MENA, I need you help, as you know we interviewed in Paris, we were told, we are not denied, or approved, but we walked out empty handed, no slip of any kind, no slip of AP or AR , nothing, if someone is in AP or AR, are they given a slip of any kind?

My husband has deceided to stay in France for a while. Also please tell me your thoughts of my signature, they know his french card expires Friday, why did they say, If visa is issued he can pick up in France or Algeria.
Since he interviewed while card was active, would they still give him a visa in FRANCE? since he card will expire soon?
Its confusing.

It’s exactly what they said “If visa is issued he can pick up in France or Algeria”.
What’s confusing about it?

I do not see how U.S. embassy can issue him a visa if his Titre De Sejour/French residency card expires and he stays in France illegally!!!
He did interview while card was active, but expiring Nov. 6th, 2009

Wowzers!! Your husband is going to stay in France illegally?? Yikes.
I rather stay out of this one.

Beth, hon please take it easy!!!! You're reading "things" into "things"! Ohhh sweetie, I know you
are just beside yourself and you really need to try and breathe slowly.

It looks like they will give him his paper back that he needs, and I do think you are in AP. It
just takes time and you have to give them ALL the time they need to make decisions.

You didn't receive a denial which is good!!! Take it easy luv.....just give it time.

If he stays in France, he will have to renew his papers and wait and see what the embassy does
and where they will want to issue the visa.

Exactly right. He must renew his French papers asap --- thinking of you here

How can he leave when he doesn't even have his beepen passport?!?!?
I'm so sorry Beth I don't know what to say. All I can add is that when my hubby left France they didn't ask for his residence card or anything so...

He is going to embassy Friday between 9 and 11 is the only time embassy said he can pick it up.
For extending his card, its too late now.
He will leave France, not right now, Im still waiting for clarification from USCIS Washington, DC on a few matters.
I do know of one couple, whose husband was in France illegally, was told visa will be issued, but he had to go to Algeria to get it. SO.......................... will post more as news comes in.

o.k beth, seems like everything is falling in line now. if he won't need passport to go back to Algeria then let him go and leave the passport at USEM in France and If he the VISA is issued then he will pick up in Algeria where he would be legal. If he stayed back in France I don't think anyone knows that his stay is expired now except it is illegal and may create problem if found out. As an immigrant from the third world, going back is often a tough choice, if he leaves and the VISA is not issued that will not be pretty if he has nothing to fall back on at home, if he stayed till the end maybe he will find another way to reknew his stay in france and be legal.

If they are still looking for any bigamy on you that may make him inelligible so it may be a combination of checking on you and doubting him, and if they found nothing which they won't then their guts feelings has no proof and they will approve maybe next week since not this week. Keep calling your senator and DOS, you may get an answer

I do know one thing, it is not my past problem holding us up, that was confirmed to me a few minutes ago.

Other members who's SO were present in EU countries illegally have gotten their visas. I believe the stance was that the US does not meddle nor care about the status in other countries.


here is one member in a semi-similar situation : here

Well then, good for you - he's probably in AP - with a name like Mohammed _________ (whatever his last name is) he'll have to go through all those fantastic name checks. That's great!

Thank you for the info, but I dont think the beneficiary in that case was in Spain illegally, he just did not have perament residency there. We just have to take it day by day, and Im having the file transfered to Algiers on Monday, I need a few days to write things out, then I think better that way.
I do know, if visa is issued, he will have to go to Algeria to pick it up, he must be in a country legally such as his home country Algeria. It will all come together however the good Lord sees.

This is what I was thinking.



Beth, they said "if", they always have to say "if" when they are still in the determining stage. Which is where they are with it.
Since you went through AP at NVC, I think this is not so much a general name check(AP) as much as a digging expedition. Like a true investigation of the validity of the docs and such pertaining to the divorce/marriage lapse issue. Which you know is going to be unfounded I just wish they had done this at NVC. Some people were dug into deeper there than others, it would have been easier to deal with since you were already delayed there anyway.

Was this the answer to the "procedure" question?

There's the positive attitude!

