MAY 2010

[engineer21 51]

Sorry to hear about them not really helping NYKiwi and thanks for the well wishes everyone. I got an info-pass today at 2:15 just want to see about my EAD. I request an expedite over a month ago and I'm waiting. Hopefully they can give me some type of info.....I'm over here preparing for my info-pass like its my interview...LOL. I let you guys know what they say around 3pm. Thanks again VJ-ers

Good luck tuts! show 'em who's boss

[tuts8017 0]

LOL obviously there are just trying to get thme to feel my pain......LOL

[Leigh Ann 8]

Good morning all,

Really happy to see you all making progress in your quest for a Green Card.

I had an InfoPass appointment this morning to find out what is up with my case. The answer I got was 'Your case is in progress. There is nothing we can do from here'. This is somewhat frustrating as I am on day 54 and still have no biometric letter.

Oh and they also told me that if I hear nothing in 6 months I should contact them. Really!?

Hopefully I will have some good news soon.

Nick

I agree with everyone else - that's just not right. IF USCIS doesn't help on the phone, try your congressman/senator.

If you need help getting an actual person on the phone, just choose the options that say you need to get a form, but that you don't know which form to get. Good luck!!!

Good luck tuts! show 'em who's boss

Ditto this! I hope you get some sympathetic ears...

[NYKiwi 0]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I appreciate.

I got a Servie Request 24 days ago. The reason I got the InfoPass appointment as well is they told me the Service Request could take up to 45 days. Maybe I will try calling and see if I can get an update.

I sent a letter to a NY Senator on Friday last week, so am hoping that might help. I think the website said it could take 12 weeks for his office to do anything, so we will see what happens.

I agree with everyone else - that's just not right. IF USCIS doesn't help on the phone, try your congressman/senator.

If you need help getting an actual person on the phone, just choose the options that say you need to get a form, but that you don't know which form to get. Good luck!!!

Ditto this! I hope you get some sympathetic ears...

[NYKiwi 0]

So I just called USCIS for an update on my Service Request and they basically told me to call back after the 45 days are up. They really aren't very helpful!

[hoppla 1]

So I just called USCIS for an update on my Service Request and they basically told me to call back after the 45 days are up. They really aren't very helpful!

Wow! Sometimes you just want to them! What about a congressman instead of the senator? Maybe they have more time and can get to it quicker? They normally have a dept. that work with immigration issues.

[Leigh Ann 8]

I sent a letter to a NY Senator on Friday last week, so am hoping that might help. I think the website said it could take 12 weeks for his office to do anything, so we will see what happens.

You should call them - that should be much quicker than writing a letter.

[Scientist 0]

Had our interview this morning, and got approved

We arrived about an hour early (~ 8am) just to make sure we wouldn't be caught in rush hour or road work. Gave us some time to relax in the car, and have some coffee and breakfast.

At 8:30 we entered the USCIS building, had to go through the customary security check (show interview letter, show passports), and then we were directed to the waiting room for the interviewees. At 8:30 it was totally empty, we dropped our interview letters in the box (no-one at the reception) and started the wait. A couple arrived about twenty minutes later, and that was how busy it was for the interviews!

Exactly at 9:00 am the IO came to the reception, picked up the sheets, and went to his office. He came back a few minutes later to invite us all in (myself, spouse, and our two kids). After taking the oath, we were seated and he started to go through the documents (basically their copy of the I-485). For all of us, he basically want systematically through the form and confirmed the data on it (full legal name, birth date and place, father and mother's name, when and where we entered the US last, confirming the yes/no questions [military training, drug trafficking, member of communist party, etc, you know the lot; he did this for the kids as well although we were allowed to answer for them], and finally confirming the signature on the form).

He then asked to see the original birth certificates and marriage certificate and checked whether this was exactly the same as the copy we send in.

For all of us, he took the I94 out and checked the visa number against what we had on the forms.

The only questions NOT related to checking the forms where directed at the kids (more as chit chat: what grade are you going to, how do you like it in the US).

After that, he notified us that we are approved and we should get the cards within 20 to thirty days in the mail...

I was kinda stunned it went so fast (10 to 15 min max for the four of us) - I was woefully OVERprepared for the interview with regard to documentation I brought. I even asked if he wanted to see my original degree and/or letter of the employer (required for DV) but that was not necessary. So in the end, at least for my case, I didn't need tax papers, joint financial statements, joint house ownership papers, pictures, etc and all the copies I made were not needed either, and the passport photo's also not.

However, I guess it is better to be overprepared than underprepared and not have the documents if by chance he would have asked for it.

I am relieved everything went smoothly, and I must say the IO we had was very professional and friendly.

Now the wait is for the precious cards

[Leigh Ann 8]

Congrats! That's so great that you were approved! Yes, totally better to be overprepared--I'm guessing the kids went a long way to proving your relationship was genuine though. Still - congrats!!

[hoppla 1]

Congrats Scientist!!! Seems like you had a very smooth interview, but if I remember right you have been married for a while as well?

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!

Edited July 16, 2010 by hoppla

[engineer21 51]

Had our interview this morning, and got approved

We arrived about an hour early (~ 8am) just to make sure we wouldn't be caught in rush hour or road work. Gave us some time to relax in the car, and have some coffee and breakfast.

