almost_umrican

There could be similar cases you can found here with different possible answers. why don't check with the local US mission ? they are probably polishing a shiny K1 on the PP.

Yes, some of these travel agents or "lawyers" they try to claim to be make it "easy" to get a tourist visa to the US because they know what they have to say to get it approved, even if it's a completely made up lie, false papers and all. Apparently it works just often enough to keep them in business, and I suppose the times that it fails, the applicants blame themselves, not the travel agent/lawyer.

Then, though, if they apply for other visas in the future, either on their own, with a fiance/spouse or with another "lawyer" who doesn't know what sorts of lies the first one told (and so can't keep it consistent), the truth comes out. Then, depending on the nature of the lie, yes, you can be permanently banned from the US for misrepresentation for immigration benefits.

These travel agents and "lawyers" don't care because they've made their money either way. It's $X for their help, pass or fail. Bonus for the travel agent because if you DO pass, well, you'll need a travel agent to book your flight, right? They don't appear to think or care about the potential consequences of this. There are quite a few people who go for their fiance or spouse visa interviews, only to find that the US thinks they're already married, maybe even have children, to someone else in their country. This is because that's what their "helper" for their failed B2 visa wrote down to make them look like they've got stronger ties to their home country, to improve chances of B2. Well, imagine what that looks like when you show up claiming to be engaged or married to an American? Bad. Very, very, very bad, that's what it looks like, and usually results in a denied fiance/spouse visa.

I wouldn't go near any of these people with a 10-foot pole. The DS-160 is not that difficult, and it is translated into your local language (hover the mouse over every question).

this is absolutely right and these quacks can be found like wild weed in any third world country.

There are so many stories that go around Jamaica on visas. What's the easiest way, tricks to getting approved, etc. One needs to be careful believing all those tales. No a travel agent cannot speed up anything or guarantee approval. My future mother in law obtained one on her own. She has held a long term job and owns property. Young single men.....well that's totally different.

This is the story of every third world country. people find new ways to cheat everyday. very human huh !

My friend in Jamaica said hat his mother got a Visa to visit the U.S. Through a travel agent and said it was quicker. He wants to visit me here in the U.S. And was told by his sister that going thru a travel agent there it would cost about $200 and he'd have to go to the embassy and it would only take 6 days. Does anyone know if this is true? It seems to good to be true

This is not only false but a lie. i hope the visa the poor lady got is a genuine one. Most of this agents are quacks and have no control over or connections in foreign embassies. Did she ever went for an visa interview at any local US mission ?

It's actually quite common for "elite" travelers to have a special line (often with crew members, dip passports, etc.)

i know about the diplomatic pp have a special access, i have never seen or came across people with just an expensive ticket getting a special treatment outside the airplane.

Yes it has happened to me at Dubai. I was on a business class line and was told to go to the economy. I ignored him. I was wrestled down and kicked by the Indian security guys or whoever the #### they hired who were more interested in kicking me than looking at my business class boarding pass.

The immigration and customs at any airport in the world do not classify passengers by the boarding passes.most of the airports have separate lines for foreign pp holders and local to that country pp holder. in any case , the incident was unfortunate. sorry to hear that.the OP's question was for foreign born US citizens, are you a one ?

US passport without country of birth is probably more applicable to cases like this:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/21/justice/supreme-court-jerusalem/

thank you, i had followed this story when it came out

Try some googling? I don't like to be given homework I found the official notice of this some time ago.

chillax, it was a simple thing i asked. very American of you

This completely depends on the relationship between the original country and the one you are visiting. If you are really concerned about something, the US does allow you to get a passport that does not say the original country of birth, but rather the original city of birth, if that would help you in any way.

o wow, amazing information. can you share any link to support this passport version ?

For a shy person, you are quick to share intimate details.

I would divorce her as soon as possible and move on, it seems you two never had the same goals.

haha, right on but come on. Also , OP, you have been duped and not sure what kind of advice are you looking for here.

