sending letter to request that my interview not be during July

[chantpleure 0]

Hi all,

I'm going home for the month of July to have a wedding ceremony there with my family. When we filed originally and I requested AP I put the dates I was planning on being away in with the AP request. I also think that I should send a letter to USCIS telling them I will be away during July and requesting them to not call me for interview during this time, so I have drafted a letter and wondered if you could tell me whether it's ok or not:

To Whom It May Concern

filed form I-485, an application to adjust status on December 22^nd 2008 and received a receipt for this action on December 31^st 2008. I am anticipating being called for an interview to conclude this petition but am going to be away for the month of July so request that an interview be set up either before I leave in June 2009 or when I return in August 2009.

Is this ok?

Edited May 21, 2009 by chantpleure

[vanee 13]

I did something similar. I requested that they either give us a date to plan around or not schedule our interview in February because of an important family event. I explained the importance of the event in the letter. We didn't get a response to that letter until shortly before our interview, but we didn't have our interview in February. We received a letter in March giving us a May interview date.

If I were you, I'd explain why you're going to be away in July so that they'll see that it isn't for a vacation that could be rescheduled. Most people understand the importance of weddings.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

I seriously doubt that it will ever reach your case folder. IMO, it's a waste of a postage stamp.

[vanee 13]

Personally, I would take a gamble on that postage stamp. The letter I wrote may have contributed to our application being delayed, but that February event was very important, and I would've done whatever it took to make sure that the interview didn't conflict with it. A letter and a postage stamp is an easy place to start.

Chantpleure, I'd also include the exact dates of the trip if you know them plus maybe a day or 2 on each end of it as you probably won't be available on those dates either.

[chantpleure 0]

I seriously doubt that it will ever reach your case folder. IMO, it's a waste of a postage stamp.

Well, there is this but also it's a way of covering my ####### just in case my interview IS scheduled for July and I am away and miss it, then I can say, look-I sent you a letter, here is the receipt number saying it was delivered on this day.

[TayRivers 4]

I seriously doubt that it will ever reach your case folder. IMO, it's a waste of a postage stamp.

Well, there is this but also it's a way of covering my ####### just in case my interview IS scheduled for July and I am away and miss it, then I can say, look-I sent you a letter, here is the receipt number saying it was delivered on this day.

If you miss the interview you will get a letter of denial. your receipt of delivery will not change the denial. your wedding does not take a whole month, you would be much better to plan that if the interview happens durring the time you are out of the US you fly back and attend the interview.

As far as USCIS is concerned you are already married so anything you are planning is a party and not as important as your immigration status.

Others have tried ro delay interview dates or re-schedule interview date and all have ended up with a letter of denial and 30 days to leave the USA or file a motion to re-open at a cost of $$$.

Also remember if you were denied for not attending your interview and you are out of the country when they deny your AOS any AP or EAD becomes void. so you could find yourself refused re-entry and on the flight back to the country you just left.

Make a infopass appointment at your local USCIS and discuss with them options available as they will be the ones doing your interview.

[vanee 13]

Others have tried ro delay interview dates or re-schedule interview date and all have ended up with a letter of denial and 30 days to leave the USA or file a motion to re-open at a cost of $$$.

Actually, that isn't correct. I've read of at least 3 VJ members who were able to change their interview dates. One couple missed their scheduled interview because they remembered the date wrong, one spouse missed her flight back to the US just before the interview date, and I can't remember the details of the third one, but I'm pretty sure I read of at least one other situation. All were able to change their interview dates.

Yes, there have been horror stories about letters of denial, but that isn't the way it always happens. Just as there are horror stories of AOS interviews going badly. But most go well.

Make a infopass appointment at your local USCIS and discuss with them options available as they will be the ones doing your interview.

Personally, I'd write the letter first, keep a copy, get a delivery receipt, and then take all that to an Infopass appointment in a couple of weeks if you don't hear back by then.

If we'd received an interview date that fell during the days when we couldn't be there, I was going to make an Infopass appointment then with a copy of the letter I'd sent. But we didn't receive our interview date until later.

[TayRivers 4]

Yes there has been people who have been able to get another interview after the fact. but they still missed there interview and had all the hassle of sorting out the issue.

But hey the OP asked for information, I have given advice based on years of being on VJ under this user name and another. If the OP chooses to do what you have advised then that is her choice.

I was pointing out that trying to reschedule an interview or missing an intervew date can cause no end of issues that can take time to resolve.

But maybe you feel it is only best to give positive advice and ignore the risks involved.

If it were me in that situation I know exactly what choice I would be making.

[chantpleure 0]

Tay, I DID make an Infopass appointment and when I asked the IO what I could do about being away for July SHE was the one who told me to write a letter to them.

Thank you for your advice everyone however it is moot as I received my Interview letter today and it is scheduled for June 30th

[KPC 0]

Tay, I DID make an Infopass appointment and when I asked the IO what I could do about being away for July SHE was the one who told me to write a letter to them.

Thank you for your advice everyone however it is moot as I received my Interview letter today and it is scheduled for June 30th

Perfect timing! Good luck at the interview!

Edited May 21, 2009 by KPC

[vanee 13]

Yes there has been people who have been able to get another interview after the fact. but they still missed there interview and had all the hassle of sorting out the issue.

For some, it was as simple as a phone call. But I didn't suggest missing the interview. I agree with you that it wouldn't be wise to do that.

But hey the OP asked for information, I have given advice based on years of being on VJ under this user name and another. If the OP chooses to do what you have advised then that is her choice.

True. But I only told her what I would do, and it didn't involve ignoring any risks. I just talked about steps I would take to try to avoid having the interview conflict with the trip. There is zero risk in taking these steps to try to avoid a problem.

But maybe you feel it is only best to give positive advice and ignore the risks involved.

Again, I did not ignore the risks involved. There are no risks in trying to prevent a scheduling problem before it happens. I chose to discuss what could be done that might help.

If it were me in that situation I know exactly what choice I would be making.

Yup. Me too. I talked about the choices I made when I was in a similar situation. As with all threads here, it's the OP's decision how to proceed after reading different responses to her situation.

[vanee 13]

Thank you for your advice everyone however it is moot as I received my Interview letter today and it is scheduled for June 30th

That's great to hear. I know what a relief that is.

Be sure to ask for an I-551 stamp at the interview if you're approved right then.

Good luck!

[TayRivers 4]

Congrats on the interview date, Hope all goes well for you at the interview and have a wonderful wedding back home with your family.

[chantpleure 0]

Thank you!

However, my elation at receiving my interview letter soon evaporated after reading how the majority of people on here do not get a stamp in their passport and have their AP documents taken away from them at their interview.. one step forward, three steps back

[rebeccajo 14]

Thank you!

However, my elation at receiving my interview letter soon evaporated after reading how the majority of people on here do not get a stamp in their passport and have their AP documents taken away from them at their interview.. one step forward, three steps back

If you are approved that day, your AP is actually invalid (even if the officer forgets to take it).

I'd beg and plead for a stamp because of the impending travel.