April 2012 AOS Filers

[Gilbermon 0]

AOS Interview Experience - Houston, TX

USCIS Location:

16504 Central Green Blvd

Houston, TX 77032

Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/ZESZ

Preamble

My interview for Adjustment of Status (AOS) was from a non-immigrant work visa and my U.S. Citizen wife was my petitioner. We did not require a co-sponsor as her income is above the minimum threshold to support a family of 2. We completed all of our forms with assistance from the book "Fiance and Marriage Visas: A couple's complete guide to US immigration" -- http://amzn.to/P7durd. We had the book prior to locating this site. During the AOS process we did not receive any Requests for Evidence (RFE).

Interview Preparation

We spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the AOS interview. We created a binder that contained the following:

- Original and color copy of all notices we received from the USCIS

- A complete copy (forms and supporting documents) of the original AOS filing we sent to Chicago (I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765, I-864)

- Original and color copy of all evidence related to our bona fide marriage (10 pictures with descriptions and dates, leases, travel itineraries, financial information, etc.)

- Bona fide marriage copies and originals were all held together with paperclips and easily accessed. I also provided a table of contents for easy review by the Immigration Officer (IO)

We spent no time practicing prior to the interview. I figured this would just make us nervous and it wasn't really required. USCIS isn't expecting you to know your spouse's every move. If you answer 95% of the questions correctly, you'll be fine.

Interview Day

We had an early morning interview -- 7 AM. We put on business slacks and button down shirts as we do for the office. We arrived at approx. 6:30 AM to find that we were not the first ones there. Please note that the USCIS building is up near George Bush Airport (IAH). If you live south of the location, Hardy Toll Road is the best method of access -- make sure you have an EZTAG as the toll booth heading to Central Greens Blvd is EZTAG only.

It took approx. 5 minutes to get through security. Similar to the airport you are subject to security screening using magnetometers and you need to take your shoes off. So make sure you can navigate security with relative ease. Don't wear difficult to remove cowboy boots, heavily laced up shoes, etc. Security will also verify your appointment letter -- make sure you have it in your hand as you walk into the building. Once you pass security, there's a small window directly to the right -- hand your interview letter to the person working. They will provide a sheet of paper to fill out (basic information) -- they have very few clipboards and pens. You should plan to bring your own pen.

You then take a seat and wait for your name to be called. I would recommend sitting as close to the brown door as possible to ensure you can hear the IO say your name. Many of them are soft spoken and it can be difficult to hear them 30 feet away if you're in the back of the room. From what I can tell, most if not all of the IOs are on time. We were called in right around our interview time by a very polite middle aged woman. She greeted us with a smile, introduced herself at the door and then led us to her office which was a few hundred feet away. We made small talk on the way to her office -- clearly she was gearing up for a busy day. All IO's interview 8 AOS applicants a day. So it is back to back all day, every day.

We were sworn in at her desk. She looked over our file to remind herself of who we were. She asked for our ID (passports, state ID, I94, SSNs, and EAD). She then let us know that I would answer details regarding my wife and vice versa. Full legal name, date of birth, current address, city and state of birth (and/or country) and date of marriage. She asked whether or not I had left the country since applying for AOS and prior to receiving Advance Parole. Finally she asked for evidence of our relationship and marriage -- I preceded to give her color copies of all the information I brought showing a bona fide relationship and marriage. A second reminder, bring copies for the IO -- they do not have time to deal with making copies. She flipped through our wedding album and handed it back. She didn't keep any pictures, my I94, EAD, etc -- just copies of the other evidence mentioned above.

She thanked us for our time. Asked if we had any additional questions. And let us know that she would render a decision in the next 30 days. We had simple banter on the way back to the brown door and we were off.

Post Interview

On the walk to the parking lot -- no more than a few hundred feet from the main building I received an email stating that card production had been ordered on my I-485. She must have done this while we were still in her office. And subsequently we've received the NOAs for the I485 and I130 approvals.

Postscript

Over the last decade I have interacted with many aspects of U.S. Immigration and Border Patrol. From simply entering the country for a tourist visit to work visas and finally the AOS process. I can say without a doubt the staff at the USCIS Houston office are the most professional, polite and punctual individuals I have interacted with. It is an understatement to say that it was a pleasure working with them on our interview date.

If you are appropriately prepared and your marriage is legitimate, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The IO's will treat you with the utmost professionalism and respect.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N!!!

Thank you so much, my interview is next Wednesday at the same office, hope to have the same experience.

Did she never explain to you anything about ROC (two years conditional)?

Thank you for your explanation was very neat and detailed.

Good luck!!!

Edited July 4, 2012 by Gilbermon

[wifi 6]

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N!!!

Thank you so much, my interview is next Wednesday at the same office, hope to have the same experience.

Did she never explain to you anything about ROC (two years conditional)?

Thank you for your explanation was very neat and detailed.

Good luck!!!

There was no mention of the ROC process. In the I485 approval letter it includes a second letter that details the ROC process and when you become eligible to submit I-751 paperwork.

Good luck next Wednesday. If you are as prepared as we were you will have no problem.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Do you receive a notice about USPS picking up an EAD after card production, or is the card production notification the last message you receive before you actually get your EAD in the mail?

