Will IO take the binder?

[Eric_1]

Hi all,

If we assemble all documents in a binder and take it to our interview, will the IO take and keep the binder? I was asking this because I was wondering if it would be a good idea to assemble all documents in a binder and take it to the interview. Thanks!

[seattle2903]

Likely not. Depends on how he feels about your already-submitted evidence. Our IO did not take anything, said he has enough proof.

[meeks]

Depends on what you had already sent in to immigration with your application. I took a folder with extra evidence & paper work & the IO didn’t want any of it. But always good to have extra things on you.

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9.25.19: I-765 & I-485 were received
10.01.19: Fingerprint fee accepted
11.01.19: Fingerprints were taken
11.27.19: Interview was schedule for I-485
01.08.20: Attended interview
01.09.20: Request for additional evidence sent for I-485
01.10.20: New card is being processed for I-765
01.13.20: I-765 was approved
01.13.20: Received notice for request of evidence for I-485
01.13.20: Sent out proof of extra evidence

[Hotaru-Grace]

Hi all,

If we assemble all documents in a binder and take it to our interview, will the IO take and keep the binder? I was asking this because I was wondering if it would be a good idea to assemble all documents in a binder and take it to the interview. Thanks!

We took in a file cart full of evidence into our interview. Inside the cart there were 3 different copied sets of our documents:

1. The first set was organized in a large portable file organizer with all our original documents sorted into different sections. These sections included titles like: "USCIS Paperwork"--which included copies of the Immigration paperwork we had summited up to that time and the original USCIS paperwork received until that point; "Identification documents"--which included my EAD Card, both of our Driver's Licenses, both of our Passports, etc); "Financial documents;" "Housing documents;" "Car documents;" "Work documents;" "Photos album;" “Communications Between Us;" "Family Letters;" and so on... This file folder even contained the original envelopes that pieces of mail came to us in not just the documents or the letters/cards themselves.

2. A second portable file organizer was organized the exact same way only with a photocopied set of the original documents (However, the marriage license included in this was an original copy not a photocopy).

3. The third was a packed full 5 inch thick D-ring binder organized with dividers to be sorted the exact same as the file organizers with a photocopied set of the original documents (Again, the marriage license included in this was an original copy not a photocopy).



We took the originals just in case they wanted to see the originals. The 3-ring binder we used to easily flip through our evidence to the Interviewing officer during our interview. As we flipped through the 3-ring binder we were able to give them copies of what they were seeing in the binder by pulling them out of the second file organizer. The photocopies from the second file organizer were theirs to keep.

The IO gladly accepted the copies and was even happy (as she stated) that she didn't have to go to do her own photocopying. She only gave us back the print out of our emails and text communication between my husband and I (we submitted these to show a valid relationship from the beginning of us meeting each other). She said that the emails and text was our own private communication and she didn't want to submit them.

So essentially, we gave her the copies of all our documents without the binder itself. If we didn't have the copies from the file folder she would have probably taken the folder but the IOs had their own filing apparatus and we believe the binder itself may have been discarded after the papers were removed if possible.
The IO's may want to see the original documents at the interview but they are not going to take your only set of original documents. This means if you only bring one set they may have to make photocopies of them in order to keep them. However, these are busy people and you are just 1 of many people they will be interviewing that day. They don't want to waste their time and their employer doesn't want them to waste the Government's money photocopying your stuff so they likely wont do it. This is why the paperwork for your interview tells you to bring your original documents and a copy to hand in to be placed in your file.

If you don't make the copies yourself your evidence documents likely won't make it into your file. You're status matters to you it doesn't matter to them. You have to make sure your evidence gets in.

Therefore, take as much evidence as you wish, keep the originals and make a copy of ALL you turned in for yourself. If you wish that they take your copies as additional evidence from you, then you should definitely consider providing a separate stack of copies/photocopies, just for them and hand it directly to him or her. Politely, say to them we have provided this for you. That is exactly what we did; we prepared and gave a separate stack of copied evidence to the IO. We told her we deliberately prepared it for her to keep and add to the original package. It was accepted without hesitation and our Greencard application was approved on the spot.

All the best.

[ihaveit29]

I mean it‘s just a binder - why worry so much about it. It’s not made of gold or diamonds. Shift your attention to the documents. As long as you bring original copies of authentic documents in case they want to see it, you should be fine. Bring copies of the original ones - they will only take copies not the original ones. Unless you’re okay giving them the original ones such as bills.