Interview experience

[oceana15 8]

My husband and I had my green card interview yesterday morning, so I wanted to share it with everyone in case it helps or alleviates someone's nerves! My interview was conducted at the Lawrence, MA field office.

We arrived 30 minutes early and the place was pretty empty. We went through the metal detectors, etc and went up to the check-in counter. They checked our interview notice, stamped it, and sent us to sit down in the waiting area. Not a lot of people there either, maybe 15-20 total. We sat for about an hour and were called in 30 minutes after our interview time (interview was at 11, officer called us at 11:34 or so). Luckily we had a really nice, really laid back officer. First thing he did was smile at us and ask, "are you nervous?" To which I replied (just sort of mumbled), "umm no, a bit, not really." haha. I WAS nervous!

He took us into his office and made us stand and put us under oath. He had our MASSIVE file on top of his desk (we sent a lot of evidence initially, as our lawyer suggested). He looked at us, smiled, and said, "I want you to know you sent more than enough evidence to prove your relationship and I'm going to approve your petition, we just need to go through a few standard questions." This obviously put us both at ease and made me very happy!! Then he asked for all my passports and husband's driver's license. After that he asked to see originals of marriage certificate, divorce decree (husband was married before), our joint lease (we recently moved), my current I-20, my I-94 (which he kept), my driver's license, my SS card. He used these to confirm that the copies we sent were real.

Then he went through both of our biographic forms and asked my husband about himself, then asked my husband about me (husband had to state my full name, date of birth, place of birth, etc). Then he went through my biographic info with me (asked me the same questions about myself, not about my husband). Then we went through the standard "are you a spy?" questions. He was really nice about it and made jokes -- he asked me "are you Batman?" so everyone laughed. ha.

Then he asked if we were happy in our marriage, we said yes, so he explained that we were approved and we would get the card in the mail within 3 weeks or so. He explained about ROC and citizenship. Then we shook hands, thanked him, and he walked us out. That was it! We were out by noon, so the interview itself took about 25 minutes (most of this was him just comparing originals to the copies we had sent, and taking new copies of our lease and all my passports).

I checked my status on the tracker right after the interview and it said my new card was being produced. This morning (next day) I received email confirmation of I-130 and I-485 approval. YAY!!

So my experience should reassure all of you with real relationships that there is NOTHING to worry about. And it *does* matter whether you send evidence with your package or not. I would NOT wait to bring all the marriage evidence to the interview -- it seems better to have the officer already on your side once you walk through the door. In our case it seems the officer felt he already knew us and was comfortable approving us right away.

Best of luck to everyone interviewing this week!! : )

[afortunada 182]

Wahoo!! Congratulations!

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Thanks for the nice write-up with the good result.

*** Thread is moved from the main "AOS from WS&T Visas" forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

[juand25 2]

Congrats! my card got to my house 6 days after the interview, so you should get yours soon too. and yeah if anyone here has a real marriage there is nothing to worry about. Congrats again and Welcome to America best feeling being approved and knowing we can live our lives.

[Hopefully coming 1]

Hi. Congratulations on your approval. If I may ask. What all did you send?

[KASH2011 382]

Congrats!