lola0221

I posted a few months back that I was having problems tracking where our applicant forms were. We had to resubmit them and they were submitted November of 2014. A week after we received RFE letter and sent the things that they are asking for by January. After a month or so. I received my EAD approval letter. I got my EAD card in February and applied for SSN right away. In March, we received an interview schedule and was interviewed last Tuesday in Los Angeles and was approved on the spot/ Praise God. VJ has been by go to page whenever I am in need of answers and I wanted to share my experience and thoughts throughout this journey.
1. REAL VS SHAM
I know it has been said over and over but if it is a genuine marriage, you need not fret. You cant shake off the anxiety for sure but don't let it consume you. While we were in the waiting room, we can actually point out who the real ones are vs the "pretnding to be real" ones. It's not about being affectionate and all, but it's about the body language and how you and your spouse interact each other.
2. LOS ANGELES LOCATION
The staff are very friendly. Make sure you greet everyone with a smile and they will smile back at you. I know your focus right now is the IO but receiving positive vibes from everyone helps a lot. We came in 3 hours before our scheduled interview.LOL. We passed by the Cathedral of Angels which was 5 minutes away and had lunch at the LA mall. We were too punctual that the waiting part actually drained us to death. Try not to do that. Lol The check in process is quick- You enter the federal building and they will do an airport check like procedure. You hand in your interview notice to the immigration staff in the room and they will send you to a waiting room. No lines at all.
3. DOCUMENTS
Make sure that you and your spouse know what you brought. I made sure that I showed everything to my husband before we went, in case we get separated, it is important that he has an idea of what he can provide the IO. We have our joint income tax, bank statements( for a year), Copy of our costco card, debit card, Disneyland annual pass, joint lease agreement, and a couple of photos pasted on a bond paper. I labeled everything with a post it. I just handed my whole folder containing all these to the IO and it was a lot easier for her. n a separate envelope, I have all orginals- passport, birth certificates, marriage contract. I also brought a small photo album which has maybe 40 pics on it-- pics with my husband's daughter, his nieces and nephews, etc. Oh I also brought our gym contract and post cards from friends and family which has both our names on it. I also brought letters coming from the SSA for me and another federal agency which I forgot for my husband lol which has our address on.
4. INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE
I didnt have the chance to feel nervous. My husband was already drenched in sweat in a fully air conditioned room, I had to be the calm and confident one. Our IO was very intimidating. We were the last interviewees and she looked tired. Make sure you know if she's ready for the small talk or is all about the business. Take the interview as a team. My husband literally missed most of the questions that the IO asked but I was there to support and clarify each of the statements that he made. Ofcourse, there were no conflicting statements. I was even rephrasing the IO's questions to him coz I think the IO was very terrifying for him that he can't think straight anymore. I think him messing up helped a lot. The heck, he cant even remember his phone number and his daughter's bday. Lol. I think it appeared very natural coz I know all these information that he should have known by heart but forgot. So don't beat yourself up if you commit any mistakes coz the IO knows better. Our interview lasted for 40minutes-- 20minutes were dedicated to small talk. She gave us a letter of approval before we left and my USCIS status was updated the next day. Her questions were basic-- where did you meet, when, who was the common friend. That's it.
5. PRACTICE
We made sure that we revisited our love story. We familiarized ourselves with our house, we took a tour of it together. It's a one bedroom house and there's nothing much to see but try to look at your dwelling place in a more detailed perspective. Agree on the colors, where stuff are kept, term that you're going to use (garage vs infront of the garage, used towels vs unused towels etc) to describe it just to be sure. Ask each other questions. Practice boosts confidence.
We still cant wrap our heads around the thought that it's done for now. We are very happy and we are finally moving forward.
We wish you good luck and we are praying for all of you. The journey is tough, it becomes easier when you offer it to Him and ofcourse when you as partners take it together.