(Stokes) Interview, RFE, waiting...

[Kixini 0]

Hello VJ,

On July the 26th we had out AOS Interview (I-130) with my wife, wihich turned out to be pretty rough. I expected a 10-15 minute interview, instead we were seperated for questioning /I guess that's what they call "stokes interview"/ for about 45 minutes and I think we passed. Our answers matched, but the IO was not too pleasent of our lacking joint documents. Unfortunately aside from our joint bank accounts we couldn't show too much in common. /We had a bunch of pictures which the IO took copies of/. On our ID's we had the same addresses and we had some utility bills, but no insurance or lease documents. Unfortunately my EAD arrived one day earlier than out Interview date and I didn't have my SSN, so we couldn't share much on documents. I think that was what raised the red flag, but at the "interrogation" /which was pretty damn long and rough/ went good in my opinion, since we are a bona fide couple, we live together and know everything about each other, regardless we've been only married for 6 months.

The IO after the interview printed out a paper and gave it to me, that said I had to send in 3 letters from three different affidavits that know us as a couple, with names, addresses, phone numbers. And everything notarized of course. After that the IO asked me if I knew what to do after two years...I said yes. She said: "good".

I got the affidavit letters from my mom, my stepdad and a friend /They're all USC's of course/ and I sent them in on the 11th of August. According the USPS they received the stuff on the 13th.

My question is: Has anyone been in a stiutation like this? How long will it take till at least I get a reaction from USCIS? The online tracker is not showing anything since they updated it after my biometrics. Not even a "soft touch".

I knew it's probably early, but I'm really nervous about it. Should I schedule an infopass? Should I wait? How long? Thanks!

Edited August 31, 2010 by Kixini

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

What type of visa did you enter with?

[Kixini 0]

What type of visa did you enter with?

B1/B2 Tourist visa. Overstayed almost 4 years. (I know...I'm not proud of it)

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

B1/B2 Tourist visa. Overstayed almost 4 years. (I know...I'm not proud of it)

Ok. From the way you described the interview, it sounds like you did fine. Don't expect the IO to be particularly cordial. It's their job to root out fraud, and that take that responsibility seriously.

If you'd entered using the Visa Waiver Program then I would be worried. However, with a B2 visa you have the option to request a review and appeal any decision. The IO knows this, so they aren't going to deny you unless they're pretty certain the denial would hold up on appeal. They use their discretion more harshly with VWP entrants because the decision won't be subject to review.

My two cents - I'd try to get at least one affidavit from an unbiased third party who has no interest in whether or not you succeed. The IO is inclined to believe that family and friends might lie on your behalf. On the other hand, a minister, landlord, city official, police officer, etc. - they have no reason to lie to help you, and their affidavit would probably be given more weight.

[Kixini 0]

Ok. From the way you described the interview, it sounds like you did fine. Don't expect the IO to be particularly cordial. It's their job to root out fraud, and that take that responsibility seriously.

If you'd entered using the Visa Waiver Program then I would be worried. However, with a B2 visa you have the option to request a review and appeal any decision. The IO knows this, so they aren't going to deny you unless they're pretty certain the denial would hold up on appeal. They use their discretion more harshly with VWP entrants because the decision won't be subject to review.

My two cents - I'd try to get at least one affidavit from an unbiased third party who has no interest in whether or not you succeed. The IO is inclined to believe that family and friends might lie on your behalf. On the other hand, a minister, landlord, city official, police officer, etc. - they have no reason to lie to help you, and their affidavit would probably be given more weight.

Thank you for you reply!

I've already submitted the affidavit letters, the deadline was Aug 25. If there will be a second interview /I hope not!/ or If I'll have to make an InfoPass appointment, I will defienetly bring more independent affidavit letters. How long do you guys think I should wait to schedule an InfoPass?

I don't want to seem to be pushing the USCIS, but It'd be nice to know where I stand.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thank you for you reply!

