Canadianmade

Please tell us the QUESTIONS that you were asked in this second interview.

Hey TBoneTX do you have to go in for an 2nd interview? I read in your timeline you have had to go through way too much in this immigration process, and I did read in it that your finacee had an 4min interview and that she had to undergo a 2nd interview. Did she find out right on the spot or did it take a long time to find out about the 2nd interview? How is your process going and I also can see you had to make thousands of phone calls to get answers. I also want to know what kind of questions were asked at the 2nd interview. Good luck TBoneTX and I do hope at the end you will be victorious.

Well thank you for the well wishes, we didnt hear from USCIS after the interview until after 6 months when we contatced the congressman. Well i am in Baltimore and that office seems to be very backed up and generally disorganized. They never told us why they called us a for a second interview.

6 months holy ####### that sucks my friend and sorry you had to endure that kind of pain and waiting on your process totally not fair at all. So your congressman got the details of your case and thats when you found out you had to go on a 2nd interview. I am still waiting on my decision of my interview that happened 15 days ago and still no word on it. I know my wait isnt near to what you had to wait on yours, but its frustrating. I think that is crappy you didnt even know why you were called in for a 2nd interview they should at least warn people and give them a reason why they are requesting you to come in for an 2nd interview. I think Cleveland is backed up and disorganized as well and what was your 1st interview experience like if you dont mind sharing. I do wish you luck my friend and I know you will get the approval.

Hey you guys,

I was just looking around on the site and came across this interesting read on one of the other posts. We still have interviews coming up so maybe this will help some of us feel better prepared!

Congrats Tanyaru!

Worried about that scheduled marriage-based green card interview? Not sure what to expect from your examiner?

• Your burden is to prove (1) your believability (hint: being prepared is important!); and (2) genuineness of your marriage, as evidenced by children if any, joint tax returns, bills at a common living address, cross life-insurance policies, co-mingling of financial assets, wedding and other photos, and length of the relationship. USCIS relies on documents, documents, documents.

• Producing few documents may mean trouble. If you and your spouse live in different cities, you should produce airline itineraries, emails, exchanged cards, photos, and any other viable written documentation of your "commuting marriage."

• If the foreign spouse paid the American spouse to marry and be sponsored for the green card, then the green card will be denied. If there is a big age difference between spouses, expect to be grilled. If either spouse has been married multiple times, expect the same.

• According to the Field Adjudicator's Manual consulted by examining USCIS officials, the following are signs of a "sham marriage:" Large disparity of age; inability of petitioner and beneficiary to speak each other's language;vast difference in cultural and ethnic background;family and/or friends unaware of the marriage; marriage arranged by a third party; marriage contracted immediately following the beneficiary's apprehension or receipt of notification to depart the United States; discrepancies in statements on questions for which a husband and wife should have common knowledge; no cohabitation since marriage; beneficiary is a friend of the family; petitioner has filed previous petitions in behalf of aliens, especially prior alien spouses.

• If the alien spouse’s English is poor, take a translator.

• If the alien spouse has been arrested or convicted of a crime, don’t even think about attending the interview without procuring certified copies of all relevant police and court records and having them carefully examined by an experienced immigration lawyer. USCIS will require you to produce those same certified criminal records. So you might as well complete this task early!

• Men should wear slacks and collared shirts. Women should wear dresses of appropriate style and length or pant suits.

• Take all your identification documents, including the foreign spouse’s EAD and passport. Take an original and legible photocopy of all proof-of-marriage documents so you can put your hands on them quickly if asked, without fumbling.

• Leave cell phones and other electronic devices in your car.

• Early-morning appointment? Good sign. The USCIS examiner will have lots of other appointments. He will want to get you out the door. Most MBGC interviews end happily after less than 15 minutes.

• Afternoon appointment? Potentially a bad sign. The examiner may have spotted holes in your pre-filed paperwork or other defects. Could be a lengthy interview.

• Your attitude is the most important thing you will take into your interview. Preparation breeds confidence breeds optimism, enhancing your approval chances. This is not the same as plastering a smile on your face or ostentatiously holding hands.

• Listen carefully to the examiner. If you do not understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat it. Do not guess at answers. Do not volunteer information.

