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Hedi Zine
Mar 12, 2025
Today is a day I will never forget!
**Alhamdulillah, Today is a day I will never forget. Alhamdulillah—all praise and thanks to Allah—I have been approved for my green card. The journey has been long, filled with anticipation, prayers, and moments of doubt, but today, everything fell into place in the most beautiful way. I woke up early this morning, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I put on my best suit, made sure I looked presentable, and even spritzed on my favorite perfume. I wanted to walk into that USCIS office with confidence, not just in my appearance but in my spirit. As I drove there, I kept reminding myself, *“This is just a conversation. Be honest, be calm, and trust in Allah.”* When I arrived, I passed through security smoothly and was right on time for my appointment. The waiting room was quiet, and I sat there, repeating my prayers under my breath. I couldn’t help but smile to myself, thinking, *“This is it. After all this time, it’s finally happening.”* Then, she called my name. A friendly officer opened the door and greeted me with a warm, “Good morning! How are you today?” Her tone was so kind and welcoming that it immediately put me at ease. “I’m doing great, how about you?” I replied, matching her energy. She smiled and led me to her desk, introducing herself along the way. Her demeanor was so approachable that it felt less like an interrogation and more like a conversation with an old friend. **The Interview: A Surprising and Smooth Experience** I walked into that interview room expecting the worst. I had prepared myself for a barrage of tough questions, tricky scenarios, and even the possibility of being treated poorly. I thought the officer might try to confuse me or catch me in a lie. I had heard so many stories about intense interviews, and I braced myself for the same. But none of that happened. Instead, the officer was incredibly kind and straightforward. The moment I sat down, she said something that made my heart leap: *“I have your file here, and I just need to ask you a few questions. If everything checks out, you’ll be on your way with your green card.”* She even joked about the system being electronic now, compared to the old paper-based process. Her lightheartedness made the whole experience feel surreal. What truly stood out was when she said, *“I’m not really interviewing you. I’m just asking these questions so you can get your green card. It’s a boring process, and I’m sorry for that, but we have to go through it.”* It felt like I was already accepted before I even said a word. She reassured me that this was just a formality, something she had to do, but her tone and words made it clear that the hard part was over. **The Questions: Easier Than I Ever Imagined** I had prepared myself for the worst. I expected detailed questions about my previous relationship, my marriage, and the specifics of my case. I thought she would ask things like, *“When did you get married? When did you come to the U.S.? What happened in your relationship?”* I had rehearsed answers in my mind, ready to explain every detail. But to my surprise, none of that happened. The questions she asked were simple and straightforward things like, *“Have you ever been involved in criminal activity? Have you been engaged in terrorist activities? Have you had any traffic violations?”* Basic yes-or-no questions that anyone would answer with a simple “no.” That was it. No tricky questions, no attempts to confuse me, no digging into personal details. It was unbelievable how easy it was. I had heard so many terrible stories from others about their interviews—how they were grilled with difficult questions, how they felt like they were being set up to fail, or even how they feared they might be taken to jail. But my experience was the complete opposite. It was smooth, simple, and stress-free. It felt like a piece of cake. **Reflecting on the Journey** As I walked out of the office, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. The sleepless nights, the endless paperwork, the prayers whispered in the quiet hours of the morning it all led to this moment. I thought about the man I saw earlier who had arrived late to his appointment. The officer had been stern with him, and though I understood the importance of punctuality, I couldn’t help but feel for him. The officer’s tone was harsh, and the man looked visibly shaken as he apologized repeatedly. I hope he got his green card too, despite the rocky start. But today, Alhamdulillah, everything went perfectly. I showed up on time, dressed well, and walked in with faith in my heart. I smiled, stayed calm, and trusted in Allah’s plan. And now, as I write this, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude not just for the approval, but for the journey itself. It taught me patience, resilience, and the power of faith. Advice for Those Preparing for Their Interview To anyone preparing for their own interview, my advice is simple: 1. **Be on time.** Traffic, parking, and unexpected delays can happen, so plan to arrive early. I saw firsthand how arriving late can set a negative tone, and you don’t want that. 2. **Dress well and present yourself confidently.** First impressions matter, and looking put-together shows respect for the process. 3. **Stay calm and composed.** The energy you bring into the room matters. If you’re stressed, the officer will pick up on it. Keep your hands still, avoid fidgeting, and maintain eye contact. I kept my hands crossed and reminded myself not to move unnecessarily. It sends a message that you’re confident and have nothing to hide. 4. **Be honest and concise.** Only answer what’s asked. Don’t overexplain or volunteer unnecessary information. 5. **Trust in Allah.** No matter how nervous you feel, remember that He is in control. Pray, breathe, and let your faith guide you. **For Those Still Waiting: Use This Time Wisely** If you’re still waiting for your interview or just starting the VAWA process, my advice is this: **Live your life.** Don’t put everything on hold waiting for the green card. Use this time to grow, learn, and build a life for yourself. Start a business, pursue education, or work on personal development. Treat this country as your home, and strive to be successful in every way—mentally, physically, and financially. When your time comes, you won’t just go back home because you spent years here. You’ll go back as a better, more successful version of yourself, with the freedom to travel anywhere in the world. **My Timeline** For those curious about the process, my entire journey—from the moment I applied to the day I got approved—took **3 years and 7 months**. It was a long wait, but every step was worth it. Alhamdulillah, for every step of this journey. Today, I am filled with gratitude, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to reach out to me on Facebook. My username is the same as here. I’m happy to help in any way I can. Alhamdulillah, always and forever. #greencard #Gc #vawa #approval

VAWA

Based on a Violence Against Women Act self-petition

Total Days: 1320 days
Case
2021-08-02
2025-03-14
I-360
1155 Days
I-485
1320 Days
Vermont Service Center: I-360, I-485
125
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