Interview Experience

[birdlover2008 2]

Hello all, I wanted to post my interview experience from this morning in case it will help others and also get your opinions on this.

My interview was scheduled or 8:15 am, and I arrived at the local immigration officer aroung 7:50 am. There was a short line, and after about 10minutes of waiting I was called in by a middle aged femal interviewer. She started by introducing herself and asking me to drop all of my stuff (purse) and raise my right hand. Then she did the "I swear to tell the truth and whole truth..." and I said "I do" and then had a seat. She asked for ID, passport and green card. I pulled out an expired id first and then the updated one, she said she wanted them both. Also noticed that the address on my petition and id was not the same so she asked. And I explained to her that I had informed them of the address change online but then they did not make that change and so I just recently sent the AR-11. She gave me a handout explaining that there is 2 steps to changing addresses, online and physical form.

Part I: she asked me pretty much all of the questions on my application/petition one by one. For example my birthday, my ex-husband's name,...so on. And then asked me to verify that, at the bottom of my application was my signature. I answered everything correctly except my birthday- which is stupid, I confused month and date, we both laughed and I corrected that.

Part II: She asked me if I have any more evidence for her apart form what I submitted, and i gave two letters from our bank when we had a joint checking account. One verified address change and other one was something else I cant remember...she took them. I also told her I got more pictures, which she kept. And she went through the pictures and asked few questions, like, was this your wedding, was this during your wedding...

Part III: she asked me where we met, why we got married when he propsed (the date), when we got married, if I had any evidence from our pre-marraige relationship, and why we divorced including the dates of when we separated and such. I dont know how bad this is bad I could not remember the exact date of when I got proposed too, so she asked me to give her an approximate one. But I was able to remember important dates like the wedding date and such...She asked if I told my family about the wedding, and asked how they reacted to my wedding news, and if we visited my home country with my then husband.

Part IV: She said that I got married a few weeks before my student visa status was running out, and I got divorced a few months after I received the green card. So, did you get married for immigration reasons? I told her no, and that once I had said "yes' to his proposal it was important that we had to proceed with immigration business before I run out of the student status. us getting married meant being togther and part of that was to make sure that I was legal here...I probably used the different words.

Part V: She said she was going to make copies of my ID, green card, and passport and I should wait for her in the room. Then she came back and gave them to me. She said that I should always keep updating USCIS with my new address everytime I change addresses. Also, she said she will review my file later and make a decision. She smiled and said I will walk you out.

The interview lasted abotut 20-30 minutes.

I didnt see her get into a bad mood or anything, but I'm really confused to how this went since she asked me straight out that "did I get married for immigration reasons?" and she didnt make the decision today.

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

[Peter&Alyona 0]

Hello all, I wanted to post my interview experience from this morning in case it will help others and also get your opinions on this.

My interview was scheduled or 8:15 am, and I arrived at the local immigration officer aroung 7:50 am. There was a short line, and after about 10minutes of waiting I was called in by a middle aged femal interviewer. She started by introducing herself and asking me to drop all of my stuff (purse) and raise my right hand. Then she did the "I swear to tell the truth and whole truth..." and I said "I do" and then had a seat. She asked for ID, passport and green card. I pulled out an expired id first and then the updated one, she said she wanted them both. Also noticed that the address on my petition and id was not the same so she asked. And I explained to her that I had informed them of the address change online but then they did not make that change and so I just recently sent the AR-11. She gave me a handout explaining that there is 2 steps to changing addresses, online and physical form.

Part I: she asked me pretty much all of the questions on my application/petition one by one. For example my birthday, my ex-husband's name,...so on. And then asked me to verify that, at the bottom of my application was my signature. I answered everything correctly except my birthday- which is stupid, I confused month and date, we both laughed and I corrected that.

Part II: She asked me if I have any more evidence for her apart form what I submitted, and i gave two letters from our bank when we had a joint checking account. One verified address change and other one was something else I cant remember...she took them. I also told her I got more pictures, which she kept. And she went through the pictures and asked few questions, like, was this your wedding, was this during your wedding...

