August 31, 2015
R.H. is a US citizen who married L.Y., a citizen of Paraguay. L.Y. filed a marriage-based adjustment of status. During their interview with an immigration officer to establish the bonafide nature of their marriage, the couple was subjected to a Stokes interview (they were interviewed separately).
After a grueling 2-hour interview, they were told to expect a decision in the mail. They received a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) L.Y.’s application for adjustment of status. The reason cited for the NOID was the inconsistencies in the statements they issued during their separate interview. The officer did not believe their marriage was genuine or bonafide, but was merely entered into for the purpose of evading US Immigration Laws.
We responded to the NOID, addressing each issue cited against the couple. A month after responding to the NOID, we received a call from our client – she received a Welcome Notice from USCIS. Her Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) were approved. She received her green card in the mail shortly after!