According to the OP he was:

Oh, okay, thank you, that does help with more light on this dark mess. THANK YOU!!!! I think I need to PM this lady.

It seems like overstaying his French visa would further complicate things. I could be wrong, but if they're already suspecting something is up (even if it's not), I would imagine they wouldn't think highly of him being illegal in France.

If he is planning on staying - read through chris' topics to get information from her experiences. Seemed it wasn't a problem at all in the end.

O.k, then he will not have to leave France. Whatever it is that they have to figure out will be fine eventually. I think you should exercise some patience before transfering his case to Algeria. Transferring is not going to be that fast and heaven knows they may have to look into the case from the beginning again considering this delay. If I were in your shoes right now, knowing all this facts I will not transfer the case, I will leave it their and let them figure it out. You can call France US embassy and confirm if they would issue the visa in his passport even though his france visa is expired. If they said yes, I see no reason for you to transfer and cause further delay plus his trip to Algeria only to get their and wait in limbo again. Just my thoughts. What did attorneys think of that?

Beth? would you be able to tell us WHAT is holding you up then? I never for a second thought it was 'bigamy' on your part but for information/education's sake -- can you tell us what the hold up is?

It seems to be all on him, I presumme AP.Even though our K3 was in AP for 37 days, the embassy called him about a week before our CR1 interview and said, K3 cancelled, your interviewing for the CR1 and which we did.

this is a good point now that you are sure it is not you holding the two of you up. I withdrew my suggestion to halt transfer to Algeria. Some people may be lucky but it is always a battle to get US VISA from abroad if you are not a legal resident of that country. You are strong Beth and the lord never give us more than we can bear. I don't know what they think it is but it is not unusual for them to suspect anythings even when they do not exist. I feel your pain and I am very hopeful for you


[/quote]

It seems like overstaying his French visa would further complicate things. I could be wrong, but if they're already suspecting something is up (even if it's not), I would imagine they wouldn't think highly of him being illegal in France.
[/quote]

can you back that up with anecdotal evidence?

probably not on this website since i do not read most postings. I am a naturalized citizen in the US and I have relatives who have filled for their significant others in countries such as UK and even Cote'de' voire they simply told them to return to their country to process the VISA.

Depends who "they" are and what each individual scenario surrounding the situations are. Chris, in the topics I linked to stated "they" (USCIS - who is just a call center with flip cards with one size fits all answers) told her the SO must be legally in the country where processed. Later she was told he just needs a valid address, several others found the latter to be true as well. They all processed fine.

I do not know the possible repercussions - perhaps a ban due to overstay in France or something similar (I have no idea), but the effect on US immigration seems to be negligible - again based only on the postings of a few others in this unique situation.

"they" here implied the embassy. I forgot to mention that I know of at least one person who got his VISA from U.K while some were simply told to go back to lagos for their processing though they were legally in that country (U.K). But you are right by saying every case is different, and that may be the reason why they were sent to lagos embassy.

I pray Beth here will get her VISA from France and need not go to Algeria.

I justed talked with her through PM, helped me a lot, but also, Im waiting on confirmation from Washington, DC and the embassy on this matter of issueing in there illegally, Also reminded them he interviewed while there legally.
Thank you all for your assistance.

BETH!!!! I don't know if this will help or not but my husband said that even if your french card expires, you have 6 months to leave the country! <- according to French government I presume.

I would certainly work on obtaining evidence that proves that the consulate has his passport just in case in comes to bite him later with the French officials.

The fact that this has nothing to do with your past is actually a very good thing. I suspected that they could not do anything about that since it was approved by the USCIS. But I am sure they checked into it. And now it appears to be normal AP. I can see your concern. If it wasn't for the issue with his French visa I am sure you would have taken a huge sigh of relief when they said it wasn't your past. You have a unique situation, but it really is looking brighter every day. I can't imagine that an overstay in France would be of a concern to the US consulate, but it would be for the French. That is why I suggest you gather evidence that proves you can't get your passport.

