AoS Interview: APRROVED!

[shxn 2]

Friday, March 30th. The interview was scheduled at 1245PM.

We were almost late cos we forgot about the time change. To make things worse, there was a line of about 20 in front of us. When we got to the door, we had to go through the security check. One good tip is to make sure all the accessories that you have on your wrists/arms are removed before you reach that door. I was never one to accessorize but my manic mind made me wear stuff that day. We were told to go straight up to the 2nd floor after the security check; we were sent back down to check in as we didn't know we had to. There was already a couple waiting to be interviewed; we sat there and waited for our number to be called.

Our officer was nice. He told us to meet him at the third floor and instructed us to take the elevator while he took the stairs. He swore us in and introduced himself as Singleton. Hubby was nervous. He asked us, individually, our full name, birthdate and address. Then he said that the interview was going to be a 2 part interview: one was for the marriage and one was for the petition. He proceeded to ask me the questions from the I-485 (terrorism, prostitution, felony..etc) and checked them off as I responded. He asked us how we met and how long we dated before we got married. He asked for both of our licenses and passports as we had gone on trips together to various countries. He told us that he saw our photos and was impressed because they were labelled with date/place and with a brief note, in chronological order, which made it very presentable and easy for him to understand. A lot of small talk in between. He asked if I have any proof of income with me and I gave him my latest paystub. He asked for our joint bank statement and I gave it to him too. He didn't like the idea that we were using our p.o. box as the address for the paystubs/bank statements instead of our physical address. I gave him a letter from the landlord that states our tenancy (but that idiot forgot to put both our names on the letter!) and his business card attached to it. I told him that the reason we used our individual p.o. box was to make it easier for us when we move. Besides we had the box when we were in college. We won't have to worry about bills/statements being sent to the apartment that we no longer reside when we move. I rummaged through my folder for more evidence in case he needed it. I even offered to let him look at my personal scrapbook that I did for the hubby for our 1 yr anniversary but he said he's tired of looking at photos. He told us that our documentation of evidence that was submitted with the application was very thorough and he think an interview would be kinda unnecessary for our case if he was running the system but because he isn't, we had to drive all the way to Atlanta for a "chat".

Then he asked me if I had any questions for him. Apparently it was my cue for me to ask if I was approved or not but as oblivious as I could get, I said, "not right now". He was surprised that I wasn't curious to know if I was approved. Then he told me that I have to submit a form to remove the condition on my GC 90 days before it expires and not a day earlier otherwise it would be denied. And after that I could apply for citizenship. I noted down everything he said like a good student and when he was done, I asked if it was over. He told me that we could leave when he is done updating my status into the system. I asked him if I needed to get my passport stamped, or if that no longer exist. He said I don't need the stamp and my GC should arrive in 4-6 wks time but most people get theirs in less than 2 wks. I told him I was going to fly back to malaysia to visit my family and casually mentioned that the ticket price has been increasing every other day. I added the "i hope it wont be $500 more in 2 wks time". He said they could only place a stamp on your passport if you have your itinerary but other than that they have stopped doing that. We continued to talk about the ticket, and how it's the best time to fly back and then he said, "take your passport down to the check-in counter and tell them your sad story. It worked on me as I'm typing this letter for you now so you could let them see it and hopefully they'll place a stamp on your passport". We laughed; I thanked him and for a moment it didn't feel like I was undergoing a major immigration intervention of some sort. We had a lot of casual talk during the entire interview and we even talked bout how ridiculous my position at my job is and how interesting his job is, being able to see all sorts of faces and frauds. He even told us stories about people he had denied due to marriage fraud!

Finally when everything is all completed, he walked us to the elevator and congratulated me on my first day as a permanent resident. We shook his hand and left with a big wide smile plastered on our faces.

I truly appreciate the help and guidance that all you VJers had provided me with throughout my journey with the AoS process. Who needs a lawyer when you guys are so much better than that?

[Camo 5]

Congrats on your approval. More good and great things to come.

[saudiwife 7]

Congratulations!!!!

[kamhoe 5]

Congratulations!

[M & L 0]

Cool. Congratulations!!

And thanks for sharing your experience.

[shxn 2]

Thanks! To all you guys who are undergoing the process and/or awaiting decisions, don't give up! It sucks but the wait is worth it!

[uscisb1 0]

Awesome!!!! Congrats!!!

[pasportit 7]

Congrats! Happy Legal Residency to you!

[X Factor 1,112]

ConGraTuLaTions