Finally.....Approved at interview after four RFE's!!!

[tina17 3]

Last Wednsday we finally had our long-awaited interview in Lawrence Ma. We went there extremely stressed out as we had a dreadfully difficult time adjusting my status from visa waiver. Our lawyer turned out to be very unexperienced and as a result we were sent 4 RFE's as our case continued to drag on over nearly 9 months...

For all of you who do not know our story, here is the link from one of our previous threads, where we shared some of our drama:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/432471-omgcase-frozen-since-january-another-rfe/

We decided to attend the interview on our own, without our (in our opinion) incompetent lawyer. Our appointment time was at 7.45am, but we were advised to be there a half hour before. So we pulled into the nearby parking lot just after 7am. It was across the road from our destination. A few minutes later, we were searched and admitted to the waiting room which except for us, was empty. We were the only two people there. There was a TV set on the wall with president Obamas picture next to it, and we tried very hard to distract our minds, but, due to the stress of our looming interview, it was very difficult. In fact, the stress was killing us both.

Before the interview, we both agreed that we would tell only the truth, so I guess we didn't have to worry too much about being called out on something. I came to the US on a visa waiver, for a short vacation and yes, prior to that , me and my husband had already formed a relationship, as he did stay with me in the UK for some time. However, we didn't plan to get married on my visit to the US, it just turned out that way after I decided to extend my visit for a while.

Anyway, as we sat in that USCIS waiting room 11 months later, we were ready to collapse with stress and anticipation. Because our incompetent lawyer messed things up right from the start, it took us much longer than we expected to adjust my status, and yes, we couldn't be sure how it would go as we took a massive risk by adjusting my status from a visa waiver.

As we sat there consumed by worry, suddenly the door opened, and my husband was called in. I got up too, but was told that they wanted to see my husband first. He was asked to bring with him some sort of ID, so I gave him his passport (we kept all our documents in a massive briefcase all together). That added to my horror as I sat there for about 20 minutes alone, not knowing why we were seperated at that point.

The same IO that called my husband, then came and called me in. I followed her into a small interview room, and my husband was sitting there, looking very stressed and afraid, and I sensed it wasn't a good idea to talk to him just then. He sat on a chair next to the wall, and the IO pointed me to move towards a desk facing her. She instructed me to raise my right hand and I was sworn to tell the truth and only the truth. After that I sat down facing the IO, and my husband sat behind me so I couldn't see him. And suddenly the questions started to pop in and they gained speed. Very soon, I realised that the IO was ticking my answers off on a large piece of paper. Yes, she was comparing my answers to those of my husband's, checking if they would match. There were lots of questions: how did we meet? When? Where was the first time we met in person? How long did my husband stay in the UK? What happened afterwards? When did he propose?

Then there were questions about our wedding, like where we were married, who attended the ceremony, what sort of wedding reception we had, what food was served... I was asked about my husband's family, about his kids. Then about our place; the color of our house, what floor do we live on, where do we park our car, what our place looked like (how many rooms, description etc.). Then about my family, kids, parents, I had to tell her all of that.

All throughout the interview, the lady IO was firm but very polite and nice. We brought with us a massive file of all sorts of documents and two photo albums, but the IO wanted only one document to view, and that was an affidavit of my name change some time ago and to explain the circumstances of it. As for the photo albums, the IO didn't even open them, and said: I do not need to look at your pictures, I am quite happy with what I saw already. I am going to approve you - and she stamped our applications, saying that I would receive my Green Card by post in about 10 days time....

It was almost surreal...that moment of our approval. Suddenly, all the stress dissapeared and the greatest joy took its place.

If we had this to do over again, we would have reconsidered our options, as it was very stressfull, and nearly gave us heart attacks. But we did want to share our experience for those who are in a similar situation to ours, in order to give them some hope that things can work out for the best if you are sincere in your relationship, and honest with the IO.

[ValerieA 350]

Wow, sucks that you had to go through all that. However, congratulations! Now, no matter what, do NOT use that lawyer to file your ROC...

[Darnell 8,478]

So, what general advice would you give to folk here in USA on the VWP, who decided to get married in the USA, stay, and adjust status?

[Johnnoskinner 7]

congrats!!!!

[TBoneTX 45,288]

*** Thread moved from main "AOS from WS&T Visas" forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

[tina17 3]

Wow, sucks that you had to go through all that. However, congratulations! Now, no matter what, do NOT use that lawyer to file your ROC...

Thanks very much, no, we wont use any lawyer, that's for sure!

[tina17 3]

So, what general advice would you give to folk here in USA on the VWP, who decided to get married in the USA, stay, and adjust status?

Thank you for replying to our post. Advice? Well, first of all, be very careful when getting a lawyer because any lawyer can call themselves an immigration attorney, but it doesen't mean that they are experienced in this area or know what they're doing. That was the case with our lawyer. Even the IO told us during the interview that most people do not use or need a lawyer for immigration. In our case it costs us $1500, and dramatically slowed down our case due to four RFE's and his incompetence in providing the USCIS with the proper applications and documentations.

Another advice is to be honest about your realtionship with your partner, because they do ask lots of personal questions, at least they did in our case. Had we not told the truth we would have found ourelves in big trouble during the interview because, she questioned us separately and compared all of our answers, and they all matched exactly.

Be prepared with all your documents and have them neatly organised for quick access if needed during the interview.

Dress well, and look tidy and conservative.

Make sure you remember all important dates regarding your relationship like when you met, date of marriage proposal, date you first moved in together etc. They asked us all of these questions and more.

Be prepared to deal with the stress involved adjusting from VWP due to the uncertainty of the outcome, because at the end of the day, the decision lies in the hands of the IO and their decision is final. The stress for us was doubly hard because our lawyer took twice as long as it should have taken.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Congrats!!!

[inlovesalem 17]

HUGE Congrats guys!!!! We are in same area, and in same situation, thanks for sharing your story!!

[mounir412 101]

congrats!!!!

[tina17 3]

Hi everyone, thank you ever so much for sharing our joy! Even now four days later, we still do not believe that we were approved, but finally all the fear and stress are over!!!

For all of you still waiting, hang on and have hope. If we could do it, you can do it too.

[cahrie99 12]

Congratulations!!

[tina17 3]

Congratulations!!

Thank you!

HUGE Congrats guys!!!! We are in same area, and in same situation, thanks for sharing your story!!

Thank you very much! Wishing you luck too!

[jkelly07 120]

congratulations

[CaroSL 68]

congrats! and thank you for sharing!