Well MENA, looks like its all truly over. Last words between us, not very nice at all. Im tired, been on tis journey hard pressed from day one, and its finally hit me, exhaustion, depression, bitterness, and anger. And still wondering , where did I go wrong? I may never know. Will keep in touch, and pop in from time to time, now time for heart to begin healing.

Beth, now more than ever you need VJ and your MENA frendzzzz (and me, the FAB Messikan). Isolation is not a good companion in hard times.

Beth

You have been working ,so hard on this..
Sorry it is not going well
if you need help you have my mail.
Relax, get away from this for some time.

I'd say staying away from VJ for awhile may do a world of good right now. Not being negative or mean in any way. Just saying that all the stories (good and bad) and drama and comparing your life to everyone else is not helpful to you in your current state of mind. I doubt your marriage is over, you're experiencing stress right now. Lots of stress. Stress like that can cause ppl to say and do things they normally wouldn't do. Keep in mind that you are not the first nor the last case that AP/AR has been granted without a paper or explanation given. My husband and I were in it for 4 months without any inkling of when and if it was going to end. Don't think that just because you weren't granted a visa johnny on the spot that it's all over. Unless, someone at the consulate told you otherwise. Did anyone say you have been denied? Don't freak out and destroy your marriage over this. Maybe take a break and spend some time with some gfs and really think about what is important. Is it more important for him to get his visa ASAP or is it more important for you to be together eventually?

Len, when he told me to F*** off you *** B**ch, I would say its over.

In what context was he telling you to f-off? What was said beforehand? I'm not being nosey but I'm curious as to what happened. Ppl don't just say f-off you b!tch unless something happened. I'm sorry but I fail to believe a man would destroy his marriage over something like immigration. Not saying what he said was cool but I've said some real uncool stuff to my husband over the years and we're still hanging in there.

Beth
Maybe better now than later.

He blames me for all of this, he blames everything on others, and just wont listen to reason anymore.
Thinks Im hiding something, and thinks that why we are in limbo, AP or AR.
Yelled at me un-mercifully this am on phone, yelling at me cause HE wont go get his passport when embassy said he can come and get it any time. Ive just had enough, Im tired, for a very long time now, this is all Ive done, and worked 10 hours a day Mon thru Fri. take care of a large house, yard, my dogs, Ive lived and breathed him and this process, and now Im just tired. Im tired of being a good girl and dutiful wife, and getting ripped apart over the little things.

Goodness! I will not excuse him saying that. I will however, say this: you both are under a sh1t load of pressure. And when people are stressed; they go fvcking crazy and say stupid sh1t.

I hope it can all be solved for the best sister Beth

beth, words cannot express how sad i am to read this. you have worked soooooooo hard, and relentlessly on your case, and have been a great advisor to others. i wish you the best in life. if you need to talk, you know where to find me

Does he think the "bigamy" stuff is the cause of all this? How soon into the relationship did you inform him of this "situation"? I realize that this happened when you were young, etc. but does he think you're at fault because of it? Is he upset about the prospect of having to return to Algeria? Were you being nasty with him and he turned the tables on you? I don't say this to be hard on you but I know personally I've been nasty to the mister and he's gone a bit overboard on me.

I know you're stressed. I know immigration is a b!tch to deal with. LDRs suck azz. Just give it a little time. Maybe take a few days off from each other and see what happens. If he truly loves you he will apologize and get back in the waiting game with you and stop blaming. If not and he keeps this blaming shitt up and he's focused only on immigration then good riddance to him. Then you'll know what he's really after...you or the visa.

Im tired, I plan to do nothing this weekend , stay home, sleep , watch DVD's and relax. He is not accepting my calls, or answering emails, what else can I do? , nothing, spend more money in international calls? no, Im tapped out with all of this.
I admit my husband is stubburn and sometimes too hard on me, but I accepted it, but I dont deserve to be treated like public emeny #1` and dis-respected.
I

I was wondering the same thing. He knew way before the interview that the bigamy incident might come up during the visa process right?

Beth, I haven't commented before, but I'll just agree with what everyone else has said here. Take that break this weekend, pamper yourself, make a cheesecake, watch some movies, go out with the girls, relax and take a break from the visa process.

