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Beantownbabe

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    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Sorry to hear that Canadianmade - it's like inhumane treatment to just keep you guys in the dark and waiting like this! Seems to me that out of the blue you will just get word via e-mail that your greencard is on it's way. At least I hope that's what will happen. I just can't believe you STILL haven't heard one way or the other. Un-freakin-believable! I keep saying it, keep ya head up!

    Tell me about it Beantownbabe, I dont know what to say anymore honestly, I dont understand why it is taking so long to hear a correspondence from USCIS about our decision, I mean I think we do at least deserve that and not keep us in the dark like this, I dont wish this on anyone honestly. I am really hoping it wont be bad news but good news and I do want it to be one of those things that I hear my decision 6 months later, I would go through the roof if that happens and day by day I am thinking that is what is going to happen. I hope everything will be for the good but this has to be very unnormal to have to wait this long for a decision, we had nothing to work with at all, no time frame nothing. I admit I am abit jealous but happy that everyone in here got their approvals and got their green cards and welcome to america letters, I wouldnt wish this on anyone. Actually we have decided to write our congressman and sent it by mail this morning to find out something, I mean this is redicilous. The memory that sticks in my mind and I find the funniest is the lady who interviewed us insinuated that I came into the US illegally because I didnt have any stamps in my passport, well Canadians usually dont get stamps on our passports if you are arriving by land border and Toronto is 4.5hrs away from Ohio lol, unbelieveable. Thank you for continuing to support the both of us and will let you guys know when we find something out.

    I can certainly understand the mixed feelings when people are lucky enough to have had a smooth ride - it's perfectly normal and anyone here would agree! We can all sympathize that's for sure. I don't think it's the norm either to have to wait like you are doing and like you said, with no timeframe. It's cruel, that's what it is! I think it's a good thing that you wrote to your congressman and hopefully that will give you a little luck and spur your approval letter to mysteriously turn up! Well, no-one knows what the hold up is, but it would only take a bit of checking around to know that you don't need stamps when you come from Canada. You'd think that someone doing that job would/should know that, right? Like I said though, who knows what the hold up is. I read somewhere that you can get held up a little in the name check part of things - maybe that's what it is...We could go round in circle and still never know so you're just going to have to hurry up and keep waiting for now. I wish I had words of wisdom for you, but I just don't know what these people are up to! Keep dreaming of Canada though, cos you'll be visiting soon enough!

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hey you guys,

    I was just looking around on the site and came across this interesting read on one of the other posts. We still have interviews coming up so maybe this will help some of us feel better prepared!

    Congrats Tanyaru!

    Worried about that scheduled marriage-based green card interview? Not sure what to expect from your examiner?

    • Your burden is to prove (1) your believability (hint: being prepared is important!); and (2) genuineness of your marriage, as evidenced by children if any, joint tax returns, bills at a common living address, cross life-insurance policies, co-mingling of financial assets, wedding and other photos, and length of the relationship. USCIS relies on documents, documents, documents.

    • Producing few documents may mean trouble. If you and your spouse live in different cities, you should produce airline itineraries, emails, exchanged cards, photos, and any other viable written documentation of your "commuting marriage."

    • If the foreign spouse paid the American spouse to marry and be sponsored for the green card, then the green card will be denied. If there is a big age difference between spouses, expect to be grilled. If either spouse has been married multiple times, expect the same.

    • According to the Field Adjudicator's Manual consulted by examining USCIS officials, the following are signs of a "sham marriage:" Large disparity of age; inability of petitioner and beneficiary to speak each other's language;vast difference in cultural and ethnic background;family and/or friends unaware of the marriage; marriage arranged by a third party; marriage contracted immediately following the beneficiary's apprehension or receipt of notification to depart the United States; discrepancies in statements on questions for which a husband and wife should have common knowledge; no cohabitation since marriage; beneficiary is a friend of the family; petitioner has filed previous petitions in behalf of aliens, especially prior alien spouses.

    • If the alien spouse’s English is poor, take a translator.

    • If the alien spouse has been arrested or convicted of a crime, don’t even think about attending the interview without procuring certified copies of all relevant police and court records and having them carefully examined by an experienced immigration lawyer. USCIS will require you to produce those same certified criminal records. So you might as well complete this task early!

