Refused and confused

[Joy&Fred 4]

I checked the CEAC website today and it says Visa status: Refused. The US embassy in El Salvador still had my husband's passport to date. I called, they referred me to another number, then a recording told me to email. I asked what are the reasons he was refused as they did not send an email, letter, call, nothing. I was told in the email that he is still in administrative processing and that his status has been updated. We went back and forth 3 times with their same answer. I checked the embassy website and entered his passport number which states that it is being sent by post. I am looking for some guidance as to what is actually going on here? I feel like I am getting mixed answers, I dont know what this all means. Also, is there another system I should be checking? I feel lost without my husband and just want to know how to bring him home. 

Edited June 22, 2018 by Joy&Fred

[TNJ17 1,329]

Unfortunately ceac is the only place you can check the status. You might be in AP still or you might be refused. If you are really refused, the beneficiary will get a letter in the mail with the reasons why. It’s a good sign that they kept the passport but it’s not good that it says refused on ceac. What did they say at the interview? Some people are under AP for weeks sometimes months. Checking with the embassy is the only way to find out what’s going on. I would say wait a few days and see if ceac changes. If it doesn’t keep bugging the embassy for an answer. If they sent him his passport back and it’s really refused, there will be a letter accompanying the passport explaining why it was refused. When you receive the letter and see the reason why, you can begin to appeal if you feel they made the wrong decision. Now mind you, I say if they made the wrong decision, because that is different than you not meeting one of the requirements for the visa. So when you get the letter from them with the reasons, check to see if it’s not the latter. Because if you failed to meet a requirement your appeal won’t be approved. 

[pushbrk 12,968]

1 hour ago, Joy&Fred said:

I checked the CEAC website today and it says Visa status: Refused. The US embassy in El Salvador still had my husband's passport to date. I called, they referred me to another number, then a recording told me to email. I asked what are the reasons he was refused as they did not send an email, letter, call, nothing. I was told in the email that he is still in administrative processing and that his status has been updated. We went back and forth 3 times with their same answer. I checked the embassy website and entered his passport number which states that it is being sent by post. I am looking for some guidance as to what is actually going on here? I feel like I am getting mixed answers, I dont know what this all means. Also, is there another system I should be checking? I feel lost without my husband and just want to know how to bring him home. 

Other than what you've written, what's actually going on with the case?  Why was the visa not issued right away?

[Joy&Fred 4]

In the interview they asked him to send them an updated passport as his would expire in two months (in El Salvador you can't get a new passport unless it is expired, so the US Embassy acutally gave him a letter so he could get a new one), updated police report from El Salvador since he has been back for 3 months (clean) and his migratory report. he was given a 221g at that time with this requested information.  We submitted it all right away. They sent again on June 7th asking for a migratory report for the past 16 years, which we ordered right away and it takes 1 week to receive, then sent to the embassy. There were no red flags in the interview. We have submitted everything and have a waiver because I have two disabled children from my previous marriage that I need my husband's support to care for. 

Edited June 23, 2018 by Joy&Fred

[Joy&Fred 4]

this is what the email said:

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.
>
> We understand that you would like to know the status of your visa
> application.
>
> In response to your question, please note the case has been temporarily
> refused due the fact that the Embassy has requested for additional
> documents. The applicant did not receive any document that informs the case
> was refused completely.
>
> These documents were already received and now are under review by a
> Consular Officer. Please be assured that, once the processing is completed
> or if the Embassy needs further information, you will be intimated about
> the same.
>
> We hope this information is helpful to you.
>

[pushbrk 12,968]

4 minutes ago, Joy&Fred said:

this is what the email said:

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.
>
> We understand that you would like to know the status of your visa
> application.
>
> In response to your question, please note the case has been temporarily
> refused due the fact that the Embassy has requested for additional
> documents. The applicant did not receive any document that informs the case
> was refused completely.
>
> These documents were already received and now are under review by a
> Consular Officer. Please be assured that, once the processing is completed
> or if the Embassy needs further information, you will be intimated about
> the same.
>
> We hope this information is helpful to you.
>

That should clear it up.  You're in AP to consider the last documentation you sent.  No decision yet.

