. But if that is my only choice, how do I go about getting this required document when even the local court won't provide it???
PLEASE HELP!!! lol, sorry, I'm just that frustrated.
I really thought I wouldn't have to come here only unless I needed very serious help.
My story goes like this: I went to my interview yesterday, June 2nd 2011, on time, no problem here.
When I get to my interview, I am met with a very rude and stickler of an immigration officer. I really thought there would be no problems since I had all my documents and everything prepared.
Everything went smoothly until we got to my "criminal record" history. He asked me if I had court documents for these two cases I had. For the first one, a rather silly one, I showed an MTA disposition for sitting on the platform stairs at 2 am June 2006. No issue.
Then I gave him a docket transcript sent from a Centre County, PA local court to show that I settled a public urination charge when I was in college in January 2009. Now I know this is an embarrassing mistake, but I had no idea of the implications it would bring to this interview. I did research concerning moral turpitude and good moral conduct, and I read from legal opinions that this certain violation wouldn't be enough to hold me back. I even read civil lawsuits are not really of a concern to IOs, what a terrible assumption!
First, the officer dismissed the court document as insufficient, even though it was the original court disposition that was sent to me by the court office. He would continue my case until August 29, 2011, a huge setback for me because I am married and would like to have my wife some sort of legal status soon.
I told the IO that I was surprised that they didn't accept the court order, even for something that I thought was a civil offense, not criminal. He then proceeded to tell me that it was a misdemeanor in NYC, even though my case was in PA. I then had to tell him that Disorderly Conduct was not moral turpitude, so I didn't know why I was being questioned on terms of morality. He then told me the document stated physical hazard/liquids on the charge, and that he didn't know what that was. I then asked that I thought I would be compared to the average American so I didn't know why I was being treated so harshly for a minor offense. He then remarked that it was nice of me to think average Americans urinate in public, not what I meant at all, mind you. He said he would check with the supervisors on the authenticity of the court document. Of course, the supervisors rejected the court document and told me to get an approved document for August 29th.
The only problem was I called the local court office numerous times and they told me that's the only court document they send. That they wouldn't change their standards for me. They told me this was the first time anyone had a problem with this.
When I went back to the supervisor to speak to him about this, he was just deaf to the situation. He kept demanding such court documents based on a national legal standard which apparently this court wasn't following. He then proceeded to tell me to go all the way to PA to get this required document. So I balked at this order and called it unreasonable. Then he proceeded to say I did the crime and continued demonizing me for my violation, like I was a real criminal. I didn't appreciate that and told him that everyone makes mistakes, why was I being demonized for something that's not even a criminal offense in PA and that could have happened to regular Americans as well. Of course, everyone there feels that Americans are perfect and commit no offenses, so he ended the discussion and told me to get that document.
All of this wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't called the local court office and have them tell me that they wouldn't produce such a document even if I came there physically. Feeling as if I had no options, I contacted the Ombudsman and am awaiting his/her response. I am considering to call my district representative and ask for their help on this.
Having read this, is there anything else I can do? I would not like to wait until August 29 because I felt I was continued unfairly since I had original documentation to prove I settled my case. But if that is my only choice, how do I go about getting this required document when even the local court won't provide it???
PLEASE HELP!!! lol, sorry, I'm just that frustrated.