Interview Experience - San Antonio, TX

[hy2934 2]

Hi everyone. We had our interview for AOS today. We were approved on the spot (though it was not so smooth).

Here is the detailed version:

a) Documents we took:

IL and all the NOA receipts from USCIS (originals + copy of each)

IDs of both of us (DL, SS card, passport)

Birth Certificates of both of us (originals+copies+certified translation by a friend)

Marriage Certificate (original + copy)

IRS transcript of last 2 years

A copy of the entire AOS packet that was sent initially

Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:

Joint Bank Account proof (+ a couple of statements)

Chat logs (when we were dating)

Lease showing that we lived together for a year before marriage

Lease that we just signed for a new house

Wedding Pics

Other pics

Receipts of wedding rings + gifts we bought for each other

Mails showing same address

Greeting cards (holiday + wedding cards) we received from friends and family

Wedding Invitation card

AT&T text log (a bit creepy but it's okay I guess )

Interview Experience:

We were scheduled for 10:30 am and we reached the field office at 9:45. After the regular security check, guard took our IL and asked us to be seated. We waited for an hour (so only 15 mins late technically) to be called by an IO. IO was a hispanic guy probably in his 40s. He seemed okay at first and took us to his office. There he asked me to wait outside and took my wife in his office to talk to her alone. He didn't even ask her for any ID or any document and just verified her name and address etc from what was written in the forms. He asked how we met, how we started talking, what interests we had that led to us dating. Then he asked who came to the wedding and wanted her to be specific about the people and wanted her to name them. She mentioned all her family members and friends. Then he asked why my family didn't come. He then asked if she had met any of my family members. She said no as they all are in my home country and we haven't had the chance to go there after marriage. He looked a bit curious and asked her if she's so interested in my culture then why she hasn't tried to meet them or visit my country. Then he started asking her questions about my family. He asked how many sisters do I have. When she told him and named them, he asked if she knew what they do, what companies do they work for and their specific residential address in my country. She obviously didn't know answer to these questions. It was then that he got intense all of a sudden and started questioning her testimony. He told her that she can go to jail for so and so years and can be charged for fraud testimony. He asked her if she felt I was taking advantage of her by marrying her. He asked "how do you know if he's not taking advantage of you?" When she said that it was her who pushed the idea of marriage, he said "yeah, I don't blame you. You felt it was good for career and he must have thought about green card". He would twist her answers and counter question her and make her feel that he is not at all convinced by this marriage and eventually said "Your testimony is terrible". At this moment, my wife completely lost it and said "Is it your job to provoke me because you are being really offensive right now?". He stood by his tactics and tried to break her down by saying that she will be the one to face judicial system and court etc for fake marriage. My wife just lost it completely and started rolling her eyes at him and stopped answering him. He asked if she was getting bored to which she replied "No, I am just very insulted by your statements right now". Then she stared crying a bit and said "I feel stupid because my hubby told me to prepare for this and I just blew it off because you will ask questions about marriage and proof". He told her that its not a walk in the park. I am here to judge as it is a federal case. He got her some water and tissues and when he came back he was more relaxed and started asking her about her school, our city, her family background and stuff. this whole drama went for around 25-30 mins.By the end of it, my wife had lost hope of us getting approved.

Then he came out and called me. When I first entered the room, I saw my wife with a bit red eyes and I was like "What the hell happened in here?". But she smiled at me and I felt at ease. IO then went over the forms, verified my name, DOB etc. He then asked what visa did I come on, where do I study, what do I study. He asked who filled out the paperwork. I told him that it was me. He said "you did well! (yay!)". He then asked those "Yes/No" questions on I-485 form. After that, he said "you know why your wife is crying?". I said "No idea". He said "because she loves you" (lame, but whatever). He then just started chatting. like my new job, new city, plans for christmas, mexican food etc. He then said "you're approved.". He asked me for my passport, stamped it and put a seal. Explained to me the process for ROC. And he sad "you should get your GC in 2-3 weeks". And that I can become citizen in 3 years. I asked him if he needed to see any evidence. He in all seriousness said "Evidence doesn't mean ####### to me. Anyone can fabricate the evidence. I can make you a US passport right now (really?). I just see the people and judge as thats the hardest to fake. People can't bullshit me. Your wife spoke well (again, really?)". I was a little sad that we put a lot of effort in getting together all the documents and he didn't look at ####. Didn't even look at DLs, marriage certificates, Leases, pics, EAD card, or SS card.

