November 2011 AOS FIlers

[KristinH 2]

Manu and I had our interview today in Philadelphia at 9:00am. I was so nervous on the drive down that I could hardly talk when we got within 10 minutes of arriving (and I usually have a lot to say). We arrived at 8:50, and were admitted into the building, cleared security, and were checked in on the 3rd floor by 9:00am. The security was very polite and friendly and there was no wait time getting in. We were called by our interviewing officer around 9:40am. When we were brought into the room, he told us to remain standing, asked to raise our right hand, and swear to tell the truth. Once we were seated, the officer spent about 5 minutes looking for a red pen, emptying a 2-hole punch, and telling us a story about when he used to collect the hole punch clipping to save to put in an envelope to use as an office prank. We were somewhat relieved by his conversation, but still incredibly nervous!

The first thing he asked us was if either one of us had been married before in any country in the world. We both said no. Then he asked if either of us had children in any country of the world. We both said no.

He started flipping through our file and asked to see both of our driver's licenses (Manu gave his French Driver's License, he doesn't have one here yet), proof of my US Citizenship (I gave my passport) and our original marriage certificate. While he continued looking through papers, he asked how we met. I told him I met Manu while I was on vacation in Europe in the fall of 2010. I had traveled to London, Paris, and Rome and met him in Paris at a bar next to the Moulin Rouge, and it was love at first sight- there was just a sparkle in his eye from across the room. He then asked how we remained in touch with each other. I told him we emailed, called, and skyped. I explained that I went back to France a month later for work by chance and was able to see him again, he came to the US for the first time ever in March for 1 week to visit me, then he came back in May for 3 months, we went to France in July so I could meet his family, he came back in August and we were married in October. I usually go into much more detail about our love story, but I felt like he wasn't really listening to me as he was looking through the paperwork the whole time I was talking, so I just gave a bare outline. When I finished, he said "Wow that's a great story". He then held up the 1 page photo montage that I made on walmart.com of our wedding photos and had submitted with our initial paperwork in November (the only photos I submitted with our application). He said "This is great". He then asked if we still lived at the address listed in our paper, which we replied yes. He asked us if we planned on moving soon, and we said not within the next year.

He asked if we had the same jobs, which I said yes, and Manu said he just got a job a few days ago (he was previously unemployed, and just got a job after receiving his EAD 2 weeks ago). He congratulated Manu on finding a job, and asked what he was doing. When Manu replied that he was a waiter at a sushi restaurant, the interviewer started a whole conversation about how much he likes sushi and was asking questions about the place Manu works. After what seemed like 5 minutes of sushi talk, he started explaining to us what conditional residency means, what it meant to be adjusting the status of Manu's immigration, and what paperwork we would need to file in 2 years to remove the conditions. He still hadn't said we were approved yet though, so I told him that I had brought along tax records (we filed married jointly in 2012), health and life insurance papers, and 2 photo albums, and he said "I would only ask to see them if I questioned the validity of your marriage, which I don't." I was stunned (this was WAY too easy!) and asked him what would make him question a marriage. He went on for the next 10 minutes to explain all the ways he sees marriage fraud, listing certain countries, and different scenarios that send up a red flag. None of them related to us, thank goodness!! He said that the fact that Manu is a French National right off the bat made him not overly concerned, because worse case scenario he would get deported and I would just move to France with him (I immediately said this WOULD be a very worse case scenario to us!). He said there are jobs and a good quality of life in France, so US marriage fraud is not prevalent. I wish I would have known that USCIS feels that way towards French immigrants before the interview, I wouldn't have been freaking out for the past 4 months!

Once he got done telling us about all the bad scenarios he sees every day, he went into more information about the green card and that Manu would receive it within 2 weeks. I said "So, we are approved?!?" and he just said "Yes." Manu and I exchanged excited glances and smiles and I said "Oh yay! We were so nervous!" and he said "Most people in real marriages are." He asked if I wanted to submit any of the additional documents and photos I had brought along to be included in our file, but that he did not want me to present them to him one-by-one. I handed him the insurance confirmations, my updated employment letter, and an 8x10 wedding picture. He looked at the life/health insurance papers on top of the stack and said "See... this is a real marriage here...". I then asked him what picture would be used for the Green Card, and he said the ones we submitted with our application. I told him that I was curious because they used an awful snapshot they took at his biometrics appointment for his EAD card, where he had a full beard and looked like a Taliban member! The interviewer said seriously "You can't say that word here, that's like saying 'bomb' in an airport. Let me see the picture..." I apologized quickly and handed him Manu's EAD card. He looked and said "Hmmm... he does look Lebanese here" and we all started laughing. I was so relieved how pleasant and friendly our interviewer was, and so thrilled he approved us on the spot!

