MPGGPM

Congratulations. I am so happy for u guys. Just a note I am going to Istanbul on May 4th and we are having our interview on May 8th. Hope everything goes problem free for us...

Thanks for the wishes.

I saw on your timeline that your case had been fowarded, and also saw your interview date. I felt confident that your interview would be around that time, but didn't see it on your timeline for a while, and so started to wonder.....

Guess you've been busy, and have other and more important things on your mind these days than updating your timeline......

I am sure things will be fine for you and your wife. At least on the bright side, you DO have the right certificate. (DOH!) So, no worries about facing the same thing that happened with us.

But.............., even so (although unlikely)......even if by some chance you DID get that dreaded "green" paper that my wife and NY_IZMIR's wife got..........well, even if that were to happen, it's not the end of the world. Just delayed my wife and I by about one week. The worst part was just the wait and worry in between.

But, as I said...I don't think that will happen to you both. Most likely you and your wife will end up just fine.

My wife is here now in the USA (been one reason why I'm not on as much anymore )........and things are great.

Just have other things to take care of now, like the SS card etc....

But being together...............sure does have a way of making those things that we still have left........seem MUCH more minor now.............and no big deal.

I am just sooooooooooooooooo glad the hard part is over with.

I wish you both the best of luck...........and hope you both are together soon, as well.

, even Russia, although the N'ord Ost seige was a hostage/barricaded suspects situation... completely different than a single gunman shooting everyone in front of him, but I'll go ahead and count Russia too,

Different only in numbers. But considering there was a ratio of 850 to 33, the "odds" work out to pretty close the same. Difference is , that instead of 1 to 32 ...................it was a ratio of 1 terrorist to about 26 hostages.

Different situations, nearly the same odds. They could have fought back as well.

Also, if anyone read that link I posted about the "Australian massacre" that happened in the 90's, in that case it was one gunman, to 35 victims.

So, the point is.............................it is NOT just an "American" trait, as you started the thread out to be.

Similar situations happen worldwide. And had I the time or inclination, I am sure I could find even "more" examples, to show you that you are wrong to characterize this as something related only to Americans.

(Although...yes...I did read how you are now including other regions of the world ......and are no longer saying it's just Americans. But , originally...you did...so my response is in regards to that.)

I think what you are describing is the western world, especially Europe. Very few people nowadays would put their life on the line to save others.

Doesn't seem isolated to just the "western world"...........

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...756C0A960958260

It's ugly to think about, but we as Americans have lost our stomach for a good fight. We'd rather die a blameless death than be judged for standing up and protecting ourselves. I'm not saying go out and fight someone because they piss you off. I am saying though, next time you see something like a massacre of students by ONE MAN armed with pistols, instead of telling your kids to be careful at school and to run away from impending death, teach them to fight back, and rely on courage and the will to not go down without a fight. If just one of those students would've rushed the gunman, perhaps another would've helped. Then another, then another, then another, and before you know it, instead of 33 dead, we have 3. The three that first rushed the gunman and died saving the rest of their class. The three that will be remembered as heroes... not victims.

I don't see how this is just an "American" trait.

When you look at history, unfortunately, I think it is just human nature, when faced with such odds, to almost give up and face their deaths.

What happened there other day, to me does not seem much different than the behavior all those unfortunate souls faced during WW2, in the German concentration camps, where , I am sure if you counted the amount of people in those camps, they would no doubt by FAR outnumber the guards watching them.

And yet, even though , perhaps had they mounted some kind of attack on them..............in force................many of them might have succeeded in escaping to their freedom, they almost never tried to do any such thing.

Instead, they just basically lost their will................and allowed themselves to be marched to their deaths.

That's just one example, but I would imagine, it wouldn't be too hard to look up and find other examples of similar situations.

I think what you saw the other day was more and example of "human nature".....rather than "American nature".

I don't see how you make such a distinction that it is just us Americans who behaved in such a way.

Especially, with you having ties to Russia..........................don't you remember that "theater" in Russia, where the people in the theater were gassed to death. And even though the people holding them hostage , were just a few and far outnumbered................no one fought back.

From the account I read, there were 850 hostages.....................compared to only 33 terrorists.

They were only freed because of the Russian "special forces" , who stormed the building.