At 8:30 we entered the USCIS building, had to go through the customary security check (show interview letter, show passports), and then we were directed to the waiting room for the interviewees. At 8:30 it was totally empty, we dropped our interview letters in the box (no-one at the reception) and started the wait. A couple arrived about twenty minutes later, and that was how busy it was for the interviews!

Exactly at 9:00 am the IO came to the reception, picked up the sheets, and went to his office. He came back a few minutes later to invite us all in (myself, spouse, and our two kids). After taking the oath, we were seated and he started to go through the documents (basically their copy of the I-485). For all of us, he basically want systematically through the form and confirmed the data on it (full legal name, birth date and place, father and mother's name, when and where we entered the US last, confirming the yes/no questions [military training, drug trafficking, member of communist party, etc, you know the lot; he did this for the kids as well although we were allowed to answer for them], and finally confirming the signature on the form).

He then asked to see the original birth certificates and marriage certificate and checked whether this was exactly the same as the copy we send in.

For all of us, he took the I94 out and checked the visa number against what we had on the forms.

The only questions NOT related to checking the forms where directed at the kids (more as chit chat: what grade are you going to, how do you like it in the US).

After that, he notified us that we are approved and we should get the cards within 20 to thirty days in the mail...

I was kinda stunned it went so fast (10 to 15 min max for the four of us) - I was woefully OVERprepared for the interview with regard to documentation I brought. I even asked if he wanted to see my original degree and/or letter of the employer (required for DV) but that was not necessary. So in the end, at least for my case, I didn't need tax papers, joint financial statements, joint house ownership papers, pictures, etc and all the copies I made were not needed either, and the passport photo's also not.

However, I guess it is better to be overprepared than underprepared and not have the documents if by chance he would have asked for it.

I am relieved everything went smoothly, and I must say the IO we had was very professional and friendly.

Now the wait is for the precious cards

FANTASTIC NEWS!!! Congrats!

Thanks for sharing

[ValerieA 350]

Congratulations, Scientist!!!!!

[cbrniner 1]

Had our interview this morning, and got approved

We arrived about an hour early (~ 8am) just to make sure we wouldn't be caught in rush hour or road work. Gave us some time to relax in the car, and have some coffee and breakfast.

At 8:30 we entered the USCIS building, had to go through the customary security check (show interview letter, show passports), and then we were directed to the waiting room for the interviewees. At 8:30 it was totally empty, we dropped our interview letters in the box (no-one at the reception) and started the wait. A couple arrived about twenty minutes later, and that was how busy it was for the interviews!

Exactly at 9:00 am the IO came to the reception, picked up the sheets, and went to his office. He came back a few minutes later to invite us all in (myself, spouse, and our two kids). After taking the oath, we were seated and he started to go through the documents (basically their copy of the I-485). For all of us, he basically want systematically through the form and confirmed the data on it (full legal name, birth date and place, father and mother's name, when and where we entered the US last, confirming the yes/no questions [military training, drug trafficking, member of communist party, etc, you know the lot; he did this for the kids as well although we were allowed to answer for them], and finally confirming the signature on the form).

He then asked to see the original birth certificates and marriage certificate and checked whether this was exactly the same as the copy we send in.

For all of us, he took the I94 out and checked the visa number against what we had on the forms.

The only questions NOT related to checking the forms where directed at the kids (more as chit chat: what grade are you going to, how do you like it in the US).

After that, he notified us that we are approved and we should get the cards within 20 to thirty days in the mail...

I was kinda stunned it went so fast (10 to 15 min max for the four of us) - I was woefully OVERprepared for the interview with regard to documentation I brought. I even asked if he wanted to see my original degree and/or letter of the employer (required for DV) but that was not necessary. So in the end, at least for my case, I didn't need tax papers, joint financial statements, joint house ownership papers, pictures, etc and all the copies I made were not needed either, and the passport photo's also not.

However, I guess it is better to be overprepared than underprepared and not have the documents if by chance he would have asked for it.

I am relieved everything went smoothly, and I must say the IO we had was very professional and friendly.

Now the wait is for the precious cards

Congrats .... :dance: :dance:

Okay well our AP I131 was touched again today but yet that blue dot remains on Initial :bonk:

Whats going on ??? LOL

Edited July 16, 2010 by cbrniner

[engineer21 51]

Some USCIS offices work pretty fast after all!

I just got a nice little surprise in the mail today, my replacement I-94!!!!!

It took Vermont Service Center less than a month to process my i-102

Yayyyyy!! I never thought it was going to be ready by the interview date, but here it is in my hands

Hope this makes up for the lost F-1 visa..

I heart VSC right now..

[hoppla 1]

Some USCIS offices work pretty fast after all!

I just got a nice little surprise in the mail today, my replacement I-94!!!!!

It took Vermont Service Center less than a month to process my i-102

Yayyyyy!! I never thought it was going to be ready by the interview date, but here it is in my hands

Hope this makes up for the lost F-1 visa..

I heart VSC right now..

That is great news!! What a relief!