I finally had the (Stupid) registration done yesterday at Arlington VA, BCIS office. All this time we were hearing that the officers are nice and polite; definitely not in DC. We were treated as criminals. Luckily, I had my lawyer present and had a I-485(245i) pending. They seem to be a little easy on the people with I-485 pending. The same office detained a lot of people before with the same credentials. But, recently, I think, they heard something from higher ups about this. Because, after they messed up several times due to their ignorance, a lot of people sued INS/BCIS and even some in the US Senate were complaining about this. Also, it is not true that BCIS is not detaining people without criminal records. I’ve seen that happening yesterday. Anyway, here is my story:
Status:
Came here with F-1 visa. Could not go to school full time due to monetary reasons. Visa expired on May 30, 1999. Worked illegally. Took advantage of the 245(i), got a sponsor an applied for:
Labor Cert. (Approved)
I-140 (Application for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Approved)
I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization; Approved)
I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status; Pending since Aug 23, 2002)
At BCIS:
Arrived at 9:30 am. Line was very small. We (4 of us) actually had to wait for our lawyer until 10:30. Meanwhile, collected and filled up the form. We were at the 1st floor and within less than ½ hour one of us was called in. While waiting at the waiting room, a BCIS officer and a police officer came by and did a quick scan for paper works. Three Bangladeshi-s were taken to 3rd floor of investigation. None of them had criminal records. We survived because of the magic paper, I-485 receipt. Worked like a charm; even though that did not seem to be a guarantee. Every thing seemed to be on a case-by-case basis. The person before me came with Visitor’s visa and later converted to F-1; didn’t seem to have a problem case. He was kept there for an hour. All of a sudden a police officer came and detained him. Even though, he had valid status, the school he was going to recently lost accreditation from Govt. to issue I-20 to foreign students. He didn’t know that, but still he was hand cuffed and taken to 3rd floor to post bond or something. Seeing all that I almost spoiled my clothing and kept on praying. Luckily my lawyer was there. That gave me hope. And off course, the environment was not friendly at all. They looked at us like we were some kind of germ. The interviewer was a scary old lady (barely a human). Then my number was up. I went in, took oath and the questioning began. Initially, looking at my papers she took my picture and finger print, I thought may be it’s over. But as soon as she saw my old I-94, she started asking more questions. I told her flat that I could not continue school due to monetary reasons and I have to support my Mom since dad died. She shook her head, looked at my lawyer, and went back to asking regular questions about my work and stuff. At last, she asked for all the ID-s, credit card or bank card I had. Then took my finger print and picture again and told me that if my I-485 is still pending next year, I’d have to register within 10 days before of after the current date next year. If my case is approved, I’d still need to go to let them know so that they can they can close my case. I was in for about an hour. I don’t think I even breathed during that time. My experience is that if you have I-485 pending but I-140 is not approved, you will be in trouble; specially, at Arlington. So far, I found NY and DC are the hardest as far as registration goes. If they find as much as a spot on your status, you are screwed! Specially, students are being hit the hardest. Also, if you have any doubt, pleeeeease, take a lawyer with you. Seeing the interviewing lady, I bet, she might have found something wrong in my case if my lawyer wasn’t present. The best advice I got from these forums is:
“Be specific in you answers and never ever volunteer any information.”
Status:
Came here with F-1 visa. Could not go to school full time due to monetary reasons. Visa expired on May 30, 1999. Worked illegally. Took advantage of the 245(i), got a sponsor an applied for:
Labor Cert. (Approved)
I-140 (Application for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Approved)
I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization; Approved)
I-485 (Application for Adjustment of Status; Pending since Aug 23, 2002)
At BCIS:
Arrived at 9:30 am. Line was very small. We (4 of us) actually had to wait for our lawyer until 10:30. Meanwhile, collected and filled up the form. We were at the 1st floor and within less than ½ hour one of us was called in. While waiting at the waiting room, a BCIS officer and a police officer came by and did a quick scan for paper works. Three Bangladeshi-s were taken to 3rd floor of investigation. None of them had criminal records. We survived because of the magic paper, I-485 receipt. Worked like a charm; even though that did not seem to be a guarantee. Every thing seemed to be on a case-by-case basis. The person before me came with Visitor’s visa and later converted to F-1; didn’t seem to have a problem case. He was kept there for an hour. All of a sudden a police officer came and detained him. Even though, he had valid status, the school he was going to recently lost accreditation from Govt. to issue I-20 to foreign students. He didn’t know that, but still he was hand cuffed and taken to 3rd floor to post bond or something. Seeing all that I almost spoiled my clothing and kept on praying. Luckily my lawyer was there. That gave me hope. And off course, the environment was not friendly at all. They looked at us like we were some kind of germ. The interviewer was a scary old lady (barely a human). Then my number was up. I went in, took oath and the questioning began. Initially, looking at my papers she took my picture and finger print, I thought may be it’s over. But as soon as she saw my old I-94, she started asking more questions. I told her flat that I could not continue school due to monetary reasons and I have to support my Mom since dad died. She shook her head, looked at my lawyer, and went back to asking regular questions about my work and stuff. At last, she asked for all the ID-s, credit card or bank card I had. Then took my finger print and picture again and told me that if my I-485 is still pending next year, I’d have to register within 10 days before of after the current date next year. If my case is approved, I’d still need to go to let them know so that they can they can close my case. I was in for about an hour. I don’t think I even breathed during that time. My experience is that if you have I-485 pending but I-140 is not approved, you will be in trouble; specially, at Arlington. So far, I found NY and DC are the hardest as far as registration goes. If they find as much as a spot on your status, you are screwed! Specially, students are being hit the hardest. Also, if you have any doubt, pleeeeease, take a lawyer with you. Seeing the interviewing lady, I bet, she might have found something wrong in my case if my lawyer wasn’t present. The best advice I got from these forums is:
“Be specific in you answers and never ever volunteer any information.”