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I wanted to share my family based AOS interview in San Antonio in March 2010. I was on H1B for the last several years and had my labor and I-140 approved a couple of years back and was waiting for my PD to become current, when I got married last year. We then filed AOS based on the marriage in late December 2009. We got a RFE for birth certificate since my original birth certificate didnt
have my name (I was named a week after birth). We submitted another affidavit from my parents in
mid January and then my case progressed further. We got a notice at the end of February 2010 for an interview at the end of March 2010 at the Service Center in San Antonio (410 and Randolph Blvd).
We arrived there almost an hour early but then there was absolutely no parking and so had to circle around for close to 15 minutes before we got a parking spot. We went thru the security and submitted our interview notice. We were asked to wait. After a 20 minute wait, the IO called our name and led us to his office. Before we entered his office, he asked us for all our travel documents. I asked if he needed my driver's license as well and he said yes. So we gave him our passports, my I-94, our driver's licenses. One of his colleagues took copies of the same and asked me when I last left the US. Once I answered it, he said that that was what he thought as well based on my passport. He then left and our IO swore us in and was very
methodical with the documents. He filed all our documents methodically and then proceeded to ask me the yes/no questions from I-485. After that he asked us for proof to show that we were living together and we showed him our combined financial documents. He remarked about me owning the house where we live and my wife owning her old home in FL. We explained that we cannot sell her home in FL because of the property values and it is easier for us to pay one mortgage each. He was very light hearted about all of this and told me not to buy any home items as gifts (which I did last Christmas). Then he asked me for the parole papers and then filed them in with the other documents.
After this, he asked me for my passport and stamped the temporary green card. He then led us down the elevator and just like that our interview was over and I got my green card. We travelled a week later to visit my family abroad for a reception and when we got back, we had the green card in mail sitting in our mail box.
My advice/observations for the interview: 1. Don't panic or frustrated. There is so much paper work to prepare. Just use the checklist to get as many documents as possible and don't get frustrated if you don't find a document. 2. Prepare your spouse to the interview process as well and have them be your reviewer of all the documents you prepared. 3. Ask plenty of questions to your attorney and make every effort to collect as much info as possible. 4. Don't take more than two files. It was too confusing for us even with two files 5. As long as your relationship is truthful, you don't have nothing to fear. Answer truthfully and have your spouse participate in the discussion as well. My wife participated in all the answers and even made a little fun of me (for combining our wedding and her birthday gift).
Best of luck with your interview!
have my name (I was named a week after birth). We submitted another affidavit from my parents in
mid January and then my case progressed further. We got a notice at the end of February 2010 for an interview at the end of March 2010 at the Service Center in San Antonio (410 and Randolph Blvd).
We arrived there almost an hour early but then there was absolutely no parking and so had to circle around for close to 15 minutes before we got a parking spot. We went thru the security and submitted our interview notice. We were asked to wait. After a 20 minute wait, the IO called our name and led us to his office. Before we entered his office, he asked us for all our travel documents. I asked if he needed my driver's license as well and he said yes. So we gave him our passports, my I-94, our driver's licenses. One of his colleagues took copies of the same and asked me when I last left the US. Once I answered it, he said that that was what he thought as well based on my passport. He then left and our IO swore us in and was very
methodical with the documents. He filed all our documents methodically and then proceeded to ask me the yes/no questions from I-485. After that he asked us for proof to show that we were living together and we showed him our combined financial documents. He remarked about me owning the house where we live and my wife owning her old home in FL. We explained that we cannot sell her home in FL because of the property values and it is easier for us to pay one mortgage each. He was very light hearted about all of this and told me not to buy any home items as gifts (which I did last Christmas). Then he asked me for the parole papers and then filed them in with the other documents.
After this, he asked me for my passport and stamped the temporary green card. He then led us down the elevator and just like that our interview was over and I got my green card. We travelled a week later to visit my family abroad for a reception and when we got back, we had the green card in mail sitting in our mail box.
My advice/observations for the interview: 1. Don't panic or frustrated. There is so much paper work to prepare. Just use the checklist to get as many documents as possible and don't get frustrated if you don't find a document. 2. Prepare your spouse to the interview process as well and have them be your reviewer of all the documents you prepared. 3. Ask plenty of questions to your attorney and make every effort to collect as much info as possible. 4. Don't take more than two files. It was too confusing for us even with two files 5. As long as your relationship is truthful, you don't have nothing to fear. Answer truthfully and have your spouse participate in the discussion as well. My wife participated in all the answers and even made a little fun of me (for combining our wedding and her birthday gift).
Best of luck with your interview!
