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| Chicago IL |  Review on August 11, 2005: |
pj1959us
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
Our appointment was at 835am, so at 8am we left the hotel and walked to the Federal Building and arrived there at 810am. We went through security quickly and up to the 2nd floor. There we checked in and were told to sit and wait with the numerous others already waiting.
While we were waiting, one girl was called up to the window and was told they had to reschedule her interview because her file didn’t make it there from Missouri!!! :o One of the bundles didn’t get sent and hers was among them. I guess the boy she was with made quite a stink (couldn’t hear what he said though) because they were told they could speak to a supervisor on the 23rd floor if they wanted, but it wouldn’t do any good. I guess they did because we heard a woman yelling at the receptionist on the speakerphone because she couldn’t do anything for them.
At around 840am our names were called among several others and we went to the 23rd floor as instructed and checked in again, told to take a seat and wait. It was pretty much standing room only by then.
Around 850am our names were called and the adjudicator told us to follow him, but he only had Chris’ file (the K-2). (EEEK!!! :blink: ) We mentioned there should be another file and he told us to wait a moment while he checked. He came back a few minutes later and said to follow him, after he found David’s (the K-1) file. Whew!!!
We went into his office and were sworn in. He asked for my (the USC) driver’s license and David’s EAD and passport.
He browsed through the file and asked for our marriage certificate (took the copy) and a copy of the 2004 tax filing. He said the other tax years were in the file. Nothing else was asked for . (note: David's vaccinations were complete and I had only sent in the worksheet from the Doc's at the Embassy with the AOS application).
He continued through the file and then began asking David the yes-no questions answered before on whatever freakin’ form it is (I have lost track now  ) and dwelled on the Yes answer to had he been arrested. He asked for the details of that, if occurred in the UK and when, and whether we had the police certificate. .
We stated the certificate should be in the file, but David began explaining the details and the adjudicator ultimately found the police certificate from the UK that outlined the history in the back of the file (so it did make it from London and Dublin POE! :dance: ). . The adjudicator confirmed what “cautions” meant and other miscellaneous details, making notes in the file with his red pen.
He asked some of the other questions (persecuted anyone? part of terrorist group? etc from the same form), all answered No.
He then called Chris up, asked for his EAD and passport, verified he lived with his father, and went right to the questions, all answered No. Nothing else was asked for, even though Chris had not had all his vaccinations. I had sent in his worksheet stating that as well, and he had gotten the vaccinations and supplement in a sealed envelope for the interview, but it wasn't asked for. <_<
He then stated he was unable to approve our AOS that day because ‘anyone that has had arrests must be approved by a supervisor’ and since Chris’ petition is a derivative of David’s he couldn’t approve his either. :crying:
He stated he would give the file to the supervisor at the end of the day and we would receive a letter ‘within the next few weeks’ confirming whether or not the AOS was approved and how to obtain the stamp in the passport if approval was granted.
He had left the EADs and passports on his desk so they got those back after the interview.
I hope this is just a formality but I am of course worried. The adjudicator wasn't very personable, but did at least comment on various buildings we saw from his office window that David and Chris wondered about. I guess they don't get hired for their personalities. :hehe: My main concern is waiting now, since Chris must adjust status by January because he will be 21 and if not done by then, he can’t adjust status (if that is true…I would rather not take the chance, if you know what I mean!).
I guess their rules are their rules, but if the Embassy approved the K-1 visa after reviewing the previous arrests and found no problem, then I’m not sure why the adjudicator can’t authorize the AOS approval then and there. It wouldn’t make sense for the Embassy to approve a K-1, allow David to move here and marry, then say he couldn’t adjust his status!!!??? :huh: No wonder I’m worried…since when did any of this make sense???? Any words of encouragement are welcome! Could we need a waiver thingy? :help: It was a bit unexpected, being held up for that.
Oh, well. I guess we shall wait and see. As usual. Still :alien: in waiting for now.
I’ll update when I know more.
At least David and Chris enjoyed seeing Grant and Millennium Parks and Navy Pier the evening before. We went to Sears Tower right after the interview, because it was just a few blocks away from the Federal Building.
If anyone needs to stay in Chicago for their AOS interviews, I can recommend the Crowne Plaza Silversmith on Wabash. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Federal Building on Dearborn and very close to many attractions. It is right by the El (under it in fact, on Jeweler's Row), so if you stay there, ask for a room above the 5th floor and on the opposite side from the El. We were on the 9th floor and we didn’t hear a thing (not even sirens or gunshots :P ). They have nice rooms with lots of fluffy pillows and VERY comfy beds. I would have slept like a log if it hadn’t been for the Bubba Gump’s supper I had at Navy Pier earlier :unsure: . The hotel has valet parking for $28.00 a night and they said we could leave our car there until 6pm the day we check out without additional charge, but we didn't stay that long.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #147