Failed Stokes interview

[Nathan99 4]

We had a Stokes interview and the officer was already onto us at the first step in the reception. He separated us immediately and after 3.5 hours, he decided to deny us and said we would receive a denial notice in the mail within 7 days. He did not give us a second interview at all or let me explain any discrepancies in the interview answers. I contacted a lawyer and she said I should wait for the denial notice before making any decision.

Since our marriage is legit and the officer gave us the option to re-file it again, we gonna take the shot of reapplying. So does anyone know if the denial is gonna affect our interview again next year?

We're both very stressed and depressed. The officer was real mean since he told my wife I used her to enter us and bring my family to here if I have a green card. He didn't say it verbatim but he implied he didn't want more immigrants to come and stay in America.

[Elf 146]

Moved from AOS from Work, Student and Tourist Visas to AOS from WS&T Visas Progress Reports

Topic (outcome of interview) is an update on case progress

[Boiler 45,519]

What were the discrepancies?

[Cheezees 1,514]

Could you share how your responses differed?

[gpiper 77]

It would be interesting to know whether or not you knew before you went to the interview that it would turn out to be a Stokes interview?

I thought those only occurred as a secondary meeting and you would know in advance.

It's a real shame for you as different people react differently to pressurised situations. If the person at the other end of the desk is looking out for any tiny discrepancy and is actively looking for it then it becomes even tougher.

Having said that I hear that the questions posed are phrased exactly the same to stop any misleading statements from being made. As they are filmed I'm sure there isn't say underhanded way of trying to catch you out.

It's hearsay what you commented about the officer as that really isn't what they are there for. They should be looking fraudulent cases.

That's just me probably being naive.

I would make sure you get with your partner and go through exactly what was answered by each of you. Why not even put in an FOI to obtain transcripts of the conversation! (I doubt they will entertain the request though!)

Edited May 20, 2016 by gpiper

[blest.but.strest 50]

We had a Stokes interview and the officer was already onto us at the first step in the reception.

Since you said stokes, this was your second interview, right?

So did he even interview you guys or just separated you and had you wait in seperate rooms for 3 hours.

If you are lucky, you will receive a NOID (notice of intent to deny). The NOID will include every and all discrepancies that the officer witnesses during your interviews. You will have a month to reply to USCIS by explaining why the discrepancies occurred. It would be wise to also send new bonafide marriage evidence to support your NOID response packet. At this point you may receive surprise visits from USCIS and eventually you will get a decision from them.

If you are not lucky you will simply be denied. You can always file a new petition, but keep in mind that the previous evidence, interviews and filing will definitely affect the decision of the new petition. In other words the old petition doesn't go away.

Edited May 20, 2016 by blest.but.strest

[Valor 131]

Since you said stokes, this was your second interview, right?

So did he even interview you guys or just separated you and had you wait in seperate rooms for 3 hours.

If you are lucky, you will receive a NOID (notice of intent to deny). The NOID will include every and all discrepancies that the officer witnesses during your interviews. You will have a month to reply to USCIS by explaining why the discrepancies occurred. It would be wise to also send new bonafide marriage evidence to support your NOID response packet. At this point you may receive surprise visits from USCIS and eventually you will get a decision from them.

If you are not lucky you will simply be denied. You can always file a new petition, but keep in mind that the previous evidence, interviews and filing will definitely affect the decision of the new petition. In other words the old petition doesn't go away.

According to his timeline, it looks like it was his first interview.

[Nathan99 4]

Thank you everyone! Hopefully we will re-apply again as soon as possible. This immigration thing has drained our emotions.

Yes this is our first and only interview. I think the biggest discrepancy was my wife didn't know about my personal account and how much I saved. Also we missed a couple questions like what restaurant we first went, etc.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Thank you everyone! Hopefully we will re-apply again as soon as possible. This immigration thing has drained our emotions.

Yes this is our first and only interview. I think the biggest discrepancy was my wife didn't know about my personal account and how much I saved. Also we missed a couple questions like what restaurant we first went, etc.

Really ? Well if I were your wife I would be highly pissed. You have yourself to blame for that one. It's always better to be

transparent in a marriage USCIS or no USCIS. Nothing wrong with having a personal account but in a good marriage this

should not be a secretive thing.

[Cathi 5,748]

It would be interesting to know whether or not you knew before you went to the interview that it would turn out to be a Stokes interview?

I thought those only occurred as a secondary meeting and you would know in advance.

It's a real shame for you as different people react differently to pressurised situations. If the person at the other end of the desk is looking out for any tiny discrepancy and is actively looking for it then it becomes even tougher.

Having said that I hear that the questions posed are phrased exactly the same to stop any misleading statements from being made. As they are filmed I'm sure there isn't say underhanded way of trying to catch you out.

It's hearsay what you commented about the officer as that really isn't what they are there for. They should be looking fraudulent cases.

That's just me probably being naive.

I would make sure you get with your partner and go through exactly what was answered by each of you. Why not even put in an FOI to obtain transcripts of the conversation! (I doubt they will entertain the request though!)

Not true at all,most of the time a stokes interview is a total surprise. If people are told in advance ten they would have the chance to practice their answers

Edited May 20, 2016 by mimolicious

[Illiria 980]

The immigrant having a secret bank account that their spouse doesn't know about is a major red flag, it would have been different if they knew you had a separate account but this way it looks like you are going to bide your time until you get your card then can run off with funds you have been squirreling away.

To do a stokes interview as the first interview means they already had doubts about your relationship, the discrepancies in your answers confirmed it in their mind.

Please fill in your timeline - this can help people understand things about your question that you might have missed in your first post.

[caliliving 606]

why would they have a red flag in the first place? what country are you from what are the ages of the male and female? obviously as soon as you sat donw you gave off a huge 'red flag' to the interviewer...

also, i understand the descripencies with the answers,as this was your first interview you werent expecting it or prepared.. hell i dont even know the color of my toothbrush or what restaurants we went to the first time we met! lol but it is more then your answers.. you guys set them off.

[Boiler 45,519]

There is obviously a lot more to this as prior posts by the OP indicate.

[Umka36 781]

It was quite a surprise when my wife and I were initially interviewed separately during the AOS interview. I guess I'm glad they didn't dig into the financial if that was the reason for denial, because my wife could care less about dealing with that part of our household (I cannot imagine that was the only reason for denial). For us, they focused on my family, our relationship, and people in the picture that we had brought.

The interview lasted about 30-45minutes in total. Their job is to dig out fraud marriages, and can only speculate why we had a stoke interview. My wife and I are an odd couple with me being Asian and my wife being from Eastern Europe.

Unfortunately OP, your next interview will probably be more scrutinize that the first.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Umka36

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

One can't expect to not be scrutinized when asked to bring co mingled evidence to the interview as you were asked to and then show up with a secret stuffed account she had no clue about. OP, what were you thinking ? Even if you brought no evidence of such account, they know !