Should we bring a Lawyer to our 2nd AOS meeting?

[samanddiane 2]

Hi,

Our first AOS meeting went poorly and was very quick (under 20 minutes).

We did not have enough "evidence of marriage" documents to satisfy the Interviewer.

The Interviewer listed lots of "evidence" she expected us to submit and did not want to listen to responses why we didn't have it. :-)

I feel the lawyer we used did a poor job of preparing us for the interview, and she made mistakes preparing the few documents we did submit (which the Interview noticed).

We have received notice of a second AOS meeting scheduled for next month.

I called a second immigration lawyer ("Bob," out of the yellow pages) and asked his opinion on if I should "stick with the first lawyer", "get a new lawyer", or "go it alone."

Bob first suggested we should stick with the original lawyer since they had handled all the paperwork up to that point. He said that, provided we're a "real" marriage, there's not much support a lawyer can provide at the second interview -- given that all paperwork had been filed and we had gathered the additional documentation requested by the Interviewer.

When I mentioned that the original lawyer would be charging an additional $2500 to prepare for (and be present at) the second interview, Bob said that I was being overcharged and that it would probably make more sense to go it alone.

If anyone has been to a "Second AOS" meeting -- did you have a lawyer present and were they helpful? $2500 is a lot to me, but I don't want my wife to get kicked out of the country either. I don't particularly feel like paying this particular person $2500 -- the $3500 we've paid her so far didn't get us much value.

I'd love to hear some experienced thoughts on this -- I feel very out on a limb... No one I know has been through this stuff.

Thanks!

1999-07-29: Enters country on Student Visa.

2001-06-22: Met

2006-10-11: Married

2007-01-20: I-20 Visa Expires

2007-01-29: Received by government: I-485 Adjustment of Status

2007-05-03: First Adjustment of Status Interview

Case continued for "Security Clearances" and "Futher Review" Reasons

2007-06-20: Additional evidence (more pictures, more bills, lease, car insurance, etc) sent in.

2007-08-27: Second AOS Meeting (Scheduled)

[reeses16 8]

I don't have personal experience with this. But two things you may want to consider: (1) Did the officer at the first meeting tell you what was missing? If she/he did, I would think you would be fine if you have since gathered that information and (2) You may want to ask other VJers, but you might not get the same officer, you could get someone more willing to hear any necessary, but valid explanations you may have. I think in the end you should do whatever gives you the greatest peace of mind whether it means good preparation or good preparation and a lawyer.

Best of luck!

Hi,

Our first AOS meeting went poorly and was very quick (under 20 minutes).

We did not have enough "evidence of marriage" documents to satisfy the Interviewer.

The Interviewer listed lots of "evidence" she expected us to submit and did not want to listen to responses why we didn't have it. :-)

I feel the lawyer we used did a poor job of preparing us for the interview, and she made mistakes preparing the few documents we did submit (which the Interview noticed).

We have received notice of a second AOS meeting scheduled for next month.

I called a second immigration lawyer ("Bob," out of the yellow pages) and asked his opinion on if I should "stick with the first lawyer", "get a new lawyer", or "go it alone."

Bob first suggested we should stick with the original lawyer since they had handled all the paperwork up to that point. He said that, provided we're a "real" marriage, there's not much support a lawyer can provide at the second interview -- given that all paperwork had been filed and we had gathered the additional documentation requested by the Interviewer.

When I mentioned that the original lawyer would be charging an additional $2500 to prepare for (and be present at) the second interview, Bob said that I was being overcharged and that it would probably make more sense to go it alone.

If anyone has been to a "Second AOS" meeting -- did you have a lawyer present and were they helpful? $2500 is a lot to me, but I don't want my wife to get kicked out of the country either. I don't particularly feel like paying this particular person $2500 -- the $3500 we've paid her so far didn't get us much value.

I'd love to hear some experienced thoughts on this -- I feel very out on a limb... No one I know has been through this stuff.

Thanks!

1999-07-29: Enters country on Student Visa.

2001-06-22: Met

2006-10-11: Married

2007-01-20: I-20 Visa Expires

2007-01-29: Received by government: I-485 Adjustment of Status

2007-05-03: First Adjustment of Status Interview

Case continued for "Security Clearances" and "Futher Review" Reasons

2007-06-20: Additional evidence (more pictures, more bills, lease, car insurance, etc) sent in.

2007-08-27: Second AOS Meeting (Scheduled)

[tiberonsuave 0]

How,

Comfortable are you that you understood what the interviewer wanted. Were you able to gather everything that they asked for. If so...I wouldn't pay the money for another attorney. All they can do is present what you give to them anyway.

t

Hi,

Our first AOS meeting went poorly and was very quick (under 20 minutes).

We did not have enough "evidence of marriage" documents to satisfy the Interviewer.

The Interviewer listed lots of "evidence" she expected us to submit and did not want to listen to responses why we didn't have it. :-)

I feel the lawyer we used did a poor job of preparing us for the interview, and she made mistakes preparing the few documents we did submit (which the Interview noticed).

We have received notice of a second AOS meeting scheduled for next month.