28% of the US population has non-white appearance and every year about 700 thousand people get naturalized (a high percentage come from non-western countries). That's a lot of people but I am sure somebody has great stories to share. Regardless, you should not worry about this and if, for whatever reason, you get picked at border crossing, call the US consulate in that country immediately for assistance.

good answer

Great question man, sorry i have no answer though

My wife has her ead/AP combo card. We are in the process of AOS. Can I pull the affidavit of support and she goes home and we end the marriage?

Very unfortunate when people counter questions the OP about the reason about the question. OP, fellows have given you the right advice. you can withdraw your sponsorship but can't control the fact if she will get to stay or leave. off course the onus of responsibility will than be completely on her.

my n-400 interview was rescheduled from 2/01/2016 because they said they didn't have my file on hand so I was told I will receive another appointment within couple of weeks, but it didn't happen so I scheduled an info pass appointment two weeks ago but they said all I can do now is wait, however last Friday morning two immigration officers came to our house, I let them in and they started asking questions about us, how did we meet, where do we work now, etc. they were very friendly, we never had any issues with the processing time until this point, it seems like it's taking them forever to schedule an interview, by the way our relationship is legit and we don't have any red flags that we are aware of.

did any of you guys experience something like this ? and what do you guys think we should do at this point? any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you guys!

The most surprising part about this visit is that they did so during the time N400 is pending. these applications usually goes the smoothest of all the other immigration petitions/applications since by this time an applicant had already been tried and tested. wow, very surprising . what is your nationality btw ? not that it matters now.

My question pertains to the proof of citizenship and identify after a N400 name change.

I plan to apply for a US passport at USPS right after my judicial oath ceremony next week. I understand I can use the naturalization certificate as my proof of citizenship. However, since I requested a name change, the name on my NC will no longer match my drivers license.

Can the NC serve as both proof of citizenship as well as proof of identity? If not, could I use my drivers license (with old name) plus court document for name change as proof of identity?

Appreciate any insight!

one suggestion - please have the name on DL updated after you have the NC in hand and than apply for the PP. in any case you are right, your NC is the most update identity record you and US gov will have.

There is no set of combinations that might improve someone's chances. As you also posted in another online forum too, it's best to go and be honest with all questions. Sadly, a number of Indian nationals visiting the US on a B2 end up not returning back to India. It's possible that some may be granted visas while others may not.

that is true

Although I do say 'Englishman living in Scotland' England is just the geographical area I was born in, first and foremost I am British and voted to keep the United Kingdom intact.

Although I do think it would have been exciting to have been there at the birth of a new independent country (and one that would have gained that independence without much bloodshed), I cannot say that I believe that Scotland would have been a success on its own.

Thanks man, good luck with your B2. cheers

Blame the thousands of people who HAVE left behind great jobs, bank accounts, houses, cars and family members to get to the States and stay there. All those things that they promised would be why they have to go home.

The B1/B2 system is broken, but no rules are bent or broken when a tourist visa is denied.

on a different and a casual note, Did you voted for Scotland or UK ?

You haven't answered my question in any of that rant. What rule are the COs bending?

There is no checklist of conditions an applicant must pass to be granted a tourist visa when it comes to 214(b)

There is only one condition, they must convince the CO that they'll return home.

The rules are that the decision is solely down to the opinion of that person. So your analogy of two people going to a job interview with the same qualifications is invalid, or at least partially invalid as in the job situation if two people have the same qualifications then it's down to the one who the interviewer feels would be best for the job.

Two people going for tourist visas with identical circumstances might get different results, as the CO might believe one and not the other.

That's not bending any rules, that's following the rules as they are written.

As for me, as an Englishman living in Scotland I would say I'm in a third world country.

But I lost the VWP privileges that most Brits are blessed with, through my own ignorance and stupidity.

To date I have been denied a tourist visa 3 times. I don't try to blame the COs for doing their job and following their rules, even if I do think those rules are stupid. I accept that I failed to get a tourist visa because I failed to convince the CO that I have no intention of staying in the States.