    • Men should wear slacks and collared shirts. Women should wear dresses of appropriate style and length or pant suits.

    • Take all your identification documents, including the foreign spouse’s EAD and passport. Take an original and legible photocopy of all proof-of-marriage documents so you can put your hands on them quickly if asked, without fumbling.

    • Leave cell phones and other electronic devices in your car.

    • Early-morning appointment? Good sign. The USCIS examiner will have lots of other appointments. He will want to get you out the door. Most MBGC interviews end happily after less than 15 minutes.

    • Afternoon appointment? Potentially a bad sign. The examiner may have spotted holes in your pre-filed paperwork or other defects. Could be a lengthy interview.

    • Your attitude is the most important thing you will take into your interview. Preparation breeds confidence breeds optimism, enhancing your approval chances. This is not the same as plastering a smile on your face or ostentatiously holding hands.

    • Listen carefully to the examiner. If you do not understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat it. Do not guess at answers. Do not volunteer information.

    • At the start of the interview, you and your spouse will be sworn in. The examiner may turn on a video camera. He or she will ask you to be seated.

    • Your examiner may or may not disclose his or her name. Get it! Ask politely. Have the examiner repeat the name if you did not hear it. Write it down or commit it to memory! This will be critical if your green card is denied.

    • Young examiners may feel they have the most to prove. They may be overly-zealous, discourteous or even hostile. This is the exception. If it happens, shrug it off. Don’t get angry! To the contrary: Take a breath, stay calm, pause, and consider your answers even more carefully. Remember: Examiners have big caseloads and big pressure. They must make important decisions quickly. And they are often lied to.

    • Expect the first minutes of your interview to be devoted to “housekeeping.” The examiner will ask for ID documents and may ask either spouse to confirm entries on the I-130, I-485 and G-325A forms. So memorize the most important info on those forms before the interview. Most critical: Date of your marriage, date of spouse’s admission into the U.S., and dates you began living together at your current and any earlier addresses.

    • If the alien spouse is a Middle East male, expect tough questioning or worse.

    • If you and your spouse are separated during the interview, you have a credibility problem. Typical treatment: The examiner may point to a wall calendar and ask both spouses (separately) how they spent the last seven days and where they spent the last seven nights. Either spouse may be asked to write down the other’s name and/or the name of the spouse’s parents, with correct spelling.

    • If an examiner is convinced that the primary purpose of a marriage is to secure a green-card, he may accuse the U.S. spouse of “committing a crime” by filing green card paperwork for the foreign spouse. The trouble will “go away” if the spouse withdraws the I-130 petition. Or, the examiner may threaten an “ICE investigation.” Don’t give in to this bullying – and you should welcome an ICE investigation if your marriage is genuine.

    • If the examiner approves the green card, the alien spouse’s passport will be stamped. Expect the green card to arrive by mail about two weeks later – unless the alien spouse remains tied up in lengthy “security checks” or USCIS lacks your correct address. The latter is your responsibility.

    • If the examiner denies the green card, you will have the chance to renew the application before an immigration judge.

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hi everyone!!

    I am very sorry I didn't get a chance to post much or update the sheet these past few days. I am having kind of a rough time at work.. they're talking lay offs and I just upset my boss so that doesn't help :(

    So I'm spending most of my free time looking for alternatives. I have an opportunity in San Diego, CA, but they are waiting for me to let them know when I will be receiving my Green Card, since I don't want to move out there before I receive the actual card, so that's up in the air too until I get good news from USCIS.

    So again, I'm sorry I haven't been updating the spreadsheet in a timely manner, I promise I'll try to do better.

    Congratulations to all the approvals!! I am literally shocked by the number of approvals that are coming for us October filers! Canadianmade will be next, I can feel it! ;)

    Kimcorene, thank you for the list you've prepared, I will be using it to prepare mine! I see the secret's out now, so I can wish ALL THE BEST for you and your little one in public now ^_^

    I have now updated the spreadsheet, please let me know if I've forgotten someone, I hope not! :unsure:

    Hi Rosie,

    I've been wondering how you were! I hope things work out for you - good news is on it's way just a couple of weeks from now! I believe your interview is the day after mine? San Diego is calling your name and hopefully you will be there soon enough! :star:

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Dear VJers and especially October filers!

