I-485 interview happened and got RFE to submit extra documents

[npate117]

Hi all,

I and my wife got married in 11/2018 and I filed for my change of status in 2/2019 from there on I got EAD in 8/2019 and interview request in 1/24/2020 at Santa ana,ca. we submitted all required documents from the application and went today prepared in case they want to see more documents.

The IO was old guy and was pretty ok with us asking general question and did not see any documents other then DL, Passport,recent I-94 and arrival/departure document. In between he was not satisfied with documents submitted as evidence of marriage and suggested us that if we would have submitted gym memberships, AAA memberships and etc that would be great.

He came back and said my manager signed off on it and here's what you need to submit next and said: we all tried very hard but you'll have to send these documents within 90 days.
Anyway, at the end he was more interested in knowing my work history and to an extent If I was working legally (OPT, CPT) while I was studying (2 different college). So at the end they gave us RFE asking following docs: work history with work authorization documents (CPT,OPT, EAD) for past 5 years and current college's transcript, tution bills and proof of admission etc.

I will submit this documents by myself only via mail but in doubt if I should consult a lawyer or just submit by myself? Any suggestions? or anyone having similar experience.

[NYC/She]

Hi all,

I and my wife got married in 11/2018 and I filed for my change of status in 2/2019 from there on I got EAD in 8/2019 and interview request in 1/24/2020 at Santa ana,ca. we submitted all required documents from the application and went today prepared in case they want to see more documents.

The IO was old guy and was pretty ok with us asking general question and did not see any documents other then DL, Passport,recent I-94 and arrival/departure document. In between he was not satisfied with documents submitted as evidence of marriage and suggested us that if we would have submitted gym memberships, AAA memberships and etc that would be great.

He came back and said my manager signed off on it and here's what you need to submit next and said: we all tried very hard but you'll have to send these documents within 90 days.
Anyway, at the end he was more interested in knowing my work history and to an extent If I was working legally (OPT, CPT) while I was studying (2 different college). So at the end they gave us RFE asking following docs: work history with work authorization documents (CPT,OPT, EAD) for past 5 years and current college's transcript, tution bills and proof of admission etc.

I will submit this documents by myself only via mail but in doubt if I should consult a lawyer or just submit by myself? Any suggestions? or anyone having similar experience.

First question is do you know it where to submit a new document? Gym is a strange! A couple do not have to go at the same gym. Many gyms are more women, some more man. What happened if you do not go? AAA membership also not everyone have it. I am truly married and my husband never go to gym and we do not have it aaa membership.

[Enub4]

This is the first time I read about employment RFE for the spouse of a USC.

[HartfordCtFilerI-485]

Hi all,

I and my wife got married in 11/2018 and I filed for my change of status in 2/2019 from there on I got EAD in 8/2019 and interview request in 1/24/2020 at Santa ana,ca. we submitted all required documents from the application and went today prepared in case they want to see more documents.

The IO was old guy and was pretty ok with us asking general question and did not see any documents other then DL, Passport,recent I-94 and arrival/departure document. In between he was not satisfied with documents submitted as evidence of marriage and suggested us that if we would have submitted gym memberships, AAA memberships and etc that would be great.

He came back and said my manager signed off on it and here's what you need to submit next and said: we all tried very hard but you'll have to send these documents within 90 days.
Anyway, at the end he was more interested in knowing my work history and to an extent If I was working legally (OPT, CPT) while I was studying (2 different college). So at the end they gave us RFE asking following docs: work history with work authorization documents (CPT,OPT, EAD) for past 5 years and current college's transcript, tution bills and proof of admission etc.

I will submit this documents by myself only via mail but in doubt if I should consult a lawyer or just submit by myself? Any suggestions? or anyone having similar experience.

The gym membership and AAA membership are only suggestions of things you can provide to them showing proof of joint ownership. If you guys don’t have those memberships that’s fine, but if you don’t have any utilities jointly then honestly those are the quickest things to get together without any hassle. However if you have bills together then those would be even better. I would mail everything they ask for and more by myself. All the lawyer will do is tell you to get her these items for them and mail it for you so why waste all that money on a lawyer to just mail things for you.

[Hotaru-Grace]

This is the first time I read about employment RFE for the spouse of a USC.

We sent all our employment documents in when we applied in 2017. It supported our W2s and also listed each other as the beneficiary and emergency contact. Essentially I believe the IO was looking for documents that support the finances that either the petitioner or the sponsored immigrant have to support the family.

[Hotaru-Grace]

The gym membership and AAA membership are only suggestions of things you can provide to them showing proof of joint ownership. If you guys don’t have those memberships that’s fine, but if you don’t have any utilities jointly then honestly those are the quickest things to get together without any hassle. However if you have bills together then those would be even better. I would mail everything they ask for and more by myself. All the lawyer will do is tell you to get her these items for them and mail it for you so why waste all that money on a lawyer to just mail things for you.

I agree with your view on the matter. Like you I think that the gym membership/AAA are suggestions. They are fairly easy to get done, so either one can be done; the burden of proof of a 'good faith' marriage is entirely on the applicant. In our experience, we joined the local state library together (no membership fees) and submitted the copies of the library cards with our documents. Essentially, the IO was indicating that there are numerous documents to submit that can substantiate a 'good faith' than merely supplying what the application lists.