Tuyen got a blue slip . The CO wanted to know why we did not have an engagement party and why we got married on the first trip. I have to write letter explaining why. She has to go back in a week to give the letter to them. Once they get the letter it should be PINK.

Are engagement parties traditional for Vietnam? It seems kind of weird to hold up the visa for that. I guess I can kind of understand them being skeptic about marriage on the first visit so am praying you will be able to show enough proof that they will issue the visa. Good luck, Claudeth and I will be praying for your seccess.

I am sorry to hear that Kevin. I hope you can convince them with your letter. Good Luck!

yeah, those CO are getting ridiculous, where in the US do we have a "required" engagement party?

They are just looking for a "bonafide marriage".
Paid scammers that are trying to beat the system on low budgets will sometimes make a quick one time trip, get married and go home and petition.
"Normally" peeps that are for "real" will have some kind of a wedding reception for the relatives and friends.

I've been to VN 3 times in the last year. We would have had an engagement party but my family was only able to go to VN in May so we decided to have the wedding ceremony during that trip. We had the ceremony, but officially weren't married until my second trip in July 2006 when we got registered in "The Book".

They delayed it because of the timing issue, caused by financial and vacation reasons.

I have to write a letter explaining why we got married on the first trip. I am also having my parents write a letter to consulate telling them why.

It should be all cleared up after they get the letters of explaination.

Sorry to hear about the blue slip.

Are you sure that is the only thing the CO needs clarified? Or is that the only question they asked? Read the blue slip (yourself) thoroughly and give them plenty of evidence/documentation to address the stated reason for the blue. Answer/address everything on the blue slip.

Looking back at our blue slip (reading again as I type) there may be specific information required from the Petitioner and/or the Applicant. Be sure to answer everything!!!!

Don't be discouraged. It's just a bump along the way. There's pink in your future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or else, just wait 4 years and 11 months like wait4ever and they'll give you the Visa!

Ditto what Anh Map said.... Just a bump on the road.

Tuyen is more upset than I am. The vaccinations made her sick so that isn't helping either. I hoped for pink but expected blue. So it wasn't that big of a shock to me. I'm just trying to get Tuyen to stay positive about the situation and not let it get her down. Everything will work out as it should in the end. Pink is coming.

You should check carefully with Tuyen to know what the CO said. We never have any engagement or wedding ceremony but I can pass the interview. The wedding or engagement ceremony is not important, the time for your relationship developed is the most imporatant factor to prove your relationship.

Good luck.
Hien

Hi Kevin (if anyone else have comment, please feel free to input),

My name is Quang and my application submission to the consular is right behind you about a month. I think my wife will get the notification for the interview very soon. And probably the interview might be in Sept. I have been following your posts as well as timeline very closely. What you just described really concerns me.

My situation is very similar. Due to time limit, distance, cost in traveling, and my mom's availability, we decided to have the wedding right on my first trip. Not only that, my wife and I talked and found out about each other for only 8 months before the wedding. We started the relationship on around March last year and got married around November. There is one thing for sure is that we did talk a lot during that 8 month period. And we still do now. My phone records are around thousand minutes every month. We had been talking a lot and finding out about each other in many aspects especially thoughts, beliefs, way of living, even about how to raise our kids later ... before having the wedding decision. Also, our wedding had everything combined in term of "engagement and wedding". We had all different kinds of traditional ceremony (e.g. engagement at front of the relatives, wedding at the temple, wedding at home, a full and crowed reception...). We even plan to have the wedding here when she comes since all my relatives and friends are here.

It seems like we might get blue slip too. Do you know exactly what the CO asked or requested right at the interview? Did they go over all pictures, wedding stuffs, and proof of contacts (e.g. phones, chat...)? Also, can you tell me what is the exact request that is on the blue slip?

Thank you so much in advance. Praying going out to you and me

Honestly, I'm not always sure there's always alot of reasoning that goes behind giving blue slips. OP made three trips to VN and family went to wedding and they got blue; sheesh.... rediculous in my opinion.

The most important thing to for you to assure her that she did nothing wrong!!!! This process is so stressful and the weight is on our fiances' shoulders at that interview. Please, please, please make sure she knows that it is just a step in the process and to not be discouraged.

I agree. Three trips to vietnam is not easy to pull off for scammers. I'm guessing that the blue was planned in advance, and has nothing to do with bonafide relationship. They did it because they could.

