ATLANTA AOS FILERS AND TIME LINES 2013

[f&c 50]

My wife and I had our AOS interview today (06/12/2014) in Atlanta. We arrived with our 21 month old daughter at 1:30 for our 2:30 interview, but waited until 2:00 to go inside where our lawyer was waiting. After going through security, we were not allowed to check in until 2:15. Our lawyer spoke with a few of the IOs and told him they had 240 interviews scheduled today and 18 officers working. At one point during the day, they were backed up by 3 hours. Our lawyer also predicted that it would be unlikely we receive a decision today, because of my wife's entry circumstances.

At 3:40 (70 min delay) we we called back for our interview. The officer was professional and courteous without much small talk. He began by asking for our IDs and looked at originals of some of our documents. He took every piece of documentation showing proof of my wife's Canadian Permanment Residency along with our 2013 tax returns and relationship proof. He was impressed with our preperation and took a look at our photo album. He said people put a lot of work into their albums, so he feels obligated to look at them.

The IO then asked how we met and how our relationship developed followed by the basic form questions. He then asked my wife about the circumstances surrounding her entry into the US, which understandably was the focus of the interview. The officer then asked my wife the standard form questions.

The IO approved our I-130 petition and said it is obvious to him that our relationship is real, however he could not approve the I-485 today, because of lack of proof of entry. He said that he has to take our file to a supervisor and "run it up the chain." He said that he undertands how people are waved through at the Canadian border and lack proof of entry and believes my wife's account. He will check with CBP and see if he can obtain something from them. I really got the impression that he wanted to approve us on the spot, but could not.

My lawyer is familiar with this IO and said that he doesn't let things sit on his desk for long, so hopefully we get a decision within a few weeks. We were a bit bummed out (especially my wife), but we'll just have to wait a little while longer. At least we are waiting together. The interview itself was not bad at all. Even though we have an attorney, we learned a lot from VJ members. It definitley helped us with our preperation. I really appreciate VJ and its members. Back to the waiting game!

[Erica & L 50]

I got my interview notice in the mail today for 8:45am, whew!

[coolchicn 5]

My wife and I had our AOS interview today (06/12/2014) in Atlanta. We arrived with our 21 month old daughter at 1:30 for our 2:30 interview, but waited until 2:00 to go inside where our lawyer was waiting. After going through security, we were not allowed to check in until 2:15. Our lawyer spoke with a few of the IOs and told him they had 240 interviews scheduled today and 18 officers working. At one point during the day, they were backed up by 3 hours. Our lawyer also predicted that it would be unlikely we receive a decision today, because of my wife's entry circumstances.

At 3:40 (70 min delay) we we called back for our interview. The officer was professional and courteous without much small talk. He began by asking for our IDs and looked at originals of some of our documents. He took every piece of documentation showing proof of my wife's Canadian Permanment Residency along with our 2013 tax returns and relationship proof. He was impressed with our preperation and took a look at our photo album. He said people put a lot of work into their albums, so he feels obligated to look at them.

The IO then asked how we met and how our relationship developed followed by the basic form questions. He then asked my wife about the circumstances surrounding her entry into the US, which understandably was the focus of the interview. The officer then asked my wife the standard form questions.

The IO approved our I-130 petition and said it is obvious to him that our relationship is real, however he could not approve the I-485 today, because of lack of proof of entry. He said that he has to take our file to a supervisor and "run it up the chain." He said that he undertands how people are waved through at the Canadian border and lack proof of entry and believes my wife's account. He will check with CBP and see if he can obtain something from them. I really got the impression that he wanted to approve us on the spot, but could not.

My lawyer is familiar with this IO and said that he doesn't let things sit on his desk for long, so hopefully we get a decision within a few weeks. We were a bit bummed out (especially my wife), but we'll just have to wait a little while longer. At least we are waiting together. The interview itself was not bad at all. Even though we have an attorney, we learned a lot from VJ members. It definitley helped us with our preperation. I really appreciate VJ and its members. Back to the waiting game!

Hopefully this is resolved pretty soon. Wishing you all the best!

[Skyview 3]

How did your wife enter the states?!

[coolchicn 5]

So.. about my interview.

Our appointment was for 9am but we did not get called till about 10.45. The meanest looking interviewer is the one who called us and we were scared to death. She's an African American lady in her mid 40's. She got straight to the point; swore us in then proceeded to ask the usual form questions. THEN she asked me if I wanted to keep my name or take up my husbands name? While I was still mumbling she said I have to know now cos am putting in the info for your green card right now:-)))) At this point am like yeah, its already been approved lol. But then she goes on to ask questions;

Where did you meet?

Who proposed?

How long did you date before you got married?

What did you like about each other?

Have you met each other's families? Do they get along?

What are you doing now?

Are you still in school(I was F1) Still attending the same school?

Where do your parents stay?

When did you first enter the country? Last entry?

Most of these questions were directed to me; my husband the petitioner was only asked 2 questions.

