Expecting my first I-130 interview being in removal procedure

[ans1987vrn 0]

I have a very difficult situation in my opinion even though I do have a lawyer.Please dont judge me. Long story short: Came to the US ( J1 visa ) in 2006. Was charged with shoplifting when I was 19 ( in 2006) but expunged it so the case is dismmised. I was married twice ( now its my 3rd marriage!) and never filed any paperwork for GC with my first 2 marriages. Since I overstayed Ive been in removal procedure for about 2 years now. Met my current husband, got married, filed for I-130.I haven't gone to the deportation court yet because we were waiting for I-130 to be approved first ( Even though I dont believe it will be approved right away..) Interview is scheduled in 3 weeks in Philadelphia. I feel like Im totally prepared for this coming interview, we have TONS of pictures, cards, affidavits, bills and plus Im 8 months pregnant BUT!!! I've heard they would give me VERY hard time with my past 2 marriages plus my criminal record doesnt help , and I have changed so many addresses around the states during my whole stay in the states... I know theres probably NO such a person who had such a bad and hard case, but ANY help is GREATLY appreciated! Im so stressed and nervous about this interview ( which ive been waiting for 2 years to be scheduled!!!) . I know I unfortunately CANNOT change my past and theres nothing I can do at this point. But maybe any of you know somebody who went through similar situation? What to expect during our interview? Will they grill me on my past 2 marriages ( even though you would think the current marriage thats whats important right now!) ?? And how bad that I had that freaking criminal record 7 years ago?

PLEASE ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

*** Moving from AOS Progress report to AOS from Student visa forum ***

Yes, you will have a hard time. I doubt the shop lifting charge itself will be a big issue, but the three marriages, the long overstay, and the third wedding happening right as removal proceedings ramp up will be red flags. Can you give a timeline of when the marriages and divorces happened, and any immigration proceedings? Why did they put you in removal proceedings two years ago, did you come to the attention of police again?

[Hypnos 6,578]

You may want to consider having your lawyer attend the interview with you, since I doubt it will be a cakewalk.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Shoplifting is a CIMT.

[GreenTrain 1]

Shoplifting is a CIMT.

CIMT?

[seth2013 39]

I believe it means Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude. Taken from Wikipedia: "It is of great importance for immigration purposes, as offenses which are defined as involving moral turpitude are considered bars to immigration into the U.S."

There's a chart halfway down and it does seem that it is a CIMT. I would get a lawyer ASAP.

Edited February 10, 2013 by sethless

[VanessaTony 3,567]

CIMT?

Crime involving moral turpitude: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude

A conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) causes a person to be inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(2)(a)(i) of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act).