Half experimenting, the other half was because that's all we had, lol. On the RFE it had a list of items for proof of evidence and then on a separate page it had a list of items that they requested that I send back. One was the 2012 tax returns and the other was a lease agreement. Not sure about the second being on there, though. Documents where lost/misplaced. Happened during the adjustment process, as well. I know this because during the interview we had to provide a document that the IO said had been lost.
To be honest, we were really surprised by the RFE. Our evidence was solid, minus the 2012 tax returns. If it wasn't then we wouldn't have gotten approved. We both thought everyone had to do another interview, so we where surprised when we read on here that most don't need to. If a couples marriage is legit, then why worry about an RFE or an interview?? At least that's the way we look at it.
As I said at the beginning, everyone's situation is different. Luckily ours was one that didn't require loads of evidence.
Anyway, I think you're over thinking my post. I have no reason to lie. That would be silly! I'm just sharing our experience.
We arrived at the Interview Office about two hours early because I thought Atlanta traffic would be pretty severe, but it was surprisingly smooth for 8:30 am. Anyway, we practiced going over questions about how, when, and where we met, along with our friend that had introduced me to my wife. We checked-in around thirty minutes before our interview time, then we were sent to the second floor (we took the stairs because I got stuck in an elevator once ==”). While we sat in the waiting area I noticed that there were about 20, or more other people waiting, too. About half of those had lawyers with them, and all had VERY thick folders filled with paperwork, while we had two small folders; one contained the paperwork that I sent for the I-130 (supporting evidence, as well) and the other had the copy of the I-485. I liked that we had time to wait because it gave me a chance to look at a lot of the IOs. I guess we probably seen around seven different IOs?? Out of those seven, I would say the slender, white lady with gray hair seemed to look the friendliest. The meanest was an older looking white guy that was on the large side, and….. Our IO ==*. She was a tall, skinny, black lady with glasses, I think. When she called our number I crushed the ticket number, and stuck it in my pocket thinking I would not need it again…. I was so wrong because she asked for it when we met her *kicking myself*. So, I got the paper out of my pocket, and apologized, but she did not say anything. Once we got in her office she swore us in, asked for ID. I gave my passport and driver license, but my wife only has her passport. She kept asking her for a U.S. Government issued ID, which of course she does not have because she was here on a B2 visa!! What else could she have?! Anyway, I was trying to tell the IO that my wife had her B2 visa if that would work, but she told me, in an aggressive tone, not to answer for my wife because she was capable of speaking for herself. There was a moment of silence after she said this, then she said, “I’m sure Mrs. Lindsey knows herself better than you!” My reply, “Errmm…. Ok??” After I heard her say this, I knew that the best way to win her over was to speak ONLY when spoken to. I wanted her to lighten up, and when it comes to being able to charm people, I like to think I rate very high =). So, anyway, she starts to question my wife:
IO: How did you meet your husband?
WIFE: We met on a language exchange website. (she met a longtime friend of mine on that site. the friend introduced us)
IO: Write down the site here *gives sticky note to wife*
WIFE: *writes down website name, and gives back*
IO: Was you looking to find an American guy to marry?
WIFE: Not really.
IO: When did you first meet your husband?
WIFE: We met in April of 2010, but I did not meet him in person till later.
IO: So then you came over here to meet him?
WIFE: Yes, but I was not coming to meet him; I was coming to meet our friend that introduced us on that website. (finally my wife tells how we met!!)
IO: Who is the friend from the website?
WIFE: Carla. She is my husband’s best friend. She introduced me to him because she thought he was studying my language, but it wasn’t my language, it was a different language. (almost correct. Carla introduced me to my wife because she did not think she could take off the whole trip of my wife’s stay, and thought that I was studying my wife’s native language; thus, we having something in common, and my wife would not need to be alone)
IO: I want each of you to write the other’s name and birthdate on this. *hands each of us a sticky note* Don’t write on the edges because there is plenty of room in the center for you to write that. (she was weird about anything being written on the edges 0.o”)
ME: Do you want me to write her maiden name?
IO: Yes, write it below the birthdate.
ME: *hands sticky note to IO*
WIFE: *hands sticky note to IO*
IO: Tell me what is Carla like?
