In AP from Montreal Consulate - anyone else?

[O&Z 1]

it has been over 100 days (17 weeks or so) since our CR-1 interview at the Montreal Consulate and we are STILL in AP.

The reason we can gather is because of his Muslim name. He was born in Canada and his parents were born in India and Pakistan.

Also he lived in the US as a minor for a few years and I work for the Federal Government.

These are potential "reasons" our case may be in AP.

I have emailed the consulate about 3 times with useless replies arriiving 3-5 weeks later.

Called DOS and NVC with no help.

They have told us it is in Mandatory AP and they don't know anything because of 'Homeland Security"

Contacted senators and congressman when I was living in NY with no reply or help.

Recently completed the move and used ABF and crossed under my name as marital property per instructions from CBP officers. Had no problems thank goodness with that

Now that I am in a new district, contacted congressman and they have placed an inquiry, basically they received a letter stating the same useless information.

Received call from NVC supervisor at odd times (missed calls at 8pm, 11pm) from 603-334-9400 who basically told us it's Mandatory AP and to be patient, they know nothing.

I also spoke with an immigration attorney, who was very helpful - she said that I should actually stop contacting the consulate, DOS, etc because it will actually delay our case. Each time they have to "pull" our case and look at it, it potentially causes a delay. She also said there's nothing much she can do except put an inquiry into the DOS which would take about 30 days to execute as well. She also mentioned that there are no time constraints that these people have to follow and they have to answer to no-one.

soo...

that's about it.

I guess i'm wondering who else has been under Mandatory AP given 221g form for Mandatory Administrative Processing from Montreal, US and how long did it take?

His parents went through AP for their own Greencard, but it only took about 9 weeks, that's the only case we can compare ourselves to because I don't see many Montreal AP cases here.

He is visiting me now while i was getting settled in, but obviously he won't overstay his welcome of 6 months. Also worried that the visit may adversely affect our case.

He is studying for his professional licensure for the US but can't work obviously until this is settled.

just venting and hoping someone has encouraging anecdotes to share

[Cathi 5,621]

AP is not fun, and unfortunately there is nothing you can do but wait. I hope his approval comes soon. good luck

[nabdelwa 1]

it has been over 100 days (17 weeks or so) since our CR-1 interview at the Montreal Consulate and we are STILL in AP.

The reason we can gather is because of his Muslim name. He was born in Canada and his parents were born in India and Pakistan.

Also he lived in the US as a minor for a few years and I work for the Federal Government.

These are potential "reasons" our case may be in AP.

I have emailed the consulate about 3 times with useless replies arriiving 3-5 weeks later.

Called DOS and NVC with no help.

They have told us it is in Mandatory AP and they don't know anything because of 'Homeland Security"

Contacted senators and congressman when I was living in NY with no reply or help.

Recently completed the move and used ABF and crossed under my name as marital property per instructions from CBP officers. Had no problems thank goodness with that

Now that I am in a new district, contacted congressman and they have placed an inquiry, basically they received a letter stating the same useless information.

Received call from NVC supervisor at odd times (missed calls at 8pm, 11pm) from 603-334-9400 who basically told us it's Mandatory AP and to be patient, they know nothing.

I also spoke with an immigration attorney, who was very helpful - she said that I should actually stop contacting the consulate, DOS, etc because it will actually delay our case. Each time they have to "pull" our case and look at it, it potentially causes a delay. She also said there's nothing much she can do except put an inquiry into the DOS which would take about 30 days to execute as well. She also mentioned that there are no time constraints that these people have to follow and they have to answer to no-one.

soo...

that's about it.

I guess i'm wondering who else has been under Mandatory AP given 221g form for Mandatory Administrative Processing from Montreal, US and how long did it take?

His parents went through AP for their own Greencard, but it only took about 9 weeks, that's the only case we can compare ourselves to because I don't see many Montreal AP cases here.

He is visiting me now while i was getting settled in, but obviously he won't overstay his welcome of 6 months. Also worried that the visit may adversely affect our case.

He is studying for his professional licensure for the US but can't work obviously until this is settled.

just venting and hoping someone has encouraging anecdotes to share

I am in AP since the end of January. I has been 8 weeks for me. I was not given a reason.

I was not born in Canada. I am Canadian by Naturalization. I think it is common for people with certain backgrounds.

Did you try to check the status of your application online? Here is the link:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

With respect to your lawyer, I don't agree with her. I doubt they physically check the file but rather pull the updates from the computer. That is my thought about it but i could be wrong.

I know how frustrating this is. I hope we all out of AP very soon..

Please update your timeline so other users can benefit from it.. Thanks

Edited March 25, 2013 by nabdelwa

[O&Z 1]

I am in AP since the end of January. I has been 8 weeks for me. I was not given a reason.

I was not born in Canada. I am Canadian by Naturalization. I think it is common for people with certain backgrounds.

