AOS Interview and Approval in Los Angeles

[gildayjason 2]

My AOS from and F-1 visa was approved today in Los Angeles. I am really grateful for all the advice and experiences shared on VJ, so here's my review of my experience at the LA Field Office today:

Our interview was scheduled for 8:00 this morning. We hit a bit more traffic than I had expected and got to Downtown LA a little after 7:30. We circled around looking for parking (I had read about the various lots and prices in the area), but settled for the garage at the Los Angeles Mall, right across the street from the Federal Building. They normally charge $16, but they have an $8 early-bird special before 8:00 am. When we got to the Federal Building, around 7:40ish, there were two lines: one for InfoPass and one for interviews, and they were both quite long. We headed for the interview line, but a security guard made us move to the InfoPass line--not just me and my husband, but several other people as well. I tried to show him my interview letter, but he insisted we should go to other line. We stood in the barely-moving InfoPass line for about 25 minutes--at this point, our interview time had come and gone. Several of us in line went up to a different guard to inquire politely what was going on: turns out, the first guy moved us to the wrong line. So off we went to the correct line, where we waited for another half hour or so, until being let in to the building to go through the metal detectors. I had read enough stories here on VJ to know that it'd probably be OK that we were late, given the fact that the lines were so long, but I was still extra-nervous.

After the metal detectors, my husband and I took the elevator to the sixth floor, where we gave our interview letter to a very polite man sitting at the only open information window. We waited about 25 minutes (several people who got there after us were called before us)--until around 9:25--before being called. Our IO was a younger Latino man with the last name Aguilar. He lead us to a suite of offices down the hall from the waiting room. In his office, he swore us in, asked for our California IDs, passport, birth certificates (I offered to give him the translation for my Mexican certificate, but he declined; I assume he spoke Spanish), and our marriage certificate (he asked for a photocopy of my husband's birth certificate, which he didn't have on file, but I had it with me) . As he looked over these documents, he remarked that my husband had been born in Nevada, asked him when he'd moved to California, and asked him what he did for a living. Then he verified my profession ("you're a graduate student in X, right?") and asked what I want to do after I'm done with my degree. He then asked how long we'd known each other (almost 3 years) and if we'd met at the university where we both work. We told him we'd met online, but that my husband had spotted me on campus after seeing my online profile and he thought our story was funny.

The IO commented on my husband's father birthplace (in the U.S.) and my husband volunteered that he never really knew his father, but that he is/was of Mexican descent (he has a Spanish last name). He asked where I was from in Mexico, verified our marriage location, and asked whether our parents had come to the wedding: we explained my parents and his family came to our U.S. wedding and that we had reception in Mexico later with my whole family. He asked both of us if we'd ever been married before (no), my husband whether he'd ever sponsored someone before (no), and whether either of us had any children (also no). He had a copy of our lease and we showed him the original. He also wanted to see our credit cards on a joint account and proof of our Costco membership. After looking over all of this, he asked me some of the yes/no questions on the I-485 ("have you ever been a member of a terrorist organization?") and commented on my membership in various professional/student organizations.

He looked our file over a couple of times, said we had everything he needed (he specifically referenced the I-693, I-894, and a background check) and said he was approving us. He then welcome me to the United States and congratulated me, and said he'd be printing out a welcome letter and briefly discussed the I-765 and removal of conditions. He said I should expect my green card in the mail in about a week. Then, he got up to photocopy some of our documents (passports, birth certificates, California IDs, credit cards, and Costco letter). When he came back, he was typing some stuff into his computer and asked us if it'd been hard to get into the building, so we briefly explained our experience with the lines and the confusion. He apologized and said that they're having issues with the current construction on the building. He'd already taken my I-94 (it wasn't in my passport when he returned it after photocopying), and he then asked for my EAD card and attached it to my file. He wrote some information in pen on my welcome letter, including "I-765" next to where the letter explains ROC, gave it to me, shook our hands, and sent us on our way. I wasn't looking at the clock when we were done, but we were driving out of the parking garage, after stopping at an ATM, at 10:00, so I assume the whole interview took about 15-20 minutes. I have just checked my status on the USCIS website and it hasn't changed yet, but I have a letter in hand, so it's all good

So, all in all, a very smooth experience, excepting the disorganized and stressful process of entry into the Federal Building. I can hardly believe how smoothly our whole AOS experience was, in fact: 90 days from the filing date to approval, no RFEs, and no other problems. Again, I'm really grateful for all the information and advice here on VJ!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations,thanks for sharing yor approval.

[jojolicious 38]

Congratulations!

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Congratulations!

[jac_chappin 24]

congrats! My wife and I have ours tomorrow. Wish us luck!

