AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

[Canadianmade 1]

Have you guys at least received your AP and EAD?

EAD yes ... never filed for the AP.

Oh ok, are you working right now? I also never filed for an AP because I was out of status and wished I did. I do hope to get my green card soon so I can visit Canda with my wife.

Mary is working, I'm the USC and got laid off recently. I do run my own company on the side so we still are doing ok.

I've broken down ... tomorrow I'm going to mail in AP with a rush plea. Just incase we dont' get the green card in time. It's almost been a month since our last touch and our original receipt date was back in October.

Oh ok what does Mary do for work? I am sorry to hear about you getting laid off, it is an awful economy right now and hope you do get something soon. What kind of company do you run? I didnt apply for an AP either and I am still waiting on my decision for my green card. I do hope you do get the AP expedited. USCIS is definately very inconsistent and I do hope you hear something soon and get your interview letter that you both have been waiting for so patiently.

[jonandmary 0]

Oh ok what does Mary do for work? I am sorry to hear about you getting laid off, it is an awful economy right now and hope you do get something soon. What kind of company do you run? I didnt apply for an AP either and I am still waiting on my decision for my green card. I do hope you do get the AP expedited. USCIS is definately very inconsistent and I do hope you hear something soon and get your interview letter that you both have been waiting for so patiently.

Mary has done retail management and is currently, but her schooling is more communications/PR. I do side consulting for web servers and applications. Remote administration/migrations on linux servers, etc.

I dont think we'll have another interview, we had one in Montreal for Mary's K1 visa. I just hope one day the I485 is just approved.

[Beantownbabe 1]

Hi everyone!!

I am very sorry I didn't get a chance to post much or update the sheet these past few days. I am having kind of a rough time at work.. they're talking lay offs and I just upset my boss so that doesn't help

So I'm spending most of my free time looking for alternatives. I have an opportunity in San Diego, CA, but they are waiting for me to let them know when I will be receiving my Green Card, since I don't want to move out there before I receive the actual card, so that's up in the air too until I get good news from USCIS.

So again, I'm sorry I haven't been updating the spreadsheet in a timely manner, I promise I'll try to do better.

Congratulations to all the approvals!! I am literally shocked by the number of approvals that are coming for us October filers! Canadianmade will be next, I can feel it!

Kimcorene, thank you for the list you've prepared, I will be using it to prepare mine! I see the secret's out now, so I can wish ALL THE BEST for you and your little one in public now

I have now updated the spreadsheet, please let me know if I've forgotten someone, I hope not!

Hi Rosie,

I've been wondering how you were! I hope things work out for you - good news is on it's way just a couple of weeks from now! I believe your interview is the day after mine? San Diego is calling your name and hopefully you will be there soon enough!

[ez2007 1]

Hi Guys

Just received our Green Cards in the mail this afternoon

Was checking USCIS website for the past weeks but still says case received and pending

Go go go October filers

[Beantownbabe 1]

Congratulations!!!!!

[tanyaru 3]

Congrats everyone on fresh approvals!!! Good luck to the coming interviews!!!

I've been oficially welcomed by USCIS yesterday

[Beantownbabe 1]

Hey you guys,

I was just looking around on the site and came across this interesting read on one of the other posts. We still have interviews coming up so maybe this will help some of us feel better prepared!

Congrats Tanyaru!

Worried about that scheduled marriage-based green card interview? Not sure what to expect from your examiner?

• Your burden is to prove (1) your believability (hint: being prepared is important!); and (2) genuineness of your marriage, as evidenced by children if any, joint tax returns, bills at a common living address, cross life-insurance policies, co-mingling of financial assets, wedding and other photos, and length of the relationship. USCIS relies on documents, documents, documents.

• Producing few documents may mean trouble. If you and your spouse live in different cities, you should produce airline itineraries, emails, exchanged cards, photos, and any other viable written documentation of your "commuting marriage."

• If the foreign spouse paid the American spouse to marry and be sponsored for the green card, then the green card will be denied. If there is a big age difference between spouses, expect to be grilled. If either spouse has been married multiple times, expect the same.

