It has always been my understanding that they process the waivers in the same building... although they do have to send the finger prints to the FBI. When they were trying to decide if they could allow us to file a waiver we were under the impression that they were consulting with the other department to confirm that we could. I certainly hope that they did or we could be wasting our time waiting and waiting.

Still no word for us. Yesterday I tried to respond to this thread... I typed a whole response and then just closed the window and never sent it. It was just me feeling sorry for myself... which I managed to do all day yesterday. This is seriously taking a toll now. Tom is sick and I am so out of sorts. It's just not normal to be unable to look forward to any plans at all. If it was just a matter of waiting certain length of time that would be one thing. But to not even know what country we will be living in.. to not know what plans to look forward to...my brain just cannot deal with it anymore. It's not depression.. its something entirely different. I can't explain it. It's like they have just sapped our energy and taken away any joy we should feel about the future. Just living minute by minute waiting for the phone to ring.

We didn't attempt a trip to Scotland. We didn't want to be away and miss a call. This stress has made us too tired anyway. Some nights I only manage to sleep 3 or 4 hours. When I first got here in November it was exciting making plans for the things we would do during my stay. Now we just want to make plans for our "real" life together.

Yesterday I found out that my daughter in law is expecting a son. So I will have a grandson this summer in addition to the two grand daughters. I wonder if I will ever know him.

As for emailing again... I don't know... that reply I received said to refrain from contacting them.

Friday it will be 12 weeks since our petition was entered into the system. So I guess they really meant it when they said 12 to 15 weeks. My return date to the states is before 15 weeks. How can I leave without knowing? I cannot go back not knowing if I am going to be getting ready for him to join me or if I have to get rid of all my belongings. I have lived in that house for 30 years! Getting rid of a 30 year accumulation is a daunting task. I don't know how I will manage it all alone. Of course I could just give it all away and get back here as quickly as possible but I feel like I would have to get as much money as I can for everything. Living costs in London are so high. We have to live in Michigan... we have a house there that is paid for...no morgage. I cannot believe how much we would have to pay here in London for something less than half the size of that house. That's why I would have to get rid of most of my belongings. No room for them.

mary

Hello there,

I've been peeking in here off and on just not much to say. I'm a bit aggrivated at the moment. I sent London an email requesting our interview the same day as our medical so he wouldn't have to make two trips. Because we put a travel date of October (because of the waiver) they said he can't have that date because fiance visa's are only good for 6 months and he would need a later date for the visa to still be valid in October. Now I have to send an email to explain this. grrrrrrrrrrr Never get ahead with this system. lol


I don't blame you Paul. I would be dying of curiosity also. Makes you want to run over there, grab the documents, and run them upstairs for them. lol I'm not a very patient person but I've been doing ok so far. I'm sure it will be a different story as soon as we finally get to file the waiver.


Yeah Misty, I've been reading some of your post on immigrate2us. I kind of snickered when I was reading about your packing expieriences. The sweeper and the plastic bags was a pretty good idea. lol
You will be so excited when you finally get on that plane to come home. I'm sure you will be beaming from head to toe.

Have a great day,
Baileyj

Mary, I'm really hoping you and Tom hear something soon. We'll be getting into March tomorrow, and it's getting a little ridiculous, to say the least, for both of you.

My only guess is that Tom's situation, from what you've told me, is pretty unique, and I do imagine it's probably a fairly difficult case to adjudicate. Not that I think they haven't had plenty time to ruminate about it already.

Please know that I'm thinking of you both and hoping you hear something soon.

((((hugs)))) to Mary and Tom. I really hope you hear from them soon so that you can start to enjoy your lives together. And yes, London house prices are so ridiculous! Fingers crossed for you

I hope mary&tom and PaulC BOTH hear something soon.

