AOS interview - under investigation

[MarieandRob 0]

My husband and I went to our interview today and the interview didn't make a decision. She has an issue about me (the beneficiary) working. She asked if the company I worked for asked for any documents when I applied 7 years ago and I said no. I have a valid SSN and driver's license. That's all they asked for. She didn't even ask any question about our relationship except how we met. She told us that she needs to talk to her supervisor first before making a decision. So now we have to wait 30 days to see whether we will be approved or denied.

Has this ever happened to anyone? Our lawyer was surprised cause they've never seen anything like that before. Under a certain Act I'm supposed to be forgiven for working illegally because I married a citizen and I'm paying taxes. I don't know what's going to happen. Will they investigate the company I'm working for? Our lawyer told us not to worry about anything. They will not investigate it. Is this true? Is there a high chance that we 'll get denied?

[Darnell 8,478]

what was the last visa that you held?

[MarieandRob 0]

My family and I came here on tourist visa in 1991. We basically overstayed.

[Boiler 44,710]

what was the last visa that you held?

OP made no mention of a visa.

Practically most of the risk is with the employer, the nasty consequences are with them not you.

[Darnell 8,478]

the 'valid ssn' might be the thing they're gonna 'try hard' to investigate.

If it's not proven to be 'valid' for 'you' -

then you'll have other problems.

Suggest you study much over at http://www.immigrate2us.net over the weekend.

[Krikit 1,163]

Moving from AOS From Family-Based Visas to AOS From Other Visas.

[Boiler 44,710]

It used to be you could get a SSN for the asking.

[MarieandRob 0]

My SSN is valid. Maybe not valid for work at the time but it's a legit number. I already received my work permit card. But would they still charge me for all the years I worked illegally? Even after paying taxes?

[Kixini 0]

It's unlikely that they will charge you for working illegaly, they probably just want to make sure, you didn't steal anybody's identity and worked with somebody else's SSN.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

It's unlikely that they will charge you for working illegaly, they probably just want to make sure, you didn't steal anybody's identity and worked with somebody else's SSN.

That would be my guess.

[juliava 80]

MarieandRob - Based on what I've just read above, I don't know why do you imply that the AOS decision hasn't been made because you worked illegally. Is that what the IO said to you, literally?I doubt it.

I would say relax, there is no way they could deny you just for the fact that you worked without authorization.

[MarieandRob 0]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm trying to stay calm as much as I can but it's so hard. The IO told us that she needs her supervisor's approval because of some issues. And the issue is because I've been working without authorization. I received my work permit before our interview date. Don't they verify your SSN and do background check before that? Would they actually call my work and ask? Would they really investigate?

[juliava 80]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm trying to stay calm as much as I can but it's so hard. The IO told us that she needs her supervisor's approval because of some issues. And the issue is because I've been working without authorization. I received my work permit before our interview date. Don't they verify your SSN and do background check before that? Would they actually call my work and ask? Would they really investigate?

Still it doesn't make sense. I did work in the past without authorization for a long time but my AOS was approved and that was never brought up at the interview. If they had asked about it, I would've said "yes, I did work without authorization, here are the places I had worked for...."

The only thing that I can think of is this:

When you filled out the application - I think the I-864- the biographic form - did you include all the places that you ever worked for?I know for a fact that not mentioning those places on that form could get you in real trouble. That would be a reason for denial.

[MarieandRob 0]

I don't remember filling out an I-864. Well I'm not sure how that look like. Our lawyer took care of everything. My husband on the other hand had to list all of the places he worked for in the last 5 years. I've been working for the same company for the past 7 years. I think that's why I didn't Have to list the rest. Our lawyer was also surprised cause she said it had never happened before. They usually focus on your marriage not employment. Our case was straight forward. The lawyer mentioned that maybe she's new and needs supervisor's approval first? Just doesn't make sense to me. That's why I don't understand why it was an issue. I mean I know working without authorization is against the law. And I have noone to blame for that but myself. I've been here since I was 10. What was I suppose to do?

I'm so scared of the outcome and I don't know what's going to happen. Such bad luck. 

[MarieandRob 0]

I forgot to mention she kept asking me if the company asked for any documents and I said only DL and SSN. They didn't ask me for anything else. It seemed like she didn't believe me. She asked me the same question 3-4 times then finally conluded with "further investigation". 