alexisr85

Noted and thank you. We'll submit together and hope for the best.

Hello,

My father in law and 2 sisters in law are looking to come and visit his family in the US. My wife's family mostly all lives in DR. Her mother is a teacher and was issued a B2 Visa a few months ago, for which I helped complete the application and scheduled the interview.

My wife's father works and her 2 sisters are over 18 and attend the University. This time around, we're wondering if it makes sense to submit the application for the B2 Visas with my father in law's as a group or if it makes sense to do it all separately? I would assume it makes more sense as a group/family vs. separately? What makes more sense? Thanks in advance.

Congrats to you as well! We couldn't believe how smooth things went this time around. They actually returned hundreds of pages of evidence we'd submitted, as they were a bit "excessive." lol... However, the first person who saw us before the Consular Officer looked through the system and then said "I see why you submitted so much evidence" and held on to it for the CO to review.

The CO did mention we had 2 interviews and briefly mentioned the same CO saw us both times. I did share that I escalated the first time we received a decision as the relationship is real and we wanted them to truly see it (in a very, very brief and respectful way). She asked 2-3 questions and then said those beautiful words: "congratulations, your visa has been approved!" My wife screamed and hugged me and the CO was laughing along with a few folks in the office area behind her.

It appears many of them knew our story, since they took about 3.5 hours to review our case after we saw the 1st person at the window. When we were at the lady (very friendly) we saw prior to the CO, the had asked some individuals to help sort through the evidence to return much of it to us. They all made faces (of shock due to the hundreds and hundreds of pages - think about 5-6 bibles stacked together as far as the thickness), but I'm sure once they understood the back story, it all made sense to them.

I'm just glad we didn't have to jump through hoops and do any more interviews, even though we were very prepared for anything they would have "thrown" at us. So happy it's over and we can't wait to be together. Again, I appreciate everyone who followed along and for everyone's kind words and best wishes. My heart goes out to those going through this journey. I do hope no one has to go through what we went through.

We were approved today!!! After such a long journey today was a very smooth day a great overall experience. We're waiting for the passport to be ready in order to be together next week. So happy we're moving on to the next phase of our lives! Thank you to everyone that followed our journey and all your kind words and support. Good luck to everyone who is still going through their own journey. Take care!

Great news!!! We received notification today via an emailed letter that our interview has been set for August 25th! This is truly unexpected and we couldn't be happier! On to preparation and planning for that day. Things are moving along so quickly it's truly so unexpected. We're so excited!

Wow you had a long journey any updates ?

On July 7th we received the notification email that everything has been processed at the NVC and we're now waiting for an interview. Called a few days ago for an update and the NVC advised all interviews for August have been issued already, so to our dismay it looks like it'll be sometime in September and hopefully not into October. Once they issue the date, we'll see if there's any way to reschedule for an earlier date, as sometimes folks cancel and slots open up, to my understanding. Thanks for asking!

Thank you for your kind words. I just received the email that our documents have all been reviewed and we're in queue for an interview!! Very excited things are coming along so quickly. Can't wait for that date! Thanks again to those following along and for your support.

Another update: received notice via email asking for an updated I-864 (Affidavit of Support). Checklist stated the one I sent in was outdated and the version from 07/02/2015 should be sent in (latest version at this time). I updated the form and will send out tomorrow. They actually reviewed the documents very quickly. They updated my wife's last name (to include my last name per the updated passport) on the US Department of State status site. Hopefully they'll review it quickly and we'll have an interview sooner than later!

Quick update:

On May 26th we received emails from NVC with the NVC Case number and invoice number along with a checklist of supporting docs that needed to be sent in. We managed to finally put everything together, pay the fees for the Affidavit of Support processing and for the Immigrant Visa on the US Department of State site, and finally mailed the supporting docs two days ago and they arrived tosay at the NVC. We completed the DS 260 form online as well last night.

At this point, we're waiting the 2 to 4 weeks it takes (per the NVC and US Department of State website) to review the supporting documents. If all goes well, the next step is for the NVC to move forward in the scheduling of our appointment at the Santo Domingo embassy. Will keep everyone updated as we get more information!

Thank you!

Great news!! Our I-130 was approved on April 28th!!!! My wife and I were discussing our next steps and guessing we'd hopefully be together by end of August. I happened to check for the heck of it and just saw the decision. We're being excited and in disbelief. It only took 3 months to get approved??!! This is out of the new service center as well. We're so glad it moved so quickly. Next step is wait for the case to reach the National Visa Center and hopefully have it reach the Santo Domingo embassy for us to schedule our appointment by end of June (fingers crossed). I'll update as we get the updates.

Thanks! Appreciate it.

Hello,

I am asking on behalf on someone: Once the I-130 is approved and someone is at the process of setting up the interview for the mother at the US Embassy in Santo Domingo, is it necessary for the child (US Citizen) who submitted the petition to attend the interview with her mother? Or is it okay for the parent to attend the interview on her own? Thank you.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Not to lie, I submitted well over 600 pages of evidence:

• ALL Whatsapp conversations from June 2015 to Dec 2015
• All Whatsapp calls between my wife and I (screenshots from my cell phone)
• ALL Hangouts calls (paid calls to fiance's cell phone using Google Voice) from 09/2014 to 01/2016
• All cell phone calls from 01/2015 to 12/2015 (dialed to her home number)
• Hundreds of pictures sorted by each and every single trip, including our wedding, honeymoon, with family/friends (all organized and dated by trip)
• Letter indicating the times we meet since 2012 (well over 7 times) and the passport pages along with the flight itineraries showing so
• Two signed/notarized affidavits from my brother and from is girlfriend
• All financial docs (tax returns from 2012 to 2015) including all affidavit of support forms, etc...
• 2015 tax returns including w7 application (for us to file jointly this year) and signed statement from both of us indicating to the IRS we're electing to file as joint for this year (mailed copy of exact, same package along with copy of my wife's ids that was sent to the IRS - signed by both of us)
• ALL receipts for every single gift, wedding band, wedding ring, shoes, clothes, necklaces, etc, etc... that I've ever bought my wife
• Mobile Recharge Printouts showing all the times I reload her cell phone number (every other week or so), which can also be cross-referenced to the phone call records I provided
• ALL the money I sent my wife EVERY SINGLE MONTH via Xoom.com printed from 2013 to now to show ongoing financial support
• Copies of marriage certificate and notarized translation, etc etc
• Bank Reference letter from bank in DR where we have a joint account along with translated copy of the letter that is also notarized
• Facebook printout showing the "friendship" from 2012 to 2016 - this shows all the pictures, comments, posts, friend/family comments over the years, months, week,s and days to show our relationship is actually real
• Receipts for the apartment/hotel rentals for our stay during our last few trips when I went to DR (about 4 trips)
• Receipts for our hotel rental for our honeymoon
• A bunch of other things I can't remember right now

All in all, I tried to provided as much as I could to truly show them that we CONTINUE to have an ongoing, true relationship. There are so many areas I wanted to cover and I made sure to send our conversations and Facebook printouts and a few other items that I frankly omitted the first time thinking everything I sent was enough. All I can do is keep my fingers crossed. Something tells me we'll be interviewed again, regardless of how much anyone with a brain can put two and two together and realize this is a true relationship, but hey, whatever it takes for us to be together. There's always that fear of "what if" since it happened not once, but twice that we were "denied" for the 129f, but we'll keep fighting to be together.

Quick update everyone:

I just sent out our I-130 this past Friday the 29th and it was received Monday, February 1st! I received an email and text today advising the receipt is on its way. Unfortunately, I had mailed out the 1-130 package back in December (about the 2nd week or so) and I forgot the check! They returned the package and they had reorganized a few things. In addition, each and every page I sent had been scanned (each page had a series of numbers printed on the very bottom/edge of the paper). They advised me to return the package with proper payment, so I send some additional evidence I had forgotten back in December, included the check, made copies of what I added (I have full copies of everything I sent), and sent it right back. I'll keep everyone updated. Wish us luck!

