TERRIBLE officer behavior at combo interview, need HELP and ADVISE

[ToniNiki 37]

Hi everyone!

 

Me and my husband just went for my combo interview ( i-751 and n-400) and OH BOY it was absolutely humiliating experience.

 

First they made us wait in the lobby for 45 minutes when every other person got admitted pretty much straight away. Then they officer showed up and called me and told my husband to wait. And the hell started to happen. His first question after getting my oath and date of birth was why I decided to change my surname to my husband`s and stated I should not do so because it would not convince him that our marriage is legit. I said that at the time of the wedding we did not think about it ( married on a tiny island in Caribbean not in States) but I do want to change my surname now, its time I said. 

 

Next he asked little about when we got married, and then said : "Mam did you married your husband for green card?". I did say no i  did marry him coz i love him. He started threatening me that he had seen many people in that chair and no one will admit to it. Then he asked if we have kids. And here is the WORST  part. I said no, he asked why. I said we want to and had a sad experience this July with miscarriage. He look at me with disguise in his face  and said "And you have a paper to prove it?" I honestly replied that I did not think this is related to my interview so no I did not bring it and he laughed and said " Of COURSE you do NOT have them!" so he accused me of lying about my miscarriage. I stated shaking with anger inside but kept looking still and calm. 

 

Then the ball started rolling, he kept asking if I married for green card. I calmly said 2 more times No i did coz I love my husband. He started going through my file and said "I don`t know how you got approved to come here at all because I dont see any proof of legit marriage" And let me tell you, I sent SO MUCH! We have joint account which both our salaries go to, we pay bills from it, we own a house together, we own cars, insurances, tons of pictures of my family here with  his, we went to Russia with my spouse to see my family as well, trips to Mexico, NY, vacations, cards from friends and family.....NAME IT!

 

He then continued: "Why your name is not on a rental lease for apartment?". First, that was 3 years ago, second I explained that rental company would not place me as renter due to no DL and job ( that was when I just moved here) so my husband is renter and I shown as occupant. Also I added we do own our hose for over a year now which we both own. He opened my bank statement ( joint account) and said : " I dont see any bills here, just Amazon and going out to restaurants" I took recent statement from my docs I brought and said here, you can actually see all bills per month we pay from same account. He did not want to look ( I also sent them with my N-400 so he just did not spend any time to study our case) He did not want to see any evidence I brought, pictures etc. He took our deed on house and thats it.

 

I passed all tests easily. Then he asked how we met, I explained. Then called in my husband. He asked him also how we met and when he said same as I did with exact date (we do celebrate this as our anniversary as well so we know it) he said "Sounds like you both learnt it by hard!"

 

He asked if we have more to add, because he does not believe in our marriage, my spouse offered all the same as I did plus IRS taxes showing both filing together, but officer said it is not a proof coz it is financially benefits to file together!!!!

 

In the end officer said we will hear smth back in 30 days or less by mail.

 

Anyways, he was mean, humiliating, talking to me like I am sort of criminal. Also made comments after every of my answer showing he does not give a #$%$#@! what I said and he made his mind about us. He treated me so bad that after the interview I could not stop crying, my husband got extremely mad coz he saw it with his own eyes. 

 

I just want to share this with you and you to tell me what you think. Once again, we are happily in love, all possible proof was offered, I adore his family, we had proof of their and my family vacation together over Christmas, tons of pics, etc etc. I did not one time interrupted him, or made a face or raised my tone. I was acting overly polite even tho I wanted to tell him how inappropriate he is acting. I kept being calm. 

[DSOTM1973 52]

Sometimes officers have bad day and they take out on people. It sucks but it is what it is. Interviews like these is why sometimes people prefer take lawyers with them. That being said, you did not end up with stroke interview as it seems you both where in the room at the same time for the most part. 

Don't worry, just wait and see what happen. Maybe they will ask you to send extra documents, maybe they will approve it right away, and maybe they will call you in for a second interview. 

Just stay calm, you have nothing to hide or to worry about.

[SalishSea 17,736]

2 hours ago, DSOTM1973 said:

Sometimes officers have bad day and they take out on people. It sucks but it is what it is. Interviews like these is why sometimes people prefer take lawyers with them. That being said, you did not end up with stroke interview as it seems you both where in the room at the same time for the most part. 

Don't worry, just wait and see what happen. Maybe they will ask you to send extra documents, maybe they will approve it right away, and maybe they will call you in for a second interview. 

Just stay calm, you have nothing to hide or to worry about.

The OP indicates that they were in fact interviewed separately, which is a Stokes interview.

 

OP, were there other red flags or issues previously in your immigration journey?  Have they tried to come to your house for an unannounced visit?