• At the start of the interview, you and your spouse will be sworn in. The examiner may turn on a video camera. He or she will ask you to be seated.

• Your examiner may or may not disclose his or her name. Get it! Ask politely. Have the examiner repeat the name if you did not hear it. Write it down or commit it to memory! This will be critical if your green card is denied.

• Young examiners may feel they have the most to prove. They may be overly-zealous, discourteous or even hostile. This is the exception. If it happens, shrug it off. Don’t get angry! To the contrary: Take a breath, stay calm, pause, and consider your answers even more carefully. Remember: Examiners have big caseloads and big pressure. They must make important decisions quickly. And they are often lied to.

• Expect the first minutes of your interview to be devoted to “housekeeping.” The examiner will ask for ID documents and may ask either spouse to confirm entries on the I-130, I-485 and G-325A forms. So memorize the most important info on those forms before the interview. Most critical: Date of your marriage, date of spouse’s admission into the U.S., and dates you began living together at your current and any earlier addresses.

• If the alien spouse is a Middle East male, expect tough questioning or worse.

• If you and your spouse are separated during the interview, you have a credibility problem. Typical treatment: The examiner may point to a wall calendar and ask both spouses (separately) how they spent the last seven days and where they spent the last seven nights. Either spouse may be asked to write down the other’s name and/or the name of the spouse’s parents, with correct spelling.

• If an examiner is convinced that the primary purpose of a marriage is to secure a green-card, he may accuse the U.S. spouse of “committing a crime” by filing green card paperwork for the foreign spouse. The trouble will “go away” if the spouse withdraws the I-130 petition. Or, the examiner may threaten an “ICE investigation.” Don’t give in to this bullying – and you should welcome an ICE investigation if your marriage is genuine.

• If the examiner approves the green card, the alien spouse’s passport will be stamped. Expect the green card to arrive by mail about two weeks later – unless the alien spouse remains tied up in lengthy “security checks” or USCIS lacks your correct address. The latter is your responsibility.

• If the examiner denies the green card, you will have the chance to renew the application before an immigration judge.

A very interesting find Beantownbabe, I am pretty sure everything will go fine at your interview. Still on the wait and I am on day 15 of hearing nothing, getting really pissed about it to be honest.

Oh ok what does Mary do for work? I am sorry to hear about you getting laid off, it is an awful economy right now and hope you do get something soon. What kind of company do you run? I didnt apply for an AP either and I am still waiting on my decision for my green card. I do hope you do get the AP expedited. USCIS is definately very inconsistent and I do hope you hear something soon and get your interview letter that you both have been waiting for so patiently.

Mary has done retail management and is currently, but her schooling is more communications/PR. I do side consulting for web servers and applications. Remote administration/migrations on linux servers, etc.

I dont think we'll have another interview, we had one in Montreal for Mary's K1 visa. I just hope one day the I485 is just approved.

Oh ok cool I bet Mary is at least able to work right now and good for her. I do hope you do find a new job soon and I hope you guys do get approved without an interview and good luck to you guys in everything and I wish for the best in the end. I definately wouldnt want you guys to have a bad interview that you guys experienced at your K-1 visa interview.

Hi Guys

Just received our Green Cards in the mail this afternoon

Was checking USCIS website for the past weeks but still says case received and pending

Go go go October filers

CONGRADS ez2007 for getting your green card and I bet it must of been a good feeling to get the card in the mail. I dont understand, I guess there is something wrong with CRIS as I am still waiting on my decision of my interview which happened 15 days ago, not very happy about it.

Congrats everyone on fresh approvals!!! Good luck to the coming interviews!!!

I've been oficially welcomed by USCIS yesterday

Congrads tanyaru for getting your welcome to america letter.

We went for the interview and yes we were separated, -- we had a few discrepancies but the IO did nt bring us back to the office to clarrify anything, she took my I-94 and give me back the passport. She didnt say whether the case was approved or not.

What king of questions did they ask you?

Were there major or minor discrepancies?

Hope you were approved

I didnt think they were major discrepancies, just not sure what to make of it....... Is it a good thing when they take your I-94?

