Had my interview for I-130/I-485 yesterday. I went in with my husband who is a naturalized USC. We are both married in a heterosexual relationship.
We live in Vegas. I entered as tourist prior filing AOS in January 2025. Prior to that, I have been here in the US to visit my then fiance and got married in November 2025. Went back home to Brazil due to work.
Decided to visit again in January 29, 2025, to spend time and celebrate Valentine's day. But due to emotional distress my husband is having due to work, he asked if I can stay longer and decide when I can go back home (e.g. 3 months). By late March, we had the converstation why not stay for good since it is an option and file AOS. We filed on April 29, 2025.
Receipt notices came in June 2025, despite filing the I-130 online, and the rest by mail. EAD was returned due to old form used, and then refiled. Notice of receipt then issued. Fast track, biometrics were scheduled - twice. Status updated to biomertics and interview complete (where we assumed that interview was waived). However, another status update requiring us to do interview.
Day of interview came. It was yesterday, 10/8/2025. While waiting for our names to be called, some people were already been called. We were so happy seeing the demeanor of the USCIS officers who are calling the ones who are om their turn. They smiled and very enthusiastic when the called their names. However, everything changed, anxiety creeped in and changed from 3 to 10, when we were called. The officer did not smile, very serious, and he is old (probably in his early 60s). Also to take note, as of this time, EAD and AP are still pending!
After me doing fingerprint verifications, and stated our names and dates of birth, the torture began. He asked my husband on when he did close his house here in Vegas. It was 3 years ago, and for most of us, remembering the dates is one of the most difficult thing to do, especially the specific day. This is even validated by a neuroligist, one of my friends in Brazil, whom I asked if this is normal. My husband states "it was around January 2023, maybe 22, 24, or 26". The officer became annoyed and stated "this is not even a hard question. very simple. what day?". Knowing my husband, he has the tendency to be annoyed easily as well, but he know for sure that we can't do anything but kiss-### at this moment. My husband then replied "to be honest sir, it is really hard to remember the specific day, because during closing, I remember it was set for January 22 and issues arised". Then the officer again, insisted "again, this is a very simple question that you just have to answer". Then my husband said, "Honestly sir, I don't remember and I do really need to give you a day, I will go for the 26th. I can retrieve my house closing paperwork later and submit it as evidence if it's needed". Then the officer stopped there.
I believe that this is just one of their tactics to get into your nerves so they can get real answers moving forward. My husband has anxiety disorder and he flusters easily in a way that he over story tells- thinking it's best to give the rationale in the context so there will be no more follow-up questions. Again, the officer gets annoyed, but this time, very mild, and just redirected my husband to answer specifics. The interview went on this sequence prior conclusion: fingerprint, fingerprint to verify, asking for both IDs, asking my husband's SSN, asking me if I have SSN, verified if my husband had prior petitions filed for a family member, when did I arrive here in the US, asking why became gay after failed heterosexual marriage (yes! he asked the process as to why we became gay and ended up together) for each of us, asked us a summary of the timeline from the moment we met to our wedding, asking how do we do our groceries. The officer did not ask about specific dates (except for our birthdays). He focused on current marriage. He then asked if we have additional evidence/documents we want to submit that is not yet submitted online- so we provided most recent paystubs, joint bank account statements. We forgot to print the credit card statement to show our daily transactions which the officer asked. At this point, the officer is no longer intimidating and very clear on explaining what to expect next after the interview. My husband then ask if he can access his banking app and upload the credit card statement online right there, in there. But the officer said said "no need" in a very nice way- yes! that's correct! In a very nice way, casual approach with head and hand gestures (casual, nice, friendly- however you will call it). He explained that the case will be reviewed further, gave us the white paper indicating further review is needed but no documents needed at this time. He then asked if we have any questions for him. My husband asked "worse case scenario sir, if this case will not get approved, does my husband need to leave the US immediately?" Then the officer responded, again in a very nice/friendly way, "that will also be included on the letter that will be sent out". After the interview, he escorted us to the lobby and we thanked him.
From the moment leaving the FO, we were so quiet. We were both reflecting if we did well in the interview. Both of us acknowledging the following: the officer is rude and strict, he is just doing his job, we are honest and we are legit, worse case scenario I am going back to Brazil and my husband will follow and settle there, etc. Even after arriving home, we were so quiet, giving each other's space to "grieve" in a way. From time to time, we talk casually about the interview. A lot of issues that we are overthinking: my husband does not speak portuguese, how can he find a job in Brazil, hopefully my husband gets approved to work remotely even in Brazil, strategize how to do about home mortgage and car payments if he needs to go Brazil, etc.
Here comes today, 10/9/2025 at 8:30am, an email from status update received for the I-130. We are just so happy that the petition is now APPROVED! But we are still not out of the woods yet as the AOS is still pending, as well as the EAD and AP. I will update this post, hopefully very soon.
