ILUF

Numbers matter. The squeaky wheels get the grease. We, the constituents of our elected officials, and we, the customers and employers of the USCIS, are merely politely asking that promises that are made to us are kept.

I encourage all fellow "Visa Journeyers" to weigh in, even if you are past this point in the process!

Emails Sent

Hello,

This is the update that I promised after attending my interview (see earlier posts).

After gathering, collating, and copying (per instructions) all of the information asked of me, I drove the 4 hours to my interview with USCIS in Kansas City, Missouri.

When my name was called, I was escorted by Officer Beaker to a point in the hallway just beyond the door separating the waiting area from the offices. I was asked by Officer Beaker if I still resided at the address listed on our original I-130 application. I replied, "Yes".

She then asked me if I received a form from the USCIS indicating that our I-130 had been approved. I replied, "Yes. I received that notification 2 days after the notice of interview".

Officer Beaker then asked me if I received the notice which informed me that my interview had been cancelled, to which I replied, "No. I got no such notification".

Officer Beaker then apologized and told me that an interview was not required, that our package had been forwarded to the National Visa Center. I processed the entire logistical, emotional, and financial costs associated with this beauracratic faux pa within one second and then simply asked,

"What happens next"?

Officer Beaker told me that both my beloved wife and I would be contacted by the NVC. I asked Officer Beaker if I could present my income tax transcripts to her, since they were requested in my interview notice and would be required in the next step of the process. She informed me that the USCIS no longer had jurisdiction over our case and that I would have to wait for processing by the NVC.

I thanked Officer Beaker, shook her hand, and left; spending the four hour drive back home contemplating and praying that the rest of the process would proceed without delay or errors.

Thank you all to all the members at Visa Journey who read this account and think good thoughts on our behalf.

Thank you (again) for responses, input, and ideas. I am overwhelmed by the level of support that I feel from those of you that are assisting.

I have an update that I didn't expect, but am of course happy to report.

Today, I received Form I-797, which says, "The above petition is approved. We have sent the original visa petition to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC)".

I can update our timeline, YAY! , and I can go to this interview on December 17, knowing that the information I will provide will take care of the financial and residence proof requirements of this process on that date. Maybe this course of action will result in a faster than average timeline for us in the completion of the process.

As I said before, I will report to this thread the results of my interview. If my wife or I receive any additional correspondence from the responsible authorities, I will also report that too.

Regarding comments about a lawyer, I am heartened by the comments I have received here, and will not yet be seeking out legal counsel.

First of all, thank to to all who have responded to my query.

I have read the information contained in the link provided by Kaylara as well as a google search of "Stokes Interview".. Since there is a significant age difference between my age and that of my wife, i would imagine that this is the red flag of which you speak.

Since we first met online in August, 2012, I have been to the Philippines a total of 5 times, we got married during my third visit there. While I did include some of the "additional evidence of bona fide marriage" in the original I-130 package, I have a wealth of additional documents, photos, and records and I intend to have all of those copied and ready for my interview. Chat logs, wire transfer records, passport stamps, photographs from our wedding and prior/subsequent visits, printouts of our facebook pages, video and photos of us together with family and friends, phone records, SMS, Yahoo, Viber, and Skype conversations.

The G-56 list of documents to bring includes my 3 years tax transcripts, rental agreement, etc. I will have all the originals and a photocopy when I go to the interview. It is on December 17, 2013, I will report to this thread right after I go. If anyone has additional advice/counsel for me in anticipation of my interview, thank you in advance for sharing with me here.

Finally, to make sure, I will call USCIS, second tier, to ensure that they understand that I will be the only one able to attend this interview.

Again, THANK YOU to all who are assisting with information and advice.

Hi,

We received NOA-1 on March 12, 2013. I am the USC.

Yesterday, I received a letter from the USCIS. At the bottom the letter indicates that it is Form G-56

The letter asks that I come to the USCIS office in Kansas City Missouri. The letter indicates that the reason for the appointment is, "Interview on Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative".

On the reverse of the letter it lists items that I MUST bring with me to this interview, and at the top of the page, in capital letters and in bold it reads, "FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR THIS INTERVIEW AND/OR FAILURE TO BRING THE BELOW LISTED ITEMS WILL RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF YOUR APPLICATION [8CFR 103.2(B)(13)].

The first thing it lists to bring to the interview is the following:

"If your application/petition is based on marriage, your spouse MUST come with you to the interview".

My wife is not in the USA, she is still in the Philippines!

I have not seen any information on VisaJourney about this type of appointment. All of the postings talk about interviews for the beneficiary at a U.S. embassy, not an interview for the USC citizen applicant.

If anyone can educate me, I appreciate your help in advance.