Ketsuban

I did this way back when. I didn't run into any issues

Geeze....yeah, you got me on all the techical terminology that you pointed out.  By your more detailed response here I can see you took the time to read my initial post and my question.  If you felt a certain kinda way by me pointing out before that I didn't think you had, I understand "tone" is hard to interpret on the internet....I wasn't trying to be a smart aleck, but In my defense I never asked how long the wait time was and you really didn't put your answer of "685 days" in context.  You simply stated it, which left me with only one conclusion, considering I never asked about it.  Hopefully you can understand.
 
With the helpful guides and members here 16 years ago I was able to complete a successful fiance visa process without paying an attorney. Respectfully, while I may have used the wrong terminology in my latest post and had people assume wrong conclusions about me and my limited knowledge of visas, I can understand why some would scratch their heads and say, "WTH?" on my latest post and at all the ways I apparently phrased things wrong.   I'm just glad my wife doesn't assume when I say, "I'm going to pick up some groceries" that I'm not actually going into a grocery store and stand in the aisles and stand there and repeatedly pick up grocery items like I'm lifting weights and then put them back.  That she understands that I am going to the store, picking out items, pay for said items, place items in my car and take them home with me.  I appreciate you pointing out I should be more precise with my words and phrasing.  It seems the members here were much more laid back  16 years ago.   (For clarification...yes, this my attempt at a light hearted and humorous response to your attention to detail when reading other people's phrasing and words.)
 
I understand every single thing you said, and that is exactly what I meant.  I can now see that my language was much too casual.  Thankfully you seemed to understand what I had meant.   
 
I asked if I could get them a group appointment for the visa interview at the same time because I seen a few google responses that showed at other USA embassies there were actually ways you could do that, but I didn't see any answers specifically for Bogota nor did I see an option when I was prompted to schedule their interview dates and times.  So I decided to ask my question before scheduling a date and time for them. I fully understand that I could possibly get them individual interviews on the same day if there are available slots, but didn't seem probable because the website was acting very weird and uncooperative.  On one applicant there would be days in February, then next applicant all the days in February are gone but there would be some in March.  When I went back through it again it would be different dates and times yet again.   I could go into more detail and clarification about the website acting funny....but I tend to get wordy, as you can see.   Besides...it doesn't have anything to do with my original question.  It would only be pointing out that it's not my first time using a computer or filling out paperwork.    
 
Thank you for taking time to read my post and trying to help.   Sincerely.     

He doesn’t want you to leave, but does he also know in which position that puts you? Having to (unexpectedly) quit your job, not being able to work and leave the US until you have authorization? That could take a while.
 
I think that is A LOT to ask from somebody you’ve only been in a relationship with for a short time. Especially if you weren’t even intending to meet up with him during this trip? 

Another thing I’ve noticed over the years, which I find super interesting, is that a lot of these marriages win’t be happening once the U.S. green card is off the table…..🤔

No.  He applies on his own.  An invitation letter could reduce his chances as it shows stronger ties to the USA than his home country.  He has to be absolutely truthful on the visa application and include all relatives in the US and his actual marital status.  Nothing fake or omitted.

Another denial.
 
I’m done. 
 
I haven’t the mental or physical strength to continue with this journey. 

oh got, i really confused, thanks for the clarification!

She should definitely have it by now, as above you need to track it using the case status website (with the receipt number from the GC fee). See what that says. 
 
If the status is stuck on 'fee was paid', then you need to fill in this form to get things moving and find out what's wrong - https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/displayNDCForm.do?entryPoint=init&sroPageType=ndc
 
It might be that she has to redo her biometrics or photo or something like that (same thing happened to my daughter, her GC never arrived and it was because her photo wasn't acceptable so had to be redone). But don't panic, her endorsement on her IV in her passport is good as a temporary GC for a year.
 
 

You should file for both, they are both deportable.
 
Time to use your flexible friend.

20 Dec 2023 
 
Visa status “issued”
 
hopefully I can pick up my passport soon 

I used the stamped visa. It is valid for 12 months from entry. No need to wait for the GC and no need to risk getting it mailed to you 

There is the old saying:
 
You can get it done correctly, get it done quick, or get it done cheap.
 
Two of the above can be combined, but it will exclude the third: 
 
-Cheap and quick, but not correctly.
-Cheap and correct, but not quickly.
-Quick and correct, but costly.
 
There are horror stories here of "affordable" lawyers causing delays and/or making major mistakes.

It's under review, so probably bumped into another queue.  There will not likely be any IR1 status change.  They should issue the correct visa anyway. If not, mention it upon entry.  If a two year green card stating CR1 arrives, file an I90 with no fee to correct it.
 

I am focused on the topic and I cannot ignore the part about your wife’s K1 being approved by someone from the same ethnic/cultural background because that is the whole basis of your argument about prejudice and bias. She would’ve been approved even if the interviewer was white American who, let’s say for argument’s sake, was anti-immigration and had prejudice towards people from her country.  
 