[Night Kisa 0]

My AOS from and F-1 visa was approved today in Los Angeles. I am really grateful for all the advice and experiences shared on VJ, so here's my review of my experience at the LA Field Office today:

Our interview was scheduled for 8:00 this morning. We hit a bit more traffic than I had expected and got to Downtown LA a little after 7:30. We circled around looking for parking (I had read about the various lots and prices in the area), but settled for the garage at the Los Angeles Mall, right across the street from the Federal Building. They normally charge $16, but they have an $8 early-bird special before 8:00 am. When we got to the Federal Building, around 7:40ish, there were two lines: one for InfoPass and one for interviews, and they were both quite long. We headed for the interview line, but a security guard made us move to the InfoPass line--not just me and my husband, but several other people as well. I tried to show him my interview letter, but he insisted we should go to other line. We stood in the barely-moving InfoPass line for about 25 minutes--at this point, our interview time had come and gone. Several of us in line went up to a different guard to inquire politely what was going on: turns out, the first guy moved us to the wrong line. So off we went to the correct line, where we waited for another half hour or so, until being let in to the building to go through the metal detectors. I had read enough stories here on VJ to know that it'd probably be OK that we were late, given the fact that the lines were so long, but I was still extra-nervous.

After the metal detectors, my husband and I took the elevator to the sixth floor, where we gave our interview letter to a very polite man sitting at the only open information window. We waited about 25 minutes (several people who got there after us were called before us)--until around 9:25--before being called. Our IO was a younger Latino man with the last name Aguilar. He lead us to a suite of offices down the hall from the waiting room. In his office, he swore us in, asked for our California IDs, passport, birth certificates (I offered to give him the translation for my Mexican certificate, but he declined; I assume he spoke Spanish), and our marriage certificate (he asked for a photocopy of my husband's birth certificate, which he didn't have on file, but I had it with me) . As he looked over these documents, he remarked that my husband had been born in Nevada, asked him when he'd moved to California, and asked him what he did for a living. Then he verified my profession ("you're a graduate student in X, right?") and asked what I want to do after I'm done with my degree. He then asked how long we'd known each other (almost 3 years) and if we'd met at the university where we both work. We told him we'd met online, but that my husband had spotted me on campus after seeing my online profile and he thought our story was funny.

The IO commented on my husband's father birthplace (in the U.S.) and my husband volunteered that he never really knew his father, but that he is/was of Mexican descent (he has a Spanish last name). He asked where I was from in Mexico, verified our marriage location, and asked whether our parents had come to the wedding: we explained my parents and his family came to our U.S. wedding and that we had reception in Mexico later with my whole family. He asked both of us if we'd ever been married before (no), my husband whether he'd ever sponsored someone before (no), and whether either of us had any children (also no). He had a copy of our lease and we showed him the original. He also wanted to see our credit cards on a joint account and proof of our Costco membership. After looking over all of this, he asked me some of the yes/no questions on the I-485 ("have you ever been a member of a terrorist organization?") and commented on my membership in various professional/student organizations.

He looked our file over a couple of times, said we had everything he needed (he specifically referenced the I-693, I-894, and a background check) and said he was approving us. He then welcome me to the United States and congratulated me, and said he'd be printing out a welcome letter and briefly discussed the I-765 and removal of conditions. He said I should expect my green card in the mail in about a week. Then, he got up to photocopy some of our documents (passports, birth certificates, California IDs, credit cards, and Costco letter). When he came back, he was typing some stuff into his computer and asked us if it'd been hard to get into the building, so we briefly explained our experience with the lines and the confusion. He apologized and said that they're having issues with the current construction on the building. He'd already taken my I-94 (it wasn't in my passport when he returned it after photocopying), and he then asked for my EAD card and attached it to my file. He wrote some information in pen on my welcome letter, including "I-765" next to where the letter explains ROC, gave it to me, shook our hands, and sent us on our way. I wasn't looking at the clock when we were done, but we were driving out of the parking garage, after stopping at an ATM, at 10:00, so I assume the whole interview took about 15-20 minutes. I have just checked my status on the USCIS website and it hasn't changed yet, but I have a letter in hand, so it's all good

So, all in all, a very smooth experience, excepting the disorganized and stressful process of entry into the Federal Building. I can hardly believe how smoothly our whole AOS experience was, in fact: 90 days from the filing date to approval, no RFEs, and no other problems. Again, I'm really grateful for all the information and advice here on VJ!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and congrats!!:)What financial info did you bring with the Affidavit of Support? Did you submit the copyof latest paystubs of USC and an updated Employement verification Letter, or just copies of everything you sent with AOS package? My interview is next week, and I was wondering whether my husband need to ask for a new letter from his employer (more recentely dated, and new paystubs? Thx and congrats again!!!!

[gildayjason 2]

We brought an updated employment verification letter, his latest paystub, and our 2011 tax return and W-2s (we filed a couple of weeks ago), as well as copies of the I-864EZ and everything we had submitted with it originally (tax transcripts for 3 years and employment verification letter from back in October), but the IO didn't ask for any of it, so we didn't even take this stuff out of the folder.

[Hopeful17 0]

Did you have to submit the USC's birth certificate too. What happens if you don't have it? He has his passport and naturalization certificate. We can't seem to find his original birth certificate but we have a photocopy. What should we do. I am so scared because if they need the original we have to go to africa for that. Any advice will be appreciated.

