So sad that USA immigration is such a joke

[christeen 966]

Oh come on.... Yes, there are those who are truly victims of the system, put into AP just because of where they are from, there are files lost for people that have no issues, serious processing errors etc...... There ARE immigration system issues and I DO feel for them...

But for every one of those, there are thousands of stories about how people are scammed for GC, left after getting here etc.... and it is USCIS that has the monumental task of weeding out those that do not have true intentions. I dont know what happened after your divorce postings but i am glad that for your life it worked out... but However you have personally rectified, justified, forgave or moved forward.... It is USCIS job to look back into the past to try to determine whether the person wanting to come over is going to be a productive, functioning member of society or just seeking an opportunity. Sometimes they suck at their job, but it is what it is right now...

I have to wonder, Did you really think that given the accusations you made the embassy aware of and the revoking of the petition and your choice to ask him to overstay which resulted in deportation would not come back to possibly delay your petition? Did you really expect that it would just sail through like nothing happened. Now If you think I am digging (by the way I only read a post that was brought up by someone else), I can only imagine what uscis is doing given the complexity and history of your case. Sorry if I Sound like i am condoning the system, but as inefficient as it is, it does serve a function and Raging against the machine blindly is not going to get anyone united anytime sooner.

It is awesome that you were able to work it out with your husband... But as much as you look forward... You cannot just erase the past like it never happened. It will come up....

Yes people are in this process are sad, lonely and the road seems endless, but being in an international relationship is not easy and it takes strength and persistence.... And in the end, when it is right is worth every moment... And even after the immigration process, there are adjustment issues, homesickness, cultural issues... It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination...

But at this point I think your best bet to ease the stress and renuite sooner is to follow your plan of going to him and living over there as I think you might have some waivers and hurdles to overcome... I do wish you and everyone here the best...if something is supposed to be, it will happen... Maybe not when we want, but it will happen...

[Nina and Erwin 16]

I completely agree. I couldn't have said it any better. Wow.. I am impressed by you. Very refreshing. There will be waivers.. and explanations I don't have any issues with that. I hope that they do ask. Because I would be even more ashamed of this system if they didn't. I think that what I did by waiting.. not becoming a victim or maybe a statistic.. was my responsibility to everyone here.

Because the system is Broke and like I said in my original post... Locks only keep good people out. Cause the bad guys use the back door. I was making sure that my story wasn't going to be THAT case.

It still a shame that so many people here suffer needlessly because of our archaic system. Family.. MOST OF ALL. Children.. good people.. people who see this other person.. as "the one", and our government shatters that in some cases. I hoped that this would stem.. the ideas.. in people.. of what THEY would do better about the system. What would they do if they had the power to change it. Because it needs fixing.. example.. would it be better if each state processed the cases.. instead of a few locations.. trying to handle VAST applications? like... what is the point of the NVC? Why to we have a middle man? What is the point of that? .. We are the people!! We are the ones that made this country... we should have a say.. when it's going BADLY wrong!

[revtech100 16]

We certainly didn't have any issues. I feel for those trying to do it right, paying the fees and standing in line. What gets me boiling is the free pass being offered to ILLEGAL people that trespassed the border and system to get here. Of course we all know they are being courted for the vote.

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

I understand people's frustrations with the system. And for the most part, I agree it should be more efficient. However, immigration isn't as clear cut as getting your driver's license (as someone referenced earlier). You don't take a test and if you pass the written test and then driving test, you get the license. Immigration is much more subjective. Officers undergo a lot of training to be able to distinguish qualified applicants from scam artists. And it's not a science, so mistakes are made daily on both sides (good people are denied while scammers get approved). It will never be a perfect system, especially since a decision has to be made from a few pieces of paperwork and a one-time 15 minute interview.

Volumes... I don't think we can imagine how many thousands and thousands of applications they get each year. I think the reason it take so long is that the volumes are tremendous and they are understaffed and overpaid. Federal employees (paper pushers) make a relatively high salary. They could hire 50% more people for the same money if their salaries weren't so high. If you can imagine that they collect $1000 for each green card applications and $400 for each citizenship application, etc. In addition to that, federal employees are for the most part not held accountable for their work. I know people who work at social security and there is no productivity standard nor is the work really scrutinized too closely. This is the reason cases drag on and things get lost, because they just don't care and aren't held responsible for said attitude.