She hasn't sent me the copy of the Blue slip yet. I've told her 4 times now to send a copy of the blue slip, so I can see exactly what they are requesting. I hope I'm not spinning my wheels. She procrastinates pretty bad.

She didn't do anything wrong. Unless HCM is asking for something total different than what she told me to send.

She said the interview wasn't that bad. They asked how we meet, when, my visits to VN, how many were at the wedding, when I proposed, was my family at the wedding, ect. Then they gave her the blue slip. I think they made up their mind before the interview.

It's sad to know that some of these Blue Slips may have been made prior to the interview. My question is how can they when they have not seen all of the evidences?? I was under the impression that we gather all of our supporting evidences and to have our fiancees bring them on the interview day. Or am I missing something here?? Are we suppose to send them all of the evidences anytime before the interview? Because I only send out the primary evidences as part of my package (no emails, no letters, no phone bills). I only submitted passport stamps, engagement pictures, airline ticket stubs of trips I've made with her to Nha Trang twice, and bank statements of transaction made while I was in Vietnam. I do have all the secondary evidences which I will bring back for my finacee when she has her interview. That's what I don't get about this entire process. Presuming that all of the evidences are to be brought on the interview day, how can they issue a Blue Slip without seeing the evidences??? Very frustrating and disturbing to hear in my opinion.

I got a copy of our Blue Paper.

1. Tuyen didn't have her Police Certificate in time. She procrastinated on getting it and waited until the 2 weeks before her interview. I told her 3-4 months ago to get it too. Then one of the officials at the office was fired so it delayed the Cert even longer.

2. HCM wants a detailed timeline of our relationship from me.

She had everything in order.

There were 2 questions that she could have done better.

1. They asked how long I and her brother have known each other(18 years). She thought they were asking about Tuyen and I (2 years).
2. They asked if I call her on the phone. When a simple Yes or No would have worked , she said "Not much, because its hard to understand on the phone."

I sent the timeline letter yesterday. She is going back to HCM this week to drop off the requested items. Fingers cross for PINK.

Can I ask you 2 questions? 1. what is Police Certificate and what is it call in vietnamese? 2. what's a timeline letter? Hope you guys get pink soon.

In all fairness, Kevin, do you think the blue slip was justified? I don't want people have the negative impression toward the CO, but be objective and openminded in their preparation of the interview. What some of you said "I don't understand, this should be a walk in the park, get throu it in your sleep type of deals etc." this is NOT at all the easiest deal I've ever seen in my life. That was then, when I thought I have to have this, I have to that to pass and missing the whole thing, the Big Picture.

Kevin saw it and he was calm throu the whole thing. As Kevin mentioned and I believe it is the major set back for his case: Police Certification of Lack of Criminal Record (Giay Chung Nhan Khong Co Tien An, Tien Su) is a BIG one! That's the only thing I find CO could not and would not give her a PINK slip. Think: no criminal record or background check, which is the big deal in the age of Terrorist-fear, you can't have a Visa to come to the USA. Pretty simple to me! Again, it's not their job to prove that you're deserved the Visa, it is yours!

Kevin, I think you are very understanding and you do see the big picture through out the journey. Expect nothing but PINK when you return on the board. Be well OK, get the PC to the CO asap!

Cuong, Timeline is a self describe letter of you and your fiance's history. Chronically listed the date, length of time, duration, frequency that you two were together or had spent together, or are being together. HOWEVER, the intention of this letter is an opportunity for you, in this case is KEVIN, to show the CO in writing that your relationship is an ON-GOING with strong intention to get married. Not just one-night-in-paradise type of marriage. The other question, I've mentioned above.

Good luck and look beyond this blue slip! I know some of you are scare and fear for your case. It happened before, blue slip happens! Think PINK.

Hi Cuong,

Police Cert = "Ly' Li.ch Tu+ Pha'p" do "So+? Tu+ Pha'p" chung va cap.

Hope that helps.

Thankyou all for helping me out. I'm kinda new at this and I have no idea what to do. I've sent in my I-130 form and got my NOA 1 already, still waiting on the second one. My case is kind of similar to Kevin and Tuyen's case. My wife and I have known each other for only 9 months before we got married. My di tu is her mo (Maternal uncle's wife, aunt) so there's no blood related or even related. We did not have an engagement party either because of timing and my parent availability. We got married on my first trip back there because my parent went with me back and it's very difficult for them and me to take the same days off of work. Anyways.....I didn't really prepare the paperwork for marriage in Vietnam on my first trip back because I didn't know how it work, I just brought back the Single Status paper and that's it. We couldn't get the marriage certificate so I went back to the U.S. and got all the paperwork done and went back there 5 months later to get our marriage certificate done and we also had a wedding ceremony in church and a small party at her house.

