AOS interview at Federal Plaza, NY-No decission

[kcoyclay1 98]

Hi zoom, below is my story:

Hi guys, today I had my interview at 26 Federal Plaza, NYC. We were scheduled for 2:30 so my husband and I decided to get there long before time just in case of any delays in the subway. We got there about 12:35 and walked around a bit before going inside the building, where we had to take off our shoes and place all our belongings in a tray for scanning. We were allowed to take our cell phone with us but not allowed to use it. We got to the waiting room about 1:25pm and where about 5 couples already seated. We went to the appointment window and gave the lady seated there our interview letter and were told to sit a while and wait for our names to be called. About 5 more couples and their lawyers came after us. As we sat waiting we noticed that all the couples were being called and we were still seated; even those who came after us were called in and interviewed. We also noticed that each interview took almost an hour and I became quite concerned when I saw that it was four o clock and we were the only couple in the room.

About five minutes later a middle aged lady came to the door with another couple that she apparently just finished interviewing and call my name. She was pleasant and took us down a long hallway to her office where she swore us in.

She then told me to take out every original document I had with me including photographs. She then proceeded to ask questions based on the G-325A. As she asked me about where I lived I realized that she was doubting my answers as she couldn't find the answers I was giving her on the G-325A. She was stating incorrect dates and had missing information and it was then that I realized she was making notes on what seemed to be my husband's G-325A. I told her that she was using the incorrect G-325A to which she apologized and searched for mine.

She then asked my husband my birth date, where we met, how long we were dating before marriage, if he knew my parents and if they were at the wedding and why not, what is my favorite food and if he knew my family members and how many brothers and sisters I have. She asked him about his past marriage and why he got a divorce.

She asked me how many children my husband has to which I responded that they were all grown and he has three. She also asked me why I took so long to get at a divorce from my husband and I told her that we were separated for 14 years and had moved on with our lives, furthermore I was not interested in getting married until I met Stan. She asked if I have ever met Stan's parents to which I answered that they were deceased and she asked me what age was my husband when they passed. I told her I didn't know. Now these people died when I was 10 yrs old and I wasn't in a frame of mind to be calculating how old Stan was when they died. They didn't die together so I was not going to be racking my brain as to how old my husband was because they died in the 70's, so I told her I do not know how old he was. She asked me how long I lived at each address stated on the G-325A and why did we move to our last address ( stupid question) I told her the place was too small. She asked me what is my telephone number and my last address and when I told her address she proceeded to tell me that it was incorrect. I found out that she was looking at the Landlord's address with the big word LANDLORD written beside it. I had to point out her mistake yet again to which she apologize again and made a note of our address. She truly sounded confused.

So as not to bore you let me cut to the chase. She asked my husband if he was employed and he responded that he was receiving monthly pension and social security. She told us that we might need a sponsor as she didn't not know if that would be considered usable income. I told her that the amount is well above the poverty guideline but she said that she had to make sure it was ok to approve that type of income as affidavit of support. I read somewhere in the USCIS site that pensioners can use their income. I thought that as it was SURE income then that would not be up for question but she didn't seem to know for sure. She then asked me to give her the copies of our birth certificate, passport, social security card, lease, pension, will, joint lease etc and she looked at my EAD.

She finally asked me all the questions on the application to which I answered "No" or "definitely not" then she wrote on my I-94 and took some pictures from my album, wrote in my passport " the date of the interview, my A #, her office room #., 485 pending/sec 245 and something that looked like ISO CONDIT". She told me that after she reviewed the documents she will make a decision and let us know if she needed more evidence, if we were approved or denied. To which I I made sure to inform her that we have been married for 2 years.

After thinking about the interview I realized that the IO was not confused as she led us to believe. I discovered that it is how they conduct the interview to see if we are not just married on paper but that it is bonafide. They will ask and re-ask the same questions in different ways to prove if you are living together and have a real marriage. All the best to you guys awaiting your interview.

[zoom123 7]

Thanks for post, it gives me some hope.

When you did your interview, the timeline show it's in 2009. Is it.

[waiting4greencard 0]

Thanks for post, it gives me some hope.