Thank you for the positive thoughts everyone! I'll be sure to update you guys as we go. Good luck to those who are going through the process!

Thanks, guys!

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the HUGE delay, but life has kept me quite busy. Few updates:

* I reached out to my Senator and Congressman and they were not able to do much for me. They wanted to meet with me when I came back to the states, but I figured by then it would be too late. I went to the Consulate and managed to speak to the supervisor outside by the Domex window. She knew exactly who I was and continued to tell me she could not help me. Prior to speaking with her, I went to the line for US Citizen Services (I forget the name) and asked to speak to someone there regarding my situation. One of the non-supervisors spoke with an American worker inside from this department, who asked the supervisor outside by Domex to speak with me (this is the supervisor that coordinates the lines outside and such - they all wear the white shirts).

I spoke with the supervisor, who advised me there was nothing to do. I asked her to put me on the phone with the lady from US Citizen Services, which she did (she placed the handset underneath the barrier) and I explained the situation and told her I had email correspondence showing that I could meet with the CO again to present additional evidence. After some back and forth and explaining and persistence, she asked the outside supervisor to call the CO Supervisor inside and see if I could enter. Apparently, he/she responded nothing could be done. I asked the outside supervisor again to please call and explain the situation, as she had nothing to lose by trying to help me. I showed her copies of the email the I received saying I could come with additional evidence and she then said she'd call one more time and get her ear chewed off if it would make me happy. The CO Supervisor said to schedule another appointment!!

I went ahead and explained that I needed it for this same week, to which I was advised by the outside supervisor that the whole week had openings. Keep in mind I never spoke with the CO Supervisor, just the outside supervisor, who was on the phone inside the booths that are outside by Domex. I managed to schedule another appointment on the site and set it up for a few days later. We gathered all the evidence, receipts, and just about anything we could think of. The day of the appointment came, we entered, and waited to be called.

We were called to a window and after the lady greeted us (very nicely), she asked for a minute to find our case, as she saw something on the system (seems she saw we had already been denied). Guess who comes to the window? The CO who denied our case! She asked me what we're doing here, if we were denied and a decision was made. She was super rude again and, frankly, just so mean. I showed her the email advising we could bring the evidence. She took everything I gave her and literally took over 200 pictures (4x6) from our albums, all our Greeting Cards, original documents, etc., added them to the top of the case file that she brought over, put a rubber band over it all and said "the case is still denied."

I told her she didn't even look at the evidence, to which she said she did and the decision stands. That I'd have to take it up with USCIS once the case is transferred back to the US. I asked for her supervisor. A gentleman came by and I spoke with him, explained the treatment, told him what she just did, and said this was unfair and we were not even given a proper chance. I was very professional and detailed and calm. He advised me he would personally look through everything. I had even included all of our photo albums from Google (Picasa) showing over 4,000 photos, many videos of us over the years, Facebook conversations, and Facebook usernames and passwords for both of us to show the relationship and posts and such.

We were asked to sit down. We were called again to a different window (26 I believe this time, where the first time was 4 or 5 this time around). There was, again, the dreaded CO from before. She simply typed away on her computer, was a bit "nicer," although it seemed obviously forced, and then asked us to have a seat. After a few hours, we were called to the investigation room. My fiancee went first and I went second. This time around it was harsher. I could barely get an answer in, they were disrespectful, mean, and simply disgusting in the way they treated us. At that point, I just gave up. I finished answering whatever questions they asked, but it was clear this was b.s. that they were doing just to finish giving us the same result. The difference here was that a 2nd gentleman (he had a shaved head with glasses) was observing from the corner inside the investigation room. The investigator was a bit lighter skinned this time around, but irrelevant to the fact, he spoke Spanish and was simply accusing us of fraud and a bunch of things. I could NOT get a word in or explain anything. I can understand him trying to pressure me and my fiancee, but the treatment was shitty and I felt disrespected. I knew then and there that this was going nowhere.