Yes I would have give a Blue.
1. No Police Cert.
2. Questionable timing
3. Contradict self in interview.

No its not a walk in the park. When I started this process in 2005 It was dealing with the VN Consulate in SF and the State of MN. Then I had to contend with the the Officials from Dong Nai. After that its DHS and NVC. Finally get to the US Consulate in HCM.
Easy? NO WAY!
Is it done after Tuyen get her visa? No!
Frustrated and stressed? Yes

When you love someone its worth it.

i'd curse the sh it out of her if she didnt have everything ready, glumpsy girl ur geting there

Thai, your sage advice was most helpful Lord have mercy on your SO

Thai,

I am speechless for your lack of support and compassion toward your fellow VJ and Vietnamese American brother. Please refrain from speaking in such negative language. Explain to me for once: How in the world you think by CURSING Kevin's fiance would bring her here in the US? Did you do that? Missing the point and lose focus are the sure way to get yourself more stressful and lost in this Journey. Remember, your journey is FAR from being over. Have you gotten married yet? BTW!

Read what Kevin says, he's determined more than ever to get the Visa. I commend him for it!

Love,

Chuck and Kim

Kevin has a lucky girl to have a guy like this, I'd say.
Good luck Kevin and Tuyen. I think you're right. Your letter should solve it. But... Do you have a token bit of evidence or written statement from others to send along too?

I sent my letter and timeline on Monday with UPS and it is being held up in HCM. Tuyen was supposed to go to HCM today.

Status: Exception
See description below
Shipped To: TP. BEIN HOA, VN
Shipped/Billed On: 08/20/2007
Service: EXPRESS
Package Progress
Location Date Local Time Description
HO CHI MINH CITY,
VN 08/23/2007 5:35 P.M. THE SHIPMENT IS BEING HELD BY BROKERAGE FOR REASONS BEYOND UPS' CONTROL
08/23/2007 4:29 P.M. IMPORT SCAN

Kevin,
I hope it gets there soon and you can convince the consulate your relationship is real. I had to send a similar letter to the consulate for our case. They wanted a timeline on how we met. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince them we are legit. My prayers are with you and Tuyen. Go for the Pink!
Dave

Since you couldn't convince the CO that your relationship is real, what is your next move? Hope you’ll find another way to convince them and get that pink slip. Best of luck to you and Thao, Kevin and Tuyen.

Cuong,
I don't know what I need to do to convince them. I included all our evidence(I mean every last bit of evidence) in our new petition. My package was 3 inches thick. I also got statements from co-workers, family and friends saying that we are legit and we want to marry and start a family. I plan on being there for the next interview, probably in April, with more evidence. It will be my third trip there. They may deny us again for the very same reasons or find something else to delay us. That is why I hope Kevin and Tuyen can convince them now and not go thru what I had to do.
Good luck to you and Kevin!

Hi! I'm also in the same situation as you are...my husband and I got married the first time he visited me but we have known each other for almost 7 years. Let us know if they gave a pink slip after the letter of explanation. Hope you get approved.

Tuyen brought in the requested papers on yesterday (8/28) they gave her another blue slip . They are sending it back to the USCIS to review. They think its a sham.
I wrote to my Congressman and Sentator this morning. I am going to meet with an immigration lawyer this afternoon.

Nice birthday present huh?

Now they are saying that communications between us isn't good. They couldn't have stated that in the first one? There was no request of additional evidence on the first Blue Slip, just a timeline and police record.

Kevin,

I'm afraid this is always how it is. Many people before you have gotten the wrong impression that because the consulate is requesting specific information back after an interview, this means that once you give that information your visa will be granted. This is rarely the case and only true if it is something blatant such as a missing passport or birth certificate.

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. Hang in there.

Sorry To hear that Kevin. It is very important to try to keep the case at HCMC before they ship it back to the states. Once it is sent back, you will most likely have to start over. I'm not an expert at this but a senator,congressman or an attorney may be able to request the case remain at the consulate for further review. There's an Americian attorney working in HCMC that could possibly help you with this.
Once again I am very sorry.