If they took your I-94, that is usually a good sign honestly. I think you will get approved no questions asked. Why did you have to go for a 2nd interview and do you mind sharing your 1st interview experience on why it lead to a 2nd one? Also how long did it take for you to hear something back from USCIS after your 1st interview? I had my interview 14 days ago and havent heard anything about my decision, so I am starting to worry. Thank you in advance and good luck to you and be on the lookout for your green card.

Have you guys at least received your AP and EAD?

EAD yes ... never filed for the AP.

Oh ok, are you working right now? I also never filed for an AP because I was out of status and wished I did. I do hope to get my green card soon so I can visit Canda with my wife.

Mary is working, I'm the USC and got laid off recently. I do run my own company on the side so we still are doing ok.

I've broken down ... tomorrow I'm going to mail in AP with a rush plea. Just incase we dont' get the green card in time. It's almost been a month since our last touch and our original receipt date was back in October.

Oh ok what does Mary do for work? I am sorry to hear about you getting laid off, it is an awful economy right now and hope you do get something soon. What kind of company do you run? I didnt apply for an AP either and I am still waiting on my decision for my green card. I do hope you do get the AP expedited. USCIS is definately very inconsistent and I do hope you hear something soon and get your interview letter that you both have been waiting for so patiently.

Rosie-

Sorry to hear about your job situation..but everything will work out..its in your favor.

CanadianMade-

I hope you hear some news soon and the "no news..is good news" scenario plays a major part for you in waiting on your decision..i know the waiting is a little frustrating..especially not knowing... but hang in there..you will get some good news soon.

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND PROSPEROUS WEEK EVERYONE!

Thank you SweetnSexc still nothing and havent got anything in the mail today either. We will start the process over again tommorow. I hope it does turn out to be good news and it sucks badily to wait.

Hi everyone!!

I am very sorry I didn't get a chance to post much or update the sheet these past few days. I am having kind of a rough time at work.. they're talking lay offs and I just upset my boss so that doesn't help

So I'm spending most of my free time looking for alternatives. I have an opportunity in San Diego, CA, but they are waiting for me to let them know when I will be receiving my Green Card, since I don't want to move out there before I receive the actual card, so that's up in the air too until I get good news from USCIS.

So again, I'm sorry I haven't been updating the spreadsheet in a timely manner, I promise I'll try to do better.

Congratulations to all the approvals!! I am literally shocked by the number of approvals that are coming for us October filers! Canadianmade will be next, I can feel it!

Kimcorene, thank you for the list you've prepared, I will be using it to prepare mine! I see the secret's out now, so I can wish ALL THE BEST for you and your little one in public now

I have now updated the spreadsheet, please let me know if I've forgotten someone, I hope not!

Thanks alot Rosie and nice to hear from you again. I am sorry to hear what is going on in your current job and I do hope you do get that job opportunity in San Diego, what position is it you are going for if you dont mind me asking? I do hope to get my green card and tommorow I am on day 14

Thank you Canadianmade:)

So I called the NVC and didn't get an explanation for the notice they have sent me.But I made an infopass appointment just in case.

The earliest date I could get is 27 February. I'm gonna bring everything I would bring to the interview just in case.

I'm just worried why they want me to go to Infopass appointment if they are gonna interview me on March 6th anyways.

By the way congratulations to everyone who got approved!!!

Your welcome my friend and good luck to you on your interview and all the other ####### you have to go through.

I am getting frustrated no more touches since 1/30th and (biometrics was on the 29th).

Hi **LoVe** I am so sorry you are going through so much ####### with USCIS, I dont know why the process is going so crappy for you and I dont blame you for being frustrated at all, waiting arond does suck and I wont say I have experienced what you are experiencing but I am kinda in a limbo right now after my interview 10 days ago and still have no answer, so I know a tiny bit how it feels. I know you will hear something very soon and I pray you do.

Hey everyone!!I got my interview date for March 6th!!!well now I recieved a letter saying my interview is scheduled for march 6th.therefore they request me to schedule an inforpass.any idease what is going on????

CONGRADULATIONS eck2006 for getting your interview letter my friend , You need to go and prepare for your interview and it is coming up really soon. Good luck to you.

You booked your tickets already?! I'm too scared! We are planning on going to England in May, but I can't bring myself to get the tickets - stupid, I know since the price will go up! Good for you guys!!!