Even so, 129 people died.................all of whom, "could" have fought back......but "didn't".

I think it's still a grey area cos nowhere does that say she doesn't want advice or she was only doing it for vj's 'benefit'

It's not a grey area at all...................it's more like a "vanished" area.

That's because , contrary to what she is now saying, she actually did come on to VJ early that morning, and made NUMEROUS posts , each in a different forum, and each one a copy of the other..................all asking for everyone's "help" with her petition.

And the only reason you all don't see them anymore, is that each of them has been deleted. Apparently, the moderators weren't too keen on her spamming the website with all of her requests for people to come and join her petition.

Then, apparently, after making "multiple" posts, someone must have asked her what her story was all about.

And then that's when the rest of this started............

I think you need to take some responsibilty for your actions, and perhaps realize that the response you received that day, was more your fault than anyone else's. For some reason, you just don't seem to want to accept the fact that the reason you received such responses, was mainly due to the way you behaved that day.

And furthermore, I personally disagree with your insisting that you do not have to provide much details or evidence to the people on this website. I think you are forgetting the fact that on that day, you started out by making numerous posts, asking for people to join your petition.

Don't you think the "least" you could do is give those same people you are asking to go out on a limb for you, and join that petition, some idea of exactly who and what, they would be joining that petition for?

I think the very least you could do , is provide more details, otherwise, I don't think you have the right to ask anyone to participate in that petition, if in return you won't provide more details about you and your case.

And if you don't want to...fine. But then at the same time, if you are going to take that approach, then in return, you should not ask and expect anyone to participate in it.

I also think you are continuing to not face the reality of your actions.............and continually acting as a victim in all this.

You have to remember you started your one post, by accusing the consulate of "fabrication". That is a VERY serious claim to make.

Your story really has gone everywhere. First you claimed the consulate fabricated things against you. Then you backed off of that. Then you said they were "good at lying", and backed off of that. Now, you are saying you only accused them of "misunderstanding".

Don't you think there is a pretty HUGE distinction between fabricating, lying.................and simple misunderstandings?

I think you are not taking responsibilty for your actions.

Not to be too harsh, but just from my own point of view, and based on how you have made so many changes in your story, and have gone back and forth........................I would say you at this point have more of a credibility gap than the consulate.

Considering you have changed your story and the level of your accusations over and over...........who is to say that YOU.......rather than the Consulate is not making things up or stretching the truth?

In their email, they seemed to have made some pretty good arguments for their side. In your defense you said that they could be making it up.

However, considering how often you have changed your story, whether you are or not, who is to say YOU are not as well?

Why is it okay for you to make a ton of seemingly wild accusations against the consulate, and that is okay.....................but then when people ask to hear more details of your side of the story, and for proof of your accusations, you feel as though you don't need to?

Then don't make such accusations in the first place, or if you do, then don't get all bent out of shape when people start to doubt your story, and ask for more evidence.

I don't personally see what gives you the right to make any wild claim you desire,.............and then at the same time, don't have to give any details or evidence to back up those claims. Doesn't seem very fair to me................

And just to set the record straight - I did not tell the CO that their report was a fabrication or a lie - I merely was stating that to this group - and in my detailed interview letter taht was just for pure purpose of record and meant to be a little colored - I did not, again, did not tell them that they lied - I made a statement that would open the door a little to consider that there may have been some misunderstandings, misstatements or miscommunications - big difference. If you think this is just a nice way to tell them they are lying - fine, but it was jsut a statement!

So you are basically saying that as long as you didn't "formally" send a statement to the CO...............in the meantime it is still okay to come here on a forum and start to make some very serious unsubstantiated accusations against them?

NO - really thre is one bad thing about talking over computers - no one ever seems to get the point.

Tell me about it......cause you didn't get mine.

What I meant was you didn't send the CO anything "formally"....accusing them of lying. Rather, you just preferred to come on here and do it.

So, rather than go straight to them with your accusations, you'd rather just do it on this forum.

Your statement to the CO, says one thing................and what you are trying to explain to us here, is saying something very different.

If you have facts as you say (that we are not "privy" to etc...)......then why not tell THEM in your letter that they are lying and also give the proper authorities the proof you claim to have?

You say you have things to back it up.............then I fail to see why you are only accusing them here, but not directly.

