What should be my next step?

[Sabian 4]

We are still in AP at the Islamabad Embassy. We were recently investigated for fraud, and thereafter no decision was made. The person handling the fraud was not a very honest or polite person, so I do not know whether to believe his claims on fraud--especially because there was no evidence, and beside the fact that there isn't any! Anyways, the embassy still has my husbands passport and he still has his ticket to pick up his visa. I am preparing to hire help through my university, and pro-bono or low cost lawyers. I want to make sure I am prepared to defend us in the case that the embassy does not issue his visa. I do call the DOS once a week to check the status of our case and it is always in AP. Is there anything else I should do in the mean time? I am missing my husband a lot, as I am sure many of you are. I plan on going to visit him in December for a couple weeks just so I can gain some sanity. This whole process has been so stressful it has raised my blood pressure very high 145/110 and my doctor has put me on medication. I am only 25 by the way.

Should I hire a lawyer now or after we get an answer? Should we not call the Islamabad Embassy or DOS? I have not emailed or contacted them for a couple weeks at the advice of fellow VJr's who say it could make the situation worse. I am having a really difficult time, I just want this resolved. Any support or advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[Winning23 25]

We are still in AP at the Islamabad Embassy. We were recently investigated for fraud, and thereafter no decision was made. The person handling the fraud was not a very honest or polite person, so I do not know whether to believe his claims on fraud--especially because there was no evidence, and beside the fact that there isn't any! Anyways, the embassy still has my husbands passport and he still has his ticket to pick up his visa. I am preparing to hire help through my university, and pro-bono or low cost lawyers. I want to make sure I am prepared to defend us in the case that the embassy does not issue his visa. I do call the DOS once a week to check the status of our case and it is always in AP. Is there anything else I should do in the mean time? I am missing my husband a lot, as I am sure many of you are. I plan on going to visit him in December for a couple weeks just so I can gain some sanity. This whole process has been so stressful it has raised my blood pressure very high 145/110 and my doctor has put me on medication. I am only 25 by the way.

Should I hire a lawyer now or after we get an answer? Should we not call the Islamabad Embassy or DOS? I have not emailed or contacted them for a couple weeks at the advice of fellow VJr's who say it could make the situation worse. I am having a really difficult time, I just want this resolved. Any support or advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Out of curiosity, was "Fraud" the reason provided to you and your husband for the no decision. If so, do you have any idea what would have cause the embassy to feel such way (i.e. divorces, improper evidence, past history, etc..)

While most cases are not fraudulent, the embassy have reason to suspect suspicious cases, which raise red flags. I would first go the normal procedure and consult with USCIS and seek the proper course of action. Once you have the next steps by USCIS, contact an immigration attorney.

Edited October 14, 2011 by sucasa

[Sabian 4]

It was the reason provided to us...he claimed that our interview answers didn't match. When I asked for him to give me an example he wasn't able to. He said we claimed I had gotten sick on my trip, but I didn't look sick in photographs. I told him I didn't feel sick the whole time, but I did get traveler's sickness and food poisoning--I even went to the doctor. He also claimed my husband was unable to tell him his job history--which was untrue, my husband could clearly outline his previous jobs and that information could be verified with those companies. The officer claimed I was feeding my husband information on his employment history--which would be impossible for me to do. He claimed our marriage certificate was fake..which it wasn't it was issued by the registrar of Christian marriages, in a government office. We also have a court document supporting our marriage. So honestly this CO doesn't have any validity to his claims, which makes me think he is lying to us or playing some sort of game. Either way it is stressful and angers me that someone could do this to us.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Sabian, You and your husband should write down all the questions they asked you and your answers. That's the first step. The second step would be to contact an immigration attorney on advice on how to proceed.

I had an attorney handle my case all the way through to the NVC. The first interview went well then my husband was called for a second interview with the fraud prevention unit where they are also trying to claim our marriage is fake amoung other things. We were placed back in AP. It's been 5 months sense the second interview. Thursday I wrote my lawyer just to say hello and give her an update on our case. She emailed me back and was upset with me that I did not contact her sooner. She said there are some things we can do about our case rather than be denied for fraud but first she needs a list of all questions asked and the answers.

I never contacted my lawyer because I've always read there is nothing you can do at the embassy level to help your case. My lawyer is telling me I am wrong. Monday morning I will send her the list of questions/answers and we will go from there.

[Sabian 4]

Thank you Carolyn! My husband and I will do this. We discussed and went over all questions, but perhaps we are missing something we don't remember. I will definitely get in contact with a lawyer pronto then if this will help us. I was thinking the same thing that you cannot do anything at the embassy level. Thank you!

[carolynhotstuff 252]

I hope you will stay in contact with me and let me know how your case is going and I will keep you updated about mine. My husband thinks at the second interview the CO was playing games and trying to trick him by questioning if our marriage was legal. We had a small wedding with only 8 people there. It's what I wanted and made it very special for me. The CO seemed really bothered by the fact that it was so small and wanted to know why we didn't have more neighbors and friends.

My husband felt the interview didn't go well and that he would get denied but it's been 5 months sense that interview and over time we have come to hope that he will get the visa. The embassy also called our co-sponsor to ask him questions the night before they interviewed my husband.

[maabish 2]

carolynhotstu, my question is to you.... could you please give me a favour that as you described that you had an attorney who can help you. Could you pleaase help me and ask your attorney about my case or give me the contact no. or e-mail address so that i can contact and ask for my help. I am under AP since 28 july, 2010 and still there is no response interview wenr very nice just three - four question and then over. no objection or more documents.Whether you lawyer can help in this regard please help me.

Very thankful to you.

[momoaz 1]

My experience with AP and attorney. Yes they are great at filing the paperwork but I think they have as little result of getting info out of the embassy as us. We have used a lawyer through the entire process in the PI and the lawyer even has a counterpart in the PI to help there. I contacted them 2 days after we went on AP and that was almost 4 weeks ago now and they haven't even replied to me so I think they get no answers from the embassy also. If anyone has a different experience please let us know. Everything the attorney did in respect to contacting me was at least 12 days later than the official notices.