WIFE: She is short, blue ey… *IO stops her*
IO: I want to know about her personality.
WIFE: She is very talkative, wild, and…. *IO stops her again*
IO: Wild? What do you mean? Does she like to party a lot?
WIFE: No, she just sometimes does bad things.
ME: *thinking* Oh f*** ==;
IO: What? What kind of bad things?
WIFE: Well, she once had a relationship with a married man. He (me) did not like that Carla was breaking up a married couple like that, and did not approve of that.
IO: He? Who? The married man?
WIFE: No, my husband. He told Carla that what she was doing is wrong, and that she should reconsider her relationship with the guy.
IO: You say your husband and Carla are best friends?
WIFE: Yes.
IO: Close friends like that usually do the same things.
ME: *thinking* #######? She just insulted me 0.o”
WIFE: Yes. I know American guys usually cheat on their other half (IO cracks a smile while writing, and I’m thinking she hates men), but I don’t believe my husband is like that. He is very kind, and truthful. So I don’t believe he would do this.
IO: What do you like about your husband?
WIFE: Well, my husband is caring; for example, we have two cats that someone left near our home. My husband took in the cats knowing they were pregnant. Now we have seven kittens. That showed me that he is kind and loves animals.
IO: So your husband just plans on letting them go around having more cats?
WIFE: No, we got the first cat fixed, and plan on getting the second fixed, as well, but first she has to finish winging her kittens. Then we plan on turning the kittens over to a no-kill shelter.
IO: *sarcastically* So, the only thing you like about him is that he’s an animal lover?
WIFE: No, he is a really genuine person. His family looks up to him. He is always helping his mom out. I was speaking to his mom when we first started our relationship, and she told me about how my husband doesn’t realize how his older, and younger brothers look up to him as a role model. How he helps with his younger brother’s homework, takes him to school in the mornings, and cooks dinner. After we talked, I knew he was the one for me.
IO: *looking at a document I signed, and my signature on my license while listening to my wife finish talking, then suddenly throws license to the side* Mrs. Lindsey, after looking at his signature, I believe you and everything you just said about him.
ME: *thinking* …… ####### just happened?? 0.o”
IO: You have met his whole family?
WIFE: Yes.
IO: How many siblings does your husband have?
WIFE: Two
IO: Mr. Lindsey, have you met your wife’s family?
ME: Yes, video chatted. I try to speak to her mom, but I can’t speak their language well.
IO: How many siblings?
ME: One younger brother.
IO: Mrs. Lindsey, you have a small family. Is your mom ok with you marrying a guy from a different country?
WIFE: She was nervous, but she trusted my decision. She is happy with my husband.
IO: Mr. Lindsey, what is your address?
ME: Answered correctly
IO: You, Mrs. Lindsey?
WIFE: Answered correctly
IO: Do you have any more supporting evidence for your relationship?
ME: *shows maybe six? photos, while explaining them, and who is in each photo*
ME: I know my friend does make bad choices when it comes to relationships, but she is a kind person.
IO: I’m sure.
ME: Everyone has flaws in them.
IO: …… True.
IO: I’m approving you, Mrs. Lindsey, for your green card. You will receive it in the mail in about two to three weeks. Wait in the lobby while I make some copies.
So, we waited in the lobby just a few minutes, then the IO came out, and gave me back some paperwork that she needed to copy, and reminded us that we are approved for the green card, which we would receive in about two weeks.
I didn’t put this up top, but after she said she believed my wife, I thought that was my chance for small talk, so I found a fat, ugly eraser on her desk that looked like it had stories, and began to talk about that. I asked simple questions, to which she had long answers =). Then we talked about how long she had been in that particular building and she told me that that she wished it was back downtown so that she could take the MARTA.
I’m not sure if she just does not like men, or what, but my advice to anyone that gets this woman: DO NOT SPEAK UNLESS SHE ASKES YOU DIRECTLY!! This woman is VERY strict, but fair. As you can see, she did not ask me more than five questions. She only wanted to talk to my wife.
We mailed our package off on the 22nd and it was supposed to arrive next day, but something happened and it didn't arrive till the 24th. We received the message Tuesday night, so it only took 4 days from the time they signed for it?
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