May 2014 Filers

[GurkenSalat 48]

Hmm on second thoughts.. after reading this here

Some more reading

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/422724-do-you-always-bring-your-green-card-with-you/page-2

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/318876-carrying-greencard-everywhere/

While it's ultimately a personal decision personally I reckon I'm going to keep it the GC in the safe, and carry a copy in the wallet.

I have yet to lose a wallet or have one stolen. I always keep it very close to my body and am mindful of it. Should it happen, it would be a disaster, and not just because of the GC being in there! (all manner of cards, IDs and stuff are also in there).

[FlyingFish 3]

I'm a nervous wreck today! My interview is tomorrow and i'm so afraid I will forget something.

[GurkenSalat 48]

I'm a nervous wreck today! My interview is tomorrow and i'm so afraid I will forget something.

Being a nervous wreck is not helping anyone. Relax. Gather everything you are bringing into a folder and then leave it be. It will be fine, it's not like you're one of the bad ones, is it?

[FlyingFish 3]

Being a nervous wreck is not helping anyone. Relax. Gather everything you are bringing into a folder and then leave it be. It will be fine, it's not like you're one of the bad ones, is it?

No but sometimes i'm a scatterbrain. I have one manila envelope with my bonafide evidence and one with my originals and photocopies of identity documents for me and my husband (passport, birth cert., EAD, etc.)

[wavj 26]

No but sometimes i'm a scatterbrain. I have one manila envelope with my bonafide evidence and one with my originals and photocopies of identity documents for me and my husband (passport, birth cert., EAD, etc.)

Try your best to relax; being nervous can actually make things worse and it will show in your body language. Focus on your reality and the legitimacy of your marriage, trust that you have answered every question with the truth and you will be able to give the same answers all over again. I am trying to post some pics of our file organization and how we brought it to the interview so everything was available to present in seconds as requested.

[wavj 26]

No but sometimes i'm a scatterbrain. I have one manila envelope with my bonafide evidence and one with my originals and photocopies of identity documents for me and my husband (passport, birth cert., EAD, etc.)

Here is how I brought all my documents to the interview. I used tabs with names to easily identify the document in order of importance. The night before I reviewed everything with my husband and made sure he knew where to find everything in case they separated us. On the side, my husband carried the photo albums. I found this file organizer at Walmart.

Edited September 22, 2014 by wavj

[FlyingFish 3]

Thanks wavj!! I have traffic court before my interview in the morning as well which is adding to my anxiety. I have one of those folders lying around here. I will use that as it does look easier to access the info!

Here is how I brought all my documents to the interview. I used tabs with names to easily identify the document in order of importance. The night before I reviewed everything with my husband and made sure he knew where to find everything in case they separated us. On the side, my husband carried the photo albums. I found this file organizer at Walmart.

[FlyingFish 3]

Thanks wavj!! I have traffic court before my interview in the morning as well which is adding to my anxiety. I have one of those folders lying around here. I will use that as it does look easier to access the info!

I sent in a copy of our bank statements with the package. Do I have to bring a more recent one? If so, how many?

[supergirl20141 6]

Seems like im stuck on testing&interview....am i the only one?

[kettlefish 10]

I'm a nervous wreck today! My interview is tomorrow and i'm so afraid I will forget something.

good luck and remember to relax!

[wavj 26]

I sent in a copy of our bank statements with the package. Do I have to bring a more recent one? If so, how many?

You never know, bring the most recent statements so they can see your account is current. We also submitted a copy of our bank statement, but we brought the two most recent ones and IO took note of that as part of new evidence.

[CdnRN 40]

Good luck!!!

[FlyingFish 3]

Thanks for all the well wishes and helpful info. I will post my experience later. I'm off now to traffic court and then straight to my interview. I'm praying they don't overlap.

[rerto 32]

Thanks for all the well wishes and helpful info. I will post my experience later. I'm off now to traffic court and then straight to my interview. I'm praying they don't overlap.

Good luck man, tell us all about it!

[FlyingFish 3]

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!