I called a second immigration lawyer ("Bob," out of the yellow pages) and asked his opinion on if I should "stick with the first lawyer", "get a new lawyer", or "go it alone."

Bob first suggested we should stick with the original lawyer since they had handled all the paperwork up to that point. He said that, provided we're a "real" marriage, there's not much support a lawyer can provide at the second interview -- given that all paperwork had been filed and we had gathered the additional documentation requested by the Interviewer.

When I mentioned that the original lawyer would be charging an additional $2500 to prepare for (and be present at) the second interview, Bob said that I was being overcharged and that it would probably make more sense to go it alone.

If anyone has been to a "Second AOS" meeting -- did you have a lawyer present and were they helpful? $2500 is a lot to me, but I don't want my wife to get kicked out of the country either. I don't particularly feel like paying this particular person $2500 -- the $3500 we've paid her so far didn't get us much value.

I'd love to hear some experienced thoughts on this -- I feel very out on a limb... No one I know has been through this stuff.

Thanks!

1999-07-29: Enters country on Student Visa.

2001-06-22: Met

2006-10-11: Married

2007-01-20: I-20 Visa Expires

2007-01-29: Received by government: I-485 Adjustment of Status

2007-05-03: First Adjustment of Status Interview

Case continued for "Security Clearances" and "Futher Review" Reasons

2007-06-20: Additional evidence (more pictures, more bills, lease, car insurance, etc) sent in.

2007-08-27: Second AOS Meeting (Scheduled)

[misa 2]

What did you present as evidence at the first interview and what are you planning on presenting at the second interview? What did the interviewer request from you that you didn't have?

Edited July 19, 2007 by misa

[elgringo 0]

Geez....

From what I've been able to gather from people's post here on VJ, a lawyer is nothing but a giant waste of money. Why would you wanna pay someone thousands of dollars just to screw up your paperwork? I would just go it alone man. You are the only one who really cares about your case anyways. A lawyer is just in it for the money....

[samanddiane 2]

What did you present as evidence at the first interview and what are you planning on presenting at the second interview? What did the interviewer request from you that you didn't have?

What we presented:

- Marriage certificate.

- My paystubs with "M"arried status on it.

- Joint bank account statements (not much activity though -- just credit card bills).

- 2 Visa Cards attached to the same account (one card in each of our names).

- 2 Amex Cards where I was a user of her existing account.

- Recent statements from those credit cards.

- Pictures of our marriage dinner (small party of 5 people -- we got married at the courthouse).

- A few pictures of me with her family.

- Driver's licenses showing a common address.

Important things the presenter asked us for that we didn't have:

- Lease (we were subletting and weren't on a lease).

- Utility bills (our names weren't on the utility bills).

- Common auto insurance (We hadn't updated our insurance).

- Evidence she was on my health insurance plan (I hadn't done that).

- More pictures.

After the interview we moved into an apartment, so we now have a lease, rent receipts, and gas&electric bills in our names (for the past 3 months). We consolidated our auto insurance plans. She got a job so she has her own health insurance through her employer. My Dad visited so we took a group picture together. We found more pictures of me with her family.

If you can recommend other things to bring that I've overlooked, I'd really appreciate your help.

edit: one additional thing that I have now: she's the beneficiary on my 401k plan and life insurance at work.

Edited July 19, 2007 by samanddiane

[tiberonsuave 0]

Maybe a couple of affidavits from people stating that they have known you as a married couple....

t

What did you present as evidence at the first interview and what are you planning on presenting at the second interview? What did the interviewer request from you that you didn't have?

What we presented:

- Marriage certificate.

- My paystubs with "M"arried status on it.

- Joint bank account statements (not much activity though -- just credit card bills).

- 2 Visa Cards attached to the same account (one card in each of our names).

- 2 Amex Cards where I was a user of her existing account.

- Recent statements from those credit cards.

- Pictures of our marriage dinner (small party of 5 people -- we got married at the courthouse).

- A few pictures of me with her family.

- Driver's licenses showing a common address.

Important things the presenter asked us for that we didn't have:

- Lease (we were subletting and weren't on a lease).

- Utility bills (our names weren't on the utility bills).

- Common auto insurance (We hadn't updated our insurance).

- Evidence she was on my health insurance plan (I hadn't done that).

- More pictures.

After the interview we moved into an apartment, so we now have a lease, rent receipts, and gas&electric bills in our names (for the past 3 months). We consolidated our auto insurance plans. She got a job so she has her own health insurance through her employer. My Dad visited so we took a group picture together. We found more pictures of me with her family.

If you can recommend other things to bring that I've overlooked, I'd really appreciate your help.

edit: one additional thing that I have now: she's the beneficiary on my 401k plan and life insurance at work.

[misa 2]

Seems like you are on the right track after the intervew with gathering more evidence now that you have your own apartment. Bring proof that she has her own insurance so they don't question why she hasn't been put on yours.

Her being listed as the beneficiary of your 401k and life insurance is good too!

Letters from people that know you both are also good and take more pictures of you two together... out at dinner, with friends, etc. I seriously don't know why they get so hung up on "pictures" sometimes but you have time to snap a few more pics.

Keep us updated when you go for your 2nd interview.

Edited July 20, 2007 by misa