USC Hubby abandoned us (again) - CR-1 Visa and CRBA Approved

[VanessaTony 3,567]

This is from the department of state. at the embassy in Bogota website

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/cons...vapptfeb010.pdf

it is located right at the end on the second page of this document. this info from the www.usembassy.gov website.

"Immigrant visas are valid for six months and are good for one entry into the United States."

The visa ITSELF is a single entry BUT on entry they are given a GC stamp because it's an AUTOMATIC GREEN CARD so it's not the visa they're re-entering on, it's the GC stamp (or GC card). Again, the VISA is a SINGLE ENTRY but because it's an automatic GC it's the GC or GC stamp that is being used for the "multiple entries".

I would personally remain in the US until you get the physical card to make life easier (or in case he makes it "lost"). Prepare an AR-11 which is the change of address form ASAP so when you arrive you can change the address.

I don't know about changing the mailing address at POE, but perhaps if you have the AR-11 ready at POE they'll accept that when they send the document off to be processed when you enter

Good luck.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Nik+Heather 121]

I don't know about changing the mailing address at POE, but perhaps if you have the AR-11 ready at POE they'll accept that when they send the document off to be processed when you enter

Good luck.

I wanted to say this as well. Just see if you can get your address changed at POE...

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Stupid question maybe -- but why travel all the way to the U.S. with no promise of a job and with your marriage effectively over? I guess, I don't really see what's in it for you. It's one thing if there was some hope of reconciliation with your husband--who btw, sounds like a real piece of work--but from your post, it doesn't seem like that's happening anytime soon.

Because her chances of being able to move on properly are much better here in the US. Unfortunately there is so much negative stereotype about single moms (regardless of if the baby was result of marriage or not) and potential to make sufficient income to provide well for the child on her own would be 2 reasons I can think of.

The kid is a US Citizen, sounds like Daddy doesn't care about it at all. Try to enforce Child Support order in the US from the Philippines (or even get one for that matter). Her and the child will be better off here, meaning no disrespect to the Philippines...

Finally, knowing what I do of Pinay wives (well the good ones anyway) I would bet there is a corner of her heart that would try to fix the marriage given half a chance and she could be hoping that her arrival in the US would be that half of a chance.

[sjr09 155]

Stupid question maybe -- but why travel all the way to the U.S. with no promise of a job and with your marriage effectively over? I guess, I don't really see what's in it for you. It's one thing if there was some hope of reconciliation with your husband--who btw, sounds like a real piece of work--but from your post, it doesn't seem like that's happening anytime soon.

Family/relatives/job in the U.S.? Who knows

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I'm sorry but I need to ask, if your husband said he didn't want to go through with it, PRIOR to the interview... how did you get approved? Did you go and lie to them that you were still happily together? Did they not ask how things were?... I'm a LITTLE concerned that he can simply call them and prove that you were "separated" prior to your interview and that you have committed visa fraud and get into deep trouble.

Have you spoken to a lawyer about it? I really think you should just to be sure that you won't get into trouble. I'm not sure you will... but knowing that you must have lied in the interview to ever GET the visa... make sure you cover your butt because it can come back to haunt you years later.. even after naturalisation.

If all is good... I'm sorry he put you through so much #######. Some guys truly suck. Remember that you are entitled to child support if you want it, and he still needs to support you because of the I-864 (chasing those things could expose your lie at the interview so make sure you speak with a lawyer first to make sure it's not a problem).

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

knowing that you must have lied in the interview to ever GET the visa...

Soooo..... How many CR-1 Visa interviews have you participated in at the US Embassy in Manila?

Honestly you should be just a little more tactful is you're going to accuse someone of lying.

FWIW, I've never heard of the interviewer in Manila asking the spouse how the marriage is doing.

Honestly I doubt she's committed fraud. Sounds like she entered the marriage in good faith and might not have given up on it just yet.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Soooo..... How many CR-1 Visa interviews have you participated in at the US Embassy in Manila?

Honestly you should be just a little more tactful is you're going to accuse someone of lying.

FWIW, I've never heard of the interviewer in Manila asking the spouse how the marriage is doing.

Honestly I doubt she's committed fraud. Sounds like she entered the marriage in good faith and might not have given up on it just yet.

Actually that WAS tactful. I addressed the possibility of it being a lie in the first paragraph, thus negating the need for being "delicate" further in the post as it gets tiresome to write "no meaning to be rude but..." to try and get the question across properly.

Also, I was responding directly to the OP, specifically points 6 through 9. She knew 2 months before the interview (roughly) that he wanted out and that he'd fathered a child with another woman... doesn't exactly sound like things were rosy, which is why I asked.

"6. In October 2009, the petition was approved in NVC and a date was set for the interview (Dec 2, 2009). When I told him about it, he told me that he does not want to be in the marriage anymore.

7. I learned 2 weeks later that he is in a relationship with another woman (not the one he got pregnant in March).

8. In November 2009, I applied for our daughter's CRBA and US Passport, and got both in the mail in Jan 2010.

9. My CR-1 Visa was approved also in Jan 2010 expiring on May 2010."

OP, as stated, I'm not trying to be rude because I honestly don't KNOW what you were asked which is why I would speak with a lawyer to see if anything you may have said could be construed as you having lied which could get you into trouble. I'm not saying you DID lie, I said "in case you lied".

Best of luck.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Scott and Mhay 57]

If you do come to the US make sure you update the address you want your GC sent to at the POE....dont let it get sent to your (ex)husband's address if he still has the same one. Hopefully you have someone to be able to send it to so you can receive it at least from your second trip when you come back as it may take more than a month to receive it. Sorry to hear about your problems...hopefully you can move on from this.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Actually that WAS tactful.

...

OP, as stated, I'm not trying to be rude because I honestly don't KNOW what you were asked which is why I would speak with a lawyer to see if anything you may have said could be construed as you having lied which could get you into trouble. I'm not saying you DID lie, I said "in case you lied".

So you didn't say this?

knowing that you must have lied in the interview to ever GET the visa...

How does "knowing that you must have lied" equate to being tactful and not accusing her of lying?

Being a single parent is hard enough (I speak from 10 years experience as a single father), I can't imagine having to do it in the Philippines...

If her estranged husband didn't want her to get the Visa he could have withdrew his Petition or Affidavit of Support prior to her interview. For whatever reason he didn't. Technically she meets the requirements for a Spouse Visa.

If she was simply looking to cheat the system and get here before the gig is up then she would have got on the plane already but she is taking the time to fulfill her existing obligations in the Philippines

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So you didn't say this?

How does "knowing that you must have lied" equate to being tactful and not accusing her of lying?

Yes actually I did, but there's this lovely thing called "context". Here's my ORIGINAL post:

I'm sorry but I need to ask, if your husband said he didn't want to go through with it, PRIOR to the interview... how did you get approved? Did you go and lie to them that you were still happily together? Did they not ask how things were?... I'm a LITTLE concerned that he can simply call them and prove that you were "separated" prior to your interview and that you have committed visa fraud and get into deep trouble.

Have you spoken to a lawyer about it? I really think you should just to be sure that you won't get into trouble. I'm not sure you will... but knowing that you must have lied in the interview to ever GET the visa... make sure you cover your butt because it can come back to haunt you years later.. even after naturalisation.

If all is good... I'm sorry he put you through so much #######. Some guys truly suck. Remember that you are entitled to child support if you want it, and he still needs to support you because of the I-864 (chasing those things could expose your lie at the interview so make sure you speak with a lawyer first to make sure it's not a problem).

Anyone can read a sentence out of context but together it's obvious I wasn't implying she lied, I was asking if she did and then gave advice based on the affirmative (2nd paragraph), and also on the negative (3rd paragraph).

Following on from the original question of "did you go and lie" and my obvious confusion (which is implied with the ellipsis following "did they not ask how things were"), again, it's obvious I wasn't accusing her. I then ALSO stated my concern that she would get into trouble and that she should seek the assistance of a lawyer to ensure nothing she said could be used against her, especially if she tries to enforce the I-864 or child support which is the ultimate basis for my post to ensure that she "cover her butt" because "some guys truly suck".

Edited February 19, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[pushbrk 13,393]

CR1 and IR1 are single entry visas, not multiple entry but it's a technicality, since they visa holders become permanent residents upon entry. LPR status negates the need for a visa.

There's no such thing as a CR1 petition. It's a visa category and an immigrant status. The same petition is used for CR1 and IR1 as well as many other family visa categories.

[Boiler 46,885]

He made a major tactical mistake not pulling the Affidavit and will soon no doubt find out how costly it was.

To the OP your plan sounds fine, quite common for new Immigrants to make the initial trip and then go back to tidy up affairs. Get the AR11 in, I think you can also update your address on arrival. Make sure that they do update their records.

[STEPHnRIA 2]

another question is... how did the CRBA get approved? You have to prove that the USC parent and non USC parent were together when the child was conceived. Evidence could be passport stamps of the USC. Sometimes they ask for DNA test. Also, there are requirements from the USC parent which are birth certificate or US passport and signature. Seems to me that the USC did not really want to "leave" the baby or he was simply too busy with his new girl that he didnt have time to worry about petitions, affidavit of support etc.

[Jay & Beverly 0]

I feel very sorry for the rollercoaster that your USC husband has put you through. I don't agree with his behavior at all. And while I am very truly sympathetic to your story, I am also left wondering about your motive of planning on coming to the US regardless. In asking this, I'm not trying to be disrespectful to you. I'm aware of the painful negative stereo-type of a single mom in the Pinay culture. I believe the purest intent of CR-1 visa is to unite husband and wife within the US and you've made it clear that this is not the going to be the case. And while I'm only a casual observer to this forum it sounds suspect and in my opinion would appear to be fraudulent for you to enter the US on a CR-1 since you're not intending to use it to unite with your spouse. I'm saddened for you, your child, and your situation, but I'm also saddened that you may end up with a greencard as a result of this situation.

[payxibka 10,048]

Look on the visa... does it say CR-1 or IR-1... if it says CR-1 then go back to the consulate and get it changed