    I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all your help and support throughout my journey. Today I had my AOS interview and it was a success.

    Here is my experience:

    The waiting area was pretty big and we waited almost an hour to be called (meybe even over an hour, not sure). Our IO was that kind of person whom it is difficult to read, I even thought he was mean in the beginning. Well, when we got to his office there was another guy there and IO explained that we are going to be interviewd by both of them (well, IO will be interviewing and the other guy will be watching). I started freaking out...

    After going through our file for not more then 30 sec IO started asking questions like how we met, when we started dating, when deceided to get married. Then he asked us of any joint stuff. Needless to say I was VERY prepared. I put like 12 different folders in front of him plus 3 inch stack of pics. He went probably through 3-4 folders collecting lease papers, bank and credit card ststements, vehicle lien and registration, 2008 tax return, my hubby's and mine employment letters and paystubs. Then he asked me all of those questions "have you ever..." from I-485. He then announced that he is going to approve my application and explained us about removal of conditions. He took my I-94 but never asked for EAD. He gave me a letter stating that I-485 was approved but never offered to stamp my passport (well, maybe because it was expired). And that was it!

    Hope everyone else will have a painless interview like mine!

    Good luck, and again, thanks for all your support.

    T & J

    More congratulations!!!

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hey Guys,

    Congrats to all you new Conditional Permanent Residents - quite the mouthful aint it?

    Can you give me a bit of advice?

    My wife (the USC) has been very tardy at getting her name changed on SS card, drivers license and passport - she kept her own name but hyphanated mine on the end. The majority of the stuff we are doing now for the interview, but we are flying to Ireland in April and her name on the ticket is her maiden name so we can't change her passport.

    The question is, will the interviewer get all suspicious if her name hasn't changed on her passport - even though everything else will change - or do they over look that kind of stuff?

    We can't change the name on the airline ticket as we bought it online and can't afford to pay another $1000.

    Thanks,

    R

    I could be wrong but I'd bet they won't bat an eyelid, especially since it is still an unexpired passport. Most people wait until their passport expires to do that kind of stuff - or else pay all kinds of money for a replacement which they don't really need. It'll be fine, I'm quite sure. You booked your tickets already?! I'm too scared! We are planning on going to England in May, but I can't bring myself to get the tickets - stupid, I know since the price will go up! Good for you guys!!!

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Ok well first thing first interview was today not yesterday as i thought lol was too desperate to get it over and done with.

    So, we have just arrived home from our interview arrived around 1.30pm for interview at 2pm was called through around 2.15pm.

    Walked through to the office and was sworn in and asked to take a seat, we were then asked to provide our birth certificates and passport/id's and marriage certificate. He asked my wife a few questions when/where we met, when/where did we get married, what her address is etc. After a conversation with both of us taking around 20 minutes, very relaxed style our interviewer proceeded to tell us about how he had met people from South Africa while on a trip (i was born in Durban,SA.) He took some of our documents to photocopy them and then asked for my EAD and AP, stamped my passport informed us about removal of conditions at the end of next year and that was that.

    So we are APPROVED!!!!! You guys have all been amazing and i wish all the best to the rest of you who are still waiting for interviews.

    Wonderful! congratulations!!!

    I have a question - when you go to interview and you take your bank account information, did anyone (or do you plan to) black out the account number or anything? Am I being super paranoid?! Thanks!

    I did not think about it. Anyway, the IO just looked if both our names were in there and checked the box in his checklist. How about just blacking out the account number in the photocopies if ever you have to give him one?

    Good luck and God bless on your interview. . .

    Thanks, I think that's exactly what I'll do! It'll make me a little more at ease I think...

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Its been a while since i've got on here. I'm glad to see everyone has moved along swiftly. I'm getting ready to go to our rescheduled interview now its at 2.30pm today. I hate interviews at the best of times and this one just makes me so much more nervous. I have also just been accepted for a job working as a Assistant store manager for Officemax finally.