So that was it. I am happy that this entire process is over for at least next couple of years. My wife is happier since she was the one who was asked all the questions and was intensely "grilled".

I haven't received any e-mail notification and the status still says "Testing and Interview". Hoping it'll change soon and I get my GC.

If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to help with whatever little knowledge I have acquired over the past 4-5 months.

[ndu26 114]

WOW! Congrats!!!1

[Lynn n Sam 57]

Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together!

[Obc333 24]

Wow.. That was intense.. Congrats

[ceadsearc 516]

That's intense! It sounds like they suspected marriage fraud off the bat for some reason since they split you up immediately ... But I guess you proved them wrong! Congrats!!

[hy2934 2]

That's intense! It sounds like they suspected marriage fraud off the bat for some reason since they split you up immediately ... But I guess you proved them wrong! Congrats!!

Thanks. I dont know what it was because our marriage was straightforward. We lived together for 1 year before marrying and I have no past record of any bad kind or anything.

Just one question though: I haven't received any e-mail notification for card production and my status is the same. I was wondering that if he approved us (from what he told us), why hasn't it been approved in the system?

Thanks.

[raymaga 25]

Congrats on the successful interview!!!

Enjoy the next couple of years of peace!!!

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Congrats !

[PinkMelody 1]

Congratulations!!! My local office is San Antonio as well so this really helped me

[Maria TH 20]

wow, thanks for sharing the experience. It is very useful.

Congrats and Merry Christmas!! (F)

[akkk 1]

Hi everyone. We had our interview for AOS today. We were approved on the spot (though it was not so smooth).

Here is the detailed version:

a) Documents we took:

IL and all the NOA receipts from USCIS (originals + copy of each)

IDs of both of us (DL, SS card, passport)

Birth Certificates of both of us (originals+copies+certified translation by a friend)

Marriage Certificate (original + copy)

IRS transcript of last 2 years

A copy of the entire AOS packet that was sent initially

Evidence of Bonafide Marriage:

Joint Bank Account proof (+ a couple of statements)

Chat logs (when we were dating)

Lease showing that we lived together for a year before marriage

Lease that we just signed for a new house

Wedding Pics

Other pics

Receipts of wedding rings + gifts we bought for each other

Mails showing same address

Greeting cards (holiday + wedding cards) we received from friends and family

Wedding Invitation card

AT&T text log (a bit creepy but it's okay I guess )

Interview Experience:

We were scheduled for 10:30 am and we reached the field office at 9:45. After the regular security check, guard took our IL and asked us to be seated. We waited for an hour (so only 15 mins late technically) to be called by an IO. IO was a hispanic guy probably in his 40s. He seemed okay at first and took us to his office. There he asked me to wait outside and took my wife in his office to talk to her alone. He didn't even ask her for any ID or any document and just verified her name and address etc from what was written in the forms. He asked how we met, how we started talking, what interests we had that led to us dating. Then he asked who came to the wedding and wanted her to be specific about the people and wanted her to name them. She mentioned all her family members and friends. Then he asked why my family didn't come. He then asked if she had met any of my family members. She said no as they all are in my home country and we haven't had the chance to go there after marriage. He looked a bit curious and asked her if she's so interested in my culture then why she hasn't tried to meet them or visit my country. Then he started asking her questions about my family. He asked how many sisters do I have. When she told him and named them, he asked if she knew what they do, what companies do they work for and their specific residential address in my country. She obviously didn't know answer to these questions. It was then that he got intense all of a sudden and started questioning her testimony. He told her that she can go to jail for so and so years and can be charged for fraud testimony. He asked her if she felt I was taking advantage of her by marrying her. He asked "how do you know if he's not taking advantage of you?" When she said that it was her who pushed the idea of marriage, he said "yeah, I don't blame you. You felt it was good for career and he must have thought about green card". He would twist her answers and counter question her and make her feel that he is not at all convinced by this marriage and eventually said "Your testimony is terrible". At this moment, my wife completely lost it and said "Is it your job to provoke me because you are being really offensive right now?". He stood by his tactics and tried to break her down by saying that she will be the one to face judicial system and court etc for fake marriage. My wife just lost it completely and started rolling her eyes at him and stopped answering him. He asked if she was getting bored to which she replied "No, I am just very insulted by your statements right now". Then she stared crying a bit and said "I feel stupid because my hubby told me to prepare for this and I just blew it off because you will ask questions about marriage and proof". He told her that its not a walk in the park. I am here to judge as it is a federal case. He got her some water and tissues and when he came back he was more relaxed and started asking her about her school, our city, her family background and stuff. this whole drama went for around 25-30 mins.By the end of it, my wife had lost hope of us getting approved.

