Interview scheduled after RFE... help...

[mineymoo 0]

Hey guys!

I'm new here but I've been searching through and looking through this forum god know since when...

Anyway... I recently just got a letter from my Local office telling me I have an interview on March. And, ever since then, I have been stressed out. I can't even get a good sleep at night, worrying about being denied.

We are very young couple, which means, we don't have mortgages, or lease.

When we first filed i751, we had a lawyer who had been with us since we got married. So, when it was the time to apply for i751, she asked me to provide her evidences. Now, we don't have much to even begin with. Therefore, excluding mortgages and leases, we don't have much options left.

Here is the list of evidences I've given to my lawyer:

1. One year income tax that we filed together but one year income tax we filed married but separately.

(Reason being he was switching jobs here and there during that time and those jobs took their times sending the W2 and I couldn't wait for it because I needed the return to apply for financial aid.)

2. A online printed bill of a car that my dad leased for us, and my husband as co-applicant.

3. Pictures of us together. (Mostly taken by phone and nowhere fancy because we couldn't afford.)

4. Copy of credit cards showing both of our name and same number.

5. Phone bill with both of our names.

6. Life insurance policy with both of us as beneficiaries.

7. Affidavits from my friends and coworkers.

8. Copy of Health Insurance cards.

When I gave those stuff to my lawyer, she told me she would pick what she would send, and after that she never informed me what she sent in.

We have been living with my parents even before we get married. He moved from Arizona to be with me in New York (also due to his family issue.) Technically, we have been staying under my parents' roof since 5 years ago.

We can't afford a house or even a car because:

1. We're too young.

2. He switches jobs too much, which causes him to be unemployed for many times.

3. He has bad credits due to some issues, which causes him to not even able to get a loan.

4. I'm still a student struggling through my tuition.

Anyhow.

Of course I got a letter for RFE.

I talked to my friends about it and they wondered why the lawyer didn't ask my dad to write an affidavit stating we've been living with him. Then, it hit me. And, to even think that I paid $1000 for her service...

When I got the RFE, I panicked because honestly, I REALLY don't have much proofs.

We used to have a joint bank account but we closed it due to our financial concept differences:

I'm a typical Asian when it comes to money. I love to save while he loves to spend.

When we used to have joint bank account together, we would always fight over the money he spent because some of the stuff were really unnecessary and I was trying really hard to save so that we could move out from my parents' house. Therefore, we came to an agreement that, we would each have our own account, save and spend based on own judgment. That helped, we stopped fighting about money.

I'm trying my best to save from my part time job. My dad is willing to take us under his roof until we can afford to buy a decent house in New York City because he thinks the money we spend on renting a place can be used on buying a house. Therefore, we have no utility bills because everything is under my dad's name. Heck, my dad even paid for our phone bill until 2012.

This is what I send in for RFE, (didn't even ask the lawyer):

1. Affidavit of my dad stating that we live together as couple under his roof and help paying the bills. (We do pay for the bills but they just aren't in our names.)

2. We renewed our life insurance so we sent sent in another copy.

3. MORE PICTURES OF US. (some with families.)

4. A copy of health insurance application showing both our names.

5. More phone bills.

I really didn't have much so I sent in whatever I could, then I got a letter saying my file had been transferred to local office and I would get an interview soon.

I'm really stressed out! I will wake up every night thinking someone else is in my room or someone else is peeking through my room's window (I sleep on third floor.)

I haven't able to concentrate in school and at work.

We didn't get married for green card. We really love each other. I hate the interview because my husband tends to mess up a lot when he's nervous. I'm worried that we will get interviewed separately, because I know he will definitely mess up the questions under pressure. ALSO, he doesn't really remember stuff as well as I do, he sometimes will get the years we have been together wrong. (man)

Now you know why I'm really scared and nervous.

ANYWAY. My question is that, what is there for me to bring as additional evidences because I really, seriously have already sent in what I have

(haven't filed this year income tax because his work is taking his time).

Also, how should I prepare for this interview? I'm already falling behind on my school work due to this stress. I really don't want to be denied because we don't have much paper works to prove our relationship...

[ManCharsey 254]

Additional evidence: bank statements, joint lease agreement (in your case affidavit from your father that you live together in his house is enough), joint bank account statement, pictures showing you guys with family and friends, photos of your wedding etc, life insurance policy showing one as the beneficiary, letters/mails addressed to you both at the same residence, utility bills in both your names, phone bill or contracts on both your names..the list is exhaustive. You don't have to bring everything..just bring enough and everything you can lay hands on. Also carry along the marriage certificate and all the paperwork of of your AOS, passports, birth certificates etc.

