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Los Angeles CA USCIS Office Reviews
Average Rating: 4.3
/ 5
169 Review(s)
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| Los Angeles CA |  Review #29221 on February 26, 2021: |
laxtravel83
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| | | Los Angeles CA | Review #29109 on February 5, 2021: |
naijawifelife
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We had a straightforward and enjoyable interview that was scheduled for 7:15 am (one of the first ones of the day). We received the interview notice about a month prior to the scheduled appointment, but I was notified that it was scheduled 42 days before the actual appointment through the case tracker app. I couldn’t see the actual interview date in the app or on the USCIS system. Case Tracker App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/case-tracker-for-uscis/id921827126
We parked in the garage (221 N Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) across from the Field Office but it was early in the day, parking was not hard at all. When we left the interview and returned to our car the garage was almost completely full, so plan accordingly for parking.
We arrived about 20 or 30 minutes late to the interview office due to the long line to enter USCIS Los Angeles in DTLA. We arrived at 6:40 am in the parking garage and had some trouble finding the correct building because we mistakenly went all around the courthouse looking for USCIS, so that delayed us some. This happened because we foolishly followed behind a different couple and lost track of where they walked. This caused us to go to the courthouse instead. Luckily, we still had our phones, which are allowed as long as they are turned off during the interview, and found our way using google maps.
Once we found the Field Office the line to enter the building from the right was super long and slow-moving (this was the only line we could see at the time). Later, after already waiting in the slow line, we learned that there was another line on the left, if looking directly at the building, which was faster according to a man we thought was an Officer. I later learned that he was just a good samaritan who wanted to help people with early appointments get in on time (he was in the fast line and had been to this Field Office numerous times). We tested this theory by splitting up to see who would get near the front of the line first and periodically speaking on the phone to keep each other updated on our progress. I also called my mom to distract myself from the growing anxiety about being late (which could lead to a canceled interview/denied petition which then could lead to the deportation of my husband or restarting the whole tedious Petition process-as you could see I was getting frantic). Luckily I was able to stay calm.
Soon, my husband called and said he was near the front and I came back to the slow line. As I walked back to join my husband in the other line an Officer in the front of the building also confirmed that the other line was faster (the Officer wanted to know why I was leaving the fast line). The slow line/fast line theory seemed true based on my experience but I went back to join my husband in the slow line because he mistakenly thought he was closer than me. Thankfully, we had absolutely no problems as a result of being late (we both were worried while waiting outside in the line. I was probably more worried though). As you can see the anxiety of being late is no fun. I would recommend you arrive really early to be on the safe side. While going through the metal detectors and having our belongings x-rayed; I asked the Officer what was the fastest way to the USCIS Field Office. He let us know the way and once we got to the office, on the 8th floor, we were called into the interview soon after being checked in.
In the interview room, we were sworn in and then started the interview. The Officer (who was a very kind and chatty Latinx woman) wanted to see our passports and original birth certificates, our certified marriage certificate, my husband's EAD and DMV real ID application, my California driver’s license, and evidence of our relationship. Some of the questions she asked were: how we met, describe our first few dates, when we met each other’s parents, when we got married, questions about our siblings, what my husband does for work, what I do for work, when my husband entered the U.S. and on what visa, and when we moved in together. We were able to answer these questions together or she directed them to my husband. In all, she directed most of the questions at my husband and asked us our respective verification questions (SSN, mailing address, residential address, phone number, our parent’s names, and date of birth). I barely had to say anything the entire interview and all of the questions directed at us were easy as pie. We also brought a photo album and the Officer looked through it.
I definitely over-prepared for the interview with all the documents and evidence (I started prepping as soon as we got the interview notice on January 4th, 2021). We also brought our joint sponsor’s tax returns and W-2’s from 2018 and 2019, employment letters from 2020 and 2021, and his last 2 month’s pay stubs. The Officer didn’t ask for any of those documents, which made up the bulk of all the things I printed (around 1200 pages). For some of the printing, Staples print services came in handy and I used CVS to print the pictures. The only thing the Officer asked us about our sponsor was how we knew him (he is a friend of my husband; they met through a previous contracting job). I also re-printed our entire Adjustment of Status application, but better to be too prepared than under right? The Officer looked at/kept roughly 100 pages of the stuff I brought.