Part III: she asked me where we met, why we got married when he propsed (the date), when we got married, if I had any evidence from our pre-marraige relationship, and why we divorced including the dates of when we separated and such. I dont know how bad this is bad I could not remember the exact date of when I got proposed too, so she asked me to give her an approximate one. But I was able to remember important dates like the wedding date and such...She asked if I told my family about the wedding, and asked how they reacted to my wedding news, and if we visited my home country with my then husband.

Part IV: She said that I got married a few weeks before my student visa status was running out, and I got divorced a few months after I received the green card. So, did you get married for immigration reasons? I told her no, and that once I had said "yes' to his proposal it was important that we had to proceed with immigration business before I run out of the student status. us getting married meant being togther and part of that was to make sure that I was legal here...I probably used the different words.

Part V: She said she was going to make copies of my ID, green card, and passport and I should wait for her in the room. Then she came back and gave them to me. She said that I should always keep updating USCIS with my new address everytime I change addresses. Also, she said she will review my file later and make a decision. She smiled and said I will walk you out.

The interview lasted abotut 20-30 minutes.

I didnt see her get into a bad mood or anything, but I'm really confused to how this went since she asked me straight out that "did I get married for immigration reasons?" and she didnt make the decision today.

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

Part IV sounds fishy to me.

[birdlover2008 2]

I guess it looks fishy to others but to me it's only that I was on F1 before I got married...I just dont know how to feel about the interview. Thanks for your opinion though.

Edited August 7, 2009 by birdlover2008

[sara9 0]

hi

i hav 1 question. did she ask u that wat waz the reason for ur divorce? don't care about other people opinion. everybody has different circumstances. i think u'll b fine. just pray to god. whatever god will decide for u. its gonna b better for ur future. bye

[birdlover2008 2]

hi

i hav 1 question. did she ask u that wat waz the reason for ur divorce? don't care about other people opinion. everybody has different circumstances. i think u'll b fine. just pray to god. whatever god will decide for u. its gonna b better for ur future. bye

Yes, she asked me to tell her of how the marriage was going and why we divorced. She even asked me questions from when we were dating.

You're rigt, God knows what's best for me. I'm asking for opinions only because I am not sure what to make of the interview. I realize that I was married for a very short time, so I understand if she has concerns and asked questions but then I am not sure what it means when they say that they have not made a decision yet. From what I've read, they make decision right after the interview.

Good Luck with your case!

[Anamaria2009 1]

Thank you for sharing your interview experience!

Did you have to show her the divorce complaint? or only the divorce decree...

Don't torment yourself thinking "what" and "if" because now the ball is in their corner.... just wait for thier next move.

Good luck

and keep us posted

[scorpionking 2]

hi

i hav 1 question. did she ask u that wat waz the reason for ur divorce? don't care about other people opinion. everybody has different circumstances. i think u'll b fine. just pray to god. whatever god will decide for u. its gonna b better for ur future. bye

Yes, she asked me to tell her of how the marriage was going and why we divorced. She even asked me questions from when we were dating.

You're rigt, God knows what's best for me. I'm asking for opinions only because I am not sure what to make of the interview. I realize that I was married for a very short time, so I understand if she has concerns and asked questions but then I am not sure what it means when they say that they have not made a decision yet. From what I've read, they make decision right after the interview.

Good Luck with your case!

Thank you Birdlover,

First of all I thank you so much for posting your interview experience here because VERY few people updated their waiver based interview experiences so far. And this is really helpful to many of waiver filers like us. What type of waiver did you file? good faith marriage? As long as you don't have crime records and provided sufficient evidence and that is well supported by your interview then I think you should be fine. Waiting for USCIS reply became like a part of our lives here. First you wait for interview and then for decision..but you are now only 1 step away.I wish you good luck.Keep us updated.

