Newrk, NJ experience

O

original_007

Registered Users (C)
Salam alaikum,
here's my experience on 1/21.

Registered at: Newark, NJ


Current Status:

Adjustment of Status pending, employer based. I-485
filed 7/2001.

Actual process:

The process was very smooth but very time consuming.
I arrived at the building at 7:45am, there were close
to 150 ppl. in the long cold line for 'immigration'.
The building has 3 enterances. For registration, one
can enter through any one of these gates and tell the
gaurd that they are here for 'registration'. Make sure
the person tells the INS person at the 'immigration'
gate about 'registration' or you'll have to wait in
the cold long line. Also, the 'immigration' gates
close for the day after they let in about 400 people
(around 11am or earlier), but you can still enter the
building through the other gates. Once inside, proceed
to the 14th floor, room 1404. Give your passport to
the receptionist, a very cordial lady, and then wait
for your number to be called. Mine was number 11 at
8:20am. I was given a biographic sheet to be filled
while I wait. It asked the same info as has been
posted around, it also needed a few (2-3) contacts
family/friends in the USA with exact mailing addresses
and phone numbers. I was called at 11:15am. The
officer was professional and polite, but intimidating.
She looked over my paperwork, took index finger-prints
and a mug-shot, and proceeded to type the info in the
bio-sheet. She asked me about my sponsor for I-485,
and I informed her that I had changed jobs after 180
days (according to AC21). The typing took about 20
min. I was out at 11:45am. Overall, it was an
uneventful but quite a stressful experience.
There were close to 30 people waitng in the room by
now.
My advice: please go early and as soon as possible.


What papers or documents did the INS ask to see:

driver license, social security card, I-485 receipt,
previous H-1 approval notices, H-1 visa stamp on the
passport, letter from all previous employers and
pay-stubs. The officer also asked me to empty my
wallet and she recorded all the credit card numbers
(don't take anything you don't want scattered on the
INS desk!).
Seems like she made sure I have been in status after
the H-1 visa stamp dates (11/1999). She didn't bother
about my student life, and I didn't volunteer any
info. unless asked. (make sure you take all your
transcripts/I20s, incase you have to prove your status
for each of the last years you have been here).

best luck to all, insallah.
 
original_007

How did she find out that you had I-485 pending. Did you tell her or did she look it up?

Thanks.
 
original_007

Can you also tell me, if you had ever been out of status when you were on F1.

Thank you very much.
 
reply..

assalam alaikum,

mycase18:
i gave the ins officer the i-485 receipt and told her my status is 'adjustment of status pending', my previous H-1 was issued by the previous company and they said they would cancel it a few months after i left them. the INS officer was interested in seeing the previous H-1 as well. currently i'm working using the EAD.
during f-1 i have never been out of status.

sal403: you can make two guesses!

wasalam.
 
Re: reply..

Originally posted by original_007
assalam alaikum,

mycase18:
i gave the ins officer the i-485 receipt and told her my status is 'adjustment of status pending', my previous H-1 was issued by the previous company and they said they would cancel it a few months after i left them. the INS officer was interested in seeing the previous H-1 as well. currently i'm working using the EAD.
during f-1 i have never been out of status.

sal403: you can make two guesses!

wasalam.
Click to expand...

I am in NJ too. Is there any email address where I can get in touch with you? As I noticed that you dont have a PM box. Please do let me know. Thank and Allah Hafiz.
 
Do I have to REgister

Hello

I was simply boen in Bahrain, but never have been either a National or a Citizen of Bahrain.

Does anybody think I have to register

Thanks
 
Do I have to REgister

Hello

I was simply born in Bahrain, but never have been either a National or a Citizen of Bahrain.

Does anybody think I have to register

Thanks
 
Re: Do I have to REgister

From what I know birth is enuf to qualify you for Spec.Registry, so if you haven't gone then Feb7 is last day for Group2 (Bahrain), it is better to go to INS and clarify in any case (go by Feb7).


Originally posted by shriyaz
Hello

I was simply born in Bahrain, but never have been either a National or a Citizen of Bahrain.

Does anybody think I have to register

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
definition of national?

Ya Bahraini:

I read somewhere (one of the immigration sites) that the definition of 'National' is as follows as the government defines it:
" permanent aliance with a country"

so do you have a permanent aliance with that country? do you still have property, rights to citizenship, inheritance rights e.t.c there?
on the other hand how would somebody ,i.e INS, prove you had a relationship with that country?

note that most middle-east countries do not automatically give you citizenship if you are born there, whereas in the US people get that benefit. The INS officer might not know this and that could cause an inconvenience.

I would suggest you contact a lawyer before showing up for the INS to scrutinize you. you can contact AILA.org and get a referral in your area.

take care.
 
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