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| Philadelphia PA |  Review on July 11, 2012: |
Alex and Sofya
Rating:  | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
We had an 8:30 appointment yesterday 07/10/12 at Philadelphia office. We parked and went to the building. There was a security line, but it went fast. We went upstairs and gave our letter. There was about 20 people sitting in the room, but not all of them were couples. Some came with lawyers. We didn't have a lawyer. We were called at about 8:50-8:55 by african american women about 35 years old. She swore us and asked to sit. She asked for my husband's all passports. I gave her mine (USC) and his. She asked for my ID. This is how I figured that she asked just for my husband's passports. I gave her my driver's license and told her that I gave my passport with my husband's passport. She started to ask me questions first (USC). She was looking at the application when asked each question and put the check mark next to each question in red pen. She also asked me how I came to USA (I came as a refugee). She asked how my first husband got his status. I told that we came together as refugee. She asked me when did I get married and I was thinking that she is still asking about my first marriage and my first response was I don't rememeber exact date it was long time ago. She looked at me and I finanlly got it. I replied right away 11/11/11 (this is when I got married to my husband). She asked me about 10-15 questions that were on the application. Then she started to ask my husband, again looking at the application and puting check mark to each answer. She asked for his original birth certificate. Thanks God that we had it. She asked where does he work now. She asked him about 10-15 questions from the application. Then she started to ask him yes/no questions on the application. Then she asked to show what we brought to show that we live together. We gave her copies of our driver's licenses, copies of car insurace cards, insurance papers with both of our names and two cars listed there, a letter from PECO that we have a service in both of our names (for some reason PECO could not add my husband's name to show on the bill), a copy of a letter from AAA to my husband listed me as an additional member, 2011 joint tax return, and a letter from my life insurance stating my husband and my kids as beneficiaries (my husband 40% and kids 30% percent each). Oh, and I also printed it out last joint bank account statement. I also gave her a print out from my work that had my husband's name as a contact person. I also said that we brought new pictures. She said that she will take a look and then she asked if she can keep them. The first picture was taken at my daughter's graduation, so after I told her where it was taken, she asked if my kids live with us. Of course they do (I have two daughters 17 and 9 years old).
So everything looked good, of course we were nervous, but I think we were relaxed by the time she looked at the pictures. At the end she took my husbands I-94 and said: "I see, that you finally got your replacement I-94. You have J-1 visa. I tried to check if you have 2 year home residency requirements this morning. I'll try again in the afternoon. I you don't have 2 year requirment you are fine. If I cannot verify that you do not have 2 years home residency requirements I'll send you a letter. Then you will need to contact Department of State to issue a waiver or to go back to your contry for 2 years". She said I have to keep your I-94. I told her that it was hard to get a replacement of I-94, but she said that they must take it at the interview. I also asked her about the time frame to reply to the letter and she said I might give you 30 or 60 days. I asked her what happens if we do get the result from Department of State on time? She said come back here. So we left without knowing. The interview was easy, we were thinking that they will ask us about our lifes, but they didn't. We didn't expect that we might have any problems with J1 visa. There was nothing on I-94 about subject to two years home residency. The online status is still "tesing and interview". The last update date is 06/07/12.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9975