Yep, booked 'em a month ago as we have the AP now at least. They were down to $700 and the next day I booked but they had shot up to $825 - they are now over $1,000.

We only paid $500 for my daughter to come in the summer for 2 whole months.

Looking forward to getting this interview over us so we can go in peace.

I don't think the passport will matter either and thanks for your input. I think we will be fine in the interview. We were together 3 years before we came here, have plenty of bills, car insurance, home insurance, marriage cert, 3 albums of wedding photos, cards, letters, joint c cards and bank accounts, you name it. But on the day, you just might meet Mr or Mrs Richard Head.

R

I'm keeping my passport like it is and all the american documents on the new name.

So you went to the interview with your old name in your passport and got approved ... kool and the gang.

Very cool, I bet it should be nice to go back home after your interview my friend, I sure cant wait to go back home either once I get my green card. I do hope everything does work out and you guys can go in one peace.

My wife and daughter received their green cards today!! Only one minor issue....the exp. dates are different. Lada expires 1/14/11, but Luiza is 10/16/10. Is this normal?? I tried calling the Service Center but went round and round on their IVR. Ugh...

CONGRADS MarkandLada for getting your wifes and daughter green card in the mail. I think you should definately schedule an infopass appointment to resolve the issue.

Dear VJers and especially October filers!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all your help and support throughout my journey. Today I had my AOS interview and it was a success.

Here is my experience:

The waiting area was pretty big and we waited almost an hour to be called (meybe even over an hour, not sure). Our IO was that kind of person whom it is difficult to read, I even thought he was mean in the beginning. Well, when we got to his office there was another guy there and IO explained that we are going to be interviewd by both of them (well, IO will be interviewing and the other guy will be watching). I started freaking out...

After going through our file for not more then 30 sec IO started asking questions like how we met, when we started dating, when deceided to get married. Then he asked us of any joint stuff. Needless to say I was VERY prepared. I put like 12 different folders in front of him plus 3 inch stack of pics. He went probably through 3-4 folders collecting lease papers, bank and credit card ststements, vehicle lien and registration, 2008 tax return, my hubby's and mine employment letters and paystubs. Then he asked me all of those questions "have you ever..." from I-485. He then announced that he is going to approve my application and explained us about removal of conditions. He took my I-94 but never asked for EAD. He gave me a letter stating that I-485 was approved but never offered to stamp my passport (well, maybe because it was expired). And that was it!

Hope everyone else will have a painless interview like mine!

Good luck, and again, thanks for all your support.

T & J

CONGRADULATIONS Tanyaru for getting APPROVED for your green card Thank you for sharing your interview experience with all of us and now you need to go and celebrate your victory.

I Just got the email on my I485.

Happy Valentine Everyone.

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On February 12, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

CONGRADULATIONS Vinacafe for getting approved for your green card You should go out and celebrate.

Thanks Canadianmade,

Yeah, I'll have party this weekend.

Your welcome Vinacafe, I dont blame you my friend for partying, I will be too once I get my green card.

KIMCORENE-

I think you are more than good and ready... From recent interview reviews, the IO's like it when one is organized...I labeled my stuff too so i know what to take out of what section....aint nothing wrong with that...and i guess i missed that part of you expecting..Congrats! that baby's first word would be visa journey instead of mummy or daddy...lol..cuz her mummy was on that website alot while she was in her tummy..Again, congrats..that's good news..I am looking forward to the day I become a mummy..

Congrats to everyone else who received their physical green cards in the mail and for those who are still waiting, CanadianMade, your time is near, dont worry..and everyone else, hang in there..

HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYONE..Have a safe weekend..Enjoy!!

I thought I would share what we will be taking as evidence to our interview next month. We will have a messenger bag with three albums (wedding, honeymoon and one that has pictures of when we were dating until now), in addition to tons of letters. Our second thing is one of those huge organizers with compartments, which I have labeled with tabs...I'm fanatical when it comes to organizing, lol. Please peruse at your leisure and feel free to comment. Thanks! BTW, the text in bold is the section heading I used and each section is accompanied by one for photocopies.