And you guys need to have a sit down and go over many things in your lives. When you met, how you met, when you had your wedding, how the ceremony went on, who attended, what you did afterwards, your honeymoon (if you had one), etc. your birth dates etc. just usual things you should know if you have been in a relationship with someone or you are married to them. You want to make sure there is t any doubt in the mind if the IO to make him want to conduct a stokes interview. That will be much more difficult since you will be separated and considering your husband has the tendency to forget things.

Also another piece of unsolicited advice to you both is that you need to sit down with your husband and have a talk about your finances regarding him being a big spender and you saving a lot. Remember finance is one of the biggest if not the top leading cause of divorce in America. Wish you all the best

[mineymoo 0]

Additional evidence: bank statements, joint lease agreement (in your case affidavit from your father that you live together in his house is enough), joint bank account statement, pictures showing you guys with family and friends, photos of your wedding etc, life insurance policy showing one as the beneficiary, letters/mails addressed to you both at the same residence, utility bills in both your names, phone bill or contracts on both your names..the list is exhaustive. You don't have to bring everything..just bring enough and everything you can lay hands on. Also carry along the marriage certificate and all the paperwork of of your AOS, passports, birth certificates etc.

And you guys need to have a sit down and go over many things in your lives. When you met, how you met, when you had your wedding, how the ceremony went on, who attended, what you did afterwards, your honeymoon (if you had one), etc. your birth dates etc. just usual things you should know if you have been in a relationship with someone or you are married to them. You want to make sure there is t any doubt in the mind if the IO to make him want to conduct a stokes interview. That will be much more difficult since you will be separated and considering your husband has the tendency to forget things.

Also another piece of unsolicited advice to you both is that you need to sit down with your husband and have a talk about your finances regarding him being a big spender and you saving a lot. Remember finance is one of the biggest if not the top leading cause of divorce in America. Wish you all the best

Thanks for the reply!

Now, my question is that, do I or do I not bring all the evidences I have submitted before with me during interviews?

Because I already submitted my dad's affidavit while I responded the RFE.

These are what I have that I have not submitted before.

Mails with his and/or my name.

(Not any mails, but letters from collectors, health insurance, etc.)

Holiday cards from his families.

As for joint bank account statement - I have the three months statement prior we closed it like one year ago. Would it work?

[matthewmaria 3]

If it helps. I know how you feel. Even using a lawyer, it took me 2.5 years to get an IR-2 Visa for my stepdaughter. I filed in December 2010, in May of 2011 they sent me an RFE, which i submitted by August of 2011. In December of 2011, I was asked to interview at the local office. My lawyer couldn't explain why they were calling me in. I should have asked but i was too busy sweating bullets because, like you, i was worried they would deny the petition.

Now granted I filed an i-130 for a different type of visa (yours being different), However, much like your case, I had to prove that my marriage was a real marriage.

I happened to have a document they sent to me when they sent the RFE regarding what info to provide:

1. a current letter from each spouses' employer- who is listed in case of emergency, and what date the employer was given the information, including dates started and positions occupied, beneficiary of life insurance etc.

2. Letter from bank - i wonder if it wouldn't hurt to have it even if account is closed. then you can explain why you closed it.

3. any id that you and your spouse have showing same family name and account number (credit cards, bill payment)

4. Copies of bills or receipts with your names and same address showing (to show you are living together)

5. Copy of lease agreement

6. Photos of wedding and events where you are together.

7. tax returns with w-2s

8. Birth certificates of children (if applicable)

9. Notarized statements from at least 3 people attesting to your current marital relationship. Include the affaint's (person writing on your behalf) name and address, as well as their status in US, relationship to you and your spouse, and how they know you. At least one should be from a neighbor. They should be detailed and informative statements, not general statements.

And they swear you in on the interview so be prepared for that.

So why did the call me in? i think for 2 reasons. #1, they asked me questions to which they already knew the answers and wanted to see if I would lie. 2nd) to make sure i was who i said i was. Meaning, i feel if you show up, that's half the battle.

Edited February 17, 2014 by matthewmaria

[matthewmaria 3]

i just saw your reply to the other post. Yes you want to take one original and one copy of everything. While they will have the file, I took the stuff i'd already sent anyway to cover my rear. that actually helped me down the road when i was at the POE in the Philadelphia airport.

I agree with you on the bank statement. That does nothing but help your situation because again, they are trying to establish that the two of you live together in the same residence for some time.

Here's what you want to remember. They are trying to establish a bona fide (not perfect) marriage. Just because things aren't the way we planned them (Finances etc) doesn't mean you're not going to get approved. I say be honest. It worked for me.

