May 2014 Filers

[CdnRN 40]

Interesting. I'd figured what I'd experienced was the common one: one big office with a separate smaller area for biometrics.

[kettlefish 10]

interview tomorrow eeeeeeeeeek.

the plan:

- bring docs (originals of applications (includes evidence), birth certs, i-94s, EAD, passports, marriage cert, notices received)

- answer truthfully about marriage (been together 2+ years, so we know each other well)

...am I missing something??

I'm worried because it seems too easy, and because people say you need time to prepare?? what is there to prepare?

[GurkenSalat 48]

interview tomorrow eeeeeeeeeek.

the plan:

- bring docs (originals of applications (includes evidence), birth certs, i-94s, EAD, passports, marriage cert, notices received)

- answer truthfully about marriage (been together 2+ years, so we know each other well)

...am I missing something??

I'm worried because it seems too easy, and because people say you need time to prepare?? what is there to prepare?

Um, it looks like you're all set to me.

[kettlefish 10]

Um, it looks like you're all set to me.

thanks gurken! btw - did they ask you any weird questions?

[wavj 26]

thanks gurken! btw - did they ask you any weird questions?

The IO more likely ask you questions Yes/No in I-485, either one by one or randomly ( for us were only about 6 questions from that section) he or she will verify your names, possibly asked yours or your spouse parents' names ( my IO asked me about mine only) . Out of the few questions of I-485 he asked me when we got married, if I was currently employed, my parents' names and lastly she asked if we wanted to add more evidence we did not submit with the package. She took a glimpse to the photo albums, printed quite a few forms we did not get to see, and lastly she gave me a letter of approval and another with instructions on how to apply for ROC.

My impression was that they already know in advance who is going to be approved based on the evidence was submitted with AOS package, and they do the interview as part of the protocol; the questions are a formality and probably to read into body language of if there are some concerns, red flags or something that may require further review and put the approval on hold.

The fact that she did not even asked us for our marriage license, birth certificates, divorce decrees and barely looked at the pictures, tells me what I stated above.

Good luck! you will do great. Tomorrow I will come to read the good news

[BlueDevil 61]

I have a small piece of advice for you. Not saying that it will happen; actually quite unlikely it will, but be prepared for a Stokes, or Mini-Stokes interview. I am not saying this to scare you at all. Just saying it due to personal experience. My case was as 'above the table' as you could get, and we were still separated for our interview. The reason I say mini-stokes is that we were asked very basic questions, not the typical Stokes questions. We were asked literally two questions: how we met, and how I proposed. That was all. We were each asked the same questions separately though. As well as we knew each other, there were no issues there. The total interview (both of us put together) lasted all of 20 minutes including the yes/no questions and going over forms part.

While I was waiting, I chatted with another interviewee's lawyer and he said that he was starting to see this happen more and more these days. I think they are starting to do it this way just cos it is easier to weed out potential problem cases. I guess they figure if even the basic answers don't match, something must be amiss.

The more important reason I bring this up is not because of any doubts in people's marriages etc... I am doing so just in case other couples are like us, where I did all the leg work, gathered all the paperwork, familiarized myself with the forms, evidence etc... I had not briefed my wife in detail about it. So, beyond the basic evidence and forms, she had very little knowledge of what was what. Luckily for me, I am super OCD so I had everything tabbed and labeled so she was able to find what the IO wanted. I know this is my fault, but I did not anticipate being separated and I thought I would be there to pull out exactly what the IO wanted. So, if you are like me, make sure both of you know what all the paperwork in your file is.

Once again, I am not bringing this up to scare you, as it more than likely won't happen to you. But I just wanted you to be prepared in the off chance that it did.

Cheers, and all the very best! I'm sure you will do great!

[supergirl20141 6]

I know my husband for 2 years and i believe there is no questions that i might not know the answer for.Personally do not affraid having a stokes interview and other ppl should not be affraid either unless they have something to hide.

[BlueDevil 61]

I know my husband for 2 years and i believe there is no questions that i might not know the answer for.Personally do not affraid having a stokes interview and other ppl should not be affraid either unless they have something to hide.

I completely agree and my comment wasn't so much about knowing facts/things about each other. It was about both partners being familiar with all the stacks of paperwork that are taken to the interview in case they are separated.

My wife didn't quite understand all the hundreds of forms and processes involved through this journey and frankly I didn't take the time to sit down and explain all the nitty gritty since I didn't anticipate being separated. It didn't Impact us since she was able to provide all the documents requested. But someone else who might not be familiar and their paperwork is not organized well might stumble and may not know what the IO is asking for. This could potentially impact their case in some IOs eyes.

[supergirl20141 6]

I completely agree and my comment wasn't so much about knowing facts/things about each other. It was about both partners being familiar with all the stacks of paperwork that are taken to the interview in case they are separated.