With that approach, how is anyone supposed to "support" your side of this?

When all you have to say in response is something like....."I have information that corroberates my story .....but I can't tell you all what it is...."..............

Then, if that is all that you can say to the people on this forum, when you create a thread filled with various accusations , I don't think you should be very shocked when people respond to you in the ways that they did. What do you expect ?

And now you are acting all indignant and surprised..................

If everything is so true, I fail to see what you have to lose by writing all this to the CO directly, and in fact, it should then be the consulate that is "shaking in their boots"..................with all this "proof" you claim to have against them.

In the meantime, I think you should also understand when all you have to offer is your "word" to everyone here...........as your argument in defense of all the accusations that you have made.............then you shouldn't act so shocked , when all you seem to get , is so much doubt about those very accusations, in return.

And just to set the record straight - I did not tell the CO that their report was a fabrication or a lie - I merely was stating that to this group - and in my detailed interview letter taht was just for pure purpose of record and meant to be a little colored - I did not, again, did not tell them that they lied - I made a statement that would open the door a little to consider that there may have been some misunderstandings, misstatements or miscommunications - big difference. If you think this is just a nice way to tell them they are lying - fine, but it was jsut a statement!

So you are basically saying that as long as you didn't "formally" send a statement to the CO...............in the meantime it is still okay to come here on a forum and start to make some very serious unsubstantiated accusations against them?

If it's not true...to the point where you are now actually "backing" away from your accusations of lying or fabricating, then why even make them in the first place?

Either here on this forum, or anywhere?

Are they true or not? And if you are now say they are not, and that you were just "coloring" the situation (bear in mind that lot of people get sued for libel in this country, for "coloring", especially when it turns out that the "coloring" is not true.).....

Why even make them in the first place then?

Everyone here, whether you believe them or not, can empathize with you and your situation. I myself have spent 2 years and 1 1/2 months apart from my wife. And in between, there have been ups and downs with this immigration system that most people can't imagine. There were really some awful days.

Just about everyone else here has a tough story to tell,............ about the difficulties during their immigration process.

At the same time, when you say things like you said below, then you can't just expect us all to say "Yeah..you're right...the consulate IS a bunch of liers etc....".....just for "support"

Suffering and hardship doesn't give you the right to make unsubstantiated claims (which you are retracting now......but in your other thread, that's not how you started).

They are obviously unsubstantiated, since you appear to be backing away from them now. Which is what many of us were trying to tell you to do in the first place....... to just concentrate your efforts on doing the things you need to do to convince the consulate the relationship with your husband is genuine........

Did you just expect to come on here and make whatever claims you chose to do....and we were all going to just "support" you regardless, and never even "question" some of the claims you were making?

Now , you seem stunned by some of the reaction.

These are excerpts of what you wrote, from your posts in the "Foreign Embassy" forum...

first

Do I find it helpful - lol - NO! This whole report of what the CO wrote in her report was fabricated. She took details from our interview to turn them into something else that was never said.

then a few posts later...

Maybe fabrication was too strong of a word to use - but assumtive is not - feel free to read my attachment - it is a detailed account of my husband's interview - and at the same time please realize that this consulate is very good at lying and doing whatever they choose. And even sadder - the way interviews are done - it will always be my word against theirs - there are no tapings of said interviews by video or by voice - so basically the interviewee is always screwed fro mthe beginning if something does not go right in the interview. I can also go have an interview with someone and take things said at that interview and turn them to say what I want to report

Sure looks like you are still accusing them of lying, in that following post as well, and doing more than just "coloring".

Whatever happens, NO ONE here wishes you ill will.......and I am sure we all want to "support" you.............but just not to the point where that extends to ANY claim, accusation, etc........that you make.

Whether you believe it or not..................I really DO wish you the best of luck and a success with your husband's visa...and hope he will get it sooner....rather than later. Your frustration and pain, is very obvious.

You gotta be kidding!! Where in the list is the Czech Republic?!?!?!

Of course we have the best beer ever! BTW, Pilsner is named after the Czech town of Pilsen (Plzen) - the brewing capital of the world.

Can't help myself and have to put a little trivia here: the Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the whole world. Well, why wouldn't we? Beer is cheaper than coke or bottled water here... I'm not helping much to this stats though as I drink beer very rarely - but if I do, it has to be Czech.