We sat outside after the investigation and waited to be called. Eventually, the same CO called us and we were advised it was still denied. I asked for my original documents back, as I provided the originals AND the copies. She wanted to keep ALL the pictures, ALL our Greeting Cards, and everything else I provided. Clearly she gave no f*cks for us and cared about anything I had to saw. I almost had to beg to get some stuff back. She literally wanted to keep our original Greeting Cards from anniversaries, visits, and special moments. I could not believe it. She want away and eventually came back and gave me some of the stuff back. She kept original receipts with the copies and said everything was "evidence." We left and called it a day.

We put our heads up and then made plans for the future.

*** My fiancee and I decided to get married. I came back to the states, and we planned to get married within 2 months. I managed to get the time off from work and we planned quickly for our wedding. We had a small, beautiful wedding by the ocean and we're now happily married. Of course, I eventually had to leave and she's still there, but within 2-3 months, we're going to file for a CR1. Not doing the K3 Visa at all, as it's possibly a waste of money.

It's a shame all the time and planning and life plans we made were destroyed by the circumstances, but we are happy and hoping that everything goes well this time around. We have nothing but positive things to hope for and we'll see how things go soon enough. If hopefully within a year or so we're together, then the struggle will all be worth it when we can be in each other's arms.

Thanks for reading this and sorry for taking so long to update you guys. I truly appreciate all the time and effort that everyone took to help. I'll be back soon enough within a few months to keep you all updated! The funny thing is that I never heard back from USCIS or got any letter advising our case was either returned, denied, or cancelled. I frankly could care less at this time, but I'm truly just looking forward for a different result this time around and a better experience. Thanks everyone and take care!

I emailed the senator on Friday and tried calling twice today but was unsuccessful in getting through to him. If I'm not succesful in getting in tomorrow morning, I'll try and have the Senator ask for our petition to be reviewed a second time with our current, additional evidence.

Update:

I managed to gather 6 notarized affidavits, receipts of all the apartments that were rented along with pictures of them, links to all the albums of photos that we have on my Picassa account with over 4,000 pictures that we've taken on vacation and shared over whatsapp, all our facebook convos, all our fb printouts, our fb logon credentials for both of us, our 2 photo albums, copies and original greeting cards I've provided, pictures over the last few days spending time with family, friends, and each other, and pictures of our 2 year anniversary dinner from a few days ago. I was able to get the copy of the lease from the US apt I rented with both our names on it. At this point, there's very little else to provide.

I went to the Consulate section at about 3pm since it took me so much time to do everything and provided the email copy to the ladies by the Domex window. They reviewed it and in the end said I should get married and that I can either email or mail the info but they couldnt let me in. I advised that it's my right as a US Citizen to enter the US Embassy and speak with a US citizen. They advised I could go to the main embassy entrance. I gave up on them, as they simply were not looking to help and were treating me as a "typical applicant rying to fight the decision," as opposed to a USC trying to escalate the issue and speak to the Chief.

I went to the Embassy entrance and the security officer listened attentively, said that I do have my right to enter as a USC, took my US Passport, and after some 20 minutes, I saw another gentleman (I'm assuming here about what I saw through the tinted glass) come in to the Security Officer's desk, look at my passport, review what looked to be VERY similar to the package that the CO had when I was at the CO window, and after some 10 minutes of this, the SO called me and told me that I should come back tomorrow morning and that I should be let in, as I am a USC, but that ththe Consulate sectuon was closed (it was 5 to 4). He says he cant do anything directly because that's not his area. He provided me with the embassy phone number. I left and called the number.

I spoke with the operator and advised her of the situation, that I was denied my right to speak to the Chief CO. She said consulate cases have nothing to do with the US Citizen and advised me to call and email. I advised I did and that I was emailed that I can bring in the information for review, and asked her if I don't have my right to speak to the US Embassy as a USC regsrding my treatment at the embassy. She then told me to come to the Consulate section tomorrow morning, as they're open from 8am to 4pm and that I can speak to the USC area (something along those lines).

I am going to come back in tomorrow at 8am with all the evidence and my fingers crossed. Wish us luck!

I will move forward with fighting the CO's initial decision. I have printed All of our Facebook interactions (using the see friendship option) that resulted in over 40 pages with pictures and friends and family commenting on our pictures and comments we left each other. This goes back to 2012 when our relationship first started.

