No Decision Issued after K-1 Interview in Juarez

[monyfer 27]

My fiance had his interview yesterday at Ciudad Juarez. He said it went fine, although the officer asked him a lot of questions, more than the usual few we had read about in the reviews. Fiance presented my I-134 with a lot of backup info (letter from employer, paystubs, tax returns) but they said the letter from employer was enough. As my finace was being grilled by the officer (to which he answered every question quickly and perfectly...I mean, we've known each other for ten years and have been dating for almost four!) he asked the officer if he would like to see more evidence of our relationship. He had brought a ton of photos, e-mails, ticket stubs, etc. The officer said "that won't be necessary" and didn't even look at any of our evidence. The entire time, my fiance said that the officer didn't hardly even look at him and was just looking at his computer screen and typing the whole time. Wonder what they see on there?

At the end of the interview, the officer told my fiance "I need more information from the system, Sir." My fiance asked what that meant - was he approved or denied? The officer just said, "I need more information from the system. If you were telling the truth, there shouldn't be a problem. Follow the instructions to obtain the DHL waybill number." and that was it.

He was not issued any sort of blue administrative processing/221 g form. They did keep his passport.

I am completley miffed. In every other case I have read here, they either approve you, deny you, or hand you an AP slip at the interview. We have no clue what this means. We are left not knowing. It was a crushing end to such a hopeful day. Next week will mark a year since we first sent our petition. We are broken down. Our souls and spirits are crushed and destroyed.

I would prefer to KNOW one way or another, good or bad. Please, God, no more time in limbo. We waited ten months for NOA2. I don't know what information they would be unable to see in the system at this time. I know of two other individuals who had interviews in Juarez yesterday and were approved on the spot and they said nothing about system problems.

I want to think it is a good sign they kept his passport. They usually do this to put the visa in it and send it by DHL. But why wouldn't he tell us on the spot? I called the customer service number for the embassy today and they told me no decision has been made. I asked how long it takes to make a decision and they said that in 30-40% decisions are made on the spot but in 60-70% they are not and it can take days, weeks, or months for the officer to make his decision. MONTHS? What more could be left to decide? They have seen we have a totally legit relationship, and didn't even want to see additional proof of it. They saw I make enough money. Fernando answered that neither one of us has ever been married before. No kids. Met each other's families. Both have really good, professional jobs. Both are highly educated. And then, no offense to anyone else, but I see other folks with cases WAY more complicated than ours (visa overstays, huge huge age differences, past history of divorce, etc) who get approved on the spot. WHY WHY WHY? Why are we treated like criminals and animals for doing everything our whole lives RIGHT?

Fernando can't be months without his passport. He has work trips. How long can it take to make this decision? The guy on the phone told me the officer may deliberate for a month and decide to put it in AP at that time. Or, he may decide tomorrow to issue the visa. We have no idea.

Does anyone have any idea what could be the hold up to cause an officer to need extra "information" in the system to deliberate on our visa so much longer than in most cases?

[Harpa Timsah 13,259]

I am sorry this happened

To throw a guess out there, I think it might have to do with whatever was the issue when the NOA2 took 10 months. Maybe he has a name that is similar to a criminal or something and there needs to be extra verification.

I think it's a good sign they kept the passport; hopefully the "system" verifies everything quickly. Good luck.

[Barbara J 115]

My fiance had his interview yesterday at Ciudad Juarez. He said it went fine, although the officer asked him a lot of questions, more than the usual few we had read about in the reviews. Fiance presented my I-134 with a lot of backup info (letter from employer, paystubs, tax returns) but they said the letter from employer was enough. As my finace was being grilled by the officer (to which he answered every question quickly and perfectly...I mean, we've known each other for ten years and have been dating for almost four!) he asked the officer if he would like to see more evidence of our relationship. He had brought a ton of photos, e-mails, ticket stubs, etc. The officer said "that won't be necessary" and didn't even look at any of our evidence. The entire time, my fiance said that the officer didn't hardly even look at him and was just looking at his computer screen and typing the whole time. Wonder what they see on there?

At the end of the interview, the officer told my fiance "I need more information from the system, Sir." My fiance asked what that meant - was he approved or denied? The officer just said, "I need more information from the system. If you were telling the truth, there shouldn't be a problem. Follow the instructions to obtain the DHL waybill number." and that was it.

He was not issued any sort of blue administrative processing/221 g form. They did keep his passport.

I am completley miffed. In every other case I have read here, they either approve you, deny you, or hand you an AP slip at the interview. We have no clue what this means. We are left not knowing. It was a crushing end to such a hopeful day. Next week will mark a year since we first sent our petition. We are broken down. Our souls and spirits are crushed and destroyed.

I would prefer to KNOW one way or another, good or bad. Please, God, no more time in limbo. We waited ten months for NOA2. I don't know what information they would be unable to see in the system at this time. I know of two other individuals who had interviews in Juarez yesterday and were approved on the spot and they said nothing about system problems.

I want to think it is a good sign they kept his passport. They usually do this to put the visa in it and send it by DHL. But why wouldn't he tell us on the spot? I called the customer service number for the embassy today and they told me no decision has been made. I asked how long it takes to make a decision and they said that in 30-40% decisions are made on the spot but in 60-70% they are not and it can take days, weeks, or months for the officer to make his decision. MONTHS? What more could be left to decide? They have seen we have a totally legit relationship, and didn't even want to see additional proof of it. They saw I make enough money. Fernando answered that neither one of us has ever been married before. No kids. Met each other's families. Both have really good, professional jobs. Both are highly educated. And then, no offense to anyone else, but I see other folks with cases WAY more complicated than ours (visa overstays, huge huge age differences, past history of divorce, etc) who get approved on the spot. WHY WHY WHY? Why are we treated like criminals and animals for doing everything our whole lives RIGHT?