Identity and Citizenship

Passports

Social Security cards

Birth certificates

Certificate of naturalization

Immigration and Legal Entry

Interview notice

All notices received from USCIS

Copy of I-130 AND I-485

J-1 visa paperwork

Copy of visa

Copy of I-94 and form from Deferred Inspections from when they had to correct the visa class on my I-94

Copy of stamps in passport

Eligibility for Permanent Residence

Marriage certificate

Approval notice for waiver of two yr. foreign residency requirement

Shared Residence

Apartment lease

Utility bills

Canceled checks showing former joint address

Joint mail at new address

Change of address confirmation for family move and for me since I use my maiden name on some things

Auto insurance showing former address

Joint Finances

One year's bank statements for joint saving and checking accounts

Beneficiary change confirmations for retirement plans

Jointly filed tax return for 2008

Account summary for Church

Canceled checks

Insurance

Auto Insurance

Health Insurance

Dental Coverage

Affidavit of Support

Form I-864 EZ

2008 W-2

2008 Joint Tax Return

IRS Tax Transcripts for 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Copies of Pay stubs- Jan. to March 2009.

Medical Information

Sealed envelope containing Form I-693 (Civil surgeon had used the outdated form and I didn't get an RFE for it, so I'm taking it to the interview)

Ultrasound pictures of our little princess (due June 5th, yay! )

Miscellaneous

Wedding announcement in online publication

Itinerary and receipts from honeymoon

A couple of wedding pictures I had lying around (in case they want to keep pictures- our album is a scrapbook so everything is glued in).

So that's it. A long post, I know but I want to make sure all our bases are covered- would hate for them to ask for something that we left at home :bonk: . Anyway, what do you guys think?

Thank you SweetNSexc for the words of encouragement, I hope it will come soon too. CONGRADS to everyone on their recent APPROVALS and getting there green cards and all this good stuff. For those still waiting, everything will work out in the end and waiting sucks believe me, I am tasting a bit of it right now, but I believe everyone will find out something soon. Anyways HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to you all and enjoy your day with your spouses tommorow. Good luck to you SweetNSexc on your interview coming up.

I Just got the email on my I485.

Happy Valentine Everyone.

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSCXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On February 12, 2009, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

CONGRADULATIONS Vinacafe for getting approved for your green card You should go out and celebrate.

We got approved!!!! :dance: :dance:

I do have to say it was more intense than we anticipated.

We started out with the oath. Then she asked for our IDs.

She asked my husband his name then asked me his birthday. She asked him my parents name (to me he sounded like a robot), asked me his parents name. Asked him my birthday and our address. She then asked him what rent was - and he was very off!!! I think that made him very nervous, and she asked me what rent was, and I said what it was and she asked if I was the one who paid rent and kinda giggled.

She then asked where we met and when we got married. She asked if we have kids which we dont. Asked if we had previous marriages and we both do. She then asked us both how long they lasted. Then asked why they both failed. Then she asked why we thought this one would last longer...and my husband answered very nervously that we have fun together. She asked what kind of fun, and he stuttered a bit and said we love cars, go to the movies, go out to eat...and she laughed again and said she loves going out to eat too.

She then asked more about when we met (back in 2005). And she got confused because we met in Vegas, I lived in CA, then he came to CA for job training and thats when we fell in love. We lived there and then moved to Tucson in 07...and I don't think she could wrap her head around it. She asked why Tucson, he said because of the weather. She asked how do you know about the weather here...he said because he has traveled here and such. At this point, so many questions we got VERY nervous.

Then she asked for joint bills and if I filed taxes yet. I handed her the copies of everything. She asked if he was on our lease, which he is not and explained we just got his SSN and they wouldn't add him before that.

She flipped through some paperwork...then asked to see our photo album. And that really seemed to entertain her, and us as well and helped with the nerves. We had pictures from the day we met until New Years of this year. So she got to see our whole lives together, our trips to Germany and Hawaii. And I felt her relax, so I relaxed. She was very entertained by our cat and dog.

And she handed us both a white piece of paper and explained removing conditions on his green card!!!! We both signed a paper and she signed mine and said it was out copy and to expect the card in the mail in a few weeks.

She then joked about us going out to eat now after the interview

I have to admit when she got confused and we were tring to explain the last 3 years of our life to her, I did not feel confident one bit. I kept thinking, "omg omg she is going to say second interview"

But we made it.

