K-1 No meeting in person- only hope- Fiance in Gaza

[Novak.Ani 1]

Hello I am new here. I'm American. I've been researching so much and feel like bashing my head against the wall. Not just for info overload, but because it seems the only way we can be together is to meet in person first, when in our case that is literally impossible. You think if I had the option I would waste it? I would be there right now. But my fiance lives in Gaza Palestine. The boarding crossings to even enter Gaza are so tight. They seldom let anyone thru!!!! And my activist friend who is in Gaza now has told me its impossible and he doesn't know when it will go back to semi normal. They can black list you for no reason and never let you in, or once your in, never let you leave. I can't risk that, I have a 2 year old son who lives with me. I can't just leave him and never know if I will return. And if it sounds hard for an outsider to get in, it's a million times harder for a Palestinian to get out. Even if granted the Visa, all we can to is pray that God will help us.

Our only chance to be together is the Fiance Visa, please anyone, is there any way we can do this without meeting ?? We really have no choice in meeting. Its just not possible. He is the love of my life, I know you all understand this pain, but just imagine your love is starving everyday and without proper necessities to have clean clothes or shower or electricity to keep the house warm during the winter. Earns. Maybe 100 $ a month for working 2 jobs and supports his entire family of 13 , all while going to college. Not even to mention the hell he's been thru this summer after nearly being killed during the 51 day massacre in Gaza. Desperation is an understatement. I need hope. Has anyone made it without meeting?

[dwheels76 5,468]

Hello I am new here. I'm American. I've been researching so much and feel like bashing my head against the wall. Not just for info overload, but because it seems the only way we can be together is to meet in person first, when in our case that is literally impossible. You think if I had the option I would waste it? I would be there right now. But my fiance lives in Gaza Palestine. The boarding crossings to even enter Gaza are so tight. They seldom let anyone thru!!!! And my activist friend who is in Gaza now has told me its impossible and he doesn't know when it will go back to semi normal. They can black list you for no reason and never let you in, or once your in, never let you leave. I can't risk that, I have a 2 year old son who lives with me. I can't just leave him and never know if I will return. And if it sounds hard for an outsider to get in, it's a million times harder for a Palestinian to get out. Even if granted the Visa, all we can to is pray that God will help us.

Our only chance to be together is the Fiance Visa, please anyone, is there any way we can do this without meeting ?? We really have no choice in meeting. Its just not possible. He is the love of my life, I know you all understand this pain, but just imagine your love is starving everyday and without proper necessities to have clean clothes or shower or electricity to keep the house warm during the winter. Earns. Maybe 100 $ a month for working 2 jobs and supports his entire family of 13 , all while going to college. Not even to mention the hell he's been thru this summer after nearly being killed during the 51 day massacre in Gaza. Desperation is an understatement. I need hope. Has anyone made it without meeting?

All you can do then is file your K1 Visa with all the requirements documents and evidence of a relation with your letter of waiver to meet in person. Do make a compelling case and be sure you have your evidence to back it up. Don't assume they will be like "Oh I saw that on the news." They will want documented proof why you can't meet in a third country. Show how difficult it is to go there (look at the governments travel advisories as proof).

Submit all that and hope for the best. God bless.

[kzielu 1,149]

Have to show you or him attempted to meet (either you trying to travel there or have good reason why you couldn't or him attempting to come to US / third country to meet) and were unable to do so. Saying that somebody told you something is unlikely to work.

[jfgk1987 303]

Hello I am new here. I'm American. I've been researching so much and feel like bashing my head against the wall. Not just for info overload, but because it seems the only way we can be together is to meet in person first, when in our case that is literally impossible. You think if I had the option I would waste it? I would be there right now. But my fiance lives in Gaza Palestine. The boarding crossings to even enter Gaza are so tight. They seldom let anyone thru!!!! And my activist friend who is in Gaza now has told me its impossible and he doesn't know when it will go back to semi normal. They can black list you for no reason and never let you in, or once your in, never let you leave. I can't risk that, I have a 2 year old son who lives with me. I can't just leave him and never know if I will return. And if it sounds hard for an outsider to get in, it's a million times harder for a Palestinian to get out. Even if granted the Visa, all we can to is pray that God will help us.

Our only chance to be together is the Fiance Visa, please anyone, is there any way we can do this without meeting ?? We really have no choice in meeting. Its just not possible. He is the love of my life, I know you all understand this pain, but just imagine your love is starving everyday and without proper necessities to have clean clothes or shower or electricity to keep the house warm during the winter. Earns. Maybe 100 $ a month for working 2 jobs and supports his entire family of 13 , all while going to college. Not even to mention the hell he's been thru this summer after nearly being killed during the 51 day massacre in Gaza. Desperation is an understatement. I need hope. Has anyone made it without meeting?

