Stokes Interview??

[RiverDeep 7]

Hi VJers -

My husband and I interview is coming up on March 11th....right around the corner! Naturally I'm feeling a bit nervous and ready to get it over with. Anyway, I've been reading different couples interview experiences and some either got a difficult interview or stokes interview even though they may have had joint accounts. I was wandering (and this may be hard to answer) what usually triggers this in spite of having joint accounts??

My husband and I met through a mutual friend (I knew this person for over a year before he and my husband met) and didn't date long before marrying. Our marriage is as real and wanderful as the next couple. We had a small intimate cermony with just one of his friends. It was a very romantic and happy day for the both of us. We were going to do a big wedding for friends and family but I changed my mind due to expense and logistics.....family is spread out in different states. My mother doesn't fly or like long bus/train rides. We plan to celebrate with immediate family at a later date.

Here is what we have to prove bona fide marriage:

1. Marriage Certificate
2. Joint Apartment Lease (new residence)
3. Renter’s Insurance
4. Joint Utilities (old & new residence)
5. Health Insurance
6. Dental Insurance
7. Vision Insurance
8. Life Insurance
9. Car Insurance
10. Joint Bank Account
11. Joint Cell Phone Account (two phones only in my name due to SS#)
12. Emergency Contact sheet (Job)
13. Wedding photos
14. Photos with friends
15. Cards from Family

We recently moved and our prior apartment wouldn't allow me to add him to the lease until he got a SS#. Our current apartment didn't care about this

Adjusting from B2

Religious Ceremony 08/31/2013

Mailed documents 12/11/2013

Case received (ups certification) 12/13/2013

Text and Email NOAs received (USCIS) 12/19/2013

Biometrics Appt Letter 12/23/2013

Biometrics done (Early walk-in) 12/31/2013

original date 01/17/2014

I-485 Changed to "Testing & Interview" 01/14/2014

Interview Scheduled 02/03/2014

Email EAD Production 02/19/2014

Email EAD Card Mailed 02/24/2014 (will arrive 02/26)

Email EAD Approval Notice Mailed 02/24/2014

Interview 03/11/2014

[RiverDeep 7]

I forgot to add I haven't done my current year's taxes because I'm waiting for him to get a SS# number so we can file jointly.

[Darnell 8,478]

was there a state-issued marriage license and subsequent certificate?

[RiverDeep 7]

was there a state-issued marriage license and subsequent certificate?

We married in VA. Our officiator gave us a keep-sake certificate and told us where to go to get an official copy after she filed the paperwork. I got a certified copy afterwards.

[Darnell 8,478]

so the state knows of the marriage?

[RiverDeep 7]

so the state knows of the marriage?

Absolutely! :-) I also changed my last name to his....not that that is required. It was a desire. I probably don't have anything to worry about I'm just feeling a bit anxious. My husband isn't nervous at all.

[Darnell 8,478]

ok - so your question was about the possibility of a stokes interview?

I say 50/50

based on his entrance visa type plus his country of origin.

[RiverDeep 7]

ok - so your question was about the possibility of a stokes interview?

I say 50/50

based on his entrance visa type plus his country of origin.

I was basically asking what are the triggers/red flags. You basically answered by saying visa type and country of origin. I'm sure there are other things as well.

I've read several cases where people overstayed their visa and seemingly adjusted with no problem. We followed the rules so it would be interesting if they take a dig at us over those two things while allowing those who overstayed their visa (sometimes for years) to adjust without any hangups. They say love conquers all so I'm hoping our love conquer the IO that will be assigned to us

[Darnell 8,478]

you could study the field adJudicator's manual a bit, if'n you wanted to.

[RiverDeep 7]

you could study the field adJudicator's manual a bit, if'n you wanted to.

I haven't filed my taxes for 2013 because I've been waiting for my husband to get the SS# so we can file jointly. Do you think me not having filed yet might cause an issue?

[Darnell 8,478]

filing taxes is required, if you are the sole sponser on the I-864 thingie.

however, even with that said -

the cut off date for filing for TY 2013 hasn't arrived yet, so showing TY 2013 isn't required till then

but

if you wish to use a tax return showing both names, as evidence of a bonafide relationship, you won't have TY 2013 tax data to show (at the moment)

There was mention of an EAD issued - what's preventing him from getting to a SSA office and applying for the #?

Apply day 1, go back on day 2 and get the # or learn of new problems.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Darnell

[RiverDeep 7]

filing taxes is required, if you are the sole sponser on the I-864 thingie.

however, even with that said -

the cut off date for filing for TY 2013 hasn't arrived yet, so showing TY 2013 isn't required till then

but

if you wish to use a tax return showing both names, as evidence of a bonafide relationship, you won't have TY 2013 tax data to show (at the moment)

There was mention of an EAD issued - what's preventing him from getting to a SSA office and applying for the #?

Apply day 1, go back on day 2 and get the # or learn of new problems.

We have to get his name corrected. We sent service requests but they never corrected it. Anyway a tier2 told us we can take care of it at the interview. If the current year taxes arent required right now then we won't worry about it. I

have my W2 and pay stubs. We have other stuff with both our names.

[Mela17 36]

red flags, not enough pictures of you and he together

not knowing basic things like each others birthdays and relatives names

length of relationship prior to filing for visa

age gap

cultural difference

religious difference

fiancee's country of origin if said country is a high fraud country

language difference

not knowing basic likes dislikes

not recalling travel dates

not meeting fiancees family

oh and number of prior divorces and if petitioner has applied for previous immigrant visa on behalf of a previous amore.

[RiverDeep 7]

red flags, not enough pictures of you and he together

not knowing basic things like each others birthdays and relatives names

length of relationship prior to filing for visa

age gap

cultural difference

religious difference

fiancee's country of origin if said country is a high fraud country

language difference

not knowing basic likes dislikes

not recalling travel dates

not meeting fiancees family

oh and number of prior divorces and if petitioner has applied for previous immigrant visa on behalf of a previous amore.

We're not the picture taking type. We do have wedding photos and a few pictures with friends.

We filed after 6 months.

I'm 9 years older. If you saw us together you would probably think he's the oldest:-)

He's muslim and I'm Christian. We're very open minded.

I'm hoping the supporting documents we present help us overcome any perceived red flags. From the info you presented it would seem as though most couples have red flags. I guess I shouldn't feel nervous.

[Mela17 36]

well i feel it's unfair that couples are looked upon with more scrutiny when they have different religious backgrounds and an age gap. if it's important in your husband's country that he marry a muslim woman of child bearing age that could be a red flag. for instance when my hubs and i went to our interview i saw a couple being escorted into two separate rooms for a stokes interview. he was from Nigeria and much younger than her, a Caucasian lady.

Anyway the best advice I can give is just to go in there and be calm and relaxed and answer truthfully. We personally did not have a lawyer in our interview and i think that worked in our favor. The first question the IO asked us is how we met and I said through our mutual friend who suggested that we would be a good match and he sent me a message but i didn't respond for a month. husband gave me the side eye and i said "what, i have to tell the truth" the IO laughed and it was smooth sailing from there.