Yesterday I spent the entire day at the Miami INS, filing the AOS and
related forms for my wife. We spent 8 hours there waiting to hand in our forms to the INS examiner. Then, they make you wait again to be called to give your money orders to a cashier. Just my luck, the cashier's computer stopped working that sfternoon and I could not get a receipt or anything. They told me my reciept and appointment date for the AOS interview will be mailed to me after the computer is fixed and they have a chance to catch up!
Some things to note:
MIAMI INS specific:
Although their hours are posted, they CLOSED at 8:30 AM because they already had too many cases to handle in that day. The security guard told me that this was normal there, they just cannot handle the load. So if you have to go to the Miami INS, you better plan on arriving before 8:30 am if you hope to file your papers or conduct any business there.
GENERAL:
Advanced Parole:
They DO require a signed letter of explanation as to why you have to travel outside the USA; they will not accept your form without this explanation.
They require 3, not 2, adit photos for Advanced parole. the INS website has not been updated, but they told me this change was instituted because of the terrorism situation. I was fortunate enough to have brought extras with me. I had to have 3 for my wife and 3 for her daughter.
What a way to spend Valentine's Day!
Ugh!