• According to the Field Adjudicator's Manual consulted by examining USCIS officials, the following are signs of a "sham marriage:" Large disparity of age; inability of petitioner and beneficiary to speak each other's language;vast difference in cultural and ethnic background;family and/or friends unaware of the marriage; marriage arranged by a third party; marriage contracted immediately following the beneficiary's apprehension or receipt of notification to depart the United States; discrepancies in statements on questions for which a husband and wife should have common knowledge; no cohabitation since marriage; beneficiary is a friend of the family; petitioner has filed previous petitions in behalf of aliens, especially prior alien spouses.

• If the alien spouse’s English is poor, take a translator.

• If the alien spouse has been arrested or convicted of a crime, don’t even think about attending the interview without procuring certified copies of all relevant police and court records and having them carefully examined by an experienced immigration lawyer. USCIS will require you to produce those same certified criminal records. So you might as well complete this task early!

• Men should wear slacks and collared shirts. Women should wear dresses of appropriate style and length or pant suits.

• Take all your identification documents, including the foreign spouse’s EAD and passport. Take an original and legible photocopy of all proof-of-marriage documents so you can put your hands on them quickly if asked, without fumbling.

• Leave cell phones and other electronic devices in your car.

• Early-morning appointment? Good sign. The USCIS examiner will have lots of other appointments. He will want to get you out the door. Most MBGC interviews end happily after less than 15 minutes.

• Afternoon appointment? Potentially a bad sign. The examiner may have spotted holes in your pre-filed paperwork or other defects. Could be a lengthy interview.

• Your attitude is the most important thing you will take into your interview. Preparation breeds confidence breeds optimism, enhancing your approval chances. This is not the same as plastering a smile on your face or ostentatiously holding hands.

• Listen carefully to the examiner. If you do not understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat it. Do not guess at answers. Do not volunteer information.

• At the start of the interview, you and your spouse will be sworn in. The examiner may turn on a video camera. He or she will ask you to be seated.

• Your examiner may or may not disclose his or her name. Get it! Ask politely. Have the examiner repeat the name if you did not hear it. Write it down or commit it to memory! This will be critical if your green card is denied.

• Young examiners may feel they have the most to prove. They may be overly-zealous, discourteous or even hostile. This is the exception. If it happens, shrug it off. Don’t get angry! To the contrary: Take a breath, stay calm, pause, and consider your answers even more carefully. Remember: Examiners have big caseloads and big pressure. They must make important decisions quickly. And they are often lied to.

• Expect the first minutes of your interview to be devoted to “housekeeping.” The examiner will ask for ID documents and may ask either spouse to confirm entries on the I-130, I-485 and G-325A forms. So memorize the most important info on those forms before the interview. Most critical: Date of your marriage, date of spouse’s admission into the U.S., and dates you began living together at your current and any earlier addresses.

• If the alien spouse is a Middle East male, expect tough questioning or worse.

• If you and your spouse are separated during the interview, you have a credibility problem. Typical treatment: The examiner may point to a wall calendar and ask both spouses (separately) how they spent the last seven days and where they spent the last seven nights. Either spouse may be asked to write down the other’s name and/or the name of the spouse’s parents, with correct spelling.

• If an examiner is convinced that the primary purpose of a marriage is to secure a green-card, he may accuse the U.S. spouse of “committing a crime” by filing green card paperwork for the foreign spouse. The trouble will “go away” if the spouse withdraws the I-130 petition. Or, the examiner may threaten an “ICE investigation.” Don’t give in to this bullying – and you should welcome an ICE investigation if your marriage is genuine.

• If the examiner approves the green card, the alien spouse’s passport will be stamped. Expect the green card to arrive by mail about two weeks later – unless the alien spouse remains tied up in lengthy “security checks” or USCIS lacks your correct address. The latter is your responsibility.

• If the examiner denies the green card, you will have the chance to renew the application before an immigration judge.