As for delays or problems due to our own mistakes... we can't blame the government. If you overstay (and go out of status), don't blame the gov't fort arresting you. You broke the law. I know it's customary to try to put the blame on somebody else, but sometimes we gotta step up and accept it. If you make a mistake on a form and that delays the process by 6 months, I agree it should be more efficient, but it is what it is.

We have 2 choices, you can work with the system or don't bother (either go live in another country or forget foreign spouses). With all the applications that I/we have submitted, I have never thought about it to a point of driving myself crazy. I never checked daily if my case was touched. That seems like a lot of work. I am quite busy with work and don't have time to mess around with that. Maybe those of you who go crazy should focus more on your careers or find a hobby that will keep you occupied and not let your mind focus on immigration all day.

[DeWayne&CeCy 6]

I understand people's frustrations with the system. And for the most part, I agree it should be more efficient. However, immigration isn't as clear cut as getting your driver's license (as someone referenced earlier). You don't take a test and if you pass the written test and then driving test, you get the license. Immigration is much more subjective. Officers undergo a lot of training to be able to distinguish qualified applicants from scam artists. And it's not a science, so mistakes are made daily on both sides (good people are denied while scammers get approved). It will never be a perfect system, especially since a decision has to be made from a few pieces of paperwork and a one-time 15 minute interview.

Volumes... I don't think we can imagine how many thousands and thousands of applications they get each year. I think the reason it take so long is that the volumes are tremendous and they are understaffed and overpaid. Federal employees (paper pushers) make a relatively high salary. They could hire 50% more people for the same money if their salaries weren't so high. If you can imagine that they collect $1000 for each green card applications and $400 for each citizenship application, etc. In addition to that, federal employees are for the most part not held accountable for their work. I know people who work at social security and there is no productivity standard nor is the work really scrutinized too closely. This is the reason cases drag on and things get lost, because they just don't care and aren't held responsible for said attitude.

As for delays or problems due to our own mistakes... we can't blame the government. If you overstay (and go out of status), don't blame the gov't fort arresting you. You broke the law. I know it's customary to try to put the blame on somebody else, but sometimes we gotta step up and accept it. If you make a mistake on a form and that delays the process by 6 months, I agree it should be more efficient, but it is what it is.

We have 2 choices, you can work with the system or don't bother (either go live in another country or forget foreign spouses). With all the applications that I/we have submitted, I have never thought about it to a point of driving myself crazy. I never checked daily if my case was touched. That seems like a lot of work. I am quite busy with work and don't have time to mess around with that. Maybe those of you who go crazy should focus more on your careers or find a hobby that will keep you occupied and not let your mind focus on immigration all

I agree with most of what you said but last line. You can have a career and still check your status several times a day esp when it get close and you are so excited like me

[B & G 200]

Of course they are being courted for a vote! This is a strategic move by the current goverment and by the opposition that is hoping to gain the next presidency.

But on the other hand, I can understand as to why the situation of illegal immigrants needs to be addressed. They count into the millions at the moment and something needs to be done.

That being said, the US DOES have an illegal and fraudulent immigration problem, and legal immigration is one of the areas that they can seriously have some effect and control on who migrates and who doesn't. This process isn't going to get any quicker and to be completely honest, time-wise, obtaining a legal status in the US isn't match longer than obtaining it in Greece or Australia for that matter.

[HannahP 119]

You get over it once your loved one gets to 'merrica. I promise.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

We obviously had our issues, as anyone familiar with our case can tell you because the local office wasn't familiar with changes made 2 years ago at USCIS. That being what it was, USCIS quickly fixed our problem and allowed us to do DCF. We had a very straight forward case and a perfectly filed I-130.

We also all make choices and when people make good choices things tend to go their way. We did everything legally and properly and it was USCIS who messed up and that was something easy enough to make a stink about that they fixed it.

Other immigration systems are no less broken. I had to live in Denmark not as my husband's spouse, but just under my EU rights of free movement. He had no way to petition me to be there under a spouse visa. My husband had never done anything wrong (straight as an arrow), had a high enough salary, big enough apartment, was old enough (24 is the minimum in DK), but he took cash help for 2 or 3 months when his business closed and he had no way to pay his rent or eat. That barred him for a minimum of 3 years of petitioning for a spouse. If we wanted to go back it is really vague how we could even qualify unless he moved back for at least 6 months first and got a high enough paying job.

