Just_Me00

Oh great! Thanks again!
 
Hope your interview goes great!

Nothing new from Maryland either....

Congrats goodwinandkate!! It's so exciting to finally see some movement in the Baltimore field office!
 

I agree with other posters that the cover letter and resume should be customized depending on the job posting/description. A good way of doing this is having a resume that is the master copy and that you can copy/paste from to other variations of the resume. A good resource to help you customize your resume is to use a tool like TagCrowd to see what the key words of the job posting are and use those in the resume that you apply with. The bigger the word is in the TagCrowd results, the more times it is repeated in the job posting and the more important it is to have in your resume.
 
Lastly, patience is KEY in the job search. It takes time and lots of effort especially for immigrants since most employers prefer to hire someone with experience here in the US.

You can apply for citizenship as soon as your 90-day window opens even if your ROC has not been processed yet. If your extension expires before your ROC is processed, you can make an InfoPass appointment at your local USCIS office.
 
Also, you might want to call USCIS regarding the status of your biometrics appointment because it seems to me that 6 months is a long time to wait just for biometrics scheduling. When my husband applied for his ROC, his biometrics letter came in a month or less.

My then-fiance (now husband) was put in AP for 8 months by the embassy in Cairo, then secondary AP for another 4 months after that. After the initial 8 month AP, the embassy asked for a renewed medical and police report. Our case had no red flags and we only found out that it was in a second AP after reaching out to my Senator.
 
I am wondering, have you reached out to your Congressman or Senator? If not, that may be a good step to take before filing the Writ.

Saddly this is very true. I went into my first marriage with this mindset, that I could make him what I wanted him to be versus realizing that he wasn't really anything I wanted from even a friend. But I thought he could be changed and that he could become something else, a "better version" of himself that people would always tote around and say. Either way, no he stayed the same, we got married, had a child and the marriage was toxic. Divorcing was the single best choice we ever made in our relationship.
My fiance is though, everything I ever did want. I wouldn't want him to change for anything because he's perfect to me how he is, his flaws are minor and not a make or break. He feels the same about me as well. Every relationship will have bumps but generally if you're with the right person, those bumps will never hit even close to the "maybe we shouldn't be together" territory.

