Overcoming Immigration Setbacks: Lessons from a Five-Year Journey

[Ma Daniel 23]

Five years ago, I shared our heartbreak when my spouse's visa was denied due to a mistake from a previous application. At the time, the negative comments and skepticism from some made an already painful situation even harder to process. But despite the setbacks, we refused to give up.  

Over the years, we navigated legal complexities, faced countless obstacles, and sought the help of a knowledgeable immigration lawyer. The road was long, frustrating, and at times felt impossible—but we stayed determined.  

And today, I’m beyond grateful to share that my spouse’s visa has finally been approved! It took patience, resilience, and unwavering belief in our journey. To anyone experiencing setbacks in their immigration process: don’t let negativity shake your confidence. Get informed, seek legal guidance, and keep pushing forward.  

If our story can be a source of hope for even one person going through the same battle, then sharing it was worth it. You are not alone—keep fighting for what matters!

[JeanneAdil 7,023]

i, too, wen thru 5 years with denied K1 and Cr1 

Without help of a lawyer i did my own appeal and marriage was found bona fida by court but i needed to reapply

which i shared on VJ

 

It is helpful to know you succeeded but what would really help is to know the CO issues and how u overcame the denial

 

did lawyer do an appeal or just answer the CO issues for the NOID/NOIR

Knowing how to handle denials is helpful to others

[Ma Daniel 23]

@JeanneAdil My husband initially denial was in 2020 and he was told by the CO that we should be expecting a NOID from USCIS. I consulted with a a lawyer who said we may or may never receive that NOID and should ho ahead and file a new petition which we did in April of 2021. We waited and waited with uncountable inquiries and didn’t get a response to the current petition. In March of 2024, I contacted my congressman who contacted USCIS and finally got the petition approved. We were also told by the lawyer that once that is approved and we get everything with NVC and he gets an interview, the CO is going to refused and then give us the option to file a waiver. But, my husband’s visa interview turned around when the CO asked him about a document he presented from Mexico that the only legal marriage he has is with me. So, he was refused on March 19, 2025 and place on Administrative processing while the contacted Mexico to review the marriage documents. We got an email from the embassy last week for him to drop off his passport and today on the ceac site it says “issued”. Hope that helps. You can PM me if you have any questions.

[Ma Daniel 23]

2 hours ago, Ma Daniel said:

Five years ago, I shared our heartbreak when my spouse's visa was denied due to a mistake from a previous application. At the time, the negative comments and skepticism from some made an already painful situation even harder to process. But despite the setbacks, we refused to give up.  

Over the years, we navigated legal complexities, faced countless obstacles, and sought the help of a knowledgeable immigration lawyer. The road was long, frustrating, and at times felt impossible—but we stayed determined.  

And today, I’m beyond grateful to share that my spouse’s visa has finally been approved! It took patience, resilience, and unwavering belief in our journey. To anyone experiencing setbacks in their immigration process: don’t let negativity shake your confidence. Get informed, seek legal guidance, and keep pushing forward.  

If our story can be a source of hope for even one person going through the same battle, then sharing it was worth it. You are not alone—keep fighting for what matters!

 

2 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

i, too, wen thru 5 years with denied K1 and Cr1 

Without help of a lawyer i did my own appeal and marriage was found bona fida by court but i needed to reapply

which i shared on VJ

 

It is helpful to know you succeeded but what would really help is to know the CO issues and how u overcame the denial

 

did lawyer do an appeal or just answer the CO issues for the NOID/NOIR

Knowing how to handle denials is helpful to others

My husband initially denial was in 2020 and he was told by the CO that we should be expecting a NOID from USCIS. I consulted with a a lawyer who said we may or may never receive that NOID and should ho ahead and file a new petition which we did in April of 2021. We waited and waited with uncountable inquiries and didn’t get a response to the current petition. In March of 2024, I contacted my congressman who contacted USCIS and finally got the petition approved. We were also told by the lawyer that once that is approved and we get everything with NVC and he gets an interview, the CO is going to refused and then give us the option to file a waiver. But, my husband’s visa interview turned around when the CO asked him about a document he presented from Mexico that the only legal marriage he has is with me. So, he was refused on March 19, 2025 and place on Administrative processing while the contacted Mexico to review the marriage documents. We got an email from the embassy last week for him to drop off his passport and today on the ceac site it says “issued”. Hope that helps. You can PM me if you have any questions.

[JD2 122]

Congratulations! Very happy for you.  What exactly was the reason for the denial of the first visa?  You could explain further?  And, why were people skeptical? I'm just curious.