Kevin and Tuyen,

The only well-known with proven track-records I've heard is M.E. in HCM City. Need to contact him ASAP before they send your case back to the US. There is NOT even one lawyer I've known here in the US can stop this 'return to USCIS' action but M.E.

Good luck and please by all mean contact M.E.

Hi,

What does M.E. stand for? Have anyone use or try that before? Where can you find more information about it?

Thanks

I got a hold of M.E., if I had all the addtional evidences right now , maybe it could be stopped from being sent back. By the time I get everything together it will be too late.

The Attorney I spoke with yesterday said the easiest thing now is wait for the Intent to Deny and submitt addtional evidences. More picture, affidavits from family and friends, reciepts from language classes, ect. Of course anything after the interview date would not be looked at.

She said that they are really scrutinizing fiance/marriage visas like never before and were even looking back at cases already approved.

So I will gather more evidence and wait.

Hi Kevin,
Our case was denied Oct 26,2006 and it was sent back December 6, 2006. It finally was received at CSC 2-6-07. In May 2007, they told me my case was expired and they won't adjucate expired visas.
My case was a little different because the petition was originally approved at NSC.
Here are some emails from CSC after our case was returned. Things could have changed between then and now. I only wish I could have kept the case at HCMC and fought it there with M.E. 's help.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the above listed 129f F petition. Said petition was returned to the California Service Center (CSC) by the State Department's [consulate/NVC] for review and was received in the CSC on or about 2/6/2007. All returned petitions are reviewed in the order in which they are received, and due to the high volume of petitions returned to our center daily and the various complexities involved in returned petitions, we may make no predictions as to the amount of time necessary to complete our review nor may we release the reasons for return to our center until the review is completed.

Once adjudicative review is completed, a CSC officer will notify the petitioner of his findings and what actions are available to the petitioner in response. If the petitioner has not received any notice from our center within eight to ten months of this notice, please do not hesitate to contact our office for additional information
Officer: Rani Hingorani
CSC USCIS WS 22547
Congressional Unit Div XII

In May 2007 I asked where my case was and they sent me this:

We do have the case here at our office, although I'm not sure why we have it since the Nebraska Service Center adjudicated the I-129F Petition. We really should not review a Consulate return from a decision issued by another office. We really should send this back to the Nebraska Service Center.

Additionally, at this time, due to our limited resources, our office is not sending the Petitioner any further notification from an Embassy or Consulate return on I-129F Petitions since the validity period has already expired (4 months), and we will not revalidate the petition. There would be no further action for the USCIS to take since we would not be revoking an approval that already expired. For the most part, concerning I-129F Petitions, the Embassy or Consulate returns the case to the USCIS as cancelled since the visa was not issued during the authorized period. The Petitioner may file a new I-129F Petition.

Rebecca M. Cruz, CAO
CSC Congressional Unit

Thanks for the info Dave. Mine actually did go through CSC.
What a bunch of BS. They hang on to it until it expires, then extort more money out of you.

Kevin and Tuyen,

If I were you, I would seek the asistance of M.E. and do anything I could to stall the case from being sent back. Why are you slacking now? You need to pick up your speed on this one. Waiting for the arrival of the ITD letter is way too late in the game already. Usually when they send you the ITD letter, they also give you 30 days to appeal and sometimes, they will close the case even before the 30-day period expire. I personally do not think the advice your attorney gave you is the best one. It took you that long to get your case from the US to Saigon and now back to square one again. If you hang around this forum long enough, you will definitely see the rate of success from people who seek ME's assistance while cases are STILL in Saigon is much higher and LESS time then the ones who let their cases sent back to the US. Once your case is back here, it will be at least 1 year before you can see anything. Good luck to you and yours

OK I'm going to try to contact M.E. From what everyone here says, I hope he can help us.

WHAT?
You haven't done that yet? I feel like we have been giving you a fairly sound advice for the past few days inlight of your out-come! Please, do yourself a favor and contact M.E.

M.E. is not the God who can do everything the clients want, but at least he is the best one (according to my opinion) who can help you now.

Hien

Agree with David-Hien!
Two things I learn in life: There is a GOD, and I am not HIM!

M.E. is no exception here... but he is a better choice between sitting here in the US and cry out on VJ vs. reach out for assitance!

how much does M.E. usually charged for this kind of stuff?

Our case, He charge us from 2005 to 2007 total was $2000.

easy case = 1000 to 1500. You should call or email to him , he will let you know...