Hi, everybody, I guess I've been quiet because really, what do I have to say? I'm just sitting here waiting, trying to plan a wedding and a life, wondering if it's ever going to happen! So today Caspian gets a call from the embassy -- three weeks mind you from the time we sent our application back! -- to tell him that they need a letter from me saying that the main hardship letter is mine and I'm aware of the circumstances for him needing a waiver -- as if after two years together and blood, sweat, and tears poured into this letter, I wouldn't know!!@! Sort of defies logic. However, the really good thing was, the guy who he talked to let me email it to him today and he said he would submit immediately. So, I guess we're being "put into the system" tomorrow officially. Guess we're not getting married in June, are we?
We were also wondering about the G325a and so he asked the guy and the guy said, no, I've just taken them from your 129-F petition and made a copy! Which, in my opinion, is what they should have done for you, Paul, in the first place! You know why it is so frustrating? It's because it seems like they just keep moving the goalpost, you know? We all have heard slightly different information from different employees there and it makes it very confusing!


Mary, my heart goes out to you. This process is like nothing else, huh? Hang in there. You will hear something and it will be good news! Maybe in a couple months when you and Tom are setting up house in Michigan and I'm losing heart, you'll be telling me the same thing, huh? Anyway, take care of yourself.
Tiff

Hello everyone! I have been quiet as well because it is just frustrating! I have been trying to stay off this website so it doesn't stress me out so much! Today is 11 weeks since they put us in the system! Ahhh! I just keep wondering if I should move back our wedding date or will he be here. Everyone is in my prays!

Hi,
Everyone...soz but had problems with PC this last wk...its a bloody pain...i think i need a upgrade but really don't want to spend anymore cash on this thing now.. .

Im so sorry that you guys have not been sorted out yet...this is so crazy ..what 10/11/12 wks man...this is so bloody cruel to you guys..if i could is pick up the phone and speak to the top dog there at London cas something is come to a stop there. ...i really dont know what the problem is..

It really got to be very soon surely...just when you all about to give up and Bingo....just the way it works out...cas ive been there and so as misty..

Please guys/dolls...dont give up hope...i bet there just sitting there already Approved and just waiting on some asswipe to call you up.....when is that i wish i knew but they will soon...they got to...

Lets hope and pray we get news here really really soon...

Paul....leave it a bit mate....i mean dont bother with a e/mail now as they want let ya know jack yet...leave it a few wks...then hassle them again....

Best wishes ...im thinking of you guys and coming on this sucky PC with a hope that someone on here has been Approved...COME ON LONDON! WHATS THE BLOODY PROBLEM?....

Nigel...

I reckons the problem is that for some reason London is dealing with applications from 7 countries! I don't know when that happened. I'd like to know what the exact procedure is for processing. Anything the keeps families apart for 15 (additional) weeks needs more resources putting on it.



http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/uscis/ivwaiver.html

Some of the waivers from Denmark and Sweden I was told as of last December were going to Moscow as well. They closed the DHS office in Copenhagen that had jurisdiction.

Wow, you learn something new every day.

Tiff,

My heart goes out to you! What the hell is wrong with London processing these waivers eh? You come all prepared with the right documents "or so you think" and then they tell you 2 weeks later that you need to do some more things that they couldn't be bothered to tell you in the first place.

Seriously, someone is takin the p#ss here!

I guess at least Tiff, there is some consistency now as that's exactly what I was told. However, I didn't get a call, mine was a letter and I have no reassurance that my file will be put on the system yet, even though I sent back the forms 2 weeks ago! However, you now have the utter joy in having to wait 2-3 weeks for London just to open your letter!

Sorry Nigel but I've already e-mailed both the londonconsular and the londonuscis offices, I know I should
have waited but am really annoyed that londonconsular NEVER reply to any of my e-mails (and I don't have a junk filter on my e-mail).

all in all a frustrating day for me?

best wishes to Mary and Tom and jpkeswim, god I hope you hear something soon. This is just damn cruel what they're doing!

Guys,

can I contact ANYONE in the US consular office to ask about where my waiver is, and I mean by phone?

I wish they were as good in replying to my mails as the London uscis office, who again replied to my mail 5 mins after it was sent today with:

Dear xx,

Thank you for your message. There is no record of this office receiving an
I-601 application in yout behalf. You should contact the US Consulate in
London
for further information/instructions.

Sincerely,

USCIS-London

clearly they don't have it yet, but surely it's been opened now by the guys downstairs!!!?

I just want to know what's happening, mmmmmm now where have I heard that before (seems that's what everyone wants here eh?)

maybe I should just take Nigel's advice and leave it a week or so.........

it's just so damn frustrating!

Tiff,

I've just re-read your post, must have skimmed over it the first time!

