Nikki12

Hello,

I just went to an interview on July 11th with my husband and it was approved. Card was put in production and the officer gave us a letter saying the petition has been approved and that I can apply for citizenship the very same day if I wanted to.

But today, I received another letter saying I need to appear for an intervie dated July 23rd, interview date August 13th. It's the same exact letter I received for July 11th.

It's even asking me to bring a greencard which I don't have because the office punched holes and kept it with our file.

Is this a mistake or do I have to go to an interview again? Does my husband have to take another day off and come with me?

I'm about to make infopass appointment but I don't really want to travel again just to show approval letter......

Please let me know if you know what's going on.

Thank you,

Hi,

I recently went to an interview so I wanted to share my experience.

I’ll explain the process from the start because when I was waiting for updates, I wanted to know everything about everybody’s process! I know it’s nerve racking…

I filed Joint I-751 on July 2nd 2011, received NOA on July 7th 2011. Biometrics came a little over a month later and didn’t hear from USCIS until early Feb 2012. They asked for more evidence so I sent a few pictures, joint insurance (we are not beneficially to each other) and affidavits from friends and family early April. I had an incident with getting residence card because of the new mail man so I sent a copy of learners permit which has “this is not a valid ID” written all over it. And sent a copy of residence card a few days later (passed RFE deadline) but it was okay.

I want to point out that we have been living at separate houses and we do not own anything together. No joint bank account, no joint bills, nothing.

I didn’t hear from them for a while so I called help desk and they asked me for updated address, phone number, and receipt number (This is the number on your biometrics! I didn’t know and I was trying to check for updates with other number on NOA online. Use the # on biometrics and you should be able to check for updates online.) The rep said she will request updates to be sent to me since it’s been more than 6months from the date I applied. She told me to wait 15 days and if I hear nothing, I need to call back with case number she provided.

I received a letter for interview 18 days later.

I expected to be called for an interview because we have been separated and we don’t have too much evidence to show.

We arrived at the office in LA 2 hours early. The letter says not to arrive any earlier than 45 min before your interview but it was totally okay and there was no line. We got in, and waited for 2 hours.

The check list says to bring your past EAD and Advance parole issued to you but I don’t have any of then nor my previous passport. But it was okay. He did asked me for current unexpired passport though.

The person who called my name said we had to wait because ppl who had earlier appointment arrived after their appointment time but before our appointment time so he had to let them take an interview first. So if they came in later, we could have gone in for interview earlier. I don’t think time is that restricted.

We went in to the office together, and officer quickly made us sworn oaths. I thought we will be separated and asked million questions but that didn’t happen. We were all in the same room. And it was more like a conversation than an interrogation. I heard later from my friend that if they take you and your spouse to the same room, they already believe your marriage is in good faith. They just want to double check.

He told us that we were called for an interview because we were moving around and had 3 active addresses we were using. I guess living separated and not having enough evidence was not an issue…

He was asking question based on addresses we provided which is the reason why we were called for an interview.

Here are some of the questions I remember…

• Our work, job title, and work hours.

• When and where we met.(I told the story as is)

• How we know each other. (I told the story as is)

• What was the relationship then, when it changed, when we because an official couple. (I told the story as is)

• Why we decided to separate. (I told the story as is)

• If we filed legal separation or divorce. (We haven’t)

• When we moved to where, when and why. (I told the story as is)

• Why I kept my residence even marriage was still working out. (I needed a place to go when things were not good. It was needed cuz I don’t have family here)

• Where our relationship is at, why, what’s the plan for future as far as the marriage goes. (we said we’re working on it)

• How often do I see the in-laws.(Every holidays and birthdays but haven’t seen them for the past 7months)

• Why we don’t have joint bank account.(cuz he spends a lot and I like to save)

• Have we considered marriage counseling.(we did but I didn’t wanna go)

Then it was over. It was a matter of maybe 15-20min. He did not give us a hard time at all. We were laughing here and there. Some people were telling me that I should’ve said that we don’t live together, and that we should practice interview. But there is no need to lie about anything (and you shouldn’t!) and if your marriage is real, you should have answer to everything the officer asks.

We went in there with very little evidence that fits in a thin folder but had all the answers to all questions. We still don’t live together and I haven’t seen my in-laws for 7 months but that doesn’t mean our marriage is fake.

I had my new greencard put on production on the spot and I can officially apply for citizenship. (I don’t think I will but…)

Still waiting for a card and hopefully nothing happens that I have to travel in the next few months… You only gonna have a piece of paper saying your petition is approved and you have to apply for travel document before going outside of USA.

Good luck to everyone!!!

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know I got my petition approved

Thanks for your help!

I received RFE on Early Feb 2012 and sent it back early April 2012. Today is May 29th 2012 and haven’t heard anything back. I called the customer center but my receipt number was not the one they were asking for. The rep said that he needs a number from my biometrics letter.

I’ve gone to biometrics appointment Sept 2011 and I don’t remember if I brought any paper work back from the office.

Should I have something with me? Or the office keeps everything? If I can’t find it, how can I retrieve the number?

I’m just worried that I’m missing another notice… Am I supposed to be waiting this long to hear back for their decision?

Please let me know if you know anything

Thanks! 

Thanks for the responses!

My permit is printed on regular paper(black&white) It does have a picture and id number that can be used to validate my personal check at the store...but it's not a card...

Do you think that's good enough?

This is the 4th week so I hope I get it in the mail soon...but I don't wanna wait til the last minute tos end the packet!

Hi Guys,

My I-751 is pending and I received RFE requesting more evidence. I have most of stuff ready except for the ID card. I went to DMV and requested it but they said my learner's permit works as ID card and they were actually annoyed that I was gonna double their work...(I applied for permit the same day.)

I paid for it anyway and waiting for the card to arrive in the mail.

It's been almost a month now and I still don't have the card. I could send a copy of learner's permit as a "State Issued ID Card" but not sure if that's acceptable.

Does anyone know it is ok to do so or if I should wait for the card to arrive?

Thanks!