Unprofessional Embassy Behavior

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

So we went to the embassy to file our papers last week. The Indian lady behind the counter asked for my form I-130 and my marriage photos. She asked a few questions about how many trips we made to visit each other before we married, when I arrived here in India and then said she would be right back. She came back and said that we didn't qualify for DCF because I couldn't prove residency. (She hadn't asked me a single thing about living here or for proof at this point.) I let her know I had my residence permit and power bills and other proof I had set up life here months ago. She again stated that I had only come here to get married and proceeded to tell me how to file by mail to the US. I asked her what else we needed to prove residency since I already had met every requirement in the embassy's official information and she told me that information didn't matter and she could give me an answer to counteract anything the official information said. She had a mean look on her face and was basically telling me to go to hell and get lost. We were not rude to her in any way. She never answered what we were missing but she did tell me that our paperwork was perfect. I just feel it was extremely unprofessional for her (an admin clerk) to tell me that the official information didn't matter because she didn't want to be bothered. She was upset when I showed her printouts of the embassy's requirements for DCF because she knew I was right. We left peacefully but I wonder if we can try again for DCF later or it's just not worth my time to be bothered with the US. After all, this is twice the embassy has come up with ####### and the behavior of employees there is just ridiculous.

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

So we went to the embassy to file our papers last week. The Indian lady behind the counter asked for my form I-130 and my marriage photos. She asked a few questions about how many trips we made to visit each other before we married, when I arrived here in India and then said she would be right back. She came back and said that we didn't qualify for DCF because I couldn't prove residency. (She hadn't asked me a single thing about living here or for proof at this point.) I let her know I had my residence permit and power bills and other proof I had set up life here months ago. She again stated that I had only come here to get married and proceeded to tell me how to file by mail to the US. I asked her what else we needed to prove residency since I already had met every requirement in the embassy's official information and she told me that information didn't matter and she could give me an answer to counteract anything the official information said. She had a mean look on her face and was basically telling me to go to hell and get lost. We were not rude to her in any way. She never answered what we were missing but she did tell me that our paperwork was perfect. I just feel it was extremely unprofessional for her (an admin clerk) to tell me that the official information didn't matter because she didn't want to be bothered. She was upset when I showed her printouts of the embassy's requirements for DCF because she knew I was right. We left peacefully but I wonder if we can try again for DCF later or it's just not worth my time to be bothered with the US. After all, this is twice the embassy has come up with ####### and the behavior of employees there is just ridiculous.

How long have you lived in india? Do you have a residency stamp in your passport?

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

How long have you lived in india? Do you have a residency stamp in your passport?

I have only been here 9 months but I do have the stamp in my passport, I have the residency permit and the other paper they give you (can't think of the name right now). I had no intention of going back to the US so I sold off everything there and moved here. The embassy page doesn't specify how long you have to live here before you qualify, they only say you have to have the residency permit, which I got early on. I also converted my visa after my marriage. The lady at the embassy told me that "Everyone does that so they can overstay their visa." I don't believe her. I know many ppl who went home for the 2 months and then came back.

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

I have only been here 9 months but I do have the stamp in my passport, I have the residency permit and the other paper they give you (can't think of the name right now). I had no intention of going back to the US so I sold off everything there and moved here. The embassy page doesn't specify how long you have to live here before you qualify, they only say you have to have the residency permit, which I got early on. I also converted my visa after my marriage. The lady at the embassy told me that "Everyone does that so they can overstay their visa." I don't believe her. I know many ppl who went home for the 2 months and then came back.

can you send an email to chief consular of that embassy and tell them about your experience? Are you in new delhi? if that don't work try senator or congress. Just from what you have posted it would seem you were well within your rights to file there but i am not fully aware of requirements there most places residency is 6 months.

Overstay your visa? seems little crazy but most places once you become spouse then resident your no longer a tourist wow i would report this one

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

can you send an email to chief consular of that embassy and tell them about your experience? Are you in new delhi? if that don't work try senator or congress. Just from what you have posted it would seem you were well within your rights to file there but i am not fully aware of requirements there most places residency is 6 months.

Overstay your visa? seems little crazy but most places once you become spouse then resident your no longer a tourist wow i would report this one

I'm going to write the Ambassador to the embassy and my senator. I already have the form to file a congressional inquiry because I've had to file complaints against this embassy before. They are well known for being a very crappy embassy. I may even write President Obama since it's coming up on an election year. Anyone I can find to write to, I will write to. It's ridiculous for them to act this way, regardless of their training.