Cheers!

I thought about you guys.

It basically came down to either you or Australia on the list, and I decided to go with Australia, because ...although I personally find drinking "Foster's" to be very "barf inducing"....and one of the most disgusting beers I've ever drank, ................

Well, here in America, for some reason, they have pretty good popularity. Plus......whenever I watch "Formula 1" races on TV, I always see their advertisements plastered everywhere.

So, somehow......somewhere in this world, there "must" be people who actually find that beer appealing.

Between you and me................I'd definately go with Czech beer over Australian any day of the week.

Microbreweries shouldn't count because:

• They're not found in a lot of countries
  
• More of a regional thing within a country
  
• Not Imported/Exported
  

As long as they're brewed in the USA.....then they "should" count.

I mean, if they originate from the USA .........and are made here.......then I think USA should get the vote. They're still basically American beer.

They are just brewed by smaller companies.

If it makes you feel better.....Germans can vote for "German" microbrews

By the way...my votes were.....United States...........pale ale...........and "few times a week".

Not sure if you can fix it........and possibly enter my votes ......but gave you them just in case.

Thanks

I started a poll................then I cast my vote.

I noticed there was a speliing error in the poll, and so I hit the "edit" button.

I fixed the error, but then I noticed after I clicked on "submit modified post" (said something like that).........that the vote I cast had disappeared.

The "bug" must be that, if you vote when making a poll, within the first 5 minutes of making it, and then subsequently edit something and revise it.........the vote you cast will also disappear.

I also am not able to recast my vote..

I wanted to cast my vote for American beer, darnit.

When I looked, it showed "2" votes were cast, but I am only seeing one result in my poll.

As much as I like the beers from England, Germany, Japan, and ever since traveling to Turkey, ......there as well. (like EFES beer)

I have to admit to being a patriot when it comes to who has the best beer, and still have to say that I prefer the beer from right here.......in the good old USA.

Especially those "microbrews".

Probably the best I've tasted in a while was one called "Pete's Wicked Pale Ale". Just can't seem to find any place that sells it around here, where I live.

In conclusion, always remember and never forget those famous words and motto, which was passed down to us from our founding fathers, a long, long, time ago...................................which were..............................

"Beer is good food."

heya bud.. mind if I just steal your answer?

No problem......."dude".

number 3>>>you mentioned you have an attorny, is he good?

chi[/color]

If this is the advice he gave to her below..........

My lawyer even went on to tell me that we should divorce and marry in another country or at least try to get to anotehr country and get residency papers and then we would go through that country's consulate instead - I was applaed at my lawyer for this - I need him to do his job, not give me things that just are not an option finacially or emotionall!

Then it doesn't sound like it.

I agree with her on that part of her post. If a lawyer just gave me that same advice that he gave to her...........it'd tick me off too!

What's the point of paying for a lawyer, if they're just going to tell you that?

I'd be looking for another lawyer.............................

does it make it right - no, not even close and if I thought the way you are telling me to think - I might as well throw in the towel right now and not fight for something that I know is right.

Cases are tried in courts for both sides to be presented - I could have wrote that e-mail too - does not make it right.

I didn't mean give up on your case entirely. I wouldn't do that if it were my wife in the situation that your husband is in......and I don't expect you to do it for him. I would fight to the ends of the world for her........and I am sure you would do the same for your husband.

I only meant that if you are going to accuse them of "fabrication" ....that unless you had anything to back up that claim, I didn't think you had much of a chance of getting anyone to take your side on that without proof.

Although you have changed the claims of "fabrication"..................you are still accusing them of making things up and lying. (doesn't seem like any disctinction between that and the term "fabrication")

Personally...I think you should give up accusing them of lying, fabricating etc........and just focus on doing what is best for you and your husband right now. That should be your real focus.

Even if that means jumping through a few hoops and going through some more hurdles. We've all had to do that for the sake of our spouses.

Just concentrate your efforts on getting more proof that your relationship with your husband is genuine. Because until you can convince them that it is..........all the accusations etc, won't help a thing.....or get you very far.

You are just going to frustrate and aggravate yourself and your husband , more.

Just giving my opinion and advice.