[Canadianmade 1]

Oh ok what does Mary do for work? I am sorry to hear about you getting laid off, it is an awful economy right now and hope you do get something soon. What kind of company do you run? I didnt apply for an AP either and I am still waiting on my decision for my green card. I do hope you do get the AP expedited. USCIS is definately very inconsistent and I do hope you hear something soon and get your interview letter that you both have been waiting for so patiently.

Mary has done retail management and is currently, but her schooling is more communications/PR. I do side consulting for web servers and applications. Remote administration/migrations on linux servers, etc.

I dont think we'll have another interview, we had one in Montreal for Mary's K1 visa. I just hope one day the I485 is just approved.

Oh ok cool I bet Mary is at least able to work right now and good for her. I do hope you do find a new job soon and I hope you guys do get approved without an interview and good luck to you guys in everything and I wish for the best in the end. I definately wouldnt want you guys to have a bad interview that you guys experienced at your K-1 visa interview.

Hi Guys

Just received our Green Cards in the mail this afternoon

Was checking USCIS website for the past weeks but still says case received and pending

Go go go October filers

CONGRADS ez2007 for getting your green card and I bet it must of been a good feeling to get the card in the mail. I dont understand, I guess there is something wrong with CRIS as I am still waiting on my decision of my interview which happened 15 days ago, not very happy about it.

Congrats everyone on fresh approvals!!! Good luck to the coming interviews!!!

I've been oficially welcomed by USCIS yesterday

Congrads tanyaru for getting your welcome to america letter.

[Canadianmade 1]

Hey you guys,

I was just looking around on the site and came across this interesting read on one of the other posts. We still have interviews coming up so maybe this will help some of us feel better prepared!

Congrats Tanyaru!

Worried about that scheduled marriage-based green card interview? Not sure what to expect from your examiner?

• Your burden is to prove (1) your believability (hint: being prepared is important!); and (2) genuineness of your marriage, as evidenced by children if any, joint tax returns, bills at a common living address, cross life-insurance policies, co-mingling of financial assets, wedding and other photos, and length of the relationship. USCIS relies on documents, documents, documents.

• Producing few documents may mean trouble. If you and your spouse live in different cities, you should produce airline itineraries, emails, exchanged cards, photos, and any other viable written documentation of your "commuting marriage."

• If the foreign spouse paid the American spouse to marry and be sponsored for the green card, then the green card will be denied. If there is a big age difference between spouses, expect to be grilled. If either spouse has been married multiple times, expect the same.

• According to the Field Adjudicator's Manual consulted by examining USCIS officials, the following are signs of a "sham marriage:" Large disparity of age; inability of petitioner and beneficiary to speak each other's language;vast difference in cultural and ethnic background;family and/or friends unaware of the marriage; marriage arranged by a third party; marriage contracted immediately following the beneficiary's apprehension or receipt of notification to depart the United States; discrepancies in statements on questions for which a husband and wife should have common knowledge; no cohabitation since marriage; beneficiary is a friend of the family; petitioner has filed previous petitions in behalf of aliens, especially prior alien spouses.

• If the alien spouse’s English is poor, take a translator.

• If the alien spouse has been arrested or convicted of a crime, don’t even think about attending the interview without procuring certified copies of all relevant police and court records and having them carefully examined by an experienced immigration lawyer. USCIS will require you to produce those same certified criminal records. So you might as well complete this task early!

• Men should wear slacks and collared shirts. Women should wear dresses of appropriate style and length or pant suits.

• Take all your identification documents, including the foreign spouse’s EAD and passport. Take an original and legible photocopy of all proof-of-marriage documents so you can put your hands on them quickly if asked, without fumbling.

• Leave cell phones and other electronic devices in your car.

• Early-morning appointment? Good sign. The USCIS examiner will have lots of other appointments. He will want to get you out the door. Most MBGC interviews end happily after less than 15 minutes.

• Afternoon appointment? Potentially a bad sign. The examiner may have spotted holes in your pre-filed paperwork or other defects. Could be a lengthy interview.