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

I'm going to write the Ambassador to the embassy and my senator. I already have the form to file a congressional inquiry because I've had to file complaints against this embassy before. They are well known for being a very crappy embassy. I may even write President Obama since it's coming up on an election year. Anyone I can find to write to, I will write to. It's ridiculous for them to act this way, regardless of their training.

sorry for what you are going through and hope it works out well for you. pm me later and let me know what happens. Yes, cairo is pretty crappy too but probably because of the revolution and backlog of cases they are ineffective when they don't answer the phones or reply emails

[Harsh_77 718]

If you are USC you can write to embassy about your experience at the embassy and if you feel the way you were treated was not right then you can raise your grievance.

Your Senator or Congressman cannot do anything they do not look into day to day operation of embassy. If you have lived in India for 9 months you should qualify for DCF, power bill is not required all that is required is entry / exit stamps on the passport.

[skiptex 225]

I already have the form to file a congressional inquiry because I've had to file complaints against this embassy before. They are well known for being a very crappy embassy. I may even write President Obama since it's coming up on an election year. Anyone I can find to write to, I will write to. It's ridiculous for them to act this way, regardless of their training.

maybe he will have a "BEER" summit with you ..

sorry.. its just pretty funny to think it could happen..

[Kim n Jai 1]

Which embassy is this?

[Harsh_77 718]

maybe he will have a "BEER" summit with you ..

sorry.. its just pretty funny to think it could happen..

I had laugh reading that post as well......

But had to be nice, lately ppl on here have been complaining ppl who post answer are getting rude and nasty....

[himher 634]

Which section did you use to apply? I did not use the IV section, I filed with ACS.

Did the Citizen services section give you this hard time?

So we went to the embassy to file our papers last week. The Indian lady behind the counter asked for my form I-130 and my marriage photos. She asked a few questions about how many trips we made to visit each other before we married, when I arrived here in India and then said she would be right back. She came back and said that we didn't qualify for DCF because I couldn't prove residency. (She hadn't asked me a single thing about living here or for proof at this point.) I let her know I had my residence permit and power bills and other proof I had set up life here months ago. She again stated that I had only come here to get married and proceeded to tell me how to file by mail to the US. I asked her what else we needed to prove residency since I already had met every requirement in the embassy's official information and she told me that information didn't matter and she could give me an answer to counteract anything the official information said. She had a mean look on her face and was basically telling me to go to hell and get lost. We were not rude to her in any way. She never answered what we were missing but she did tell me that our paperwork was perfect. I just feel it was extremely unprofessional for her (an admin clerk) to tell me that the official information didn't matter because she didn't want to be bothered. She was upset when I showed her printouts of the embassy's requirements for DCF because she knew I was right. We left peacefully but I wonder if we can try again for DCF later or it's just not worth my time to be bothered with the US. After all, this is twice the embassy has come up with ####### and the behavior of employees there is just ridiculous.

[sachinky 465]

Have you tried the American Citizens Services Center?

Edited October 7, 2011 by sachinky

[yachachiq12 43]

Have you tried the American Citizens Services Center?

In Lima, Citizens Services isn't allowed to answer any questions about visa processing. Don't know if it's the same everywhere. We had to go to the open office hours in the consular section. Even then, they were slightly vague about our eligibility until we actually submitted the materials for DCF. The OP should go in and try submitting again. Wear a different hairstyle or something

Edited October 7, 2011 by yachachiq12

[himher 634]

I used Citizen Services (appointment made under "other") to make appt, go in, file a petition for my wife. They dug through everything, kept what they needed, returned the rest, and then passed it to IV for processing.

Accepting and processing petitions from citizens is not the same as visa processing. After the petition is done and IV section has the case you are SOL though and at the mercy of the IV officers.

PS I do not and never will deal with foreignors at my own embassy

In Lima, Citizens Services isn't allowed to answer any questions about visa processing. Don't know if it's the same everywhere. We had to go to the open office hours in the consular section. Even then, they were slightly vague about our eligibility until we actually submitted the materials for DCF. The OP should go in and try submitting again. Wear a different hairstyle or something

Edited October 13, 2011 by himher