    Good luck, Alxmrt! Congrats on the job, too! Can't wait to hear news!

    well good news to everyone!!...

    we were approved! :dance:

    in tucson..our IO was a very nice lady!...

    our interview probly lasted around 10-15 minutes..it was an in and out kind of thing..

    these are the questions we were asked:

    to my husband:

    my name

    both my parents name

    my birthdate

    where i was born

    and our current address

    to me:

    when and where we met..

    my full name

    my husbands birthdate

    the last time i had used my visa

    if i ever had problems with the police, immigration, deportation (that checklist in the app)

    the documents they asked to see...

    were copies of bills

    our copies of our credit cards

    my social security card

    my visa (they kept it)

    my EAD

    and our arizona id's

    and that is about it...

    everything went smoothly and she told us that i was going to recieve my conditional residency card in about 2-3 weeks..and to make sure to change the conditions in two years..and she said in three years i could get my citizenship...! so im super excited and relived...

    all thanks to all the people who showed support!..may God bless you all..and give you a smooth finish to your immigration process!..lets keep everyone updated!

    Yay! Congratulations!!!

    Joint Checking accounts/AOS interviews

    in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas

    Posted

    Considering that you are using joint accounts to prove that your lives are mingled, just a few dollars in there might even look suspect. If you are going to present evidence that you have joint accounts, I think it makes sense that those accounts are actually used.

    We do have more than one account but by the looks of the checking account, it didn't look too healthy on one of the statements that we have to bring with us! I am a stay at home mother (so no income right now) and my husband is well above the poverty limit, we do online bill paying via another account - but I just wonder how much the amount in accounts matters, if any...

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    What the heck is going on here.

    Even I got my interview date notice today! March 11th! Something must not be right, cause I am away for two weeks and I asked my wife (I have thus far handled everything pretty much) and she said, no today we got an interview notice! Are there other interviews or is this it...the one!?

    I cant believe my ears!!!! Hopefully soon my eyes. I felt so far behind you all, and now it seems we are all getting close to that finish line! Please make sure you all update your status/timelines so we know what or how your interviews went and where you at. There are so many of us now. Hopefully soon there will be none ;)

    Congrats and good luck to all! PS. Whats all this about 'preparing'? Just the proper paper work and some photos and bills is all we need no? Is there a good thread rgd this for those who have been? OK off to celebrate!!!!!! :thumbs::star::dance:

    So drinks are now on you?!!! Congratulations, I'm really happy for you since I know it's been quite a stressful time for you. Glad to see you're up to speed now! The preparations are really all the "stuff" it tells you to bring on the appointment letter, the originals of all the 'official' stuff and the marriage proofs, etc. They just want to know see that you are living together as a married couple with co-mingling of assets.

    Congratulations to all the new GC holders!

    AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hey guys, I need your opinion on something..I've been on my job for 3 weeks now going on a month...

    Should I have my hubby fill out a new Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) since there was a change in our household income...just in case..

    And include my name in

    24b. Income you are using from any other person who was counted in your household..name-relationship-current income..

    And select 24e.. The person listed above, My name, does not need to complete Form I-864A because he/she is the intending immigrant and has no accompanying dependents (no kids yet) and all other information.

    And I have gathered all my information a very long time ago, in a folder labeled and everything..just waiting to be taken out..Here's what I have so far:-

    Me and hubby's-

    Birth certificates, Marriage license,social security cards ,driver licenses

    My passport with stapled I-94 and F-1 Visa, stamps with writing from when I left the country and re-entered tons of times

    Both of our letters of employment and hubby's 2007 federal income tax return

    Both of our pay stubs

    Last and present EAD's

    Apartment Lease, Utility bills with both our names

    Six months of bank statements from our joint account along with bank cards

    Pictures, Trip itineraries and boarding passes

    Greeting cards sent by our family and among ourselves

    Notice Receipts for I-130, I-485, I-765, Biometrics, Interview notice

    As far as insurance, it was very expensive for me to be on his auto and medical insurance...but after 90 days I get medical, dental, vision benefits from my employer and I am getting my own vehicle in 2 months as well..so all of that will be handled..

    Let me know what you guys think and if i miss anything else that can be included.

    Thanks, guys- I'll be reorganizing all our documents and will post what we have- for my piece of mind,lol.

    Hey Sweets,

    You seem like you're well organized and ready. I think there would be no harm in you filling out the new I-864 and having it on hand if it's asked for. That way, there will be no delay if they decide they actually want to see one. I intend on taking a new one with us to interview also. What about tax returns? Have you guys or will you have done your taxes before interview? You could take the joint tax return also? (Hope you are enjoying the job, by the way!) Good luck!

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