AOS interview questions

[hellocon 0]

Hi,

I just sent in my I-485 to the USCIS with my husband's I-130. First, I assembled everything by myself because I do not have the $ to pay lawyer fees. I already made 1 mistake - I didn't fill out my A numbers on all the forms because I didn't know I have one (just saw it on my previous EAD cards after I mailed my application out). Otherwise I did my best to do everything according to the instructions. There may be a complication in my case because I had a dismissed criminal record from years ago. The initial arrest was upon a serious charge (which is actually an unfortunate thing - the police charged me for something I did not do and I didn't know about it until later when I checked my arrest record that they initially arrest me on such a terrible charge), but at the end the charge was reduced to something not serious (which is the real description of what law I actually broke) and at the end case was dismissed. I provided all the necessary documents related to the case in my application, and I think the case is not a ground of inadmissibility for my application because my conviction is dismissed and I had consulted an immigration lawyer about my situation many years ago when I needed to renew my F-1 visa. Since then I had no problems renewing my F-1 and H1-B visas.

Here is my question for anyone who have experienced the AOS interviews:

1) I know that my husband and I will both be interviewed, if an interview is scheduled. Does USCIS ask the questions together, or separately?

2) Will they tell my husband everything about my criminal case? I understand that spouses are supposed to not have secrets but my husband actually didn't know the details of what happened. It is purely due to my own embarrassment and guilt that I do not want to discuss my silly actions in the past unless it is necessary (as in the case with USCIS).

3) My husband and I are expecting a baby soon and are happily together. However, I wouldn't say we know every single details about each other. What questions do they ask to make sure our marriage is real during the interview? I am sure our marriage looks real to anyone we know but I didn't know what to "prepare" to make it look real to the USCIS. We have join leases and accounts and wedding pics, etc.

I think it will be interesting just for everyone to share what USCIS talked with them during their interviews. I browsed through this forum and didn't find a lot of threads focusing on what happens during the interview.

thanks!

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to AOS from Work, Student & Tourist Visas ~

[jerni 24]

Hi,

I just sent in my I-485 to the USCIS with my husband's I-130. First, I assembled everything by myself because I do not have the $ to pay lawyer fees. I already made 1 mistake - I didn't fill out my A numbers on all the forms because I didn't know I have one (just saw it on my previous EAD cards after I mailed my application out). Otherwise I did my best to do everything according to the instructions. There may be a complication in my case because I had a dismissed criminal record from years ago. The initial arrest was upon a serious charge (which is actually an unfortunate thing - the police charged me for something I did not do and I didn't know about it until later when I checked my arrest record that they initially arrest me on such a terrible charge), but at the end the charge was reduced to something not serious (which is the real description of what law I actually broke) and at the end case was dismissed. I provided all the necessary documents related to the case in my application, and I think the case is not a ground of inadmissibility for my application because my conviction is dismissed and I had consulted an immigration lawyer about my situation many years ago when I needed to renew my F-1 visa. Since then I had no problems renewing my F-1 and H1-B visas.

Here is my question for anyone who have experienced the AOS interviews:

1) I know that my husband and I will both be interviewed, if an interview is scheduled. Does USCIS ask the questions together, or separately?

2) Will they tell my husband everything about my criminal case? I understand that spouses are supposed to not have secrets but my husband actually didn't know the details of what happened. It is purely due to my own embarrassment and guilt that I do not want to discuss my silly actions in the past unless it is necessary (as in the case with USCIS).

3) My husband and I are expecting a baby soon and are happily together. However, I wouldn't say we know every single details about each other. What questions do they ask to make sure our marriage is real during the interview? I am sure our marriage looks real to anyone we know but I didn't know what to "prepare" to make it look real to the USCIS. We have join leases and accounts and wedding pics, etc.

I think it will be interesting just for everyone to share what USCIS talked with them during their interviews. I browsed through this forum and didn't find a lot of threads focusing on what happens during the interview.

thanks!

(1)Each case is unique, each officer has their own style of interviewing which makes each interview unique. They may interview you together or they may separate you. It depends again on the officer and how strong the evidence was that you submitted with your package.

While preparing for our interview, I read many recounts of what people experienced and it is quite random. All interviews have a basic format but what happens inbetween is very different. Some people submitted loads of evidence but were still separated perhaps because that is how their specific USCIS office does things.

(2)If you are interviewed together or separately your dismissed criminal case will likely come up when they see you answered yes to one of the yes/no questions on the I-485. Be prepared to explain what happened and also make sure you have a certified copy of the court disposition showing the case was dismissed. You really should tell your husband what happened, keeping secrets no matter how embarrassing they might be will only tear you up inside. Besides if the officer sees your husband is surprised when this comes up it may be seen as a 'red flag' causing further questions.

(3)The questions they ask are fairly straightforward they should be things you would know if you live together. Your husbands date of birth, his full name, where he works, his parents names. He should know the same for you. I read about some people being asked about siblings, pets, they can ask about anything. The important thing is to tell the truth, if you don't know, don't guess, just say you don't know or you don't remember. You are quite within your rights to say you'd need to look at the forms to answer that question. Not everyone will remember their mother-in-laws date of birth.

Our interview had very minimal questions. My husband was only asked where he works and I was asked my parents first names. The rest consisted of the officer confirming information. Hope that helps.