Denis & San

My wife had her notification for her N400 interview on June 1st 2021, and then a couple of days later, a notification in the mail arrived stating that it would be a combo interview I751 and N400 on July 1st 2021 and to make sure the spouse would be there.  

So yesterday, July 1st, our appt for the interview was at 6:45am at the San Fernando Valley local USCIS office.  We arrived early at 6:00am and stayed in the parking lot so my wife was studying the questions and English vocabulary words.  Then we headed in and went through the usual security checkpoint.  We then had to check in at a window with our appt letter (there were maybe 5 people ahead of us) and as soon as we checked in at the window, we didn't even have time to sit down, and the officer came out and said he had been waiting for us.  

We headed in and I had tons of additional documents to provide regarding our bona fide relationship, and was ready to submit them, but he just asked a few questions about where we lived and what my wife's work was and how her English was.  Basic questions, like if she liked it here and where she worked and for how long.  Not really much about our relationship...probably because I had stacked the submitted documents during the application process.  He said he didn't need any additional information that I had brought as I saw our case was stacked in a binder that resembled 2 phone books put together.  So he asked to grab my passport and driver's license and to follow him so he could make copies and then escorted me out to the waiting room.

My wife said he asked 6 questions and she answered them all correctly.  It's the typical usual questions.  He did ask her who her local representative was and she answered that correctly.  He stated that few people knew who their local state representative was and he was surprised she knew.  (we had made sure she studied that question).  Then after answering the questions in the N400 applications (Have you ever...Do you...), she apparently passed the test because she came out of the office and had a paper stating Congratulations.  She came out and said that the officer told her to wait in the waiting room as he was going to give another document.  I wasn't sure what it was.  She did say the officer and her talked about their kids and families...just shooting the breeze I guess.  About 1/2 hour later, he came out with a document that she passed and she had to sign it and then he attached her green card to the document with a paper clip.  On the corner of the document, it said "Oath 8:30am".  He then congratulated us and said to wait in the waiting room as someone would come out and call us for the oath ceremony.  

At 8:40am, a lady came out and gathered about 13 other people to head into a room to administer the oath.  She was handed her certificate of naturalization that same time.

I wish everybody in this forum good luck in their Immigration adventures!

My wife's I-751 and N-400 combo interview is coming up in July.  Has anyone that just had their combo interview know which documents were asked during the I-751 interview and then which documents were asked during the N-400 interview?  Just trying to get an idea of what was asked.

Thank you.

Has anyone had their Citizenship interview recently?  I heard from some people that the Civics test was done on a tablet???  Usually, questions are asked orally so I'm kind of shocked that would occur.  So I just wanted to confirm if anyone that recently took the Civics test during the interview got a tablet test.  Thank you.

3 minutes ago, Emmsan said:

I have my N400 interview next week and my I-751 hasn't been approved yet. I'm bringing my husband and additional paperwork that I haven't submitted in the I-751 or N400 application. For example, our 2020 tax return, updated lease, and newer credit card statement. I'm just bringing updates evidence and not my whole packages. Not sure if that'll be enough, but I also don't want to print everything. My interview notice doesn't mention a combo interview, but I'm preparing as if it will be one. 

Hi Emmsan, that is great!  Would you be able to update me on your interview and what they will say about the I-751 still in process?  I'm in the exact same boat as you are but my wife's N400 interview is on July 1st, so I'm curious what they'll say and let me know what documents you are presenting for the I-751 and if they are asking any additional info on it.  Please let me know!  And I wish you good luck!

ImmiGeek, when you say "Take all the paperwork of 751", what do you mean by that.  All paperwork has already been submitted for the application.  Are you talking about additional tax returns, photos taken together and any additional documents since the original filing of I-751?

I have a question.  I filed in November 2020 for Citizenship for my wife.  This morning, I got an email that there was action on her case and checked the website and her citizenship interview has been scheduled for July 1st 2021.  Couple of things.  Her and her 11 year old daughter have filed for I-751 Petition to remove conditions on residence in August of 2019, so it's been over 1 1/2 years.  Those 2 cases still show as "Case was transferred and a new office has jurisdiction".  What happens if those 2 cases don't get adjudicated before my wife's interview for Citizenship?  Does the interview still happen?  Also, does her daughter automatically become a US Citizen too even though she can't file a N-400?  

Any help is very much appreciated.  

Thank you!

I-751 Filing mailed on 8/12/19.

I-751 packet received on 8/14/19 at Phoenix, AZ.

Received NOA letter in the mail on 8/19/19 with 18 month extension.

Check cashed the same day 8/19/19.

Now we wait.

3 hours ago, Marion said:

Wow that’s crazy!!!! I am glad you could fix that issue so quickly!!! Did you talk to them on the phone? 

Salut Marion! I'm French...actually dual-citizen (US also).  I sponsored my fiancee who is my wife now through K1 also.  She just received her Green Card.  We're located near Los Angeles, so once you arrive in the US, let me know if you need help with anything.  I have family that live in Orange County too, which is about 1 hour from where I live.  Anything I can do to help "a compatriote". 