The clock is ticking to Tuesday. I'm not worried. I don't mean I'm supremely confident but rather I am finished living my life in fear and that I will approach Tuesday as a normal day.

With regards to documents, I have not been able to obtain anything from the local ISD so I will just be sticking with the information already submitted (joint bank account statements going back five years; a letter from my wife's life insurance company showing that I was the beneficiary and redeemed the policy; our daughter's birth certificate). I've also printed a couple of old gas bills showing my wife's name (using my surname) on it. It was the month after she died but they will hopefully accept it since it was the most recent bill the gas company would let me access online.

I just need to get a haircut in the next couple of days and pick out some decent clothes and then I am ready for Tuesday. It certainly feels like the endgame.

[ChrisPG 30]

Do you receive a notice about USPS picking up an EAD after card production, or is the card production notification the last message you receive before you actually get your EAD in the mail?

The clock is ticking to Tuesday. I'm not worried. I don't mean I'm supremely confident but rather I am finished living my life in fear and that I will approach Tuesday as a normal day.

With regards to documents, I have not been able to obtain anything from the local ISD so I will just be sticking with the information already submitted (joint bank account statements going back five years; a letter from my wife's life insurance company showing that I was the beneficiary and redeemed the policy; our daughter's birth certificate). I've also printed a couple of old gas bills showing my wife's name (using my surname) on it. It was the month after she died but they will hopefully accept it since it was the most recent bill the gas company would let me access online.

I just need to get a haircut in the next couple of days and pick out some decent clothes and then I am ready for Tuesday. It certainly feels like the endgame.

You will receive the "card in production" email, then a "USCIS has mailed your card" email and then finally a "USPS has picked up your card" email. Some people (myself included) received a 2nd "card in production" email prior to the "mailed" & "picked up" emails.

Good luck for your interview!

[Hypnos 6,576]

Thanks.

I did actually receive a second "card production" text and email 15 minutes after the first, but that's all so far.

With it being Independence Day today they probably won't mail it until Thursday or Friday at a guess.

[Gilbermon 0]

Do you receive a notice about USPS picking up an EAD after card production, or is the card production notification the last message you receive before you actually get your EAD in the mail?

The clock is ticking to Tuesday. I'm not worried. I don't mean I'm supremely confident but rather I am finished living my life in fear and that I will approach Tuesday as a normal day.

With regards to documents, I have not been able to obtain anything from the local ISD so I will just be sticking with the information already submitted (joint bank account statements going back five years; a letter from my wife's life insurance company showing that I was the beneficiary and redeemed the policy; our daughter's birth certificate). I've also printed a couple of old gas bills showing my wife's name (using my surname) on it. It was the month after she died but they will hopefully accept it since it was the most recent bill the gas company would let me access online.

I just need to get a haircut in the next couple of days and pick out some decent clothes and then I am ready for Tuesday. It certainly feels like the endgame.

Yes, I received the email about usps last Monday. I guess we are receiving the EAD tomorrow or Friday at least.

I think you will be ok and more because you have a lawyer checking everything with you. I am very exited about my interview and nervous at the same time. The day of the interview is my wife's birthday, that mean that i will be very busy and with the bless of God i will celebrating double. Funny thing is that we filed the papers on my birthday and we will have the interview on her birthday...I think we are well prepare since the beginning and today we took advantage of the holiday to practice and prepare for that day.

Are you going with your daughter? Be confident that everything will be good.

Wifi, thank you for you help and your comments, in my case was thinking if the io never talk about the 2 years condition couldn mean that you will be denied but i can see now is not the case, that small detail could make my day horrible if i didn't know about you experience.

[Hypnos 6,576]

My daughter and stepson will be going with me, as well as my father-in-law who has lived with my wife and I for the entire time I have been here.

I plan on pursuing my stepson's adoption here in Texas once my green card is approved, as a family lawyer here advised me to get my green card first before getting into that.

Edited July 5, 2012 by Hypnos

[Kay&Jon 1]

Finally! EAD/AP approved on July 4th. It really makes you wonder about their electronic system as I'm certain nobody was in the office on a federal holiday, oh well.

[SOflaherty 40]

Congrats wifi on the approval! Hope the rest of ours go as smoothly! Who is next?

My husband got his SS card on Tuesday, so that is nice, only took a week! We got the hotel booked for the night before the interview, it's literally across the street from the USCIS building, so no worries about getting lost . I put in my PTO for that time, and we have a sitter lined up. Just a matter of waiting now.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yet another "EAD card production" email and text today. That makes three so far.

I wonder if I make it to five whether I get a free prize.

Edited July 5, 2012 by Hypnos

[SOflaherty 40]

Yet another "EAD card production" email and text today. That makes three so far.

I wonder if I make it to five whether I get a free prize.

3 is normal, you should have it in hand within a few days.

[DC85 113]

I got my GC in the mail, it's the best card I ever had especially from the back.

[Shooli 2]

A question that came up in an unrelated discussion: Which line do green card holders go through

when going through airport customs and immigration?

[wifi 6]

A question that came up in an unrelated discussion: Which line do green card holders go through

when going through airport customs and immigration?

U.S. Citizen line. Alternatively, you can now apply for Global Entry. Well worth it if you travel internationally on a regular basis -- http://www.globalentry.gov/.

[Gilbermon 0]

I got my EAD today! Yahhhh hoooooooooooo :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: