September 2011 Filers
- Thread starter ATL-I485
- Start date
MarineWife
Registered Users (C)
Received my EAD card in mail today!
Congrats
Hi everyone,
We had our interview last week and it went really well.
Our interview was scheduled for 2pm, we arrived there at 1:45pm (rainy day) and waited about half an hour before being called in. While we were waiting, we observed other couples coming out with smiles on their faces. It was obviously a good day (I've also heard the IO's at the Baltimore office are pretty nice). Our IO was an African American lady in her late 30's. She greeted us with a smile and led us to her office. The very first thing she asked for after swearing us in was my I-94. She removed it from my passport and kept it, that was a good sign!
We sent in an overload of evidence when we applied (2 affidavits from friends, joint lease, bank statements, auto insurance policies, past and future travel bookings showing ticket prices, utility bills, joint cell phone bill, individual bills with home address, joint health insurance, life insurance showing us listed as beneficiaries, photo-book I created at CVS) she seemed to have reviewed our file ahead of time which I think really helped. I made notes on each evidence to explain what it represents. I also highlighted our bank statements to show that both paychecks are directly deposited into our checking account. Who knows, she may have made her decision based on our evidence but only needed to assess if our relationship was genuine.
The IO proceeded to ask very basic questions such as: confirm your address, where do you both work and have you ever been arrested? She also asked if both sets of parents were here in the US, we answered yes. We later concluded she asked that question just to identify people in some of our wedding pictures without directly asking us to point out who they are.
She then asked my husband how we met and when? He gave her wayyy too much info, she was so into the story and must have thought it was a soap opera. LOL, she couldn't get enough. I on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed. They carried on for about 15 minutes. She was real chatty and asked other personal questions about where he was born and why he has a red U.S. passport (she had never seen one before).
She then looked at our passports, ID's, my EAD and verified our social security numbers. She made copies and asked me to select 5 of my favorite pictures from our album from each year of our relationship and label them. There was a pause as she worked on her computer and I labeled.
She then told us she was done and that we'd definitely hear from her soon. All in all, we were in her office for 30-40 minutes mainly because she and my husband are talkers. The interview lasted 10 minutes.
Sending a lot of evidence with our application really helped in our case, it made the interview a lot easier. Just waiting for the card to come in the mail any day now. God is good.
Good-luck to everyone and happy holidays!
We had our interview last week and it went really well.
Our interview was scheduled for 2pm, we arrived there at 1:45pm (rainy day) and waited about half an hour before being called in. While we were waiting, we observed other couples coming out with smiles on their faces. It was obviously a good day (I've also heard the IO's at the Baltimore office are pretty nice). Our IO was an African American lady in her late 30's. She greeted us with a smile and led us to her office. The very first thing she asked for after swearing us in was my I-94. She removed it from my passport and kept it, that was a good sign!
We sent in an overload of evidence when we applied (2 affidavits from friends, joint lease, bank statements, auto insurance policies, past and future travel bookings showing ticket prices, utility bills, joint cell phone bill, individual bills with home address, joint health insurance, life insurance showing us listed as beneficiaries, photo-book I created at CVS) she seemed to have reviewed our file ahead of time which I think really helped. I made notes on each evidence to explain what it represents. I also highlighted our bank statements to show that both paychecks are directly deposited into our checking account. Who knows, she may have made her decision based on our evidence but only needed to assess if our relationship was genuine.
The IO proceeded to ask very basic questions such as: confirm your address, where do you both work and have you ever been arrested? She also asked if both sets of parents were here in the US, we answered yes. We later concluded she asked that question just to identify people in some of our wedding pictures without directly asking us to point out who they are.
She then asked my husband how we met and when? He gave her wayyy too much info, she was so into the story and must have thought it was a soap opera. LOL, she couldn't get enough. I on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed. They carried on for about 15 minutes. She was real chatty and asked other personal questions about where he was born and why he has a red U.S. passport (she had never seen one before).
She then looked at our passports, ID's, my EAD and verified our social security numbers. She made copies and asked me to select 5 of my favorite pictures from our album from each year of our relationship and label them. There was a pause as she worked on her computer and I labeled.