Then he came out and called me. When I first entered the room, I saw my wife with a bit red eyes and I was like "What the hell happened in here?". But she smiled at me and I felt at ease. IO then went over the forms, verified my name, DOB etc. He then asked what visa did I come on, where do I study, what do I study. He asked who filled out the paperwork. I told him that it was me. He said "you did well! (yay!)". He then asked those "Yes/No" questions on I-485 form. After that, he said "you know why your wife is crying?". I said "No idea". He said "because she loves you" (lame, but whatever). He then just started chatting. like my new job, new city, plans for christmas, mexican food etc. He then said "you're approved.". He asked me for my passport, stamped it and put a seal. Explained to me the process for ROC. And he sad "you should get your GC in 2-3 weeks". And that I can become citizen in 3 years. I asked him if he needed to see any evidence. He in all seriousness said "Evidence doesn't mean ####### to me. Anyone can fabricate the evidence. I can make you a US passport right now (really?). I just see the people and judge as thats the hardest to fake. People can't bullshit me. Your wife spoke well (again, really?)". I was a little sad that we put a lot of effort in getting together all the documents and he didn't look at ####. Didn't even look at DLs, marriage certificates, Leases, pics, EAD card, or SS card.

So that was it. I am happy that this entire process is over for at least next couple of years. My wife is happier since she was the one who was asked all the questions and was intensely "grilled".

I haven't received any e-mail notification and the status still says "Testing and Interview". Hoping it'll change soon and I get my GC.

If you have any questions, I will be more than happy to help with whatever little knowledge I have acquired over the past 4-5 months.

did you take your lawyer with you?

[Lau975 1]

The approval must have felt like such a huge relief with the interview you had to deal with! Good for you guys, congratulations! My local office is San Antonio as well so gave me a heads up on what to expect. Congratulations once again!

[Fifth Echelon 6]

Wow! That is pretty intense. I am from Austin and will be interviewing in San Antonio as well.

Out of curiosity, you said they stamped your passport. Is that the "Processed for I-551" stamp you are referring to which allows you to travel?

[hy2934 2]

did you take your lawyer with you?

No. I didn't have lawyer. I guess if I had a lawyer, the IO wouldn't have acted in such a way. But then again, I didn't want to pay $3000 to a person for just arranging the paperwork which I could do too.

Wow! That is pretty intense. I am from Austin and will be interviewing in San Antonio as well.

Out of curiosity, you said they stamped your passport. Is that the "Processed for I-551" stamp you are referring to which allows you to travel?

Cool. I am from Austin too.

Yes, the stamp says "Upon endorsement, serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residency for one year."

Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas!

Edited December 21, 2011 by hy2934

[PinkMelody 1]

Cool. I am from Austin too.

Yes, the stamp says "Upon endorsement, serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residency for one year."

Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas!

I'm in Austin as well. Just good to see some people from Austin on this board lol

And congrats again!

Edited December 21, 2011 by PinkMelody