The Officer kept the evidence of our relationship (bank statements, health insurance, trips, our pandemic puppy’s AKC and ICA registration which showed both of our last names, leases for the 2 apartments we rented in our time together, SoCal Gas and LADWP utility bills for the past 3 months, renters insurance for both apartments, couples therapy bill and video call screenshots, and about 30 photos of us with descriptions and dates on the back of them. We also provided pictures of our 2 apartments. The Officer said she wanted to copy our passports, my husband’s EAD and DMV Real ID application, and my driver’s license. Then she came back with our approval letter!
| | | Los Angeles CA | Review #27842 on January 21, 2020: |
Deanna&Mark
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We parked across the street at the Los Angeles Mall for $17 (expensive, but very convenient parking). Then we arrived to the federal building 2 hours early. There is the main entrance to the building, but as we approached with our appointment letter, we were told by a security guard to go to the door for immigration services which is around the corner. So we waited in a short line, showed an officer our appointment letter, went through airport-like security screenings. Once we were through, we took the elevator up to the 8th floor and checked in at the reception window. There in the waiting room, Mark (beneificiary) was called up to take a picture and his fingerprint about 10 minutes in. Then he sat back down with me and we waited an hour and half until our appointment time came (2:45). Finally, an officer came out, called Mark's name, and we followed her to her office. She left the door open and we sat down where she began asking Mark very basic questions (what's your name, what's your parents' names, when did you get married, what's your address). She asked to see his birth certificate and his vaccination records. Then she asked Mark the yes/no questions listed on the I-485 form. Finally, she asked us how we met and if we had any evidence to present. I gave her some photos from our wedding, pictures with Mark and my family, our medical insurance plan, joint bank statement, etc.) She asked if that was it and I said yes - which made me nervous that maybe I didn't provide enough evidence. Then she told us to go wait in the waiting room for 10 mins while she reviews and makes her decision. After a VERY long 10 minute wait, she came out and approached us. She said congratulations, you have been approved. Please remember to remove the conditions 90 days before your card expires. And that was it. The officer was kind of intimidating - she showed no emotion, interest, or care throughout the 20-25 min process which had us second-guessing things during the wait, but overall, the interview was very basic and felt like more of a formality. I think they train the officers to remain indifferent and have you sweat it out a little. I think what I can advise others if they go to this particular office is come early, bring a good amount of evidence but no need to over-do it, and just be genuine when answering the questions. It feels less like an interrogation and more like a routine list of questions. I think we freaked out way more than we should've!
| | | Los Angeles CA | Review #27676 on December 14, 2019: |
CaliforniaLovin
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· 1 person found this review helpful
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We took our baby along with us, even though on other threads it was advised not. We arrived early (there is no where to wait and there is a detention center nearby, so you can't really go for a walk either). We parked across the street at the Los Angeles Mall. We entered the building and did security then went to the 8th floor to register and were told to walk back around and wait. As we went the security guard asked us a few questions and joked with us about the baby. We waited about twenty minutes before being called in and then we were sworn in immediately. The interviewer said he wasn't going through our file because he had already, but since my husband had a few DUIs made the point that he would have given him a harder time if our daughter wasn't there. He said he has to question if he is fit to be a petitioner. Fair enough. He asked us questions about where we met and our wedding. He only asked to see the birth certificate of our daughter, my husband's driver's license, my birth certificate and our marriage certificate (he was checking the seal to ensure it was authentic). We had brought copies of all our documents and ID. He checked my passport and went through the yes and no questions. He showed us a pile of files that were fraud cases and a bigger pile of denial cases. He said our case was straight forward for him due to the baby. But things he looks for is: 1) change of name, 2) house keys (check if you both have them), 3) marriage certificate, 4) a joint asset such as a bank account or your name on his life insurance is important and 5) your medical to see if you're on your petitioner's. Those are some of the key things they watch out for to see if your case is legitimate in this field office. We were very lucky we were approved within three months. Apparently theybhad. A lot of files and mine was passed to this interviewer who took it on as his case load. My greencard trumps the EAD and travel document application so I'm absolutely thrilled and a lot less stressed now
| | | Los Angeles CA | Review #27541 on November 21, 2019: |
MongolianPanda
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· 1 person found this review helpful
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We got to the building at 12:35 PM. Our appointment was at 1:15 pm. We checked in around 12:50 PM and was sent to the waiting room. We didn't get called in until 2:45 PM.. but the wait was worth it because our interview went as smooth as a baby's butt.. We went into the officer's office and he swore us in right away.. then he started typing stuff on his computer and it was about 5 minutes of awkward silence.. then he asked me (USC) if I've ever been to Mongolia and I said no.. He said "you're missing out.." ... turns out he used to live in Russia and is a big history buff and knew all about Mongolia's history.. We proceed to talk about the history of Mongolia for the next 10 minutes or so... and then he went through the I-485 questions... then asked us:
how we met?
when did you know you wanted to marry her?
have you met her family?
then he asked me if we had any documents that we like to submit for proof of marriage.. I took out a stack of documents from my organizer.. after the 3rd document was handed, he said ok ok that's enough... I have more than enough evidence to convince me.. congratulations.. you're approved!
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