She then told us she was done and that we'd definitely hear from her soon. All in all, we were in her office for 30-40 minutes mainly because she and my husband are talkers
. The interview lasted 10 minutes.Sending a lot of evidence with our application really helped in our case, it made the interview a lot easier. Just waiting for the card to come in the mail any day now. God is good.
Good-luck to everyone and happy holidays!
Last edited by a moderator:
Status Update Question
Does the status gets updated after biometrics is done? My dad's is still in Initial Review. Both 130 and 485. I was going through some of my old emails for my GC processing. I found an email which says 'the results of your fingerprint review for your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status were received, and processing has resumed on your case. We will mail you a notice if further action is needed, or when a decision is made'. This was of course 6 years back. Is this not done any more??
Does the status gets updated after biometrics is done? My dad's is still in Initial Review. Both 130 and 485. I was going through some of my old emails for my GC processing. I found an email which says 'the results of your fingerprint review for your I485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status were received, and processing has resumed on your case. We will mail you a notice if further action is needed, or when a decision is made'. This was of course 6 years back. Is this not done any more??
MarineWife
Registered Users (C)
@Bright98
Congratulations!! Glad you were successful!
Congratulations!! Glad you were successful!
GC Approved
Hi everyone,
We had a successful interview at San Antonio Field Office. I even got the GC stamp (temporary, for 1 year) in my passport w/o me asking for it. It was not as smooth as other experiences here but all is well that ends well.
I will write a detailed experience later when I wake up (it has been a tiring day)
Thanks.
Hi everyone,
We had a successful interview at San Antonio Field Office. I even got the GC stamp (temporary, for 1 year) in my passport w/o me asking for it. It was not as smooth as other experiences here but all is well that ends well.
I will write a detailed experience later when I wake up (it has been a tiring day)
Thanks.
MarineWife
Registered Users (C)
@hy2934
Congrats! Looking forward to hearing the details. Rest well.
Congrats! Looking forward to hearing the details. Rest well.
Hi everyone,
We had a successful interview at San Antonio Field Office. I even got the GC stamp (temporary, for 1 year) in my passport w/o me asking for it. It was not as smooth as other experiences here but all is well that ends well.
I will write a detailed experience later when I wake up (it has been a tiring day)
Thanks.
Congrats on your GC
Interview Experience
Thanks guys. Here is the detailed version:
a) Documents we took:
IL and all the NOA receipts from USCIS (originals + copy of each)
IDs of both of us (DL, SS card, passport)
Birth Certificates of both of us (originals+copies+certified translation by a friend)
Marriage Certificate (original + copy)
IRS transcript of last 2 years
A copy of the entire AOS packet that was sent initially
Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:
Joint Bank Account proof (+ a couple of statements)
Chat logs (when we were dating)
Lease showing that we lived together for a year before marriage
Lease that we just signed for a new house
Wedding Pics
Other pics
Receipts of wedding rings + gifts we bought for each other
Mails showing same address
Greeting cards (holiday + wedding cards) we received from friends and family
Wedding Invitation card
AT&T text log (a bit creepy but it's okay I guess )
Interview Experience:
We were scheduled for 10:30 am and we reached the field office at 9:45. After the regular security check, guard took our IL and asked us to be seated. We waited for an hour (so only 15 mins late technically) to be called by an IO. IO was a hispanic guy probably in his 40s. He seemed okay at first and took us to his office. There he asked me to wait outside and took my wife in his office to talk to her alone. He didn't even ask her for any ID or any document and just verified her name and address etc from what was written in the forms. He asked how we met, how we started talking, what interests we had that led to us dating. Then he asked who came to the wedding and wanted her to be specific about the people and wanted her to name them. She mentioned all her family members and friends. Then he asked why my family didn't come. He then asked if she had met any of my family members. She said no as they all are in my home country and we haven't had the chance to go there after marriage. He looked a bit curious and asked her if she's so interested in my culture then why she hasn't tried to meet them or visit my country. Then he started asking her questions about my family. He asked how many sisters do I have. When she told him and named them, he asked if she knew what they do, what companies do they work for and their specific residential address in my country. She obviously didn't know answer to these questions. It was then that he got intense all of a sudden and started questioning her testimony. He told her that she can go to jail for so and so years and can be charged for fraud testimony. He asked her if she felt I was taking advantage of her by marrying her. He asked "how do you know if he's not taking advantage of you?" When she said that it was her who pushed the idea of marriage, he said "yeah, I don't blame you. You felt it was good for career and he must have thought about green card". He would twist her answers and counter question her and make her feel that he is not at all convinced by this marriage and eventually said "Your testimony is terrible". At this moment, my wife completely lost it and said "Is it your job to provoke me because you are being really offensive right now?". He stood by his tactics and tried to break her down by saying that she will be the one to face judicial system and court etc for fake marriage. My wife just lost it completely and started rolling her eyes at him and stopped answering him. He asked if she was getting bored to which she replied "No, I am just very insulted by your statements right now". Then she stared crying a bit and said "I feel stupid because my hubby told me to prepare for this and I just blew it off because you will ask questions about marriage and proof". He told her that its not a walk in the park. I am here to judge as it is a federal case. He got her some water and tissues and when he came back he was more relaxed and started asking her about her school, our city, her family background and stuff. this whole drama went for around 25-30 mins.
