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Stephen Ketcher

Complicated Past

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

In April 2008 my fiance (Texas, US) filed for a K1 on my behalf. By September same year, we had all preliminary approvals needed and a letter was sent to me here in Ghana to pick up my package from the local US embassy. When she informed her parents about our initial success, her dad went raging mad against our relationship and registered his hate against interracial marriages and followed up with a threatening and abusive phone call to me. Though her mum was extremely nice on phone with several assuring postcards sent to me, I completely felt unwelcomed and frightened. I was 25 then and my fiance was 24; I was completely innocent to all the drama and process. As painful as anything imaginable, I walked away from the relationship to concentrate on my studies and career development and did not honor the invitation to pick up my package from the embassy here. I just didn't show up. I later applied for a B1/B2 Visa in 2009 to attend a conference but was refused with no specific reason given.

Fast Foward>> Now I'm 35, married and have a family, my brother is a Legal Permanent Resident, his wife is a citizen, my parents (both) have their B1/B2 5yrs multiple Visa but every relative of mine in the US is afraid to invite me due to my past.

One party of my family claims I should ask my fiance to withdraw our 10yr old K1 application before they invite me. They claim the K1 application is what caused my initial B1/B2 refusal (9 yrs ago) because it was and still is pending representing 2 conflicting applications. I have contacted my ex but she's refused to withdraw even till date. 

The other party of my family thinks we were not married then so there's no binding law for me to annul. They claim it shouldn't affect a B category of Visa application as long as I state my case file number with explanations on the D160 form.

Just yesterday, my little brother was given an approval for his B1B2 Visa and I feel so sad cuz the entire family is meeting for Christmas in California without my family. My wife thinks my past has now become an albatross around my neck and also affecting her.   

WHAT DO I DO? Should the K1 be withdrawn? Can it even be withdrawn even if my ex refuses to do so? I honestly haven't been able to sleep last night to this morning.

Thanks

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* Moved from K-1 Progress Reports to Tourist Visas forum since the question is now about obtaining a tourist visa *

 

Re: Past visa/petition

You cannot withdraw the I-129F. it's not your form.

The existing I-129F is long expired, as is the visa application.

That said, a CO can determine that you have immigrant intent still. This can be - in part - due to previously stated immigrant intent via the old K-1 application. A tourist visa application a year or so after a K-1 would likely be a heavy burden to show non-immigrant intent (i.e. you could have made up / gotten back together / whatever, and intended to come and stay in the US and bypass the K-1 process).

 

Re: New tourist visa application

You apply and find out if they will issue one to you. The extended time period is definitely favorable. I doubt it would be a major factor in the decision.

No invitation is needed to apply, and an invite does not increase your chances of obtaining a tourist visa. You will be issued the visa or not based on your own case's merits, not those of anybody else.

No idea how this would be affecting your wife (other than via it affecting you emotionally).

 

Apply and find out. There's no other way to know the result.

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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Honestly, I think you’re making this more complicated than it is. Many people walk away from k1s. It was a decade ago and it’s not like you keep applying for more k1s which is what would be suspicious... but it’s the opposite, you have a family at home in Ghana now.

Also,  no one needs to invite you for anything, even if your family seems reluctant to, so what? You don’t need an invite to get a tourist visa. Fill in a ds160, if you can show the officer you have ties at home you’ll get it. If he asks about the supposed pending i129 (I’m sure it’s considered abandoned now) just tell him you’ve asked your ex fiancée to withdraw, she refused. 

Edited by SusieQQQ
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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

Your case really something you will not have to do it on your own but you need a Lawyer to show what to do or how he can assist you by not doing some errors again.

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4 hours ago, Lissa&Pee said:

Your case really something you will not have to do it on your own but you need a Lawyer to show what to do or how he can assist you by not doing some errors again.

What errors were made?

How would a lawyer assist with a tourist visa?

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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17 hours ago, Lissa&Pee said:

Your case really something you will not have to do it on your own but you need a Lawyer to show what to do or how he can assist you by not doing some errors again.

Not how that works.

 

OP:  there is no sponsorship or invitation for a B visa.  Best you can do is work on how you will present your strong ties to Ghana.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

Thanks folks. I think I'll wait for next year's thanksgiving season to apply with my wife and kid. It really makes sense to me that a decade's old application is expired and automatically annulled especially when I'm with a wife and kid. But what if I decide not to state the immigration file case in my new application? After all, I didn't even show up at the embassy for my finger print and image to be taken? I can decide to ignore and not state it in my new application. Right? 

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Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
Timeline
42 minutes ago, Stephen Ketcher said:

Thanks folks. I think I'll wait for next year's thanksgiving season to apply with my wife and kid. It really makes sense to me that a decade's old application is expired and automatically annulled especially when I'm with a wife and kid. But what if I decide not to state the immigration file case in my new application? After all, I didn't even show up at the embassy for my finger print and image to be taken? I can decide to ignore and not state it in my new application. Right? 

Sure, if you want to lie and be guarantee a denial.  The US has computer databases with all your prior applications. 

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53 minutes ago, Stephen Ketcher said:

Thanks folks. I think I'll wait for next year's thanksgiving season to apply with my wife and kid. It really makes sense to me that a decade's old application is expired and automatically annulled especially when I'm with a wife and kid. But what if I decide not to state the immigration file case in my new application? After all, I didn't even show up at the embassy for my finger print and image to be taken? I can decide to ignore and not state it in my new application. Right? 

Wrong. It asks if anyone ever filed a petition for you. The answer is yes and will always be yes. Lying on a visa form is a good path to a possible permanent ban on entry for misrepresentation. 

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1 hour ago, Stephen Ketcher said:

Thanks folks. I think I'll wait for next year's thanksgiving season to apply with my wife and kid. It really makes sense to me that a decade's old application is expired and automatically annulled especially when I'm with a wife and kid. But what if I decide not to state the immigration file case in my new application? After all, I didn't even show up at the embassy for my finger print and image to be taken? I can decide to ignore and not state it in my new application. Right? 

Of course not! You HAVE to state pass filings.

 

If you lie, then you would be facing a ban. Also, they have all of your information (name, past addresses, etc.) why would even think about trying to hide it?

“When starting an immigration journey, the best advice is to understand that sacrifices have to be made... whether it is time, money, or separation; or a combination of all.” - Unlockable

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline

Won't lie. Not at all. Was just wondering how they could still be able to pair that K1-case to me when I didn't show up to confirm my identity by finger prints. But all in all, I'm really grateful for your advise and encouragement. 

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Filed: Country: Vietnam (no flag)
Timeline
3 minutes ago, Stephen Ketcher said:

Won't lie. Not at all. Was just wondering how they could still be able to pair that K1-case to me when I didn't show up to confirm my identity by finger prints. But all in all, I'm really grateful for your advise and encouragement. 

They pair it up using computer databases based on the personal information that you provided on your many applications.  

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If it asks (and it does) and you don't tell the truth about the past petition, that is a lie.

Edited by geowrian

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

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