Initial USCIS I-485 interview was a stokes interview

[kakarot97]

Hello, Today (July 29th, 2021) was our initial interview for Adjustment of status. the interview was going good but all of a sudden the interviewer asked us to separate and conducted a stokes interview. My spouse and I were each asked around 50 questions and I'd like to say we answered around 75 - 80% of those the same. We compared after the interview. My spouse was a bit intimidated by the situation since this wasn't foreseen and fumbled on a few questions. They got confused and answered slightly different than what actually took place and compared to my answer. Is stokes interview normal in the initial round? Should I hire a lawyer just in case? What are the chances that they reject the case before sending us an RFE or Notice of intent to deny first? Also the interviewer didn’t ask for any other documents, no bank statements, no credit cards, no renters agreement, nothing. Just for pictures

Any insight on this will be appreciated

edit: thanks for the replies. Since everyone is asking for more info, I sent in pictures, bank statements, letters from family members and a letter from a relative that were living together at their place at the time being. I had posted documents with me like renters agreement with both our banned on it. Utilities don’t between us, credit cards authorized and more pictures but the officer didn’t ask for them and in the moment I don’t think I got an opportunity to offer them to him since all this going on. We’ve been married since March 2020. Known each other since early 2018. Hope this gives More insight

[SmithB]

Sometimes I have seen when they are doing it. Can you give us more details about your case? What documents did you submit witht he initial application? How long were you married? Do you live together? Do you have any red flags?

[Xaxaza]

Don’t loose hope if the marriage is real. You could talk to a lawyer..

Like above poster said give us more context on your case.

[kakarot97]

Not all Stokes interviews end badly..All is not lost.. Sometimes they just want to be convinced a lot more about your union..I know sometimes they even visit your home (rare cases). Don’t loose hope if the marriage is real. You could talk to a lawyer..

Like above poster said give us more context on your case.

Updated the post with info

[Xaxaza]

Talk to a lawyer. I have found them to be helpful. They cost a lot though.

[kakarot97]

Talk to a lawyer. I have found them to be helpful. They cost a lot though.

[/QUOTE]

oh ok, do you have an idea of what the average lawyer fee is? I don’t expect it to be exact but something like a range so I’ll know about my expenses. Thanks for the reply

[Xaxaza]

oh ok, do you have an idea of what the average lawyer fee is? I don’t expect it to be exact but something like a range so I’ll know about my expenses. Thanks for the reply[/QUOTE]

For the whole process would be between 3k to 5k..In your case you could just do a consultation and state your situation. Most lawyers offer advice on an hourly basis. Between 100-200 dollars an hour. Then after their advice you can decide to hire them or not.

[Anonymous R12]

Lawyers are expensive, so I'd wait and see what immigrations comes back with, because you already had your interview so at this point I don't know what more a lawyer could do. But it surely wouldnt hurt to talk to one about your situation. They are at immigration pretty regularly so I don't know the scope of what they can do. I feel that its a little expected that some of yall answers didnt match. My husband was so nervous during our interview, but I was very charming, funny & talkative so it went well. 50 questions is alot but since most of what yall said aligned try not to be concerned, as its common that they do separate couples. Our lawyer prepared us for that by giving us a list of questions to review just in case. Since your marriage is real you shouldnt be too concerned. I'm surprised that they didnt ask for any documents, but every interviewer is different.

[SmithB]

Hello, Today (July 29th, 2021) was our initial interview for Adjustment of status. the interview was going good but all of a sudden the interviewer asked us to separate and conducted a stokes interview. My spouse and I were each asked around 50 questions and I'd like to say we answered around 75 - 80% of those the same. We compared after the interview. My spouse was a bit intimidated by the situation since this wasn't foreseen and fumbled on a few questions. They got confused and answered slightly different than what actually took place and compared to my answer. Is stokes interview normal in the initial round? Should I hire a lawyer just in case? What are the chances that they reject the case before sending us an RFE or Notice of intent to deny first? Also the interviewer didn’t ask for any other documents, no bank statements, no credit cards, no renters agreement, nothing. Just for pictures

Any insight on this will be appreciated

edit: thanks for the replies. Since everyone is asking for more info, I sent in pictures, bank statements, letters from family members and a letter from a relative that were living together at their place at the time being. I had posted documents with me like renters agreement with both our banned on it. Utilities don’t between us, credit cards authorized and more pictures but the officer didn’t ask for them and in the moment I don’t think I got an opportunity to offer them to him since all this going on. We’ve been married since March 2020. Known each other since early 2018. Hope this gives More insight

Normally you would prepare and sent all supporting documents together with the initial submission with all the forms. if you did not that might have trigger them to think "red flags". Form I 30 specify says you need to submit supporting documents at the time with submitting the form. Some don't and get away with it and some struggle with RFS's or stroke interviews. If you have been together since 2018 you should have had plenty of proof and evidence. If marriage is real don't worry. My friend had 3 interviews and finally got it approved, but they did have some red flags. its not always bad its just that there are certain things they flag and then have to do the stroke interview. How long did you live together? Did you leave separate? did they see photos of you with families for holidays? Do you have a checking account together? Did you file taxes together? Did you have previous marriages ? Do you have a big age gap or language barriers, cultural difference ? All these things are important. Like someone else say attorney might not be needed yet. Wait and see what is going to be their response and then go from there. Do not worry if marriage is real it will all be good.