We then got up and were getting ready to leave, and Manu asked if he wanted to see any of the photos we brought (we had 2 albums with over 300 pictures). He said that he was sorry he didn't have enough time to look through and fully appreciate them, but he would take a quick look because he had went to the trouble to bring them. After he saw a few pages, we got ready to leave. Manu and I both thanked him so much, and he said "No, I want to thank you both. You have renewed my faith in true love and that these real marriages really do exist. I am so skeptical because of what I see every day. You both made my day. Happy Valentine's Day and thank you."

Our biggest fear walking into this interview was that we would be questioned about adjusting the status of Manu's Visa Waiver Program on the basis of marriage. Our proposal, wedding, and Manu's intent when he came here was a tourist was NEVER BROUGHT UP ONCE.

Good luck to everyone else waiting for their interview. Happy Valentine's Day! (Also our Green Card day, and 4 month wedding anniversary)

[CowboySweetheart 5]

Manu and I had our interview today in Philadelphia at 9:00am. I was so nervous on the drive down that I could hardly talk when we got within 10 minutes of arriving (and I usually have a lot to say). We arrived at 8:50, and were admitted into the building, cleared security, and were checked in on the 3rd floor by 9:00am. The security was very polite and friendly and there was no wait time getting in. We were called by our interviewing officer around 9:40am. When we were brought into the room, he told us to remain standing, asked to raise our right hand, and swear to tell the truth. Once we were seated, the officer spent about 5 minutes looking for a red pen, emptying a 2-hole punch, and telling us a story about when he used to collect the hole punch clipping to save to put in an envelope to use as an office prank. We were somewhat relieved by his conversation, but still incredibly nervous!

The first thing he asked us was if either one of us had been married before in any country in the world. We both said no. Then he asked if either of us had children in any country of the world. We both said no.

He started flipping through our file and asked to see both of our driver's licenses (Manu gave his French Driver's License, he doesn't have one here yet), proof of my US Citizenship (I gave my passport) and our original marriage certificate. While he continued looking through papers, he asked how we met. I told him I met Manu while I was on vacation in Europe in the fall of 2010. I had traveled to London, Paris, and Rome and met him in Paris at a bar next to the Moulin Rouge, and it was love at first sight- there was just a sparkle in his eye from across the room. He then asked how we remained in touch with each other. I told him we emailed, called, and skyped. I explained that I went back to France a month later for work by chance and was able to see him again, he came to the US for the first time ever in March for 1 week to visit me, then he came back in May for 3 months, we went to France in July so I could meet his family, he came back in August and we were married in October. I usually go into much more detail about our love story, but I felt like he wasn't really listening to me as he was looking through the paperwork the whole time I was talking, so I just gave a bare outline. When I finished, he said "Wow that's a great story". He then held up the 1 page photo montage that I made on walmart.com of our wedding photos and had submitted with our initial paperwork in November (the only photos I submitted with our application). He said "This is great". He then asked if we still lived at the address listed in our paper, which we replied yes. He asked us if we planned on moving soon, and we said not within the next year.

He asked if we had the same jobs, which I said yes, and Manu said he just got a job a few days ago (he was previously unemployed, and just got a job after receiving his EAD 2 weeks ago). He congratulated Manu on finding a job, and asked what he was doing. When Manu replied that he was a waiter at a sushi restaurant, the interviewer started a whole conversation about how much he likes sushi and was asking questions about the place Manu works. After what seemed like 5 minutes of sushi talk, he started explaining to us what conditional residency means, what it meant to be adjusting the status of Manu's immigration, and what paperwork we would need to file in 2 years to remove the conditions. He still hadn't said we were approved yet though, so I told him that I had brought along tax records (we filed married jointly in 2012), health and life insurance papers, and 2 photo albums, and he said "I would only ask to see them if I questioned the validity of your marriage, which I don't." I was stunned (this was WAY too easy!) and asked him what would make him question a marriage. He went on for the next 10 minutes to explain all the ways he sees marriage fraud, listing certain countries, and different scenarios that send up a red flag. None of them related to us, thank goodness!! He said that the fact that Manu is a French National right off the bat made him not overly concerned, because worse case scenario he would get deported and I would just move to France with him (I immediately said this WOULD be a very worse case scenario to us!). He said there are jobs and a good quality of life in France, so US marriage fraud is not prevalent. I wish I would have known that USCIS feels that way towards French immigrants before the interview, I wouldn't have been freaking out for the past 4 months!