[mineymoo 0]

i just saw your reply to the other post. Yes you want to take one original and one copy of everything. While they will have the file, I took the stuff i'd already sent anyway to cover my rear. that actually helped me down the road when i was at the POE in the Philadelphia airport.

I agree with you on the bank statement. That does nothing but help your situation because again, they are trying to establish that the two of you live together in the same residence for some time.

Here's what you want to remember. They are trying to establish a bona fide (not perfect) marriage. Just because things aren't the way we planned them (Finances etc) doesn't mean you're not going to get approved. I say be honest. It worked for me.

Thank you!

I read other threads where couples were being interviewed separately, (mostly stoke interviews) the IO didn't even care about the evidences. They just kept on throwing questions. I suppose I will do fine on it, but it's my husband that I'm worried about. He is the kind that will even get his own stuff wrong! (dear lord)

So, if we are being interviewed together, we, at least have a chance to explain our situation. That is what I'm praying and hoping for.

Also, my husband applied for a medical and dental credit card with me being co-applicant like one or two years back. Will that help also? I only have the copy of the application since the dental office keeps the original.

[ManCharsey 254]

Yeah bring every evidence you have previously submitted to the interview..but bring the originals. My post was referring to the interview and all I listed were things you could send to the interview. And again, have you and your husband go through many things over the course of your relationship/marriage to make sure you are on the same page. The are tons of interview experiences here for you to read to have an idea of what you could be asked and how it goes. You want to be well prepared to avoid the possibility of the IO having doubts about the bona ride nature of your relationship.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

ManCharsey had a valid advice which you seem to have not sunk in your head. Finances are BIG! As he/she said, those are the leading cause of divorce in America, and you guys really need to figure things out as USCIS looks at that the most. I have read on this forum itself many times that someone had joint accounts, and sent in every 3rd month of bank statement spanning basically the two years, and yet they got RFE. USCIS wants to see each single month! If you guys don't have that it is already a really bad sign. In a marriage to have separate account because one half is a spender the other is a saver is a biggie to USCIS eyes showing that you guys are weak when it comes to real issues. I am not judging you guys, it's just what I think USCIS is concerned over hugely. So many people end up in a bitter divorce due to financial issues, so this certainly will not shine the gold on you guys for USCIS. You guys should talk this over together and figure things out. Good luck!

[mineymoo 0]

So, I had my interview on March 20. It was horrid. We got there late due to traffic and we waited in the lounge approximately an hour then I heard my name being called.

We walked up to the interviewer and she swore us in.

First thing she did was to ask for our ID and we took it out then she noticed my husband had out of state ID.

He's currently working at a different state because our family friend hooks him up with a better job and we also plan to move there when I finish my degree. Regardless, she frowned upon the fact we had different states issued ID's. As result, she asked us to provide more evidences. I took out whatever I prepared and left it on the table.

She then started looking at our older files and such, and she was busy ticking something off the forms. My husband and I were just sitting there nervously. Then, she looked at my husband and asked if he knew the people who wrote the affidavits for us. At first, he messed up and I tried to correct him. Then, she told me I couldn't and shouldn't do that. So, she tried again. And I was so nervous and eager to explain for his answers to the point she looked at me and told me if I wouldn't stop doing it, she would have to ask me to leave. (I messed up really bad).

The whole time I was so nervous and so eager to explain. But she wouldn't let me and she didn't really ask about other questions. All she did was to look at our photo albums and took all the paperwork I gave her and stapled together with the older files. I felt like she hated me because my husband would crack some jokes and she would respond and laugh, but when I did it, she just ignored me. (Maybe I wasn't that funny. LOL)

She then asked me simple question like what my husband's birthday was and what his parents' names were. Then, she stood up and told us we were done for the day and I would hear from them in 30-60days.

I left the building feeling so upset at my behaviors. I kept blaming myself and felt like I would get rejected. (My husband also messed up some answers.) He tried to comfort me saying it would be okay but I was too upset to care.

FORTUNATELY!

I received a mail on Saturday. It was NoA! I was so happy and excited about the news. I was so relieved. I'm really happy and I hope everyone that is going through the same thing will get the good news!

[ManCharsey 254]

Congratulations! Now you can take a breath of fresh air. In 3 years, try to become a citizen and remember to vote democrat ;-)

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Congratulations! Now you can take a breath of fresh air. In 3 years, try to become a citizen and remember to vote democrat ;-)

1 year, that is.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Congratulations! Now you can take a breath of fresh air. In 3 years, try to become a citizen and remember to vote democrat ;-)

They were removing conditions, so they have already been an LPR married to the same person for at least 2 years. They most likely have less than a year before they can file for US citizenship. No need to wait 3 more, unless they choose to.