Thank you to everyone for your support!!!!! I love these forums. I am not sure if I would of handled it without the support and stories from everyone else. I am still trying to wind down, I feel exhausted. It was tough...but we got it :) :dance:

And when we left a couple in the room asked if we won, and it was exicting to say "YES!!!!!"

Good luck to everyone and their upcoming interviews!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!! I'm very happy for you.....I was wondering, she didn't make us write our name or anything....do I need to worry? She handed out a whitte paper but it was for SSS and I told her that I already registered...I handed out a lot of documents and she just picked those randomly and I told her that " I'm sorry I just gave you a lot of them which they were from the same sources and she said you did good and I like what you did"...everything went good but she said that she can't approve us because my wife's income for 2007 was below the poverty line and she gave us a RFE about our 2008 income tax return...I told her that the only thing that we can do is to wait for my EAD card to arrive and apply for SSN. She told us that we can file our return electronically and once the return has been accepted by irs...we need to print out the copy and the confirmation email and she will approve us.

do you think it's better to take our tax return in person or tru mail? it's 20 minutes drive from where we live so it isn't that far.....

Hey man, I think you should file your taxes ASAP, and express mail all of the required tax documents.

Kimcorene - the only interesting part of all the evidence you are bringing is an ultrasound of your new baby!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! Congratulations!!! I'm very, very excited for you - it's such a wonderful journey, the best one you will ever have! Again, congratulations!!! (By the way, everything else looks great!)

I definitely agree. I guess my nesting instinct is kicking in so I'm using it on preparing for the baby and the interview. Thanks for the comments, guys. Canadianmade, I really wish I knew the right thing to tell you- I also hate feeling in limbo, but I'm praying for you,ok.

I missed that part Kimcorene about you having a new addition to your family and CONGRADULATIONS to you. Thanks Kimcorene for the support and my appologizes for ranting but it is so frustrating to be in such limbo with our interview results.

We got approved!!!! :dance: :dance:

I do have to say it was more intense than we anticipated.

We started out with the oath. Then she asked for our IDs.

She asked my husband his name then asked me his birthday. She asked him my parents name (to me he sounded like a robot), asked me his parents name. Asked him my birthday and our address. She then asked him what rent was - and he was very off!!! I think that made him very nervous, and she asked me what rent was, and I said what it was and she asked if I was the one who paid rent and kinda giggled.

She then asked where we met and when we got married. She asked if we have kids which we dont. Asked if we had previous marriages and we both do. She then asked us both how long they lasted. Then asked why they both failed. Then she asked why we thought this one would last longer...and my husband answered very nervously that we have fun together. She asked what kind of fun, and he stuttered a bit and said we love cars, go to the movies, go out to eat...and she laughed again and said she loves going out to eat too.

She then asked more about when we met (back in 2005). And she got confused because we met in Vegas, I lived in CA, then he came to CA for job training and thats when we fell in love. We lived there and then moved to Tucson in 07...and I don't think she could wrap her head around it. She asked why Tucson, he said because of the weather. She asked how do you know about the weather here...he said because he has traveled here and such. At this point, so many questions we got VERY nervous.

Then she asked for joint bills and if I filed taxes yet. I handed her the copies of everything. She asked if he was on our lease, which he is not and explained we just got his SSN and they wouldn't add him before that.

She flipped through some paperwork...then asked to see our photo album. And that really seemed to entertain her, and us as well and helped with the nerves. We had pictures from the day we met until New Years of this year. So she got to see our whole lives together, our trips to Germany and Hawaii. And I felt her relax, so I relaxed. She was very entertained by our cat and dog.

And she handed us both a white piece of paper and explained removing conditions on his green card!!!! We both signed a paper and she signed mine and said it was out copy and to expect the card in the mail in a few weeks.

She then joked about us going out to eat now after the interview

I have to admit when she got confused and we were tring to explain the last 3 years of our life to her, I did not feel confident one bit. I kept thinking, "omg omg she is going to say second interview"

But we made it.

