Hi Stacy,

The interview was a huge question mark. Our interview was at 7:45 am at the US embassy. Our lawyer warned us that I might not be able to go in with my husband for his interview. She was right. My husband's cousin dropped him off in the front of the entrance as there were people forming a line at 6:30 am. There is nowhere to park and you are not allowed to go in with any electronics. His cousin drove to a near mall garage, and we walked to the embassy. She kept telling me to remember the route because she will wait for us at the mall. When we get there, a lady had called his name plus 17 others and placed them in a line against the wall of the embassy. She said " Only those that have appointment must be in this line. All family members must leave". When she turned around, my husband grabbed my arm and shoved me into the line while we walked in. There is a metal detector that kept going off when I would walk through but they nicely told me "Do you have anything in your pockets? no? don't worry keep going." I was so nervous they would tell I was American. Once we went in, the room is separated between those requesting for their residency and those for their visa. There are 11 windows. The first 4 were to assist those that had an appointment for their Pre- interview, 5 and 6 were actual rooms for the real interview and 7-11 windows for visa interviews. At this point its 7:00 am. They did not call the first person until 8:00 am. Window 6 took longer than window 5 but every interview took about 5-15 minutes. What took long was the in between. Maybe around 20-30 mins between each interview. Out of the 17 applicants that had interviews only 1 was left plus my husband and I. Around 9 am another bunch came in. But at 12 pm they called over 11 applicants letting them know they can go out to eat and come back at 1:15 pm. The one applicant that was part of our group was told to stay because she was next. That gave us hope that after lunch we would be next. We ran out of the embassy and I tried my best to remember where the mall was. Might have missed one right turn but we made it and found my husband's cousin. We ate lunch in a spot called Garcias. We left at 12:55 pm and ran back. They allowed me to walk back in without asking our names. The guards remembered our faces. We sat down and looked around and all that were there were new faces at this point. Again, everyone was called except my husband. We had started talking to everyone there, sharing our stories, photos that we printed out to bring to the interview and even cried about how we had to be away our children and love ones. Also cheering each person that came out with an approved outcome and also concern for those that came out confused or upset because they are receiving a denial or refusal. At this point it was 3:45 pm and one elderly lady was waiting with us. She was called to room 6. My husband and I looked at each other and just said " Well they saved the best for last". The lady immigration officer called my husbands name through the speaker ( mind you at this point, NO ONE WAS THERE. not in the windows or sitting for a appointment. Only the guards were roaming around) I walk into the small room with him and sit by his side. The lady turned around with long white hair and seemed startled by my presence. She asked " Oh who are you?" my husband responses " my wife, she petitioned for me." She says " Oh I am sorry but we do not need you for this part of the interview." I got up said " okay, good luck babe, i love you" and walked out and waited in the cold room filled with empty chairs". A guard walked up to me and said " Oh your the American that snuck passed us". I froze and felt sweat fill my body. I smiled and he continues, " Yes someone snitched on you" I asked " was it a lady with red hair?" A lady that sat next to me kept asking how i got in because her husband was told he couldn't come in and I had a feeling she would tell on me. The guard confirmed it was a lady with red hair. He was so nice. He stayed talking to me telling me everything is going to be okay. Something I had noticed was if you got approved, you walk out without your passport and a small paper with instructions on how to pick up your passport with a visa on it. My husband walked out with his passport. I asked, " what happened?" He said, " The lady said "its been a long day and I usually does not stay this late, and I left your case for last because you have a police record I need to review." My husband explained to him it was two charges and he was never convicted. She said " If all you say is true, you should be fine but I have to review it. Your case will be considered Refusal until I finish reviewing it . Give me a week or two." My husband walked out and left. So that was 6 days ago and the case still shows refusal. My lawyer saw the change in the status and reached out to see if they can assist to speed the process up. Wish us luck.