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| Newark NJ |  Review on March 31, 2005: |
jangmi00
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
We arrived at the building about 12:15 for our 1pm appointment. After going through security, we went upstairs to the 13th floor (about 12:35). We (along with a bunch of other people) were told that 1pm appointment people had to go to the cafeteria on the second floor to wait until 12:45. So we went to the cafeteria and just waited.
At 12:45 we went back upstairs. They had everyone make a big line in the hallway. At 1:03, they let us in, but everyone went to the same room (a kinda big waiting room). We handed in our appointment letters at the window and sat down.
A few minutes later, we along with a few other couples heard our name called. We went up only to find out that we had to go to a different waiting room down the hall. (No direction for that was given earlier, so no one knew).
We took our appointment letter and went down the hall, handed it in at the window there. Then we sat and watched TV for a while.
About 2:45, our name was finally called. We went up tot he window, only to find out "It'll be about another half an hour." Sigh. Ok, back to waiting.
About 3:15 we were finally called in. The guy asked us to raise our hands and say "I swear to tell the truth." Easy. Then he asked for ID from both of us. He asked for drivers license and proof of citizenship from my husband, drivers license, EAD and passport from me. I don't have drivers license or EAD, so he took my passport. He asked me for my medical, which I gave him.
He asked if either of us had been married before (no), did we have any children. We have a son together, so he took a copy of the birth certificate.
He asked some basic questions - I remember he asked who from each of our families was at our wedding, none of the questions were difficult.
Then he started stamping my papers. I said "Don't you want to see more evidence?" He asked what I had. I said "Photos, insurance policy, mail, etc." He said no, he didn't need to. Phew. All that prep! He didn't even get the new affadavit of support!
My husband asked if some cases are easier than others, and the interviewer told us that they do a credit check on us to see if our addresses match and they check to see if my intended address when I entered the US was the same address as my husband. (He said if I had listed Miami or something, it would have been a red flag.) I'm sure they check other stuff, but that's what he told us.
Anyhow, I got the stamp good for a year. He said we'd have the card within 3 months.
It was fairly painless, except for the long wait. (at least the chairs were comfortable!) I think if you have nothing to hide, you'll have no troubles.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #179