Headed to Juarez soon. Survival tips? Multiple questions about going to Juarez for K3 Visa

[Montalvarez 0]

Hi,

I'm an American citizen, my wife is Mexican. We were married in Mexico in July 2009. We applied for a K3 visa, and have had both our I-130 and I-129F's approved. The case has now passed to the NVC, I have paid the fees and I am waiting for them to send me the next step. As many of you know, this requires a lot of patience.

So, my first question is, because they approved both petitions, is the visa we are pursuing now a permanent visa instead of a K3 visa?

My other question is, since I am headed to Juarez soon, I have never been there before, my travels in Mexico have always been in more peaceful parts. What is the safest way for me to get there? Can I fly to El Paso then walk across the border, get a taxi, and ride straight to the hotel? How dangerous will it be for us? Should I head there with extra caution since I am super guero gringo? I really just want to be in the hotel, get to the consolate, do all of the business, and get out of there. The news about the violence that goes on there is somewhat terrifying.

I am also wondering, when my wife goes for her interview, will I also be able to be there with her? I feel like I read somewhere that she has to do it alone.

If anyone has been down this path before, please reach out to me because I am having a lot of anxiety about all of this, I'm very stressed, tell me it will be alright or what to watch out for.

Thank you!

[pushbrk 13,625]

Hi,

I'm an American citizen, my wife is Mexican. We were married in Mexico in July 2009. We applied for a K3 visa, and have had both our I-130 and I-129F's approved. The case has now passed to the NVC, I have paid the fees and I am waiting for them to send me the next step. As many of you know, this requires a lot of patience.

So, my first question is, because they approved both petitions, is the visa we are pursuing now a permanent visa instead of a K3 visa?

My other question is, since I am headed to Juarez soon, I have never been there before, my travels in Mexico have always been in more peaceful parts. What is the safest way for me to get there? Can I fly to El Paso then walk across the border, get a taxi, and ride straight to the hotel? How dangerous will it be for us? Should I head there with extra caution since I am super guero gringo? I really just want to be in the hotel, get to the consolate, do all of the business, and get out of there. The news about the violence that goes on there is somewhat terrifying.

I am also wondering, when my wife goes for her interview, will I also be able to be there with her? I feel like I read somewhere that she has to do it alone.

If anyone has been down this path before, please reach out to me because I am having a lot of anxiety about all of this, I'm very stressed, tell me it will be alright or what to watch out for.

Thank you!

Since you paid fees to NVC, your wife will be interviewing for the CR1 visa which will result in a two-year green card issued and mailed after her US arrival.

[TBoneTX 47,544]

Can I fly to El Paso then walk across the border, get a taxi, and ride straight to the hotel?

Si, man.

How dangerous will it be for us?

Perhaps a lot less dangerous than the "if it bleeds, it leads" media would have you believe.

Should I head there with extra caution since I am super guero gringo?

Normal caution. Our CBP has recommended staying within the main tourist & business districts during daylight hours, keeping a healthy awareness of what's going on around you, avoiding doing anything irresponsible, and similar common-sense behaviors.

I really just want to be in the hotel, get to the consolate, do all of the business, and get out of there.

Exactly, si man.

The news about the violence that goes on there is somewhat terrifying.

A couple of years ago, I had a long chat with a bilingual businessman in Nuevo Laredo. He said, "YES, there are drugs here, but there are drugs in every American city of similar size. YES, there are murders here, but they are 10 miles that way & that way & that way" -- and he pointed toward the deep interior of Nvo. Laredo. "The police take CARE of the tourist district. They circle the block every 10 minutes. Look for yourself." (I did, & it was true.) Finally, "Why are your American media telling inaccurate stories, making it sound as though every inch of our city is experiencing bullets every minute? THAT is what is killing us [businessmen] here." Heartbreaking.

I am having a lot of anxiety about all of this, I'm very stressed, tell me it will be alright or what to watch out for.

No one can guarantee anything (positive or negative). Just maintain perspective, with some of the above thoughts in mind, si man.