AOS Interview approved in Chicago

newinamerica · September 12, 2006

Hi guys,

Since the start of my immigration journey in mid 2005 I have gained very valueable knowledge and ideas from the VJ community which in turn helped me understand more about the US immigration system and relief my

worries since everybody on VJ went through a similar situation, although most people were probably spared a second AOS interview in their cases. I am very thankful for everybody who contributes to making this a great site where people can help each other by reaching out.

Now to my AOS interview story:

We had our first AOS Interview in June but the officer did not make a decision at the time and ended the interview with "I will further review your case". We dont know for sure what had caused that outcome during our first interview; it could have been since we did not have my step-children's birth certificates or it could have been since our lawyer was arrogant/rude to the immigration adjudicator. We still dont know why, but we received a second AOS Interview letter three months later.

The second letter was a plain letter on white paper and just stated for us to show up with ID's and passports at the specified time but did not request any documents for us to bring with us.

Day of the interview:

We went to the new Immigration building on 101 W.Congress Parkway (they had just moved offices in chicago). The building is brandnew and very hightech with all kinds of security.

We went upstairs to the second floor as the letter requested and checked in with the clerk and told her that we were also waiting for our attorney.

Our attorney showed up with another one, so we had two lawyers from that firm we hired in case we get separated and questioned at the same time by different officers.

The uscis officer came out and greeted us. She led us to a room in the back of the second floor and just wanted to see the birth certificates we did not have with us the first time. Then she said that she would like to interview us separately and escorted my out of the room. My wife remained in the room with our lawyers.

It was a very nervrecking situation because i could not believe that they would think that we are not a real couple and it was very annoying me. However, I knew by now that this was the way immigration worked in our case and accepted this as the way. My wife was very upset with the whole process and if it was not for our lawyer she was ready to flip out at the immigration official. She gets mad sometimes and hates this whole procedure of the government (she is the us citizen ).

So i was waiting now outside in the main hall and waited and waited. At first when she escorted me out i was nervous. However, that changed after 30 minutes passed. My wife was still in that room and i had the worst fears that she was being harrassed by the official. I felt sorry for her. After one hour passed by, i wanted to go in there and say THATS IT. enough is enough. I was getting mad with the official cause i felt sorry for my wife and i did not want her to be harrased by them ( at least thats what i thought was going on ).

I was starring outside a window when suddenly my wife came out, escorted by the official. It was my turn now i understood. Once in the room, the official startet asking me basic questions about birth, relatives and so on. Then she started asking me questions relating to my wifes background, prior addresses and her relatives. Then she started asking me questions about my step children and ther schooling, what school they go to and who their teachers were, what time the bus picks them up and what time they come back. The last questions she asked were about my professional career (I'm a lawyer) and what my plans for the future were.

After half an hour of questions (it took so long because she was typing my answers into the computer), she said that she will approve us and explained that she initially had doubts about our marriage but that she is now satisfied. I thanked her, got up and excused myself since i had to go urgently to the bathroom. I let the attorneys deal with the rest as i was still pissed off with the whole immigration process and went to the bathroom.

After i came back, the lawyer said that the officer had asked me less questions than my wife and the reason for that was that our answers were all matching and she was early in the questioning satisfied that we are a real couple.

Thats our story.

NewlyGreek · September 12, 2006

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR STORY!!!!

It was very nice of you to mention al the details!

I will probably have my interview in Chicago too :blush: , since I live not far from it..so it was very valuable for me to read you post!

thanx again!!! :yes:

And my congratulations on your approval..sorry, it took them so long..but the result is positive-which is GOOOOOOOD! :dance: :dance: :dance:

Edited September 12, 2006 by NewlyGreek

jm24 · September 12, 2006

congratulations on your approval!! sorry it took a while. but atleast now you guys can breath easier!

we just had our interview yesterday and the officer said an adjudicative review of your case is needed. ( so confused about this) we've got about 30 days (hopefully less than that) to go... *Sigh* :blink: :angry: