My wife is from Colombia and we have been together for over 3 years, married for 10 months.

I met her while she was on a Visa overstay.

I don't expect that to be a problem now.

We have a paralegal and have prepared all of the required documents.

The problem is that our interview with the USCIS ("permanent residence or adjust status") is this Wednesday, and I lost my job a little over 2 weeks ago.

I am now receiving unemployment insurance. I have already been on a few job interviews that seemed to go well and I expect to be working again shortly.

Ironically I received my job letter the week before I lost my job and some have suggested to just play it as though I am still working there.

But I consider myself an honest person AND afraid of the government and the consequences that could come down on me if I am dishonest, the least of which would be my wife being declined / disapproved, so I'd rather not go that route.

But she is FREAKING OUT and I am afraid that she will LOSE IT if she gets disapproved or postponed - she hasn't seen her family, particularly her 11 y/o daughter in nearly 4 years.

I need her to keep it together emotionally no matter what happens.

We have been through an awful lot together, especially with this whole entire process and it would be a HUGE ***mer to get postponed or disapproved for losing my job - financially we will make it somehow.

So my question is:

a) What do you suggest I do or say?

and

b) Is it possible that we could get disapproved because I lost my job recently?

I really want to be honest about everything but I really don't want to get burned because of it - especially after losing my job.

We have to bring my tax returns for the last 3 years anyway, which show that I have consistently earned $35,000 each year, even while being unemployed here and there.

Any and all advice would be tremendously appreciated.

All the "views" with no comments are making me a bit nervous.

From what I heard: I don't think you have to worry about it, beause if they only asked for the tax reture for 3 year ago, then your fine. I don't think that you have to say that you lost your job. You will try to find another job right? But its okay, at least you work almost all this year. Let me know how it go.


Good luck!

Marie1683, I don't know, we have a paralegal and she is making sure that we have everything. And I don't know what is for which but over the course of this whole process I have been asked to provide copies of tax returns for 3 years, tax transcripts for the last 3 years, letter from employer stating when hired and salary, bank statements showing joint account with wife, etc.

I don't have to say that I lost my job, but if I am asked about it I will feel very uncomfortable even remotely considering acting as though I still have that job, ie. if they ask I will feel inclined to be honest and tell them that I very recently lost my job - even though the likelihood of them contacting them to prove otherwise is highly unlikely and a considerable amount of people might go ahead and act as though they still had that job. I would not be comfortable with that - but I hope I don't get screwed because of my honesty either.

I think you'll be fine, but you should be honest. You can get into a lot more trouble lying and someone finding out you lied than to tell the truth.

It sounds like you will be employed again soon so I don't think it will be a problem. The purpose of the interview is to make sure you and your wife have a real marriage; not to make sure you have a job.

Questions about the Interview:

I've been reading all the forums and I thought the interview was were you would be either approved or denied. Is it different in every State?

Will they review the case more profoundly after the interview and decide later?

Can they catch lies during the interview or during reviews post interview?

Timmy_d11,

You may turn out to be your own worst enemy in this entire proceedings. You just need to relax and prepare for the interview, because this interview is about your marriage and its genuineness. Also, you should have waited after the interview to apply for employment benefit,but this should not be an issue at all.
Also, keep your wife under control, cause you seem to imply that she may lose it if she's not approved on the spot. Listen, if she is not approved on the spot cause her name check is pending, then you apply for I-131 (advance Parole), so that she can visit her home country. Remember, you are not the immigration system, so she shouldn't expect you to approve her, but the system has to approve your case. I wish they would approve you guys when you guys are there.

Man... make sure that you guys are happy, prepared to answer any questions which the officer might asks you, DON'T VOLUNTEER ANY INFORMATION WHICH YOU AREN'T ASKED. FOR EXAMPLE: Immigration Off asks you: How long have you known each other: Your response" 3 years, but we broke up 2 times over that period. The USCIS doesn't care how many times you have broken up, but rather how long you have known each other. Your breaking up, could raise a red flag that once approved, who knows that you won't break-up? Another common question: Who manages the money in the house. Your response: I manage all the money. PERIOD. Not, I manage all the money, because my wife is not working and she is not good with money. Most immigrants volunteer unnecessary information, under the pretext of impressing ther USCIS officer who don't give a didly squad about your life, and land their butts in hot water.

Couple of things to consider: Make sure you know which side of the bed you sleep, she sleep. Where is the light switch located, and have a full knowledge of your house structure. i.e, where the kitchen is located, bathroom. I have read horrible stories in which officers asked people which side of the bed they sleep in, location of light switches and a host of bull. However, timmy... the key, don't appear nervous at all. You and your wife should wake up to the tunes of " You win again" by the Bee Gees, it will cheer you up. Also, should the officer say that your wife name check is pending, then ask when she can expect to have it cleared. You wife should not go beserk in front of the officer about this stress which I can imagine she's going through, this would only cause issues and more scrutiny for her. As I said, if shen't approved, apply for advance parole, so that she can go home.

Good luck, and chill man. The officer might not ask you if you still have a job. Consider the possibilities of this officer being interested in approving you, rather quizzing you about the latest project on your job. It is silly.... don't ruin your approval by being focused on your lack of a job, but rather be cheerful that your wife will be approved without you dangling your job description and pay check in front of the officer. However, if she/he ask, then you be up-front and tell him you recently lost, but are actively seeking and you could have a job by the next day. Be upbeat, rather than lame...

Dug this out - doesn't even sound like the same Timmy, does it? I think you've stopped taking your medications. You don't sound like the same person you were less than five months ago. Is your skin so thin you can't take debate from a forum where you don't personally know the participants - and then attack with vulgar, repulsive comments? I think you need to start going to your shrink again.

quote:

Originally posted by timmy_d11:
My wife is from Colombia and we have been together for over 3 years, married for 10 months.

I met her while she was on a Visa overstay.

I don't expect that to be a problem now.

We have a paralegal and have prepared all of the required documents.

The problem is that our interview with the USCIS ("permanent residence or adjust status") is this Wednesday, and I lost my job a little over 2 weeks ago.

I am now receiving unemployment insurance. I have already been on a few job interviews that seemed to go well and I expect to be working again shortly.

Ironically I received my job letter the week before I lost my job and some have suggested to just play it as though I am still working there.

But I consider myself an honest person AND afraid of the government and the consequences that could come down on me if I am dishonest, the least of which would be my wife being declined / disapproved, so I'd rather not go that route.

But she is FREAKING OUT and I am afraid that she will LOSE IT if she gets disapproved or postponed - she hasn't seen her family, particularly her 11 y/o daughter in nearly 4 years.

I need her to keep it together emotionally no matter what happens.

We have been through an awful lot together, especially with this whole entire process and it would be a HUGE ***mer to get postponed or disapproved for losing my job - financially we will make it somehow.

So my question is:

a) What do you suggest I do or say?

and

b) Is it possible that we could get disapproved because I lost my job recently?

I really want to be honest about everything but I really don't want to get burned because of it - especially after losing my job.

We have to bring my tax returns for the last 3 years anyway, which show that I have consistently earned $35,000 each year, even while being unemployed here and there.

Any and all advice would be tremendously appreciated.

wow.....$35 whole thousand dollars!!! I didn't know that cleaning toilets paid so well!!! How is it such a mental giant can be unemployed? I guess there is no market for tinydikked morons....hope your new career is blossoming at WalMart....have you moved up to being one of the towel monitors in the bathrooms or are you still just one of those mindless greeters that says 'hi' to all the buyers of cheap chinese krap?

Timmy the retard; I hope they deport him and his wife together ! $35,000 salary; hee hee hee !!! That is soooo sad.

quote:

Originally posted by SonofMichael:
Timmy the retard; I hope they deport him and his wife together ! $35,000 salary; hee hee hee !!! That is soooo sad.

I second that! Judging from his posts, things can't be good with Timmy and his illegal wife. Hey Timmy, is she still around or did she leave your sorry a s s ?

quote:

Originally posted by timmy_d11:
My wife is from Colombia and we have been together for over 3 years, married for 10 months.

I met her while she was on a Visa overstay.

I don't expect that to be a problem now.

We have a paralegal and have prepared all of the required documents.

The problem is that our interview with the USCIS ("permanent residence or adjust status") is this Wednesday, and I lost my job a little over 2 weeks ago.

I am now receiving unemployment insurance. I have already been on a few job interviews that seemed to go well and I expect to be working again shortly.

Ironically I received my job letter the week before I lost my job and some have suggested to just play it as though I am still working there.

But I consider myself an honest person AND afraid of the government and the consequences that could come down on me if I am dishonest, the least of which would be my wife being declined / disapproved, so I'd rather not go that route.

But she is FREAKING OUT and I am afraid that she will LOSE IT if she gets disapproved or postponed - she hasn't seen her family, particularly her 11 y/o daughter in nearly 4 years.

I need her to keep it together emotionally no matter what happens.

We have been through an awful lot together, especially with this whole entire process and it would be a HUGE ***mer to get postponed or disapproved for losing my job - financially we will make it somehow.

So my question is:

a) What do you suggest I do or say?

and

b) Is it possible that we could get disapproved because I lost my job recently?

I really want to be honest about everything but I really don't want to get burned because of it - especially after losing my job.

We have to bring my tax returns for the last 3 years anyway, which show that I have consistently earned $35,000 each year, even while being unemployed here and there.

Any and all advice would be tremendously appreciated.

Timmy,
The loss of the job may or may not affect you. It will depend on how the interview goes. If it is asked, you need to explain the circumstances of why you were laid off. If it was because of you, then a second interview may be required. If it was because of economic circumstances, ie the business is in financial trouble, then it would depend on your job skills. The positive note is that you are looking for a job. Another factor is they may require a support affidavit from a family member too. The only thing they do not want is for the alien spouse to receive welfare benefits.

I would suggest you prepare a statement for the interviewer explaining the circumstances of being laid off and what steps you have taken to rectify the situation. You may want to ask some relatives if they are willing to provide an affidavit of support as well, just in case.

quote:

Originally posted by SonofMichael:
Timmy the retard; I hope they deport him and his wife together ! $35,000 salary; hee hee hee !!! That is soooo sad.

As long as you, CuriousBob, Someone12, paddy, Sundevil, and ProudUSC will go along or be sent to Guantanamo Bay.

Seriously, how do you make $35,000 a year? McDonalds trainees make more than that. Does your wife smuggle drugs in from Columbia? I havent seen my family in 4 years either and I am happy with that. Why didn't she apply for advance parol?

quote:

Originally posted by SonofMichael:
Seriously, how do you make $35,000 a year? McDonalds trainees make more than that. Does your wife smuggle drugs in from Columbia? I havent seen my family in 4 years either and I am happy with that. Why didn't she apply for advance parol?

Depending on where you live and how young you are, $35000 is adequate. But again, the average college graduate with a bachelor's degree does earn around $35000 as a starting salary. It is lower with initial trade skill jobs.

Timmy is MIA.

There is not one job in America that pays that low except the absolute lowest paying ones. I know illegal aliens that make $75,000 a year without papers and minimal education. You have to be an absolute retard to be making so little.

The starting salary for elementary school teacher in the California is around 35K/yr.
The median salary for loan officer in California is around $35K/yr.

There're lots of people making $35K/yr in USA.

had hudson, marmaduk, sonofmichael, etc. declared that they make 35k/yr, it could have been a let-go issue. but because it's timmy, then, it's another matter. as what they say: kids tend to cast stone into a fruit laden mango tree.

Timmy, do not freak out, USC who do not have a job can get a co-sponsor for their affidavit of support. That is, ask a USCitizen or Legal Permanent Resident friend or relative to be your wife's co-sponsor for for the affidavit (Form I-864). Prepare the form and bring it with you to the interview, you should also bring the co-sponsor's last three years of tax returns and W2's (copies)and proof of his/her current employment. IF the Immigration officer asks you regarding your employment you SHOULD tell the truth and then inform the officer that you have a co-sponsor because you recently lost your job. Once you hand the officer the new affidavit of support you and your wife should be fine.
Please read and have your wife and the co-sponsor read carefully and understand the instructions and explanation of what the affidavit of support is.

Good luck in your interview!