Short engagement - what to answer if they ask about it on interview?

[Michael713]

Hello,

We have interview in April 7th - my wife is sponsoring me, we got married in November 2019, and we got engaged in August 2019 - we did court wedding (with both mine and her parents plus couple friends) quick so i can start working and we can plan our future sooner than later and we have planned church wedding for June 2022 (we already booked venue, dj, etc we have all recipes and stuff as a proof).

Our marriage is 100% bona fide, we have joint account, we live together, we have tons of pictures, we plan our future together etc. but still i’m worried what to say when officer ask my wife about short engagement - is: ‘to start process with getting my husband green card faster’ valid answer? I know we have to be 100% honest but not sure if we can tell that to officer...

[SmithB]

The way you word this will definitely make them question you more. Yes, you marry quick so you can start working but at the end of the day the sole and major reason was that you were in love ( I hope). I would just say that you wanted to get going with live and plan future together. I think at the end of the day they probably know that many couples do court wedding for the exact same reason but if you wordeed like "to get green card" sounds like the major reason was the green card not the love and future plans together.

[Pochi]

We got married two weeks after we got engaged. Our interview isn't until the end of April. I think they won't care about how short the engagement is as long as you show proof of bonified marriage. Joint accounts and proof of living together should be enough. You can include a couple of affidavits from friends. You might say that you got married so fast as you wanted to enjoy your love and life and not have to worry about immigration issues. Don't just say you got married to get a green card faster. Focus on how getting the process started reduced some stress and made life better as a couple.

[Michael713]

Thanks guys for answer! Definitely major reason was because we were (and still are) in love and we wanted to improve quality of our life and move forward as soon as possible and start planning the future together - which having work permit definitely helped with it.

I think we should be fine, we have a lot proof of our marriage being bona fide

[Johnny6751]

I don't think there's nothing wrong with that, as long as your marriage is a real bonafide and you have enough proof for that. Be prepared to answer that tho.

My timeline so far:

PD 06/30/2020. Chicago field office. No EAD

-01/27/20: Same sex couple, married to USC.
-06/29/20: Package I-130, I-130A, I-131, I-485, I-693, I-765, I-864, I-864 joint sponsor and I-944 sent via certified mail USPS.
-06/30/20: Delivered by USPS and signed by Chicago lockbox T Thomas.
-07/25/20: Checks cashed.
-07/30/20: Text messages received with case confirmation numbers.
-07/31/20: Received NOA's in the mail.
-08/05/20: Received RFIE notification from USCIS for I-485, letter to follow via mail.
-08/10/20: Received RFIE in the mail asking for my partner's pay stubs for the last 6 months and letter of employment.
-09/18/20: Mailed out RFIE to Lee-Summit's office.
-09/21/20: USCIS confirms they've received RFIE.
-10/27/2020: Called USCIS regarding biometrics appointment not yet scheduled. USCIS send E-Request to Chicago FO.
-11/10/2020: Immigration officer reaches out to me via phone call to explain the reason I haven't received a biometrics appointment, appointment will come eventually.
-11/23/2020: USCIS files another E-Request for biometrics.
-12/04/2020: USCIS confirms biometrics appointment has been scheduled and letter with details is in the mail already.
-12/05/2020: Biometrics appointment scheduled for December 21st 2020.
-12/21/2020: Biometrics taken.
-12/22/2020: Biometrics applied to cases.
-12/29/2020: Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview.
-02/26/2021: Interview has been scheduled. Letter in the mail already.
-03/31/2021: Interview