April 2013 Filers

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Congratulations!

Had our interview today . It went very well, we didn't spend more than 10 minutes in the office and 5 of that was him copying some paperwork we gave him(pictures, debit cards, where we work) . He asked us where we first met, and where we are living right now. That's it! We were so surprised that it was so short. He said that we should receive the Permanent Resident card in the mail within 2 to 4 weeks. Make sure you have everything organized he told us thank you for having all the paperwork organized for him to copy.

if anyone has questions please ask.

[BlueDevil 61]

Wish I had good news .... After being grilled for 2 hours we walked away with a letter saying a decision will be mailed. She didn't keep Dave's combo card. We are so crushed that we are possibly facing a denial.

Sorry to hear about your experience, Carla. Hang in there though. You have not been denied so think positive. There have been so many cases where the decision has been delayed but a positive outcome finally occurred. I'm sure you'll be fine! Chin up!

[CarlaDave 27]

Thank you all for such encouraging words. Needless to say, Dave & I were absolutely gutted!

So here's what happened:

Our letter stated the interview would start at 7:30 am. We arrived at 6:50 am only to find out that the building didn't open until 7:30. When it came time to enter, each individual (or couple in our case) was let in one at a time. We entered through the metal detectors and waited for a 3 others before we were escorted to our appropriate floors.

When we arrived at the 4th floor office, we placed our letter in the tray and waited ... and waited ... and waited. Finally, Dave's name was called by a female IO. We walked into her office and was told to remain standing as she swore us in. The first thing she began talking about was the procedure for ROC. Dave & I looked at each other and squeezed each other's hand under the desk as if to say "this is a good thing!" ... or so we thought.

She asked me about my employment, which I am currently in between jobs but receiving the max amount for unemployment benefits. She honed in on the amount I wrote for what I made. Then drilled me even further about my taxes and why each year they were decreasing. She put me on blast that my youngest daughter was listed on last year's tax return but that I didn't have her listed as Dave's step-daughter. Oh, she really let me have it because I didn't include her (my daughter) in the household head count. I explained that my daughter moved to her dad's 6 months into 2012 and she no longer resides with us. She said it didn't matter.

She then moved onto my previous marriages. With the amount of questions, you would have thought Dave was the USC and I was the immigrant. She interrogated the hell out of me. At this point, Dave & I felt our ship was sunk.

The IO was really hard to read. She was very "all business." The only time I got her to smile was when she asked "Why is this marriage any different?" I replied, "Have you ever seen Shawshank Redemption?" She replied, "Yes." I said, "I'm like Andy. I had to crawl through 500 yards of ####### (previous marriages) to find my way to Dave. If I had to do it again and I knew it led me to him, I would do it. I absolutely love Dave with all my heart." She said, "I can tell." I couldn't help but breaking down into to tears. She then turned her attention to Dave and asked why he married me. That was the only question he was asked other than the usual questions that were asked on the I-485.

She then requested to see what evidence I had to prove our bona fide marriage. Out came the other 3 binders & the photo album. I gave her the letter from our bank showing Dave as a joint account holder, a copy of a check Dave wrote, our AAA cards, utility bills, email from DirecTV stating he's an authorized user. I told her we have cards and envelopes addressed to both of us. She wanted to know if they were from the time we were married until now. I said yes & I also have pictures. She said she didn't need it that we have enough evidence.

She then went cold again and told us to wait in the lobby while she made copies that she would bring our originals out to us. Dave looked at his watch. Time in the interview? Two friggin hours!!! This is not good ... We waited ... again. At this point, as soon as Dave & I walked into the lobby we knew it was not good. It was confirmed when she came out and pointed out that there was a discrepancy in the date of my previous marriage. I pointed out that indeed it was a typo and told her the correct year. She accepted that it was an innocent error. She handed back our documents. The final thing she gave Dave was a letter that reads "In regards to you application for permanent residence: You will be notified by mail of the status of your petition or application. No further action is required on your part at this time." #######! My heart sunk to the first floor and completely by-passed the elevator. Dave asked if this was good and I said no. The IO single-handedly handed me my ### .... in pieces.

It was a long walk back to the hotel and an even longer drive home. We made small talk while we knew that the other was really thinking what are we going to do now? I kept checking the USCIS website the entire 3.5 hours drive home. As soon as we got home, I was on the computer just clicking refresh. I've been crying non-stop at the thought of being separated from my love knowing UK immigration is 1000 times tougher than US immigration. I told Dave, "We have people from all over the world rooting for us. Ghana, Jamaica, Scotland, Philippines, and Australia. What went wrong?!"

Dave knew I was tired yet my mind is racing with the weight of not getting an "on the spot" approval or even an "I'm requesting an approval for you." This letter and the interview did not feel right. I felt bad because I knew Dave was tired from driving & he was just staying awake to comfort me. I've replayed the interview over and over. I visualized the documents over and over. I just want to be put out of my misery. Dave decided to have a bath to relax.

