May 2014 Filers

[supergirl20141 6]

Hi everyone!! We were approved!!! I'm so happy!

So here goes...

Our appt was at 12:30pm and we got there about 12:10pm and the lady at the desk said they weren't going to start checking in people for that appt time until 12:30pm so we sat down and then lined up to check in at that time. We weren't called until 1:20 and our IO looked like he was in his early 30s. He wasn't mean but he wasn't super nice either if that makes sense.

We got to his office and he swore us in and then asked to see our ID's. He insisted I sit in the chair on the end which I don't understand. Let me just say that he is one of those IOs that are very thorough.

He then asked for my EAD's which I gave to him. He checked the date on my current one and my previous one which expired in 2006 then he asked me if I worked in between that time period to which I replied yes. He then told me that I have engaged in unauthorized employment but he'll get to that when we go over the green card application.

So then he says let's talk about the I-130 and I asked to see my husband's proof of citizenship and I handed him the birth certificate and passport. Then he asked for my husband's divorce decree from his prior marriage and our marriage certificate. He asked me when I last entered which I told him and he asked if I left the United States anytime between that date and now and I replied no. Then he says you have to prove to me that you have a real relationship and that you didn't enter into marriage for immigration benefits. He said show me all your proof but I like to leave the pictures for last. He asked how we met and we both said at work and then the IO asked what year and we both said 2005. Then he asked when did we started dating and I told him 2007. He asked who proposed and my husband answered he did and the IO asked him how did it happened. My husband then went into the story. I pulled all my bonafide evidence out and started to show him. Then he asked if we had a house so I said no we are renting. He asked if I was on the lease and I said no. He said why didn't your husband add you to the lease and I told him that we've just been renewing the original lease every year and didn't think it was necessary to add my name as i'm in the total household count anyway. I then showed him the Gate Access Form on file with our association which lists me as a resident as we live in a gated community and he smiled when he saw that. He told me that a lease is strong evidence and he would have liked to see that. He asked if we purchased a car together and I said no we still have our original cars from when we met. lol I showed him our ADT contract listing me and car insurance adding me to the policy and he asked why am I just being added to the insurance and I told him that I was just able to renew my DL a few weeks ago using my EAD and the next day I was added to the policy. I gave him recent copies of our joint bank statements and the confirmation email to show we opened the account in 2012 and have been using it since then and a copy of our joint cell phone bills. He was not really impressed until I started showing him proof of our vacations together from 2008 through an upcoming trip to my brother in law this Thanksgiving(hotel, plane tickets, and pictures) and also concerts we attended then his whole demeanor changed. He looked through everything one by one. Then he said this is looking really strong because nobody would date and travel and do all those things that long just to gain immigration benefits. Lastly, I showed him my picture book (Thanks to whoever gave me that idea) and then he asked to keep some pictures for his file. Then he said he was convinced of our relationship and that he was approving the petition. He then went over all the information on the I-130 checking off the info and confirming address and SS numbers and date of birth.

Next he said let's talk about the I-485 and he said since my I-130 was approved my unlawful presence was definitely forgiven but he wasn't sure about the unauthorized employment and he would check later. He also said that he has been reviewing Citizenships since the beginning of the month and he couldn't remember because they just switched him to AOS this morning (lucky me...insert sarcasm lol). He went through the last time I entered the US again and asked if and where I finished school since I entered on F1 and I told him yes and the name of the school and he asked my parents name and my occupation. He then went over every single yes/no question on the I-485. When he got to the part about prostitution and I answered no my husband breathed a sigh of relief and the IO laughed. After that he said that he was going to approve my greencard but he had to go check and see if my unauthorized employment would be waived but he was 99% sure it would be because it was considered minor and they still give approval based on worse things. LOL He then went into removal of conditions and asked us to sign the form. He left to make a copy of it and also check the rule at the same time. He came back about 5 minutes later and said I was fine and congratulations and that I should get my greencard in 30 days. He also asked if I needed to travel within the next 30 days so he could stamp a temporary card in my passport and I said no. So he then advised that I wait for the greencard or I can use the advance parole or I can come in and request the stamp. He shook our hands and then walked us out. Our interview lasted an hour but whew! i'm happy it's over!