OP, where in Virginia do you live? Definitely there are "pockets" of places all over the country that are worse than others. I reverted to Islam in January and have been wearing Hijab ever since. I was worried that I would be descriminated against but i have not experienced anything more than people being curious about why I am muslim and where i am from. I live in Silver Spring, MD, about 10 mins from DC. This area is very culturally and religiously diverse so for the most part people are very accepting of one another. There is Lutheran church, Mosque, Greek orthodox church, and Buddhist Temple standing right beside each other on the main road I live off of. I drive for Uber and in the beginning I was afraid the riders would be afraid of me or descriminate against me because of my hijab and because of the Islamophobia that exists among some. But I have not had any problems. Most people have been very kind. Many people are curious and aren't sure how to ask about my situation. They will usually start off by asking where I'm from but I can feel they really want to know how it is that I am muslim. I have had some great conversations with many of my riders about how I came to Islam. Mind you, I stay close to the DC metropolitan area when I drive so I am mostly in Northern Virginia, DC, and Montgomery and PG county, MD. A couple of times i have taken riders from DC to places further south in VA away from the city and I haven't felt as comfortable there. One girl was not being mean or anything but she couldn't get over the fact that I am muslim. She kept saying "I just don't get it, you're white...how are you muslim". More rural areas are less diverse and when something is unknown it is often feared. My family is from a tiny town in Mississippi where there is very little cultural or religious diversion. I went to visit my family with my ex-husband who was hispanic and felt very uncomfortable. People stared at us hard everywhere we went. No one said anything but you could actually feel tension in the air. I don't think I will be visiting Picayune, Mississippi in my hijab anytime soon lol. My fiance has seen the news about Chapel Hill and other islamophobic events and he is concerned for our safety. He is afraid most American's hate muslims and thinks we will have a bad life here. I can only reassure him that is not the case here where I live. There are definitely parts of Maryland and Virginia I wouldn't want to go to alone in my hijab but nowhere close to home. If you don't feel comfortable where you live and moving closer to the city is a possibility for you, go for it!
OP, where in Virginia do you live? Definitely there are "pockets" of places all over the country that are worse than others. I reverted to Islam in January and have been wearing Hijab ever since. I was worried that I would be descriminated against but i have not experienced anything more than people being curious about why I am muslim and where i am from. I live in Silver Spring, MD, about 10 mins from DC. This area is very culturally and religiously diverse so for the most part people are very accepting of one another. There is Lutheran church, Mosque, Greek orthodox church, and Buddhist Temple standing right beside each other on the main road I live off of. I drive for Uber and in the beginning I was afraid the riders would be afraid of me or descriminate against me because of my hijab and because of the Islamophobia that exists among some. But I have not had any problems. Most people have been very kind. Many people are curious and aren't sure how to ask about my situation. They will usually start off by asking where I'm from but I can feel they really want to know how it is that I am muslim. I have had some great conversations with many of my riders about how I came to Islam. Mind you, I stay close to the DC metropolitan area when I drive so I am mostly in Northern Virginia, DC, and Montgomery and PG county, MD. A couple of times i have taken riders from DC to places further south in VA away from the city and I haven't felt as comfortable there. One girl was not being mean or anything but she couldn't get over the fact that I am muslim. She kept saying "I just don't get it, you're white...how are you muslim". More rural areas are less diverse and when something is unknown it is often feared. My family is from a tiny town in Mississippi where there is very little cultural or religious diversion. I went to visit my family with my ex-husband who was hispanic and felt very uncomfortable. People stared at us hard everywhere we went. No one said anything but you could actually feel tension in the air. I don't think I will be visiting Picayune, Mississippi in my hijab anytime soon lol. My fiance has seen the news about Chapel Hill and other islamophobic events and he is concerned for our safety. He is afraid most American's hate muslims and thinks we will have a bad life here. I can only reassure him that is not the case here where I live. There are definitely parts of Maryland and Virginia I wouldn't want to go to alone in my hijab but nowhere close to home. If you don't feel comfortable where you live and moving closer to the city is a possibility for you, go for it!

Regarding the ring, it is Egyptian culture for an engaged couple to wear their future wedding bands as engagement rings. They should be worn on the right hands until the wedding when they are switched during the wedding reception to the left hand. My husband wore his engagement band to his K1 interview and they didn't question it at all or ask if we were married because COs in the Cairo embassy are well aware of the Egyptian culture.
Good luck meggy91224! I agree with the other posters, it is a good sign that they kept his passport!

We went through AP two times that lasted a year combined for my husband's K1 visa through the US embassy in Cairo. Luckily for you, I think that we were the exception for some unknown reason (no red flags: same age, religion, both never married before, etc) and not the norm.
It is impossible to tell how long AP will take and unfortunately a Congressman or Senator can't do anything except inquire on your behalf. We had contacted both my congressman and senator throughout our long wait. Hopefully it will not last that long for you and your wife but there is nothing you can do except wait. Good luck!

He just needs his military certificate. My fiance completed his one year of mandatory service just like your husband and all he had to show at the interview was his original military certificate proving that he completed his service. The previous poster is completely right, he can be recalled at any time. My fiance was recalled in the middle of our visa journey and had to go back for two weeks of service. I am not sure how common it is for someone to be recalled after completing their service but it is definitely a possibility.

Welcome to The Slow Train To Nowhere! We're pleased to have you with us! Now find a seat and make yourself VERY comfortable. It's gonna be a long ride! :-)

You are expecting an awful lot from your fiance in a very short space of time. Culture shock can be very real and no amount of research can really prepare you for how you will feel.
I'd visited the US over 20 times by the time I moved over to be with my husband, I'm from the UK which is very similar to the US and I'd stayed with my husband for nearly 3 months at one point in the US. However my first year in the US as an immigrant was very hard, it was a difficult adjustment and I was terribly homesick at times. It took me nearly 4 years to feel at home here.
It sounds like both of you made assumptions and had expectations which are different from reality.