[Scandi 4,287]

8 minutes ago, JD2 said:

Congratulations! Very happy for you.  What exactly was the reason for the denial of the first visa?  You could explain further?  And, why were people skeptical? I'm just curious.

The usual, someone lying about their marital status to try to get a tourist visa: 

 

[TBoneTX 47,311]

Thread is moved from the CR-1 Process forum to the CR-1 Case Progress subforum.

[JD2 122]

On 6/10/2025 at 12:05 PM, Ma Daniel said:

 

My husband initially denial was in 2020 and he was told by the CO that we should be expecting a NOID from USCIS. I consulted with a a lawyer who said we may or may never receive that NOID and should ho ahead and file a new petition which we did in April of 2021. We waited and waited with uncountable inquiries and didn’t get a response to the current petition. In March of 2024, I contacted my congressman who contacted USCIS and finally got the petition approved. We were also told by the lawyer that once that is approved and we get everything with NVC and he gets an interview, the CO is going to refused and then give us the option to file a waiver. But, my husband’s visa interview turned around when the CO asked him about a document he presented from Mexico that the only legal marriage he has is with me. So, he was refused on March 19, 2025 and place on Administrative processing while the contacted Mexico to review the marriage documents. We got an email from the embassy last week for him to drop off his passport and today on the ceac site it says “issued”. Hope that helps. You can PM me if you have any questions.

So, did he have to get a waiver?

[JeanneAdil 7,023]

On 6/11/2025 at 6:21 AM, Scandi said:

The usual, someone lying about their marital status to try to get a tourist visa: 

 

OP

 

And having a common law wife in Cameroon didn't scare you?

 

Do you know what may happen when he has that precious green card as has happened to some from Africa ?

 

Do you know USCIS may not even issue green card 

 

Yes, USCIS does look back at your case before issuing your green card, even after an IR1 visa has been issued. 

Why?

• Final Review: Before issuing the permanent resident card (green card), USCIS conducts a comprehensive review of your entire case to ensure all eligibility requirements are still met.

[Ma Daniel 23]

On 6/11/2025 at 5:12 AM, JD2 said:

Congratulations! Very happy for you.  What exactly was the reason for the denial of the first visa?  You could explain further?  And, why were people skeptical? I'm just curious.

He was denied initially based on misrepresentation on his B1 visa he applied some years back. He had stated he was married meanwhile he was on a common law relationship. He was denied based on the fact. When we reapplied we got a certificate from Mexico to proof he was never married to his ex. During his current visa interview, the CO placed his process on administrative review while the carried on investigation in Mexico to verify the certificate of non-marriage we had presented. After, 3 months we got the approval. 
I am open to answer any questions and the firm we used.

[Ma Daniel 23]

On 6/12/2025 at 1:43 AM, JD2 said:

So, did he have to get a waiver?

No, we didn’t get to do a waiver. The CO placed his case on Administrative processing while he sent the certificate of no impediment to marriage we got per the lawyer’s advice. 

[Boiler 47,235]

Hacking had one of those on his show today.

 

Where does Mexico come into the picture?

[Ma Daniel 23]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Hacking had one of those on his show today.

 

Where does Mexico come into the picture?

He had the B1 visa in Mexico. He is a Cameroonian who has been in Mexico for over a decade with a Mexican permanent residency 

[Ma Daniel 23]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Hacking had one of those on his show today.

 

Where does Mexico come into the picture?

I came back here to update on our journey and outcome. I remember you were one of the commenters on my post in 2020. I had vowed to myself that whatever the outcome was, I would update y’all. At least our case is one of which came out with a successful outcome.

[Ma Daniel 23]

On 6/13/2025 at 8:55 AM, JeanneAdil said:

OP

 

And having a common law wife in Cameroon didn't scare you?

 

Do you know what may happen when he has that precious green card as has happened to some from Africa ?

 

Do you know USCIS may not even issue green card 

 

Yes, USCIS does look back at your case before issuing your green card, even after an IR1 visa has been issued. 

Why?

• Final Review: Before issuing the permanent resident card (green card), USCIS conducts a comprehensive review of your entire case to ensure all eligibility requirements are still met.

Same USCIS had both cases, got the NOID from the previous petition and still approved the second petition. I will keep y’all updated as we progress. First, it was the negative feedback on him never the getting the visa and the talk of me relocating or having a second thought about my marriage. 
Now, it is “do you know USCIS might issue him a green card.” Smh