AOS Interview in Garden City, NY

[grouchy 0]

Thanks, this is really helpful as we have our interview in Garden City in 6 weeks. Do let us know what happens with the security checks. Congrats!

Hi there. Ning and I just got back from our interview in Garden City. I think we were successful, but there is a sort of lack of closure feeling about it.

One note before I start it, I thought it was a little odd with the security we went through on the way in and inside (the guards were radioing to each other as to my progress as I walked down the hall to the bathroom), no one ever checked either my or Nings ID. The guy downstairs said "have seat" and the interviewer never asked.

We arrived at 6:45 for our 7:30 appt. By 7:05 we made it inside to the downstairs waiting room. At almost 7:45 we were called and brought upstairs to the next waiting room. We were already wondering how they ordered things because people who came after us we called before. But upstairs, there was more waiting. At least three new groups came up before we were finally called in a few minutes before 9.

The interviewer was a nice though serious woman. We were sworn in and then she began looking through the file. Everything from the 485 application was in there. The first thing she said was that the medical was missing. I told her it was in the sealed envelop we gave in at the airport and she said that she understood and she sees it quite often that for some reason it doesn't make it from the airport. Luckily the last time Ning went to the doctor, we had him fill in the form for us. Even better was that she accepted it! She then told us we should get Hepetitus vaccinations even though they are not required and gave us a little talk about that.

She asked Ning about how we met and then asked her how her family felt about her coming here. Ning didn't understand the question totally, but eventually got around to it and answered to the interviewers satisfaction. I mentioned that I lived in Thailand for 4.5 years and we talked about that. And she asked me how our two cultures were different, but honestly I didn't give a good answer (its a complicated question!). We talked a little about Buddhism and then she told me about her son in Okinawa.

She didn't ask for much in the way of documents. She had the affidavit of support we submitted with the 485 and didn't ask for the new one, with all my proof of employment etc. She had 2002-2004 tax returns and didn't ask for 2005 (the first one we filed joint for). She looked through the 50 or so photos we had and asked us to pick out two for the file. I asked if she wanted any of the docs we brought and she said some sort of proof of marriage. I gave her the first ones off the top of the pile , insurance papers from work for us with Ning as my beneficiary, and she said that was enough, she didn't want the file to get too big.

That was it I think because she was writing and circling and checking things in the file the whole time. She said she was going to ask ning the litany of questions and gave a long speech to tell the truth and there won't be a problem but don't and the answers don't check out, that its perjury and she will be made to leave. She said she hadn't checked the computer yet, but could find out. She then asked ning the checklist of 'are you a terorist?' etc. Then she said the case was approved and its been taking 3-4 weeks for the card to come. She wrote in Nings passport "CFI interview complete case pending (her name)"

Then this is where it got a little confusing. We were supposed to book our trip to Tanzania today (one year anniversary!) , we've been waiting for the interview. So I asked her if ning can now travel and she said that we should wait for the greencard before we book anything. I said we wanted to travel in May and she said it should be no problem, but we should wait for the card (she assumed we were going to Thailand). She started talking about checking the file to a security check. At one point she said she could do it in 10 minutes, but they send it to NYC where there are people from CA who have come to help with the backlog of cases. They'd rather have her spend more time interviewing. So I am wondering if this is the FBI check that is keeping so many people waiting, or if she just meant that she was going to check the file to the aleady complete check.

Anyway I really wanted to book that trip because its already almost too late to get it done (booked up. etc.) and delaying the trip means almost doubling the already outlandish prices (June is the first month of high season after rainy season ends).

Oh well, The most important part is that we got approved (I think!) and the card should come soon!

Thanks again for everyone's help along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NigerLA 1]

Congratulations on your interview. I also had my interview about ten days ago also at Garden City and I was told the same thing.

Hopefully it shows up in the mail in the next few weeks. I am also waiting on the arrival of the card to purchase tickets for a trip to Europe and Africa.

I wish you all the best, at least this is out of your way for the next twenty one months.

Thanks for the wishes everyone. And NigerLA, I'll be looking for a post from you saying you got the card in the mail because I know Nings will come 10 days later!

Not a problem, I will put a post up when I get the card in my hands. All the best, this is the fun part (WAITING).