Did you try to check the status of your application online? Here is the link:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

With respect to your lawyer, I don't agree with her. I doubt they physically check the file but rather pull the updates from the computer. That is my thought about it but i could be wrong.

I know how frustrating this is. I hope we all out of AP very soon..

Please update your timeline so other users can benefit from it.. Thanks

Thank you so much for that Link, somehow I didn't know about that.

I have tried to update my timeline, but for some reason it isn't linking to my account.

Best of luck with your AP and please keep me updated!

[EmilyS 11]

I am in AP since the end of January. I has been 8 weeks for me. I was not given a reason.

I was not born in Canada. I am Canadian by Naturalization. I think it is common for people with certain backgrounds.

Did you try to check the status of your application online? Here is the link:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

With respect to your lawyer, I don't agree with her. I doubt they physically check the file but rather pull the updates from the computer. That is my thought about it but i could be wrong.

I know how frustrating this is. I hope we all out of AP very soon..

Please update your timeline so other users can benefit from it.. Thanks

Is the beneficiary male or female? I'm asking to have a better understating of this AP, wondering how often they place females in AP.

[O&Z 1]

Is the beneficiary male or female? I'm asking to have a better understating of this AP, wondering how often they place females in AP.

Male

apparently males take longer than females, especially if there are certain countries somewhere on the application.

[EmilyS 11]

Male

apparently males take longer than females, especially if there are certain countries somewhere on the application.

So I've heard, I haven't seen any females put in AP at the Montreal consulate, or at least non reported here on VJ, do they place everyone in AP without an exception? or it's case to case basis? depending on name? travel history? I have no idea how they determine one to be placed in AP

[O&Z 1]

So I've heard, I haven't seen any females put in AP at the Montreal consulate, or at least non reported here on VJ, do they place everyone in AP without an exception? or it's case to case basis? depending on name? travel history? I have no idea how they determine one to be placed in AP

It's not very common in Montreal.

If the beneficiary has certain countries listed on their application, however, apparently its highly likely they will be placed in AP.

These countries are informally known as "T countries" . ex: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, etc

In our case, my husband was born in Canada but his parents were born in India and Pakistan. we are in Mandatory AP

It also depends on Internal AP (checking if bona fide marriage, etc) vs. Mandatory AP (background checks).In our case, my husband was born in Canada but his parents were born in India and Pakistan. we are in Mandatory AP

[nabdelwa 1]

So I've heard, I haven't seen any females put in AP at the Montreal consulate, or at least non reported here on VJ, do they place everyone in AP without an exception? or it's case to case basis? depending on name? travel history? I have no idea how they determine one to be placed in AP

It is more common for male. I am a male (Canadian),my wife is an American..

So i have heard it takes longer for male applicants. I suggest you be prepared for it, but it may not happen. I did not know about it until after the interview.

Edited March 25, 2013 by nabdelwa

[EmilyS 11]

nabdelwa, is the beneficiary female or male?

[EmilyS 11]

It is more common for male. I am a male..

So i have heard it takes longer for male applicants. I suggest you be prepared for it, but it may not happen. I did not know about it until after the interview.

I am trying to stay optimistic, I was not born in Canada, but grew up here, never travelled to any of the "T" countries, clean background, don't have a muslim name, not a muslim either. I hope you all get out of AP very soon, keep your fingers crossed for me

It's not very common in Montreal.

If the beneficiary has certain countries listed on their application, however, apparently its highly likely they will be placed in AP.

These countries are informally known as "T countries" . ex: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, etc

In our case, my husband was born in Canada but his parents were born in India and Pakistan. we are in Mandatory AP

It also depends on Internal AP (checking if bona fide marriage, etc) vs. Mandatory AP (background checks).In our case, my husband was born in Canada but his parents were born in India and Pakistan. we are in Mandatory AP

when you say "certain countries listed on their application" do you mean "place of birth"? or countries you've lived in? worked at? etc?

[nabdelwa 1]

I am trying to stay optimistic, I was not born in Canada, but grew up here, never travelled to any of the "T" countries, clean background, don't have a muslim name, not a muslim either. I hope you all get out of AP very soon, keep your fingers crossed for me

All the best to you!! Stay optimistic and be honest in the interview. Everything will be fine.

Keep us posted..

[O&Z 1]

I am trying to stay optimistic, I was not born in Canada, but grew up here, never travelled to any of the "T" countries, clean background, don't have a muslim name, not a muslim either. I hope you all get out of AP very soon, keep your fingers crossed for me

when you say "certain countries listed on their application" do you mean "place of birth"? or countries you've lived in? worked at? etc?

I couldn't tell you for sure, but I would imagine all of the above. My husband was born in Canada and that didn't really matter.

"Homeland Security" and all that fun stuff.

[EmilyS 11]

I wish you both all the best and hope you get out of AP very soon

[nabdelwa 1]

Hey Zubi2lute.. Any updates yet?

You mentioned that you contacted the Senator, was it helpful?