Had I 751 Interview, separated from spouse

[Lovepenguins 3]

Hi!!

A brief outline

Dated for 2 years

Married to USC,

Applied for AOS

Got CPR shortly after, interview was brief, provided lots of documents

2 years later filed for ROC - The application was a week late, broke up with spouse 6 months before and filed jointly

Sure enough we got called for an interview. Im grateful for this forum because it took away the dreaded feeling I had for the month that I was waiting for interview...I was expecting a dreadful interview...My wife lives in the EC and I live In CA, but thankfully she came to the interview. We married for good reasons but were worried about us having filed jointly when we were separated but not divorced...

We got to the interview and were called in efficiently. The interview began,

It took long, and MOSTLY focused on our addresses...why SPECIFICALLY we broke up..Did we come to the interview together or separate? If not, Why? how well we knew each other (who's my/ spouse best friend, details about our marriage/wedding, who was there, who are we close to?our families? did we meet them? what things did we do together, what do we have in common)if we didn't have the reason and it didn't hurt to simply say "I don't know"

Attorney present, got one at the absolute last minute. That was the BEST decision.

!!

Had full packet of emails, leases, joint insurance, bills, affidavits, AND a photo album ( Probably the most helpful item of the whole packet!) We described our relationship from beginning -ALL she looked at was the leases and albums, and expected very clear answers..

Past the questions about what happened to cause us to break up and whether we intend to get back together or not, she looked back in time for the ties we had from since we were met until we broke up..all was legit. except we didnt have joint accounts for a few years..she asked for our bank statements to show who covered the rent before continuing with the interview...

We explained, she listened to us and understood that we were married and it didnt work out. She had more information in my file than we brought along..

At the end she seemed to understand, and we even chatted a little afterwards

Im SO glad the interview passed. If anyone has any questions please dont hesitate, for any advice required,

3 things

1) just be honest. Theres no reason to not be honest about any question they ask. They can find out any discrepancies if they decide to, and of course have a job to do and have some specific reasons to have you there at the interview.

2) Bring an attorney. To answer some of the questions they can ask some things that may not be entirely necessary. Attorney will help.

3) The interview can be long, but being clear will make it much shorter. If the question isn't addressed to you, don't answer. Be quiet. ONLY answer what your asked, We feel like we should offer an explanation for everything in such situations, but refrain and don't explain unless asked for an explanation.

Thank you for the posts over the while, this forum has been SO helpful through my process

:-D

[Aztec&Taino 144]

It was good of you to contribute with your own experience. I, too, just posted my interview experience in the hopes that others find it helpful just as I found it helpful to browse through the forums during this years-long process.

Best wishes to the both of you! Good to know that you are still amicable.

[Lovepenguins 3]

Got the green card in the mail yesterday!! It took a bit longer than a month, but once the "green card production ordered" notification came in, I had my card in hand withing 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 college girlfriend in Feb 2011

Filed i485 in Jan 2012

Interview Feb 2012

Received CPR card March 10 2012

Filed AOS on March 17th, arrived at USCIS on the 21st (late, eeeeekk!!)

Received I797 April 10th 2014

Called for interview May 27th. We were separated, which probably prompted the interview.

Interview went OK, long, but they just had specific things they needed to know.

Received Green card production ordered notice July 10th

Green card in hand shortly afterwards.

:) Best of luck to everyone!!

[TBoneTX 46,209]

Congratulations, and continued good luck to you!