So if you can tell me the exact rule that you think the embassies are breaking then next time I'll go along with that in my hand and guarantee myself a visa.

The tourist visa system is broken and not fit for purpose, don't blame the COs for that.

It was not a rant , you have answered your own question by saying the B1/B2 system is broken. that is all i meant. Also, there might not be official checklist for the paperwork one needs to submit but it is required or at least the onus is on the applicant to prove that he is well off in the native country and have enough ties to not to immigrate to the US. let me ask you something, text is simple - you provide/prove us the following and we will grant you a B2. Now, in spite of providing and proving the req. set of documents one still does not get a B2. why so ? what else one need to do to convince. it all about clicking at that particular time. about the job interview example i gave earlier, it is a valid argument. which i am not going to elaborate anymore.

Well actually, it does seem like that. A CO once told an applicant that he and his wife look like just from looking at the applicant and the picture of petitioner and that was the end. The logical thing would have been to other a DNA test or something to back up that claim. You would never hear anything like that from any part of the world than an embassy in Africa.

So if they are going by rules, then what are the rules for "discretion" used by CO?

"Discretion" and "rules" do not fit together.

there you go , thanks man

Well actually, it does seem like that. A CO once told an applicant that he and his wife look like just from looking at the applicant and the picture of petitioner and that was the end. The logical thing would have been to other a DNA test or something to back up that claim. You would never hear anything like that from any part of the world than an embassy in Africa.

So if they are going by rules, then what are the rules for "discretion" used by CO?

"Discretion" and "rules" do not fit together.

there you go , thanks man

See my responses/opinions within.

Fair enough

your question is unclear and i can't comprehend it man

It does seem by what you see on VJ that not enough people are discriminated against.

i agree

They do only if you have scheduled a call back with them.i just spoke to one IO yesterday about my oath letter.

Exactly what rules are the embassies 'bending'?

They are following the LAW, every applicant is presumed to have immigrant intent.

Like i mentioned there is no way to prove that, like there is no way to prove if job candidate A with the same profile as B is discriminated against. you probably did not read the comment in a good taste mister. are you from a third world country ? i assume you are not. that part of system is something you will never understand unless you lived in the system and i am saying this all to you in a good taste. let me give you an example which is hypothetical - a visa officer does not grant you a Non immigrant visa in spite of you fulfilling all the conditions in the book (great job, loads of money, lot of ties to the country) just because he did not feel like it at that time (you don't believe that, well i do). on the other hand family gets one with average/fake/spurious documents. what would you say about that ? they were able to convince the officer BS, off course they were. its the sole discretion of the officer at that time especially when applicants are from allegedly fraudulent countries.they bend rules because applicants make them bend the rules. they don't go by the book because they know what the real intent of majority of applicants for Non immigration visas from poor countries and this debacle the people with right intent sometime pays the price. see, like i said, its impossible to prove this but you know its there and i am not blaming the officers here.

Yes Indian nationality.

There cannot ever be a definitive answer for your question. The books says you will get a B2 if you will meet certain conditions (enough ties, bindings to the native country, finances etc). i have no way to prove this but believe me the nationality of the applicant is prime. the US embassies bend the rules from the book at their will and i have several experiences to argue about. India is considered a high fraud country by US missions abroad and i am sure you are well aware of that (i come from a high fraud country as well btw). So there is no such thing the family have a strong case that promise them B2. yeah looks like they will able to fulfill the minimum conditions to get one. here is my advice (at least the most i can do) , the case looks convincing.they are going to be suspicious about your young brother and sister and concurrently the kids will go on back foot as the kids will not go just with their grand parent leaving the parents behind on the other hand let me tell you i have seen very similar cases getting approved for no reason whatsoever. Bottomline - they bend the rule, why ? because they can why ? they are forced to by the fraudulent means adapted by perspective applicants. the local US embassies are very well aware of all these means. to conclude, i am not questioning your guy's intentions and desires here. just telling you what is out there.Have them go in a group not separately. good luck .

Looks convincing, what nationalities are the relatives ?