Adjustment of Status - I-485

Hi all,

Our interview was yesterday morning at the Baltimore office after 6 months. I wanted to provide my experience concurrently filing the I-130 and I-485 as a way to give back to this forum. I used this forum religiously as a resource while self-filing for my husband who is a work visa overstay of 5 years.

My takeaway from our journey has been that it is best to self-file if you are able to. Also, the text notifications and online updates were accurate for us.

Interview:
We arrived 40 minutes early for our appointment scheduled at 9:09AM. Security was quick, and we sat in a waiting room similar to an MVA express after taking a number from a window attendant. We dressed business casual because we felt more confident in it, but other people were dressed comfortably (sneakers & jeans). I expected to have a long wait, but my husband's name was called at the time our interview was scheduled for (maybe 2 minutes later at most) to go to one of the private offices. We were escorted by our interview, a young woman in her late twenties or early thirties.

The entire interview took roughly 30 minutes because we filed I-130 & I-485 concurrently. We had spend the night before reviewing sample interview questions and memorizing significant exact dates from our relationship. It did help us feel more prepared, but we may have over-prepared.

I brought an accordion filled with evidence of our relationship, some of which had already been previously submitted. I brought all of our joint bill statements (joint checking, PEPCO, Comcast), all of our joint health insurances, receipts from our honeymoon/wedding expenses, our joint tax return, and a photo album with photos of our entire time together. I highly recommend including photos with family members.

The interviewer asked us the standard interview questions. The first half of our interview was to determine the legitimacy of our marriage.

Questions asked:

What is your partner's full name, birthplace, & date of birth?
How did you meet? Who asked who out first? What happened after you started dating? How did you feel about dating?
What does your partner do for a leaving/what company do they work for?
Do you have a lease together? Who started living there first?
Have you met your partner's parents? When did you meet them? How will your spouse communicate with your parents? Are you teaching her your first language? How well do you think she is learning your native tongue?
Who proposed & how? Who was at the wedding? When and where was the wedding?
Is this your first time filing? Do either of you have kids or have been divorced? Do you plan on having children soon? How many would you like?
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The IO asked if we had any photos from the wedding and briefly glanced through our photo album. She asked us where our honeymoon photos were taken. Then she asked me if I had any documents that show a mingling of our finances. From the extensive portfolio I brought, I gave her 12 months of our joint bank account statements, evidence showing my husband as beneficiary for insurances, and our honeymoon itinerary. The majority of our relationship evidence had previously been mailed. She responded that the bank statements was a good amount of evidence and that she did not require any more at this time.

I believe that our interview went smoothly. The only thing that gave her pause was that my husband did not meet my parents until after our wedding, but it did not seem to be a major cause of concern.

The reason why I recommend self-filing if you are fluent in English is that the interview was basically the IO confirming the information that was provided on our submitted documents. She made check marks and notes on each form beside the corresponding information.

My husband's interview for his adjustment status, the IO went through the yes or no questions from our I-485. She inquired about his military training and read over the explanation letter I had attached.

We received a letter from the IO stating that she has 120 days to review our case and not to worry because this is standard procedure. They do not typically approve cases on the spot at this time. She said that her decision or a request for more information will be sent in the mail.

Random note, she stared at my hand when I rested it on my husband's thigh from holding his hand. I'm not sure what to make of that. I will update as soon as we receive a decision.

Timeline:
3/11/14 Began dating
12/31/14 Courthouse wedding
6/8/15 Mailed AOS package to Chicago Lockbox (I-130, I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325, G-1145) using USPS priority mail. Included detailed cover letter and explanation letter for mandatory military service.
6/11/15 USCIS status was updated to received (Note: I-864 is considered part of I-485, you do not receive an extra notice). Received all notices in the mail by 6/25/15.
6/27/15 Received biometrics appointment notice in the mail for 7/9/15.
7/8/15 Received RFE for "insufficient income" to sponsor husband on I-864. Requested 12 months of bank statements (I believe it is because my company name and the name on my pay stubs did not match). Included cover letter explaining that my income is definitely above poverty line for household size.
7/20/15 Processing for I-485 unsuspended after receiving bank statements.
8/7/15 USCIS status changed to interview is ready to be scheduled
8/14/15 work permit card was ordered & I-765 approved.
9/26 Honeymoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico (US territory).
9/28/15 work permit mailed.
10/29/15 USCIS status changed to your interview has been scheduled for 11/30/15. Notice in mail has interview time & documents to bring checklist.