I've already submitted the affidavit letters, the deadline was Aug 25. If there will be a second interview /I hope not!/ or If I'll have to make an InfoPass appointment, I will defienetly bring more independent affidavit letters. How long do you guys think I should wait to schedule an InfoPass?

I don't want to seem to be pushing the USCIS, but It'd be nice to know where I stand.

I'd give them at least 30 days before making an Infopass appointment.

[Kixini 0]

A little update: I made an Infopass for the 21th of this month. I didn't get to see an IO /as I suspected before/ instead the lady at the reception asked me how can she help today.

I explained my situation, I'd like to make sure nothing is missing, and somebody's working on the case. She asked for my A# and then was looking at the computer for a while and appareantly found nothing. She asked me twice when our AOS interview was.

She said the IO that interviewed us had an accident and was out of the office for a month, but she's back now. And then receptionist lady went back to the offices /where the interviews take place/ and came back in about 30 seconds and said the IO got the letters for RFE but hasn't had time to work on my case yet because she is really backed up after not being in office for a month. So I'm guessing I'm not really going to hear anything from USCIS till Christmas, or so...

ps: If anyone on this forum is having a case that's taking so long and had their interview in the Louisville field office in July, here's the reason.

[Robert B 1]

Well, at least you know they got your stuff. Still sucks though

[VanessaTony 3,567]

** moved from "Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas" to "Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas" as you are adjusting from a B1/B2 visa and the prior forum is for K1, K2, K3 & K4 **

[juliava 80]

Kixini - I would schedule infopasses every month to follow up on my case. I don't want to sound careless, but the fact that they have a lot of work to catch up with because someone was out of the office for x, y, z reasons shouldn't be an excuse for you to not follow up.

[Kixini 0]

Kixini - I would schedule infopasses every month to follow up on my case. I don't want to sound careless, but the fact that they have a lot of work to catch up with because someone was out of the office for x, y, z reasons shouldn't be an excuse for you to not follow up.

Yeah, i know, but I don't want to piss off USCIS either, by "pushing" them. I've decided I'll wait till novermber and then make another appointment. I have my EAD for 3 months now, so I can work with no problem, but by not putting and end to this process is sloooowly eating up my nerves.

[Kixini 0]

Aaand...., 3rd of Jan, finally, received my I485 approval in e-mail /however the I-130 stands still on their tracking system/, and card production has been ordered

Thanks for your help VJ people!

[MayoKy 10]

Congratulations! Looks like Louisville always does Stokes Interviews (we had one too there!!) Glad everything finally worked out for you!

[Maxximus1074 14]

Aaand...., 3rd of Jan, finally, received my I485 approval in e-mail /however the I-130 stands still on their tracking system/, and card production has been ordered

Thanks for your help VJ people!

Gratulalok!! Came across your posting and was curious about a stokes interview experience. It sure did suck though that you had to wait so long, but am happy to read that you have had a happy ending to the nerve-wrecking waiting time and a belated christmas gift - a new year, a new life !?

Maxximus

[MayoKy 10]

Gratulalok!! Came across your posting and was curious about a stokes interview experience. It sure did suck though that you had to wait so long, but am happy to read that you have had a happy ending to the nerve-wrecking waiting time and a belated christmas gift - a new year, a new life !?

Maxximus

hey Maxximus, our STokes Interview was easy! They first took my husband in (USC) swore him in and asked him question, about 20-30 minutes later they took me in (my husband stayed) and asked the same questions, easy to answer, for example where did you get married, and what hapened that day (we had the worst rain ever, a street was flooded (the street to our original wedding location) and someone was canoing in the street, we both said that.. and it made the IO laugh!then thy asked how many times I came to the US and if I always used the WVP, how many times my husband had met my Parents and things like that.... I was really nervous when I was waiting to get into the interview... but afterwards I had to say it was REALLY EASY! Good luck for your interview!!!!