Step Two: Attending Your Adjustment of Status Interview

Made Easy

You will be called in for a personal interview, which will be held at a uSCIS office near you. USCIS will send you and your accompanying relatives an appoint­ment notice, usually about two weeks in advance of the interview. If you have an attorney, he or she may come with you to the interview. (Even if you don’t have an attorney, you could consult with or hire one at this point.)

Be prepared to explain at your inter­view why you still fear returning to the country from which you fled. If you no longer fear returning there, you do not qualify for your asylee or refugee sta­tus, and therefore do not qualify for the green card. If any dramatic changes have occurred to supposedly improve condi­tions in your country—such as a regime change or peace treaty—you’ll have some extra explaining to do. If possible, supply supporting documents under such circumstances. If you don’t already have an attorney, this would be a good time to hire one.

The checklist below will help you prepare for your interview. Prepare all these items for yourself and your family members.

Checklist of Documents to Bring to Your Adjustment Interview □ A complete photocopy of your green card application. This is for your use—you may want to follow along as the officer asks you questions about the material you filled out on the forms, or you may find that the officer is missing something that you have. □ Photo identification or passport for you and every one of your family members. (It's best to bring your passport or Refugee Travel Document, because if you are approved for your green card on the day of the interview, USCIS can place a stamp in your passport demonstrating this—and you can use this stamp as proof when you work or travel.) □ Originals of all documents that you made copies of for submission with your application. For example, if you submitted a photocopy of a birth certificate or other official document, a USCIS officer may want to examine the original. □ Asylees only: Medical exam report for you and for each accompanying relative (Form I-693, filled out and signed by a USCIS-certified doctor, and presented in an unopened envelope). The fee is usually around $150 per exam, depending on the doctor. The exam itself involves taking a medical history, blood test, and chest x-ray, and administering vaccinations if applicable and/or recommended for you. Pregnant women may refuse to be x-rayed until after the baby is born. □ Any documents received from USCIS or other immigration authorities. For example, if you left the country on Advance Parole, bring this permit. □ Any updates to the material in your application. For example, if you have given birth to another child, bring the birth certificate. If you've been arrested, bring a full explanation (and consult with an attorney, to make sure that the arrest doesn't make you inadmissible).
See Chapter 4 for detailed informa-tion on what expect during your adjustment of status interview—and what to do if your adjustment of status application is denied. Also, for information on how to protect your status as a green card-holder after you're approved, see Chapter 14. ■

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Updated: 18th July 2015 — 3:10 pm