So they are letting you E-MAIL the same things they asked me to send (and wait 2-3 weeks to open), and are then gonna fast track you and put you on the system?

mmmmmm............. me feels like I'M getting a raw deal here?

to say I feel hard done by is an understatement

Paul it seems like I read somewhere that DHS London has a phone number but it's only for people residing in the UK..guess that might be why I never called them. I cant figure out what's going on in your case. I have never heard of anyone NOT receiving an email from them either nice or rude. Maybe you should try another email service and see if it works? Just a thought. Doesnt make any sense that no one over there is getting your messages but are many others. I hope you find out what is going on! Good luck!

Misty,

Thanks for that! No offence to Tiff, but am really p#ssed off that they get the royal treatment and I get the bloody wooden spoon!

what the hell is goin on there!

all I want is my rude e-mail from USCIS saying that they have my waiver and not to get in touch with them again!!

Paul, absolutely no offense taken! I know this whole thing is very frustrating and not being able to get any information must be maddening! All you're asking for is simple information, which they seem very unwilling to give.
I don't know why the guy let us email the information or why he called him in the first place instead of a letter. I also asked Cas if he was sending it "upstairs" after he received this stuff and he wasn't sure! I guess I heard and assumed what I wanted to on that one! So since I have the guy's email address, of course I'm emailing him to ask him that question! I guess it seemed logical to me that after he had all the information he would be sending it on.
Don't let it wind you up too much. I bet they've received it and sent it on already.
Good luck getting ahold of someone.
Tiff

I hope someone can track down my passports..get to call the bloody embassy again today! I am soooooo sick of WAITING and dealing with consulates and USCIS....grrrrrrr.......


Good luck in finding something out about your case Paul!!!

sorry to hear you're still waiting Misty, seems this thing is getting to us all!

I'm sorry but I've completely gave up trying to send a mail to the londonconsular@state.gov address. I did what you suggested and sent them a mail from another mail address that I have and even wrote very clearly in it "please reply to this mail" but as usual nothing!

so I guess I'm just gonna step back from this one........

I'll probably mail the uscis address again late next week maybe, at least they have the manners to reply!

I seriously have to occupy my time in other ways here


good luck everyone

I'm really sorry Paul..I am just stumped!

Our passports should be here tomorrow...then I can finally book a flight!

I hope the rest of you all hear something soon!!!!

Misty, maybe your luck will bring me luck for tomorrow too!

I'm a loser today all! NO PASSPORTS...I broke down and actually cried in the post office. I think the lady thought I should be committed.

Maybe Monday...*sighs*

I am sorry no one has any news today...*big hugs*

I am so scared... I just walked back from town and there is a letter here from the USCIS. Tom will be home from work soon... we will have to open it together but I think it's bad. I am pretty sure all the London approvals are by telephone.

mary

Oh, Mary, I'm seriously praying for you right now. I want it to be good news soooooo much.

Mary&Tom

I do hope its good news for you both, keeping my fingers crossed

siobhan

I'm wishing for the best outcome for you both here too!

Rob

Ditto that, I really hope you have some good news...

We're all anxious to hear, Mary. Fingers crossed for ya.

Sending positive thoughts your way.


Best wishes,
Baileyj

denied

Oh, God. Mary, I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry, my friend.

Oh Mary. This is not what any of us wanted to hear. I am so so sorry.

You may want ask MissLiss how she handled the denial of the I-601 in Ciudad Juarez. She got a lawyer, though. Apparently there's still something you can do, even if the waiver is denied, but I don't know how it works.

I'm gutted to hear that mary. My heart goes out to you both and I sure hope there is something you can to to rectify this.

pax is wise.

Unfortunately, MissLiss hasn't even filed the waiver. Her fiance was denied his visa at his first interview without being able to file the waiver. They told him he wasn't eligible to even file for a visa until 2008. They are doing an advisory opinion but it is to get the consulate to reconsider the visa decision, not the waiver decision. I know you can appeal the waiver decision but am not sure how to go about it. You may want to check out I2US. I know there are several people over there who's waivers have been denied. Someone there may be able to help you. Good luck and sorry about your bad news.

Oh, okay. Thanks, clm.