• Your attitude is the most important thing you will take into your interview. Preparation breeds confidence breeds optimism, enhancing your approval chances. This is not the same as plastering a smile on your face or ostentatiously holding hands.

• Listen carefully to the examiner. If you do not understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat it. Do not guess at answers. Do not volunteer information.

• At the start of the interview, you and your spouse will be sworn in. The examiner may turn on a video camera. He or she will ask you to be seated.

• Your examiner may or may not disclose his or her name. Get it! Ask politely. Have the examiner repeat the name if you did not hear it. Write it down or commit it to memory! This will be critical if your green card is denied.

• Young examiners may feel they have the most to prove. They may be overly-zealous, discourteous or even hostile. This is the exception. If it happens, shrug it off. Don’t get angry! To the contrary: Take a breath, stay calm, pause, and consider your answers even more carefully. Remember: Examiners have big caseloads and big pressure. They must make important decisions quickly. And they are often lied to.

• Expect the first minutes of your interview to be devoted to “housekeeping.” The examiner will ask for ID documents and may ask either spouse to confirm entries on the I-130, I-485 and G-325A forms. So memorize the most important info on those forms before the interview. Most critical: Date of your marriage, date of spouse’s admission into the U.S., and dates you began living together at your current and any earlier addresses.

• If the alien spouse is a Middle East male, expect tough questioning or worse.

• If you and your spouse are separated during the interview, you have a credibility problem. Typical treatment: The examiner may point to a wall calendar and ask both spouses (separately) how they spent the last seven days and where they spent the last seven nights. Either spouse may be asked to write down the other’s name and/or the name of the spouse’s parents, with correct spelling.

• If an examiner is convinced that the primary purpose of a marriage is to secure a green-card, he may accuse the U.S. spouse of “committing a crime” by filing green card paperwork for the foreign spouse. The trouble will “go away” if the spouse withdraws the I-130 petition. Or, the examiner may threaten an “ICE investigation.” Don’t give in to this bullying – and you should welcome an ICE investigation if your marriage is genuine.

• If the examiner approves the green card, the alien spouse’s passport will be stamped. Expect the green card to arrive by mail about two weeks later – unless the alien spouse remains tied up in lengthy “security checks” or USCIS lacks your correct address. The latter is your responsibility.

• If the examiner denies the green card, you will have the chance to renew the application before an immigration judge.

A very interesting find Beantownbabe, I am pretty sure everything will go fine at your interview. Still on the wait and I am on day 15 of hearing nothing, getting really pissed about it to be honest.

[Beantownbabe 1]

Sorry to hear that Canadianmade - it's like inhumane treatment to just keep you guys in the dark and waiting like this! Seems to me that out of the blue you will just get word via e-mail that your greencard is on it's way. At least I hope that's what will happen. I just can't believe you STILL haven't heard one way or the other. Un-freakin-believable! I keep saying it, keep ya head up!

[Canadianmade 1]

Sorry to hear that Canadianmade - it's like inhumane treatment to just keep you guys in the dark and waiting like this! Seems to me that out of the blue you will just get word via e-mail that your greencard is on it's way. At least I hope that's what will happen. I just can't believe you STILL haven't heard one way or the other. Un-freakin-believable! I keep saying it, keep ya head up!

Tell me about it Beantownbabe, I dont know what to say anymore honestly, I dont understand why it is taking so long to hear a correspondence from USCIS about our decision, I mean I think we do at least deserve that and not keep us in the dark like this, I dont wish this on anyone honestly. I am really hoping it wont be bad news but good news and I do want it to be one of those things that I hear my decision 6 months later, I would go through the roof if that happens and day by day I am thinking that is what is going to happen. I hope everything will be for the good but this has to be very unnormal to have to wait this long for a decision, we had nothing to work with at all, no time frame nothing. I admit I am abit jealous but happy that everyone in here got their approvals and got their green cards and welcome to america letters, I wouldnt wish this on anyone. Actually we have decided to write our congressman and sent it by mail this morning to find out something, I mean this is redicilous. The memory that sticks in my mind and I find the funniest is the lady who interviewed us insinuated that I came into the US illegally because I didnt have any stamps in my passport, well Canadians usually dont get stamps on our passports if you are arriving by land border and Toronto is 4.5hrs away from Ohio lol, unbelieveable. Thank you for continuing to support the both of us and will let you guys know when we find something out.

