We had our interview - not too good!

[Kim & Gesner 14]

We got to the Fallon Bldg in Baltimore, MD at 10:15am, there was a line outside. We turned our interview notice in and waited about an hour. We were called in by a white guy, maybe mid 20's to 30 yrs old. He swore us in and then told us to have a seat. He then went over the "rules" for the interview. He told us if he looks at me, then I am to answer and vise versa for Gesi. He asked us not to look at one another, not to touch or nudge one another. He told us to not answer for the other, do not complete the other's sentence, just look at him and answer the questions directed at us. He then asked if we had any questions or comments we'd like we make. I did tell him even though Gesi speaks decent English, sometimes his comprehension isn't the best and I have to explain for him. He asked if I can translate, I said no. I then said again, he speaks good english just sometimes the questions need to be explained. He then told Gesi if he asks him something he doesn't understand, to please tell him and he will ask again. At this time I felt we were having a stokes interview. I got so nervous not for me, but for Gesi because I knew he would need my help!! He told us the interview would be taped.

He asked us to show him our ID's, Gesi's passport and I-94. The guy asked "Why is your file SO BIG"? I said I wanted to make sure we had everything. He said "I see that"! He then started with basic questions to Gesi. He circled the answers on the application as he went through them. He asked who I was, what is my full name, date of birth, where I was born. Then he asked the same of me about Gesi and asked to see his original birth certificate (which I showed him). Then he asked Gesi what my parents names were, Gesi stated Mrs Carnahan (which is how he addresses her), the guy ask whats her first name, Gesi said "Jan", the guy looked and asked me does she go by her middle name, I said she does. Then my fathers name he answered "Mike" which is what he goes by but is not his first or middle name. I wanted to say something and I tried, the guy stopped me while he looked through the file. Then he asked me what I was going to say and I said, "Mike is the name my father goes by, ever since he was a child. No one calls him by his given name" - He said okay, made a note and moved on. Then he asked me about his parents, which I answered. He asked me if I have ever been to Haiti, I said no. I started to say we are planning a trip for January but he interrupted me and asked how many children does Gesi have. I said three, 2 girls and a boy and I named them. He then stated their birth dates and asked Gesi to confirm their dates of birth and where they live, who do they live with. Gesi answered. He then made it very clear that Gesi's youngest child is ONLY 4. He then asked to Gesi "so you have three children UNDER 10 yrs old"? Gesi said yes. He then asked Gesi "How often are you in contact with your children" and Gesi answered "by phone" - in my head I was like nooo, how OFTEN Gesi. All Gesi heard was "how do you contact your children" The guy asked AGAIN and Gesi answered the same way. I felt helpless, I couldn't say anything at all!! The guy wrote a note and moved on.

He then asked Gesi how me met me. He said "in Turks and Caicos". The guy said "I know that but HOW did you meet her". Gesi answered he was working at the bar and I come to the bar that night with friends after being invited by the DJ on a cruise I took that day (which is correct). But Gesi then said "we decided to be friends and we saw each other every day until she left. We decided to stay friends and we talked every day and then I went to visit her in December" I was thinking "Friends, Gesi, did you have to say FRIENDS???" lol The guy asked Gesi who I was with, how many and their names. Gesi said one girl and gave him her first and last name. He then asked Gesi when we decided to get married. Gesi told him in December he asked me while he was visiting me. He started asking questions about the timeline. He made sure he understood we met in October 2011 and he asked me to marry him in December 2012 but the wedding was originally planned for December 2012. He then asked Gesi when did we get married. Gesi answered "May 26th" - the guy said "Why did you have to get married so soon"? Gesi said "we were excited and couldn't wait". I then spoke up, I just had to and I told him. "We had a trip planned to Texas in May for my sons graduation in Texas. I had the time off and always wanted a beach wedding so we found a guy who could do it and we eloped, no family, no friends, just us. We left for Texas the day after the wedding". He then asked to see wedding pictures and the original wedding certificate which we showed him. While looking at them he said one looked like an "oil painting"?? Not sure what he meant but okay. He then asked if we had anymore pictures of us together other than wedding pictures. We handed him extra pictures of various dates, our trip to Texas which included photos of us together, Gesi with various family members. The guy handed then back after just glancing through. He didn't ask who was in the pictures or anything (all of these were included in the original packet but he asked to see them anyway). <br style="color: rgb(28, 40, 55); line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(243, 249, 246); "> <br style="color: rgb(28, 40, 55); line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(243, 249, 246); ">Then we went through the normal questions for Gesi about any military service, belonging to any terrorists groups, etc, etc.