Once he got done telling us about all the bad scenarios he sees every day, he went into more information about the green card and that Manu would receive it within 2 weeks. I said "So, we are approved?!?" and he just said "Yes." Manu and I exchanged excited glances and smiles and I said "Oh yay! We were so nervous!" and he said "Most people in real marriages are." He asked if I wanted to submit any of the additional documents and photos I had brought along to be included in our file, but that he did not want me to present them to him one-by-one. I handed him the insurance confirmations, my updated employment letter, and an 8x10 wedding picture. He looked at the life/health insurance papers on top of the stack and said "See... this is a real marriage here...". I then asked him what picture would be used for the Green Card, and he said the ones we submitted with our application. I told him that I was curious because they used an awful snapshot they took at his biometrics appointment for his EAD card, where he had a full beard and looked like a Taliban member! The interviewer said seriously "You can't say that word here, that's like saying 'bomb' in an airport. Let me see the picture..." I apologized quickly and handed him Manu's EAD card. He looked and said "Hmmm... he does look Lebanese here" and we all started laughing. I was so relieved how pleasant and friendly our interviewer was, and so thrilled he approved us on the spot!

We then got up and were getting ready to leave, and Manu asked if he wanted to see any of the photos we brought (we had 2 albums with over 300 pictures). He said that he was sorry he didn't have enough time to look through and fully appreciate them, but he would take a quick look because he had went to the trouble to bring them. After he saw a few pages, we got ready to leave. Manu and I both thanked him so much, and he said "No, I want to thank you both. You have renewed my faith in true love and that these real marriages really do exist. I am so skeptical because of what I see every day. You both made my day. Happy Valentine's Day and thank you."

Our biggest fear walking into this interview was that we would be questioned about adjusting the status of Manu's Visa Waiver Program on the basis of marriage. Our proposal, wedding, and Manu's intent when he came here was a tourist was NEVER BROUGHT UP ONCE.

Good luck to everyone else waiting for their interview. Happy Valentine's Day! (Also our Green Card day, and 4 month wedding anniversary)

Congratulations on your Green Card and your 4 month anniversary!!

[CowboySweetheart 5]

Finally,got our biometrics appt.notice today.We got two different appt.dates though.My son on Feb.29,and I on March 1st,in Greer,SC.I guess will try to do them both on the 29th.Anyway,thank God we finally got it.

[oscar12 23]

Oh my Visajourney people...I am officialy a Permanent Resident In the United State...Cant believe myself...Just got the text few mins ago and i cant just stop shouting....Wow.....Approved without Interview.....Thank You Jesus.....

Up California Service Center....Great Job :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 16, 2012, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

If you do not receive your document, please contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Edited February 16, 2012 by Oscar12

[islandnook23 3]

Oh my Visajourney people...I am officialy a Permanent Resident In the United State...Cant believe myself...Just got the text few mins ago and i cant just stop shouting....Wow.....Approved without Interview.....Thank You Jesus.....

Up California Service Center....Great Job :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 16, 2012, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

If you do not receive your document, please contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

wow!! congratulations to you Oscar12!!! :dance:

when did you sent your AOS application? i hope i'd be getting some good news from USCIS pretty soon as well... congratulations again! :thumbs:

[oscar12 23]

Sent out on Nov 19th,2011

Receive at Chicago on 21th....

Receive Noa1 on 28th...

Got transfered on 12th Dec...

Had my Biomatrics on 15th Dec...

Got EAD Approval on 20th January,2012..

EAD Receive in mail on 30th,2012.