Well, www.immigrate2us.net is probably your next stop, Mary. I believe that's the website where Laurel Scott posts (yes?), and she's a very well-known immigration attorney. I believe she specializes in cases requiring waivers and such.

I think Mary has already been down that route and has spoken with Ms. Scott.

Oops. Okay.

Damn, I really want to be helpful.

I'm just really sad to hear this.

I know, Abby. That's the way I feel too.

Mary--I am very very sorry!

Can you post your hardship letter if you had one? Maybe we can help in some way. You might could file a MTR and then be able to submit more evidence which would undoubtedly help your case.

Nigel--help me here....is it a Motion to Reopen or Motion to Reconsider..or are they the same thing? In any event you can appeal this decision.

Mary&Tom - I am also very very sorry to hear that. I do believe you can file a motion to reopen your case though. You can file a appeal.

Misty - sorry to hear your passports still aren't there. Maybe they will be tomorrow!

Mary & Tom...Im Just....OMG...

Ok...Mary &TOM.....All is not lost....First go to IM2U Site and post your hardship letter...this way members there who been as the same as you will help you through this and help you out with your hardship letters cas they would want5 to see them....

Your options are.....re-submitt waiver but all thats going to do is ask the officer to reconcider with the same info...

second is....a Appeal with a M.T.R....This will be done as the same with new stuff on ya hardship and goes to W.D.C to board of appeals...

Or you if i was and if your pocket will let you is ..contact L.scott....she is good i hear and she will get you both through this as she has done for many in your situation....

please go to the site there is many members there who can help you and will help you...
You have more options here thats why they are there...its all to do with mind games here....please show them asswipes that you mean biz....

its not the end of the world...it might feel that way at the mo....but really its not..both of you get ya heads sorted and move to the next battle....maybe not now but soon....

Maybe at this stage is you go back and forth the USA while this MTR is done with....i know it sucks but some how you must get on with the battle here....Please Don't give up you once your MTR is Approved then the victory will feel even more sweater....

Mary&Tom.....its not over from a long shot....you do have options....just remember that...show it to them please...

If there is anything i can do then me and other members will do whatever we can im sure....whatever you want we are all fighting together with the same morals....

WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU BOTH....JUST REMEMBER THAT....

the hardship letter had nothing to do with it... the charge was unwaiverable all along but we were led to believe that they were willing to overlook that as the charge was bogus all along.

This all just sucks.

Did the attorney tell you what your options are in the event of a denial, Mary?

I've known Mary a while. I think she and Tom probably need a bit of time to wrap their heads around this. I'm sure our support is helpful - even essential - but Mary has done a lot of investigation into this situation that she has not posted on the boards.

Mary has posted here before that she and Tom really preferred to live in the US. But they also know they have other options. I'm not sure more fighting with the consulate is what they want at the moment.

This is terribly sad news to me as I know it's not what they both really wanted. But it may be that now, if they choose to live in the UK, we may need to help support them in that decision. Mary is a kind and gentle soul in love with a decent and good man. They may choose to 'lay down their arms' - so to speak - and deal the hand they have been dealt. If that is the case, I will try to help them come to terms with her move to the UK. As I have told her before, it is a magnificent country.

I'm here for you Mary. And so are all these other good people. Please take heart that all are with you.

^Absolutely. You have to do what you decide will be best in the long run, and I know we'll all be rooting for you no matter what decision you make.

I second everything rebeccajo just said.


If PaulC is around, the USCIS site has just started their online status check of 601s. Its only for those received from Feb 06 onwards.

It's available here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/uscis/ivwaiver.html


but as its public I'll paste the list (the date is when it was received)

March 2006

LND2005 638 008 - 3/2/2006 - London - Pending
LND2005 674 019 - 3/1/2006 - London - Pending
LND2004 752 002 - 3/1/2006 - London - Pending
LND2005 514 017 - 2/27/2006 - London - Pending
STK2003 364 003 - 2/13/2006 - Stockholm - Pending
STK2005 215 003 - 2/7/2006 - Stockholm - Pending
LND1991 151 001 - 2/1/2006 - London - Pending

I know she had said she preferred to live in the US, which is why I wondered what their options might be. But if they don't want to mess with the fight, can't say I blame them.

We'll stop asking questions, Mary, & just let it be.

Best of luck.