“The Green Card Gave Us Freedom”
Our client, Ms. Inci, submitted her Green Card application on August 15, attended her interview on October 27, and received approval for both her I-130 and I-485 on October 28. After a year and a half of marriage, she decided to apply for a Green Card. Here, she shares her experience in her own words.
Before starting the Green Card process, how would you describe your life in the U.S.?
It was extremely stressful. I was carrying a heavy psychological burden. My sleep, even my dreams, were affected. I constantly dreamed of being back in Türkiye, with my family. I felt trapped, like I would never be able to get out of that spiral.
After the approval, the biggest change was mental relief. I feel calmer and more positive. Now I look at everything with the belief that “this will pass.”
What worried you the most before applying?
The fear of not being free. My husband and I were always planning trips within the U.S. – “Where can we go domestically?” Now we can finally plan trips outside the U.S. That sense of freedom is priceless.
In what way did the support from the Okanlaw team help you the most?
Emotionally, it made an incredible difference. The process itself is already very stressful. Even if one team member wasn’t available, someone else always got back to me. Quick responses are truly critical in a process like this. Knowing that there’s a team standing behind you brings immense peace of mind.
When did the interview take place, and when did you receive approval?
We submitted our application on August 15. We had already been married for a year and a half, and once our documents were complete, we decided to move forward. The interview took place on October 27. On October 28, first the I-130 and then the I-485 were approved—back to back.
Did you expect the result to come so quickly?
Not at all. The officer said it could be finalized within a week. The approval came just one day after we returned home. A friend of mine who was going through the same process had been waiting for six or seven months. They were actually more newly married. It’s possible that insufficient documentation extended their process.
How did the interview go? Was it what you expected?
I was expecting a strict question-and-answer format, almost like an interrogation. Instead, it felt more like a friendly conversation. It took place at the San Jose Field Office. The officer started with questions like, “How are you? How is life going?” She only specifically asked for our parents’ names. Other than that, there were no difficult or uncomfortable questions.
What was the officer’s demeanor like?
I was very nervous, but the officer made a clear effort to put me at ease. She was warm, friendly, and understanding. The interview lasted about 15–20 minutes, and much of it was casual conversation. We were expecting more questions, and suddenly it was over.
What was the most memorable moment of the interview?
She asked, “How many people live in your household?” My husband and I looked at each other and said, “Two and a half.” We explained that the “half” was our dog. From there, the conversation shifted to our dog. I shared that I used to have a fear of dogs but overcame it as we started living together. The officer talked about her own cats. We spent nearly ten minutes talking about pets. I truly believe that this conversation softened the atmosphere and contributed positively to the interview. For those who have pets—don’t hesitate to mention them. It genuinely helps.
How did your marriage support you during this process?
Emotional support was everything for me. I had been in the U.S. for a long time, and the psychological weight was heavy. My husband shared every part of the process—my stress, my happiness, everything. He gave me confidence. I realize now that I was very pessimistic, but with his support, I managed the process much more calmly.
Was there anything that surprised you while gathering documents?
On the day of the interview, as I looked through my documents, I noticed photos and thought, “Why did I include this?” We were wearing face masks, bathrobes… But then I realized these photos showed the natural, real side of our marriage. Since we had been married for 1.5 years, we had many shared memories. The hardest part was going back and organizing everything.
Was there a document you were especially glad you included?
Yes. At Mr. Can’s recommendation, I obtained support letters from close friends. I brought letters from two U.S. citizen friends and submitted them as additional evidence during the interview. The officer said, “These are very good and I’m definitely adding them.” At that moment, I was truly glad I had brought them with me.
Did you ever lose motivation during the process?
Yes, especially because of the government’s stance toward immigrants -it caused me a lot of stress. But I realized something important: you shouldn’t listen too closely to the noise. If your documents are correct, your record is clean, and you’re working with the right attorney, there’s no need for unnecessary stress.
What did you do after receiving approval?
The first thing we did was travel to Canada. Now we’re making plans for Türkiye and Europe next year.
In one sentence, what would you say to those just starting this process?
Patience. I say this as someone who has been in this system for a long time: at the end of the day, being able to say “I persevered, and I succeeded” is worth everything.
If you had to describe the Green Card in one word, what would it be?
Freedom.