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| New Orleans LA |  Review on December 28, 2010: |
Rating:  | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
We had our AOS (I-485/I-130) interview on April 20, 2010. We made it there like 15 mins before our appointment. We were instructed to drop our appointment notice in the mailbox and wait to be called in. A little after 9 o'clock, a gentleman called our names, greeted us and led us to his office where the interview started. We had our 8 month old daughter with us, so he asked for her birth certificate. I handed him a whole big folder full of EVERYTHING you could imagine as a proof of our bona fide marriage. Documents include:
-Proof of joint house ownership
-Last 3 years of tax papers
-Letters of emplyment (We both worked at the same school back then)
-Pay stubs
-Photos
-Cards
-My M.D. degree
-My wife's B.A. degree
-Bills
-Car insurance
etc etc
He flipped through the pages and asked the following questions:
-Where did we meet?
-How did we meet?
-Have i met her family?
-Has she met my family?
-Is my wife a Muslim? (I was shocked at that question. I thought to myself what difference would it make? but i guess it does make a difference as my story continues)
-How did we manage to purchase a house while going to school and working full time?
-What are my plans for medical residency?
He then stated that we would hear from him about his decision within a month or so. He walked us back to the door and that was it. The whole thing took probably between 25-35 mins.
Ofcourse i am writing this review more than 8 months after my interview date and needless to say that we have not heard anything from the USCIS since then. My impression of the interview was generally a positive one. I didn't think the questions were overly tough but i can't deny that the interviewer seemed a little unprofessional by bringing on the religion thing. Out of all the religions that exist, he asked if my wife was specifically a Muslim! This leaves me wondering if it was just a question that had nothing to do with the decision process or perhaps there may/may not be an element of grudges and/or discrimination?
Anyway, over the past 8 months I've made numerous attempts to schedule an info-pass and request an update on my case and even possibly speak with the same officer again to find out what could potentially explain the unreasonable delay in my situation but unfortunately was met with the same answer every time (Your case is under review). I've contacted my congressman and senator who in return contacted USCIS. This time USCIS stated that the delay is because of security check. So I quickly requested FOIPA and had my senator contact FBI to see if my name check had been cleared. To my surprise, my name check had already been cleared almost 1 month after my application (a year a half from now). I tried contacting USCIS again and it seems noone really knows what's taking this long to adjudicate my case.
Now I have another child and I have moved on with my life and really not expecting much from the USCIS as I really did not apply with the intention to have a benefit, rather to just report my marriage and do the right thing. I'm equally happy as we are blessed with a loving family, a fulfilling career and above all the grace of God.
I hope someone finds this post helpful. Good luck everyone and i hope your experience with USCIS New Orleans office is/will be better than mine! 
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7010