AOS - Package arrangement - Confused after Infopass

[EasternDE 35]

Ok so I'm a K1 who wants file for AoS.

Just after I arrived in the USA, we scheduled an infopass because of a I-94 issue, but that's not the topic here.

During this Infopass, the USCIS officer offered us to review our AOS package once we have finalized it, before we send it.

Delaware USCIS office is *tiny*, basically it's one desk and one agent period.

So we had another Infopass scheduled today so the agent could review our AoS package.

I have made a nice package according to VJ guidelines.

Basically 3 separated packages, one for AoS, one for EAD and one for AP, each had it own cover letter and all documents.

The USCIS officer totally changed it, making one single package and taking out cover letters and anything that would be in duplicate and even saying I just need two photos.

Now well, it's a small package...

To my understanding, it could be different agents who will review my applications and so for each application I provided all requested documents even though it's sometimes already included with one or the other application. (Hopefully this is clear...)

During the meeting, my husband was like "See! See, it's more simple like that, you made it so much a big deal!" "She is the USCIS officer, I trust her better than your website (VJ)!"

Now I want to arrange my package like it was before we went...

What do you think guys...?

[Darnell 8,478]

re-arrange it , as you had it before.

[engineer21 51]

What Darnell said.

[menina 50]

What Darnell said.

Agreed. You had it right the first time.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Unfortunately the agent is wrong and right. It's kind of like taking your Will paperwork to a law firm and letting anyone in the office read it and check it without checking if they're a secretary, cleaner or lawyer. They might know SOMETHING, but it's unlikely it's their area of expertise. Just like you wouldn't see a family lawyer about your taxes, you wouldn't see someone who just does interviews about what the packets require... they just know what questions to ask, they don't check the paperwork themselves, their minions do. So while they might know what's needed, they don't see the checklists etc they just get the paperwork once it's been filed and sorted.

The reason there are duplicates of forms etc is because once the forms arrive at Chicago the packets will be separated from each other. Then you're looking at a situation where they don't have a copy of a form they need and you end up with RFE's. If it wasn't needed why would the instructions say it was?

There's an AOS thread in my signature. I read EVERY word of the instructions. If they don't want my duplicate forms let them shred them. They don't want more photos, let them throw them out. But I won't risk an RFE when the instructions tell me what to do and I ignore it based on the advise of a CO who sees me for interview or processes the AOS .. they don't do the EAD or AP stuff.

Long story short. Do it the way YOU feel comfortable doing it. I followed my AOS list (in the thread my sig) and I was approved without interview and without RFE's.

Edited July 14, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[EasternDE 35]

Well, this officer is "old school", she's like 50+ and she told me that she used to process those packages herself before "But now, you know, they want everything done at those service centers!".

But of course, it's way different if for sure one only person reviews the package.

[BethandBilly 86]

Photos' you need 6, my Lawyer made sure to stress it to me. As others have said, go with your gut on this, rearrange your paperwork if you need and want to.

Wishing you all the best for the future

[andymac 4]

Listen, I don't claim to know more than the folks who have already replied on this ...... But I have researched my own application to reallize you were given a curve ball ...... Niot on purpose, of that I'm sure. But sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, I think that is what has happened with the officer you saw.

If I was in the same situation, I would go with my original full and complete package.

My wife and I had a pre- submittal Mantra. "if in doubt, send it out"

What they going to do " send you a RFE for having two cover letters. not likely.

Let your instinct kick in, but work through this with your partner. Too much speculation with your other half, can turn argumentative easily. We almost feel into that trap ourselves ..... Stay together on this ..... This will be the first hoop of many to jump through, make it together.

Our best best regards

[sera77 35]

Ultimately we can only tell you what worked for us.

I arranged my husband's AOS packet as closely to the information given here as possible and it went smoothly. It was transferred to CSC for processing and we didn't even have to do an interview to get the 2 yr greencard. We sent it in in March and had approval in June, card in hand in early July.

On the other hand, we had an infopass interview regarding an I-94 issue (he was never given one when he arrived at LAX) and the person at the infopass was clueless. Literally clueless, she had to call around to figure out what to do and ended up giving us wrong and what would have been expensive information anyways. Thankfully someone here at VJ gave us the RIGHT info and we got a new and free I-94 by simply going to the nearest border point.

Don't listen to the probably well meaning woman at infopass who decimated your package. Put it back together the way the directions here suggest. The worst that can happen is they discard any extra information.

Good luck and congratulations on your marriage

Sera

[MRStee 19]

Agree! Do it YOUR way

[Sebas&Lily 3]

Ok this might be a little off topic but WHY 3 packages? I've read through Vanessa&Tony's AOS walkthrough and I don't remember seeing a package for each application..I'm getting ready to put mine together and would need some good info please.

Thanks and I say stick to the way you've had it, it sounds like you know what you are doing more than that person.

[EasternDE 35]

Ok this might be a little off topic but WHY 3 packages? I've read through Vanessa&Tony's AOS walkthrough and I don't remember seeing a package for each application..I'm getting ready to put mine together and would need some good info please.

Thanks and I say stick to the way you've had it, it sounds like you know what you are doing more than that person.

Well finally, of course, I redid the package my way and it's sent.

It's just one package at the end but with 3 parts, each application with its own documents no matter if the other one asked for it too.

[Sebas&Lily 3]

Well finally, of course, I redid the package my way and it's sent.

It's just one package at the end but with 3 parts, each application with its own documents no matter if the other one asked for it too.

Aha, I see. I guess I need to do some research and find out what forms accompany the EAD and the AP.

[arya 22]

I think it's a personal preference to have three packages. You can put it all in one, but have material for each application differentiated somehow. I put each application and its documentation in a separate envelope and wrote on the envelope what's inside. Then I put all three into a bigger envelope and sent it. No RFEs and Green Card in hand

[jimnlena 8]

Ok so I'm a K1 who wants file for AoS.

Just after I arrived in the USA, we scheduled an infopass because of a I-94 issue, but that's not the topic here.

During this Infopass, the USCIS officer offered us to review our AOS package once we have finalized it, before we send it.

Delaware USCIS office is *tiny*, basically it's one desk and one agent period.

So we had another Infopass scheduled today so the agent could review our AoS package.

I have made a nice package according to VJ guidelines.

Basically 3 separated packages, one for AoS, one for EAD and one for AP, each had it own cover letter and all documents.

The USCIS officer totally changed it, making one single package and taking out cover letters and anything that would be in duplicate and even saying I just need two photos.

Now well, it's a small package...

To my understanding, it could be different agents who will review my applications and so for each application I provided all requested documents even though it's sometimes already included with one or the other application. (Hopefully this is clear...)

During the meeting, my husband was like "See! See, it's more simple like that, you made it so much a big deal!" "She is the USCIS officer, I trust her better than your website (VJ)!"

Now I want to arrange my package like it was before we went...

What do you think guys...?

That is exactly how we did our AOS package and no RFE and no Interview. We did not duplicate anything, for EAD or AP.