New York City AOS timeline & Interviews

[VanHouten 0]

Just back from an interview, quick rundown (please ignore the style):

We were scheduled for 2:30pm, walked into 26 Federal Plaza at 2:00pm, showed our interview letter in room 800, and were redirected to the 4th floor, where we showed the letter there along with picture IDs, and were told to wait to be called. There were about 30 other individuals in the waiting room.

We waited about 10 minutes, in that time only one other couple was called in. At 2:20pm an immigration officer called my wife's name. It was an african american lady about 35 years old. We followed her to an office, where she instructed us to remain standing, and swore us in. She invited us to sit down, and asked for original passports, birth certificates, marriage license, and any financial, insurance documents and any photographs we would like to present to support our application. While I was taking out the papers, she proceeded to question my wife, shooting out questions one after another.

Where did you meet? What were the circumstances? Who was with you at that time? Did you both know that person before? (It was during vacation in a third country) How did you stay in touch after the first meeting? When did you see each other next? Where was it? (another third country).

At this point she switched over to me: what did you do there? A few more questions about our relationship, our travel while in the US, our wedding (where, when, etc.), did I meet anyone from my wife's family, how many sisters/brothers, any other relatives. Back to my wife with similar questions about my relatives, how many times did she leave the country since arriving in the US. At the same time she was going through the documents, pictures, our wedding album, filing those to the case folder. When she came to a copy of an ultrasound picture (we are expecting a child), she warmed up a bit, and we chatted a bit more about the baby, asked me the due date, name of my wife's doctor and where the doctor's office was located, then asked my wife to stand up, noting that it wasn't really showing yet (but at this point it sounded quite friendly). She asked my wife if we rented or owned, if we had any joint accounts (by that time she already reviewed bank statements and credit card accounts and filed them), asked me the exact full maiden name of my wife and her date of birth, then went with my wife through the list of questions on I-485 (prior arrests, drug dealing etc.), asked if we knew about removal of conditions, and if we had any other questions for her.

We mentioned our plans to travel out of the country in 3 weeks, and she replied that it would take a few more days to get a final decision, but there was no reason for concern as she saw no issues with the case. Once approval is granted, the green card would arrive in 2 to 6 weeks, and in the meantime we could use the advanced parole, which she returned to us along with employment authorization card, also making a copy of I-94 for us, and keeping the original.

Overall the interview took about 25 minutes, we were out at 2:45pm, a bit exhausted but happy.

[EmmillJ 1]

Congratulations (both for the smooth interview and upcoming baby)!!

[icaruslol 1]

Got the physical interview letter today. What I don't understand is WHY THE HELL ARE THEY SENDING ME TO MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN LONG ISLAND(Holtsville) I live in Astoria getting there will take more than 2 hours only since we don't drive. Why couldn't they just set it up at the Federal Plaza like other people? Well, I hadn't had easy during this AOS process and it won't get any easier I suppose.

While I'm on the topic, is it possible to change the place at all? Maybe if I call them and explain that we both work and we need to take day offs from work to get there and we don't drive, they may transfer it the Manhattan branch. Did anyone try such thing?

[koucki 3]

Congrats to all!!!

I can't believe the long wait is over!

My interview was yesterday at Garden City in the afternoon.

My wife and I arrived 30 minutes before the time schedule, waited about an hour before our turn arrived.

The officer was very nice, polite and courteous. She asked us just a few random questions, such as how we met, where was our first date... She asked for a copy of the birth + marriage certificates. The interview was more like a conversation as opposed to an interview... I was shockingly nice and comforting. Then she saw our wedding + pictures album, she took just one. She approved the greencard and stamped it on the passport.

The process was fantastic, very professional. After we left, I received a text message + email about the case status update, and 30 minutes later, received another sms + email about the status update. Both related to new card production and adjustment status. It was the fist time I receive text and email from USCIS since the whole application started.

It was such a relief to finally get approved.

It was a long process for sure, but worth it.

My advice to the ones that are still waiting, just be patient. Everything will be ok.

Cheers to all

[VanHouten 0]

Just received notification that my wife's card is in production. 21 months until the next USCIS application.

[koucki 3]

Got the physical interview letter today. What I don't understand is WHY THE HELL ARE THEY SENDING ME TO MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN LONG ISLAND(Holtsville) I live in Astoria getting there will take more than 2 hours only since we don't drive. Why couldn't they just set it up at the Federal Plaza like other people? Well, I hadn't had easy during this AOS process and it won't get any easier I suppose.

While I'm on the topic, is it possible to change the place at all? Maybe if I call them and explain that we both work and we need to take day offs from work to get there and we don't drive, they may transfer it the Manhattan branch. Did anyone try such thing?

Same thing happened to me!

I work a few blocks away from Federal Plaza, and live in Brooklyn (20 minutes away from Federal Plaza by subway).

But instead, had to rent a car to drive an hour to Garden City for the interview.

An hour driving wasn't a big deal. I've been waiting for the interview for 10 month and was just happy to finally got to the interview...

I didn't look into transferring to another location.

Good luck

[icaruslol 1]

Garden City is still not bad, Holtsville is like twice as far as Garden City. I decided not to bother transferring, I'll just go there. It will be some trip though.

[girlisima 0]

I am starting to freak out, where is my CPO email? Everybodybut me is getting their CPO email within 2 days of their interview.

[ubamama 5]

I am starting to freak out, where is my CPO email? Everybodybut me is getting their CPO email within 2 days of their interview.

no worry ur self my sister. e go come

[john2011 0]

today i had my interview at federal plaza,we were call for our interview exactly 9.00am..she swore us and the asked for identification,then asked me in all about three question about my wife..in all it took us about 15 minutes but she did not approve me right away because of my background check is not clear..she told me everything is fine i just need to wait about 30 days..should i be worried?

[koucki 3]

today i had my interview at federal plaza,we were call for our interview exactly 9.00am..she swore us and the asked for identification,then asked me in all about three question about my wife..in all it took us about 15 minutes but she did not approve me right away because of my background check is not clear..she told me everything is fine i just need to wait about 30 days..should i be worried?

I heard that the USCIS hired many new officers. Unfortunately, these new hires don't have the ability to take immediate decisions regarding your case, so they have to show your file to a supervisor who in turn will have to make a decision.

So, no need to worry... just be patient.

Good luck

[moSu 0]

Hi All,

We got our status updated online for an interview on November 1st.. We live in Forest Hills, Queens..

Congratulations to all who had got their Green Card approved and Good Luck to VJers who have upcoming interviews.. For VJers who are waiting for their interview letters patiently, we hope you'll hear something soon..

We're nervous now... Have to start putting all the papers together..

Best Wishes,

moSu

[Kristal 0]

Mosu where are they sending u? I'm in Richmond hill queens.

[moSu 0]

Mosu where are they sending u? I'm in Richmond hill queens.

We don't know yet. It only stated 'On September 26, 2011, we mailed you an appointment notice for an interview for November 1, 2011, at NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER.' I believe the venue will be stated in the interview letter. We will let you know once we received it

[moSu 0]

Would like to add something to our AOS journey - We haven't been receiving text msges and email notifications since our NOAs, which is weird.