Then Got Almighty AOS appoval today 16th Feb,2012

Th End

Once again we want to use this means to say a Big Thankyou to all the Visajourney Members for there support and advice so far...Me and my lovely wife journey was a sucess becouse of all the kind advice we got from the group. We say a Big ThankYou to you all and We will always be here to support others struggling and going thru hard time to be with there love ones....One again...Thank you all and God bless...

[CowboySweetheart 5]

Oh my Visajourney people...I am officialy a Permanent Resident In the United State...Cant believe myself...Just got the text few mins ago and i cant just stop shouting....Wow.....Approved without Interview.....Thank You Jesus.....

Up California Service Center....Great Job :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Application Type: I485 , APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On February 16, 2012, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

If you do not receive your document, please contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Congratulations Oscar12!Happy for you!

Edited February 18, 2012 by camidustyb

[CowboySweetheart 5]

Hello to you all!

Hey guys,we just received our biometrics appt.notice,and it was sent from NBC.Our file has been transferred at CSC on December 6th.Seeing that the biometrics notice came from NBC, I was wondering if that means that our file got tranferred back to NBC from CSC.What do you guys think,or is this the way is supposed to be??

Thanks!!

[Sunny123 44]

Congratulations to all who have recently received their green cards!! :dance:

[Stefaan_Leslie 10]

On January 25,we got the email that they approved our AP,but nothing else since,and didn't receive the notice for the AP in the mail either...

I never received any information about my AP, but got it with my EAD card in the mail

Had my first week at work, I feel it in my back lol

[CowboySweetheart 5]

I never received any information about my AP, but got it with my EAD card in the mail

Had my first week at work, I feel it in my back lol

Well I guess I am going to receive it with my EAD too,after biometrics.We never received any notice of AP,so I am thinking is going to be with EAD,or maybe even better,getting our resident permanent status approved before all.

Anyway,good luck to all and congratulations to all of you that got approved.

Feels good to be able to go to work though,doesn't it Stefaan_Leslie??? Even with a back pain,huh??LOL...Good luck and congratulations on the new job!

All the best!

Edited February 19, 2012 by camidustyb

[islandnook23 3]

congratulations to everyone who got their AOS approved!

anyway, should i start worrying about why i haven't received any update from USCIS regarding my AOS for over 2 months now??? it was transferred to CSC December 5, 2011... i've been reading posts and correct me if i'm wrong but i think majority of the november 2011 filers got their green cards already... to think that my case was transferred to CSC for "faster processing". :unsure:

Edited February 20, 2012 by islandnook23

[Ellesse 11]

congratulations to everyone who got their AOS approved!

anyway, should i start worrying about why i haven't received any update from USCIS regarding my AOS for over 2 months now??? it was transferred to CSC December 5, 2011... i've been reading posts and correct me if i'm wrong but i think majority of the november 2011 filers got their green cards already... to think that my case was transferred to CSC for "faster processing". :unsure:

Well, whilst you haven't heard about AOS, you have had your AP and EAD, so those are positives!

Similar to you, my case was transferred on 8th December and my last USCIS update was 14th December, and I've heard nothing about AOS since that time either. I think it's fair to say that a majority of those cases not transferred to CSC for 'faster processing' have had their green cards approved. However, most of those who were transferred to CSC are still waiting, so you're not alone. I think I've only seen 1 or 2 CSC transfers (that filed in November) that have had their green cards so far (and CSC is still approving Sep/Oct filers, it looks like).

I know it's frustrating, and I'm with you, but hopefully it'll come soon. I'm in two minds about contacting USCIS in a few weeks if I've heard nothing.

L

[Sandra&Matt 1]

Mine was transferred middle of December and I don't have it yet. Very thankful for EAD/AP though.

[Caryh 5,206]

congratulations to everyone who got their AOS approved!

anyway, should i start worrying about why i haven't received any update from USCIS regarding my AOS for over 2 months now??? it was transferred to CSC December 5, 2011... i've been reading posts and correct me if i'm wrong but i think majority of the november 2011 filers got their green cards already... to think that my case was transferred to CSC for "faster processing". :unsure:

Also coming in with it appears most who were transfered have not gotten their green cards. We're waiting here also on a 2011-12-16 transfer date. Searching through the timeline stats shows AOS getting approved from California transfers are about a month earlier than our filing.