Adjustment of Status - I-485

We could never have gone through this green card process without an attorney except for the advice and experience shared by those on this website. In gratitude, we are paying it forward by sharing our own experience:

We were one of the last interviews of the day, scheduled for 2 PM, although we were not called until 2:45 PM. Our officer was a young man and rather informal. No oath, no statement that this is being recorded (even though it probably was). The interview lasted 15 minutes and, although he asked us questions, it was more conversational: when/how we first met, about our wedding, our employment, and simply confirming what was already in the application. We frontloaded our initial application with 100 pages of support documentation, which we believe helped our case and made the interview go quickly and smoothly. We also brought additional documents that we received since the submission (tax return, current paystubs, bills, photos, travel itineraries, etc.) but he never asked us for anything additional. The one exception was my birth certificate (petitioner). I had the officer copy it since the birth certificate explicitly states that copying it is a felony. He told us that everything looked good, and he just needed to doublecheck the file before recommending that “the case be closed.” He said it would take 3 to 4 weeks before receiving the card. We did not receive a white paper, but our case was approved the next day.

Advice #1: If you haven’t already submitted your application, take the time to read the saved links at the top of the I-485 Forum of this website. Submit as much material as necessary with your application. This was a lifesaver for us and eliminated many questions that an IO may have had. For example, in our case there are 20 years difference between our ages and we married only 4 months after my partner arrived in the US with an F1 visa. Had we not provided plenty of initial evidence showing that we both lived together outside the US and that we have had an intimate relationship for five years, this would have raised some red flags.

Advice #2: During the time we were in the waiting room, we could see each IO call the next number and then witness their initial interactions with the applicants: some officers were friendly, others were more distant and not interested in chit chat. Be prepared for anything and take the cue from how the IO treats you: if they are more formal, be more formal. If they are conversational, respond in kind.

Advice #3: If the IO doesn’t address questions to a specific person, decide in advance who will first answer what types of questions about your relationship and make sure the same person doesn't always answer. Depending on the type of couple you are, this will avoid either one person talking, both individuals speaking at the same time or long silences waiting for someone to speak. It will also make your relationship appear more egalitarian if a couple takes turns in answering each question.

Advice #4: Be aware of body language. Don’t sit with your arms crossed or other defensive postures, even if the room is cold.

San Antonio Specific Advice: Allow extra time to arrive at the since Hwy 281 is under construction and all traffic is diverted to the frontage road

Best of luck to each of you!