New York City AOS timeline & Interviews

[Striker_Immig 1]

To FavoredOne,

Big congrats!! Glad your saga is finally over!!

[FavoredOnes 4]

To FavoredOne,

Big congrats!! Glad your saga is finally over!!

Thank you so much!!! I wish you all the best in your journey.

My Federal plaza stokes experience:

We got to the building a bit early and met up with the lawyer (I should really consider a career change lol!!!). We waited for a long time before we were called so while we were waiting, the lawyer was quizzing us; he scared us about not having things like wedding bands or celebrating the wedding but thankfully none of that came up. We eventually got called in maybe 1.5 hours after our scheduled appointment.

He asked if we had any documents we wanted to submit. Our notice for stokes didn't say to bring any specific documents, so we just brought whatever evidence had accrued since our last interview: more pictures, evidence that we visit each other despite living apart, phone records (we didn't have this before), most recent bank statement, prescriptions showing we go to the same doctor etc.

He looked at the pictures and asked us which ones we'd like to give him. We kept saying he could keep whatever he wanted and then he goes "it's not what I want" lol. Anyway, we picked about three more pics out for him to take. Then he flipped through our file for what seemed like ages, as if he was looking for the red flag that might have caused us to be sent for a stokes. When he was done, he reluctantly told us he was going to have to question us separately. My US citizen husband left to the waiting room and he questioned me first. Here are the questions:

-My full name and DOB

-My husband's full name and DOB

-My address (I gave the brooklyn one)

-Describe the house we live in when standing in front of it.

-Do we have any joint accounts and with what bank

-Do I have any separate accounts (to which I answered yes)

-What schools I went to: undergrad grad and medical school.

-Where I was living when I met my husband.

-Where my husband was living when I met him and with who.

-Where I work and based on my out of state answer, he asked where I live while working.

-Whether I live in a house or apartment out of state.

-Who else lives with me where I live out of state and their names.

-Have my husband and I taken any trips together in the last 3 months and what was the purpose.

-How much is rent at the marital home (the breakdown)

-What utilities do we pay and who is the provider for it.

-Where did we get married

-How many brothers do I have.

-What do I do for a living?

-How many hours a week do I work?

-What does my husband do for a living?

-What are my husband's work hours like?

-Where was my husband working when we met?

-How often do we get to see each other with our work schedules (so I just explained that I only started working in June and that's when we started living separately). He wrote down my work start date and all the trips I said we'd taken to see each other.

It couldn't have been more than 30 questions, If I remember more I'll add to this thread. Anyway, he called in my husband while I went to wait in the waiting room and in say 5 minutes, the lawyer came out and called me back him. He gave me the thumbs up and said once the IO was done questioning my husband, they (IO and lawyer) gave each other a look saying "we got it".

The IO explained to me that we had a match on all questions; that we responded as we should have and didn't sound rehearsed. He said he would approve the petition then went on to ask me "yes/no" questions. He said it might take a few weeks to get something in the mail. The IO escorted us out.

We were out of there by 1:30pm and by 2:10pm we received the card production email, then later in the day we received notice of approval of I-131.

I have to say I am so grateful it all worked out and thankful that for this last half, I had work to keep me busy, so I didn't worry as much.

It's funny the way the stokes offices are, we could here another interview going on beside ours and it was definitely not going well. Our IO had to roll his eyes several times and he and the lawyer ended up discussing about how someone needs to say something about the lack of privacy (our lawyer was going to take it up) lol! I felt bad for the couple next door, they sounded so screwed!

[artist123 0]

Thank you so much!!! I wish you all the best in your journey.

My Federal plaza stokes experience:

We got to the building a bit early and met up with the lawyer (I should really consider a career change lol!!!). We waited for a long time before we were called so while we were waiting, the lawyer was quizzing us; he scared us about not having things like wedding bands or celebrating the wedding but thankfully none of that came up. We eventually got called in maybe 1.5 hours after our scheduled appointment.

He asked if we had any documents we wanted to submit. Our notice for stokes didn't say to bring any specific documents, so we just brought whatever evidence had accrued since our last interview: more pictures, evidence that we visit each other despite living apart, phone records (we didn't have this before), most recent bank statement, prescriptions showing we go to the same doctor etc.