Good luck, either way......no matter how you decide to proceed with your case.

Not even close......

My wife! (non USC).

And thank god for that! Because if the cooking had to be left up to me ..................we'd be ordering a LOT of take-out.

I can scramble an egg. That's about as far as my culinary skills go.

Not only does she do basically ALL the cooking...........fortunately for me, she's a wonderful cook! Makes the best Turkish dishes

This whole report of what the CO wrote in her report was fabricated.

It IS a tough situation.

That being said, why would a consulate go out of their way to "fabricate" a story against you and your husband, "personally"? I don't see what they would have to gain by doing so.

That's a very serious claim you are making..................and to make such a claim, you hopefully have something to back it up,

Because, if it's just your word against theirs....................and that's all you got, I don't think you will get very far.

Especially when they seem to have a pretty good argument and explanation for their side.........judging by that email.

Also, in discussing (with other members) the answering of these intricate questions, the consensus was that everything should be in the public forum and not via PM. This was for the benefit of the larger community of VJ members and that the resident expertise and experienece that makes up these various forums could be brought to bear on your specific question. I also recommend using the CFR's as they are the most current guidelines.

So, yes I have kinda backed off on answering most of the questions posed to me. Its nothing personal and I will chime in where and when I can in an attempt to be helpful, but if I don't think I can contribute, then I probably won't say anything. A lot of the procedural and borderline legal type questions I don't feel comfortable answering because 1) I worked there some time ago and things probably have changed in the interim and 2) I don't give legal advice because of the serious ramifications of being worng. The last thing I would want to do is advise someone of something only to have it slow down thier personal journey. So, I hope you all understand.

I don't think anyone here will blame you for that. With you actually being a former adjudicator, I would imagine you are being bombarded with questions.....probably more than you ever expected.

I am sure it is near impossible to answer all of them.

Thanks for being here and taking whatever time you can, to answer those questions that you feel will be of benefit to everyone on this forum.

Nothing is more useful than actually getting those questions answered......right from the source. ( someone who actually worked for USCIS....and sharing all of that knowledge that you bring with you.)

IMHO threads like this only put ideas in some people's minds. Not everyone, but there are a few who may not be as strong with their LTR with their fiancé(e) as we've already seen on here lately.

No offense, but I think if someone's relationship with their fiance/fiancee, is so tentative, to the point where reading a few threads on a website was enough to make them go out and have a fling with someone else....................then I would also at the same time think that perhaps the 2 involved in that relationsip, should be strongly reconsidering the ardous task of coming to a totally new country, getting married, giving up their life abroad, and making such big steps in their lives....and should strongly begin to reconsider either postponing the marriage, or rethinking the relationship entirely.

I know cheating can be and is a very real thing in life, that's very unfortunate. I'm certainly NOT trying to be the thread police though.

It IS unfortunate...........and personally, and from my own view, I have to admit I am blown away with some of the results that I have seen. For example...in regards to the actual number of respondents....that there are MORE people who have been cheated on......than there are that have not.

I really didn't expect such results........and never imagined it was that bad.

At the same time, I do not think it has ever done a couple any good, to avoid talking about what is obviously (even more obvious by this poll)......a very serious and prevalent activity in our society.

My wife and I discussed this issue long ago. We are both VERY firm on what would ever happen if such a thing did occur. We are open about this topic...(although...it doesn't come up much in our conversation.....because I think one serious discussion on the topic is enough...and we don't want to dwell on negatives....as many of you are saying).

But still..............we did not ignore the topic, and I don't think it does people any good to do so. I think couples have to set their expectation from the beginning.....and never be afraid or hesitant to discuss anything.

I don't think that does a relationship any good, either.

Hello to all, I am u.s. citizen married to a Thai national. We applied for our I-130 to the Vermont service center and received our first receipt dated march 16th. They have not moved forward from the receipt date of 3-12th.2006 for over 13 months. Is anyone else waiting for their case to take this long? She has visited here last year and she received her visitors visa and she will return here in may to live with me in America.

so basically I have two questions:

1. Is anyone else waiting for I-130 approval as long or longer than me?

2. Can we get her status adjusted to allow her to work here when she returns?

All help is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all, mjd

It might be the way you are explaining this, and maybe that's why you haven't received much response................................but seems a bit unusual the way you are describing the situation.

