AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

[Beantownbabe 1]

How strange...I just got an e-mail from CRIS saying that they sent an Approval notice today, 3/12. I already received an approval notice and Welcome to America, so what are they talking about? I've had it all week!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Just a quick question, our case was mailed Oct 16. He received his EAD and AP in early January. His AOS is still pending, no interview date, no changes nothing. It is at the California center and he came on a K-1 visa.

I have noticed a lot of ppl who filed the same time, after us have received their green cards/had their interview.

Do you think it is too early to schedule an infopass appointment to check on his status?

We have a similiar timeline to you. Your case will most likely remain in California and you won't have an interview. Those cases are taking longer so I think it's a little early in my case. There's quite a lot of October filers who are at CSC without approval. There's still a number of people that filed in September who are still waiting on CSC. What is the date of the latest status update when you check USCIS? It seems like many CSC cases get "touched" then get approved a month or more later. Has your status date changed in late January or in Feb.?

[krsound 0]

Just a quick question, our case was mailed Oct 16. He received his EAD and AP in early January. His AOS is still pending, no interview date, no changes nothing. It is at the California center and he came on a K-1 visa.

I have noticed a lot of ppl who filed the same time, after us have received their green cards/had their interview.

Do you think it is too early to schedule an infopass appointment to check on his status?

We have a similiar timeline to you. Your case will most likely remain in California and you won't have an interview. Those cases are taking longer so I think it's a little early in my case. There's quite a lot of October filers who are at CSC without approval. There's still a number of people that filed in September who are still waiting on CSC. What is the date of the latest status update when you check USCIS? It seems like many CSC cases get "touched" then get approved a month or more later. Has your status date changed in late January or in Feb.?

We also have about the same timeline, but the difference with us is that the AP or EAD hasn't been touched either. I tried to call USCIS yesterday, but my wife wasn't home at the time and she had to be present for them to talk to me. I will try again today with her. Congrats on all the approvals!!!! Keep the rest of us in mind while you're celebrating.

[Kang Lang 7]

How strange...I just got an e-mail from CRIS saying that they sent an Approval notice today, 3/12. I already received an approval notice and Welcome to America, so what are they talking about? I've had it all week!

first GOOD LUCK COURTANDGREY!!!

bean...we got an approval notice last saturday and what makes it more odd is that my husband has had his gc in hand for a month already? i wouldn't worry about it.

[Rosie74 0]

Just dropping by to say our interview is tomorrow! I think we've got everything put together and aren't expecting trouble, but it's hard not to be nervous anyway...

We'll report back soon with (hopefully) the good news!

Hope you guys are all doing well!

Good luck! Let us know how it went!

[Rosie74 0]

How strange...I just got an e-mail from CRIS saying that they sent an Approval notice today, 3/12. I already received an approval notice and Welcome to America, so what are they talking about? I've had it all week!

The Aprroval Notice is Form I-797D, which is the form that contains the card!! They just mailed you the Card!! Whoo Hoo!! :dance:

[Beantownbabe 1]

How strange...I just got an e-mail from CRIS saying that they sent an Approval notice today, 3/12. I already received an approval notice and Welcome to America, so what are they talking about? I've had it all week!

The Aprroval Notice is Form I-797D, which is the form that contains the card!! They just mailed you the Card!! Whoo Hoo!! :dance:

Are you serious?!!! WoooHoooooo! That would be FABULOUS! I hope you're right, Rosie - come to think of it, you must be because I got the same "we sent an approval..." and it was actually my EAD! Yay!

[Rosie74 0]

Are you serious?!!! WoooHoooooo! That would be FABULOUS! I hope you're right, Rosie - come to think of it, you must be because I got the same "we sent an approval..." and it was actually my EAD! Yay!

Exactly! I still have the form that came with my EAD (Form I-797D), that came right after the "Approval Notice Sent" email (see my timeline below).. and that IS the card!

Congratulations!!

[triniredbone 0]

CourtAndGrey,

Hope everything goes well for you guys tomorrow..Bring bacc some good news.

Just dropping by to say our interview is tomorrow! I think we've got everything put together and aren't expecting trouble, but it's hard not to be nervous anyway...

We'll report back soon with (hopefully) the good news!

Hope you guys are all doing well!

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Hi friends,

Well I'm glad to say we are APPROVED but it didn't come without a struggle. We honestly weren't that nervous when it came down to it, but perhaps we should have been.

Our interview was scheduled for 2:30 and we arrived at 1:45, went through security, got checked in, then started waiting. We noticed about an hour later that a lot of the people who had come in after us were going through, getting their interviews, and leaving as we waited and waited. Finally around 3:30 we inquired with one of the people who came out to call a name, and the very rude IO told me to sit back down and that our name would be called when it was our turn. He ignored the part about me saying we had been there nearly two hours. We kept waiting and around 4:15 Greivin inquired with a different IO that came out to call a name and she commented that we had in fact been there a long time (she had seen us several times when she came out to call other names). She checked on our case and told us we would be next and that there had been a mix up. We looked around to find only one other person left waiting. The door opened, an IO came out, and called not us, but the ONLY other lady sitting and waiting. GRRRR. Finally another IO came out and called the name of a woman who was obviously not there. We laughed (annoyingly) and he asked our names and came back in about 5 minutes and said he would take us back. FINALLY.