Then he came out and called me. When I first entered the room, I saw my wife with a bit red eyes and I was like "What the hell happened in here?". But she smiled at me and I felt at ease. IO then went over the forms, verified my name, DOB etc. He then asked what visa did I come on, where do I study, what do I study. He asked who filled out the paperwork. I told him that it was me. He said "you did well! (yay!)". He then asked those "Yes/No" questions on I-485 form. After that, he said "you know why your wife is crying?". I said "No idea". He said "because she loves you" (lame, but whatever). He then just started chatting. like my new job, new city, plans for christmas, mexican food etc. He then said "you're approved.". He asked me for my passport, stamped it and put a seal. Explained to me the process for ROC. And he sad "you should get your GC in 2-3 weeks". And that I can become citizen in 3 years. I asked him if he needed to see any evidence. He in all seriousness said "Evidence doesn't mean crap to me. Anyone can fabricate the evidence. I can make you a US passport right now (really?). I just see the people and judge as thats the hardest to fake. People can't bullshit me. Your wife spoke well (again, really?)". I was a little sad that we put a lot of effort in getting together all the documents and he didn't look at shit. Didn't even look at DLs, marriage certificates, Leases, pics, EAD card, or SS card.
So that was it. I am happy that this entire process is over for at least next couple of years. My wife is happier since she was the one who was asked all the questions and was intensely "grilled".
I haven't received any e-mail notification and the status still says "Testing and Interview". Hoping it'll change soon and I get my GC.
If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to help with whatever little knowledge I have acquired over the past 4-5 months.
Thanks guys. Here is the detailed version:
a) Documents we took:
IL and all the NOA receipts from USCIS (originals + copy of each)
IDs of both of us (DL, SS card, passport)
Birth Certificates of both of us (originals+copies+certified translation by a friend)
Marriage Certificate (original + copy)
IRS transcript of last 2 years
A copy of the entire AOS packet that was sent initially
Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:
Joint Bank Account proof (+ a couple of statements)
Chat logs (when we were dating)
Lease showing that we lived together for a year before marriage
Lease that we just signed for a new house
Wedding Pics
Other pics
Receipts of wedding rings + gifts we bought for each other
Mails showing same address
Greeting cards (holiday + wedding cards) we received from friends and family
Wedding Invitation card
AT&T text log (a bit creepy but it's okay I guess
)Interview Experience:
We were scheduled for 10:30 am and we reached the field office at 9:45. After the regular security check, guard took our IL and asked us to be seated. We waited for an hour (so only 15 mins late technically) to be called by an IO. IO was a hispanic guy probably in his 40s. He seemed okay at first and took us to his office. There he asked me to wait outside and took my wife in his office to talk to her alone. He didn't even ask her for any ID or any document and just verified her name and address etc from what was written in the forms. He asked how we met, how we started talking, what interests we had that led to us dating. Then he asked who came to the wedding and wanted her to be specific about the people and wanted her to name them. She mentioned all her family members and friends. Then he asked why my family didn't come. He then asked if she had met any of my family members. She said no as they all are in my home country and we haven't had the chance to go there after marriage. He looked a bit curious and asked her if she's so interested in my culture then why she hasn't tried to meet them or visit my country. Then he started asking her questions about my family. He asked how many sisters do I have. When she told him and named them, he asked if she knew what they do, what companies do they work for and their specific residential address in my country. She obviously didn't know answer to these questions. It was then that he got intense all of a sudden and started questioning her testimony. He told her that she can go to jail for so and so years and can be charged for fraud testimony. He asked her if she felt I was taking advantage of her by marrying