Legal Alien Advice - How to Play the Green Card Game - Part II

Picking up where we left off last time...

LAA 3. – Avoid sloppiness. Processing countless applications and documents is a job and a half. While you cannot make it pleasant, YOU CAN make it easier, much easier in fact and faster for the officer working on your file. And believe me it is in your best interest to do so. When waiting in a long line, I saw a person holding a form and scribbling information on it while waiting, in some vivid green ink. The form was all bent and wrinkled and I am sure that the greenish scribbling on it was not an example of calligraphic art. So when such a piece of work lands on the desk of an officer, versus something neatly typed on the computer, which do you think may be the first one to be processed? And really, the same goes for the documents from your country of origin. My documents from Mexico were all translated, certified and notarized by USCTS which delivers an absolutely beautiful final product. All documents are on company letterhead with all the stamps and seals and the company's contact information. The attitude that I am telegraphing by submitting such professionally prepared documents is: "I am going to be a valuable addition to the American society. I am going to be a good, diligent worker here and it is worthwhile to process my application efficiently and in a timely manner. I will be making a positive contribution and will eventually become a good citizen.  This is what I am: disciplined, serious,professional – just like the image of the documents that I am submitting.' Let's face it, the appearance of your document package reflects on you directly. Sloppy paperwork equals sloppy person.

LAA 4. – Mr./Ms. Congeniality. Immigration officers constitute a very broad spectrum of individuals who come from various backgrounds. Some of them are immigrants as well. As it tends to happen with human nature, an immigration officer, just like anyone else may be having a bad day. Or they may have a bad attitude, or possibly even not be very knowledgeable and trying to cover up their lack of knowledge and/or experience with not-so-friendly behavior. To you it shouldn't matter. At least not when you are dealing face to face with them. Should you be on the receiving end of rude treatment... smile.  If something goes wrong, don't become accusative.  Stay calm and polite and request their help. You can vent your frustration later if you need to by hitting a punching bag in a gym. Yoga and meditation is supposed to help too.

My files were misplaced during processing for more than 6 months, lost and found. But here I am at the end of this road: a legal alien. Finally! It was definitely worth it. 

Remember be patient, persistent and polite!

Yours truly,
The legal alien!