I suppose you have the right to change your mind but in all fairness you explaining daily life and responsibilities to him made no difference because he has no reference point. He was never married, does not have kids, has never moved away from home. Ofcourse he is going to be clingy he is homesick, have some consideration. How would you feel if you had to leave your whole life children included and start anew in a foreign country. Okay he may not have children but he had an entire family, it is normal to feel the way he does. You did research? Then why entertain the brother about signing paperwork? If you were so thorough you would know you are not responsible. Obviously you did not prepare yourself realistictly to what he would experience. Now that he is in your face, then he becomes and inconvenience? I feel bad for him but as many have stated he has 90 days to marry or go back to Morocco. I would also take the opportunity to visit family, heck after this outcome I would need the moral support as well. What he does after he leaves your home I suppose is between him and USCIS, I recommend he goes home before the 90 days. All you have to do is report that the marriage did not happen and I am sure they will ask for his location so have the address handy.
Shaking my head poor guy....

Medo do research ok it's terrible after 11 months they say this to you look at this >http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Returning_Petitions_to_USCIS_via_221g talk to you soon take care

Thank you everyone for your support! It has been a really difficult journey for us and we cannot wait for the day that it will be over and we can finally be together!
My fiance was not involved in any protests or any political activity at all.
Mimolicious - When I mentioned giving up, I meant regarding the visa, not our relationship. We just want to start our life together and are tired of being separated. We have been extremely patient despite having applied in March 2012 and being in AP for over 8 months. To be placed in AP again after getting the approval call is extremely depressing and worrisome. Also, we are ready for all the things that come after AP and have talked about it extensively in the last year or so while we have been waiting.

He just needs his military certificate. My fiance completed his one year of mandatory service just like your husband and all he had to show at the interview was his original military certificate proving that he completed his service. The previous poster is completely right, he can be recalled at any time. My fiance was recalled in the middle of our visa journey and had to go back for two weeks of service. I am not sure how common it is for someone to be recalled after completing their service but it is definitely a possibility.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally. CONGRATS!!!!!
and
Welcome to America!!!!

There is no consistent schedule for when they update the interview schedule. I would give them a few more days to update it because the embassy was closed yesterday due to the Labor Day holiday and should have been open today. My suggestion would be to check the website on Friday and hopefully the schedule will be posted by then.

I don't think the status will updated on CEAC until after the interview.
From experience, you will drive yourself crazy looking at the updated date because it appears to be random and does not really mean anything specific.
It is best to look at the interview schedule posted on http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/iv8.html and search for your case to see if the interview has been scheduled by the embassy yet.

I will say it again: good men are hard to come by anywhere in the world.
I reiterate it because, OP, you keep insisting that this behavior is typical of men of a certain ethic or religious group. You think that people of this certain ethic or religious group are the most hardened in their beliefs of anyone and that they expect their mates of a different culture to assimilate without question. Your words, my summary. Patriarchy isn't exclusive. Do you know what machismo means? Did you know that in the Dominican Republic men who murder their wives are rarely prosecuted? Do you know it's estimated that a woman is raped every 15 seconds in South Africa?
The things your husband did to you are not exclusive to any ethnicity or race or nationality. I have a particular understanding of this because I am a longtime volunteer with rape crisis centers and battered women's shelters here in Brooklyn. I know women who were abused in ways you can't imagine for most of their lifetimes. One woman comes to mind - every single man who ever entered her life abused her in some way. Her father raped her from age 8 to 15. Her long-time boyfriend beat her every day and when she was pregnant he threw her out a window and fractured her hip. Her brother got her oldest daughter addicted to crack. Her more recent husband beats her, cheats on her, and ruined her credit. She was 45 years old before she started to reclaim her life for herself. Her background or her abusers' backgrounds are irrelevant though for the record they are varied. She could have let the anguish and anger swallow her whole but she didn't. She mentors younger women nowadays and tries to teach them about healthy relationships and self-esteem. She teaches taking responsibility and control rather than wallow in victimhood. You can never expect abusers to change - you're the one that has to.
Tangent aside... You may think you are a catch objectively but I have my doubts about your self-confidence. Abusive relationships can happen to anyone and don't think badly about yourself for falling prey to one. Abusers cannot be pigeonholed into categories like ethnicity, religion, class, creed or sexuality because they come from all walks of life. You should really take that to heart in the future, so that you don't become a victim again. Wasting this time over the last few days deriding all Arab or Muslim guys is doing you a disservice because it's not helping you move forward. Your weekend could have been better spent doing something for yourself. Seek support in getting through your divorce so that the anger doesn't consume you. Life goes on and you have a right to get back on track.

