|
|
| Philadelphia PA |  Review on September 12, 2007: |
bobby_DE
Rating:  | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
Hi guys,
Just got back from the interview in Philly. I was approved with name check pending Oh well...
We were there by 8 am for our 8:30 am interview. The guards checked our IDs and appt. letter. The guards were very pleasant and friendly.
Went to the 3rd floor and handed the appt. letter to the receptionist, another polite and helpful lady.
About 8:35am, a female officer called my last name and we followed her to her office.
Went into her room and took the oath.
First thing she asked was to see my passport.
She asked to give her all photocopies of supporting evidences and I gave health insurance policies, life insurance, pension plan and joint bank account statements. She asked whose insurance and I said mine, provided by my employer, and asked when did I add my husband to the policy. I said in May, after we got married.
She asked for deed account or lease and I said we do not have those since we live in diff. places. It seemed to me like she did not go through our files as that caught her by surprise and started asking a list of questions pertaining our separate locations. Asked my husband where does he live and why he lives there. What are our plans in the future? We tried our best to convince her that I have definite plans to move to NJ to live with him and my acceptance into the university is almost sure.
She then asked how often do we see each other. I said every other week and provided her my travel ticket stubs and said my husband drives, so no evidence for that other than high mileage. She seemed not satisfied with us living apart and said at one point that she does not see why my husband lives in NJ, then he explained that he lives for free in his uncle's house since his uncle's family left the country recently because of job comittments and he looks after their place.
At the end of it, she said,"OK, I am approving your I-130 but cannot approve the I-485 because of name check." At that point, I was crest-fallen and ventured to ask if she knew how long it will take and she said that she doesn't know as it's not in their control. She took my I-94 and thanked us and wished us a good day.
Overall, not the best interview experience because she was very particular about the fact we live apart and even mentioned that she doesn't see why my husband still lives in NJ when I am in DE. Then she also seemed worried about me making the bulk of the money we put in the I-864 and said we will need a co-sponsor later because a Ph.D. stipend will not be enough, but we are OK for now. She did not see any photos. She asked how long did my husband live outside the US and how did he become a citizen in this country since he grew up in a different country.
I now wait to clear my name-check. I have my EAD with me, so life goes on with my current job and will apply at the end of this year under F-1 (the visa that I entered this country) to enroll in a doctoral program in NJ. I also have my Advance Parole, so that will suffice for overseas travel up until August next year. Hopefully, FBI will clear my name-check in a year.
Hope this helps someone; the USCIS is very particular about living together and finances. Thanks a lot for all your prayers, kindness, good wishes and thoughts. I suspect being from Malaysia might play a role in my pending name check; since I do not have a common name.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #2013