[kakarot97]

Normally you would prepare and sent all supporting documents together with the initial submission with all the forms. if you did not that might have trigger them to think "red flags". Form I 30 specify says you need to submit supporting documents at the time with submitting the form. Some don't and get away with it and some struggle with RFS's or stroke interviews. If you have been together since 2018 you should have had plenty of proof and evidence. If marriage is real don't worry. My friend had 3 interviews and finally got it approved, but they did have some red flags. its not always bad its just that there are certain things they flag and then have to do the stroke interview. How long did you live together? Did you leave separate? did they see photos of you with families for holidays? Do you have a checking account together? Did you file taxes together? Did you have previous marriages ? Do you have a big age gap or language barriers, cultural difference ? All these things are important. Like someone else say attorney might not be needed yet. Wait and see what is going to be their response and then go from there. Do not worry if marriage is real it will all be good.

I did submit proof with I-130. I had more proof with me at the interview like the lease agreement, joint bank accounts, authorization on credit cards, joint health insurance, shared utilities etc. we’re one year apart in age and come from a similar background, both of us know and speak English well. I have a bachelors in computer science in a known university in the USA. Yes he did see photos of us with friends and individuals ones as well. But didn’t ask for the documents after I told him that file I was carrying had documents in it, and due to the circumstances I didn’t get an opportunity to offer it to him either. I regret not being able to interrupt him and just asking if he wanted extra docs. Thank you for the response, I feel kinda better over the days and by reading your friends story. I will keep waiting till I hear something from them and then decide whether I want to hire a lawyer or not.
thanks!!!

[Tibwa]

Hello, Today (July 29th, 2021) was our initial interview for Adjustment of status. the interview was going good but all of a sudden the interviewer asked us to separate and conducted a stokes interview. My spouse and I were each asked around 50 questions and I'd like to say we answered around 75 - 80% of those the same. We compared after the interview. My spouse was a bit intimidated by the situation since this wasn't foreseen and fumbled on a few questions. They got confused and answered slightly different than what actually took place and compared to my answer. Is stokes interview normal in the initial round? Should I hire a lawyer just in case? What are the chances that they reject the case before sending us an RFE or Notice of intent to deny first? Also the interviewer didn’t ask for any other documents, no bank statements, no credit cards, no renters agreement, nothing. Just for pictures

Any insight on this will be appreciated

edit: thanks for the replies. Since everyone is asking for more info, I sent in pictures, bank statements, letters from family members and a letter from a relative that were living together at their place at the time being. I had posted documents with me like renters agreement with both our banned on it. Utilities don’t between us, credit cards authorized and more pictures but the officer didn’t ask for them and in the moment I don’t think I got an opportunity to offer them to him since all this going on. We’ve been married since March 2020. Known each other since early 2018. Hope this gives More insight

Once you know your marriage is real, you should NOT be worry too much. You have been married for just a 1 year. Of course, the officer will be though on you but that does not mean you will be denied or get an RFE. You should wait for their response before you hire a lawyer. Did not the officer told you the case is approved? what the paper the officer gave you after the interview says?

[kakarot97]

Once you know your marriage is real, you should be worry too much. You have been married for just a 1 year. Of course, the officer will be though on you but that does not mean you will be denied or get an RFE. You should wait for their response before you hire a lawyer. Did not the officer told you the case is approved? what the paper the officer gave you after the interview says?

He gave us a paper saying that our case is under review and at this time the USCIS doesn’t require any other documents. Should they require further documents they’ll send a notice in the mail. They may also schedule us for another interview and we’ll receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise a decision will be mailed once our case is complete

[Tibwa]

He gave us a paper saying that our case is under review and at this time the USCIS doesn’t require any other documents. Should they require further documents they’ll send a notice in the mail. They may also schedule us for another interview and we’ll receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise a decision will be mailed once our case is complete

Then you should wait to see because this is a marriage case. It shouldn't be taken long to approve or send you an REF or ask for a second interview. Again, as long as your marriage is correct. There should be no worry and you will eventually get your PR.

[Kleobrazil]

Hello, Today (July 29th, 2021) was our initial interview for Adjustment of status. the interview was going good but all of a sudden the interviewer asked us to separate and conducted a stokes interview. My spouse and I were each asked around 50 questions and I'd like to say we answered around 75 - 80% of those the same. We compared after the interview. My spouse was a bit intimidated by the situation since this wasn't foreseen and fumbled on a few questions. They got confused and answered slightly different than what actually took place and compared to my answer. Is stokes interview normal in the initial round? Should I hire a lawyer just in case? What are the chances that they reject the case before sending us an RFE or Notice of intent to deny first? Also the interviewer didn’t ask for any other documents, no bank statements, no credit cards, no renters agreement, nothing. Just for pictures

Any insight on this will be appreciated

edit: thanks for the replies. Since everyone is asking for more info, I sent in pictures, bank statements, letters from family members and a letter from a relative that were living together at their place at the time being. I had posted documents with me like renters agreement with both our banned on it. Utilities don’t between us, credit cards authorized and more pictures but the officer didn’t ask for them and in the moment I don’t think I got an opportunity to offer them to him since all this going on. We’ve been married since March 2020. Known each other since early 2018. Hope this gives More insight

any news about your case ?
well . I’m having same situation of yours .

[kakarot97]

any news about your case ?
well . I’m having same situation of yours .

Not as of yet, still waiting for the. USCIS to reply