Thank you to everyone for your support!!!!! I love these forums. I am not sure if I would of handled it without the support and stories from everyone else. I am still trying to wind down, I feel exhausted. It was tough...but we got it :) :dance:

And when we left a couple in the room asked if we won, and it was exicting to say "YES!!!!!"

Good luck to everyone and their upcoming interviews!!!!!!!

CONGRADULATIONS Abranch on getting approved for your green card and you guys definately need to go and celebrate with some good food. Thank you for sharing your story and it does sound like you had a tough interviewer, but you came on top in the end.

I thought I would share what we will be taking as evidence to our interview next month. We will have a messenger bag with three albums (wedding, honeymoon and one that has pictures of when we were dating until now), in addition to tons of letters. Our second thing is one of those huge organizers with compartments, which I have labeled with tabs...I'm fanatical when it comes to organizing, lol. Please peruse at your leisure and feel free to comment. Thanks! BTW, the text in bold is the section heading I used and each section is accompanied by one for photocopies.

Identity and Citizenship

Passports

Social Security cards

Birth certificates

Certificate of naturalization

Immigration and Legal Entry

Interview notice

All notices received from USCIS

Copy of I-130 AND I-485

J-1 visa paperwork

Copy of visa

Copy of I-94 and form from Deferred Inspections from when they had to correct the visa class on my I-94

Copy of stamps in passport

Eligibility for Permanent Residence

Marriage certificate

Approval notice for waiver of two yr. foreign residency requirement

Shared Residence

Apartment lease

Utility bills

Canceled checks showing former joint address

Joint mail at new address

Change of address confirmation for family move and for me since I use my maiden name on some things

Auto insurance showing former address

Joint Finances

One year's bank statements for joint saving and checking accounts

Beneficiary change confirmations for retirement plans

Jointly filed tax return for 2008

Account summary for Church

Canceled checks

Insurance

Auto Insurance

Health Insurance

Dental Coverage

Affidavit of Support

Form I-864 EZ

2008 W-2

2008 Joint Tax Return

IRS Tax Transcripts for 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Copies of Pay stubs- Jan. to March 2009.

Medical Information

Sealed envelope containing Form I-693 (Civil surgeon had used the outdated form and I didn't get an RFE for it, so I'm taking it to the interview)

Ultrasound pictures of our little princess (due June 5th, yay! )

Miscellaneous

Wedding announcement in online publication

Itinerary and receipts from honeymoon

A couple of wedding pictures I had lying around (in case they want to keep pictures- our album is a scrapbook so everything is glued in).

So that's it. A long post, I know but I want to make sure all our bases are covered- would hate for them to ask for something that we left at home :bonk: . Anyway, what do you guys think?

Kimcorene you look very good to go, and I dont think, you will have any problems at your interview.

candianmade try not to worry too much. we didn't get any online update until many days after either. i am sending you our good thoughts!

kimcorene,

all looks great! i would also bring all the originals of anything you submitted with the application in case for any reason they want to see them our adjudicator said that was excellent as many people don't and for some reason a copy of something they submitted is unacceptable. i would photocopy all the evidence and only give them the copies but they can also look at those originals too just in case you need it at removal of conditions stage or citizenship. you never know what they'll have or lose unfortunately.

GOOD LUCK EVEYRONE!

Thanks Kang Lang, I hope we do get the green card you know. The issue, I am having is, I wasnt told I was approved, I wasnt given any signs or anything just, if we need something from you we will notify you by mail.

Congratulations everyone! GC's, Approvals - all exciting stuff! Hang in there Canadianmade, you're up next!

Thank you Beantownbabe, I hope I am next for getting my green card. My wife and I had plans by the end of this month to visit Canada, but it seems like that is going to be wishful thinking.

Congrats everyone on the recent approvals WOOHOO OCTOBER FILERS...we're all in the home stretch for a 21 month USCIS free time.

my husbands green card arrived yesterday in the mail! (of course he threw away the little protector envelope for it) *sigh* i hope he doesn't demagnitise it.

for those with interviews coming up...BEST OF LUCK...KEEP OUR STREAK ALIVE.

Hey Kang Lang, I am happy to hear that you guys got the green card in the mail . I think everyone so far has done very well except for me, I have no friggin clue what is going on with my interview, this is the 9th day and havent heard a peep about anything, this is truly very frustrating, I am sorry to be ranting but I am just not feeling to great right now about being up in the air, I didnt get any deadlines nothing, just if we need anything from you you will be notify by mail, that sure isnt reassuring at all.

