Help! I need Ideas for showing evidence...

[Christine84 0]

Me and my Fiance met 15yrs ago thru our church we have in Ensenada, Mexico (its 45min frm the border to San Diego). I live in San Diego, CA and my Fiance lives in Tijuana, Mexico. It literally takes me about 7 minutes from my house to drive & cross the border by car to Mexico. I cross the border quite frequently during the week, so its quite natural to come & go often. That's how I get to see my fiance during the week as well. Its easier for me because I have the "Sentri" pass (with it you cross the border much faster than going thru the normal line). Anyways, I got a RFE...they are asking for the "primary evidence" which is airline ticket stubs, passport admission stamps, receipts, etc. I dont travel by air or train to go see my fiance. So how the heck can I prove the requirement of meeting him within the last two years? I have some film dated pictures within the last two years, but in the letter its considered as "secondary" evidence, and so they're looking for the primary evidence. How the heck am I supposed to do this?!!! I tried calling the USCIS but the wait time is kinda long, so I'd wanted to see what the suggestions are here first. Help!! Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Use any receipts from your time in Mexico, or bank statements showing you bought stuff in Mexico.

[scott76 22]

Hotel Receipts?

Pictures of your Sentri Pass or ID numbers from it (not familiar with the device, but Immigration should be able to read somehow how many times you went across the border from your account # or ID #) - Create a log of times you went by the border, and have the Sentri Pass to back it up.

Receipts from Restaurants

Bank Statements showing expenditures in Mexico

Photos marked with time/date stamps that are close to days where you took out money or used the Sentri pass (google "photo time date stamp" - there's programs out there that will stamp your photos for you)

Movie ticket stubs

Concert ticket stubs

Museum stubs

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Look to see about getting a record of all the times you've crossed the boarder. Someone I know got a list and send it in with the petition and it was easily approved. She was in the same boat as you....only 15 mins from the boarder and back and forth just about every weekend! Good luck!

[Moomin 292]

Pictures of your Sentri Pass or ID numbers from it (not familiar with the device, but Immigration should be able to read somehow how many times you went across the border from your account # or ID #) - Create a log of times you went by the border, and have the Sentri Pass to back it up.

CBP has access to all that information (under "techincal process"; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/sentri/sentri.xml), and even if USCIS wants to access that information, they're still asking for the OP to submit it. A FOIA request can take a very long time, sometimes longer than the amount of time given to sepond to the RFE. However, it doesn't hurt to ask either where OP enrolled ( http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/sentri/sentri_centers.xml ), or CBP directly, either through phone or mail, https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask/kw/sentri where the phone number is located at the bottom of the page.

Besides that, have you used your credit card in your fiancee's home country? Just once? Maybe put some fuel on the car, a drink for the trip home, anything in your name that's on that side of the boarder? A bank statement is good since it has your full name, date/year and location of card usage on it. Telephone bills in your name that shows roaming IN mexico.

Otherwise I agree that it won't hurt to sent a photocopy of the card/ID and specific dates you know that you were in mexico. It just has to be dates that were before filing the petition.

[TBoneTX 43,332]

Good advice in this thread, si man. Next time you drive down, stop on the U.S. side of the port, go to the CBP station, and ask whether they can provide you a record of your visits. Explain why you're inquiring.

If they can't readily do so, then ask the shift supervisor (or Assistant Port Director, or anyone in authority) how to proceed. Anyone whom you ask should be willing to help you or direct you appropriately -- after all, you're trying to follow the rules.

Your stopping by in person will avoid the prospect of being transferred to voice mail or to phone extensions that ring unanswered. Furthermore, you'll be better able to get the name and title of the authority who helps you.

Please report back here with what you're told -- this will be valuable for other filers in your situation, si man.

Edited July 27, 2012 by TBoneTX