[Milan Kudrak 1]

Hello birdlover

I was waiver too, I got aproved tho right at the interview. I think you made a huge mistake in part IV where you saying: I had said "yes' to his proposal it was important that we had to proceed with immigration business before I run out of the student status. us getting married meant being togther and part of that was to make sure that I was legal here...I probably used the different words.

You saying we had to proceed with immigration business. Oh god u just basically told her that is why you told him YES.

God I hope you get approved. Good luck

[birdlover2008 2]

Thank you guys for the good luck wishes! I think I need it as I await for the decision via mail. I'm happy to help by sharing my experience on this process. I wish someone had done for same for me.

Anamaria2009: I only had a divorce decree, but the comlaint is part of the divorce decree, the divorce lawyer said that's how the county does it or something like that. We got separated because we could not get along, he was diverting from our plans and wanted us to proceed with our life in a completely different and unfair way, for me. I had a divorce decree, and my evidences inlcuded lease, health insurance, copies of joint checking account cards, some pics, joint mailing labels, a notorized letter explaining the situations leading to divorce, letters from the bank to show joint address, joint tax return. And you are right about not stressing myself out for things that are out of my control now.

scorpionking: I actually filed with a waiver request becuase I had entered the marriage in good faith but it ended in a divorce. I am glad I am of help. My main purpose for posting my interview is so others have an idea. I know how tough the process is. Divorce is tough thing to go through, as I have learned through experience in my mid-twenties. My marraige was brief, but that didnt make it less painful, emotionally. And, I now feel so out of place, now that my friends and siblings are getting engaged and married, as I'm already a divorcee. And, on top of this, to go through the immigration process is just too much. I'm usually the kinda person that stresses about everything, but this time I am just calm and numb. I was sad and numb during the interview, I did not get nervous or stress at all. When she asked me for dates and stuff, I just told her that I dont really remember since i was not keeping track of exact dates. I dont remember the exact date that my ex left, when we separated but was able to give her estimates.

Milan Kudrak: As for part IV, I think she had a right to ask me the kind of questions that she asked. she saw on my file that I was married on April, applied for AOS in May (my student status was running out at end of May), got the GC in Sept, and separated by Dec. So she basically explained what she saw and asked me that since I got married before the other status ended, and then separated few months after I got the GC, did I do it for immigration reasons? And (if I remember correctly) I said No about four time calmly and told her that after graduating from college, I was sorta starting out with my life, and looked for jobs anywhere stationed all over and my homeland, not neccessary the US. But I had dated him for a while, we were in love, and he was morning the death of his mom, and decided to propose to me. So I said yes, which meant staying here and I could not igonore that it was best if I started the immigration process soon after marrying...I believe she asked me again, that "so immigration didnt have anything to do with marriage" I said no, I didnt marry him for immigration reasons.

The interesting thing was that she was taking notes the whole time but she didnt take notes on this and she observing me the whole time. And then she asked me if I know his phone number. I said yes, I actually still have it on my cellphone and then I gave it to her, I also offered her his home phone number. She wrote his number on the I-751 form that I had submitted. Then she looked at the additional evidence that I had brought and said she is going to keep them, and she is going make copies of the passport, gc and id. And what surprised me was that she got into a happy, sort smilley mood. So I dont know what that means.

I dont really know what to think since for me AOS interview, the guy that interviewed us didn't make the decision then. He said he had to pass his interview notes through his supervisor before make a decision, and that's thier office policy. This time she said she was going to review her notes before making a decision (again, on a happy mood).

[Anamaria2009 1]

Well, we can only speculate... unless somebody that is an USCIS examiner around here, can give some info (I seriously doubt it...).

Did she asked you at any point something like: why would you stay/or give us reasons to stay in this country? Why would we approve it?!

(because I am thinking of pointing out some reasons for approving my petition ... among other things).

What you answered regarding the reason why you married him at that particular point in time, make sense from the point of view of any immigrant

(who arrived in US with any kind of visa). Meaning that you do wanted to stay legal and continue the relationship, your life here.