Although your degree in International Relations, is no doubt as impressive as the fact that you were "an attractive girl who got lots of Western guy's attention and did not fall into the stereotype of being frumpy, obese, or an older woman desperately in love with a younger man" - your knowledge about the demographics of Islam is not so impressive. In point of fact, only about 15% of Muslims are Arab. So the correlations you keep making with Islam and Arab culture is, quite frankly, rather ignorant to the breadth of Islamic culture. It appears that you are basing the vast and sweeping generalizations regarding Islam, (and your obvious disdain for "non-ethnic white girls" raising their children as Muslims,) on a classically ignorant stereotype that all Muslims must be Arab. A rookie mistake for a Master in International Relations.
And for all your degrees, in continuing to make correlations with MENA men and Arab culture, you seem surprisingly unaware that there are entire ethnic groups in the MENA region that are not even Arab....and there are plenty of women here that are married to non-Arab MENA men. The Berbers for example, are not Arab, and make up a good percentage of the actual ehnic make-up of North Africa. Iranians are not Arab. So clumping all men in this region into the Arab ethnicity and culture shows, yet again, a lack of real understanding about the region you claim to have such insight into.
And that's to say nothing of the nonsense of stereotyping ANY ethnic group in its entirety, period. The Arabic "cultural norms" you claim to understand, are in reality, so diverse and varied depending on the country, its ridiculous to suggest that your isolated experience with an Arab from Lebanon gives you insight into all Arabic men. Its like someone marrying a guy from the Southern U.S. claiming to understand how all American men behave. Its totally different in different regions, families etc.
Clearly you have a lot more internal healing to do. You may want to start by forgiving yourself for being duped by the lowlife you married. Railing on MENA men is only a temporary fix. Once you stop blaming everything else, you can own your part in the disaster, and realize you were too young to see the screaming red flags (for any relationship, MENA or not). I think only then can you forgive yourself, and forget him, and stop letting this relationship poison your life. And I know, you are over it already. But the fury with which you write would suggest otherwise. Best wishes in your journey.

You said one thing very right - it was YOUR story. I don't think it's fair or accurate to try to pigeonhole all Muslim Arabs with your ex. I did not convert or adopt the culture, and my husband and in-laws all treat me with love and respect. I think it was just your ex and his family. My in-laws were only married once, to each other - and they were together until my father-in-law's death earlier this year. My husband has never hit me or abused me in any way - it wouldn't be tolerated in his family, nor by me. He definitely considers me #1 - not his friends or family.
Maybe part of it is that my man didn't expect me to "alienate family, change religion, and entirely adopt his culture" - and I felt no need or desire to do so. Despite your belief that that is part of MENA culture, I strongly disagree. That's an abusive mindset, which is found in some people of all cultures.
Couldn't one also say, "NO respectable woman who cares about you will marry you after simply talking to you online a few months and meeting in person on a few vacations", which is apparently what you did? It's not like you didn't have a choice, right? (For what it's worth, we got married as soon as we possibly could, so I'm not bashing those who do.)
My point is that being MENA or getting married 'early' isn't a problem or a warning sign. Not respecting someone, expecting them to change, and abusing someone - THOSE are problems/warning signs.

He wasn't a dream if there was random physical abuse when you travelled abroad. That was your warning. You should have left his butt there. I'm sorry that happened and that you were too young/naive to see it coming.

You guys just gotta stay a bit patient these days. The embassy is dealing with a lot of rescheduling due to the current circumstances. We waited exactly three months to get our interview. We sent packet 3 Jan 29 and we got a phone call on Apr. 29 for the interview two weeks later. Keep yourself busy and just let the days pass. Don't try emailing them anytime soon cuz they will only reply with a copy/paste email that they send out to everyone and it will only frustrate you more. I would say give it from 2.5-3 months to hear back. I know the wait is difficult, but we got nothing to do. I wish you all the best.