My wife and daughter received their 2 yr Permanent Resident card today, after last Monday's interview on 11/06/17.  I want to wish good luck to everyone and to hang in there.  It is a frustrating journey for sure, but I know we'll all reach our destination somehow.  

Got email and text that my AOS application for my wife and daughter were approved on Nov. 7th and that their cards have been mailed on Nov. 9th.  

Just wanted to let you guys know that we had our AOS interview yesterday at the San Fernando Valley office here in Los Angeles CA.  We arrived 20 min. early to our appt. My wife and daughter were asked for their Employment authorization card to match the interview appointment notice and then we were given a number to be called for the interview.  We were called in by a woman immigration officer about 15 min later.  She did ask my wife if she understood English.  If not, she would see if there is an officer there that could translate Vietnamese, or see if there's anyone in the waiting room that could translate.  Otherwise, we'd need to reschedule.  My wife said that she understood as long as she was speaking slowly.

After sitting down in her office, she took pictures of my wife and our stepdaughter with her webcam.  She asked for our ids..driver licenses.  She then asked if we had originals of the birth certificates, passport, marriage certificate, divorce decrees and of my naturalization certificate.  ( I am a US Naturalized citizen).  I totally forgot about bringing my naturalization certificate and didn't think about bringing it with me since I'm the US citizen and brought my US passport with me.  She asked why didn't I bring it?  I just answered that I totally forgot about it.  She didn't say anything at that point.  I thought for sure she was going to reschedule the interview for missing that.  Anyways, she didn't and went on and inspected the original documents.  She basically compared the originals to the copies I had submitted with the AOS packet.  It was all in front of her and she would mark in red little notes to the copies in the packet.  She was curious as to why the date of my first divorce was different from the original I had.  I told her I wasn't sure.  It was still in the same month, but different date. She asked if she could keep the original and I said sure..keep whatever you want (didn't want to make thing difficult as it was).  

She also asked for the social security numbers of my wife and step-daughter and wrote them down on the application.  

Then she started asking questions to my wife about how she met me, how many times did I visit her, who the father of the child is and where he lived.  She then pointed to me and asked who I was and my birthdate.  Asked her if she's ever been to the US before.  While asking the questions, she was writing our answers on a piece of paper.  She then went over the packet and started asking her questions about the criminal section of the application such as had she ever been arrested, was she ever part of the Communist party etc...  On a few questions, my wife didn't quite understand so I had to tell her in English the meaning of it.  Like she asked if she was ever arrested...she didn't understand the word arrested, so I asked her in English, "Have you ever gone to jail?", and she said no.  The immigration officer was sort of smiling.  She did ask her one more time if she needed a translator and my wife said maybe.  I told her are you sure? (I didn't want a translator cause I didn't think we'd find one and we'd have to reschedule).  So my wife said..just speak slowly.  Finally she turned to our daughter and she asked her who's this? (pointing at me). And my daughter answered "Daddy".  My wife said step-daddy (NOOOO!!) but then the immigration officer said that it was ok...it was good for her to call me daddy (which she does at home).  So I think that sealed it for us.

She also looked at my tax transcripts and asked if I had the full form of tax year 2016.  I said no..I only brought my tax transcripts.  She said the reason is because on the tax transcript, it showed 4 lines of dependents even though there were no names and social security numbers there.  I told her no, it was only me and sometimes my daughter who I get to claim every other year.  She looked at it again but didn't say anything else.  Probably because I make good money and that even if there were 10 dependents, I'd still qualify to be a financial support for the application.  

She then asked if we had any other proof of our relationship... So I handed to her our joint bank account statements (she asked for our bank cards...I handed her mine but my wife didn't bring hers), life insurance showing being a beneficiary, my company health insurance summary showing them as dependents, join lease agreement with both of names on it, and pictures since she's been in the US.  She looked at them and pointed out one picture of us attending a high school graduation and she asked who that was in the picture with us.  My wife answered that it was my daughter (from a previous marriage).  

At this point, she then said, based on what she sees, there is no reason why my wife and daughter wouldn't be able to get a green card.  She said she would approve my daughter on the spot but then it would take 2 days to run another background check on my wife to make sure nothing has come up since the filling of the application.  And then after that, they would be getting their green card in about 2-3 weeks.  She did gave us a tip that for the removal of conditions (which is for the 10 year green card) that if we submitted every month of the joint bank statements since getting her 2 year green card, that there would likely be no interview when we applied for the 10 year green card.  Basically submit everything that we can to bypass the interview. I think I put everything that I can remember of what happened at the interview. Probably forgot some minor details.

I apologize for the detailed summary of our interview, but all in all, it took about 30 minutes for the interview.  To sum it up, bring all the originals of any documents you have...birth certificates, divorce decree, marriage certificate, naturalization certificate (if you became a US citizen via naturalization) and passports. Make sure you bring the actual Tax forms that were submitted to the IRS and not the tax transcripts that was sent with the AOS package in case they have any questions because it's much more detailed than the transcripts.  

Apart from that, it was nerve wrecking especially since we didn't have a couple of documents that she was asking about but it was a good experience as she was very nice with our daughter afterwards and joking with her.

