Green Card - Interview

Finally, the last step of immigration.

For this step we had to bring many documents that we had already been asked for. Its purpose was in case they misplace something. Also, they ask for documents that prove you are a legitimate couple. For instance, pictures, house title, car title, bank accounts, and in a nutshell, anything that could have both names (yours and your spouse's). It's used to demonstrate that the marriage is not a fraud just to obtain legal residence. 

We didn't have much official paperwork yet, only the bank account, so we brought printed pictures of our last 4.5 years of our relationship.

To enter at the interview place you will have to stand in line and pass controls like the ones in the airport, they even made me take the shoes off. Once passed the control, you get a number and wait your turn. They then call you to start the interview (you and your spouse will go in together).

Both of you will be asked for identification documents, and both will have to swear to tell the truth and only the truth while raising the right hand. Time to start the interview. We were interviewed by a woman that at first seemed cold and kind of mean, but once she got the feeling that we were legitimate, she happened to be really nice and even told us a story that she had never told anyone.

As you know, it's better to be safe than sorry! Thus, we previously looked online at possible questions they may ask on these interviews, and luckily for us it wasn't as long as some of the ones we read about. They barely asked anything from what we read online. Initially, they asked some of the personal information reflected in the documents (names, dates of birth, affiliations, etc), and to the "alien" (the foreign spouse) they repeated the typical "Are you a terrorist, do you intend to help terrorists, are you a spy, do you consume drugs..." questions.

Then, they asked about how and where we met and some other details of how our relationship moved forward. We just told them the truth and all the truth. They also asked some questions repeatedly as to make sure we didn't make the answers up. Later, as she looked through our pictures she asked some more questions about them and as far as I remember, that was all.

After the questions, they told us that we passed and I would be getting a Green Card, which is only valid for 2 years, in the mail. It is our responsibility to remember to do the corresponding paperwork at the 2-year point. If we don't remember to do it and it expires, then I will be called to court and then they would potentially deport me back to my home country. The process to renew it can be started 90 days before the expiration date, and the paperwork is quite similar to what you just did but shorter and presenting more proofs of the validity of your marriage.

Another thing you may need to do during these 2 years is to inform USCIS of certain changes such as change of address, husband's name change... if they were to occur.

And lastly, they keep the Advance Parole card and the I-94 immigration document, both documents that identify you as immigrant; however, if you passed, you are a legal resident and not an immigrant anymore. Thus, there is no longer need for them. At the same time, for the next 2 to 3 weeks, as you wait for the Green card to arrive... You will only have your passport as ID (unless you got your license in the meanwhile).

Stay posted!

I hope all this was helpful