Freezing in Denver - AOS and Biometrics

[motu 6]

Extremely cold here today - Brrrrr ... but great day for us!

AOS

We picked up our friend (interpreter) and got to the appointment about 25 minutes early. The men only checked our Ids and took the appointment letter (no one cross checked the name - my wife's ID - her passport, is in the maiden name and the AOS interview was in her married name.) 5 minutes after we got there they called her name. The interviewing officer took us into his office and swore all three of us. He asked for our Colorado Ids - I told him my wife doesn't have one because the Colorado DMV only gives you a Colorado ID if you have an EAD or Green card! He asked me:

How do you communicate; Do you speak Spanish; When did you meet; When did you go to Colombia - (checked my passport); Have you been married before; Do you have any children; Where did you get married; Are you just doing this to help her get her residency. He asked me if I have some proof of our relationship and I gave him one of the folders (I had five folders - 1) Copy of I129f petition; 2) Copy of AOS packet; 3) Originals associated with the AOS packet and a few more (e.g. her SSN card etc.) 4) Copies of those originals; 5) Proof of relationship - medical bills; bank statements; doctors report etc.) - He opened it up and flipped through it and I explained some of it - he asked if he could keep it and I said yes except for her medical insurance card and her visa card. He didn't open the packet of pictures that was in the folder and just gave those back to me.

Then he asked my wife:

How many brothers and sisters he has; Have you met them; What is his parents names; What is his date of birth; Where did you get married; Was your family there

Then he asked me the same questions.

He then basically asked the whole list of espionage/drugs/prostitution/immigration fraud questions of my wife (these are on the I485 form that she had filled out.)

He then asked about her biometrics and said I am going to order the biometrics and I want you to get them today or as soon as possible! I then told him about the infopass appointment without any luck and he said they can't order any biometrics only 'we' can. He told me about applying for the I751 in two years time. He also said that the biometrics checks will take 3 or 4 weeks after which he will make his decision and send us a letter informing of the decision. I clarified with him that that meant we could receive the green card in 4 weeks or so and he said yes. He thanked our interpreter and walked us out, stopping to make copies of our IDS and her medical insurance and visa card - then he gave all those to me. I thanked him and shook hands and we left. Total time about 20 minutes. Very professional and thorough. Incidentally, my wife answered most of his questions directly and for a few she looked at our interpreter for his translation (words like biometrics, espionage etc.) and then answered in English.

Biometrics

We had lunch (at home) and then went for biometrics!

We gave the receptionist the biometrics order and her passport. He cross checked the name and asked for an ID in her married name! I told him we don't have one but we have the marriage certificate. He took those and asked her to fill out the biometrics form. I gave those back to him and he told us to walk to the next receptionist and she took the whole packet and then did her fingerprints and took her picture as I sat and watched. My wife came back with everything - I asked her to give back the forms we had filled out and the biometrics order but she gave it back to her! Total time 15 minutes!

So! We don't have to go for biometrics on the 28th and I am assuming we will receive the green card by mid-March! Hope this helps some other people going through the Denver office. Best of Luck

Edited February 17, 2006 by motu

[Mirorgate 0]

Awesome news, since I will also have to have AOS end of Feb here with the wife.

Biometrics are on the 25th, and AOS on the 28th. Hopefully wont take all that long to do since both are in morning. Wife doesnt speak english all that great, but if spoken slowely to she understands. Do you think that will be issue? or should I check ofr translator?

thanks!

[one_coolchiq 0]

Thanks motu for posting your experienced today and Congratulations to you.. it's still snowing here in the Springs. BTW i got my Biometrics letter today for march 11.

[raymaga 25]

Congrats to you both!!!

[kc456 0]

Congratulations!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

congratulations!

[SanDan 0]

Awesome! Congrats

[motu 6]

Awesome news, since I will also have to have AOS end of Feb here with the wife.

Biometrics are on the 25th, and AOS on the 28th. Hopefully wont take all that long to do since both are in morning. Wife doesnt speak english all that great, but if spoken slowely to she understands. Do you think that will be issue? or should I check ofr translator?

thanks!

My personal opinion is that an interpreter won't be needed but it all depends on the interviewing officer - the one we had was willing to let her speak (she speaks slowly and sometimes the grammar is incorrect but is understandable.) She also had problems with words like espionage, biometrics (even our friend couldn't translate biometrics into Spanish!) One thing - she always responded in English to all the questions even when our friend interpreted (5 or 6 times.) And you know all these questions need to be answered - NO!

If you can find an interpreter (a friend etc.) take one - its worth not having to worry about that aspect - but if one can't be found or even as I thought that if ours doesn't show up - I would have gone and explained to the examiner - that we had one lined up but didn't show up and that my wife does understand if spoken to slowly etc. and hopefully that would have been acceptable. Good Luck

Thanks motu for posting your experienced today and Congratulations to you.. it's still snowing here in the Springs. BTW i got my Biometrics letter today for march 11.

Since you will be driving from Springs - if he doesn't do it for you - ask him to order the biometrics for the same day - they are done only about 15 minutes from that office. Good Luck

[Jasman0717 9]

Congratulations Thanks for sharing

[arprofe 0]

Motu, congratulations.

Why couldn't you be your wife's interpreter or translator? I think you can actually translate for your partner if is necessary.

ANyway, your description was very useful.

thanks

Andres & Paola

[motu 6]

Motu, congratulations.

Why couldn't you be your wife's interpreter or translator? I think you can actually translate for your partner if is necessary.

ANyway, your description was very useful.

thanks

Andres & Paola

Hi Andres: The AOS interview letter says if you do not speak English 'Fluently' you should bring an interpreter. I speak a little Spanish but I can't translate any of the 'difficult' or 'technical' words at all. As it turned out, she could have done without one, but I couldn't have been the interpreter - I am still learning and waiting for her to get good in English before I push hard on my Spanish!

Goodluck with Paola's interview in June.

[jaaaaamas 0]

Congrats! This was a great look for everyone into the interview process.

Good luck to you!