To answer your question, I’m sure there are some officers who have prejudice and bias but no, I don’t think it’s pervasive and widespread. In that case hardly anybody would get B2 visas. Per the Department of State, in 2022 alone, 1,244,484 B1/B2 visas were issued worldwide. 

Criteria to approve a fiancé visa are completely different from a B2. This is not a fair comparison at all.

You seem a little overwhelmed and confused, and I don’t blame you. Here is what people have been trying to tell you: 
U.S. citizens petitioning for minor children or step children (minor = under 21 here) don’t have to wait for a visa number to become available. That is why it will be faster for the twins to be issued their visas if you as a USC file. You don’t have to do it, but if you want the kids to be able to move to the U.S. sooner, you filing is the way to go.  Since you haven’t filed for them before, your filing would be an additional one, not a refile. Within your family, it might seem like it, but as far as USCIS is concerned, those are two separate filings per child. Terminology can be very important when dealing with USCIS (which can be a hassle anyway, so it’s best not to add to said hassle with terminology issues).  Since the twins are two individuals, you need to file two separate petitions (two I-130s, one per child). The issue there is always that one might get processed slightly faster than the other (we see the same thing and question when people file for both of their parents), but the difference in time (if there is one) is usually so marginal that it’s not an issue for them to interview together. Approved petitions are valid for some time.  Currently, USCIS processing times are listed for between 13 and 14.5 months, depending on what service center it will go to, in the IR2 category (U.S. citizen filing for minor children - step children count here) vs. 32 to 36.5 months for the F2A category (permanent resident filing for spouse or minor children). However, even if USCIS approved your husband’s petition earlier than what is projected, a visa could only be issued after the priority date becomes current (which you can look up in the visa bulletin). In contrast, your petition can go straight to the embassy or consulate, and the twins can apply for an immigrant visa right away because there are no quota for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. 
Please don’t take this as lecturing, patronizing, or as condescension. I just remember how overwhelming the process can seem and wanted to spell it out for you as clearly as possible. 
Best of luck to all of you! 
 

US embassy should follow US laws and same sex marriages are legal 
 
BUT remember CO's also consider cultural norms 
Examples for ours was that a Moroccan man would not marry an older Moroccan woman or a widow and i was older and a widow
Hope u get an American interviewer 
 
More than likely u will be asked what your family thinks of the relationship / this question is very normal for our countries even if a straight couple as its important for the family to approve
 
Best to Know your fiancee really good to answer all questions honestly
To not volunteer any info the CO does not ask for
Be confident in yourself 
Bring photos to show your family has met him
 
The best life to the 2 of u

The reason that officers prefer liquid assets on the I-864 is because they have professional discretion based on the public charge requirements of immigration law.  They make a decision as to the likelihood that your husband has sufficient financial support.  Every situation and I-864 is judged on the "totality of the circumstances."  Sufficient, current, W-2 income from a qualified primary or joint sponsor is best.  If assets are used to qualify, cash in a savings account is better than real estate, as it is easier and less risky to support the immigrant financially.  Think of it through the lens of the immigration officer conducting your husband's visa interview--if your parents have to sell their house, assuming it is their current residence, to support your husband's living expenses, where will they live and how will they pay for it?

Never say never, I have seen Consulates do things I didn't think were possible.
 
Or more precisely I have seen people say they did, who knows?
 
It seems this officer was prepared to stretch the regulations but did not know all the details. I do not know how far they can go.

Oh, your case also involves misrepresentation.  Definitely not DIY.  You do need to consult a competent US immigration lawyer.
 
 

Well yes, except in one of your comments you state that you want to live in the US.   So which is it?   You need to decide.  

You can’t use a B to live in the US, and you can’t spend years away and expect to keep the green card.   If you had used the green card properly, you could have been a citizen by now, which would enable you to have the back and forth lifestyle.

Living separately in your situation is risky, IMHO.

Yes in my opinion
I think you have big issues already and this move (even "temporary" 1 year) will make chances of I-751 approval even lower. 

I'm not acting like it was... it's just that sometimes the process for a lot of immigration stuff can be a little bit confusing/complicated. I think most people can agree with me on that 

Immediate family of U.S. citizens are the highest priority family based I-485s.
 
I would expect marriage based  I-485s to take longer than I-485s filed by parents of U.S. citizens, or unmarried children of U.S. citizens, at least when the U.S. citizen or child  were born in wedlock. In those two cases, bonafide relationship evidence is rarely requested beyond birth and marriage certificates.  The decision is largely deterministic.
 
Whereas marriage based I-485s require a subjective decision as to whether a bonafide relationship exists.
 
IMO, over 10 percent of the time, it does not exist.  Mostly it is because one spouse believes there is a bonafide relationship, and the other spouse has no intention of behaving as they did before I-485 was approved. 
 
USCIS knows they approve marriage based I-485s from con artists each day, and it wants to improve. So slower approvals.