Done !!!!!!
...i can envision u sitting from across the IO...laughing n talking...GOOD LUCK !!!
Yay!! Finally done. They stamped a one year conditional I-551 and the card will be mailed.
So we were called in around the set time for our interview. There was not much of a wait or anything. The IO called us in to his office and he was very stern, very business-like. I was surprisingly calm but my husband was very nervous.
He basically asked for all the proof we had taken with us. He clarified info. like birthdate, marriage date, when we met, when we graduated from college (since that's where we met), how are families felt about our marriage (since there was no family in the wedding pictures). Then he also made a comment that..are you guys (insert religion here) and what the custom is for such a wedding...to which I said neither of us is religious and we will have a reception next year...to which he asked who all will be present..so I said with friends, relatives, parents, everyone...
He asked for joint documents and we submitted everything we had. At the end of our interview the only proof he kept with himself was the title deed for our house.
He definitely seemed to be getting impatient and we were very glad we took a lawyer with us who chipped in useful information when needed. As you guys may remember my husband and I live on 2 different coasts and my guess is that is what made the IO ask for so much proof and ask all the questions.
Having our name together on the house was huge more than any other joint proof we had in our case.
Many questions later he said we are almost done and asked for any other immigration documents I may have...I gave him my EAD card and he kept my passport with him. He said he will review our case with his boss and if it is approved he will stamp my passport and will keep the EAD card with himself.
My huaband and I and our lawyer were then escorted to the waiting area. 10 mins. later he came out and handed me the passport with the stamp. I gave him a firm handshake and said thank you
All in all, I think it was important to be relaxed and most importantly, tell yourself that if you know your case is genuine and if you are not hiding anything, there is never a reason to worry.
a BIG thank you to all of you guys!!!! I would not have been as well prepared and calm without you all
Kkboy, your wife's interview is in San Jose too right? Good luck with that! I have no doubt you guys will be fine.
Overall, the whole thing took half hour and went very smooth though there were times when it seemed like things were not going too well. All's well that ends well
Now I just have to wait for my card in the mail I guess...though since they stamped my passport I am not too worried.
Once again, a big thanks to each one of you to help me get through this!!!
Good luck to all of you and feel free to ask any questions I can help with.