[Beantownbabe 1]

Sorry to hear that Canadianmade - it's like inhumane treatment to just keep you guys in the dark and waiting like this! Seems to me that out of the blue you will just get word via e-mail that your greencard is on it's way. At least I hope that's what will happen. I just can't believe you STILL haven't heard one way or the other. Un-freakin-believable! I keep saying it, keep ya head up!

Tell me about it Beantownbabe, I dont know what to say anymore honestly, I dont understand why it is taking so long to hear a correspondence from USCIS about our decision, I mean I think we do at least deserve that and not keep us in the dark like this, I dont wish this on anyone honestly. I am really hoping it wont be bad news but good news and I do want it to be one of those things that I hear my decision 6 months later, I would go through the roof if that happens and day by day I am thinking that is what is going to happen. I hope everything will be for the good but this has to be very unnormal to have to wait this long for a decision, we had nothing to work with at all, no time frame nothing. I admit I am abit jealous but happy that everyone in here got their approvals and got their green cards and welcome to america letters, I wouldnt wish this on anyone. Actually we have decided to write our congressman and sent it by mail this morning to find out something, I mean this is redicilous. The memory that sticks in my mind and I find the funniest is the lady who interviewed us insinuated that I came into the US illegally because I didnt have any stamps in my passport, well Canadians usually dont get stamps on our passports if you are arriving by land border and Toronto is 4.5hrs away from Ohio lol, unbelieveable. Thank you for continuing to support the both of us and will let you guys know when we find something out.

I can certainly understand the mixed feelings when people are lucky enough to have had a smooth ride - it's perfectly normal and anyone here would agree! We can all sympathize that's for sure. I don't think it's the norm either to have to wait like you are doing and like you said, with no timeframe. It's cruel, that's what it is! I think it's a good thing that you wrote to your congressman and hopefully that will give you a little luck and spur your approval letter to mysteriously turn up! Well, no-one knows what the hold up is, but it would only take a bit of checking around to know that you don't need stamps when you come from Canada. You'd think that someone doing that job would/should know that, right? Like I said though, who knows what the hold up is. I read somewhere that you can get held up a little in the name check part of things - maybe that's what it is...We could go round in circle and still never know so you're just going to have to hurry up and keep waiting for now. I wish I had words of wisdom for you, but I just don't know what these people are up to! Keep dreaming of Canada though, cos you'll be visiting soon enough!

[Canadianmade 1]

Sorry to hear that Canadianmade - it's like inhumane treatment to just keep you guys in the dark and waiting like this! Seems to me that out of the blue you will just get word via e-mail that your greencard is on it's way. At least I hope that's what will happen. I just can't believe you STILL haven't heard one way or the other. Un-freakin-believable! I keep saying it, keep ya head up!

Tell me about it Beantownbabe, I dont know what to say anymore honestly, I dont understand why it is taking so long to hear a correspondence from USCIS about our decision, I mean I think we do at least deserve that and not keep us in the dark like this, I dont wish this on anyone honestly. I am really hoping it wont be bad news but good news and I do want it to be one of those things that I hear my decision 6 months later, I would go through the roof if that happens and day by day I am thinking that is what is going to happen. I hope everything will be for the good but this has to be very unnormal to have to wait this long for a decision, we had nothing to work with at all, no time frame nothing. I admit I am abit jealous but happy that everyone in here got their approvals and got their green cards and welcome to america letters, I wouldnt wish this on anyone. Actually we have decided to write our congressman and sent it by mail this morning to find out something, I mean this is redicilous. The memory that sticks in my mind and I find the funniest is the lady who interviewed us insinuated that I came into the US illegally because I didnt have any stamps in my passport, well Canadians usually dont get stamps on our passports if you are arriving by land border and Toronto is 4.5hrs away from Ohio lol, unbelieveable. Thank you for continuing to support the both of us and will let you guys know when we find something out.

