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| Charlotte NC |  Review on July 18, 2008: |
Cécy
Rating:  | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
We're approved. I stressed a lot before, especially since we were missing my husband's birth certificate. Of course we found it in our mail box when we returned from the interview. He couldn't find his passport for an hour either last night.
We made our way to Charlotte this morning. The directions from google maps were accurated and we had no problem finding the place.
Coming from Tyron St you turn onto Tyvola Center Dr. The first sign to the right is the US Defense Department, then the next entrance to the right is the
USCIS. Lots of parking. Expect for us it was pretty much full because there was a naturalization ceremony at the same time.
We went through the door were security is. No cell phones allowed of course.
A lady in front of us had an appointment letter for biometrics, I felt bad for her as this is not the right location in Charlotte. There is a biometrics address and a main address, you need to check your appointment letter carefully.
Anyway, went through, were told to go to the room on the left if we had an appointment. There were quite a few people in there but it went pretty fast.
We arrived around 9:50am for a 10:30 appointment. At 10:45 a guy asked for our name and we followed him.
We took the oath to tell the truth.
Then he asked for our ID's, which I don't think he ever really looked at. Checked our names, birth dates and country of birth; then asked what document we had to prove our marriage. At first I though he only meant the marriage certificate, but it was actually also the utility bills, bank accounts and all. We gave all that.
He also asked for the last tax return.
Then he asked the classic questions: terrorist, prostitute and all the rest. I wasn't expecting him to ask pretty much all of them but he did.
Now don't ask me why, maybe because I find those questions stupid (who is going to say yes anyway), but it made me chuckle. My husband was nervous because he though I was going to screw up the interview because of it.
When the officer asked the question about the spy thing, I couldn't help myself (and I tried) from saying: No, I would be a pretty bad spy anyway. whistling.gif
Thankfully our officer had humor and it made him chuckle too. innocent.gif
He asked if I ever had a J-1, that one I said yes, so I gave him copies of the passport pages.
He then asked how we met. We asked if he wanted the long or the short version, he said it didn't matter, we gave the short one.
At that point he had already stamp approved on the paper biggrin.gif
The he noticed my husband's name and commented on it.
He then explained about the 2 year GC and that we had to remove conditions and all that stuff. I told him 90 days before the expiration date right? He was like "oh you already know about it". I told him I had done a bit of research (he he thanks VJ).
He then went on to talk about when he was in Germany in the 50's with Nato and how he went tot he Mess of the French and how it was so much more neat and that the French sure knew how to do it because the Mess always had beer; wine and bread and Chefs but that their meat was awful and too cooked not to mention that discussing with the French cooks he could never figure out what type of meat it was.
Before we left I offered him to look at our pictures (hey I didn't print those for nothing!) he say sure; went through quickly just mentioned how pretty western north Carolina is.
How and he stamped my passport, said it's good for a year and that if I don't have the green card in the mail within 3 months I should make an appointment and check if there is anything wrong. He also took the EAD and I-94.
Note: He never asked about my intent when I entered the US (I came with a B2).
It was pretty anticlimactic after a year of waiting, but gosh I'm happy it's over.
Oh and if you are hungry after that; I recommend driving North on Tryon St then taking a right on East Blvd until you see the restaurant La Cantina on the left. Great and very fresh Mexican food with a modern twist.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #3140