Maranda

seek out advise from the post office they might be able to tell you where to start to look into it.

Hello VJers!
Just wanted to post about our AOS interview yesterday. Like most folks here, we were super nervous and not sure what to expect, but the whole process was smooth and quick, with an easy 10 minute interview and approval on the spot. Here's what happened:
We arrived at Detroit USCIS office about an hour before our scheduled interview time. We were called in for our appointment 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
Although we had help from an attorney in organizing and filing our paperwork with the government, we chose not to have her present for the interview, based on her advice to us that we shouldn't need it. (Side note, I realize that it's not really necessary for an attorney in the AOS process unless there's some sort of underlying issues - which we didn't have, but wanted to play it extra safe - but if anyone in Michigan needs a referral for a very good company of attorneys specializing in family immigration law, I'd be happy to recommend and give you contact information.)
Armed with a giant folder of papers (proof of this and that, joint accounts, bills, taxes, a million photos, etc.), we met our interviewer (immigration officer?), who was a nice gentleman (Greg). He was rather quiet, very to-the-point and professional, but in a polite manner. We sat down, swore us in, re-asked the questions to my husband Arnold from the original application (criminal, terrorist, communist? etc.), and then a few extra questions:

What is our birthdates?
Where do we live?
How did we meet? ("online" was a good enough answer)
Arnold, what are Maranda's hobbies?
Maranda, what are Arnold's hobbies?
What is the last movie you watched together? (this was a question I hadn't seen posted before, and wasn't expecting, so it caught me off guard, luckily the answer came right to me because we'd just Redboxed a few days ago)
Arnold, have you met Maranda's family? (at the reception)
How many people were at your reception, then?
Maranda, have you met Arnold's family?

"Looks like today is going to be a good day for you, immigration-wise!" (Which he said about 4 different times throughout the interview.)
He shuffled some papers, jotted something down, and told us to expect the Greencard in the mail in about 2 weeks, then wrote down his number for us to call if the card doesn't show up on schedule.
We were in and out of his office in about 10 minutes, and he didn't even crack open our giant binder of stuff. Big sighs of relief and happiness to be finished with this portion of the process. Nothing now until lifting of conditions in 2 years, and Citizenship after that!
Best wishes to everyone in the process right now! Go in with confidence and the understanding that these people are not there to grill and harass you (unless, of course, there's a reason to). Everyone we had contact with yesterday was pleasant and friendly, even the security staff at the front door (which I wasn't expecting in Detroit!).

Hi all,
 
I've been "lurking" and watching replies from my email notifications but have not had a chance to really check in.
 
I know we were very close in timeline to a few other July filers, so I've been expecting ours to be moving along as some of yours now have. (I'm thrilled for you that have been waiting so patiently!)
 
We have not heard anything (received no case number yet, etc.) since NOA2, dated 1/31, which we received on 2/5.
 
Unfortunately, I am no longer in a hurry for the process to speed along. In fact, we're going to be "dragging our feet" now to make this take as long as possible, if we can.
 
A couple weeks before receiving our NOA2, my father-in-law (the beneficiary) went to the doctor for what we figured was the flu. A few days after receiving the NOA2, he was given a cancer diagnosis. He has had daily radiation and two chemo treatments over the past 2 weeks, and has continued radiation with three more chemo treatments coming up, and will be finished with treatments by mid-April.
 
After that, he will be given a 3-month hiatus for healing and recuperation, and if everything has progressed as it should, he will then undergo a pretty hefty surgery to remove the affected area (lower esophagus). Recovery time post-surgery is expected to be at least a couple / few months... up to a year, in some cases.
 
The good news is that the tumor itself is very small (described like the size of a pimple), and although it had spread to (only) one nearby lymph node, oncology suggests that they caught it in the very early stages and with the radiation / chemo / surgery plan, the prognosis is very good. So far, the treatments have not had any negative effects on FIL's overall health or well-being - he's extremely happy-go-lucky and, knock-on-wood, still feeling good, healthy and strong.
 
The bad news is that I have no idea how this will affect the immigration process.
 
I certainly don't want to "cancel" this petition and try again later, though I fear it may come to that if time limits are imposed and he's not fully recovered yet. From what I've read, it sounds like when the visa is issued by the consulate, it has a 6-month validity, and CAN be extended if requested in writing and with good reason. The struggle is usually having to re-do the medical, since that has a shorter validity. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
 
We are also very concerned about acquiring private medical insurance once he's here, of course. It's been a very rough couple months as we battle with the thought that, basically, if we can't get health insurance for him here, he wouldn't be able to come over at all. (He has, quite literally, no family left over there. My husband is his only child, and he lost his wife to cancer back in 2009. We love him so much. I don't even want to think about what it would mean if he can't come here.)
 
We were fully expecting, and prepared, to pay outrageous premiums - that was understood before any of this new cancer situation arose - but now it's going to be more the question of "pre-existing conditions" or whatnot and what sort of bearing that has on insurance companies actually accepting him for coverage. Admittedly, I don't know enough about that depth of health insurance yet... though I've been trying to wrap my head around options. I've heard both encouraging and discouraging information. And we can't make any moves at all until the treatment is complete and the outcome is apparent... obviously. It's kind of a nightmare right now, really.
 
If there is any silver lining to the situation, it is that I'm thankful this all came about BEFORE he came to the States for the simple reason that he has excellent health care in the Netherlands, and they have done a spectacular job of wasting zero time in treatment thus far. The hospital in Groningen actually called us internationally and had a 30-minute conference call after diagnosis to discuss treatment and answer all questions. We rest easy now knowing that he is in good hands at the moment. (Pardon me for saying so, but I would not expect such good care from our health care systems here in the USA, hence why we're glad this came about before the big immigration move.)
 
Anyway, to make this long story (sorry!) a little shorter, we are in a bit of limbo right now and unsure of our next steps or options, but for the moment, we have NOT received case number, invoices, etc. - and that is why we are not in a hurry for the time being, and why I have not checked in lately. (I will continue to post updates, though!)
 
All the best to you all!
 
 

Fortunately they have a Sponsor.

Nowhere. You don't have to prove such a thing.
No. As long as you have filed for AOS, you're fine.

Incorrect, the onus is on the Government to prove the OP committed Material Misrepresentation when dealing with officials, not on the OP to prove they didn't.
OP, you can marry and then adjust if that is what works best for you. Your soon to be brother in-law is correct; additionally, your case is unlikely to "raise suspicions" so I disagree with the poster who said that.

Well the safe-guard would be to really get to know the person. You're the one who's bringing an immigrant to the country after all so the responsability falls on you.

Thank you to all who are keeping this topic updated!
Just wanted to check back in again as we received the new GC in the mail today (wow, seeing 2024 printed on there seems like such a long time away, haha). I really can't believe they mailed it so quickly after approval (we received notice of that just 2 days ago). It came via Priority.
I, too, was expecting an RFE because we mailed copies of our tax returns instead of official IRS transcripts... apparently not a problem. Or thinking they'd want more "proofs" or such because while we do have all joint accounts, we have no kids, no joint health or life insurance, and only 1 car, registered and insured to me only. Some folks here on VJ seemed to think all those things were major calls for RFE's... or maybe we just got lucky.
And truly, I wasn't expecting to even hear a peep about any of it for another couple months at least. Very thankful that they're moving right along. For those still waiting, I'm sure it will come very soon now!
...by this time next year, we'll be in the Citizenship process! Cheers!