|
|
| Detroit MI |  Review on April 1, 2010: |
F & J
Rating:  | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
We got to the USCIS office about 10-15 minutes before our scheduled appointment (8 AM). We went through security check - had a bit of hold up because of my compact mirror (it was a birthday gift from my brother's fiancee - I guess it beeped because it was made of metal) - even the security personnel were wondering because I had nothing else in my purse; just our passports, my planner, wallet, pens, lip sunscreen and house key. I took out the mirror and they put my purse through the machine again and it cleared. After that we went to the reception desk and we were told to go through the automatic doors and drop our interview notice in the tray in Window 8 and wait for my name to be called. We waited for about 45 minutes. About 4 people who came after us were called before we were. One man was called but his wife wasn't allowed to come in with him. My hubby and I thought that they interviewed couples separately but when the IO called my name, my hubby went up to him and asked if he could come and the IO said, "The more the merrier!" I guess the other man was on a different visa? There was also a family of five who all went in together so I'm not sure. Or maybe it depends on the IO?
We went in to the IO's 'office' and my hubby asked, "Should I close the door, sir?" and the IO said that we could leave it open because he was a bit claustrophobic. He was really pleasant! The first thing he asked us was, "So, you got married in Vegas?" and we smiled and said yes. He asked if we had a nice time and we said for sure. He asked if we gambled - my hubby told him about how he placed a bet on the Steelers preseason game and won. The IO asked if my hubby grew up a Steelers fan and my hubby said it was hard to be a Lions fan (the Lions being the worst team in the NFL). I said we rooted for the Vikings all year and the IO laughed. My hubby added that we just didn't tell anyone about it. LOL. The IO asked us if we had any plans for Easter and my hubby answered that we'd probably go down to my mother-in-law's. I also added that my sister-in-law might have something planned. The IO said he was planning on just watching basketball. My husband asked about how his bracket was and the IO said it went bad fast (same as my husband, after the first round, a lot of his teams were eliminated). I said at least Michigan State made it to the Final Four! The IO said, "There's something to cheer about!" and we all laughed.
At some point during that conversation or maybe after (I can't remember), the IO asked us for my passport and our marriage certificate (I asked if he wanted my husband's too but he just wanted mine). He took my I-94 and punched a hole through it and kept it (with my file? I can't remember either, LOL – my hubby said that they even use the same folders that the military uses - all of the papers were fastened together in one brown folder). He asked me my full name, birth date, country of birth, asked if we had any children. He also asked if I’ve ever worked outside our home (something like that) and I said No because I just received my EAD card about 2 weeks ago and haven’t even started looking for a job yet. He mentioned that it is hard in Michigan (having one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation). He went through all the questions in the I-485 to which I answered "NO" - I believe at one point, when asked about ever being deported, I added that it was my first time in the U.S. - he encircled all my answers on the I-485 with a red marker. Then he closed the folder, took a yellow post-it, stuck it in front of the folder and wrote I-485 on it. He handed back my passport and our marriage certificate and he said, "Congratulations, you are now a Permanent Resident!" He said he didn't have anything to give me right then and there that says I'm a permanent resident because it takes them about two weeks but we should have my card in the mail very soon. He didn't ask for my EAD or AP or anything else. He said that since we've been married for less than 2 years, I'll get the 2-year conditional green card and within 90 days of expiry, we have to file another application (I-751). My hubby asked if we'd have to go back to the office for another interview for that. The IO said that files get pulled out randomly and lately interviews have been increasing but as long as our marriage looks good on paper (all the stuff we send in for the I-751), we'll be fine.
The name change issue didn't come up but my hubby asked anyway. The IO explained that they go by the Birth Certificate. What he could do was use my first name as in my birth certificate (I have two first names) then drop my middle name completely and just change my last name to my husband's last name - I'd just be one of those people with no middle name. The other option was to keep my middle name from birth (mother's last name) and change my last name to my husband's name. No matter what, I'd still have two first names. The IO said that most people from the Philippines opt for the first one - no middle name but I opted for the 2nd one. The IO put it in the system that I'll be keeping my middle name. He said it's not really a big deal because when they look me up in the system, they'll just look at first name and last name. The middle name isn't really that important. And we can still change it when we file the I-751. Then he and my hubby got to talking about naming conventions for other countries and how it must be difficult. The IO laughed and said, "We manage."
My hubby also asked the IO about address changes (because with the military we pretty much have to move every 3 years) and whether we have to notify the USCIS and the IO said not to worry about it until we file the I-751.
I asked if he needed the certified copy of our Marriage Certificate and he said copies were all they needed. I asked him again if he needed anything else from us and he said, "No, too much paperwork already!" LOL. We had a huge folder with all our documents (copies) and a paperbag with all of the originals as well as 2 photo albums but he didn't ask for anything. I guess we'll save those for the I-751
He walked us out the door, through the hallway and even opened the outer door towards the waiting room for us. His parting words were, "If we don't see you again, that will be a good thing." (something like that) "It was nice to meet you!"
All in all, I'd say the actual interview regarding the I-485 lasted no more than 2, maybe 3 minutes? We were in and out so fast! It was really great experience! ^___^ We had a really nice IO.
* About an hour after our interview, I received a txt message and an email!
On April 1, 2010, 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 at 1-800-375-5283.
(updated on April 1, 2010)
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5868