I also made copies of all sides of the greeting cards I gave my fiancee. In addition, I was able to get copies of all the receipts for the apartments that I rented during my prior trips. I also contacted the realtor that I leased an apartment from in the US and asked them to email me the copy of the lease, which has both of our names. They will send it to me early tomorrow morning. This shows we had preparations to live together in the US prior to the interview.

I am also trying to get at least 5 signed affidavits from family members advising the US government that we have a bona fide relationship.

I will going to the Consulate section first amd ask to speak with the Chief. If I am uncunsuccessful there, I will work my way to the USC section and go from there. I will call my Senator tomorrow morning prior to heading to the Embassy to see if they can call ahead of my visit tomorrow.

I will also print the emailed response the Embassy sent me advising that I may provide additional evidence for the CO to review and bring that with me.

I will try my hardest to have our petition reviewed. I am not scared about being threatened with jail or fines, as I am confident we can prove our relationship is real. I do hope they lock us in thr investigation room for 200 questions, as I'm more than confident we'll pass with flying colors. I also printed pictures with all of her family that we've taken over the last few days that we've been together.

I am not concerned about the money, as I have sent money many times for my fiancee's schooling, for food, clothing, and basic necessities. She does not work and her family does not have a great deal of resources. I support her for about 90% of what she needs. I have even sent money to help out the household at times.

If they refuse to see me, decline the case, or put us under administrative processing, we will simply get married and file a new petition with additional evience. That's what I've planned thus far after having reviewed all options.

I greatly appreciate everyone's support and feedback. Please let me know if you all have any additional ideas or information that may be of help. I'll be providing an update so that you all know what happens after tomorrow. Thank you.

I actually did send all the evidence with the original package. I also brought the same, updated, and additional evidence to the interview. Unfortunately, there was evidence that the CO did not even review while we were there that we brought to the interview.

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I am still in DR and will be staying until the end of the first week of March. I responded to the last email from the embassy asking when and where we could drop off the evidence. My concern is that I go there Monday morning first thing and I'm not allowed in. Unfortunately this is not my forte, as far as knowing what rights I have within the US Embassy. Would I be escorted out, jailed, or simply ignored? Any suggestions or information around this would be extremely helpful. I do not mind at all spending all day there Monday to speak with the Chief and request a second review. I'd even suggest another fraud interview be conducted, as I have full confidence in our relationship.

The CO was American. Spoke Spanish with a bad accent. I was not given the exact reason for the K1 denial, as it simply states incorrect information was provided. I'm assuming it was when my fiancee was asked where we stayed and the CO was asking about apartment leases and such. She structured the question in such a way that it was unclear as to what she was asking. The CO also did not understand my fiancee when she responded.

I can get a copy of the apartment I leased in the US with both our names. I can get copies of all the receipts for all the times I paid for an apartment here in DR in order to clarify the questions and red flags they may have. I can bring in signed and notarized affidavit from multiple family Members and relatives of ours here in DR acacknowledging our relationship. I can bring in all our greeting cards along with copies since these were not reviewed. I can also print additional pictures of us spending time with her family during our trips. We can reactivate both of our Facebook accounts and print pages upon pages of pictures, messages, and posts about each other and also provide passwords to both accounts for them to verify. Again, I have no doubt AT ALL that anyone with a brain can put it all together. I'm not demeaning the original CO, but that way it was handled, I was not treated as a USC trying to marry his spouse, but rather as a criminal trying to commit fraud for a Visa.

Does anyone think this may work if I can provide all this evidence to the Chief at the Embassy? I am open to getting married, but do not want to give them reason to believe we are doing it just for the Visa. I appreciate all your help very much. I apologize for the formatting, as I write all this from my cell phone. Thank you.

Hello Everyone,

My fiancee and I are both devastated. Our K1 peition wa denied on the grounds that our relationship is in order to just get a Visa. This could not any more devastating.