He looked at the pictures and asked us which ones we'd like to give him. We kept saying he could keep whatever he wanted and then he goes "it's not what I want" lol. Anyway, we picked about three more pics out for him to take. Then he flipped through our file for what seemed like ages, as if he was looking for the red flag that might have caused us to be sent for a stokes. When he was done, he reluctantly told us he was going to have to question us separately. My US citizen husband left to the waiting room and he questioned me first. Here are the questions:

-My full name and DOB

-My husband's full name and DOB

-My address (I gave the brooklyn one)

-Describe the house we live in when standing in front of it.

-Do we have any joint accounts and with what bank

-Do I have any separate accounts (to which I answered yes)

-What schools I went to: undergrad grad and medical school.

-Where I was living when I met my husband.

-Where my husband was living when I met him and with who.

-Where I work and based on my out of state answer, he asked where I live while working.

-Whether I live in a house or apartment out of state.

-Who else lives with me where I live out of state and their names.

-Have my husband and I taken any trips together in the last 3 months and what was the purpose.

-How much is rent at the marital home (the breakdown)

-What utilities do we pay and who is the provider for it.

-Where did we get married

-How many brothers do I have.

-What do I do for a living?

-How many hours a week do I work?

-What does my husband do for a living?

-What are my husband's work hours like?

-Where was my husband working when we met?

-How often do we get to see each other with our work schedules (so I just explained that I only started working in June and that's when we started living separately). He wrote down my work start date and all the trips I said we'd taken to see each other.

It couldn't have been more than 30 questions, If I remember more I'll add to this thread. Anyway, he called in my husband while I went to wait in the waiting room and in say 5 minutes, the lawyer came out and called me back him. He gave me the thumbs up and said once the IO was done questioning my husband, they (IO and lawyer) gave each other a look saying "we got it".

The IO explained to me that we had a match on all questions; that we responded as we should have and didn't sound rehearsed. He said he would approve the petition then went on to ask me "yes/no" questions. He said it might take a few weeks to get something in the mail. The IO escorted us out.

We were out of there by 1:30pm and by 2:10pm we received the card production email, then later in the day we received notice of approval of I-131.

I have to say I am so grateful it all worked out and thankful that for this last half, I had work to keep me busy, so I didn't worry as much.

It's funny the way the stokes offices are, we could here another interview going on beside ours and it was definitely not going well. Our IO had to roll his eyes several times and he and the lawyer ended up discussing about how someone needs to say something about the lack of privacy (our lawyer was going to take it up) lol! I felt bad for the couple next door, they sounded so screwed!

The very best wishes and congratulations to you! You can relax and enjoy married life with some sense of peace now!

[artist123 0]

To FavoredOne,

Big congrats!! Glad your saga is finally over!!

Striker! You're still waiting? Remember, ours took ages too - almost 7 weeks. I'm sure yours will be here any day now. You will certainly relish the feeling of relief when it comes :-)

[Striker_Immig 1]

To Artist123,

Yeah I am on day#43 now. Another dude got his approval on day #46 just this week. We have an InfoPass appointment scheduled for next Thursday, which would be day#50. If we don't get anything meaningful out of the Infopass apppointment, we will probably seek congressional help.

[nitehero 6]

Thank you so much!!! I wish you all the best in your journey.

My Federal plaza stokes experience:

We got to the building a bit early and met up with the lawyer (I should really consider a career change lol!!!). We waited for a long time before we were called so while we were waiting, the lawyer was quizzing us; he scared us about not having things like wedding bands or celebrating the wedding but thankfully none of that came up. We eventually got called in maybe 1.5 hours after our scheduled appointment.

He asked if we had any documents we wanted to submit. Our notice for stokes didn't say to bring any specific documents, so we just brought whatever evidence had accrued since our last interview: more pictures, evidence that we visit each other despite living apart, phone records (we didn't have this before), most recent bank statement, prescriptions showing we go to the same doctor etc.

He looked at the pictures and asked us which ones we'd like to give him. We kept saying he could keep whatever he wanted and then he goes "it's not what I want" lol. Anyway, we picked about three more pics out for him to take. Then he flipped through our file for what seemed like ages, as if he was looking for the red flag that might have caused us to be sent for a stokes. When he was done, he reluctantly told us he was going to have to question us separately. My US citizen husband left to the waiting room and he questioned me first. Here are the questions:

-My full name and DOB

-My husband's full name and DOB

-My address (I gave the brooklyn one)

-Describe the house we live in when standing in front of it.

-Do we have any joint accounts and with what bank

-Do I have any separate accounts (to which I answered yes)

-What schools I went to: undergrad grad and medical school.