[laylalex 7,284]

I just wanted to say as one woman who has suffered a miscarriage to another, I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm especially sorry that this person was so callous about a very painful time for your and your husband. Miscarriage, we are told, is more common than anyone talks about but that doesn't make it any less difficult. Best wishes to you and your husband. ❤️ 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

There is nothing polite I can say about the psychopath that interviewed you. I'm so sorry. Especially when you had great proof, such as joint accounts and owning a house together! What. Also, who has papers for a miscarriage, that's beyond ridiculous. 

 

Which office was that? Might be a good warning for others. Also, maybe others can help with giving instructions on how to file a complaint. 

[Djxnor 20]

Chapter 9 - Feedback, Complaints, and Reporting Misconduct | USCIS 

 

I found that, if it will be useful in case you will want to file a compliant against that officer

[WaterLeaf 200]

3 hours ago, Djxnor said:

Chapter 9 - Feedback, Complaints, and Reporting Misconduct | USCIS 

 

I found that, if it will be useful in case you will want to file a compliant against that officer

I would do that. The stokes interview should have nothing to do with the officer bullying and childish behavior against anyone like that.

Edited December 19, 2020 by WaterLeaf

[Ontarkie 14,190]

I don't think this was a Stokes interview. They grill you much more than what the OP wrote. I think this guy is well I can't say what I think because I would have to suspend myself for saying it. But I agree with the Poster who put the link above. He needs to be reported. 

[millefleur 5,045]

Does not sound like a Stokes because only the immigrant was interviewed separately, then the USC spouse was called in and they were interviewed together. In a Stokes, both would have been interviewed separately.

 

11 hours ago, ToniNiki said:

I did not one time interrupted him, or made a face or raised my tone. I was acting overly polite even tho I wanted to tell him how inappropriate he is acting. I kept being calm. 

The only thing I can think of from a criminal psychology perspective is that he was confused/angered by you remaining calm to his absurd accusations. Usually when someone is accused of something false, the 'innocent' reaction is to get angry back and defend yourself emotionally. Regardless, this IO's behavior is despicable and should be reported. Even if there was the slightest red flag to justify a harsher interview, this IO clearly stepped over the line.

 

[African Zealot 1,455]

What you met was a wild beast garbed in a human exterior. What kind of vile misanthrope makes light of someone’s miscarriage? The good thing is all these interviews are now conducted in camera so there’s evidence if you decide to escalate the issue.

 

Don't let the miscreant steal your joy this holiday season. Ultimately things will work out.

[JFH 12,189]

I would urge you to file a complaint. This sort of behavior needs to be reported and the consequences need to be felt. 
 

If you do decide to file a complaint, I would focus on the one point - the personal and completely inappropriate comments he made relating to your loss. I would leave the other items out. In my experience, complaints are resolved better when there is one major issue focused on that cannot be defended, rather than a laundry list of random woes. I have to admit, and I apologize for this, that when I started to read your post and your first complaint was waiting 45 minutes I almost hit the back button, especially as I filed almost a year before you and am still waiting for my interview. There may even be a valid reason for the delay (technical problems, staff shortage due to sickness, etc). I am confident that USCIS will be able to defend almost everything you mentioned but the issue of how he reacted and responded about the loss is completely inexcusable. He’s lucky he didn’t have me in the chair in front of him. When asked for “proof” I would have been very tempted to lift up my shirt and show him the surgical scar I have as a result of a traumatic pregnancy loss. His behavior in this regard was completely unacceptable and I would strongly encourage you to take the time to report this matter. 

I am so sorry to hear of not only how you were treated but of your miscarriage. Take good care of yourself and don’t be ashamed to grieve as long as you need and as much as you need. 

 

[Nikki06 46]

18 hours ago, DSOTM1973 said:

Sometimes officers have bad day and they take out on people. It sucks but it is what it is. Interviews like these is why sometimes people prefer take lawyers with them. That being said, you did not end up with stroke interview as it seems you both where in the room at the same time for the most part. 

Don't worry, just wait and see what happen. Maybe they will ask you to send extra documents, maybe they will approve it right away, and maybe they will call you in for a second interview. 

Just stay calm, you have nothing to hide or to worry about.

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-a-chapter-9#:~:text=Persons can make a complaint in a USCIS,and information about the nature of the complaint.

[Mike E 11,739]

Sorry you went through that.  
 

My guess is that you will be approved.  
 

If not, get a lawyer the second time around.  

[Khatera DS 11]

I am so sorry for what you went through. The officer who interviewed my husband also behaved that way. I can totally relate to all the feelings you feel right now. I wholeheartedly wish you the best and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Please, keep us updated here. 

[DSOTM1973 52]

2 hours ago, Nikki06 said:

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-a-chapter-9#:~:text=Persons can make a complaint in a USCIS,and information about the nature of the complaint.

I am sorry but filing a complaint like this will end with he said v she said. It will do nothing good especially since the interview wasn't record and there is no prove of what happened. Also, It is very possible that the OP interviewed by the supervisor too, who knows? The OP should sit tight and wait for the decision rather than going on a fight with a government agency.