Tell your husband to do the same, via email if you have to. He's a big boy, you've told him how to get his passport back and he can take care of himself.

Then come back in a week, when you're both refreshed reasses. Stress can make people do shitty things that they normally wouldn't do. Or, he could just be mean and nasty, and it's better for you to find out before he gets here. In either case, don't take the step of ending things so quickly.

Only he can tell you why. Stop trying to call, stop e-mailing, it's making you look desperate. It's making him know he's winning the "game". Take time and relax but don't be alone 100% of the time. Have a gf come over and have some wine or a cocktail or two. Get your mind off of him and this process awhile.

The unknowing right now is the hardest part for both parties. You're both trying to figure it out. I am sorry to hear he turned on you like that today. It sounds like he is feeling a loss and is in denial right now. I don't know if you've read about this in threads before but people from that region have this blame it on others and not take responsibility for themselves mindset from time to time. I've seen it over and over. It's never fun when they do it on you and especially when you don't deserve it. The truth is neither of you are to blame for the Embassy's actions and he can't really put it on you because they never said the reason why for the delay. The Embassy's prerogative is theirs and you both may direct all your flying arrows at it. My Husband tried it a couple of times with me but each time I never let him put it on me unless it was really me and we discussed this mena mindset and where it's going to get him. He soon realizes the truth afterwards and doesn't cling to that idea it's somebody else's fault like the person closest to him. He's never used profanity towards me either even when he's really upset. His way of dealing with it is to disappear and clam up for two weeks instead. I don't prefer either situation, the profanity you experienced from your Husband, or the clamming up I usually get from my Husband.

Beth, I feel for you girl. Just remember it's always easy to hurt the one who is closest to you. I know that doesn't help the situation. Just take this weekend to work on Beth. He'll get back in touch with you. Sometimes you just have to isolate yourself to see inside. ((((((((Beth)))))))))

He has clammed up with me several times, not taking my phone calls, and he is so good of not letting me talk, I talk, and he talks louder and louder. But he truly thinks this hold up is my fault, that I did not tell him something, or Im hiding something.
then he threw at me, "You said we wouldnt not be in AP since our K3 was" so trying to explain to him that was the K3 and not the CR1 was useless, he got more irrate with me.
Im tired Olivia, so darn tired.
I begged him to try hard to extend his residency card, and he did not, MY FAULT.
He has not worked steadly in over 2 years, and I've helped him financially, Ive done all I could to make sure he was safe, feed, clothed , and a few dollars in his pocket, no matter how hard I would try and try, I felt like it was never enough.
But yet I love him still with all my heart, Im tired of the games with the heart, I just want a bit of peace in my heart and mind. Im 44 years old, Im too old for this Sh!t!!! I just want a normal life, and to have someone love and take care of me as I take care of them.

Beth, this doesn't sound good at all. He should not be bitching about the visa and throwing it in your face like that. He should understand that your hands are just as tied as his. From what you say he's way too into the visa. I don't know him so I could be wrong but I don't think I am. I have my own opinion about financially supporting an adult but I'll save that. I will say that you chose to send him the money and treat him like a child instead of a husband, why does it surprise you that he's now behaving like a child?

I agree with whoever said Stop calling him and trying to get in touch with him! He's throwing a fit and you're calling back for more. STOP, focus on something else - make plans to do fun things this weekend and turn your phone off. Take a break. Stress can have people doing things they wouldn't normally do. This may not be a popular stance, and it may not be the right time to discuss, so I apologize in advance if this rubs you the wrong way, but I think it's all in the perspective you take. You guys have taken the perspective that the visa this moment; this month; this year was the be all and end all. You have a husband in Paris who, from your previous posts, you describe as the lid to your pot. A more helpful perspective, imho, is that you're blessed to have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with; lots of people don't experience that. Everything else will fall into place when it's meant to. If you guys relax, take a breath, and focus on the positive, you'll be happier. If you're able to adopt that perspective you won't have the same level of stress, and won't be snappy and mean to each other.

I hope you do something fun, mindless, and free spirited this weekend. HAVE FUN!!! BE HAPPY!