NY Garden City Interview today

[Cam D 0]

Hi all,

We had a successful interview today at Garden City, NY.

Previous posts have already talked about the lack of a PA system and to sit near the entrance of the main waiting room (pink seats we were told).

Our interview time was 1.30. We arrived about 12.30 and was called into the 2nd floor waiting room soon after 1. We were called in for the interview about 2.30, sat down at the officer's desk and he left......... we would have been in his office by ourselves for over 5mins while we observed an "approved" stamp on the desk. We resisted the temptation.

The interviewer was void of personality and didn't even introduce himself. It all went very methodically. He asked for 3 photos from the wedding, 3 since the wedding, some bills and bank statement. He also took my vacc. supplement that I had done 2 weeks ago (at civil surgeon) and our new Affidavit of Support.

My USC wife was asked the most questions re. when/how we met, how long we had been dating, where we got married and about my sibling(s). I was asked about my wife's siblings.

We had the option of waiting for another hour for the passport stamp (obviously not the one on his desk then!) or leaving and waiting for the card to arrive via mail. We choose to get out of there and put our faith in usps...... I asked whether my background check had been done, and he said we wouldn't be there for the interview if it hadn't been done........ by the sounds of other VJers, this is not necessarily the case.

There was no "welcome to America" or advice re. removal of conditions in 21 months time, just a very monotone "congratulations".

Mission accomplished.

Thanks to all on here for sharing your experiences. It has been a tremendous source. All the very best in your cases and life in the states.

CD

[camaleon 0]

[chagalafamilia 0]

CONGRATULATIONS.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Congratulations...... hope your Greencard arrives soon..

Kezzie

[govols 0]

Congratulations! Glad it went smoothly for you! Now relax for a couple of years!

Karen

[PrinceandPrincess 0]

Congrats!

[Paul and Melanie 0]

Congratulations!

[Gatorfan 0]

Congratulations.

[Golf nuts 0]

Congrat; and I also had the interview at Garden City yesterday (June 12) and it went smoothly!

Our appointments was 12:31 and 1:01 and we arrived at 12:00 (two interviews because one for me and one for my kid from my previous marriage). We were asked to wait at the front. The interview letter said 2nd floor but we ended up being interviewed on the 1st floor... kind of confusing at fisrt. We didn't get called until 2:30pm so kind of a long wait.

Anyway, the interview actually went smoothly. The first thing he noticed was that I was married to my USC wife in May 2000 - 6 years ago. He did ask us how we met so I told him we worked for the same company outside of US etc etc.

And then my wife told him that we have actually forgotten about our wedding anniversary this year since we were very busy moving to our new home and we only remembered it last Friday when we were collecting paper works for the interview He looked at my wife with a witty smile and say is your husband in trouble or what? He then asked me whether the house is in both our names and I say yes and show him the title transfer documents and insurance policy. That really is the only document he retained to proof our relationship, he didn't even look at any pictures we bring. I guess it was because we were married for so long. He then asked me whether I have been a communist or terrorist and I answered so seriously my wife and kid just laughed. The officer say well unfortunately he has to ask that question and he told my son I have some very tough question coming for you young man

He then asked for my 2005 W2 and tax return. Since I am the one who work so I'm kind of like sponsoring myself, he said we need a co-sponsor although I make way more than enough. Luckily we thought of that and have my brother-in-law to be a co-sponsor. He joke that if I quit my job, my wife will have to work again or my brother-in-law will have to feed us. He's a fun guy.

Anyway, that's about it, he wrote something on our passport and say the green card will arrive between 6 - 8 weeks.

I'm glad that the whole thing from filing the form to the interview is only 6 months. I initially thought that it will take at least a year so now its one thing off my mind.

May 2000 - married to my wife

Jul 2004 - intracompany transfer to US under L-1 visa valid till Jul 2007

Dec 2005 - mail I485, I130 for me and our kid

Jan 2006 - reciept notice and check cashed.

Jan 2006 - they have my last name spelled wrong in the notice, call them and mail them a letter to correct it.

Feb 2006 - notice to do finger print; same month went and did the finger print. The name is still wrong so I call them again.

Mar 2006 - received notice for interview - name is still wrong btw so I call them once again.

May 2006 - moved to new home, call them and send them AR-11 to change address.

May 2006 - recieved notice that they have changed my address, this time my last name is finally corrected.

Jun 12 2006 - AOS interview at Garden City NY.

DONE, now just wait for the green card and hope that my name is spelled right.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Congratulations to you both!

[Luz & Mark 0]

congrats and thank you for sharing your experience.

[nyc 0]

COngrats!

Yes, they're not really joking around...

I tried it once with the officer in Newark, who was checking out my papers and the AP at the border.

She pronounced my name perfectly so I said: "wow, you pronounced my name so well..."

You know what she said after hearing that?

"you can go now."

Wow... then I just understood and decided I'm never even gonna attempt half joking with them!

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

Congratulations

[Peter Miami 0]

[CanGal 1]

Congrats to both of you! Glad to hear that things were successful for you!!