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Sav&Har

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    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    After a long trip back home. I am posting how mine went. Bottom line, it was kind of strange interview but it was successful. 

     

    Ours was at 8:50AM at the Louisville Field Office, by 8:00AM we were already in the front of the building sitting in the steps until 8:30AM that we got in. We got quickly checked our items through metal detectors before getting into the main part of the building. It seem like is not an office dedicated for USCIS but rather a government building for many different parts of the govt. the USCIS office was in the 3rd floor. When we got in, I showed my interview letter to one of the old lady, she took my fingerprints and a photo. And told me to sit and wait until my name is called. There were other people there, none seemed to be marriage based from what I could tell. About 3-4min my name was called before anyone else who was already waiting in there. Me and my wife got where we were being called, it was our interviewer USCIS officer. It was a female and Hispanic accent and looking, I assume maybe because they thought I would speak Spanish. She was very friendly nevertheless. 

     

    She asked us to raise our hand and sworn that we're going to say the truth. The interview was only directed to me (applicant), not a single question was asked to my Wife (US Citizen) which was right beside me. The questions were basic questions that are already in the form. My name? Date of birth? Parents name? Wife name? her date of birth? what did I do at my home country? ect. Answers that you already answered on the form, she marked the questions as she went through it. There were a couple of questions that were outside of it. Like more details of the job I did in my home country and how did I learn English? she complimented my level of English to be very good. She then went to the last part of the form that are Yes or No question, I don't think she asked every single one of them but there were many. She then asked me to sign the last part of the form. And asked me if I have any bonafide marriage evidence.

     

    Here is where things get strange, my wife hasn't spoken or being asked anything at this point. I started explaining that my inability to get a SSN number before my i-94 expired (SSA office told me I need a GC or EAD to get a SSN), I have been unable to get added to most of my wife bills and bank account. Before I was finishing, she briefly interrupted and asked me but you have bonafide evidence? I answered, "Yes I do but I am pretty lacking on that regard..." she then again briefly started explaining that by US law is a requirement that I MUST have bills or deeds in both of our name, insurance, bank account, etc.  She continued saying that, "is nice that you both live together, but the US law require you have those documents, that by nature a married couple usually have these kind of documentation and if you (me0 don't have it you're probably not going to get accepted" (something along the lines), my wife seemed to start panicking. I presume that maybe she thought my explanation was just an excuse to not show anything of those evidence. I then told her that I do have some evidence (In my case, some correspondence on both our names, a receipt for some repairs in our home, photos of us and a sworn affidavit of people that know us. That is all about we could get). As I turned to get those documents, my wife asked "What happened if I (me) get denied?" She said, "You will get a response in the mail about your case" (something along the lines). As the officer continued talking about those MUST have documents. Again, putting emphasis on how the US Law requires Bills, Insurance, Rent, etc in both our names to qualify. My wife said, "but we went to the bank together and they wouldn't add him (me) unless he had a SSN", in a panicked tone. The officer argued that some banks allow to do so just with the passport. And my wife was like "Well, evidently ours didn't". I then show our evidence, she notices the letter of support and made a comment about the signatures looking equally hand writing (Lol). My wife then said. "Ummm... yeah, the pen might be the same but the're all different". The officer then asked if I have an ID of any of the person in them. My wife had the DL of my sister in law, which was one of the person in the letters of support. And then the officer said "Okay, give me all what you've got with you about relationship evidence, I am going to make a copy of this ID real quick, you guys can wait in the lobby and I'll return the card to you". At that point, I was not panicked or scared, but rather confused and a few things seemed off compared to what I know and have learned. The officer finally said, "I will work with these documents and I am going  to apply the US law, you will hear a decision on the mail" (something a long the lines). We then walked outside of the office, I was still confused. I wasn't given anything, no paper or anything I was not even told whether the interview was over. I even asked if she needed my passport of something. On the way out as we walked to their lobby. I asked, while looking at the officer "Just to be clear, the interview is over right?" Lol and she said yeah, you will hear a decision in the mail in the next weeks, she then moments later returned us the ID.

     

    When we left the building, my wife was panicking. She assumed and was pretty sure that based on what the officer said, we were denied. I told her to not worry, we will likely receive an RFE but a denial is really very unlikely. Even though our bonafide evidence was weak (photos of us, mail correspondence, a few bills and letter of support from people that know us) we still provided qualifying evidence, and they will work with that. Is up to the officer to consider enough evidence to get convinced that the relationship is legit. As we were leaving the parking lot, I was checking the status online for any changes. Then at my 3rd attempt, like about 30-40min later. It changed to "New Card Is Being Produced". Then shortly, we received a lot of text messages about an update on our case. I received also 3 emails. One confirming the card being in production and 2 about the AP/EAD being closed. 

     

    So yeah, it seems like my journey with USCIS is done for now. See you, some of you, later on for ROC. Congrats on the approvals today and best of luck for the pending cases.

    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted · Edited by Sav&Har

    33 minutes ago, afkey13 said:

    Also - just noticed your field office is in Cleveland too! Maybe we’ll see each other 😂😂

    Thank you for the wishes! Good luck to you too! I am personally not nervous, but the air conditioner and my sweaty hands will take over, and It'll make me shake like an earthquake :P. I think you may meet with @lotusflower16, however. Ours it on Louisville, KY. 

    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    11 hours ago, lotusflower16 said:

    Morning guys. Currently using my hair straightener to "iron" my blouse for our interview tomorrow 😕 (wishing we had an actual iron right now! *facepalm) I think there were a few others with interviews on 6/4 so just wanted to say best of luck!! ❤️ 

    Ours is tomorrow too, I just got done putting together the package to take to the interview, now getting ready for a 3h trip. Best of luck to you too. I'll be posting the outcome tomorrow.