Merely explaining the situation in Gaza will not be enough. Have you at least tried to visit, but failed because you were turned away or officially blacklisted? If not, I would definitely mention the hardship it would cause you to leave your son behind to visit your fiance. In the end, despite the evidence of hardship USCIS could still deny the I-129F, you can only hope that they don't. Good luck.

[dwheels76 5,468]

I would also do an advance search here on VJ there have been I believe 2 cases in the last 2 years on here where a waiver to meet was granted (One extreme illness and medical issues). But talk to them so you can compile your evidence correctly for optimal results.

[Boiler 45,663]

If he cannot get out of Gaza well is there any point?

Are you of Palestinian heritage, how did you make contact?

[clairegie 265]

If he cannot get out of Gaza well is there any point?

Are you of Palestinian heritage, how did you make contact?

I was thinking the same questions. Also, who will be left to take care of the 13 members of his family? He cannot work immediately upon entering the US (given he is allowed out of Gaza). You will shoulder a lot of mouths to feed (plus the many other things you have to pay for to apply for K1 and adjust his status).

MAYBE USCIS will accept your situation since the embassy website also acknowledges how hard it is to get in and out of the place. Go ahead and try, it is after all the only way to find out if he will be exempted from the meeting in person rule. I hope everything works out for you.

Edited November 20, 2014 by iammrsregi

[dwheels76 5,468]

If he cannot get out of Gaza well is there any point?

Are you of Palestinian heritage, how did you make contact?

I know right now they are not letting Palestinians get passes to go to embassy for their interviews.

There is someone on my interview thread her husband has interview 1st week in December and they denied him passage.

[Novak.Ani 1]

I appreciate all of your replies and advice. I know there isn't much that can be done.

Any point? I would ask the same question, Boiler, a year ago when I didn't know what love was. Because this is just as crazy as it sounds, if not more.

I'm self employed and money is not really the issue. Just the risk of travelling and being denied entry and wasting all the time and money, just to turn around and do it again. If nothing else, we will marry by proxy and just live apart. We will be together in the next life. God willing.

We met on fb. And were almost disturbed in how identical our lives are. Lol. I can't even begin to explain it. And I've had plenty stones thrown my way from people who hear our story. To me this is confirmation lol. So its okay if it seems like a farce, or I'm in over my head. I know I am.

[kzielu 1,149]

Seems that being that much in love, risk of denied entry and spending time travelling (and with money not being an issue) should be very low. Why wouldn't you just try it ? Being self employed seems like getting time off shouldn't be an issue.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

How long have you known him? The requirement is that you met in the past 2 years. The USCIS is sure to question as to why you never met him before entering and leaving Gaza was impossible.

Second, as others have posted, you must show proof you tried to visit but could not, for example, flying to Gaza and getting turned away. In addition, not to sound cold, but fear of risk is not a compelling reason in the eyes of the USCIS, which is another reason as to why you must make the attempt to meet in order to make a compelling argument.

Good luck!

Edited November 20, 2014 by Mike-eeh and Odie

[clairegie 265]

Seems that being that much in love, risk of denied entry and spending time travelling (and with money not being an issue) should be very low. Why wouldn't you just try it ? Being self employed seems like getting time off shouldn't be an issue.

Like the OP stated, she has a 2 year old that lives with her. Also, in Gaza, they control whether you are allowed to enter or leave the place. Very risky for her to come over without assurance that she can leave. I hope you are aware of how dangerous it is over there. Her safety is not a "low risk" situation.

[Boiler 45,663]

These things change. Might be tricky now but OP has a friend there.

Gaza does not have an airport. You go in through Egypt or possibly Israel.

The other issue of course is the validity of the relationship. Natural assumption is he is looking for a ticket out

Wonder how they do AP?

[Novak.Ani 1]

Very valid points everyone. Thank you, I appreciate all of them. Trust me, if I heard this situation myself, I'd even question it. So I can't fault anyone for skepticism.

My reasons for not traveling to see him, true, are all because of heresay , the things I've read, and from my Habibi himself. I'm just so afraid to get stuck in an open prison and leave my son behind. I can't risk that, I have full custody. And there's been sightings of Israeli drones flying overhead , everyone is feeling the ceasefire coming to an end. When you really take the time to know these Palestinian people, you too will understand how beautiful they are despite what they suffered. Despite their own leaders. Not to get political I really don't want to open that door.

The boarder crossings in Erez and Rafah are very very iffy, and random. They are never open for set amount of time. He is better off using Rafah and getting into Egypt. The problem is, no matter how much planning is put into place, how much money spent, its all to chance. They could close the day I arrive and not allow him exit. And it was all for naught, its just scary. But for him to even leave,is next to impossible as is. There are small windows of opportunity, and we would never know in advance.

[shahara2013 16]

I would try to meet up. It might delay things, but that's okay. Situations on the ground can change.

Let him try to cross, and if he can then book your ticket and go.