USC Interview Required in connection with I-130

[ILUF 1]

Hi,

We received NOA-1 on March 12, 2013. I am the USC.

Yesterday, I received a letter from the USCIS. At the bottom the letter indicates that it is Form G-56

The letter asks that I come to the USCIS office in Kansas City Missouri. The letter indicates that the reason for the appointment is, "Interview on Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative".

On the reverse of the letter it lists items that I MUST bring with me to this interview, and at the top of the page, in capital letters and in bold it reads, "FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR THIS INTERVIEW AND/OR FAILURE TO BRING THE BELOW LISTED ITEMS WILL RESULT IN THE DENIAL OF YOUR APPLICATION [8CFR 103.2(B)(13)].

The first thing it lists to bring to the interview is the following:

"If your application/petition is based on marriage, your spouse MUST come with you to the interview".

My wife is not in the USA, she is still in the Philippines!

I have not seen any information on VisaJourney about this type of appointment. All of the postings talk about interviews for the beneficiary at a U.S. embassy, not an interview for the USC citizen applicant.

If anyone can educate me, I appreciate your help in advance.

[scienceworks 64]

Looks like some mistook your i-130 as i-130 & i-485 adjustments of status. Call USCIS and talk to tier2 and explain the situation.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No, a I-130 interview for the USC can be required in rare instances before the I-130 can be approved. Something about your case looks off to them, so they want to interview you first. What are the red flags in your case?

[Kaylara 814]

No, a I-130 interview for the USC can be required in rare instances before the I-130 can be approved. Something about your case looks off to them, so they want to interview you first. What are the red flags in your case?

But then if they're waiting to go through the NVC process for the VIsa, why would the USCIS require a beneficiary who is not in the country to attend an interview at an office local to the petitioner?

To me it does sound like a mistake. I would call them (talk to a tier 2) and see if you they can straighten out the mess.

[scienceworks 64]

No, a I-130 interview for the USC can be required in rare instances before the I-130 can be approved. Something about your case looks off to them, so they want to interview you first. What are the red flags in your case?

Yes, but in this case, they are asking for both. Googling g-56 points toward AOS

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Nope, I disagree, and many who have been here a while have seen this happen before. That is the appointment letter. The bit about a spouse is boilerplate and does not apply to him.

The interview is for the petitioner only,and they have decided it is needed to approve the petition.

I could make guesses about what it is about but I don't want to offend the OP.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Kaylara 814]

Should he still call and confirm that his wife won't be able to come, as she's waiting in her country for the visa?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Should he still call and confirm that his wife won't be able to come, as she's waiting in her country for the visa?

No, they know where she is. Calling USCIS is useless. He should go to his appointment.

[Kaylara 814]

Nope, I disagree, and many who have been here a while have seen this happen before. That is the appointment letter. The bit about a spouse is boilerplate and does not apply to him.

The interview is for the petitioner only,and they have decided it is needed to approve the petition.

I could make guesses about what it is about but I don't want to offend the OP.

You mean like a Stokes Interview?

OP, you might want to read up on here: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/fiance-marriage-visa-book/chapter13-17.html

No, they know where she is. Calling USCIS is useless. He should go to his appointment.

After reading up on it (I had no idea prior to today) I retract what I said before. Harpa's got the right of it, as far as I can tell. You might want to retain a lawyer.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It can't be Stokes because only one person will be present.

Here are some threads on VJ about it.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/269685-i-130-interview-with-petitioner/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/301519-iinterview-for-petitioner-at-local-office-for-i-130/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/426427-cr1-petitioner-interview-before-noa2/

There are many more, using the search tool.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[ILUF 1]

First of all, thank to to all who have responded to my query.

I have read the information contained in the link provided by Kaylara as well as a google search of "Stokes Interview".. Since there is a significant age difference between my age and that of my wife, i would imagine that this is the red flag of which you speak.

Since we first met online in August, 2012, I have been to the Philippines a total of 5 times, we got married during my third visit there. While I did include some of the "additional evidence of bona fide marriage" in the original I-130 package, I have a wealth of additional documents, photos, and records and I intend to have all of those copied and ready for my interview. Chat logs, wire transfer records, passport stamps, photographs from our wedding and prior/subsequent visits, printouts of our facebook pages, video and photos of us together with family and friends, phone records, SMS, Yahoo, Viber, and Skype conversations.

The G-56 list of documents to bring includes my 3 years tax transcripts, rental agreement, etc. I will have all the originals and a photocopy when I go to the interview. It is on December 17, 2013, I will report to this thread right after I go. If anyone has additional advice/counsel for me in anticipation of my interview, thank you in advance for sharing with me here.

Finally, to make sure, I will call USCIS, second tier, to ensure that they understand that I will be the only one able to attend this interview.

Again, THANK YOU to all who are assisting with information and advice.

[Kaylara 814]

I would also read the links that Harpa provided, as he's got way more of an idea about what's going on than I do. I've just got good Google-fu.

[scienceworks 64]

I c. I assume what they send is a standard template, hence the reference to spouse.

[bigdog 376]

I just loved my visits to USCIS. Apparently they have questions? Good Luck.

[allyinchicago 8]

ok everyone.

I had this also, I am the usc and I had my interview last week at Chicago. we have no red flags just random interviews