AOS Approved

minha_raposa · March 10, 2006

We arrived at the USCIS at 09:15, checked in through the security process and proceeded to the waiting area for our 10:00 appointment. Thinking we had a while to wait, my wife went to the bathroom to freshen up while I waited in the lobby. Once she returned, I went; however, no sooner than was in there my wife was knocking on the door telling me that we'd been called for the interview...it was only 09:30!

Officer Martinez escorted us to her office, asked us to raise our right hands for the oath and then asked us to please sit. First impression was that she lacked a sense of humor, or maybe a little lethargic, but soon realized that she was just being professional. The interview lasted about 40 minutes and began with questions directed at me:

* Wifes name, birthdate, parent's names, city she was born in, previous marriages/kids, how/when we met, where I work & why did I change jobs,etc.

She then directed the exact same question at my wife plus:

* Names of my ex-wives, name and age of my son, number of children my wife has, where I work, where she works, and again how many children my wife has, dates of my divorces and reasons for them, etc.

She then proceeded to go through the standard I 485 questions about terrorism and prostitution and such. Once question were done she asked for our original docs such as birth certs, divorce decrees, a new I 864 and a new G325 for me. After verifying the originals agains copies included in our file she returned them. She next began questioning me at length as to the reason I changed employment in November after being with the same company for 16 years; however, after she looked at the employment letter and offer she saw I was getting a raise of $14,000.00 and immediately retracted her question with a laugh! Finally, she asked to she evidence of our life together. I only took about 10 pictures into the interview and she seemed kind of dissapointed that only 2 of which were wedding pictures. I told her that I have the entire alblum the the truck if she really wanted to see them, but I did not want to bring them in because I was afraid she would ask to keep them. She began laughing and said it was not necessary and she had all evidence she needed, and our AOS was granted.

Unfortunately, she was trying to look up the Biometrics from and found they had not yet made the system. She also asked my wife what they did for her bios and if they took her picture. We told her they only took her "ten prints" and she issued us an RFE to go back and get the picture and index for her green card.

We concluded the interview and went and had her bios completed. We were done with everything and eating lunch with a friend by 11:30.

Oh...I asked about the I551 and she told me that they don't give those anymore because getting a green card is now so quick.

I guess I can only say that our entire experience with local office has really changed my feelings about the process. It was very quick, friendly and accomodating! :kicking: