New Member, very nervous, I751 Interview requested

[Lovepenguins 3]

Lol of course! It took a bit longer than a month, but once the "green card production ordered" notification came in, I had my card in hand within 4 days. Thanks everyone for posting and sharing everything in this forum, its great to knpow that Im not alone in this situation especially when being around people in daily life that dont grasp the importance or how much anxiety comes along with this process. In the end it all works out and Im so so grateful for all the helpful information this forum has provided over the years.

Timeline, which I meant to put long ago is as follows:

Dec 2006- Arrived as F1 student

Unavoidably fell out of status in 2010.

Married to USC girlfriend in Feb 2011

Filed i485 in Jan 2012

Interview Feb 2012 - took five minutes, ten.. tops

Received CPR card March 10 2012

We split up in January 2013, she moved aaaallll the way to DC (im in CA)

Filed AOS on March 17th, arrived at USCIS on the 21st (late, eeeeekk!!). Filed jointly, even though we weren't together. NATURALLY I felt like a worrying mess that would have homeland security knocking at my door.

THEN,

- Freak out period began. I thought id be denied because it was late, and because we were separated (no similar address, no affidavits because all our friends knew we were separate, no joint accounts, we would be going in there empty handed except for the documents we had for the time that we were together, which was plenty) . This was all I could think about. I swear I thought constantly of the worst outcome, this whole thing made me super anxious, I would avoid people, not wanna be at work, etc etc etc..I was expecting an RFE, denial, trying to plan my life after not getting my GC. Note, I think back now, and I had NO REASON TO WORRY SO MUCH. IF YOUR CASE IS LEGIT, YOU WILL GET THE GREEN CARD, DONT WORRY and dont look at peoples negative experiences, each case is different and these will just make you worry more. Remind yourself that it will all be alright!!! (I was thankful for the people that said this in their posts because it made ME feel better)

I would check the mailbox EVERYDAY, sometimes TWICE, and eventually I came home to find a uscis letter on the table. I opened it, it was an interview notice. My heart sank!!! It said we should bring evidence of our relationship from the time we filed, (1 month ago) to current date (when we splt up over a year ago). We had NONE of this! It also specifically said to bring my spouse. Thankfully we were in good terms and she was visiting the area to see a friend and she agreed to come along.

Received I797 April 10th 2014

Interview went OK, long, but they just had specific things they needed to know. I got an attorney at the last minute, which was a good idea, because the interviewer at one point asked us for our w2's (or w4's- not sure) and we didnt have them, and the attorney pointed out that those arent necessary for the interview. Another similar instant happened, and it was at this time that OI felt glad that I shelled out 1000 bucks for the attorney. Dicey part of the interview:- So we were together for about 4- 5 years, my USC wife would cover most of the bills, and at one point the interviewer said we cant continue until she sees proof that my wife was covering the bills. We didn't have it and the interview nearly came to a close. The interview picked up again and another grateful moment of our attorney who had urged us to bring photos, lots of photos, and I cant express how effing great these were! You see, its a nervous time at the interview, and a lot of the questions were about mutual connections, friends, family etc. And at the uncomfortable silence part where the interviewer wasnt sure what to ask next, we blurted "wanna see some photos of the people we told you about?" These had all the people that we said are each others friends, and put a face to all the people we described were in our life to the interviewer. It was after that when she said the magic words " we have enough, we don't need anymore documents from you, if you change your address please let us know immediately." I was overjoyed I wanted to hug the lady!!

In closing she said that she understood that sometimes relationships dont work out, and from our story she could tell that we entered in good faith, which was important. IN hearing our individual tales of our relationship she could tell that we did try to make it work, but sometimes it just doesnt work, and in a situation like ours it gets very tricky because we have to be in a specific state of relationship to try satisfy uscis requirements. She was very sympathetic in the end.

Received Green card production ordered notice July 10th

Green card in hand shortly afterwards.

Best of luck to everyone!!

[kcoyclay1 98]

You are very fortunate. All the best

Edited July 27, 2014 by kcoyclay1

[MrsP2010 20]

Woah. What a story. Well done on the GC, glad you found a resolution in your life.

I wanted to add, your story of how you felt before the interview was almost exactly the same as me. Looking back, I know I had nothing to worry about, but being the only one on the whole internet who seemed to have an interview, and having broken up and moved out a year and a half before the interview, I was scared that they would be mean and demand things I didn't have.

I actually reached my lowest weight ever the night before the interview, due to not eating and throwing up with nerves for 3 days. Seriously, it was hell... until I got into the interview. At that moment, it became clear why people say "If you're legit and honest, you'll be fine" - the woman was not on a 'destroy you' mission, she just wanted to do her job, and that was fine by me. Bring as much evidence as you have, be honest, only answer the questions they're asking (nothing pisses off gov employees more than frivolous information!), and know that YOUR case is NO ONE ELSE'S. I was clearly a random interview pick, there was no scrutiny, and everything worked out.