My clients and I were exhausted at the end of a recent green card interview at the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). In this article we look at a marriage green card interview and provide some recent updates.
Background
The background of this case is that our foreign-born client who is married to a US citizen wants to live in the US legally. As a result, we filed a Form I-485 Adjustment of Status or green card application for them. Our client received his work permit 3 months later, and their green card interview appointment is 5 months after filing.
The Green Card Interview
A marriage green card interview allows the immigration service to see if the applicants have a real marriage and did not marry to evade the immigration laws.
Our interview takes place at the Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles, where we go through the security checkpoint. At the appointment room, we check in at the clerks’ window.
Next, the USCIS clerk takes my client’s fingerprints and photo, and we sit in the waiting room. The interview appointment is at 12.30 pm but we are not called for our interview until 4 pm. Unfortunately, another couple has been waiting since 11 am.
When the interviewing officer finally calls us, he takes us into his office where he looks at our identification and administers the oath.
The officer looks at our clients’ supporting documents carefully. Next, he asks the wife to go to the waiting room so he can question them separately. As their attorney I was able to sit through each person’s separate interview which is useful in case there are any problems.
The officer asks many questions, both expected and unexpected. Luckily, we had prepared our client for the interview, and I was happy about this when I heard the detailed questions. Next, the officer looks at the different applications and continues with his questions.
Now the officer asks the husband to sign his name with a stylus pen on an electronic tablet. Finally, the interview is over, and the officer tells us that he will make a decision later.
The Next Step
A week later we receive approval notices for the forms I-130 and I-485 petitions. This means that my client has been approved for a green card and is welcome news indeed.
Why This Green Card Application Was Approved Quickly
This green card application was approved quickly partly because our client was well prepared. He brought the documents we asked him to gather. He and his wife met us for their interview preparation and mock interview. Also, we discussed the topics that we thought would be important to the USCIS officer. He later told us that this helped him feel confident during his long interview. As a result, the officer was able make a favorable decision and send us the results quickly.
Recent Observations
The USCIS Officers are Asking More Questions
A recent interview observation is that the USCIS officers are asking more detailed and thorough questions. Both US citizen and foreign-born clients express surprise at the type of questions that they are asked. This is a way to weed out fraudulent cases of sham marriages.
Longer Wait Times at the Interview Appointment.
A second update is that the time spent at the interview appointments is much longer than the one hour wait time posted on the waiting room. Previously, this attorney cannot remember spending six hours in the immigration building for only one interview. It is very tiring and can affect how a person performs at an interview.
Some Interviews are Twice As Long.
Our interview took about 105 minutes. All the interviews we witnessed were just as long or longer. People going for interview should keep this possibility in mind. Some interviews may be shorter too.
Speak To Your Immigration Attorney
Finally, to improve your chances for immigration success, speak to your immigration lawyer about your background, and immigration and criminal history. This way you can fix potential problems in your case and reduce the chances of denial.
In addition, always seek legal advice if you have made a false claim here or at a US consulate, filed previous immigration applications, have criminal convictions, drug related arrests or convictions, or immigration violations. If you can, it is wise to file your application with help from an experienced immigration attorney.
If you are trying to decide how to move forward with your green card application, please speak to your immigration lawyer. This is a good starting point for preventing immigration problems.
Thank you for reading this article. If you have any questions, our immigration law office is here to help you reach your best immigration solution.
To learn more about this immigration matter or to schedule an appointment with our immigration lawyer, Doreen Emenike, please call us at (626) 256-8500.
Related Reading: Keeping Your Green Card After Marriage Fraud or Misrepresentation With a 237 (a)1)(H) waiver
Read more: How to respond to a USCIS Request For Evidence (RFE)
Read more: Success Stories
Related reading: Green Cards
