GAFL

WANT TO USE THIS PLATFORM TO THANK ALL VJ MEMBERS FOR HOW SUPPORTIVE THEY HAVE BEEN SINCE I CAME ON HERE..ITS NOT BEEN AN EASY TASK BUT HAPPY TO HAVE PULLED THROUGH..MY ENTIRE JOURNEY HAS BEEN A YEAR AND 4 MONTHS..WELL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS IF WE HAD ALL DOCUMENTS..FIRST THANKS GOES TO THE MOST HIGH GOD AND THE SECONDLY GOES TO MY WIFE AND THIRDLY ALL YOU GUYS ON HERE
WANT TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE ON WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY APRIL 10TH AND TODAY APRIL 11...
MY APPOINTMENT WAS YESTERDAY APRIL 10 AND GOT TO THE EMBASSY AT 7.30..MY WIFE WAITED OUTSIDE TILL 8 WHEN SHE JOINED ME INSIDE
SAT FOR 2 HOURS AND MY FINGER PRINTS WAS TAKEN AND THE WAITING STARTED..WAS LATER CALLED TO WINDOW 2 TO SUBMIT ALL MY DOCUMENTS...I HAD MY WESTERN UNION RECEIPTS,POST CARDS,FACEBOOK CHATS..SCREEN SHOT PICTURES OF OUR OVOO VIDEO CALL CHATS,WEDDING PICTURES,AND FEW PICTURES OF MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY HAVING A GOOD TIME AWAY ON A FRIENDS PARTY,ALSO HAD HER RECENT TAX PAPER..THAT'S ALL I SUBMIT..THE BLACK LADY TOOK IT AND WAS ASKED TO WAIT..WAITED FOR AN HOUR AND WAS CALLED TO WINDOW 3..THE CO WAS A LADY AND WAS SO NICE..RAISED MY RIGHT HAND AND TOOK THE OATH AND THIS ARE THE QUESTIONS SHE ASKED ME
1.WHEN DID YOU MEET YOUR WIFE ?...APRIL 8,2011 I SAID
2.WHERE DID YOU MEET HER ?...FACEBOOK
3.HOW MANY TIMES HAS SHE BEEN TO GHANA ?..THIS IS HER THIRD TIME HERE IN GHANA I SAID
4.WHAT WORK DOES SHE DO AND WHO DOES SHE WORK FOR ?..ANSWERED CORRECTLY
5.HAVE YOU LIVED OUTSIDE GHANA BEFORE..SAID YES..I TRAVELED TO TOGO BEFORE
6.FOR HOW LONG DID U STAY IN TOGO ? A WEEK MUM
SHE KEPT TYPING AND TYPING AND TYPING..SHE SAID..IM OK WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND EVERYTHING IS OK BUT YOU NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR W-2S FORMS OR IRS TRANSCRIPT..SHE GAVE ME THE WEBSITE TO GET THAT INFORMATION..SHE SAID THAT IS TO SUPPORT MY TAX PAPER..JUST IN A SECOND MY WIFE WALKED TO US AND SHE SMILED TO MY WIFE AND SAID..MUM ARE YOU THE PETITIONER ?..SHE SAID YES WITH A SMILE..THE CO LADY SAID..CAN YOU GET A SEAT PLEASE..YOUR HUSBAND IS OK..
SHE GAVE ME A WHITE PAPER UNDERLYING WHAT DOCUMENTS TO BRING TODAY THAT IS APRIL 11..I SAID THANK YOU MUM
.GOT TO THE EMBASSY TODAY SO RELAXED AND WITH HOPE THAT IM GETTING MY VISA..SUBMITTED THE PAPER SHE GAVE ME AND JUST IN 20 MINS MY NAME WAS MENTIONED WITH THIS FILIPINO CO..SHE ASKED IF I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS ..I SAID YES AND GAVE IT TO HER..SHE WATCHED THROUGH AND KEPT TYPING..SHE LATER ASKED ME TO EXCUSE HER FOR A MIN..SHE KEPT 5 MINS INSIDE AND CAME BACK WITH A MY ORIGINALS PAPERS..SHE SAID..CONGRATULATIONS SIR..YOUR VISA IS APPROVED AND U CAN COME PICK IT UP ON TUESDAY AT 2.00PM..DON'T SELL ANY PROPERTY OR BUY ANY TICKETS UNTIL YOU HAVE YOU DOCUMENTS..SHE HANDLED ME A BLUE LIGHT PAPER...THIS IS HOW FAR MY INTERVIEW WENT IF YOU READING THIS..
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT THEIR AGE..PLEASE STOP THE WORRY AND STARTING PILING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL SHUT THEM UP..AGE IS JUST A NUMBER AND THERE IS NO COUNTRY LIKE HIGH RISK..MY WIFE IS 56 AND IM JUST 27
WE WERE NOT DENIED..INSTANT APPROVAL..GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME AND MY WIFE.IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS..YOU CAN PM ME AND WILL BE SO GLAD TO HELP YOU..I CAN SEND U A COPY OF HOW I WENT WITH MY DOCUMENTS..THE WAY I COMPILED MY EVIDENCE..IT WAS NOT SO MUCH DOCUMENTS OR PAPERS..ALL IT TOOK WAS MY CONFIDENCE..LAX IN A MONTH..THANK YOU GOD.THANK YOU FRIENDS..

