Parents AOS Approved !!
My moms AOS case was approved.
Interview was a breeze. I was skeptical if Id be allowed to be the interpreter. Recently Id heard stories where sponsor was not allowed to be the interpreter, So I coached my mom with all the Q & A on the forms I-130, 485, G-325A, even I-131 the day before, until she was confident enough.
On the day of interview, we cut it too close to the interview time bcos of going around in circles, trying to locate the Cherry Hill DO in NJ. Ive never seen any office building this small, let alone immigration office. It was so crammed. Just as we were entering the lobby after the security check, my Moms name was called. My Mom kinda panicked and we rushed in behind the IO. The IO totally didnt belong there at all - she was young, slim, model-like (with great clothes and shoes), pleasant and polite. I was wondering how on earth they hire such people at immigration?
We were asked to swear to tell the truth. As my Mom had a problem understanding what was going on (yeah.. I forgot to tell her about the swearing part), IO asked me if I am going to be the interpreter. I replied, if IO can say things slowly and clearly, my Mom should be able to manage without the translation help. And so it started..
IO asked me for 2 IDs (Drivers license and my US PP) and my Mom - her PP. Asked me for my 2005 tax returns (which I didnt file at the time of application as we hadnt filed our returns in Jan06). I gave her originals of 2005 Joint tax transcripts, my W2 and a recent employment letter (which I had gotten only a couple of weeks ago). She seemed to be happy with that. After going thro a few other docs on the file, she asked us for original Birth certificates for my Mom and myself. Since my Mom didnt have a BC, I told her we only have the NABC (Non-availability BC) - she said that was fine.
Next step was the actual interview. These were the questions asked (I know its boring but Im typing these as someone or their parents might benefit from this) and they were mostly from the forms we had filed. Some questions were based on her trip with AP.
First few questions were for me:
What is your name? I didnt say my middle name the first time - but she repeated the question once again - and then I realized I had to say the full name - first middle and last.
What is your date of birth?
What is your present address?
The other questions were for my Mom:
What is your full name?
What is your date of birth?
What is your address in US?
What is your address abroad?
When did you enter US recently?
Where did you enter US this time? (POE)
Where did you enter US with your visitor visa? - My Mom got confused by this question - I had to translate this one - so she would know that this time she entered US while in AOS - and the last time was the one she entered as a visitor, bcos they were 2 different POEs.
How long did you stay abroad, before returning to US in Adv Parole? (IO wanted to know the exact months and days and made a note of it on the file)
How many times did you leave US in Advance Parole -
Is this the first/only time?
What is your husbands name?
What are your childrens names?
What is your mothers name?
What is your fathers name?
And then she asked me : Is your father not living with you in this address?
Back to my Mom, she asked ALL the questions from the page that my Mom answered "NO" - like - Are you a criminal, are you a terrorist, do you deal with drugs, are you planning to overthrow US government etc., Are you planning to practice bigamy - we were all subtly smiling when these questions were asked and answered, considering it was my Mom these questions were being asked. With the bigamy one, I burst out laughing remembering what my Mom said when I was explaining this to her at home. IO looked at me quizzically and I told her my Mom said she had enough with one husband and is definitely not looking for another, at least in this life. We all had a good laugh and with that the interview was coming to an end.
She verified originals with copies and left the room to make copies for her file. While returning the originals to me she said she will be right back, probably to get her supervisors approval. When she was back, she put a nice red stamp on my Moms PP (I was surprised, I thought they dont stamp the PP anymore) - we knew then my Mom was approved. I thanked the IO for making it quick and simple. She said she had never seen anyone so excited (referring to my Mom) when their name was called for an immigration interview.
We were in and out in less than a half hour, with my Mom so relieved that she actually dealt with an interview in all american "English". Now you can hum the vonage ad music right here
Already got the welcome notice by email, now waiting for GC
Congratulations, Jen
Thanks for sharing your moms experiences in such a great details. This is very useful for me to practise with my parents.
CONGRATULATIONS, JEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Im really happy for you.
Congrats !!! Very happy for you and your mom.