February 2010 filers??

[EmVee 4]

Mine is Los Angeles. It seems weird that other people who submitted later or did biometrics later received their letters already.

Maybe my case is considered different or something? (I overstayed my visa).

Waiting waiting LOL

I'm the LA office as well. While I have got my interview, I was pretty frustrated in the beginning with USPS because our mail tends to be delayed. For example, the date that my interview letter was "mailed" or whatever, is over a week BEFORE the date I received the letter. This was true of all the letters I got. So either the LA office are pretty bad about getting their post out on time, or you and I live in areas where USPS work veeeeeery sloooooowly.

Don't worry about it being overstay, I was 2 months out of status by the time I mailed my paperwork. There were huge delays in getting his birth cert and my medical records, so there was nothing I could do about it. But it hasn't been an issue so far...

I'm sure you'll get something soon.

[LT.Nora 7]

I'm the LA office as well. While I have got my interview, I was pretty frustrated in the beginning with USPS because our mail tends to be delayed. For example, the date that my interview letter was "mailed" or whatever, is over a week BEFORE the date I received the letter. This was true of all the letters I got. So either the LA office are pretty bad about getting their post out on time, or you and I live in areas where USPS work veeeeeery sloooooowly.

Don't worry about it being overstay, I was 2 months out of status by the time I mailed my paperwork. There were huge delays in getting his birth cert and my medical records, so there was nothing I could do about it. But it hasn't been an issue so far...

I'm sure you'll get something soon.

I think its USCIS not bothering to mail it right away they just like to give the immigrants that extra tension while waiting LOL

And how about your online status of the application? Has it been updated that your interview is scheduled? Or is it still in the "Acceptance"?

I had a lawyer sent my documents in and she mentioned that she will try to get the interview waived. So maybe that's why?

I wonder if anybody ever got their interview waived? Or not have one at all?

[EmVee 4]

I think its USCIS not bothering to mail it right away they just like to give the immigrants that extra tension while waiting LOL

And how about your online status of the application? Has it been updated that your interview is scheduled? Or is it still in the "Acceptance"?

I had a lawyer sent my documents in and she mentioned that she will try to get the interview waived. So maybe that's why?

I wonder if anybody ever got their interview waived? Or not have one at all?

I don't even bother to check the online thing anymore, it's never changed from Initial Review, since the day I signed up for it. Absolutely ####### system. I'll log in right now and see what it says......

Nope. 485 is still on the Acceptance step, and the rest of them are still on Initial Review. I guess they don't like using their computers either, huh? Someone needs to fire a secretary in there somewhere, hehehe.

When we had the consult with that lawyer way back when she said that if we retained her services, she would try and have the interview conducted in her office. I don't know about waiving it, though. I've never read of anyone on here getting that.

[LT.Nora 7]

I don't even bother to check the online thing anymore, it's never changed from Initial Review, since the day I signed up for it. Absolutely ####### system. I'll log in right now and see what it says......

Nope. 485 is still on the Acceptance step, and the rest of them are still on Initial Review. I guess they don't like using their computers either, huh? Someone needs to fire a secretary in there somewhere, hehehe.

When we had the consult with that lawyer way back when she said that if we retained her services, she would try and have the interview conducted in her office. I don't know about waiving it, though. I've never read of anyone on here getting that.

So it is pointless to check online then LOL

I wonder if having a lawyer at the interview really changes anything?

[Nartaki 7]

I think the online/email/test message notifications are only to tell you that something has been mailed out or touched upon, but I think the "touch" aspect doesnt tell you much.

I dont think lawyers have any influence over the outcome of the interviews whether they want to waive it or have it done in their offices, its the IO who is in charge of everything. I guess lawyers can do a mock interview to prepare the non USC spouse to answer the questions.

[EmVee 4]

So it is pointless to check online then LOL

I wonder if having a lawyer at the interview really changes anything?

I doubt it. The lawyer can run you through questions, and the lawyer can prepare you (mentally and with paperwork) for whatever situations might arise during the process, but their presence or lack of presence really can't affect the interview. They don't say anything, and they can't stop the IO from asking the questions they need to ask.

I think a bunch of people opt not to have their lawyers at interview because you're just paying for them to stand there and look pretty. But I guess it's a personal thing; if you would feel more comfortable or less nervous with your lawyer present, there's no reason why you SHOULDN'T bring one.

[Nartaki 7]

I consulted a lawyer prior to filling out the AOS package and he told me his charge was $2250 just for his paralegal to fill out the forms and mail them. Appearance for the interview would be another $800. I really didnt have that much money to spare.

[EmVee 4]

I consulted a lawyer prior to filling out the AOS package and he told me his charge was $2250 just for his paralegal to fill out the forms and mail them. Appearance for the interview would be another $800. I really didnt have that much money to spare.

Same. We went for the consult but I called her the next day and was like, "Ya... it's already over a thousand bucks for the visa, we can't spare another 2k just to have you fill out the paperwork for us."

So bye bye lawyer. I think it's only really necessary to have one if your case is complicated or if neither of you is very good at doing paperwork.

[LT.Nora 7]

Same. We went for the consult but I called her the next day and was like, "Ya... it's already over a thousand bucks for the visa, we can't spare another 2k just to have you fill out the paperwork for us."

So bye bye lawyer. I think it's only really necessary to have one if your case is complicated or if neither of you is very good at doing paperwork.

I thought that my paperwork was complicated (I overstayed my visa, my husband didn't qualify - he has his business, so his tax returns are all losses) so we hired a lawyer. But now I don't think it was all THAT complicated and yesterday I received another invoice from her.

I think this is the last time I ever deal with lawyers as it's like a black hole that sucks your money in LOL

I think visajourney is better than any lawyer!

[EmVee 4]

I thought that my paperwork was complicated (I overstayed my visa, my husband didn't qualify - he has his business, so his tax returns are all losses) so we hired a lawyer. But now I don't think it was all THAT complicated and yesterday I received another invoice from her.

I think this is the last time I ever deal with lawyers as it's like a black hole that sucks your money in LOL

I think visajourney is better than any lawyer!

Well when we consulted her, I hadn't accrued any overstay, as we did it right before we got married. But after I declined to hire her, our troubles began! So I actually accrued over 2 months overstay before I submitted the paperwork, but it couldn't be helped. Hopefully it's still a straightforward case when it comes to interview day.

And you're definitely right about lawyers! I think I should become one, just so I can charge outrageous fees for getting a paralegal to do stuff for me.

[LT.Nora 7]

Well when we consulted her, I hadn't accrued any overstay, as we did it right before we got married. But after I declined to hire her, our troubles began! So I actually accrued over 2 months overstay before I submitted the paperwork, but it couldn't be helped. Hopefully it's still a straightforward case when it comes to interview day.

And you're definitely right about lawyers! I think I should become one, just so I can charge outrageous fees for getting a paralegal to do stuff for me.

And I am going to give trainings to civil surgeons on how to fill the applications correctly and what vaccines to give! LOL After going back and forth with the doctor, I sat him down and pointed with my finger where to write what and where to put "X" and what vaccines I needed

I just received my interview letter!! YEY!! FINALLY!!

May 21 @ 8.50 it is.

[LT.Nora 7]

...and actually I was wrong - my local USCIS isn't Los Angeles. It's Santa Ana!

[babito 29]

Just curious, has ANYONE ever received a text or email update from USCIS? I stopped check my text messages with excitement long time back.

[nats6624 0]

Just curious, has ANYONE ever received a text or email update from USCIS? I stopped check my text messages with excitement long time back.

Yeah i never had one notification about anything. I had touches but i didn't get an e-mail or anything. Giant waste of time. It does sound like it used to work for other people but just hasn't this year.

[cali_girl 0]

YAY! got my interview letter for May 13th.