I stayed in the kitchen and continued hitting refresh on the USCIS website. Holy batman!! What is this? Did his AOS just change from "Testing and Interview" to "Card/Document Production"? No way!! I jumped from the table and began screaming! Dave shouted from the bath "WHAT IS IT CARLA? WHAT'S WRONG?" I ran crying to the bathroom fully prepared (and fully dressed) to jump in. I showed him the status change. He asked what does that mean? I told him we're approved! Suddenly, lil miss reality check kicked in. I said wait a minute let me make sure this is your 485. Sure enough! My baby is staying! Tears flowed mixed with laughter. We hugged and kissed right there. Jubilation!

We woke my mum in-law up and gave her the good news. I can't believe we made it. We can finally exhale and feel like we can live our lives now.

Thank you all soooooooo much! This is really a great group here and I am so honored to have shared our ups (and downs) with you. I hope that we can continue staying in touch with each other here. We have a special bond now. You will all forever be our Class of April 2013 family.

[BlueDevil 61]

Yahoo!!!!! That is excellent news, Carla!! I am sooooo happy for you guys. You totally deserve it! Now relax, if you haven't already and get to partying!

[kiwivisa 8]

Awesome news! I was just telling my wife about how you guys had had a rough time today. i was hoping the status would change, and it has!! Great great news!!

[richinlove 2]

yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happpy to hear! was really wondering what could have gone wrong, but really happy to hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blue Bianchi 77]

Yay! congratulations!!!

[tony&lace 2]

R u a writer carla??? Bcuz of how u told ur story. U rlI had me. Btw congcongratulations! ! Im sooooo happy for u even tho u have me nervous for our interview next month......... Jamaica showing love tho

[CarlaDave 27]

BlueDevil: Thank you so much! After the call to my MIL, we laid down and slept for a couple of hours. Honestly, that was best nap we've had in a long time. Ahhhh!

kiwivisa: We so appreciate you keeping us in your thoughts. They really helped sway the powers to be. We are so unbelievably happy!

richinlove: I kept replaying it over and over. Honestly, I nitpicked the heck out of everything until my head was done in. Thank you so much for the well wishes!

Blue Bianchi: Thank you Blue! Our cheeks hurt as we've not stopped smiling

tony&lace: Ha! Well, I had to write it as it played out. I told Dave that in a sense I'm actually glad it worked out the way it did. I think had we gotten the "instant" approval that, yes we would have been happy all the same, however, since it was a delayed decision, we are oh so much more grateful and appreciative of our approval. Don't stress about your interview. It just goes to show, that until they say straight out it's a denial, that it's not over. You guys are going to be fine. One of us in the group had to have a hiccup/reality check. I'm glad it's over and done with.

When Dave & I woke up from our much needed nap, we both said that it feels like we're dreaming. I even checked our status online and indeed it states Card/Production Ordered.

It was funny last night. We totally reversed roles. He ironed his shirt & trousers. I watched a YouTube video to learn how to tie his tie. I must say, I tied a mean Windsor. LOL! As my MIL would say, "We are well to be seen!"

[Caramel Swirl 54]

I stayed in the kitchen and continued hitting refresh on the USCIS website. Holy batman!! What is this? Did his AOS just change from "Testing and Interview" to "Card/Document Production"? No way!! I jumped from the table and began screaming! Dave shouted from the bath "WHAT IS IT CARLA? WHAT'S WRONG?" I ran crying to the bathroom fully prepared (and fully dressed) to jump in. I showed him the status change. He asked what does that mean? I told him we're approved! Suddenly, lil miss reality check kicked in. I said wait a minute let me make sure this is your 485. Sure enough! My baby is staying! Tears flowed mixed with laughter. We hugged and kissed right there. Jubilation!

We woke my mum in-law up and gave her the good news. I can't believe we made it. We can finally exhale and feel like we can live our lives now.

Thank you all soooooooo much! This is really a great group here and I am so honored to have shared our ups (and downs) with you. I hope that we can continue staying in touch with each other here. We have a special bond now. You will all forever be our Class of April 2013 family.

Told yah it was all good news, it was just a tad bit delayed......You made me feel as if I was watching a love story movie, I cried and then I was wait a minutes, OMG, OMG, they are going to be together, happily ever after.....THE END!!!!!!

[Happy03 0]

Carla & Dave

Congratulations!!!!

[tashired 18]

Oh my gosh Carla, Im reading this on my way to work and I was like oh no! Yoou really had me there. C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!! So happy for u guys

[discoverusa 258]

This is an awesome news. Sooooo happy for you guys.

[CarlaDave 27]

Caramel Swirl: I read all the positive notes to Dave yesterday. I think we were expecting the worse but hoping for the best. Yes, our story is almost like a Nicholas Sparks novel!

Happy03: Thank you!!

tashired: Thank you! USCIS almost had us! At the end of the day, we were thinking why didn't she just tell us we were approved instead of putting us through the torture?

discoverusa: Thank you! We are still on cloud 9. It almost feels like a dream.

[ddkorestin 10]

so hap py for u both.