January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[dbears 1]

Good luck on the interview Jeroen. And BIGGEST CONGRATS on the coming baby, that is just sooo wonderful. Filipinos believe that when your wife is pregnant (ask your in laws), it means you would be lucky, even in gambling.

I think you have more than enough evidence of bonafide marriage. Plus your baby will definitely bring you good luck and you will have no problem during AOS interview

CourtAndGrey: BIG BIG BIG congrats on the AOS approval. I am sorry that you went through all that but at least you have the approval. I hope you receive Grevein's green card soon.

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

Congratulations Courtney! I can't believe they were so mean... I know they are doing their job but they could do it a different way.

Good luck Jeroen! To me it seems that you have enough evidence but I can't really tell for sure as I have not had an interview date yet and haven't prepared or even thought of it yet. I hope your court thing will be alright.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Thanks people

I will let you guys know as soon as I get back how it went... we have the interview in about 1.45 hours, at 10.15 AM, so we'll leave in like 30 minutes (lol it's already afternoon with you guys haha)

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Hiya peepz, we're back!

We could've been back a bit more early though but we went out for some lunch first

So anyways, here's a review of how everything was and went.. It's a similar version of the review on our blog.

---

Well, we're not entirely sure but we think it should be ok.

The interview was at 10.15 AM but we were there at around 10.05 AM. After about 10 to 15 minutes, our number was called and we met the immigration officer who would take our interview. The first impression that we got from this man was very nice, he didn't make a strict impression but seemed to be a bit more relaxed.

First he took our oath and then explained how things would take place, he would mostly look if everything was in order and he would ask questions on base of the forms. He also explained that there might be moments in which nothing would be said but we shouldn't be worried about that as he might still be writing certain things down.

He mostly asked us some general questions, like on which address we lived, when we met, how that this was, when we got married, if I had children (and that was a "yes, one, but there will be two soon" after which he congratulated us) and more of that kind of questions. Nothing special really and you don't have to worry about it I think, as long as your marriage is in good faith and so I did not worry much about those questions either.

And then we came to the scary part, my court record.. he started to read everything and read my explanation also which I added to the application (for those who do not know what it is about, I once have been arrested for participation of theft, however, I never did anything like that. I only once had the goods in my car but at that time I did not even know those were stolen, that is something I found out later when the police arrested me.. so basically that something nothing special but, well, you never know what the USCIS might say). The officer did not ask much about these documents, except if I had been more in contact with the police of if this was the only thing so I told him that there was nothing else except for the one time they pulled me over for speeding but that was nothing special. During the talks that followed I told him that I was quite worried about that part but he told us that it would not be much of a problem and, even though he did not say it with that much words, we shouldn't worry much about it.

After this he gave us some general explanations of what would happen next. He would process the documents and if he didn't see anything weird, which he did not expected, then we should receive, the latest in two months, but more probably at the end of April, the greencard. He also explained how we had to request the permanent residency in two years from receiving the conditional greencard (this one is conditional for two years to see if it is really a bonifide marriage) and that we had to do that within a certain amount of time. He asked us to sign some documents which were related to this and from that it also showed that he didn't think that there was anything weird about our application. He also told us that, if there would be anything unclear or if they needed another document, that they would be in touch but if we do not hear a thing, then wouldn't be a problem.

He asked some documents after this to see that the marriage was really real, we gave him some bank statements and some voided checks which had our names on it, some copies of the registration and title of our car and a few more of these things. This was more than enough for him. We also gave him two pictures that he liked to have for the dossier as extra proof and that was basically all, I think we have been inside for less than an hour.

To know it really sure, I asked again what he thought of the interview and he told us again that we shouldn't have to worry and that he would check everything and that we would receive the greencard, if there were no special things, could receive within the timeframe given. I also asked if he needed the EAD card (employment authorization) and Advance Parole documents but he said he rather didn't do that as, in the unlikely case that something goes wrong, I would at least have the insurance that I can work and travel if needed.. sounds like a solid explanation to me.

So ok, we did not get the relieving "you're approved" but we think we shouldn't worry about it as we really did not get that impression from the immigration officer.

---

And that's basically it. He was pleased to see that I had the I-693 added with the TB skin test and vaccination report but I think it wouldn't have been necessary. I gave it out of my own movement (I mean, I paid for it to give to them, so they better well take it haha).

I did not receive the stamp, I asked about it but he asked me if I still had my AP and then I basically didn't needed it, he said. He would have given me one, however, if I did not had the AP and wanted to travel any time soon.. so I doubt the stamp really has to mean something. And as for the EAD that he didn't take, I think it is indeed smarted that they don't take it... as soon as the GC is given, the EAD is absolete and during the time you do not have a GC you can actually be arrested for working without valid work authorization. So that explanation seemed ok to me also.