-Where I was living when I met my husband.

-Where my husband was living when I met him and with who.

-Where I work and based on my out of state answer, he asked where I live while working.

-Whether I live in a house or apartment out of state.

-Who else lives with me where I live out of state and their names.

-Have my husband and I taken any trips together in the last 3 months and what was the purpose.

-How much is rent at the marital home (the breakdown)

-What utilities do we pay and who is the provider for it.

-Where did we get married

-How many brothers do I have.

-What do I do for a living?

-How many hours a week do I work?

-What does my husband do for a living?

-What are my husband's work hours like?

-Where was my husband working when we met?

-How often do we get to see each other with our work schedules (so I just explained that I only started working in June and that's when we started living separately). He wrote down my work start date and all the trips I said we'd taken to see each other.

It couldn't have been more than 30 questions, If I remember more I'll add to this thread. Anyway, he called in my husband while I went to wait in the waiting room and in say 5 minutes, the lawyer came out and called me back him. He gave me the thumbs up and said once the IO was done questioning my husband, they (IO and lawyer) gave each other a look saying "we got it".

The IO explained to me that we had a match on all questions; that we responded as we should have and didn't sound rehearsed. He said he would approve the petition then went on to ask me "yes/no" questions. He said it might take a few weeks to get something in the mail. The IO escorted us out.

We were out of there by 1:30pm and by 2:10pm we received the card production email, then later in the day we received notice of approval of I-131.

I have to say I am so grateful it all worked out and thankful that for this last half, I had work to keep me busy, so I didn't worry as much.

It's funny the way the stokes offices are, we could here another interview going on beside ours and it was definitely not going well. Our IO had to roll his eyes several times and he and the lawyer ended up discussing about how someone needs to say something about the lack of privacy (our lawyer was going to take it up) lol! I felt bad for the couple next door, they sounded so screwed!

Congratulations,

I am happy everything worked out fine. Now you can relax

[nitehero 6]

Hang in there, you'll be approved most definitely without a stokes interview, I know that. Also, if nothing comes out of your Info pass, contanct your congressman. I did that and my approval came with days

To Artist123,

Yeah I am on day#43 now. Another dude got his approval on day #46 just this week. We have an InfoPass appointment scheduled for next Thursday, which would be day#50. If we don't get anything meaningful out of the Infopass apppointment, we will probably seek congressional help.

[Striker_Immig 1]

To Nitehero and Artist123,

Thanks guys for the words of encouragement. Trying to stay positive even though it is so difficult. Just hoping this fiasco sorts itself out over the next two weeks as today is day #46 post interview and day #217 in total.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Striker_Immig

[tony&lace 2]

I had my interview today at federal plaza n got approved same day!!

[Striker_Immig 1]

Went to InfoPass appointment. Turns out our application has been sitting in storage all this time in a forgotten corner and also that our Interviewing Officer is new to the process and needed supervisor approval. We waited for nearly an hour and then they told us verbally that we are approved and to expect the official notice within 30 days. I have been part of this game before so until the official email / text comes, its still a pending application.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Striker_Immig

[RiceCake 1]

Went to InfoPass appointment. Turns out our application has been sitting in storage all this time in a forgotten corner and also that our Interviewing Officer is new to the process and needed supervisor approval. We waited for nearly an hour and then they told us verbally that we are approved and to expect the official notice within 30 days. I have been part of this game before so until the official email / text comes, its still a pending application.

Sitting in storage in a forgotten corner? Wow.

Regarding the verbal approval, did you ask them if they could stamp the passport with the 1-551 in the meantime?

[Striker_Immig 1]

To Ricecake,

I told them that we have travel plans in early September and they said that we should no problem and will definitely receive before that but if not, we can always just go back and get a stamp. Like I mentioned, I won't believe anything until I see the email / text confirmation.

[msviper3ez 0]

To Ricecake,

I told them that we have travel plans in early September and they said that we should no problem and will definitely receive before that but if not, we can always just go back and get a stamp. Like I mentioned, I won't believe anything until I see the email / text confirmation.

We didn't get an email or text confirmation, check your status on the USCIS website, that's how we found out we were approved.

[Striker_Immig 1]

So it is the end of the business day and still no official email or texts or updates in the system on the formal approval.

[RiceCake 1]

So it is the end of the business day and still no official email or texts or updates in the system on the formal approval.

Any news/update Striker? We're all rooting for you!!