Planning to visit my husband during our process

[rose1966 0]

Hello to everybody,

We are in process since almost eight months; got NOA1 and two weeks ago received an RFE letter. We didn’t visit each other since we got married at the end of January’10. I always thought that I am not allowed to visit my husband (that is what they told me from the USCIS call center as I called sometimes in April) and me and my daughter just skyped with my husband during all this months. Thanks to VJ forums, after searching and reading I decided to give a try and booked my flight for Saturday. I will fly alone; my 8 years old daughter will stay with my parents because she is going to school. I got a letter from her school, my leasing contract and will get a letter from my in-laws saying I will visit them and my husband for 2 weeks. I got docs translated and notarized. Of course I also have my return ticket with me. I am German and got already my ESTA application in January which is valid till 2012.

I know I can be denied and sent back with the next plane but I want to give a try. If everything works fine, I wish to fly over with my daughter and spend the Christmas with the family; theoretically where we are belonging to

My POE will be Chicago as it was during most of my visits and never got problem there before. Once, they just took me to one another room, had to wait 1 hour, an officer asked me almost the same questions again, stamped my pass and wished me a nice day. But I think it was just a kind of lottery thing

So I just wanted to ask if anybody had any experience at Chicago airport or has any tips.

Thank you very much…

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Always tell the truth, offer any evidence to support your answers and be polite and pleasant

Good luck on your trip!

[msd 3]

I can't tell you about Chicago, but I visited my husband back in May and had no problems whatsoever. The officer didn't even ask if I was planning on moving there eventually. Just be confident and truthful and you will have nothing to worry about. And it sounds like you are well prepared anyway.

I think they can see it on their computer if there is a visa process going on for you. That's probably why he didn't ask me about it.

So if they ask you say yea, my husband filed and I just want to visit him and also go through the paperwork that we still need to get together. Or something like that. He will probably want to see your flight schedule, which you have.

Don't show him any of the papers you have right away. Only if he asks for it, otherwise it will look like you practiced the answers and are too eager to provide proof.

You don't want him to know that you know exactly what you have to provide in order to get by him. ^^

Good luck!

Edited October 13, 2010 by msd

[rose1966 0]

I thank you both, MSD and Canadian Wife. As I mentioned before I already have read all the comments and experiences but I still know I will be VERY VERY nervous till I stand front of the officer :-( I will travel aaaaallll the way from Europe and have 50% chance... I will put all my doc in my bag and won't take them out, unless they ask for :-) And yes, being honest and ONLY answering the questions I am asked for are the keys.

Thanks again please cross your fingers for me on Saturday... I will inform VJ about the result.

[msd 3]

I was really really nervous too and I bet the IO noticed it.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

You and the spouse have not visited since the end of January? Wow, long over due for a visit. Good luck and have a wonderful trip.