her. He asked "how do you know if he's not taking advantage of you?" When she said that it was her who pushed the idea of marriage, he said "yeah, I don't blame you. You felt it was good for career and he must have thought about green card". He would twist her answers and counter question her and make her feel that he is not at all convinced by this marriage and eventually said "Your testimony is terrible". At this moment, my wife completely lost it and said "Is it your job to provoke me because you are being really offensive right now?". He stood by his tactics and tried to break her down by saying that she will be the one to face judicial system and court etc for fake marriage. My wife just lost it completely and started rolling her eyes at him and stopped answering him. He asked if she was getting bored to which she replied "No, I am just very insulted by your statements right now". Then she stared crying a bit and said "I feel stupid because my hubby told me to prepare for this and I just blew it off because you will ask questions about marriage and proof". He told her that its not a walk in the park. I am here to judge as it is a federal case. He got her some water and tissues and when he came back he was more relaxed and started asking her about her school, our city, her family background and stuff. this whole drama went for around 25-30 mins.
Then he came out and called me. When I first entered the room, I saw my wife with a bit red eyes and I was like "What the hell happened in here?". But she smiled at me and I felt at ease. IO then went over the forms, verified my name, DOB etc. He then asked what visa did I come on, where do I study, what do I study. He asked who filled out the paperwork. I told him that it was me. He said "you did well! (yay!)". He then asked those "Yes/No" questions on I-485 form. After that, he said "you know why your wife is crying?". I said "No idea". He said "because she loves you" (lame, but whatever). He then just started chatting. like my new job, new city, plans for christmas, mexican food etc. He then said "you're approved.". He asked me for my passport, stamped it and put a seal. Explained to me the process for ROC. And he sad "you should get your GC in 2-3 weeks". And that I can become citizen in 3 years. I asked him if he needed to see any evidence. He in all seriousness said "Evidence doesn't mean crap to me. Anyone can fabricate the evidence. I can make you a US passport right now (really?). I just see the people and judge as thats the hardest to fake. People can't bullshit me. Your wife spoke well (again, really?)". I was a little sad that we put a lot of effort in getting together all the documents and he didn't look at shit. Didn't even look at DLs, marriage certificates, Leases, pics, EAD card, or SS card.
So that was it. I am happy that this entire process is over for at least next couple of years. My wife is happier since she was the one who was asked all the questions and was intensely "grilled".
I haven't received any e-mail notification and the status still says "Testing and Interview". Hoping it'll change soon and I get my GC.
If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to help with whatever little knowledge I have acquired over the past 4-5 months.
MarineWife
Registered Users (C)
@hy2934
OMG! Just reading that almost made me want to cry. I understand that it's their job and all but he just seems like he was overdoing it. I'm sorry she had to go through that. That is just crazy. I'm just glad that you were approved and he didn't jerk you all around more! Good luck with everything from here on out. And great (detailed) write up!
OMG! Just reading that almost made me want to cry. I understand that it's their job and all but he just seems like he was overdoing it. I'm sorry she had to go through that. That is just crazy. I'm just glad that you were approved and he didn't jerk you all around more! Good luck with everything from here on out. And great (detailed) write up!
Yeah, tell me about it!
But as I said, all is well that ends well. Thanks.
Good luck for your interview in Jan.
ananga73
Registered Users (C)
Congrats! You da man, that's what I am talking about. I need to develop cojones like yours, for real. Anyway enjoy your Holiday season, should be so much sweeter and remember to make it up to the wife for staring that officer straight in the eye.
Congrats dude. A perfect gift for holidays.
Have a happy holiday
Thanks. Happy holidays to you too