I can certainly understand the mixed feelings when people are lucky enough to have had a smooth ride - it's perfectly normal and anyone here would agree! We can all sympathize that's for sure. I don't think it's the norm either to have to wait like you are doing and like you said, with no timeframe. It's cruel, that's what it is! I think it's a good thing that you wrote to your congressman and hopefully that will give you a little luck and spur your approval letter to mysteriously turn up! Well, no-one knows what the hold up is, but it would only take a bit of checking around to know that you don't need stamps when you come from Canada. You'd think that someone doing that job would/should know that, right? Like I said though, who knows what the hold up is. I read somewhere that you can get held up a little in the name check part of things - maybe that's what it is...We could go round in circle and still never know so you're just going to have to hurry up and keep waiting for now. I wish I had words of wisdom for you, but I just don't know what these people are up to! Keep dreaming of Canada though, cos you'll be visiting soon enough!

Yeah I have no clue what it is and you would think whatever it was, I would be told what to expect or be given some sort of signs something. It is absouletly cruel indeed to make people wait so long to hear a decision after the interview, I think there should be a rule that you should at least know at the interview or at least 2 weeks after the interview of your decision. I do hope that letter to the congressman will spark the asses of USCIS and give us some answers and approve our case. I am pretty down because my wifes and moms b-day is on the same day, Feb 24, and we did have plans to go down there to celebrate their birthdays together, but that is obviously looking like that wont happen . They should know the answers of circumstances of each countries, and honestly how can someone from Canada or anywhere else come into the US illegally that is so impposible. I guess they think I swam across Niagara Falls to Ohio or something. I am envious that some peoples process was smooth sailing and for a minute mine was as well but it got derailed for some unappearent reason. I mean 15 days to hear a decision is insane, like that doesnt help with a couples psychie at all n nor does it give anyone the opportunity to know or prepare for whatever the decision they made. I have no clue what it is and I am really pissed about it, I would think since they do this as a living they would put themselves in the immigrants and spouses shoes if it were them, but obviously theirs reality and not reality, they have no idea what people endure as they dont know them and only sees them once in their lives for 20min. I do hope we will get approved and as soon as I get my greencard we will go to Canada. Thank you Beantownbabe and I hope you dont have to go through this honestly. Congrads to all the Approvals and for those who have been waiting patiently I am so sorry you have to go through so much ####### with USCIS and things will look up, I know a tiny bit of how it feels.

[Rosie74 0]

Thanks alot Rosie and nice to hear from you again. I am sorry to hear what is going on in your current job and I do hope you do get that job opportunity in San Diego, what position is it you are going for if you dont mind me asking? I do hope to get my green card and tommorow I am on day 14

Thank you so much Canadianmade. I will be going for the same position I am right now, just a smaller office so I will probably do more than a specific task like I am doing now. I'm in the shipping industry so in the end it's all the same stuff

I can't belive you're still left there hanging. I am so sorry about this and I really believe good news are on the way to you, but it's really cruel the way they keep you hanging.

Keep us posted if you have any news (even a little "touch" on your application).

Rosie-

Sorry to hear about your job situation..but everything will work out..its in your favor.

Thank you so much SweetnSexc! I really appreciate it

[Rosie74 0]

Hi Rosie,

I've been wondering how you were! I hope things work out for you - good news is on it's way just a couple of weeks from now! I believe your interview is the day after mine? San Diego is calling your name and hopefully you will be there soon enough!

Thank you Beantownbabe

Yeah.. my mind was not really in the right place that past 10 days.. I've been wondering what to do about the job and now more than ever I need my Green card so I can move on!

Yeah, my interview is March 3rd, so less than 2 weeks now.. I'm so nervous!!

But thank you so much, you will be doing great at your inteview also, I know it!!

Hi Guys

Just received our Green Cards in the mail this afternoon

Was checking USCIS website for the past weeks but still says case received and pending

Go go go October filers

Congratulations!!!