I sent a letter to my Congressman and Senator and to 28 others in the Senate and Congress...addressing the immigration processing times and the effect on all of us here, the unfairness of Obama's DACA decree, as well as referencing our own experience. I received three letters and the Congressman has already addressed our case. We filed in January 2014! So, obviously, we're in the early stages of the process. At that time, I-130 processing time in Vermont was 9 months! We decided to try a K3 petition. If you read the blogs, everyone will say that K3 petitions are eventually joined up with your I-130 - then administratively cancelled. However, a few K3's have made it all the way. Currently, ours is in process in Texas with what is stated to be a 5 month processing time. Our congressman is trying to ensure that the K3 is not administratively cancelled. How they can do that...I'm not sure. But, USCIS is under the jurisdiction of the Congress...Congress makes the rules for USCIS/Immigration - not the President!
So...I would say that you have nothing to worry about...and, waiting for whatever period of time is suggested, may or may not be necessary. I would say, however, that the content and intent of your letter could have some bearing and/or influence over the response or action(s) taken. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. When writing to your Congressman and/or Senators...be mindful of protocol and carefully craft your letter so as to avoid coming off sounding like a raving lunatic! LOL. State the facts, be respectful and, when applicable, provide evidence to support whatever claim you might have. In your case, you're waiting like the rest of us but, you want to see if it is possible to get your petition through more expeditiously.
Good luck!!!

Sending prayers to each of you February & March filers that are waiting.

Okay our consular information is outdated and I need your help to update. Go to the link and read. Come back here and let me know the updated information (forms, places, numbers) and I will updated all at one time instead of many people trying to update the same information.
If there is good information you think needs to be there let me know that also.
http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Nigeria&cty=Lagos
From USCIS =========> to NVC============> to Embassy=========> to Visa pickup=========> to POE
we need information.
Thank you for your input and time.
**NOTE: to other countries you should do the same on your portal information. I see some countries do not even have any Consular information. And many countries your information is outdated also. Go look and update and help others.

Thank you Saylin and here we go again for another month. Lets hope that this month, the North east will have better weather, no holidays, natural disasters or anything else. Come on NVC - lets see some action please!

Good Afternoon,
To all the Feb./March filers still waiting on a case approval do everything in your power to get your approval. As Kaylara stated earlier infopass, Congressman, Service Request, Tier 2 supervisor, etc. BE MORE THAN VERY PERSISTENT!! Best wishes to you.
Tomorrow marks 1 full calendar year since my petition was file on Feb. 27, 2013. Now waiting at NVC for IV to be invoiced...Ready to hear the sweet words of case complete with XYZ interview date ...
Something to smile about right?!?

what do u think, for my IV not getting invoiced.
i filled my agent form on feb 5th, and still IV not invoiced.
while i have seen 4-5 people on VJ timelines and they have been invoiced already even though they filled their DS-261 after my date.
also they dont have attorney and are doing them self.
This thing is making me mad, of random picking,
but i guess i cant do anything but peacefully wait.

My case was received on the 18th of Feb but it feels like forever already.... I called the NVC yesterday and I was informed that I should call back in 20 business day which will put me at the end of march before I get a case number. . NVC please show me some love

I love your description. Congratulations!!! Welcome to my home country
May God continue to bless your union..

Good Afternoon,
To all the Feb./March filers still waiting on a case approval do everything in your power to get your approval. As Kaylara stated earlier infopass, Congressman, Service Request, Tier 2 supervisor, etc. BE MORE THAN VERY PERSISTENT!! Best wishes to you.
Tomorrow marks 1 full calendar year since my petition was file on Feb. 27, 2013. Now waiting at NVC for IV to be invoiced...Ready to hear the sweet words of case complete with XYZ interview date ...
Something to smile about right?!?

