Successful Step Number One!!!!

[babyshaq4 0]

Guys, first off, I’m sorry to have kept everyone waiting and worrying about me. Yesterday ranks as one of the best days of my life. My wife, my son, my father-in-law, my mother-in-law and I left Tuesday afternoon for Pittsburgh, PA where my interview was to be held. I don’t think I slept for 2 hours the night before, but I wasn’t nervous or worried about anything. Instead, I prayed almost all night long.

My interview was scheduled for 10AM and my lawyer was supposed to meet me at 9:30AM. I got at the DHS building at 9:10AM, and chose to sit in the car to wait for my lawyer. At 9:55AM my lawyer was still a no show, so, my wife and I made the decision to go in without our lawyer. We went through security (VERY NICE PEOPLE) and then rode the elevator up to the waiting room where about ten other people were already waiting. I kept my appointment notice with me, hoping that my lawyer would show up any minute. While waiting on my lawyer, I went in the hallway to call her. On my way back to the waiting room, I ran into a gentleman in the hallway and struck up a friendly conversation just to say, “Hi, how are you doing?” From the window of the waiting room I could see the parking lot. At 10:10AM, I saw my lawyer arrive. She was in a hurry, running up the sidewalk to make her way through security. It was at that point that I went to the window to give my appointment notice to the secretary. My lawyer got upstairs at about 10:15AM. I introduced her to my in laws, then sat and talked while we waited for our turn. She was so apologetic for being late and explained why. She had had car trouble that morning, and then there was a bad accident on the interstate. I know things happen and I told her it was ok. While waiting, the office door opened twice. The first time, an Asian man came out with a big smile on his face and told everyone in the waiting room, “I passed!!!” What an exciting day for him, too!

Finally, the door opened to the waiting room, and a gentleman looked right at me. He said, “Mr. Babo.” It was at that point that my wife, my lawyer, and I rose from our seats and followed this gentleman to his office. Did I mention that this man was the same one that I had spoken briefly with in the hallway? He was so nice. I cannot stress enough how kind he was. He was very easy to talk to, and laughed a lot and made it easy to approach him with any questions that we had about the visa process. It was nothing like my wife expected at all. We were in an office, just a basic office. The interviewing officer sat behind his desk, opened my file, and began to talk about how the interview process would go.

He immediately informed us that he would not be able to recommend approval of the I-485 because only a judge can make a decision about that in my case. He then asked to see proof of our marriage, such as bills with both of our names on them. I showed him a couple bills like this and also showed him paperwork from my wife’s nursing agency showing that I am covered under her healthcare insurance and am the primary beneficiary of her life insurance policy. I went prepared, and was able to give him a copy of each paper. We talked for a few minutes, telling him how we met and ended up getting married. He already knew that my wife and I had lost our firstborn son. He also made it apparent that he knew about my order of removal. He did not make a big deal out of it, just mentioned that he knew about it and that’s why he couldn’t make a decision about the I-485.

Then, it was time for the interview questions. He looked at my wife and said, “Ma’am, I’m going to ask you a few simple questions about him that you should know.” The questions he asked of her were: What is his middle name? Where was he born? What is his birth date? She was amazing and quickly responded correctly. He then looked at me and said, “Sir, now I’ll ask you some simple questions that you should know about your wife.” He asked me: What is her middle name? Where was she born? When was she born? Where were we married and when? That was it for the interview questions…not difficult or intimidating at all!!! He looked at our son’s birth certificate and his passport, then said, “Well, I can see that your marriage is real.” We let him know that we had a lot of pictures and other proof of our marriage’s validity, but he said he didn’t need to see hat. He gave us a letter stating the reason why he couldn’t deal with the I-485, then told us that he approved our interview.

By Friday, his boss will review my case file and check for any errors that the officer might have made. (I really don’t think he or she will find anything wrong). Then, sometime next week, I will receive my letter of approval in the mail.

Let me recommend something to you guys. I know you probably have heard others say that your congressman and senators can really help your case if they get involved. Let me say that this is very true. We live in WV, and we have two Senators in DC. Senator Jay Rockefeller’s office was contacted, and I speak often with his Director of Constituent Services. On our way home, just minutes after leaving the DHS, I called Rockefeller’s DCS to let him know how the interview went. His response was, “They already called me to let me know that you were there for your appointment.” So let me just say, I think these dignified individuals have more say in these cases than they let on.

I told my wife that all this happened because of the grace of God and the prayers of friends I have in this forum. You guys have never even met me, but you are going through this hard journey with me. From the bottom of my heart, I want to tell all of you guys thank you and ask you to keep praying for me and my family. This was the first of three steps I have to take on my journey to becoming legal. The next one is my Motion to Reopen and the last one will be my day in court.

Please, if you think I have forgotten any details, don’t hesitate to ask me. Again, thank you guys so much!!!!

[Zee Bee 61]

Thank you for sharing your story

Congratulations

[Diazy 10]

Congratulations!!!!!! You deserved the approval!

[edp333 9]

Thanks for sharing such an interesting story.

[phoenixwine22 0]

Oh BabyShaq4 what a WONDERFUL interview you had!!

Congratulations!!

What a nice gentleman, and believe me it was NO coincidence that you got to talk to him before you went in the interview, God put him out there in the hall, for him to get to talk to you as a person, without the 'interview' setting

Oh I am so happy for you!!

God Bless You!!

Let us know how the I-485 goes, but no doubt it will be more good News!!

[Jasman0717 9]

Congratulations Good post

[j.kevs 0]

CONGRATULATIONS...THATS SO NICE OF YOU ALSO TO SHARE SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE IN FULL DETAILS.

I GUESS THE ONLY SECRET FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS JOURNEY IS THE WORD "GENUINE"!

IF THE MARRIAGE IS REAL WE HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY NO MATTER HOW HARD THE JOURNEY IS....

CONGRATS AGAIN.

[CARIBBEANGIRL04 0]

CONGRATULATIONS...THATS SO NICE OF YOU ALSO TO SHARE SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE IN FULL DETAILS.

I GUESS THE ONLY SECRET FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS JOURNEY IS THE WORD "GENUINE"!

IF THE MARRIAGE IS REAL WE HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY NO MATTER HOW HARD THE JOURNEY IS....

CONGRATS AGAIN.

Congrats friend,

I too write to my senators. Hopefully it helps

[Thai family 0]

Congratulations!! Thanks for updating us. I was wondering how it went and will pray that all continues to go well.

Blessings,

Thai Mom

Edited January 28, 2009 by Thai family