San Diego AOS Interview Experience

[littlebhuddha 0]

I haven't posted here since August of 2004 when after 8 months of waiting my wife and I were notified of the approval of her I-129F. Almost one year to the day after our wedding my wife finally arrived at LAX on her K3 visa. We waited until March of this year to file for adjustment of status. I was shocked when we received notice in April of her interview on May 23. Well today finally arrived and we arrived at the Immigration office in Chula Vista at 10:40 for our 11:00 appointment. After standing in line outside for about 15 minutes we were let in and made our way to Room 116, handed our appointment notice to the lady behind the glass and took our seats. After about an hour, They called my wife's name and we followed the gentleman back to his office. Now I have read a lot on this board about rude and unfriendly adjudicators in other cities and pretty much expected the same here in San Diego but this guy was nothing close to the horror stories I've read. He greeted us with a warm smile and led us to his office and even made with some small talk that really put us at ease. After swearing us in he asked to see our IDs and passports. He then asked my wife some of the details from the I-485 such as name, address and birthdate. He asked her some of the questions from the questionaire, had she ever been arrested or had problems with immigration. He also asked about her two sons, only one of whom lives with us. He then asked me how we met. I told him we had met through an agency in Cali, Colombia. I told him about the day we met and our time together. He asked me if that was the first time I had been to Colombia and I said yes. He then asked for a few documents. He asked for my birth certificate, our marriage certificate, bank statements plus anything else that could provide evidence of our marriage. I told him I had over 300 pages of evidence and began to recite some of what I had. He laughed and asked for the copy of the title to our car and our rental agreement and said that would suffice. He then told us she was approved. He stamped her passport without us requesting it. Then after some more small talk he escorted us back to the lobby. We shook hands and he wished us good luck. The whole interview took all of twenty minutes. We left the building with huge grins. The nightmare I had anticipated turned out to be a very pleasant experience. As we have been married for over two years her green card will be permenant so our next adventure is in 2 years 9 months when we shoot for citizenship. Here's wishing everyone that best of luck and a pleasant adjudicator.

[Oly 0]

Congratulations

OLY AND DIDIER

[alexil74 0]

congratulations

[nayalamb 0]

300 pages???? better to be over-prepared than under. congrats to ya!

[littlebhuddha 0]

300 pages???? better to be over-prepared than under. congrats to ya!

I actually think it is an advantage to walk in with as much paper as you can find. I even had the receipt for my wife's behind the wheel lessons. Anything that can even remotely be considered evidence should be brought with you to the interview. I think the adjudicators are impressed with a mountain of evidence even if they don't look at much of it.

[RussianGirl 0]

Congratulations, Luciel and Jim!!!

[nayalamb 0]

300 pages???? better to be over-prepared than under. congrats to ya!

I actually think it is an advantage to walk in with as much paper as you can find. I even had the receipt for my wife's behind the wheel lessons. Anything that can even remotely be considered evidence should be brought with you to the interview. I think the adjudicators are impressed with a mountain of evidence even if they don't look at much of it.

i'm not criticizing you!!!! trust me, i will have a crapload of papers when its my turn. but i giggle because goodness knows i don't have 300 pieces of evidence in any way, shape or form. its more amazement than anything else... no offense intended! like i said... better to be over-prepared than under.

congrats again!

[raymaga 25]

Congrats!!!!

Glad to hear you had an easy time of it..... enjoy the almost 3-year rest from USCIS!!!!

[Indo_mommy 0]

Congrats for you!

[Gatorfan 0]

Congratulations.

[CanGal 1]

Congrats, so glad to hear things went well for you.

[JanaknJanet 0]

Congrats on the speed and ease.

I actually grew up in Chula Vista..your post brought back some sweet memories.. J street marina.. IB beach.. wow.. memories

Every time I have ever had to obtain any documents and needed to contact some official I was always relieved that it was CV I needed to deal with instead of downtown SD. No hassles when I needed copies of my divorce decree. Unlike waiting and waiting for any response from Downtown courts in San diego.

[den_y2005 0]

congrats

[jelti 0]

Congratulations!

[Paul and Melanie 0]

Congrats