Location: Newark, NJ
Date: Jan, Tue, 2003.
Temperature :  Felt like 15°F
Status: F1

Well, I arrived at the Newark office around 11:35am. I was little disappointed on seeing the back entrance closed! So I knocked and one of the security guards let me in when I told her that I was there for the 'special registration'. My bag and jacket were scanned and I was handed a yellow paper, directing me to room '1404'. 

There were about 6 - 8 Pakistanis (including me) in the room. The receptionist took my passport, and gave me a form to fill out. I was told that it would take a while for them to call my name, and advised me to take a lunch break on the 2nd floor. Few of the major fields in the form are: Full name, DOB, Country of Citizenship, permanent address back home, USA address, tel, and email address, then you have employer's name, your license number, credit/debit card number, father's and mother's date and place of birth (you may only know the country), parent's employee address and telephone, and also the address and telephone of your local friends here in USA (one is sufficient).

There was also a guest appearance by two members from the Pakistani Consulate (NY), I am not sure if one of them was the consulate. They approached and greeted the few Pakistanis at the front and supported them. I was glad to see them since they were very co-operative with the people and wished us all good luck.

Well at around 1:45pm I had rice pilaf and baked chicken in the cafe. After eating I went back to the 'room' and waited there like a coached potato. One of our desi bhai told me that their system is down, which is causing the delay. Finally my name was called!

The officer apologized for the delay and told me that their database system was down. Right in the beginning he made me swear under oath and introduced himself and that he will be conducting the interview. The questions he asked me were everything basically on the form we had to fill upon arrival and he keyed them in the system. While he browsed through my passport, he did confirm my last international trip, and asked me about the airline. Upon his request I took out my driver's license, school picture ID (with the current enrollment sticker), and a credit card. My fingerprints (i.e. the left and right index fingers) and then my photo were taken in the middle of the process. He later on checked my I-20 and asked me if I had any other proof that I am currently enrolled for the Spring semester? I showed him my current schedule, attested by the Foreign Advisor ----> voila'

The interview process lasted for 45 minutes.

Now this message goes to all of the 'dread and the fugitive minds' out there, that all you have to do is introduce yourself, don't feel sorry because you got there on your own, and you won't ask for mercy, since you choose to walk alone. What if you get caught and what if there is no judgment at all? are mere mind-boggling questions! Don't be guiltily haunted by them because you haven't done anything wicked. Sure we don't know what the end is but it's coming fast, so always praise GOD!