[rxy51 1]

Congrats!!! We'll have our interview next Monday!!!

[gildayjason 2]

Hopeful17, I think the passport and naturalization certificate, along with a verbal explanation that you don't have the birth certificate at the interview should be enough. After all, the main thing they want is to establish the petitioner's eligibility to file for a spouse, based on his citizenship. Maybe others can weigh in.

I should say that our case was pretty straightforward overall (I'm an F-1 student who's been here for over 8 years, never out of status; we're close in age; similar educational levels, etc.), but we had two concerns that almost had us hiring a lawyer. The first was that I was previously in a California domestic partnership (not a same-sex marriage). It was dissolved some time ago, but we were concerned it'd raise questions about the bona fide of our marriage, especially since it's referenced in our marriage certificate. The second potential issue was that I left the country after we got married and came back on my student visa (and went back to school; I'm still enrolled and will continue to be). We hadn't decided whether to apply for AOS at that point (I'm a doctoral student and was considering fieldwork abroad) and I definitely didn't lie at the POE (so, no material representation). But I read some stuff here on VJ that gave me pause.

I did go to a lawyer for a free consultation (one specialized in LGBT families and immigration) and he thought it was likely that the domestic partnership wouldn't be a problem (but would charge us extra to prepare for the eventuality that it would be--which is fair, I think), and was not at all worried about my entry after marriage. We decided to go it alone, though, and are very happy that things worked out--the domestic partnership never even came up, though we were prepared with tons of documentation at the interview, including an affidavit from my former partner. I spent a lot of time searching for stories similar to mine on VJ, but I could only find one other case of someone with a domestic partnership/civil union history, so I thought I'd share in case others are in this kind of position.

[Night Kisa 0]

We brought an updated employment verification letter, his latest paystub, and our 2011 tax return and W-2s (we filed a couple of weeks ago), as well as copies of the I-864EZ and everything we had submitted with it originally (tax transcripts for 3 years and employment verification letter from back in October), but the IO didn't ask for any of it, so we didn't even take this stuff out of the folder.

Thank u so much 4 response! we'll bring updated financials then just to be certain! My husband did not receive his W2 for 2011, it should come any day, and I was just a little concerned about that:( Hopefully it will all go smooth, we have everything else. I am also adjusting from F1 and never been out of status. So glad 4 u guys, enjoy and celebrate!!!

[Hopeful17 0]

Hopeful17, I think the passport and naturalization certificate, along with a verbal explanation that you don't have the birth certificate at the interview should be enough. After all, the main thing they want is to establish the petitioner's eligibility to file for a spouse, based on his citizenship. Maybe others can weigh in.

I should say that our case was pretty straightforward overall (I'm an F-1 student who's been here for over 8 years, never out of status; we're close in age; similar educational levels, etc.), but we had two concerns that almost had us hiring a lawyer. The first was that I was previously in a California domestic partnership (not a same-sex marriage). It was dissolved some time ago, but we were concerned it'd raise questions about the bona fide of our marriage, especially since it's referenced in our marriage certificate. The second potential issue was that I left the country after we got married and came back on my student visa (and went back to school; I'm still enrolled and will continue to be). We hadn't decided whether to apply for AOS at that point (I'm a doctoral student and was considering fieldwork abroad) and I definitely didn't lie at the POE (so, no material representation). But I read some stuff here on VJ that gave me pause.

I did go to a lawyer for a free consultation (one specialized in LGBT families and immigration) and he thought it was likely that the domestic partnership wouldn't be a problem (but would charge us extra to prepare for the eventuality that it would be--which is fair, I think), and was not at all worried about my entry after marriage. We decided to go it alone, though, and are very happy that things worked out--the domestic partnership never even came up, though we were prepared with tons of documentation at the interview, including an affidavit from my former partner. I spent a lot of time searching for stories similar to mine on VJ, but I could only find one other case of someone with a domestic partnership/civil union history, so I thought I'd share in case others are in this kind of position.

Thank you very much for your response. Mine is not very complicated. He is naturalized through his parents and I came here as an F1 status and still have my I-20 that doesnt expire till end of march. We are very close in age as well. I guess I am just going to cross my fingers that they don't ask us for his original birth certificate. What kind of questions did they ask?

[PinkMelody 1]

Congratulations! I almost cried when I read 'Welcome to United States and congratulations'lol I'm getting emotional.

[gildayjason 2]

Aw, PinkMelody, you're sweet! Thank you.

Hopeful17, all the questions he asked are in my account above--except I didn't go into detail about the yes/np questions he asked that were straight out of the I-485. They were, if I remember correctly, the terrorist activity one, the military involvement one, the political party one, if I had ever been arrested, and the one about whether I'd ever committed fraud related to immigration benefits. All "no" for me.

[kstrozyk 13]

Thank You very much for sharing your experience. Congratulations!