dq2000

They can't take her LPR status at the border. They can refer her to an Immigration Judge. They may parole her in while giving her a court date. They might detain her until her court date, but that's relatively unlikely.

They may even just let her in and not refer her to a judge.

It would help if you were flying with her and she has some evidence of why she was out of the US for so long (doctor's letter, etc.)

Her flying in to the US on her current green card is worth a try. Might help if you were with her to help explain the situation to the CBP. They don't take away her green card without due process, which she'd have a better chance retaining while together on US soil.

thanks so much for the responses. This is great advice and I'm going to look more into it. I'll probably seek legal advice on this, given how chancy it feels.

The looking after sick parents, if it was supposed to be a few months and then they stayed sick, could qualify as :out of her control. I think it is worth a try.

DCF won;t work unless you live there too.

I also figured a DCF wouldn't be possible, thanks for confirming that. Plus, I'm not sure i could take the time to live over in Vietnam to make that happen anyhow.

I would think looking after parents would suffice as well, but I'm getting conflicting info on the internet (not surprising:)). I'll definitely look more into this. I really appreciate your response!

Is her GC still valid? You should have her fly to the US. CBP cannot take her GC unless she signs a paper giving it up. Don't let her do that. The most they can do is refer her to an Immigration Judge, if that happens, you can still fight that.

Yes, her GC is still valid for a few more years (she got a 10 year green card i think, back in 2010 or so). I thought they would be able to deny her admission to the US and we'd be forced to fly back? Do you have any idea what the possible outcomes of her coming are? Thanks for the info, BTW.

I believe you can apply for SB-1 visa.

"Permanent resident aliens, who were unable to return to the United States for reasons beyond their control within the travel validity period of the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or the Reentry Permit, may apply for a special immigrant Returning Resident (SB1) visa."

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/maintaining-permanent-residence

Additional Links:

http://www.cilawgroup.com/news/2014/09/16/sb-1-returning-resident-what-to-do-when-a-green-card-is-abandoned/

thanks for the advice! I'm worried about applying for something that so many have described as "difficult". I'm also not sure we can claim she was out of the country because of reason "beyond her control", which i think is the requirement?

I'll look into that more, though..thanks again.

hi all!

Our backstory:

Back in 2004 I met my future wife through another friend and we quickly hit it off. She's from Vietnam originally and I'm a US citizen. After meeting a few times and spending a massive amount of time chatting/taking online, we were engaged and I went through the K1 visa process. If I didn't say it enough back then, thanks so much to this site for leading me through the process. This site is a life-saver for sure! Anyhow, she finally arrived in 2009 and we married a few months later.

My issue:

My wife was going through a very tough time the past year with her dad, then her mom, and even her older brother getting very sick, not to mention their financial problems, so she left the US in September of 2015. Our plan was she was going to stay in VIetnam a bit, take of her family, and try to decompress basically. The move here, language barriers, and having to restart a new life in a new country, was difficult. She was over-stressed and it took a toll on us.

My question for the community:

Anyhow, we're at much better place now and she wants to return to the US and our life here. Note this would be after she's been outside the country for more than 1 year. She was a student at a state university, but had to essentially quit (she's planing to restart when she returns). I'm trying to figure out her options and am getting a bit overwhelmed myself figuring it all out. If she stays outside the US for more than a year, as far as I understand it, she officially "abandoned" her Green Card. Is that correct? We made a huge mistake and we didn't realize she should have gotten a re-entry permit, so that option is out of the question. Is a DCF a possibility here or is our only option the IR-1 visa? We're both upset about the length it take to process and am hoping beyond hope that there is another option?? Any help in this matter would be wonderful.

thanks!!

david

What you need:

1. better portfolio of photos, in better locations and less self shots and more shots with family

2. phone record

3. engagement ceremony - can't do the day before wedding or same day as wedding, even though that is actually normal, because it is too hard to explain to the CO. Engagement to them starts when you actually proposed. Proposal is like a private thing, and engagement ceremony is celebrating and letting the world know.

4. job - probably need to have a job for at least a year prior to applying because of the affidavit of support. However, tax transcripts might provide cover if you make enough in real estate. Or have enough assets to qualify. Not having a job and marrying in Vietnam looks desperate for cash.

Random but do people actually send their women flowers in Vietnam? It's like giving someone $45 to buy $5 flowers...

I agree with more photos, and variety of photos as well. A phone record is nice, but to be honest we didn't have much of a record (my wife used phone cards while in VN). I think any consistant form of communication between the two of you is of most importance. I wouldn't advise, for example, just paper letters, but something like chat logs and a few phone calls is perfect.

ugh...sorry to hear that. When my wife came over we spent ~$400 for her shots, etc. Those civil surgeons make out like bandits in cases like these. Plus, he was a total jerk to us.

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if any who got fiance interview before me can list some of the questions asked at the interview. I hear 2 commonly asked questions are fiance's mother name and her address. Please feel free to list any question that you feel is commonly asked or your fiance has been asked before. Thank you to all that reply.

hi...