You said you are a US citizen, who applied for an I-130.

Then you said your wife was granted a "visitors visa"? Do you mean tourist visa?

I ask this, because if you applied for an I-130, and then you are saying that she will be coming here to America with her tourist visa to live with you, while the I-130 is being processed, that will mess up your case a LOT. (and even if you didn't have an I-130...this would be a big no-no)

Someone who has a tourist visa, is not supposed to enter the USA, with intent to immigrate, and then remain in the USA. Your application for the I-130 could be denied for just that reason.

Also, if you have an I-130 being processed, won't that be going through the Thai Embassy? So, if she is here , living with you (and again....doing that on a tourist visa is a big mistake).................then what will she do when it reaches the Embassy?

She has to remain in Thailand until it is processed, and then enter with the "immigrant visa". (not tourist visa).

I will add....13 months IS a long time to wait, and I would be concerned as well........were I you. You need to make some calls etc....and find out why there is such a delay.

This all could be the way you are explaining it. Maybe when you are saying "visitors visa".....you really mean a K-3?

I think you need to clarify a few things in your post, because the way it is written right now......................it REALLY seems as though you are going to get yourselves into a BIG mess.

Turkey for example charges US Passport holders much more for a Visa than anybody else, or they did last time I visited.

Actually......it was only $20 bucks.

I have no idea what is involved with moving a thread, and if the moderators actually have to write the word "moved", every time they do so with a thread.

But it would seem to me, that unless there was an easy way to "insert" the title of the forum that a thread is being moved to, every time they do so, then to have to write something like............

moved to the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures General Discussion

EVERY time they move a thread.....................would be a real pain in the %#$.

I have to agree that it seems pretty easy enough as it is, because #1) The thread does not get deleted from the original forum, and is still there. #2) All the person has to do is.......'click"......and then look UP....even when it is moved....and the title is plastered right there for them to see.

Just seems to me as though it's more than easy enough as it is, and would be extremely aggravating on the moderators part to have to write the "name" of the forum it was moved to, every time.

I also think, it would just take for it to happen one time , or hopefully by two (when a thread is moved)......for the member who has had such a thing happen to them to "catch on", and from then on they'd understand the process of what happens to a thread once it's moved, and so to have to continually do all the other stuff to make it even easier.................would be unecessary .

She has already taken 93% join account money away for her own new house and ask me to sign a agreement to waive the right for that property.

I don't want ask her back the money and still like to leave all bad thing or good things from the relationship to her and move on life. But she asking for more money is something really made me upset...

thank everyone.

I am not sure why you are allowing her to get away with so much. I don't know if it's because you are worried that she can somehow do something to you in order to cause problems for your green card etc.....

But, as others have said, at this point there is not much (since you have a 10 year card)....................and so I think you need to sit back, look at your situation, and also get her to understand that "fair is fair".

Relationships end all the time in this country, unfortunately, and sometimes the way they end can get messy.....

But it appears to me, that you are REALLY allowing her to get away with way too much. And personally...........unless you agreed with her that she has the right to take 93% of all of your funds from your bank account, then she is not entitled to have such a big portion of the money.

And then on top of that, she has the nerve to ask you , after taking just about all of the money from your joint account, to sign a form to "waive" your rights to a property she will be buying with it!

That's really unbelievable.

I understand we only have your side of the story here, and not hers.................but based on what you've explained so far, regardless of the reasons for the breakup of the marriage, it REALLY seems like you are getting the raw end of the deal, and allowing her WAY too much leeway, in how you both are settling this.

You keep allowing her to do this...............and you will find yourslf with a green card.....................but not much else.

I kept the copy of our I-130 approval notice. I am looking at it right now, and at the "near top right", it does say as one other person pointed out, the words "approval".

The actual words are ...

Notice Type: Approval Notice

Section: Husband or wife of U.S.

Citizen, 201 {b} INA

Also, in the middle of the notice, it does actually say that the petition was approved, and also clearly states that the visa petition has been sent to the Department of State National Visa Center , etc....etc....

If your notice does not say these things somewhere...............it is not the NOA2, and as others have suggested, if you are not sure what it is, call on Monday to find out for sure.

Good luck.