I think we are approved but we have to wait until we have the GC in our hands to be really sure

All in all a pretty good experience I think

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Congratulations Jeroen and Courtney! Such a relief - you're done for two years! Sorry to hear your experience wasn't that pleasant, Courtney; what a jerk the guy was! Some of these people really are on incredible power trips - it's insane.

I have a second biometrics appointment as I have to have my fingerprints taken again. Still really hoping for that EAD soon, too!

I've been insanely busy - looking forward to the weekend!

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Sorry to hear you have to do them over... any ideas why it is that they want it redone?

[Pam&Josh 0]

Hi everybody!

Quite some good news here. Court, congratulations on your approval!! The guy seemed really tough!it must have been hard to stay calm especially when you've been waiting sooo long. Well, I am happy you're now done with USCIS for a couple of years!

Jeroen, Congrats on the baby and on the approval!!! . Big, big news for you, isn't it? I read that you were nervous with your court thing at the interview, and I am glad everything went all right for you guys! Now, you can relax and enjoy the pregnancy!

Cécile, thanks for the great news received a week or 2 ago. I was so happy!

Well, I am now back in Minnesota since last thursday. I spent almost 3 weeks in France, visiting my family and friends. I, of course, had a great time!! I was here for one of my sister's B-Day, and my nephew's too. I also met my 2nd nephew (4 months old).It was so good to spend some family events with them! We enjoy as much French food as our stomachs could handle! , and I keep trying to show my husband new areas in France& Normandy. Leaving was a little hard, it made me really realise that I am now so far away from them... Especially with kids, we see how quickly time goes by! Thank God, we do have web-cams now!!

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

Congratulations Jeroen! I hope they will tell you that you are approved soon!

Good to hear that you had a good time in France, Pam. It must be hard to leave again. I definitely do not look forward to that.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Well guess we have to start complaining again, that seemed to work.. my complaint this time is that the status at USCIS website isn't changing... it still says this (the date is kind of funny as it the NOA1 date, not the actual receiving date lol):

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: Case received and pending.

On December 9, 2008, we received this I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Grrr I WANNA KNOW FOR SURE!!! :'(

lol.. now lets wait and see when and if it changes

Edited March 18, 2009 by JeroenAndMichelle

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Congrats on the approval Jeroen! I'm glad your day seemed to be a little smoother than ours. I felt kind of guilty after I posted all the crappy stuff that happened to us right before your big day, contributing I'm sure, to your anxiety. Sorry! I'm glad to hear that all went well though.

Welcome home to you, Pam. It seems like you guys had a great time. I hope the US doesn't seem too boring now. I always find it a little hard to transition back to US life after being "home" in Costa Rica.

Any word on the EAD Rachel? I didn't realize you had to go back for Biometrics another time... crazy. Hope you hear something soon.

Thanks Cecile, and all the others who sent your kind words! We're thrilled to be done and wish a speedy finish to those coming up soon!

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Congrats on the approval Jeroen! I'm glad your day seemed to be a little smoother than ours. I felt kind of guilty after I posted all the crappy stuff that happened to us right before your big day, contributing I'm sure, to your anxiety. Sorry! I'm glad to hear that all went well though.

lol don't worry about it, I was indeed nervous but I doubt it was extra because of you guys

As for my approval.. I think I am approved yeah, had to sign a form about them notifying me for the conditional permanent resident thingie, and he explained how it would go on and such but he never really said that we were approved.. I think we were though as everything really looked that way but yah, I can only be really sure when I got the GC in my hand xD (and I would feel a bit more secure when the USCIS website would change the status of the application also lol)

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

OK I'm going to start complaining again this morning, thanks Jeroen for reminding me that a few months ago it worked! I want them to approve my case / send us an interview date / touch our case! I'm tired of waiting. (ok i'm not angry but I'm adding the smiley to add some power to the complaint )

[Cecile and Bryan 0]

well... not sure complaining today was such a great idea since I'm on our old computer that hasn't been used for 3 months (new one broke last Friday) and I didn't save the password for USCIS website on that one. And I don't want to have to change again! I'm not even sure of our username. Oh well, maybe they'll hear my complaint anyway

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

well... not sure complaining today was such a great idea since I'm on our old computer that hasn't been used for 3 months (new one broke last Friday) and I didn't save the password for USCIS website on that one. And I don't want to have to change again! I'm not even sure of our username. Oh well, maybe they'll hear my complaint anyway

Big chance you would have to change it also when you did use the computer during that period.. I already had to change my password for 4 or 5 times because of the USCIS password rules :/

[Levi_Heather 0]

Thought I'd pop in and say congrats on all the good news here Levi received his AP in the mail last night. Total surprise! His EAD card is in production as of the 17th which was the day he had his biometrics lol! No interview notice yet on the AOS but it was updated on the 17th also so maybe soon How many of us had our AOS transfered to CSC?