Fiance's name (full name)

Where was he born?

What's his address?

What's his job?

What are his hobbies?

What are his parents' names?

Does he have any brothers/sisters?

How did you meet?

Did he propose? How/when did he do it (oh my G-d, it's really important to get the story exactly the same between you and her!...Even a slight difference tips them off).

How many times has he visited?

I think that was all my fiance got...good luck!

david

btw. does anyone from Jakarta, or who has been to Jakarta know where a Church of Christ is located? the past two times I've been there, my fiancee and I had no luck finding one.

So, Protestant church names have a tendancy to have simlar names but vastly differenct theology, but I think I found a Church of Christ church for you:

http://church-of-christ.org/churches/Indon...Indonesia_S.htm

Or did you mean "The United Church of Christ"? If so, you could always ask their ministry leader in Indonesia:

http://globalministries.org/sasia/countries/indonesia/

Or wait...did you mean the Latter Day Saints? THen go here:

http://www.expat.or.id/orgs/churchofjesusc...DS-Jakarta.html

Hope that helped!

FYI, when your passport expires, they return it to you after punching a hole thru it to make it invalid for travel. so, you'll get it back anyhow to make copies, etc.

A story that just unfolds "naturally" is a good story to tell. No one is stressed at the interview, the facts are easy to remember.

hahah...honest to G-d story...my wife and I were at the Adjustment of Status interview after she came here on the K1 visa, and we were both pretty nervous. The interviewer ask my wife what my phone number was...mind you she's called me at this line for the past 3 years..and she couldn't remember it! Actually, she remembered in Vietnamese and translated wrong! SO yeah..sometimes the facts aren't easy to remember.

Oh...but we ended up passing

So would it be safe to assume that Thu and I are in big trouble because of the way we met through the matchmaking agency? Wow that would really suck. I was thinking of waiting another 1-2 years to really develop my relationship with Thu before filing the I-129F but it appears that even if I wait 10 years, the fact that we FIRST met at that matchmaking agency will always haunt us. No girl has ever liked me the way Thu does. I have to admit, I am feeling a bit deflated right now

<CARRICK>

OK....thanks, I got a better idea of ur situation. To be honest, yeah, its a red flag that you met thru a paid matchmaker in Singapore. But that doesn't mean anything..you should be able to outweigh that red flag with good evidence. My biggest piece of advice for you is that for every story of someone getting denied at HCMC there is another person who, under the same circumtances, gets through the system with a visa. That isn't to say that there are some things that will automatically get you denied, but if you've got an honest relationship then you shouldn't worry. At least not now, yeah? There are always horror stories.

I think I read this here before: keep every bit of evidence of your relationship.....every email, mail, card, letter, picture, receipt of your relationship. Prove that you've got a solid, honest relationship. ANd make sure Thu knows every bit of information in your packet...and as much about you as she can handle.

good luck....

Roger,

I think you are correct. You know what guys? I don't think I will worry about this anymore. I will just spend my time building my relationship with Thu. That is most important to me. We have all the time in the world before we file the I-129F. Heck, I may take another 1 or 2 years before I file. I really do believe that the longer Thu and I take and the more trips I take to VN to visit her, the more it will help to address this matchmaking red flag issue. I didn't go to Singapore to get married. I went to Singapore to find somebody special with the hopes of developing love in the long term. Thanks guys

<CARRICK>

right on....

hey Carrick,

Well, i'm not a medical doctor, but take a chill pill! Seriously, lost of people on here have met online in similar ways as you so you're most likely OK. WHat site was it, if you don't mind me asking? If it's popular (eg, Match, or Yahoo) I'm sure that would be no problem. More information from you could help us figure out more about potential problems.

More questions will be asked about how you met if it appears that the girl arranged to meet you with the intention of finding a husband with the hopes that she could leave Vietnam. That's nuanced, however, so please give us some more info.

That's a nice reason to woken up, I'm sure!

Anyhow, my wife told me that there's a nice Vietnamese dictionary app for the iphone..we really regret not buying it and having to buy a electronic dictionary for her Check it out if Mai needs one

Can you fill them out for her? I know it'll take a bit longer, but that's one more option for you. As far as I know, all those forms have an area where the person filling out the form can sign and certify.

good luck!

I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to hear some good news. I am terrified of Homeland Security and the power they have over my future. I've been reading a lot of fear and failure. NOW I want to hear some SUPER success stories. I want to hear from the people that sat TERRIFIED and lost weight and sleep worrying over suspected legitimate reasons for denial, only to find that they over reacted and everything turned out fine. I REALLY need to hear those stories right now!

