Greencard stamp in the Frenchie's passport! Actual card in two weeks in mail. Can travel with stamp. Are legal. Will not be kicked out.
Thank you so much for everyone's good wishes and thoughts and comments. I was thinking of people thinking of us while we were on the 8th floor of Federal Plaza with knotted stomachs, with rows of other nervous couples and families with lawyers. And it helped.
There were wigs and side curls, yarmulkes, kufis, djellabas, hijabs and jilbabs. Shiny new suits with labels still sewn on the cuffs, jeans, sensible stockings and high heeled boots. Spanish and Chinese and Arabic and Yiddish and Hipster. And a Frenchie (jeans, nice black shirt with collar, jacket, no tie). And me (old cream silk skirt, boots, cream turtle neck and coat)...
After an hour, in we went with Officer Nice.
Of me, How did we meet; of Vince, When was I granted citizenship; and of me again: What floor was Vince's apartment on in Vancouver, What street? Where had he lived before? Scuba instructor? So who certified him?
Me: Um...I haven't a clue?
A very formal officer. He had also scuba dived. He was certified. He described the whole experience, and then told us not to be offended by the following questions:
Is Vince now, or has he ever been, or is he planning to be, ... a prostitute?
No, says Vince.
'Snort, says Marie, then pulls herself together.
Has he ever been a member of a terrorist organization?
No, said Vince.
Marie looks at the floor.
Is he planning on committing any crimes?
No, says Vince.
There's fluff on the carpet, thinks Marie.
Has he ever planned the violent overthrow of a government or state.
No, says Vince, wondering whether Estorbo counts as a head of state.
Otherwise this is a very remarkably neat and anonymous office, thinks Marie.
Has he ever forged a document?
No, says Vince.
The lucky bamboo on the filing cabinet is very green, thinks Marie.
We are escorted back to the waiting area, wait ten minutes, and then Vince's passport reappears, stamped.
It's over.
Now it can begin.
I am weeping with joy for you both.
ReplyDeleteWonderlike nuus! My green card interview consisted of me and a room full of little girls in frilly dresses who were being adopted... no one asked me whether I had bad thoughts about the government..
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations, felicitations, all good things to you both!
ReplyDeleteCongrtulations!! Fantastic news.
ReplyDeleteHuzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteas an Irish immigrant friend often says "It's a great country."
I could not be happier for you.
[even the wv concurs: funismsi !!]
Welcome aboard, Vince! Glad to have you!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations to you both!
ReplyDeleteProstitute?! I'm trying to picture the ensuing snorting and hysterics if someone asked J that in such a formal setting...and besides I thought the "offensive" question after the scuba questioning would be something about scuba diving. "God" I was thinking, where is this going?
Formidable... ainsi les rêves se réalisent vraiment. Très émouvant. Of course, you would think I'm a fool if I say "I knew it from thre first time" but if you look at these HDR lectures, you will find my little comments.
ReplyDelete2007, really ? I can't believe. I came back from time to time, without writing. But often overwelmed by your stories.
All the best for you both !
And if ever you come to Paris, I'll buy you a drink (and deux parts de flan !)
B
Formidable... ainsi les rêves se réalisent vraiment. Très émouvant. Of course, you would think I'm a fool if I say "I knew it from thre first time" but if you look at these HDR lectures, you will find my little comments.
ReplyDelete2007, really ? I can't believe. I came back from time to time, without writing. But often overwelmed by your stories.
All the best for you both !
And if ever you come to Paris, I'll buy you a drink (and deux parts de flan !)
B
I'm a bit disappointed at Vince not planning to become a prostitute, but...oh well...
ReplyDeleteSeriously... it's the scuba that id it!!
congrats! I love the overthrow of the head of feline state! LOL. Me too.
ReplyDeleteYahoo!!! sometimes the system ( as screwed up as it is) works. So glad to hear it worked for you two! Relax, take a deep breath and enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, I am so thrilled for both of you.
ReplyDeleteHooray!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnticipating great description of celebratory drink and food. :)
that is FANTASTIC news my love..I am so happy for you. I'm not sure i wrote you back the other day--i started to...did i? oxo
ReplyDeleteDo you suppose anyone would ever answer "yes" to questions about planning a coup? Or becoming a prostitute?
ReplyDeleteIt's been tedious at times, but now, as Marie says, it can begin. Bon chance!
I must say your story does bring tears to the eyes. Very happy for all three of you. (The interview was hilarious. I hope writing these blogs makes you happy; they certainly make me laugh and smile quite often.)
ReplyDeleteI hope that i am hearing the sound of Champagne or at least Proseco corks popping! marvelous news!
ReplyDeleteThat is such wonderful news!!! Congratulations...now you'll be able to experience the next chapter of your lives without the veil of anxiousness over your heads. All you have to do now is enjoy life & the many blessings that will come your way...& there will be plenty!!
ReplyDeleteWonderlike nuus indeed! Hope to be able to congratulate you in person soon!
ReplyDeleteit's nuts isn't it? As if you would say yes to any of the questions even if you were planning stuff.... no wonder the world is so screwed up. Common sense must have been bred out of homo sapiens a lot of years ago....
ReplyDeleteCongratulation, Marie and Vince (and the cad)! We are so happy for you! It's been a long time coming ...
ReplyDeleteKeli'i and Ikaika
Wow. I had no idea. Splendid news.
ReplyDeleteHurrah!! Another milestone just passed. Here's to a happy future together, all three of you.
ReplyDeleteHuge congratulations. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletethe interview description is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteand of course Estorbo counts as a head of state. but i'm sure the INS (or at least the CIA -- Cad Intelligencia Agencia -- would understand.
Good heavens! What have we come to that you should have to answer questions like that! But as a former green card holder for about 20 years, let me congratulate you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful trip! I wish I could be there for Estorbo, having had experience with cat bites, I think I might be able to manage him, -- if I do enough bowing and scraping. Incidentally, I hope you had that bite checked by a Dr. They can give nasty infections.
Oh congratlations!!!!! That's wonderful news and I'm so pleased for you both. It always floors me that they ask the questions about terrorism - they ask them on the visa forms too. Has anybody actually ever ticked the box that says "yes, I am a paid-up member of a neo-Nazi/militant Muslim/fluffy bunny killing organisation"?? Never been asked the prostitute question though - did they think Vince looked like a likely candidate? Some weird backhanded compliment?!
ReplyDelete