Then she asked if we had any other documents to prove the marriage(we had submitted only proof of joint bank account with the application). We brought;

Bank statements for past 5 months

Electric bills in both our names

Car, home and dental insurance

receipts from date nights

a couple of pictures

membership cards; Costco, aaa

She pulled out 2 statements and some bills and said she didn't need the rest. (Lol Really, after all that?)

Then she started stamping a bunch of papers and said I have approved you....told us about removal of conditions in 2 years and then citizenship...

She then gave us some marital advice; kids and religion, etc. (this was really really sweet)

we were still enjoying the conversation but at this point she was standing up and she stacked our file somewhere and then walked to the door...this was our cue to leave lol. we couldn't thank her enough though

As mean as she looked she was actually a very sweet and kind hearted person.

We received the approval emails 10 mins later:-))))).

The whole thing lasted less than 15 mins and even though she did ask questions I kind of got the impression that we were approved before we walked through the door.

Edited June 17, 2014 by coolchicn

[Pshine 5]

Got my interview schedule today in the mail for July 22nd. I'm a march filer. I guess Atlanta is picking up the pace!

[Mrs. Parker 0]

Got my interview schedule today in the mail for July 22nd. I'm a march filer. I guess Atlanta is picking up the pace!

Wow that's really good news....Atlanta picking up speed.

[f&c 50]

So.. about my interview.

Our appointment was for 9am but we did not get called till about 10.45. The meanest looking interviewer is the one who called us and we were scared to death. She's an African American lady in her mid 40's. She got straight to the point; swore us in then proceeded to ask the usual form questions. THEN she asked me if I wanted to keep my name or take up my husbands name? While I was still mumbling she said I have to know now cos am putting in the info for your green card right now:-)))) At this point am like yeah, its already been approved lol. But then she goes on to ask questions;

Where did you meet?

Who proposed?

How long did you date before you got married?

What did you like about each other?

Have you met each other's families? Do they get along?

What are you doing now?

Are you still in school(I was F1) Still attending the same school?

Where do your parents stay?

When did you first enter the country? Last entry?

Most of these questions were directed to me; my husband the petitioner was only asked 2 questions.

Then she asked if we had any other documents to prove the marriage(we had submitted only proof of joint bank account with the application). We brought;

Bank statements for past 5 months

Electric bills in both our names

Car, home and dental insurance

receipts from date nights

a couple of pictures

membership cards; Costco, aaa

She pulled out 2 statements and some bills and said she didn't need the rest. (Lol Really, after all that?)

Then she started stamping a bunch of papers and said I have approved you....told us about removal of conditions in 2 years and then citizenship...

She then gave us some marital advice; kids and religion, etc. (this was really really sweet)

we were still enjoying the conversation but at this point she was standing up and she stacked our file somewhere and then walked to the door...this was our cue to leave lol. we couldn't thank her enough though

As mean as she looked she was actually a very sweet and kind hearted person.

We received the approval emails 10 mins later:-))))).

The whole thing lasted less than 15 mins and even though she did ask questions I kind of got the impression that we were approved before we walked through the door.

Congratulations on your approval! Great news!

Hopefully this is resolved pretty soon. Wishing you all the best!

Thank you. We really appreciate it.

[f&c 50]

How did your wife enter the states?!

She entered by car from Canada. CBP checked her documents and granted her entry, but did not stamp her passport, so she does not have proof of legal entry. On top of that, she was a Canadian permanent resident, so technically she needed a visa to enter the US. Our IO seemed to be more concerned with the proof of entry. Hopefully a supervisor will approve my wife's application soon.

[Erica & L 50]

Congrats everyone!! I am putting last touches on everything, definitely have the pre-interview jitters.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Erica & Lily

[f&c 50]

Hopefully this is resolved pretty soon. Wishing you all the best!

This evening at 5:14, we received notification that my wife's AOS has been approved and the card is already in the mail. It took less than a week from our interview to get our issue resolved. We are relieved and ecstatic. We appreciate everyone's well wishes. Thank you!

[missvrapter 9]

February filer here, interview is on July 22nd, good luck to everybody with upcoming interviews

[coolchicn 5]

Congratulations! Glad that it worked out well.

Atlanta office is a long wait but looks like they are really on top of their game

This evening at 5:14, we received notification that my wife's AOS has been approved and the card is already in the mail. It took less than a week from our interview to get our issue resolved. We are relieved and ecstatic. We appreciate everyone's well wishes. Thank you!

[MichelleNGeorge 10]

February filer here, interview is on July 22nd, good luck to everybody with upcoming interviews

Congratulations! When did it change to testing and interview? I mean how long after biometrics or NOA1?

[sunshinesam 2]

February filer here, interview is on July 22nd, good luck to everybody with upcoming interviews

Congratulations!!! Any other feb or march filers received their interview notice? I filed on March 25 and have been waiting to hear about my interview.