I wanted to share my recent experience at the USCIS LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIELD OFFICE and the overall AOS Process.
I applied for my spouse for her green card with PD of June 1, 2017. At that time we were living in Washington, DC so the Fairfax Office held jurisdiction. We received an RFE on June 24, 2017 asking for another person to sponsor the Affidavit of Support form. On October 13, 2017 we moved to LA and on November 6, 2017 we received a letter inviting us for an interview at the LA officer on December 12, 2017. I have heard of other people in LA waiting longer for us, I am not sure if LA received our files fast and they just scheduled us right away.
Anyway, interview was set at 8:15 AM. We both arrived 30 minutes prior to allow time to go through security screening. At around 8 AM we had already checked in and we waited for IO (Immigration Officer) to call us. We waited on the room that has a lot of windows, has a TV and a pleasant view of LA, great place to wait, it relaxes so much (personally).
We waited for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. At around 9:15 we were being called by officer F. (wont say entire last name for privacy). Very pleasant guy, greeted us and first took copies of our ids. Then nicely schooled us about driving in CA with a DC license as we no longer were residents of DC but we explained that we had just moved and were still busy with work. He was very nice about this, not mean at all. The he proceeded by swearing in, my spouse (the immigrant ONLY). Then took picture of her and took her fingerprints.
Then asked my wife about address on I-485 and we told him that it had changed and he changed it on the system on the spot. Asked questions about i-485 and proceeded by signing form and stamping them.
Then asked for Birth Certificate and I-94 as well as the translation of it. IO never asked about I-130 or any other form. He focused just on the beneficiary. Then asked only 1 questions about the relationship.
1) How we met and 2) Why does she want to remain in the US.
Then asked if we wanted to provide more documentation to prove our relationship and we gave more, but we did not provide any pictures. Then we were asked to step outside and wait to be called again. Then about 10 minutes after were called in again and were told that he was waiting for entire A File as my wife has a pending asylum and then with a smile congratulated us but never said anything else. So left it on the air. However, he said within 30 days once files were in he would send approval and we would need to withdraw my wife's asylum application.
Impression:
1) Officer was very polite and likes that WE BOTH interacted with each other replied to his questions FIRMLY, LOOKING AT HIS EYES and TRUTHFULLY.
2) The more you ask questions as the process goes when you don't understand, the more he gets the impression that you are prepared and gives him the impression that relationship is BONA FIDE.
3) Officers like preparation and if they feel that you are prepared, then they will ask less questions.
11 Tips:
1) Prepare, Prepare and Prepare for many weeks if not months before.
2) Treat it as a Job Interview. We dresses conservatively professional as FIRST IMPRESSION MATTERS. What they tell you in school is true! DRESS FOR SUCCESS!
3) RELAX, SMILE, LOOK AT OFFICER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES, AND BE POSITIVE (YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET A GREEN CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
4) Never contradict the officer, if you are 100% sure that IO is wrong say something like "Officer may I please explain..." or " Officer with due respect, I would like to clarify that..." They will LOVE that you do this because it shows them that you are about the details and if you are truthful about minor details then chances that entire application is truthful is very likely.
5) Make sure you interact with each other, if one cannot find something, the other should jump in and help and look at each others in the eyes whenever interacting. Smile with each other, you two are couple and a beautiful smile is always welcome!
6) Remember, a smile almost always starts with a smile! IO's are humans, they pay bills, they have feelings, they have a family, they feel just like you feel!
7) Always prepare for unexpected questions and think before answering, and AGAIN as you answer look at him / her in the eye.
8) When talking about the relationship itself, the other spouse should always add to the story confidently and without contradicting the other.
9) When greeting the officer, make sure you say " Officer [Name] I'm [Name], nice to meet you'
10) ENJOY this moment, I promise it is not as bad as you see online, UNLESS you are not being honest.
11) ALWAYS think, that you are about to become a PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!!!!!!!
In summary,
I am very happy that we did the interview in LA, it processes faster than Fairfax, VA as there are much more officers. As we were being interviewed, I enjoyed the experience and the conversations. This should be a NATURAL conversation. Just as if you were speaking to another professional co worker. Eat before you go to the interview and treat this very seriously, respect the process and know that this is the day that will life will change.
In our case, we were not given a decision on the spot as entire A files had not made it to the office , but this is not a bad thing AT ALL. its just like going to the doctors, sometimes doctor needs time to think about a treatment or simply want to leave the good things for the end as they have other more serious cases to decide. Even if you are not given a decision, MAKE SURE that you say thank you and SMILE to the officer. And possibly ask, "Officer in how long should I expect your decision" or "Officer, is there any other information or documentation that you require from us?"
I hope this helps and if any of you is also waiting for your A files let me know how long is taking or it took!
AOS Interview for Green Card Through Marriage
in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas
Posted
Hi All,
I wanted to share my recent experience at the USCIS LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIELD OFFICE and the overall AOS Process.
I applied for my spouse for her green card with PD of June 1, 2017. At that time we were living in Washington, DC so the Fairfax Office held jurisdiction. We received an RFE on June 24, 2017 asking for another person to sponsor the Affidavit of Support form. On October 13, 2017 we moved to LA and on November 6, 2017 we received a letter inviting us for an interview at the LA officer on December 12, 2017. I have heard of other people in LA waiting longer for us, I am not sure if LA received our files fast and they just scheduled us right away.
Anyway, interview was set at 8:15 AM. We both arrived 30 minutes prior to allow time to go through security screening. At around 8 AM we had already checked in and we waited for IO (Immigration Officer) to call us. We waited on the room that has a lot of windows, has a TV and a pleasant view of LA, great place to wait, it relaxes so much (personally).
We waited for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. At around 9:15 we were being called by officer F. (wont say entire last name for privacy). Very pleasant guy, greeted us and first took copies of our ids. Then nicely schooled us about driving in CA with a DC license as we no longer were residents of DC but we explained that we had just moved and were still busy with work. He was very nice about this, not mean at all. The he proceeded by swearing in, my spouse (the immigrant ONLY). Then took picture of her and took her fingerprints.
Then asked my wife about address on I-485 and we told him that it had changed and he changed it on the system on the spot. Asked questions about i-485 and proceeded by signing form and stamping them.
Then asked for Birth Certificate and I-94 as well as the translation of it. IO never asked about I-130 or any other form. He focused just on the beneficiary. Then asked only 1 questions about the relationship.
1) How we met and 2) Why does she want to remain in the US.
Then asked if we wanted to provide more documentation to prove our relationship and we gave more, but we did not provide any pictures. Then we were asked to step outside and wait to be called again. Then about 10 minutes after were called in again and were told that he was waiting for entire A File as my wife has a pending asylum and then with a smile congratulated us but never said anything else. So left it on the air. However, he said within 30 days once files were in he would send approval and we would need to withdraw my wife's asylum application.
Impression:
1) Officer was very polite and likes that WE BOTH interacted with each other replied to his questions FIRMLY, LOOKING AT HIS EYES and TRUTHFULLY.
2) The more you ask questions as the process goes when you don't understand, the more he gets the impression that you are prepared and gives him the impression that relationship is BONA FIDE.
3) Officers like preparation and if they feel that you are prepared, then they will ask less questions.
11 Tips:
1) Prepare, Prepare and Prepare for many weeks if not months before.
2) Treat it as a Job Interview. We dresses conservatively professional as FIRST IMPRESSION MATTERS. What they tell you in school is true! DRESS FOR SUCCESS!
3) RELAX, SMILE, LOOK AT OFFICER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES, AND BE POSITIVE (YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET A GREEN CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
4) Never contradict the officer, if you are 100% sure that IO is wrong say something like "Officer may I please explain..." or " Officer with due respect, I would like to clarify that..." They will LOVE that you do this because it shows them that you are about the details and if you are truthful about minor details then chances that entire application is truthful is very likely.
5) Make sure you interact with each other, if one cannot find something, the other should jump in and help and look at each others in the eyes whenever interacting. Smile with each other, you two are couple and a beautiful smile is always welcome!
6) Remember, a smile almost always starts with a smile! IO's are humans, they pay bills, they have feelings, they have a family, they feel just like you feel!
7) Always prepare for unexpected questions and think before answering, and AGAIN as you answer look at him / her in the eye.
8) When talking about the relationship itself, the other spouse should always add to the story confidently and without contradicting the other.
9) When greeting the officer, make sure you say " Officer [Name] I'm [Name], nice to meet you'
10) ENJOY this moment, I promise it is not as bad as you see online, UNLESS you are not being honest.
11) ALWAYS think, that you are about to become a PERMANENT RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!!!!!!!
In summary,
I am very happy that we did the interview in LA, it processes faster than Fairfax, VA as there are much more officers. As we were being interviewed, I enjoyed the experience and the conversations. This should be a NATURAL conversation. Just as if you were speaking to another professional co worker. Eat before you go to the interview and treat this very seriously, respect the process and know that this is the day that will life will change.
In our case, we were not given a decision on the spot as entire A files had not made it to the office , but this is not a bad thing AT ALL. its just like going to the doctors, sometimes doctor needs time to think about a treatment or simply want to leave the good things for the end as they have other more serious cases to decide. Even if you are not given a decision, MAKE SURE that you say thank you and SMILE to the officer. And possibly ask, "Officer in how long should I expect your decision" or "Officer, is there any other information or documentation that you require from us?"
I hope this helps and if any of you is also waiting for your A files let me know how long is taking or it took!