My wife didn't quite understand all the hundreds of forms and processes involved through this journey and frankly I didn't take the time to sit down and explain all the nitty gritty since I didn't anticipate being separated. It didn't Impact us since she was able to provide all the documents requested. But someone else who might not be familiar and their paperwork is not organized well might stumble and may not know what the IO is asking for. This could potentially impact their case in some IOs eyes.

They r looking at ur body language,the way u talk and act.Paperwork can be easily fabricated and they know that.Thats y there is so many fraud marriages these days.ppl r simply "remembering the right answers". but i see ur point...

[CdnRN 40]

Well folks, I just got back from a 2 day trip to Canada to renew my passport. Crossing the border was fine. They processed me in with advance parole - so I went into secondary, which only took a short time. They took my old I-94 from my tn status and replaced it with a new one. I asked if I'd need it for my greencard interview, the officer said "no they have record of it, you just need the new one".

I was nervous about leaving - returning concerned me - but they were pleasant and helpful, the CBP officer who first inspected me (by car) and I were even jokingly comparing notes about shift work. Hopefully I won't have to cross again until I have my green card!

But I have a new 10 year Canadian passport and I'm not worried too much about the interview timing. I'll still ask what's up at my info pass appointment.

[GurkenSalat 48]

thanks gurken! btw - did they ask you any weird questions?

Hey, sorry I'm so late to post!

But no, no weird questions. At one point, he started explaining the procedure of how they separate people and ask them questions and then match the answers... and then said "but we're not gonna do that to you guys, we only do it when there's suspicion". LOL, I think the IO had his fun with us. Then he asked the Yes/No questions on the I-485 and we talked for a bit about how I had listed university sports clubs as "organizations I belonged to". Since the form stated to list anything and everything (or so I interpreted it), I had done just that. That led to a fun chat (very cool IO!). We'd known each other for 8 years before we got married (coming up on our first anniversary in a month now), he remarked on that in the beginning.

I think I had a very similar experience to wavj, actually.

Good luck! You will be fine, try to avoid excessive stress!

[kettlefish 10]

The IO more likely ask you questions Yes/No in I-485, either one by one or randomly ( for us were only about 6 questions from that section) he or she will verify your names, possibly asked yours or your spouse parents' names ( my IO asked me about mine only) . Out of the few questions of I-485 he asked me when we got married, if I was currently employed, my parents' names and lastly she asked if we wanted to add more evidence we did not submit with the package. She took a glimpse to the photo albums, printed quite a few forms we did not get to see, and lastly she gave me a letter of approval and another with instructions on how to apply for ROC.

My impression was that they already know in advance who is going to be approved based on the evidence was submitted with AOS package, and they do the interview as part of the protocol; the questions are a formality and probably to read into body language of if there are some concerns, red flags or something that may require further review and put the approval on hold.

The fact that she did not even asked us for our marriage license, birth certificates, divorce decrees and barely looked at the pictures, tells me what I stated above.

Good luck! you will do great. Tomorrow I will come to read the good news

woot thats useful and reassuring! hope our interview goes as smooth.

[kettlefish 10]

Hey, sorry I'm so late to post!

But no, no weird questions. At one point, he started explaining the procedure of how they separate people and ask them questions and then match the answers... and then said "but we're not gonna do that to you guys, we only do it when there's suspicion". LOL, I think the IO had his fun with us. Then he asked the Yes/No questions on the I-485 and we talked for a bit about how I had listed university sports clubs as "organizations I belonged to". Since the form stated to list anything and everything (or so I interpreted it), I had done just that. That led to a fun chat (very cool IO!). We'd known each other for 8 years before we got married (coming up on our first anniversary in a month now), he remarked on that in the beginning.

I think I had a very similar experience to wavj, actually.

Good luck! You will be fine, try to avoid excessive stress!

funny you listed sports clubs hah. think I left that one blank. thanks for the wishes. hoping we also get a friendly IO and can report good things tomorrow!

[kettlefish 10]

APPROVED!! Thanks everyone!!

So we just got back home, interview was so easy and fun and lasted about 10min. We were lucky to have super friendly and competent IO.

Swore us in, checked our birth certs and passports and asked a few I-485 questions (like if you belong to organization). He then looked at a few photos. Basically seemed to be going through the formalities. Everything was relaxed and smooth.

Then said we'd been approved and should get notice and GC shortly

[AmericanLife 39]

APPROVED!! Thanks everyone!!

So we just got back home, interview was so easy and fun and lasted about 10min. We were lucky to have super friendly and competent IO.

Swore us in, checked our birth certs and passports and asked a few I-485 questions (like if you belong to organization). He then looked at a few photos. Basically seemed to be going through the formalities. Everything was relaxed and smooth.

Then said we'd been approved and should get notice and GC shortly

Congrats, and thanks for sharing!