April 2017 AOS Filers

[Simone_Lee 17]

Just now, Adam&Allison said:

 

Typically no - you're both sat down at a USCIS officers desk together and the interviewer can ask either of you questions. Most people, unless they have red flags, get asked fairly simple questions such as how did you and your partner meet, whens their birthday etc. 

 

If they suspect immigration fraud they may conduct what is called a Stokes interview - where you're both separated and grilled for an extended period of time, questions such as 'How many TV's do you have in your house, what is the color of your partners underwear' etc. 

Whoa! That's intense! I saw someone post this immense list of possible questions for an interview like that. Alright, well, we don't really have anything to worry about, I just wanted to be 100% certain about it since my husband (petitioner) just goes along with whatever I say about all this immigration stuff. 

Thanks again! 

[Adam&Allison 128]

Just now, Simone_Lee said:

Whoa! That's intense! I saw someone post this immense list of possible questions for an interview like that. Alright, well, we don't really have anything to worry about, I just wanted to be 100% certain about it since my husband (petitioner) just goes along with whatever I say about all this immigration stuff. 

Thanks again! 

 

Theoretically they can ask you anything, practically, in most cases they don't. As I said, only if there are red flags. If you're adjusting status from a K-1, the relationship has already been vetted. Stokes interviews can happen on a K-1 but they're unlikely. A lot of K-1's get the interviews waived anyways. 

[cyanmavi 101]

So I had my AOS interview on Wednesday in Boston.

 

We arrived there around 1:30 for the 2:30 interview, and they called my name (more like somehow found us in the waiting room and asked me directly if I were so and so) around 2:30. We basically went through the I-485, the officer asked me and my husband almost all the questions I believe. I was asked his full name, birth date, his phone number, our current address, where and how we met, when and how we get engaged, what he does for a living and how long he has been at his current job. He was asked my birth date, phone number, my parents' names, my birth place. She also asked me all the yes/no questions in rapid succession, so fast that I almost had trouble keeping up (later she admitted to her supervisor outside that she has had a bit too much sugar that day). We did fumble a little, and messed up a couple of details but it was mostly nervousness and she seemed to understand.

At the end she asked whether there were any documents that we would like to provide. I did not know how to answer that and asked what they could be needing from us (as I was sitting there with folders full of documents two inches thick on my lap). We ended up giving her our trip documents (photos, tickets, boarding passes etc.), she said "people don't tend to take trips with strangers". She did not want any financial co-mingling proof or our wedding album.

 

The bummer at the end was that she said everything looked great to her, she believed we had a bona fide marriage and she is ready to approve us but USCIS never received our I-129F packet from the POE or they had lost it so they did not have my original medical exam documentation and they could not approve me without that. So I scheduled a doctor's appointment to get (and pay for!) a new medical soon. I will have to send in the results before they can send me the green card.

 

Also yesterday, on day 136, I called USCIS about my EAD and they said they were sorry. Literally, they could not say anything else. I also could not file another service request because it hasn't been 30 days since the last one, so I have to wait until next week just to be able to file another service request. 

[narakthisud 174]

2 hours ago, cyanmavi said:

The bummer at the end was that she said everything looked great to her, she believed we had a bona fide marriage and she is ready to approve us but USCIS never received our I-129F packet from the POE or they had lost it so they did not have my original medical exam documentation and they could not approve me without that. So I scheduled a doctor's appointment to get (and pay for!) a new medical soon. I will have to send in the results before they can send me the green card.

 

Also yesterday, on day 136, I called USCIS about my EAD and they said they were sorry. Literally, they could not say anything else. I also could not file another service request because it hasn't been 30 days since the last one, so I have to wait until next week just to be able to file another service request. 

I can't stand how often they lose documents! It's actually insulting, especially if you've done everything in your power to file your application correctly with the appropriate paperwork. Be sure you use a designated civil surgeon as USCIS only accepts medical exams from them and no one else.

 

Regarding your EAD: we got my wife's after 135 days so there's no excuse for yours taking that long. I'd recommend contacting your representative or senator to get them involved.

[narakthisud 174]

3 hours ago, Adam&Allison said:

If they suspect immigration fraud they may conduct what is called a Stokes interview - where you're both separated and grilled for an extended period of time, questions such as 'How many TV's do you have in your house, what is the color of your partners underwear' etc. 

Here's a good overview of the Stokes interview:

http://www.apsanlaw.com/law-268.What-you-should-know-about-a-Marriage-Fraud-Interview-in-Immigration-Cases.html

 

You will most likely not be subjected to that. Just know that it's a small possibility.

[Back2Reality 55]

Hello folks,

 

I was wondering if anyone got tips to prepare for the interview besides the basic “bring documents and relationship proof”? 

 

My my interview is next week

[Pritzz 21]

4 hours ago, cyanmavi said:

So I had my AOS interview on Wednesday in Boston.

 

We arrived there around 1:30 for the 2:30 interview, and they called my name (more like somehow found us in the waiting room and asked me directly if I were so and so) around 2:30. We basically went through the I-485, the officer asked me and my husband almost all the questions I believe. I was asked his full name, birth date, his phone number, our current address, where and how we met, when and how we get engaged, what he does for a living and how long he has been at his current job. He was asked my birth date, phone number, my parents' names, my birth place. She also asked me all the yes/no questions in rapid succession, so fast that I almost had trouble keeping up (later she admitted to her supervisor outside that she has had a bit too much sugar that day). We did fumble a little, and messed up a couple of details but it was mostly nervousness and she seemed to understand.

