AOS Interview Experience

[Sanders 0]

K1 visa with October 2016 entrance to USA. Had green card interview June 27. We filed in January after marrying December 24. Found out we’re pregnant in January and due in September. Added her to my health insurance right after wedding, to my bank account in March, and filed taxes jointly. Brought current employment letter, tax return, recent pay stubs, first page of joint bank account, marriage photos. Thought it would be a sure thing. I was wrong.

 

Interviewer was very skeptical and kind of hostile. Said I should have brought evidence of wife on my health insurance even tho I had it on my phone(wouldn’t even look at it). She asked for evidence from doctor of our due date, as if my very pregnant wife is faking it. Said she should be on all utilities in case I die and spouse needs to take  care of herself. Asked my wife how she would pay the bills if I died on way home (I make good money and have life insurance and nice 401k balance).

 

Wife speaks English as second language and Interviewer kept getting impatient with my wife not easily understanding every question the first time. 

 

Asked my wife numerous times if she had other kids ( she doesn’t). Made a snarky comment about my place of employment (another federal agency). Said she had to “protect the homeland”. Asked a of standard questions about terrorism and overthrowing the government. Said we broke law by affecting a name change through our marriage license and certificate, that we should have done a formal name change (researched it and she’s wrong). Lectured me how I should have changed my drivers license address after having moved year before last (she’s right but didn’t know uscis cared ). Said I should have brought all pages of bank statement so she could review money coming in and out to see if my wife was using account (even tho there is no way of telling this by looking at statement).

 

Despite all this we kept our cool and were polite and never argued. Said she would send us letter requesting more info. We got the letter. They want marriage photos ( which we brought to Interview, she only kept one), tax returns ((which we already provided at Interview), bank statements and proof other joint accounts ( there are no others besides retirement account which my wife gets up my death by inheritance laws), utility statements (I will change to both our names but proves nothing ) and health insurance proof. I know people that haven’t had to show any of this stuff. Is this normal? I have a condo and mortgage and am wondering if I should try to add my wife but might not be possible unless I refinance (which would be costly and at a higher rate). 

 

Kind of bummed about this, especially since we’re expecting baby in early September and relationship is legit and I can easily support wife. Will do my best to comply but just can’t believe uscis is so over the top. 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2018 by Sanders

[mushroomspore 3,044]

Well the IO sounds like she was definitely on the grouchy side. A different IO may have conducted your interview with a gentler manner but there's no point in going on about that. This was the IO you got and that's that.

 

But I have to ask, why bring only the first page of your joint bank account statement? Even if they can't tell who's making which transactions, the entire statement gives them a picture of regular life, like groceries, bills being paid etc. Just showing the first page with your names and address is not enough. Most people can open a bank account but if they're not using it, that's obviously suspicious to an IO. Since she didn't have the transaction history, how was she supposed to know for sure you guys didn't just open the account for appearances?

 

And of course she would not look at your health insurance on your phone. They operate with paperwork, first of all. Secondly, they're federal agents in a federal building. They don't allow people to just whip out electronic devices during interviews. 

 

The paperwork she asked for isn't that unusual from the interview experiences I've read. Some IO's take everything you've got, some don't care at all. Some take your photos and some don't. IO's do issue RFE's after interviews so just send the paperwork ASAP and wait.

[geowrian 22,337]

Agreed with all of the above. the IO sounds grouchy, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Send the information for their records, wait  a little more, then enjoy the 2 years before ROC where you get to do most of it again.

 

Congrats on the pregnancy.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

what a (rhymes with itch) . what consulate was it at?

 

but ... it is what it  is. you cant change it, or her. Send the information requested. Having wills and power of attorneys with each other listed, is a good idea as well.

Edited July 9, 2018 by debbiedoo

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, debbiedoo said:

what a . what consulate was it at?

I believe this was AOS...they entered on a K-1 and had the "green card" (AOS) interview. No consulate involved.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

7 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I believe this was AOS...they entered on a K-1 and had the "green card" (AOS) interview. No consulate involved.

ahhh thats right. good point. thanks

[Teemo 252]

Well, I understand your frustration. But I don't really see that you have submitted substantial bona fides. Your driver's licenses/government ID don't even show the same address as each other? That's an obvious and meaningful error in your judgement, all interview reports online say that is the first thing the IO asks for, I literally went to the DMV the first day I could to get my current address updated. All the bona fides you provided are more like secondary evidence, like a joint tax return. Joint health insurance is a big one, you made a mistake not bringing hard proof of that. One page of a bank statement? Was not wanting to waste 7 more pieces of paper your motivation in not showing a complete bank statement? I don't understand that logic, this is a formal interview, you need formal evidence and incomplete documents are not formal evidence.  The list of things you did not provide (driver's licenses with same address, joint lease or mortgage, utility bills with both your names on it) far outnumber the ones you did provide.  The pregnancy is a big one in your favor but that obviously made you take the rest of the evidence-gathering far less seriously and you are paying the price. Unfortunately, you knowing the relationship is completely legitimate is far different from proving it to an IO. 

 

How many photos did you provide, and were many of them (not including the wedding) with friends, family or on vacation? I'm gonna guess you only provided a handful, which again means you did not take this seriously enough. I plan on bringing at least a hundred if not 200, with several dozens with other friends/family and on vacation. 

 

Good luck on the rest of the process,  I'm sure you'll be fine once you gather what they have requested. 

Edited July 9, 2018 by Teemo

[A&H2018 146]

You got a tough IO and sounds like you got annoyed early on so the whole interview continued that tone.

 

Truly, in my prep so far I have a “Table of Contents, various sections, exhibits”. Each section has a write up on what the exhibits show. Then I have highlighted things you know each person purchases (orange and yellow). You are trying to sell a story to make sure all your bases are covered and using good evidence.

 

That all said, someone else went with little evidence to interview. Bad experience as well. Then went home and organized it all and added much more. Went to infopass and said I want to add this to my file, my mistakes for bad preparation first time. USCIS accepted the information and it reached the IO.

 

I would say consider that route so IO see’s you are serious and have all info. Why even wait for an RFE.

[mushroomspore 3,044]

3 hours ago, Teemo said:

Well, I understand your frustration. But I don't really see that you have submitted substantial bona fides. Your driver's licenses/government ID don't even show the same address as each other? That's an obvious and meaningful error in your judgement, all interview reports online say that is the first thing the IO asks for, I literally went to the DMV the first day I could to get my current address updated. All the bona fides you provided are more like secondary evidence, like a joint tax return. Joint health insurance is a big one, you made a mistake not bringing hard proof of that. One page of a bank statement? Was not wanting to waste 7 more pieces of paper your motivation in not showing a complete bank statement? I don't understand that logic, this is a formal interview, you need formal evidence and incomplete documents are not formal evidence.  The list of things you did not provide (driver's licenses with same address, joint lease or mortgage, utility bills with both your names on it) far outnumber the ones you did provide.  The pregnancy is a big one in your favor but that obviously made you take the rest of the evidence-gathering far less seriously and you are paying the price. Unfortunately, you knowing the relationship is completely legitimate is far different from proving it to an IO. 

 

How many photos did you provide, and were many of them (not including the wedding) with friends, family or on vacation? I'm gonna guess you only provided a handful, which again means you did not take this seriously enough. I plan on bringing at least a hundred if not 200, with several dozens with other friends/family and on vacation. 

 

Good luck on the rest of the process,  I'm sure you'll be fine once you gather what they have requested. 

Quick question as it is somewhat related to the details of this thread. My husband has his business address on his license. He has used that address for a really long time now and still does. I didn't think it was a big deal because we have lots of paperwork with both our names and residential address. His name is also the only one on the lease. But now I'm worrying that a nitpicky IO will give us a hard time about this too. My husband thinks I'm overthinking this. Thoughts????

[Diane and Chris 651]

9 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Quick question as it is somewhat related to the details of this thread. My husband has his business address on his license. He has used that address for a really long time now and still does. I didn't think it was a big deal because we have lots of paperwork with both our names and residential address. His name is also the only one on the lease. But now I'm worrying that a nitpicky IO will give us a hard time about this too. My husband thinks I'm overthinking this. Thoughts????

Not sure what license you’re talking about. Driver License?  I know in the state of Georgia you must have your residential address on your DL. You have 30 days to change it once you move. I believe you can do this via their website. I think your husband should add your name to the lease. That is a very important piece of evidence. 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

13 minutes ago, Diane and Chris said:

Not sure what license you’re talking about. Driver License?  I know in the state of Georgia you must have your residential address on your DL. You have 30 days to change it once you move. I believe you can do this via their website. I think your husband should add your name to the lease. That is a very important piece of evidence. 

Yes driver's license. We're in California. As for the lease, we can't add my name to it yet because I'm a freelancer and my income has been very sparse. We tried before and our landlord said she needs to see steady income from me before she can add my name to the lease.

[Teemo 252]

1 hour ago, mushroomspore said:

Quick question as it is somewhat related to the details of this thread. My husband has his business address on his license. He has used that address for a really long time now and still does. I didn't think it was a big deal because we have lots of paperwork with both our names and residential address. His name is also the only one on the lease. But now I'm worrying that a nitpicky IO will give us a hard time about this too. My husband thinks I'm overthinking this. Thoughts????

Yea I think you should have the same address on your state ID and I didn't think it was even allowed to have a business address on a license. It is supposed to be your home address so that's an annoying explanation to have to make to an IO. 

[mushroomspore 3,044]

10 minutes ago, Teemo said:

Yea I think you should have the same address on your state ID and I didn't think it was even allowed to have a business address on a license. It is supposed to be your home address so that's an annoying explanation to have to make to an IO. 

That's what I think too. Thanks. I really would rather have my husband just change it than explain this to the IO.

Edited July 9, 2018 by mushroomspore

[A&H2018 146]

California is also residence. Something had to discuss with my wife today. She changed her address but they never mail a new ID. Seems no one cares except I guess an officet if stopped, but ofcourse uscis randomly cares.

 

DMV here we come.

[Brandon & Sarah 21]

Hello

 

We have our AOS interview coming up and we never took a copy of the I-485 package before we sent it?! In the checklist for the interview it says this is required, does anyone know what happens if you don't have this for the interview?

 

thanks!