Houston Texas Filers

[Houston2016]

Marriage based interview.
Ok so I had my Interview On 10/23/2018. it was scheduled at 1:55 pm and i was literally the last one to be called back.
I went to the interview alone, my husband couldn't make it cause he is deployed at the moment. ...
...Why must my case be reviewed if it was approved on the spot, She even gave me a paper stating that i was approved. I am freaking out here, lol
anyone else in the same situation??

No worries, they might checking your background or mad a request about your husband or just system not updated, it happens very often.

If you have sent bunch of evidence with your application it is very common that officer doesn't take any additional papers, as they have enough to make their decision.

Good Luck and thank your husband for his Service!

[Pham Linh]

Hi, please HELP! If anybody had a same situation like me.
On Oct 26th, I received a notice letter said they denied my AOS because I was missed an interview request me to appear at the Houston Field Office on Oct 22nd.

However, the problem is I have never received any interview letter from Field Office at all.
They give me an option to file a motion to reopen or reconsider. That would costs me around $700 and I don't want to pay for something not my fault.

We informed USCIS to change to the new address since we moved and also I received an email about address change confirmation.

I will make an Infopass appointment.

So I am wondering what should I bring to show to IO that I already informed USCIS change to my new address? What should I say to convince him reopen my case without filling motion to reopen form?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Clotillda]

Infopass in Houston office

Hello there!
Has anyone got appointment in Houston office recently? I've been trying to get infopass for month now and I just can't catch anything. I tried it in different time during the day, tried right after midnight, nothing worked! I wonder, may be anyone has walk-in experience? My EAD is outside normal processing time and I contacted USCIS by phone couple times, but they said that the last update they see is that they received my case. I did inquiry, though, but still didn't get any update. I also contacted congressman, and got reply from him last Wednesday, that he would try to contact USCIS on my behalf, but that's it so far.
Thank you!

[Randomdude]

Had our interview late 10/2018 and everything went smooth! We walked out there confident about the whole thing. The officer was very friendly.

Our appointment was set for early morning. We arrived there about 30mins before. Once in we went through security, checked in with the front desk and waited to get called for my spouse to take a picture and finger print. We sat in the lobby for a bit then finally we were called in.

Once in the officer's office we went through the whole formality where she introduced her self and then shortly after the questioning began. The first line of questions was for me, the petitioner, it was all basic on what's on the form and also forming a timeline of when we went, how we met, and how long it was until we decided to get married follow by the who proposed question. While I understand some folks feel nervous about the whole thing I assure you the more confident you are the more it shows the officer that it's a bonafide marriage. I'm sure they expect a little bit of nervousness but honestly speaking if you've got nothing to hide then there's no need to worry. The officer went on with questions about my spouse's biographical information including family members and a few extra questions nothing difficult. After that she was done with me.

She turned her attention to my spouse and began going over the 485 biographical questions regarding her. She asked when she arrived into the US, what type of Visa, questioning her in regards my background, questions about my family, my job, where I'm from, whether or not I've been married before, just basic questions nothing too personal. My spouse was pretty nervous but she made through just fine.

In terms of evidence. We took all that was asked and then some but we didn't exaggerate with things like text message conversations or phone logs, although I'm sure she could've asked for that if she wanted to be a stiffer, but honestly speaking no one keeps that stuff handy. We felt it wasn't needed because the evidence we brought was consistent with our timeline, financial situation (not that we're struggling or anything but it supported the fact we're not billionaires either haha), and our adventure together.

I wouldn't over think evidence but wouldn't be lackadaisical about it either. Just build your timeline and be honest about it. Honesty is the key at the interview because if you're not being honest or you're being difficult it'll show.

Once the interview ended we received a standard notice from the officer explaining our case was back in review. I felt confident about the way things went but my spouse was still a bit nervous. later that evening we received an email stating a card had been ordered and by the end of the week the green card was in our mailbox. Unfortunately for us we were shy of the 2 year mark but we'll take the small victory.

Next up is removing conditions and applying for citizenship as soon as she's eligible for it! Don't wait around once you qualify.