Call, get a tier 2 to put in a service request. Write the ombudsman or call them. Contact your Senators and Congress people's Immigration Liaisons. Schedule an Infopass appt. These are all things that you can do right now to try to get them moving on your case. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that it would work. You may also want to research the term Writ of Mandamus and consider filing one.

...They can also see dead people...!!! Sorry, bad joke ref the 6th Sense movie... I couldn't resist....
Cheers everyone waiting..... As u can tell i have officially lost it.... :s

Hi. If you can go to interview go.
As far as chat I would say maybe roughly one a month. Please don't quote me on chat organization. Best wishes

I'll admit, I am not one to usually post on threads like these (although I usually read them), this one really resonates how I have been feeling lately, and it helps to read the stories of other VJ members. After over a year of this immigration nonsense and four years spent maneuvering through a long-distance relationship, this has really tested our patience. This whole year it's been like two steps forward one step back. With each "progression" with our case, came overwhelming hope and excitement. With each obstacle we faced, came sadness and hopelessness. It's been quite a roller-coaster of a year, and I find myself becoming a bitter person. I don't know how much longer I can try to explain to others in my life about what it's like. I just get looks of shock and amazement from others, so I often don't share about my husband to acquaintances. Once they find out, it just brings up 100 more questions and comments and judgments. I just want to be a normal married couple with my husband and start our life together. Thankfully, we are nearing the end of our journey. However, a recent hiccup during his interview (at the fault of the consulate) has now delayed my husband's visa weeks longer....not sure how long at this point. I guess I am just tired of this process.
(As a side-note, sadness is normal when going through something as monumental as this. However, I read some earlier posts from one or two forum members about feeling suicidal about this process. As a mental health professional, it worries me when I see those words written. Please, if any of you start to feel like giving up on life, go right to the ER and/or call one of the many suicide hotline numbers available. There IS help out there for you!)
Lots of love and support to you all who have helped me through this difficult process over the last year.

I met my husband online 11 years ago on a completely non-related to immigration site. Tomorrow is our 10 year anniversary of being together. We made life plans based on our situation, which included me moving over there. If we'd have any inkling of the separation that we'd be going through due to the USCIS, we would have made different plans. Our desire to do everything the "right" way has resulted in our current separation. We accepted that we'd need to be separated for several months. Never did we think we'd be still sitting here a year later.
Why all this complaining? Because our immigration issues never took precedence over our relationship. And now, immigration has been the defining factor of our relationship for a year. Because my children cry to me every day that they miss their daddy. Because I actually miss my husband. It's because the USCIS continues to state that they're having delays, but has shown no actual sign of fixing the problem. Because the NVC is unprepared to deal with things like federal holidays or winter in New Hampshire, which happen every year. Their inability to deal with reality or February is once again delaying our process. Are you suggesting that I should be super happy that we may be delayed several more months?
Well, I'm not. Nor am I blaming the DACA filers or illegal aliens. I actually support amnesty and DACA, with the caveat that the entire immigration system should be overhauled to avoid these problems in the future. I believe that people who follow the laws should come first. That doesn't mean that I don't think others shouldn't be serviced, just that they shouldn't be given preference.
And I can, and will complain all I want. If you don't like reading complaints, then stop coming into threads where it's obvious there's going to be a lot of complaining. The other people on this site are some of the few people out there who can commiserate and truly understand what I'm going through.That can be the difference between a good day, and a laying curled up in a dark room crying day.

Really ?
If someone broke into your home without you knowing it and called themselves a "undocumented resident" of your house - would you allow it ?
B.S. my friend is folks like you and your president devaluing american citizenship by giving these people access to American nationality like hot cakes.
They ARE taking our places with USCIS.
THEY WERE PROCESSED AHEAD of the rest of us.
And now they're coming back to flood the system.
AGAIN
Who are you to tell us how to react to the blatant politicization of law enforcement and immigration law for favorable electoral outcomes ?

1. Why does the fact that I met my wife while studying abroad on a US-government sponsored program make my relationship invalid?
2. Why is it that countries like Spain and India are able to give foreign spouses of their citizens permanent, legal residence in less than 1 month?
3. If they have to "scrutinize everyone entering in this Country t's their job" why shouldn't illegal immigrants have to leave and go through the same process?
4. Where do you get off telling us not to "whine" when the only reason people are talking about amnesty, and the only reason DACA is a reality, is due to the incessant whining of the Latino and illegal immigrants communities?
5. If our "whines" should not be heard, then why should we listen to the "whining" of people who knew what they were doing when the broke the law? The KNEW that there was no path to legal citizenship when they came here 20 years ago, so why should we give them a prize just for being able to cheat the system all these years?