Kara

Kara,

I think most people (that are legit) pass thru this process...but yeah it can take some time. I was introduced to my wife thru my friend...the consulate must have seen scams where Americans are paid to marry girls, because they questioned my finacee along those lines. She was terribly worried and sad afterwards, and there wasn't much I could do. I ended up putting together the papers that exactly answered their questions + anything else I could think of to help explain our situation and their confusion. In the end....she passed and we're together now. Keep ur chin up!

hey yeuemnhieu,

no worries, I think that's a pretty typical response from VN. I had to do exactly the same thing as you. Ask your fiancee for a copy of the slip and read it carefully. THey list a series of questions on it. I answered one by one for them. Here's what I answered:

1. When and how we were introduced

2. When we first began corresponding

3. When we felt the relationship became serious

4. Date and circumstances of marriage proposalDetails of each trip to Vietnam: How many trips did you make to Vietnam to visit Quyen? How many times have you seen her in total? How long did you stay in each visit.

I answered each one in detail. For 4, I even did a *day-by-day* log of *everytihing* we did on both my trips!! All in all, mine was 5 pages or so...ah, remember to get it notarized as well. I think that's a requirement...

good luck!

Rodney,

The consulate asks for different things in different situations it seems. Give them specifically what they asked for...more is ok, but never less than what they ask. Good luck...

Oh, BTW, they asked for a list of fiancee's relative and proof of address. That's it. No notarization or relationship information needed in my case.

OK, I called the consulate on this and the friendly Vietnamese woman on the line told me:

1. Yes, list *all* relatives that live in the US

2. To provide evidence, a copy of a phone bill, or driver's license is good. Somthing that shows their name and address is all the consulate wants to see.

3. If these relatives are people ur fiancee doesn't know well, nor communicate with with any regularity, please explain that. In those cases its fine if you cannot provide evidence.

HAhaha, my fiancee was getting worried she'd have to call effectively strangers and ask for personal information.

Thanks again for you imput

One more thing to add:

I noticed that with the people that gave personal examples, they all had different answers. It looks like the consulate asks for different things in different situations. For me they only requested "Please provide the names and addresses of your relatives in the US. Provide evidence of current address."

Good luck everyone!

OK, I called the consulate on this and the friendly Vietnamese woman on the line told me:

1. Yes, list *all* relatives that live in the US

2. To provide evidence, a copy of a phone bill, or driver's license is good. Somthing that shows their name and address is all the consulate wants to see.

3. If these relatives are people ur fiancee doesn't know well, nor communicate with with any regularity, please explain that. In those cases its fine if you cannot provide evidence.

HAhaha, my fiancee was getting worried she'd have to call effectively strangers and ask for personal information.

Thanks again for you imput

great info don...but i was curious why did you hand write it? Is there any special reason why? Maybe i'm too spoiled by computers?

I don't think there is a place where they directly ask about relatives. However, if they have reason to believe that they relatives are in some way the reason why ur engaged, then they ask. For example, my friend from school introduced me and my girl friend...so HCMC asked me to send the addresses of her relatives presumably to see if there a connection (there isn't...so I just hope they see that in our new packet.)

Oh...by the way...what types of reletives are people including? My gf has family here, but they're like great aunts and uncles, as well as second cousins!

Hi everyone!

My fiance had her interview in HCMC yesterday and was denied. We were introduced by mutual friends that were dating (they met online). Anyhow, I mentioned him in my application, and I think they just want to know more about him. I'm saddened by this, but I think i understand why and so we're confident we'll pass after giving them what else they want.

I had a few questions that I was hoping someone could give me advice on: One of the things they asked for was a list of her family in the US. Do we need to send an *entire* list? Or just the heads of households? And most important, they ask for evidence that is the current address. How the heck do I do that?

thanks so much for your help,

DQ

In my opinion,

1. List all members in the house. Sex, Age, Cousins, Brother, Sister, Occupation, Address

About your evidence current address, I’m confuse it. Are they ask you for your current address? If it’s, then driver license is your proof.

Sorry to hear to about this.

Good luck.

thanks Haonie...no, they asked for evidence of her relatives' addresses...it's weird, I know. Hopefully someone knows, or I'll give them a call on Monday.

Hi everyone!

My fiance had her interview in HCMC yesterday and was denied. We were introduced by mutual friends that were dating (they met online). Anyhow, I mentioned him in my application, and I think they just want to know more about him. I'm saddened by this, but I think i understand why and so we're confident we'll pass after giving them what else they want.

I had a few questions that I was hoping someone could give me advice on: One of the things they asked for was a list of her family in the US. Do we need to send an *entire* list? Or just the heads of households? And most important, they ask for evidence that is the current address. How the heck do I do that?

thanks so much for your help,

DQ

Thanks Peter...I know the Consulate says that, but as Mimhnhut says it will lead to other questions. Ack, I guess the way to think about it is it "looks" better if she answers in English. Hopefully she experience the same as you and get a Viet translantion in case the consulate is difficult to understand! If not though, I have faith she'll understand...she just needs confidence!

If the Consulate website is to be believed, speaking Vietnamese at CR1/IR1 or K visa interview isn't a problem. We had a K1 interview, there was a Vietnamese translator there who translated the questions whether Thi want him to or not. So she didn't have a problem understanding the questions. She did answer every question in English, not Vietnamese.

Peter and Thi