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Was posted in another group, just for an idea to fellows here too.
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Subject: I registered today........To Whom It May Concern
Assalaamoalaikum,
(I am writing this for the benefit of fellow less fortunate DESIS who
haven't made into heaven (green card) yet)
I went to register this morning. Arrived at 7:00 AM. There were 4
special
registeration applicants in front of me. Offices opened at 7:30. My
turn
came at 7:50. I was given a form to fill out requesting:
-Both of my parent's age and/or date of birth (I entered approximate
ages
after asking an officer).
-Both my parent's address.
-A local point of contact.
At about 9:30 (after those of us waiting, had almost decided what
needs
to be done to change the fate of our country, and agreed upon how
people
in Pakistan are innocent/ignorant of what goes on in the rest of the
world and which political groups run which areas of our country) I was
called for the interview. My interviewer was S. Patel who was having
some
kind of family emergency so she called home during my interview to
check
on her parents. Her computer froze up couple of times. She got locked
out
of the system because her password expired. Then she had to go to her
colleague next door to do part of the work. I know, I know I am
coming to
the details of the interview....
I had brought my passport with I-94, apartment lease and the phone
bill
with me. Shri S. Patel started by asking my name, my occupation,
school,
confirming information that I had entered about my parents. She asked
my
major, whether it relates to my work, the dates of my F-1, Employment
Authorization, H-1---making sure there weren't any lapses. She asked
me
for H-1 Visa Petition approval info (I797A). I hadn't brought this
with
me; but then she let me call home and have my wife give that info over
the phone. She called my work and talked to the Personnel dept. to
confirm employment, date of hire and my position at work (our
personnel
person freaked out and thought I was under arrest and being
deported).
Anyway, at about 11:15 AM my interview ended. She wrote a no. on my I-
94,
gave me some reading material about this whole registeration thing,
told
me that I am supposed to come back in a year +- 10 days and escorted
me
back.
All in all, it was an interesting experience. I thought my interview
took
very long. Average was about an hour. I think Miss Patel was little
more
particular about details. Other people (actually only one person, but
who
is counting) that gave the interview didn't mention calling employer
or
being particular about lapses in status.
Anyway, here is the national help line for INS:
1-800-375-5283
For finding INS offices near you, call this no. choose option 2,
choose
option 2 again and then when prompted enter your zip code.
I am also attaching the two documents that I downloaded from INS'
website
detailing the procedures. These are also available for download in
Urdu
and Arabic.
Questions welcome.....
Qamar
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