We have been together for over two years and provided a wealth of evidence to prove a true relationship. The consular officer was nasty from the start. She called us to window 25 and did not speak Spanish very clearly, making my fiancee extremely nervous, as she could not understand her well. She did not introduce herself or acknowledge us once we were at her window and we waited literally 3 minutes while she did not glance at us or say a word and simply typed away. She then asked how we met. My fiancee could not get 2 words in until she was interrupted a few times and it was more than evident the CO was not understanding her.

My fiancee messed up on the question of where we stayed as she said my parent's house that they own in DR and on this trip the Apt we rented for my stay. I told the CO in English that we stayed in my parent's house the 1st trip and for the other 5 trips I made in the last 2 years I rented an apt, which is true. Unfortunately, I had no receipts or lease, since these were temporary stays. CO honed in and tried to accuse me of fraud with my prior marriage during which I had filed an I485 for my exwife. She insinuated that we separated prior to her conditional residence becoming permanent. It felt like the whole time it was about us trying to do fraud and not necesarilly about our relationship.

She asked so so little about us and we brought over 200 photos in 2 albums that included pictures with my fiancee's family as well for my 5 visits to DR. She quickly skimmed through the album for less than 2 seconds each and continued to type away and make facial expressions and speak condescendingly. I was so shocked as to how we were being treated as if we were criminals and I just knew she was looking to decline us from the start. Her body language, demenaor, and tones were all so negative and unprofessional. The other COs were joking with petitioners, asking many questions, and unfortunately I was not treated this way. Seems like this window is for fraud. Everyone who went to this CO was given such a difficult time. I understand there is much Visa fraud, but I honestly feel like it was just going downhill from the start.

We were then sent to the fraud interview and my fiancee and I answered all questions to point. The agent told me at the end that he felt everything was very well and that it was a legitimate relationship to him, but that it was not his call. he could have just said that, but it was good to hear. at the end he said he also confirmed with someone that my exwife and I were not together for a long time and that she is in a relationship.

In the end, we were called back to the interviewing CO and she said our visa was denied. That we would not be approved under k1 even if we refiled. My heart sunk at this.

I went back home and immediately called the Embassy to ask for a Senior Consulate Officer to review our case. I was not succesful. The rep on the phone advised my they would escalate my case. I gave up on that but asked them to rereview it anyway before it leaves for the US for final decisioning.

I emailed the embassy and explained what took place and asked for a Senior CO to contact me. I received a standard message advising that we may reapply at any time and also that we may submit additional evidence for the CO to review. I responded and asked when and where can I drop off the evidence and I'm waiting for a response. The CO did not even take my financial evidence or allow me to submit the additional evidence I had left inside our packet (greeting cards and letters). Is anyone aware of how to submit additional information for review and what the chances are they'll reconsider?

I also emailed my Senator and asked for support from him to call the Embassy and request a Senior CO re-review our case. I plan on calling his office Monday to see if there is any help his office can provide. It's a long shot, but we're so desparate and broken hearted.

I am considering having a small wedding before I leave DR and getting married here and filing for a K3. I just dont want them to think we did this as a result of the denial and have them decline it again.

I honestly feel lost and I am looking to see if anyone can provide any advice or options we can explore.

EVIDENCE PROVIDED

2 photo albums over 200 pictures

proof of my 5 visits in last 2 years

printout of all receipts for presents over

2 years

Over 60 Pictures in color in some 10 pages with dates, locations, and occasions

12 months of call records with over 2500 minutes of calls per month

Last 2 years of all the times I sent money to my fiancee (well over 30 times and more than once a month on many occasions)

Printout of all the times I recharged her cell phone minutes for the last 2 years

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I just read your answer today and unfortunately she has already received some of the vaccinations from a clinic by where she lives and they updated her vaccination records to reflect this (they gave her 9 vaccinations of the total 16 required). I may wind up doing the rest of the vaccinations here at my general practitioner, since it's $250 now at Consultorias, whereas it was $110 before. I hope my insurance would cover it once she is here and under my insurance. Thanks for the responses. I'll update this post once she has her medical exam so that others will know the outcome should they find themselves in the same position. Thanks again.