My husband and I went to lunch after and while we were there I got notification that my case status updated to card production!! Such a relief and a weight off my shoulders!

Also my tickets got dismissed in traffic court this morning and I made it to my interview on time so it's been a good day all around.

Good luck to everyone else in your journey and thank you for all the wonderful info!

congarts.hope im not gonna have IO as mean as urs.

[Bulerias 1]

I had my interview this morning. The appoinment was at 9:00, we arrived at 9:07. They call us at 15 and we were out at 9:30. I was approved and the IOS said I should receive the green card within a month, although most likely I will receive it in two weeks.

[kettlefish 10]

Hi everyone!! We were approved!!! I'm so happy!

<....>

Our interview lasted an hour but whew! i'm happy it's over!

My husband and I went to lunch after and while we were there I got notification that my case status updated to card production!! Such a relief and a weight off my shoulders!

wow quite the ordeal! congrats

ps: also congrats Bulerias

[GurkenSalat 48]

Congrats, FlyingFish and Bulerias.

Haha, I find it funny that we have a kettlefish and a FlyingFish and both approved at interview Good times all around!

[FlyingFish 3]

Thanks everyone! I do believe that they already know whether they're going to approve or deny you ahead of time. I only submitted our joint bank statements and cell phone bills with the application because the attorney that looked over our paperwork told me to take the bonafides to the interview as to not make the file too bulky. It was the way his demeanor changed when I started showing him the stuff I brought and that was when he started making small talk.

Another theory is that he is automatically jaded because he said that he worked for CPB and he was also the one that went after people that were selling their documents. He seemed so proud to share that so my husband said maybe he's just anxious to shoot something. LOL Or maybe it was just that IO's style who knows.

All in all we were happy to be approved.

By the way while we were waiting to be seen some people were coming out with their attorneys 15 minutes later and when we came out an hour later the whole waiting room was empty O_O. LOL

[supergirl20141 6]

Just passed by Biometrics for EAD.It was a lot of ppl...Seems like my office is very very busy,thats y its so slow...

[kettlefish 10]

GC was delivered to our mailbox at 6pm tonight.

it's soooo shiny heh.

thanks for the support everyone and goodluck to those still waiting

[CdnRN 40]

Well I had my infopass - apparently my local office has had ~8 officers retire so they are very backed up. I was told I'm not likely to have an interview scheduled for 30-60 more days. But my file is complete (she was even able to verify it's physical location).

[AmericanLife 39]

GC was delivered to our mailbox at 6pm tonight.

it's soooo shiny heh.

thanks for the support everyone and goodluck to those still waiting

Good! Congrats!

[FlyingFish 3]

When I took my EAD to SSA, I received my card with "Valid for work only with DHS authorization" on it. Do I have to go update it again based on my greencard or does the message stay the same?

[KASH2011 382]

Just passed by Biometrics for EAD.It was a lot of ppl...Seems like my office is very very busy,thats y its so slow...

GC was delivered to our mailbox at 6pm tonight.

it's soooo shiny heh.

thanks for the support everyone and goodluck to those still waiting

Congrats!

[wavj 26]

When I took my EAD to SSA, I received my card with "Valid for work only with DHS authorization" on it. Do I have to go update it again based on my greencard or does the message stay the same?

I have not gone to SSA yet to have my SS card updated yet. I wanted to wait until I had my GC in hand, and now that I have it ( over a month ago) I have not had time to go. I am swamped with school, work and family. I hope to make time next week because now I have not excuses.

[jxn 86]

When I took my EAD to SSA, I received my card with "Valid for work only with DHS authorization" on it. Do I have to go update it again based on my greencard or does the message stay the same?

Once you get the green card you will go back and they'll produce a new card without that text. Your work permit is that authorization in the meantime.

[supergirl20141 6]

[Melibelle 10]

Congrats to FlyingFish and kettlefish! And to CdnRn for making it back into the country.

Btw, we just got back from 2 weeks of vac using our AP. It was a little confusing, but not bad at all. Only a 15 minute wait. I posted the full experience here in case anyone else is worried about using it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/516337-advance-parole-ap-experience-at-jfk/

Interview on Friday! Time to start printing photos...