Best of luck to everyone and those of you still waiting hang in there! The journey is a tough one but not impossible. If anything the waiting period can serve as a true testament of your marriage. If you can both work together through the waiting period in Houston then you can work together at anything in your marriage.

P.S. - On a funny note, we received the work permit we applied to renew a day before receiving the green card.....go figure. Lol

[Verde]

Priority Date

Interview questions (time 8 minutes)

External booth for checking biometric identity.

Then was called in for interview. (1 hr later than expected)
Show your identities 1) Driver's license 2) Passports
Started with asking "Do you have any new evidence to show?"
We showed the evidence (We had evidence with Organization level 10000, I think we have OCD)

To wife (USC): Beneficiary's name, address, DOB, Mother's name and Father's name, Address, Place of work
To Beneficiary (husband - Indian): Wife's DOB, Anniversary date, place of work
Asked beneficiary standardized criminal history questions from i-485

Interviewer said : "I am satisfied with your application"

Then Asked to show photos. Had a little chat on our cat picture and colorful photos. (all smiles).
Anniversary conversation lead to the graduation, conversation. Wife said something about a gift that she gave to me. Interviewer asked me immediately what was the gift. I nailed the answer (even when we never practiced that answer). Advice DO NOT TALK EXTRA. You might give a lead for further questioning.

Interviewer gave a hint to us that "so you are married for more than 2 years". My wife said, we just passed 3rd year anniversary. Interviewer repeated "More than 2 years - thats more than 2 years"
Interviewer: "I am liking what I am seeing here, I am going to approve the card today."

Circumstances:
We had an attorney with us. Attorney had a copy of all the original documents and all the new evidence with completely organized and labeled file. I had a file on the table with all the original documents and new evidence.
(No question about my OPT-STEM extension filing was asked and I did not bring it up)

We might have gotten lucky with extremely friendly officer lady but here is a tip. Practice answers, be comfortable, be confident, and just answer the truth, keep the answer to exactly what is needed (no rambling and adding more questions), and do the best in the organization of the documents.
______________________________
Rough timeline:

Feb 2014 Met USC
Sep 2015 Married to USC
June 2016: I-130 filed
Dec 2016 I-130 approved
Jan 2017 Biometrics done
Feb 2017 i-485 (unfortunately applied without EAD and AP application with it) [Priority date Feb 2017]
May 2017 applied for OPT
Sept 2017 OPT approved
Sept 2018 Got tired of waiting for interview and applied for EAD (a top up application to original i-485)
Sept 2018 Interview notification for i-485
Sept 2018 Now on the verge of expiring OPT, I was advised to apply for STEM extension applied
Interview Done 9th Oct (On interview 10 years GC approved)

Hello Maxviz,

Congratulations on your Green Card. I have a question that I was hoping you could help me answer (or anyone else in the Forum with more experience). I noticed on your timeline that you submitted your I-130 in June 2016 and that it was approved in Dec 2016. Then you listed your priority date as Feb 2017, when you submitted your I-485. I have also submitted my I-130 prior to my I-485 (the time gap was significantly wider in my case). My priority date is listed as the time when my I-130 was approved. Should I expect my priority date to also be changed to when my I-485 was submitted? Thank you very much for your assistance and congratulations on your Green Card again.
(Anybody who knows this, feel free to jump in or if it's been discussed in the forum before please point me in the right direction and I will do the rest) Thanks

[cesar13vazquez]

Appointment notice

So I'm scheduled for an appointment on 1/10/2019
And a lot of the things is asking me for (eg affidavit of support, medical exams and w2s) have already been submitted. The paper does state " unless already submitted" I know I might be asking a dumb question, but a lot of my things including Visa entry permit and stamped permits were completely destroyed during Harvey. Will that completely ruin my case? I do have supporting paperwork like our marriage license my daughters certificate and car leases. What other things besides those and the obvious w2 and pictures can I take or what should I do? The only reason I'm really nervous is because of my paperwork, not so much the interview itself.

[ngjaxguy]

Houston filers

I recently saw someone with c(9) category and priority date from September 2017 got interview call. Based on that I am assuming that I will get interview call in November or December this year. 😃

Thoughts ?

[ngjaxguy]

Just saw online notification of interview is schedule. Waiting for actual notice in mail. My pd is June 2018