My Green Card Journey

1. Forms and Documents. 

Be prepared to answer millions of questions 😩, sometimes very personal questions; I had never answered so many questions in my life. Not even when I applied for a student visa at the American Embassy in Lima! My responses were used to complete more than five official forms which my attorney submitted to USCIS. The forms were packaged with some essential documents from my husband, myself and our attorney. The overall package was then filed with USCIS. A short while later, USCIS sent over “Receipt Notices’’ confirming that they had received my case and that it was in process.

One piece of advice 👍 If an immigration expert asks you a question or requests a document, please provide the information or document. There is always (let me emphasize, always) a legal reason behind his or her request. 

2. Biometrics Appointment. 

Months after receiving the Receipt Notices, I received notice of the biometrics appointment (this is where USCIS takes your fingerprints). As I was entering into the Application Support Center (ASC), my heart was beating so fast. This was my first contact with USCIS. After my fingerprints were taken, the officer sealed and signed the notice as evidence that I had attended the appointment.

3. Work Permit and Social Security Number. 

During the Lawful Permanent Resident process, some applicants have the option to apply for a work permit and social security number at the time they send in their adjustment application. I did not apply for this permit because I was a full-time student. Usually, the work permit arrives simultaneously with the Social Security Card. In my case, obviously, it did not. My attorney applied for my Social Security card after I had already obtained my green card (which is another option).

4. Preparation Meeting for the Interview. 

Finally, after months of waiting, I received notice that my case had been scheduled for an interview! Yay! 🤗 

    When I saw the interview notice, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was thrilled to tears; on the other hand, my nerves were up to the sky.  Take it from me, the preparation you do with your attorney for the interview is vital to a successful case. The preparation is like drinking water in the middle of the Sahara Desert on a summer day. Do you get the idea? An expert will guide you meticulously on what would happen on the day of the interview and the multiple scenarios that can be presented; oh yes, there can be thousands of scenarios that only an immigration lawyer will know how to handle in your favor.

Additionally, keep in mind: the advice of an immigration expert has much more value than your friend’s comment on the subject (whether they have personally also been through the process or not). From a friend’s unique experience, you cannot – and should not- formulate a general rule. The immigration process is different for everyone. 

5. Interview. 

The night before the interview, to relax my nerves, I saw two films , "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and "Green Card" with Andie MacDowell. 

Both movies were very appropriate to be watching the night before my immigration interview and both are love stories, full of hope and promise; exactly the kind of mindset I wanted to be in before the big day ahead of me. Once I watched those films, I felt like I was ready. 

     From the moment my husband and I were called to be interviewed, I felt like I was under the officer's magnifying glass 😳 . I would say that the interview took 5 hours; however, my husband would immediately correct me (like any other husband in the world) and would remind me that the interview only lasted 30 minutes. The officer went over the forms and asked some specific questions about our home; then, he stood from his chair and, extending his hand, and said to me smiling, "Mrs. Hynes, welcome to the United States of America.” 😍 It was one of the happiest days of my life. Weeks after the interview, I received the famous “Green Card" via mail.