Adjustment of Status
|
| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Anchorage AK |
| Date Filed : |
2013-08-09 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-08-15 |
| RFE(s) : |
|
| Bio. Appt. : |
2013-09-11 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
|
| Interview Date : |
2013-10-15 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2013-10-15 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Greencard Received: |
2013-10-26 |
| Comments : |
Interview location: USCIS office in Anchorage, AK. Duration: 1 hour.
Before we were invited to the room for interview a man walked out, asked my name, the reason I was there and requested to present my passport. Then he took it to the back room and came back in several minutes. He returned the passport and had a look at my husband's ID. He made a joke about two huge binders of documents that we had and said we will soon be invited.
Another Officer invited us to the interview room couple minutes later. He introduced himself. Both my husband and I were asked to raise our right hand and give an oath to tell only truth. Afterwards Immigration Officer requested to present our identification (foreign passport + State ID for myself, and State ID for my husband). Officer scanned our IDs. He asked for the interview appointment letter, and I had to explain that I haven't received one. For some reason the letter (mailed on Oct,10) bounced back to the USCIS as 'undeliverable', and on Oct,11 I received a call to my cell from a lady asking me if my residence address was still correct (which it is). Then she asked if I can come to the interview they scheduled for me on Oct,15. I asked what documents I should bring, and her response was 'bring what you originally filed'. We explained to the Officer that we receive other mail as usual (we brought proofs), so we couldn't explain why the notice from USCIS wasn't delivered.
Officer looked through a thick folder of our documents on his desk for another 5 minutes in silence. Then we were asked about our spouse's full name (with my patronymic / husband's middle name), date of birth, place of birth. I was asked what the names of my parents are. Then we were questioned on how and where my husband and I met, how our relationship developed, where my husband resided over the period of our dating. Both of us had to describe out first date. Inspector would ask one of us a question and then in the middle of answer he would interrupt and ask the other person to continue.
I was questioned particularly detailed about what exactly my husband did at work in Russia. Generic answers as 'engineering, supervising' didn't suffice. Officer asked me three times 'What did he do?' (at work). When the second answer I gave was not good enough I lost my balance a little and started to get upset. I started outlining my husband's daily routine for him (good thing we worked in the same office, and I knew exactly what he was doing at work). The more detailed third answer finally met the Officer's expectations and he continued to the next question.
I was asked whether I prepared for K1 interview in Moscow. I answered 'yes'. Then my husband was asked if he was present at that interview. He explained that he didn't have Russian visa at that time and couldn't attend the interview.
We were asked about the reason, which brings us to Alaska (which is my husband's work). I was asked about my plans to work (which I plan to do).
Officer asked me every question from Part 3 of form I-485, to which the universal answer was, of course, 'no'.
He asked me to show him an original of our marriage certificate and compared it to the copy on the file. Although I sent an original certified copy with the application.
Officer asked us if we have any documents to submit. We gave him letters from friends, proofs of me on my husband's health insurance plan, joint bank accounts info, me as his emergency contact for work, proof of us residing at one address. He asked if those were his copies (sure:) and kept them.
Officer couldn't find my birth certificate copy on file, so I provided him with a copy, translation and an original to verify it. He kept the copy and it's translation.
He said that no other proofs are needed (we had photos since we got married and proofs of trips/events we attended), referring to already having pictures on our file. I showed him my checkbook and social security card as proofs of address (because I was still worried about our undelivered appointment letter). He had a look at it, smiled and said 'boy, aren't you prepared!'.
Officer verified the spelling of my name for the green card. I decided last minute to have it in my married name. The application was filed in my maiden name, because I simply thought that everything has to be based on my passport data, and didn't know I have an option to file in my married name.
Then Officer said 'I see no problem with your case' and advised that I will receive my green card by mail within 6 weeks. He explained that it will be a conditional residency, because we were married less that 2 years. He recommended applying for removing conditions 4 months prior to reaching 2 years deadline. He said the number of the form to be filed and was wondering whether we want to write it down. But I said I know the process quite well by know and he rolled his eyes at me (in a good sort of 'look, what a smartass' way, not angry).
Officer asked if we have any questions for him, and I was wondering about my EAD and Advance Parole applications. He checked something on his computer and said that it's been printed and is on it's way. Looking at the date we applied for AOS he expressed his surprise with how fast our interview was scheduled, and suspected we might have acquaintances in USCIS, maybe, that lady that gave me a call to schedule interview (which, of course, is not the case). Then he corrected himself and said 'of course, we don't do this type of thing'.
I asked if we could get a copy of the appointment envelope with the 'undeliverable' stamp on it (to follow-up with the post office), but Officer said he was not allowed to give us any copies of any documents. Our concern was about future green card delivery, so he recommended that if in 6 weeks I don't receive it, then we can come back to USCIS and follow-up.
All-in-all, satisfactory experience, but both my husband and I were very anxious. The Consul in Moscow at K1 interview was much nicer, more friendly and supportive than an Immigration Officer in US, who started out very serious and grim, but warmed up by the end and was willing to talk biking, moose and skiing.
P.S. I had every original document with me going back to I-129F, K1 and AOS filings. This turned out very helpful, because I was able to produce missing copy of birth certificate with translations and marriage certificate. So be prepared, some documents may go missing from your file. |
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