[Joy&Fred 4]

Went to the CEAC website, still says "refused" updated yesterday 6/25. I emailed the embassy again. I feel so lost at this point, I feel like my country does not care about me and my family.  

[Joy&Fred 4]

I am trying to focus on that but my husband has been there for 3 months now, and we were initially told that 3 weeks and he would be back home. My husband is not a criminal, there is no reason for it to take 4 weeks to look at 3 sheets of paper we submitted per the 221g. I sent reams of legal documentation, proof of our relationship, and they looked at none of that when he went to the interview, only that I am not Salvadoran (i am fluent in Spanish). He has been gone so long from El Salvador it does not even feel like he belongs there anymore, and he doesn't. He belongs here in the states with me.

[pushbrk 12,968]

Either try harder, or take a tranq.  It will take as long as it takes.

[Esme2504 48]

7 hours ago, Joy&Fred said:

I am trying to focus on that but my husband has been there for 3 months now, and we were initially told that 3 weeks and he would be back home. My husband is not a criminal, there is no reason for it to take 4 weeks to look at 3 sheets of paper we submitted per the 221g. I sent reams of legal documentation, proof of our relationship, and they looked at none of that when he went to the interview, only that I am not Salvadoran (i am fluent in Spanish). He has been gone so long from El Salvador it does not even feel like he belongs there anymore, and he doesn't. He belongs here in the states with me.

I'm in the same boat with my fiance at the embassy in El salvador. We are also in AP but ceac website says refused. We have been like this for 2 months now. We emailed them they respond saying a CO is reviewing his case. 

[Joy&Fred 4]

That is the email that I received today "that it has been escalated". The part that is just so sad, is that the US Embassy does not care how it is hurting the American Citizens who are waiting for their loved one to return. I feel totally abandoned and disrespected by my country (USA) after this experience, and my feelings about my country have definitely changed. This experience is not for the faint of heart, but I was assured by our attorney that it would be a quick process due to the dire needs of having my husband's help with my two disabled children and that his case was clean. I am not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, I just feel that the system in wrong, flawed, and punitive, something that I never would have imagined that my country would be part of, ever.

[Esme2504 48]

4 hours ago, Joy&Fred said:

That is the email that I received today "that it has been escalated". The part that is just so sad, is that the US Embassy does not care how it is hurting the American Citizens who are waiting for their loved one to return. I feel totally abandoned and disrespected by my country (USA) after this experience, and my feelings about my country have definitely changed. This experience is not for the faint of heart, but I was assured by our attorney that it would be a quick process due to the dire needs of having my husband's help with my two disabled children and that his case was clean. I am not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, I just feel that the system in wrong, flawed, and punitive, something that I never would have imagined that my country would be part of, ever.

It has been escalated? What does that mean? Sorry to hear you feel that way. We all feel that way since they don't care about separating families. I do think that since Trump has issues with gangs in El Salvador, the US is doing extra security checks. I know in my case thats whats happening.  we just need to be patient and pray!!  

[pushbrk 12,968]

Consular Officers' job is not to care.  It is to follow the law and do their actual job.  They know things take time.  It is what it is.  Your heartaches are born from having improper expectations that are not based on reality.  Everybody with circumstances matching yours is waiting just like you are.  The only difference is in how they/you deal with the realities of the situation.

[jan22 3,056]

Reading between the lines and drawing some conclusions based on your mention of a waiver and bringing your husband back home, I am assuming that he was either in TPS status or undocumented for some time in the US.  If that's correct, the Embassy is likely reviewing his migratory record with the information in US systems to determine if they match up or if there are other issues.  That will take some time to do; it's not an instant process.

[Joy&Fred 4]

I appreciate your input. As I said, we were assured it would be a faster process but looking at what is going on in my country right now, it is going to be a long haul. My husband received an email today that we may find out next week after they look at the migratory record, but I am sure there will be more and more red tape to go through.