These are the stories that need to be published in the New York Times! I wonder if anyone could figure out a way to copy this forum and get it to the author of the article? Kaylara, you were interviewed. Is there anyway to contact <I forgot her name> and get her to read these?
Sukie

"If I knew then what I know now....." we would have just filed a K-1 and he'd be here now. Or he could have just stayed and adjusted status, but that wasn't realistic as he had a job to return to and most of his possessions!
I too hear ALL the time "I don't know how you do it" to which I think they've never been in love and that's sad. The one question I loathe is "how is married life". My response would get the ##### on this thread so I won't type it!
Sometimes this site burns me out, but you're all here and you all understand better than anyone!

In December, I almost quit school and stayed in Brazil because I could not stomach coming back to the US alone and suffering again.
We almost pulled our I-130 petition and thought about going to Canada instead because we thought the process would be quicker and have many friends who moved there.
I know how you feel.... I get really angry, too. We ARE being punished for following the laws... and meanwhile, I hear about all these status adjusters (people who come on tourist visas because their friends promised them American husbands and cars and homes) and they get their GCs in 3 months. It sucks but I believe in karma.... if we get through this, there will be nothing but tons of blessings!!!

Guys, I know you don't want to hear this but hang in there. I have not lived with my husband under the same roof since June 2011 (different immigration issues involving a J-1 visa, two year rule - we could not file for the IR-1 until about six months ago.)
I fight with my husband a lot and this is only lately. I also have thought of divorce and this has affected me psychologically. I missed all of my wedding anniversaries and never got to celebrate any bday with him since we got married. I can't even go out to public places without feeling anxious or depressed when I see couples together. I seriously sit there with the worst jealousy and wish that was me.
Two weeks ago, I went to the ER in the middle of the night because of an asthma attack brought on by anxiety... this never happened to me before. I was lying in bed thinking about all sorts of things - including immigration and I couldn't breathe.
It sucks but there is nothing we can do but wait. I would suggest keep bugging the senator, congressperson, the NVC, or whomever.
The only thing that keeps me going is to know that the love I share with my husband (regardless of my thoughts, which we all have) and this experience is something that very few people can go through. Just about everyone has told me "I don't know how you do it. I could never do it" which to me says "I don't love my spouse that much." In fact, yesterday, someone was complaining to me (again) about having to drive 2 hours to see a girl he's dating. And then criticized me for having a long distance relationship saying those never work. well you know what FU is my answer! And all these things serve to show me that what I have is unique and that when we are, in fact, together again, things will be better than before (after marriage counseling if necessary because let me tell you from past experience... it takes adjusting to your spouse who has essentially become somewhat of a stranger. Skype is no substitute for being together as we all know.)
I have faith that things will be better for all of us and that we can show people what love is... regardless of the turmoil our hearts feel and our relationships endure.
HANG IN THERE! <3 I am so grateful for you guys... we can all relate to each other and understand each other!

My expedited file was received by the Embassy this evening (next morning in Nepal). I called the Embassy and requested an interview date. Its now set for March 4th. Yay!!!!! Long time coming.. I will be boarding a flight this week to Nepal and bring her back with me......

So we're preparing everything for sending the AoS and IV package finally. I've spent a better part of i think 2 hours going through common checklist reasons (in a selection of posts from the last 2 years) and summing them up for my husband. Lessons learned:
* Everything has to be filled in in black ink;
* If you do a 1040 - put in total income in the place they ask for income, 1040ez - adjusted gross. No rounding up, as far as I understand;
* If you put in anything about assets, provide documents proving your statement, but don't bother doing this if your annual income is enough for sponsoring;
* Whatever's not applicable - mark N/A or risk checklist if they think you missed it.
Stuff i knew but double-checked:
* If the petitioner is sponsoring a spouse, then the spouse is accounted for as the main immigrant and petitioner puts "0" in "married" box for headcount;
* Don't forget to mark little flags like "Yes, i've reported stuff to the IRS" and "Yes/No" on active military duty.
Uh. Hopefully we finally send stuff off in the next couple of days.

Update on progress:
2/18/2014: AOS & IV fees available and paid - "In process"
2/20/2014: System updated as "Paid" and DS 260 available
2/22/2014: Submitted DS 260
Hoping the lawyer mails out our packets in the next couple of days max.
May this be a good week for us all!

Well, to my knowledge this is only available to be filled out online..
I wanted to know the information beforehand though so I would be prepared to transcribe it online easily.
Since it's an online "secured" form it times out constantly and causes loss of information at times.
It will NOT allow you to save unless every blank is filled or question answered on each particular page.
Again, this is only for those wanting to know what to have in preparation so when online it's easy to fill the forms out quickly and hopefully...painlessly.