Canadianmade, I read about your experience. I'm so sorry you have been left to wonder. That must be so stressful. I'm sure, in the end, it will all be fine, but for some reason you have to go through extra stress to get there.

Crossing my fingers for you!

Hey Gypsyangel, oh yeah the experience sure was an interesting one. The interviewer overall didnt ask many questions, but she was kinda goofy in some aspects and asked interesting questions. Its ok and yeah it is actually very stressful to not know what is going and left wondering. I do hope, I get a decision soon, as my wife and I had plans to go to Toronto by the end of this month, but I am starting to believe it wont happen anytime soon, but who knows right. I hope, I do get my green card and thanks for the added support, and CONGRADS to you once again and glad you didnt have to experience anything I did. The thing that was interesting was, she couldnt believe that I didnt have stamps on my passport coming into the US from Canada and I told her at the border they look at our passports and wave us through. She also gave me the impression that she couldnt believe I was from Canada, mind you my passport says I am from Toronto, ON Canada, and she asks me my country of birth, I say Canada, and I am thinking she was dumbfounded to know I was Canadian because I am black and just couldnt imagine I was Canadian. She did keep on pushing the issue of my country and I kept telling her I am from Canada, birth certificate and everything.

Guys I have some news: good or bad....however it may seem.

Our interviewer was a little hard; didn't ask me a damn thing except where a photo had been taken. He asked my wife where we met, when, my birth date, name I currently use, address where we live. Then he looked at some pics, asked for the apt lease, bank accounts. Sat there and then walked us out, he was kind of puzzle how we met so I told him my father is a diplomat, he smiled.

He handed me a green envelope to send back my employment card and explained to me that we'll receive a decision within a couple of weeks. Should he need more documentation he would let me know, if not I would receive a Welcome to the USA letter. He repeated various times when I receive my GC I should mail back the I-766. By the way he took my I-94.

So I don't know exactly where I'm standing right now.

Hey Johnnie J, first of all thanks for sharing your interview experience with all of us, and second of all, you definately were approved since he took your I-94, its probably that the person who interviewed you, needed a supervisor permission to approve your case. I had the same kind of experience that you yesterday at my interview as well, the only thing was, I wasnt handed a green envelope to send back my EAD, all I was told at the end of my interview was, if we need anything from you, we will notify you by mail, that was it. Good luck and I know you will hear good news.

Yeah I agree with what you said, and my wife and I are in such limbo its crazy to be in so much suspense from USCIS and not knowing the results. I would be fine if we knew our fate that day but the prolonging of it makes it worse. At least you know you were definately getting your green card as you both had to sign a piece of paper, my wife and I didnt sign any type of paper at all. I am glad you got to go visit Canada and I am hoping I get my green card by the end of this month so my wife and I have plans to visit Canada. I hope it all works out in the end and I am just nervous because I was presented with anything to sign. All we were told if we need anything we will notify you by mail and knowing USCIS you never know how long you have to wait.

Well - at least they said that they will notify you in the mail, but agreed - you never know when that will be!

I'm sure things will be fine.

Did you apply for Advance Parole? That's what I used to cross the border. And on my visit back home (U.S.) - I didn't even get pulled over! It was a great feeling being able to cross the border with ease (I was refused once, which is how I found out about the K-1 Visa).

Keep your heads up though! It will all be over soon.

Well in some aspects it is good, but you just dont know what is going to be in that letter you know. It could be a 2nd interview notice, a notice about me coming to clear somethings up, or an welcome to america letter who knows, but I am really concerned that I wasnt told anything about removing conditions or given any white letter to sign.

I hope things will be fine and I dont want to sound hasty at all, but its frustrating to hear other people in this forum, who post their interview experience that they got the instant approval and had a good interview experience vs. other people who have the interview and get no signs or anything about the results of their interview, its just frustrating thats why I am venting abit.

No I didnt apply for AP. I didnt think I would need it because, I would get the green card very quickly you know. Thanks for clearing that up that you had AP papers and glad that you didnt have an problems trying to come back into the US.