But legally, I am not sure that that's the answer they were looking for. I believe: "love, and the intent of having a family with the USC" would be more towards a good reason to get married.

See, a lot of times I noticed this: the americans don't have the same constraints like other nations. If they want to move or travel to a country, is very easy. Don't have to go to a lot of paperwork, documentation, fees, time consuming process ... they are as free as one nation can be.

It's hard if not impossible for them to understand or even imagine that they would be deported from a foreign county (when they weren't involved in any criminal activity). They don't go through anything similar to what we have to go through .... although legally it might be possible .. (I never heard of an american being deported from another country).

It's like: they wouldn't marry anyone from that foreign land in order to obtain recidency there....

Sure, cuz' if they don't, nobody would throw them out anyway.....

Until you'll get your dark blue passeport, don't act like you have it already.

You have enough evidence of a bonafide marriage and the fact that you obtained the GC after an interview will help now towards a positive answer from them.

[lailaa 0]

When I read your interview experience last night,after reading the last part about " how she advised you to keep updating USCIS everytime you change your address" I kinda felt like she will approve your case, at least she is not gonna deny it right away, they might call you for 2nd inteview or she may ask you few more evidence or

I feel like most likely she needs to investigate little bit more..like calling your husband to confirm whether he would support what you said on good faith marriage or not..

To me ,taking your ex's telephone number showing her intentions to confirm with your ex anyway.

If you still in good terms or in contact with your ex husband, call him and let him to be aware of the fact that USCIS officer might call him.

dont worry too much and keep praying with all your hearth ,hopefully God will hear you.

wish you best of luck

[Milan Kudrak 1]

What you answered regarding the reason why you married him at that particular point in time, make sense from the point of view of any immigrant

(who arrived in US with any kind of visa). Meaning that you do wanted to stay legal and continue the relationship, your life here.

But legally, I am not sure that that's the answer they were looking for. I believe: "love, and the intent of having a family with the USC" would be more towards a good reason to get married.

Dear Anamaria

I totally agree with you on this. seriously guys keep on reading the part 4. What birdlover has answered is definetelly not the answer they are looking for. Just because the IO is smiley, and in happy mood, that does not always means approval. Getting supervisors look over her file, is also not a very good thing. Unless the IO was new employee and then they turn to supervisor for final desicion. Because my IO approved me right on the spot and didn't even wanted to see my evidence. Again I was a waiver case too. I am sure and even my lawyer told me the time before visa expiring (talking about birdlover) and marrying and divorcing in such a short time after receiving the green card, not good at all. Like I said I am sure she didn't mean to put the words in that way. But it sure did sound like it was mostly for immigration business. I DO WISH you the approval. But please if you are going to be ever called for a second interview do not ever under any circumstances mention "Immigration business". Best wishes Milan

Edited August 8, 2009 by Milan Kudrak

[sara9 0]

hello guys

thank you all. i hav never seen such constructive discussion among waiver filers before. this is really helpful for everybody whether its waiver or joint filers, whoever get interview.

now on a lighter note, whatever she said in her interview has now been said. we can not reverse it now. but

''On the "don't panic" front -- ultimately the burden of proof is on the CIS to show a fraudulent marriage. Even if CIS denies, the application can be renewed in front of an Immigration Judge (IJ) in Removal Proceedings -- and the IJ's tend to APPROVE those cases.''

the last two lines are not mine. i copied these from another webpage on this website. do not worry at all Birdlover. if you want to live here in this country. you can plan accordingly if something unusual comes up (God Forbids). if u remember some other questions she asked u, u can share with us. it will be of great help. good luck. bye

Edited August 8, 2009 by sara9

[3600rs 24]

When did you do your biometrics for the 751 waiver?

[3600rs 24]

bird lover,

another quick question. When did you get your conditional green card? the waiver "may" take even 2 years to get approved if you divorced soon after your conditional green card. 751 waivers are low priority. So it wont be a surprise to see someone waiting 3 years from the date you got ur conditional green card. Your final decesion would come sometime after your one year extension expires. That's the worse case.