When you did your interview, the timeline show it's in 2009. Is it.

hi everybody im on the same problem...here my interview experince

my English is not good. my initial interview at federal plaza on Aug 10 but no decision is made by the OI...the interview went pretty well and it only took like 10-15 mins...here my interview experience...my interview appointment is 1.45 pm,and me and my wife got there like 1.30pm and we go straight the 8 floor then hand the interview letter to the reception lady and told to be seated...not too many people on that time only like 3 couples,like 10 min later there was like 15 couples step in to the waiting area some with their lawyers.we patiently wait till 3.10 pm and the reception lady told that those name she about to call pls step out and go to 4th floors (including me).after that we waited like 30mins on 4th floor...around 3.45 pm my name is called by a 30-35 years old white guy..he was nice,he greeted us and shake our hands and escort us to his office...when we got in to his office he made us raise our right hand and make a oath,then he asked for IDs and he make us to sign a paper that we dont have any lawyer with us...after that he ask for my passport and he take a look at my passport and took the I-94 from my passport.he ask me if i got any pictures to show him today?and i took out a big photo album (230 pics) and show him..he flipped my album and he ask this baby on the pic is both of u children,and we answer yes and he ask for BC for my son and i showed him the original and he kept the copy.he told my wife to pick one pic from the album so he can save it on my file..after that he ask me if there any documents that i want to submit today,i say yes i pull out my joint bank statement,ConEd bill with both names,joint credit cards,landlord letter that prove that we stay on that address.then he begin ask question to my wife (USC)

1)what is ur husband full name?

2)what is ur husband birthday?

3)what is ur current address?

4)is this ur first marriage? YES

and then question to me

1)what is ur son birthday?

2)is ur son is the only kid u have in the whole world? YES

3)is this ur first marriage? YES

then he ask yes/no question to me something like when was the last time u been arrested?(tricky) i havent been arrested before.i answer NO to all and he told me that he gonna make decision and mail it to me at 30days.he didnt ask how me meet..how long u been dating...he didnt even ask my BC or Marriage License...only thing i showed his is my passport,ID and my son BC that it..before i leave the room he show me the interview letter and ask me is this ur address? i said YES then he escort us back to the waiting room and told us to wait for him..that he going to copy my ID,passport and my I94..he took the original I94 and give me a copy of the i94 at the waiting room.we shake hands and we leave...im so worry right now....is this good signal or bad signal if they took the i-94 ? they didnt take my EAD..what u think guy??

[Enigma11561 336]

If he kept your I94, chances are good for approval.

I was part of a USCIS focal group a few months ago in NYC. Almost everyone who went to the Federal Plaza had bad experiences. The group threw the officers under the bus. At the end some CO's came out from another room, they had been watching and listening and actually apologized. Next time, try to go to Holtsville. Don't know where you are in NY but that place was great!

[zoom123 7]

lets see what gona happen. I think we can't select interview place our self, they send you letter with date, time and place.

If we want to reschedule then again its gonna be mess, thats why people prefer to go to the place they got on the interview letter.

[ceadsearc 516]

Waitingforagreencard, taking an I-94 is generally a good sign, but was your I-94 still valid? If it was expired, it doesn't really matter if they took it.

Zoom, you are right, you cannot choose where your interview is. Some people are able to do biometrics at a location other than the one assigned to them (it does not matter where biometrics is done, so you can go to any location, but it is at their discretion if they'll allow you to do a walk-in or not) but for the interview, you must go where you are assigned.

Just in perusing the forums, though, it does seem that IOs in certain locations are more apt to approve on the spot than in other locations. Hope you both hear something soon!

[gc012 0]

Hi Zoom123, I got an email an hour ago saying that ''On September 2, 2011, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. '' I had my interview on Aug 23rd, and IO said would recommend for approval, i should receive notice in two weeks, but nothing was updated until just now! I think in New York office it does take a couple weeks for IOs to process/review your case after you're done interview. So it's normal if you weren't approved on site. You could hear back from them any time after your interview. Could be the same day, two weeks later or up to two months, you never know! I was a little worried this morning, and then i got the good news this afternoon. I believe the same thing will happen to you! Just be patient and good luck!

lets see what gona happen. I think we can't select interview place our self, they send you letter with date, time and place.

If we want to reschedule then again its gonna be mess, thats why people prefer to go to the place they got on the interview letter.

[zoom123 7]

Congratulation! For me fingers crossed.

[zoom123 7]

I have one question for all you guys. My interview done on Aug 24,2011 and the IO gave me a printed paper that "file further review and you will receive a decision in 60 days by mail".

But my I-130 is still in initial reveiwe, and the I-485 says Testing and interview. Did you guys I-130 is approved already or they approve combined (I-130 and I-485) at the time of interview?

The average time for I-130 is 5 months, my NOA is May 23, 2011.(Till now 3.5 months)

any comments/suggetions welcome.

[zoom123 7]

Did anybody have the idea/answer.

please let us know.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They approve both the I-485 and the I-130 at the same time in the interview. What you see online is normal, and unfortunately, won't provide any clues. Good luck.

[kcoyclay1 98]

Hi Zoom,

Mine was not approved together. My I-130 was approved at the interview but the adjustment was done after.

Did anybody have the idea/answer.

please let us know.

[zoom123 7]

On Friday I got a letter stating my I-130 is approved.

No news about I-485. The online status for I-130 still shows initial review.