Adjustment of Status - I-485

Hello All,

I am a March Filer from Chicago and I want to share my experience.

I am a DACA recipient (otherwise known as a Dreamer) and I submitted all my paperwork to file for adjustment of status based on marriage at the beginning of March, 2017.

Here is my timeline:

Got married: 2013
Applied for DACA: 2014
Applied for Advanced Parole: June, 2016
Received my Advanced Parole document and traveled to Mexico for a week (for Humanitarian reasons): December, 2016
Hired an attorney to file all necessary paperwork for Adjustment of Status: March, 2017
Appointment for Fingerprints: April, 2017
Received a new EAD: End of May, 2017
Adjustment of Status Interview: August 21, 2017

The interview went well - and it lasted approximately 15-20 minutes. First, the officer asked my wife questions about our marriage. Questions like: when we met, how we met, when and where we got married. She then asked to see an original copy of our daughter's birth certificate. She looked at it and then wrote some notes down. Then she asked me, the typical yes, no questions like: have you ever lied about being a US Citizen to obtain a government benefit? Have you ever pretended to be a US Citizen in order to vote during presidential or state elections? Stuff like that...

After those questions, the officer asked if we wanted to leave more information about our joint assets, and we did. We also gave her 5 or 6 photos, which she kept to save under our file.

That was all. At the end of the interview, the officer told us that she would try to have our case approved by the end of the day and that I should expect to have my 10 year permanent resident card in approximately 10 days. She then informed me about the possibility of applying for citizenship in 3 years if that is what I prefer. Guess what? I DO.

By the time I got home, I received a text message saying: New card is being produced

Man... My wife and I cried of joy because it has been a difficult journey. I love this country and all I want is to be able to enjoy my life without the fear of being separated from my family. I grew up in this country and I missed incredible chances at life for not having the proper documentation to back my stay. Yesterday marked a new beginning for me and my family...

The best advice I can give you goes like this:

• Prepare all your documentation so that you have everything in order. Good organization is key.

• Also, don’t expect to be greeted by the nicest person there. Hoping for that is completely out of your hands. Set realistic expectations and remember that the officers are only there to do their job – they’re not there to do any favors. If your paperwork and background is in order, then there is no way they can deny you the right to be in this country. Your good behavior and your hunger for a better life are the key factors in this process.

Never forget that.

Good luck to all.