We could discuss the horrible ins and outs of Scandinavian immigration and all the other rules that make it so very few foreign spouses are eligible to immigrate, but I think you get the gist of it.

American immigration is flawed but probably 99% of spouses are able to come. People in other countries would dream of such a thing.

[Protocol417 161]

well is not the case of the OP, that's why I started saying I don't know your religious background, I put God in a very generic way. Usually people get some comfort in their belief when hard times arrives. I disagree with you, I rather to cheer her up instead of bashing on anything else. The OP had been very clear with the opinions she feels are "offensive" to her. If she felt that my comment wasn't right or offensive she would had tell me don't you think? If she feels comfy with it, my job is done. You're the only who appears to be upset about it, and that's fine it's your personal opinion, but that's what it is, YOUR personal opinion, you shouldn't speak for others

I never mentioned being offended personally, nor my opinion on religion or having a religion, nor did I claim my opinions applied to anyone, especially the OP. I only said you might want to be more careful (and I didn't just mean for the benefit of the OP).

I'll refrain from saying more because I have a feeling we're getting off topic.

[Protocol417 161]

Dude I dont even know what jingoism means. I never said anyone couldnt speak out againt their country thats crazy! as far as the country mouse thing you refer to was because he was making fun of my lack of education as compared to his vast knowledge of the world. this has got way out of control and will not answer anymore post about such matters

Not a dude, but you do obviously have the internet, so if you don't know what the word means (there's nothing wrong with that, happens to me all the time) you can look it up.

"I don't like seeing usa and joke in same sentence."

"So anytime you having a bad day and want to take a shot at america, I'll be here for you."

Sorry if I misunderstood your intentions but it did seem like you were angry because someone said something negative about the US.

Good luck on your journey.

[NickD 202]

Was this an overstay of a visa, or of that I-94? Being totally unfamiliar with immigration, did hire a top immigration attorney for guidance. He knew my wife to be had a US visa, matter of fact, it was good for another ten years. But really gave us stern warning about overstaying that I-94 piece of paper they staple into the visiting passport book. Some POE's demand to see your return ticket and that is all your stay is good for, others may just stamp in 6 months.

He told us about that Form I-539 we would have to file, was around 300 bucks, if she elected to stay longer, and also gave us a stern warning, if she did overstay, even by one day, we would run into deep problems later on. While it was very difficult to part, had to make darn sure she got on the plane on time. Maybe you weren't aware of this, I sure wasn't.

The big question for you that I don't have the answer to, is where do you go from here? Do know in that AOS stage, they ask, did you overstay your visa? Can't lie about that, that can be checked, and never want to lie on any of those forms. That would be two counts against you, and lying is the worst of the two.

[LoveMyTico 999]

Completely agreed... I have long become indifferent to this situation.. this immigration. If god is trying to teach me patience.. he is doing a good job. As I stated also to this reply as you did. It doesn't matter the situation.. if it's "NO" fine.. it's "NO".. LOL. But don't drag me and my children threw years of money, separation, and sometimes... deep despair. Just pick up the damn file.. read it.. make notes.. say NO.. and tell me that if I want to be with this man.. I can't be in America. Period. End of story... Fine. Then I/ we all can then make educated decisions on what to do next with our life. But.. this bull ####### of months and months and years and years is torture. Watching my daughter hug the computer screen of Skype and say "nite nite daddy" is something no one should go through... especially... my TWO YEAR OLD. Family first.. in America..??? HA! ALL #######!

I feel like it all depends on the person processing the paperwork... whether they are having a good day or if their whole life is a bunch of #######.... It seems to me that they have the power to go either way.. Obviously the laws for immigration are never enforced. There is an excpetion to every law and we are all at the mercy of who ever happens to pick up our case.

One person might be having a bad day and they end up taking it out on the case they are processing... Deportation might be a problem for one and not a big deal to another.

I believe that each one of them has the power to expedite a file .

Just sayin......

I hate reading all the psots about the long waits and the ridiculous denials... What about the people who entered undocumented? Last time I checked... that is as illegal as it comes...

Now they get to stay ? Congratulations to all the people who broke the immigration laws. We all have to suffer because now OUR GOVERNMENT needs to figure out a way to deal with you !