1 minute ago, Athens said:

Congratulations. Did you change your address and notify uscis? I think sometimes they send interview letters to people who changed their address without updating the case status to interview scheduled.

No, I have been at my address since the beginning of this process and haven't moved at all.  

Just received in the mail today that my interview for Adjustment of Status has been scheduled for November 6.  Case status wasn't updated online.  

1 hour ago, DorothyLa said:

it has been 206 days since i filed and 161 days since they got my answer for RFIE. I don't know why it takes so long. 

You and I have basically the same timeline.  It'll be 150 days tomorrow since they got my answer for RFIE.  Still nothing.  Maybe we will get an interview waiver?  

Just now, TL2016 said:

You will always have to remove conditions, or at least file all the papers. However you can file all ROC papers and also file for her citizenship once she becomes eligible (2 years 9 months from when she first got her green card) regardless of her ROC status (pending or approved).

Ok, it makes sense.  Just sucks that we'd have to pay the fees for both applications.  

So I have this question when it comes to my wife getting her US Citizenship.  I know we're far away from it, but I'm sure this is a question that will have different answers and will stomp you guys.  So here goes (I am a US Citizen by the way):

So my wife and I got married on 2/10/17.  She arrived on a K-1 (fiancee visa) a couple of weeks before that date.  We've adjusted her status for a green card and just waiting to get it approved.  So, let's say the green card gets approved on 11/10/17 (I'm just guessing) and is good for 2 years from that date which means it will expire on 11/10/2019.  Once that time arrives...can she apply for US citizenship since it's 90 days from our 3 year marriage (anniversary would be 02/10/2020) and skip the removal of conditions? Just curious if we still need to apply for the removal of conditions.  

USCIS Processing Times updated over the weekend.  

12 hours ago, Kirkuvan Lehtonen said:

Hello guys! I hope everyone is doing great, and good luck to everyone!

I do have a question I don't know if someone can tell me...

In my passport I have my two middle names and two last names, when I was issued the visa It showed it my whole name, now when I got my EAD card they just put my initial for my middle name and my two last names.. the DMV gave me the DL exactly as is on the EAD. Then I got my GC and the same!

When I applied for my social it came just with my first name and my two last names!!! I am kinda freaking out! Does someone knows if it does matter or I just should leave it like that ?

Should I call USCIS and ask for a "fix" I am kinda confused with the middle names and the second last name. I kinda want to change my name lol

I hope everyone is doing great!

 

My wife has the same thing...She has 2 middle names and 2 last names.  However, on her DL it shows her first name, 2 middle names and 2 last names, so that is correct.  For the social, I wouldn't be too worried about it.  I would try however, to get the DL correct, as that is the one that you'll be showing the most.  I would go back to the DMV, show them your GC and then your foreign passport and see if they'll make the change.  Or even show them the NOA that you received from USCIS and see if they'll change it.  

Just now, ndwedding said:

Oh wow that long.. my concern was that we want to go on a family cruise to  mexico but i was under the impression that the advanced parole was only for emergencies. Have you traveled while on AP? 

No, it's not just for emergencies.  It's for any type of travel.  The only downside is that you are still being scrutinized and may be denied entry if they think something's not right.  And no, I haven't travelled while on AP.  I have no plans to.  Trying to save money for future travels and by then, I should have my green card.  

Just now, ndwedding said:

Hi,

 

we also received the ead combo card (7/25) but im wondering how long to wait for the interview before calling about it. I feel like the interview should have already been scheduled its been over 130 days for us. Have you called? good luck ! best wishes  we are in san fernando area also btw 

No I haven't called.  I figured it's not been 4 months yet for me.  I hear the wait time for interview waiver is like 5-6 months.  I'm ok with it since I have my work permit, but ultimately, when it approaches 5 months...I may call at that time.

10 hours ago, Ariii said:

I'm from LA and I've been waiting since April for my interview to get scheduled 125 days and still no news ... I don't know how people who filed later than I did, already have their GC in hand and got their interview within 1-2 months...

I'm also from LA.  I filed my AOS on March 13th, but they didn't cash my check until a month later...then I got a RFE which resets everything so my official date is April 28 2017 when they received my RFE.  I did receive my EAD and AP already.  So for me, it's been 108 days waiting for either an interview or an interview waiver.    

13 minutes ago, Denis & San said:

I'm looking at the processing times and in the Field Office, there are 2 for Los Angeles and Los Angeles County.  What is the difference?  

Found it.  https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/field-offices/california

Seems that Los Angeles Field office is anything West of Los Angeles (Downtown LA) and Los Angeles County field office is anything East of LA.  From what I gather anyways.

I'm looking at the processing times and in the Field Office, there are 2 for Los Angeles and Los Angeles County.  What is the difference?  

Just now, DorothyLa said:

i have the old one also. 

They probably still have a lot of the old ones in stock and need to go through them before producing the new ones.  

2 minutes ago, DorothyLa said:

congrats! I got my card today. i don't know if it is new desing. how do we check it? 

The new one has an eagle and no signature.  My wife got the old one a few weeks back.  

New one looks like this.