He was friendly enough, but didn't seem to care we had been waiting FOREVER. He started us with an oath then began asking Greivin some questions. Greivin is not a native English speaker, and the IO started firing crazy questions at him, most he didn't understand without any context, so he immediately got nervous. "Are you a spy?", "Are you a communist?", "Do you have ties to terrorists?", and "How many crimes have you gotten away with?" Greivin was so confused and was trying to answer honestly, but the guy just kept firing questions at him. Finally, the IO let me explain each thing to greivin, in english slowly, and he was able to understand and answer each one.

He then wanted to see wedding pictures. He held up our album and asked ME about the people in the pictures. (I thought that was strange too, cause chances are, if the people are white, they are related to me and I would know them. It would seem to be more useful to ask the foreign guy who the white people are if he was really hoping to see if we were legit... but whatever).

He then asked how we met and when we got engaged. He didn't like that we didn't have an "engagement date" and he thought that we got married "awfully fast." (We dated for a year and a half before we got married, and we've known each other for like 4 years. GRRR.)

Then we got into previous visa issues. He asked about previous visa applications that had been denied and Greivin told him Yes, he had applied for a tourist visa before. He was denied on lack of evidence, so he applied again several months later with all the evidence they wanted, and was denied again. After that, it was only the K1 Visa application, and that one was approved. The IO then started asking him about why he wanted to come here so bad, and asked Greivin if he had come on a Tourist Visa, would he have married me in the US and failed to return to Costa Rica. Greivin was like "... uhh... no, probably not, but I don't know, it didn't happen. I came on a K1 Visa and I was allowed to get married." He then asked me why we were so desperate for a visa. I nervously explained that Greivin's village sees a lot of visitors from the Seattle area (educational study abroad programs go there) and that he has a lot of friends here in Seattle. I said that Greivin not only wanted to visit me, but to see his friends, and also get to see this country in the event him and I continued with our serious relationship and someday planned to live together here. The IO grumbled and said alright.

I asked if he wanted to see more evidence, more pictures, or any of the papers I had brought. He said he had everything in his file, and that although he wasn't happy about the "visa issues" he would approve us. Then he started making stupid small talk which I felt was like another trick or something, but he stamped our forms and said congratulations, so we packed our things and got the heck out of there!

So I guess we are happy about the Approval, but man, it was exhausting! The main tip I would have is to be prepared for the crazy "spy" questions at the beginning, especially to those who are still learning their English. Also, be prepared to talk about any Tourist Visa denials. Apparently that made us look a little suspicious when we obviously have nothing to hide. Craziness. Anyway, it's done, and we are USCIS free for 2 years, WAHOO!

Thanks for all your encouragement guys, and good luck to those who are up next!

[Canadianmade 1]

Hey everyone how are you guys? CONGRADS to the recent approvals, getting their welcome letter and green cards . Thanks to the people who shared their interview experience with everyone and glad to hear that everyones experience went well. Update on me, I am still around guys, I just recently moved to a new apartment and have been busy with my new job as a nurses aid so that has been taking alot of my time and plus we dont have the internet till Saturday since we just moved in. Inregards to immigration still havent heard a god damn word yet about my interview since, it has been 5 weeks and still nothing. I wonder how long the madness is going to continue. Anyways guys glad to hear everyones success stories and to those still struggling with USCIS like myself, keep your head up and all we be well in the end. I do hate USCIS for the record guys, seriously with a passion, I think its unbelievable they have done this to many people including me on my status, really f***** up. Anyways guys, I will be back in full swing on Saturday so will let you know if any news has come up.

[Beantownbabe 1]

Oh boy...what an azzhole! Congratulations anyway, the main thing is you were approved!

[Mehmet.Turkey 0]

Hi everyone i ve got my WELCOME LETTER IN MAIL TODAY ALONG WITH I130 APPROVAL NOW WAITING FOR THE GREEN CART

10/21/08 (Day 0) - Application Sent (I-130, I-485/I-864/I-693, I-765)

10/22/08 (Day 1) - Received Date (USPS over night)

10/29/08 (Day 8) - Check Cashed

10/30/08 (Day 9) – Received NOA (I130-I485-I765) Dated 10/31/08

10/31/08 (Day 9) - I130, I765, ONLINE BUT I485

11/02/08 (Day 12)- Received Biometrics appointment scheduled 11/15/08

11/07/08 (Day 17)- Biometrics Done Early walking in Norridge,Illinois

11/17/08 (Day 27)- Request for Evidence letter for I485 (they were asking for I94 Arrival record) It took 5 days to arrive online letter was sent 11/12/08

11/18/08 (Day 28)- Request Evidence is I94 sent along with I20,( I was a student), NON immigrant visa page on the passport, also, approval letter of F1 status, because i changed my status after i came to USA.

01/07/09 (Day 108) Card Production Order (Received email at 8:20) EAD

01/14/09 (Day 115) Card Production Ordered (another email saying EAD ordered again)

01/14/09 (Day 115)Interview Received March 9 at 11:00am Chicago office

01/16/09 (Day 117) EAD Received in the mail

03/09/09 Interview in Chicago (Day 169)

03/09/09 APPROVED (Day 169)

03/12/09 WELCOME LETTER RECEVIED I130 APPROVEL RECEIVED IN MAIL (Day 172)

[Fuzzymiss 2]

Got my welcome letter and I-130 approval notice yesterday..it says to carry the green card when it arrives with me at all times...bit scary huh? Think I'll put it in a safe place, knowing me I'll lose my purse with it inside....

[Kang Lang 7]

what an awful experience but congrats courtandgrey! 21months free of the uscis.

canadianmade we're all still with you man!