He then went through the divorce papers for each of us and asked us both if we were divorced, we both said yes. He then asked Gesi for his passport again, took a look and handed it back to him. He said he was going to "keep his I-94 since it's expired anyway" - he attached it to the file. The guy then asked why I listed Gesi's mailing address is "in C/O Kimberly Valmera" he said does he not get mail there????- I asked to see what he meant, and it showed my name on the application. I told him I did not intentionally do that and then explained the only mail he receives is USCIS mail, he's never received anything by mail. I said we did not know he would be living here. The guy said "makes sense".

He then asked if we had anything else we would like to share with him. I handed him our lease and a copy of my prior lease which shows my original lease expired July 31st and the new one took affect Aug 1st. He asked "You signed a lease together"? - I said well my original was expired, he is staying with me through this process so she added him and up'd the rent by $100 and made a new lease. I explained that I do not have anything regarding bank accounts and told him Gesi just got his EAD Card Combo yesterday before we drove to Baltimore so we have not had a chance to add him to my bank account or health insurance. The guy said "Well you did add him as a beneficiary on your life insurance" I said "they didn't need a SSN for that". He then said my sons name (who is also listed as a beneficary) and mumbled "why would she have her ex husband as a beneficiary. I started to talk and he asked Gesi, " Who is Austin *****" Gesi replied, "that is her son". The guy asked how old is he, Gesi replied, "he just turned 19, that is the son we went to Texas for graduation". He said okay. He then said "well at least you got the work card now, you can work and start contributing to the household". Gesi agreed and said he is looking forward to helping me.

He then said that was all and asked if we had any questions. I asked what is the next step. He said he has 90 days to approve or deny us. He said he has do the usual red flag indicators for FRAUD. I am thinking "wow, he suspects FRAUD"?????!!!! He said he "has to ensure he (Gesi) will not obtain status and then leave me to remarry his ex wife" - yes those were his exact words! Then I realized since his children were so young I guess he suspects foul intentions. We didn't get a chance to explain WHY they divorced or the fact they were all living in Turks and Caicos and she took off with the kids to Haiti. Gesi came home because she was sick, went to the doctor to find out she is pregnant with someone else's child - of which she aborted to try to save her marriage but he filed papers and that was in 2009, a year after the youngest son was born. I guess maybe I should have said something at that point but I could clearly see Gesi getting upset so I thought it was best to not say anything. The guy walked us out, shook our hands and told us to have a good day. He was very nice at the end, talking to us the whole way out. We smiled anyway, I guess to let him know he didn't beat us down. But on the inside we felt horrible. We never would have ever thought they need to rule out fraud. It's never crossed our minds that would ever be in question.....

Gesi said "dang, that was hard" lol So, I have NO idea how long we will be sitting and waiting...... but I am not expecting anything for while.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Kim & Gesner

[Krikit 1,163]

I'd say that sounds like a pretty positive review.... as those kinds of reviews go. lol. You handled yourselves well. I'm sure you'll be hearing something positive shortly.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Krikit

[DC85 113]

you r in a good shape

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Looks like the I.O. took his job seriously.

The only thing I personally find weird is that you referred to him as a "white guy."

[Xanax 349]

The good news is that he did not deny you then and there and you weren't seperated and interviewed seperately.

I hope you get your approval soon

I know it might seem tough but the IO is trying to protect you, the USC first and foremost and that is a good thing!

[Kim & Gesner 14]

Looks like the I.O. took his job seriously.

The only thing I personally find weird is that you referred to him as a "white guy."

I wasn't implying anything about his race, just a basic description for anyone else who might be interviewing in the same office. He was the only younger, white man I saw in the office out plenty who were coming out gatjhering people for their interviews. Nothing was meant by it.

[mrsGORE 13]

Hope you'll get approval soon..have faith

[Kim & Gesner 14]

Still no news... the waiting continues....

[Tanja08 11]

Hang in there!

[Chynna/gapamix 11]

Stay positive. Sounds like an approval coming your way soon.