    AOS interview

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

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Cryssiekins said:

    Are you sure there is an office closer?  It’s not unusual that some folks have to travel quite a distance to get to an office.  

     

    Back in January when there was some pretty brutal snowstorms in the north, I read a post on here of someone who drove 6 hours a night or two before their interview, only to have it canceled because the office closed for weather.

     

    You can of course always try and see if there’s something closer, and if they will move it, but failing that, buckle up for the ride and drive safely :)

    We will have a 2h 57min drive to be exact. And biometrics, even though it was on a different office, it was 3h drive too. Maybe not that uncommon.

    Beware bad information on AOS deadline for K1 (fresh out of jail)

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

    Posted · Edited by Sav&Har

    11 hours ago, Tanya007 said:

    Thank you for the responses... I must say, there is a lot of conflicting information going around. This is new to me. I appreciate your feedback. I will most definitely apply for SSN immediately. 

    Also notice that not all SSA office staff is well documented to provide a SSN (without authorization to work) to K1 holders. And they might as well tell you, that you can't get one until EAD. That is not to say, you can't go and find out, however.

    Birth Certificate Copy or Original for AOS

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

    Posted · Edited by Sav&Har

    In my case, I don't have the very very original document for when I was born (lost). However, I can request a (government-issued) "certified copy" to the Register in my home country. Its what I did for our K1 consulate interview and on our AOS application, I submitted a photocopy of that certified copy, along with its English translation. And I haven't had any issues yet. My Interview is already scheduled. If for some reason I get asked why it doesn't look like an old and dusty paper from the 1993 when I was born. I don't have the very original, this certified government issued copy is all I've got.

     

    This is what the I-485 Instruction have to say about Birth Certificate.

    Quote

    All Form I-485 applicants, except refugees and asylees, must submit a photocopy of their birth certificate issued by the appropriate civil authority from the country of birth.  Although refugees and asylees are not required to submit a photocopy of their birth certificate, if the birth certificate is available, refugees and asylees should submit a copy of the birth certificate.  USCIS will only accept a long-form birth certificate which lists at least one parent.  

     

    If your birth certificate is unavailable or does not exist, you must prove its unavailability or nonexistence and provide acceptable alternative evidence of birth.  (Refugees and asylees do not need to prove unavailability or nonexistence of their birth certificate.)  You can look up your country of birth on the following website, travel.state.gov/content/ visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html, to see if birth certificates are known to be unavailable or nonexistent in that country.

     

    If this resource shows that birth certificates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or nonexistent, you do not need to do anything to prove that your birth certificate is unavailable or nonexistent.

     

    If this resource does not show that birth certificates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or nonexistent, you must submit an original document from the relevant governmental authority explaining why your birth record does not exist and indicate whether similar records for the time and place are available.

     

    When your birth certificate is not available or does not exist, you must submit other acceptable evidence relating to the facts of your birth, such as church or school records, hospital or medical records, personal affidavits, or similar evidence. 

     

    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted · Edited by Sav&Har

    2 hours ago, Sailormooon said:

    I’ve posted here the list of things you can bring to prove your marriage is real, if you click previous I’m sure you’ll find it! It’s on page 74!!! 

     

    Everything in that list is what I’m bringing as well as the stuff listed obviously on the interview letter which I have also posted on here 

     

     

    Hey thanks, I noticed you posted that a few days ago, it is pretty much what I assumed it is needed. Aside from the basic stuff (photocopy of what was sent and photos) we don't have that many documentation to bring. Possibly only some bills on both our name and bank account, not being able to get the SSN when I arrived has limited me in getting more "marriage proof" documentation. I was mostly curious as how I stack up to most of you guys. I think I should be fine anyway.

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    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Our case changed yesterday and our interview has been scheduled. I got to wait until I receive the notice in the mail to see the date. 

     

    I personally know what is needed, we are a little bit lacking on that regard but just out of curiosity. What documentation most of you have/plan to bring to your Marriage based interview, specially K1 holders?

    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted · Edited by Sav&Har

    10 hours ago, missileman said:

    I'm not sure.  I do know that many, if not most, states only activate new K-1 driver's licenses until expiration of the I-94.  Legal presence evidence is usually defined as having a valid Green Card, valid EAD, Asylum documents, etc........

    Kentucky issues a 4-year driver license, specially to K1 holders, even if the i-94 is expired. However, in that case they will want a receipt (NOA1) of permanent residence instead.

    MARCH 2019 - AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, crono_clone said:

    Yup I agree. Not having the SSN is probably the bigger hassle, since now is the time to really be preparing your evidence such of bona fide marriage for the eventual interview such as setting up joint accounts, joint lease, etc.....which is impossible to do without the SSN. 

    The only thing, in my case, I regret not having a SSN now (before my i-94 expired) is because in this state, they let you apply for a Driver license with a SSN and merely the i-485 NOA1, and other documents that I already have available. But in some cases the SSN is probably not needed for some of those bona-fine marriage evidence. ie. The bank of my wife (US Citizen) allowed to add me on her account without a SSN. I think (not 100% sure) people who don't have SSN are able to file Tax returns (assuming filing married-jointly) too. 

     

    Also, some SSA offices or staff, are not WELL aware they can issue a SSN (without authorization for work) for K1 holders with an unexpired i-94. And they probably say they are unable to unless you have Residence or EAD (which is what happened in my case) or some probably will keep you waiting in limbo for a long time. That really is not the Immigrant's fault, and USCIS should be aware of that.

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