At the end she asked whether there were any documents that we would like to provide. I did not know how to answer that and asked what they could be needing from us (as I was sitting there with folders full of documents two inches thick on my lap). We ended up giving her our trip documents (photos, tickets, boarding passes etc.), she said "people don't tend to take trips with strangers". She did not want any financial co-mingling proof or our wedding album.

 

The bummer at the end was that she said everything looked great to her, she believed we had a bona fide marriage and she is ready to approve us but USCIS never received our I-129F packet from the POE or they had lost it so they did not have my original medical exam documentation and they could not approve me without that. So I scheduled a doctor's appointment to get (and pay for!) a new medical soon. I will have to send in the results before they can send me the green card.

 

Also yesterday, on day 136, I called USCIS about my EAD and they said they were sorry. Literally, they could not say anything else. I also could not file another service request because it hasn't been 30 days since the last one, so I have to wait until next week just to be able to file another service request. 

I'm really sorry that happened to you! I know how frustrating is come out of the uscis building without the approval 😔 I had a similar case in my interview when the IO asked m proof of my daughter's custody. My advice: just try to provide the medical exam asap! I did that and got the approval within one week! Stay positive

[shuss3 6]

Any Phoenix applicants who filed in April have their interview scheduled?

[cyanmavi 101]

On 9/8/2017 at 5:47 PM, narakthisud said:

I can't stand how often they lose documents! It's actually insulting, especially if you've done everything in your power to file your application correctly with the appropriate paperwork. Be sure you use a designated civil surgeon as USCIS only accepts medical exams from them and no one else.

 

Regarding your EAD: we got my wife's after 135 days so there's no excuse for yours taking that long. I'd recommend contacting your representative or senator to get them involved.

Thank you. It is so frustrating since like you said, I did not do anything wrong and sent them everything they could ever need. I did research civil surgeons, there is only one that is cheaper than the others in Boston but I would have to wait two weeks to get an appointment with her so I am going with another one.

Honestly, I feel like it has been so long (day 140!) at this point, I do not want to deal with the hassle of contacting the senator and preparing/sending more documents. It feels like it could happen any moment. I will just wait for the green card, which should not take longer than another month after the physical.

[atticus2017 19]

4 minutes ago, cyanmavi said:

Thank you. It is so frustrating since like you said, I did not do anything wrong and sent them everything they could ever need. I did research civil surgeons, there is only one that is cheaper than the others in Boston but I would have to wait two weeks to get an appointment with her so I am going with another one.

Honestly, I feel like it has been so long (day 140!) at this point, I do not want to deal with the hassle of contacting the senator and preparing/sending more documents. It feels like it could happen any moment. I will just wait for the green card, which should not take longer than another month after the physical.

@cyanmavi Look up Cambridge Health Alliance in Somerville. They were slightly cheaper than the single-doctor practices when I was researching back in April. 

[narakthisud 174]

7 hours ago, cyanmavi said:

Thank you. It is so frustrating since like you said, I did not do anything wrong and sent them everything they could ever need. I did research civil surgeons, there is only one that is cheaper than the others in Boston but I would have to wait two weeks to get an appointment with her so I am going with another one.

Honestly, I feel like it has been so long (day 140!) at this point, I do not want to deal with the hassle of contacting the senator and preparing/sending more documents. It feels like it could happen any moment. I will just wait for the green card, which should not take longer than another month after the physical.

I hear you. It's annoying enough to have to deal with USCIS. But I have to say, my member of congress has a really awesome staff and they worked hard for me. I'm sure the quality of each member's staff varies, though. My representative only needed my wife's EAD case/receipt number and her signature on a privacy form release. That was it. Again, this process will vary depending on the member of Congress but I highly recommend it. In our case, getting an EAD for my wife opened up a ton of doors, employment being one of them. Additionally, we were able to update her Social Security card to her married name and eventually, she will get a learner's permit before finally getting a drivers license. 

[Ticia24 0]

Hello everyone...

I'm at day 139 still waiting for my EAD/AP, am I the only April filer without it???

I called USCIS yesterday and was told I got it approved on September 5th but they haven't mailed the card yet, also my case status has not changed online... anyone knows how long it usually takes from approval to card in the mailbox? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nancy4444 12]

7 minutes ago, Ticia24 said:

Hello everyone...

I'm at day 139 still waiting for my EAD/AP, am I the only April filer without it???

I called USCIS yesterday and was told I got it approved on September 5th but they haven't mailed the card yet, also my case status has not changed online... anyone knows how long it usually takes from approval to card in the mailbox? Thanks in advance.

 

it took me about 10 days.

[ladyblondie 5]

1 hour ago, Ticia24 said:

Hello everyone...

I'm at day 139 still waiting for my EAD/AP, am I the only April filer without it???

I called USCIS yesterday and was told I got it approved on September 5th but they haven't mailed the card yet, also my case status has not changed online... anyone knows how long it usually takes from approval to card in the mailbox? Thanks in advance.

 

i'm still waiting for mine to be approved and updated online..i am around the same timeline as you..i submitted a service request as well!

[Troy P 34]

Finally, my wife's EAD was approved yesterday, 137 days. Sorry I couldn't post earlier we were dealing with Hurricane Irma.

Edited September 12, 2017 by Troy P