Fernando can't be months without his passport. He has work trips. How long can it take to make this decision? The guy on the phone told me the officer may deliberate for a month and decide to put it in AP at that time. Or, he may decide tomorrow to issue the visa. We have no idea.

Does anyone have any idea what could be the hold up to cause an officer to need extra "information" in the system to deliberate on our visa so much longer than in most cases?

You know sometimes I think this is a big ego trip for some of these interviewers. If he answered everything well and they did not want to see any more evidence AND they took his passport then I would say to you he will get visa shortly not months that's a just a scare tactic I reckon. They didn't hand him any slips so I think you are good to go they are just making you wait it out more ya poor things I do feel for you. I hope you hear very soon by end of week or early next . Let us know ok

[Moomin 292]

Same as the posters above; I'm sorry you guys keep being delayed : (

I was reading about the dhl thing(http://usvisa-info.com/en-MX/selfservice/us_courier_information). It seems to me you can atleast use that to log in and check up on the status/tracking of the visa if no one else can give you answers while waiting.

[KayDeeCee 4,899]

I remember a review from last year where the interviewer said something similar to that, and told them if they told the truth, they didn't see a problem with it being approved.

They kept his passport and told him to go do the DHL waybill stuff. Good signs. Track it through DHL. I bet it will be approved and you can pick it up from DHL soon. I think that interviewer just liked being a mysterious hard-#### or something.

[Ed & Luz 2]

I feel for you..sorry for the extra stress but if they kept his passport then he will be approved.

In my case my fiancee was returned her passport but must bring it back during the second interview (DNA collection). This was over emphisized to me by the officer, people not approved or case is still open get passports returned to them.

Hang in there.

[jac_chappin 24]

OP - I believe that if your SO didn't get a slip and they kept his passport, the visa will be granted. Given everything you guys have endured, when you are finally together it will be that much sweeter. Hang in there! You are almost there.

Best wishes!

[monyfer 27]

Thanks for the positive thoughts. Hope you are right and visa will be on the way soon. Hope for the best, expect the worse, so they say. Will keep you posted. Thanks for keeping me sane

[Pooh Pee 1]

I agree with Ed & Luz. I do not think the Consulate will keep your finace's passport if he was not APPROVED. They need it to attach the visa. Also, holding on to his passport for weeks does not sound reasonable. Your fiance would not be able to travel outside of the country.

[jimmy&eloisa 1]

wow i cant believe the hoops they make you jump through. im sorry to hear that your still having problems. i think since they took his passport that hes most likely going to get his visa. it would not make since to take the visa if there going to just give it back empty. that is a good sign, are you guys staying in juarez while you wait? or are you guys going to leave and go back later?

[Ben and Jill 37]

I agree that the visa will be issued shortly because they kept his passport and the CO gave him the info for DHL. That's a good sign. It does sound like the CO is on some kind of "power trip". We go through enough during this process and it kills me, KILLS me the way these CO's behave. Ours was awful....and I mean awful. I can't even post the things she said to Ben and it's a good thing they made me wait outside because if I was inside with Ben and heard her "yip yap" I think I would have tried to punch her out, LOL (not literally, but that's how nasty she was...unbelieveable). I don't know how these people sleep at night. Keep checking the website for the DHL status. God Bless and hang in there. Lots of love.

[monyfer 27]

wow i cant believe the hoops they make you jump through. im sorry to hear that your still having problems. i think since they took his passport that hes most likely going to get his visa. it would not make since to take the visa if there going to just give it back empty. that is a good sign, are you guys staying in juarez while you wait? or are you guys going to leave and go back later?

No, we did not stay in Juarez. They let you choose the option now to have DHL send your passport wherever you live. Fer is back home and I did not even go down in the first place because it would have been expensive and also I was worried about traveling over the border to such a dangerous place by myself, plus my boss was going to be on a business trip that week and wanted me in the office for coverage. The CO did ask if I was in CDJ but Fer explained to him I couldn't get the time off work etc..hope that did not negatively affect us but did they really expect a young woman to travel to the murder capital of the world on her own..NO.

As a PP said, yes the CO officers are not very friendly, I think they treat men applying worse than women, just my opinion although I am sure both get ####### depending on who the CO is.

Hoping for good news.

[ateneaalexander 10]

I'm pretty sure they already approved it! specially if they kept his passport .DHL airway bill should be on the website you made your appointment 5 business days after the interview .You and fiance are n my prayers .

[Terca 6]

Same thing happened to my brother in law, my guess is that they found it "strange" that everything was so perfect and organized. they kept his passport but he was put on AP for 3 months. He is here now though

p.s We made the mistake of celebrating after the interview and then got hit with the DHL package and AP decision what a blow :S .. good thing it is only for 3 months my sister was going crazy

[GnBnL 50]

I wouldn't worry about it too much! he was telling the truth right? and they told him to obtain waybill for DHL which means mailing his passport/visa back to him? He's probably doing an extra background check or something which could maybe take a while. If he's from Mexico, they'll def put him through the ringer...My ex is from Mexico and every time we crossed the border from Canada to US it was always a big ordeal for him. They man get a lot of folks coming through there proposing fraudulent cases so they may be extra rigid. I think its good they kept his passport because they need to put the visa in it! try not to worry as hard as it is, and stay strong! you'll feel so good once you've both come through it all and can be together!