Got interview notice but also eligible for citizen

[gizzly 0]

I have a quick question... today I just got a interview notice for I-751 I submitted since Jan (10 months waiting time)...and arond Jun we've got RFE we responsed in Jul. They only give me 3 weeks in advance. They put appointment for Dec 14. Now my questions are:

1. Because I am eligible to apply for N-400 fir stay married with my USC wife. Can I apply for the Citizenship before we have an interview for I-751?

2. What should we bring on the interview date? They ask us to bring documentation to prove my martial relationship, W2, Goverment issue ID, IRS 1040 forms.

3. Can we reschedule the interview, if so it will cause any problem?

4. What kind if questions they may ask? Please someone sho have experience please help.

I'm kind of nervous at this time of the year and Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the way. So we might need time to prepare for. Actually I am planning to submit fir N-400 in couple weeks from now as my eligible date was last week. I appreciate fir you advice and help.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I would wait until you have your 10 year GC before filing the N-400 because they can't process it until ROC is finished (so just take your time getting everything together making sure it's all correct). If you didn't have your interview already you could file N-400 which would make the ROC hurry up and finish. As you already DO have the interview then I'd just wait. Not like sending it now will do anything, as I said, because they won't process it till ROC is done.

1. You can, but as said above it would be pointless because it can't be processed till ROC is done

2. Same sort of stuff (but more of it) that you did for AOS. Joint accounts, Wills, children's birth certificates etc.

3. Why would you reschedule? It CAN cause problems because sometimes they don't put the cancellation through correctly and they think you missed the original interview

4. Info about your relationship. If they suspect you of fraud you could be subjected to a Stokes Interview (google it).

You are better off just doing it to get it out of the way.

Edited November 20, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, if you are eligible to file for N-400 due to the validity of your green card, you can do so. It won't be adjudicated, however, until you have the results from your I-751 interview. You should plan on making that interview date as re-scheduling immigration benefit interviews is extremely problematic and can often lead to a denial for failure to attend the original date, causing delay as you request the file to be re-opened and then go on to the new interview. If you have a date for an interview, plan on being there even if you have to cancel travel or work plans. This should be your main priority right now.

For your interview bring the documents you mention plus all of the originals of the copied documents you submitted with the I-751. Since interviews for I-751s are unusual, you should also add to the information you originally submitted with lots of additional evidence - joint bank statements, joint credit card statements, joint health coverage; any loans together, copy of lease or mortgage documents with both, evidence of bills you have both paid towards the household, drivers' licenses showing the same address; letters from family members addressed to both of you, things like that. Err on the side of having more information that you think you might need rather than less. You may not need it, but if you do, you will have it. Try to bring documents that cover the whole time of your marriage from when you applied for the green card to when you have the interview date as this shows a continuing relationship.

Don't try to reschedule the interview. It is not worth the potential hassle.

Interviews for I-751s generally happen for three reasons: 1) the need to interview a certain percentage of people to meet a statistical requirement by law. In this case the computer selected your name and they have no reason to suspect you are anything other than a legitimately married couple. The interview will be very straight forward and non-confrontational. The questions will be simple and easily answered. 2) there was a problem with your application - it didn't have enough evidence or enough variety of evidence or there was a technical problem with the completion of the forms (for example you signed it incorrectly.) There is some sort of reason why they cannot say clearly 'yes' or 'no' so they will want to see more evidence, they will ask more detailed questions about your relationship and your living situation. The questions should not be difficult for a couple who do live together and share a life and a home. 3) they suspect that the relationship isn't valid. The questions in this case will be demanding and they will try to make one or both of you confess that you are not living together, or you are only married for immigration purposes. This is usually the least likely scenario but it is possible. The most likely scenario is the first one.

So, collect all of the evidence you can that shows you are married and living together in the same home, and take care to know the details about your home and your life together that a married couple would know - names, dates, arrangement of furniture, type of car, personal characteristics, things like that.

Good luck and don't worry too much. You are probably one of the 'statistical' interviews and it will be easy. Plan for the hardest one, expect the best and you should be fine.

[gizzly 0]

Thank you very much for your information and suggestion. I would go ahead and try to collect as much documentation as I can. I put all photocopies of I-751 and RFE document on file. I will take that with us plus utility bill from that time until now. I will poke here from time to time if I have more questions about the interview questions they might ask. Good luck for everyone who are going to an interview.