chris4336

Hi everyone,

I used to read this board a ton back in 2006/2007 when my husband was coming to the US.  My husband is Algerian but had been living in Spain at the time.  There was a big group of people who used to post a lot - some of the names I remember offhand were Doodlebug , Umm squekster, Jackie, Wife of Mohamed.  I am really curious to see if anyone knows what happened to any of these people!  I tired searching their names but it seemed they all eventually stopped posting.

As for me,  I've been married now for 10 years now to my Algerian husband and we have two beautiful children .  it's true when they say getting the visa is the easy part - we really really struggled when he first got here. What saved us was moving to an area (NYC) where there are other Algerians.  But to be honest some days it's still a struggle. And we still spend ALL our vacation time taking trips to Algeria.

Anyway, if any other old timers would like to post an update I would love to read them :-)

Christina

We've dealt with the Algerian embassy a lot and I've found you have to either get someone on the phone or physically go there to get anything done. It can take all day but actually speaking with someone in person is your best bet.

Hey everyone,

I am no longer active on these boards, but they did provide a lot of help for me a few years ago when my husband was going for his visa. He has now been a citizen for a few years and we just welcomed our first son! I just wanted to share this info with everyone cause I know my husband and I were looking for YEARS for a way to get Arabic TV and finally we found something really good. I know especially in Ramadan people get homesick and any way to connect with home is nice.

Its called "Global IPTV" and it uses the internet. Basically you just plug in the box and you get 450 Arabic channels, like MBC, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera sport. I know there are also Algerian channels cause that is what my DH was so excited about. Its a little expensive upfront, but we have it instead of paying for cable. It was very easy to set up and so far works great.

I know this sounds like an advertisement but I swear its not. I know how hard it can be when your SO first arrives in the US and I just wanted to share something that might make the transition a little easier.

Ramadan Kareem.

Chris

Help!!! I made my father-in-law an appointment to interview for a tourist visa and I lost the paper with the confirmation number. I am able to get to page that says "you have an appointment on xx date at xx time", but still unable to get the confirmation number. Do they need that confirmation number when you show up at the embassy? Will they give it to him over the phone?

Please help!

Thanks

Chris

I really don't think the problem is our preparation - They shouldn't specifically indicate on the instructions that a form is NOT required and the suddenly change their mind and decide that it is required. Plus even if we had shown up to the first interview with the proper documentation they still have to "run it by the manager" to make sure my husband is eligible to become a US citizen even though he made one illegal left turn.

Thanks for the support guys. I talked to my house of representatives office who said to sit tight for a 6 weeks and let them know if we don't hear anything by then. I'm also contacting the senators offices. I will let you know how it pans out.

I just wanted to update everyone - my husband returned for his interview with a copy a his driving abstract, receipt that he paid his traffic violation, and certificate of good conduct. They told him "everything looked good" but they had to run it by the manager so he was given the paper that said "A decision cannot be made on your case." We pleaded with a supervisor that our case has already been significantly delayed (we applied in July) but they said there as nothing they can do. We are both pretty devastated that we have wait even longer. The paper says we should be contacted within 120 days.

My questions are what are my next steps if the 120 days pass with no word. I plan on contacting my senator/representatives but is there anything we can do to speed this process along?

Thanks for the replies. I think I listed the traffic violation on the N400 when we filed. On the n652 she checked "come the any scheduled interview" as my husband now has another interview in march

Thanks for posting that Nimaan. I showed that to the supervisor and he just said. "that is just a suggestion" I just cannot believe we are being penalized for something it specifically says is not required

This is an abstract from the USCIS N-400 instruction page 5:

"For example, if you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you must send a certified copy of the arrest report, court disposition, sentencing, and any other relevant documents, including any countervailing evidence concerning the circumstances of your arrest or conviction that you would like USCIS to consider. Note that unless a traffic incident was alcohol or drug related, you do not need to submit documentation for traffic fines and incidents that did not involve an actual arrest if the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 or points on your driver's license."

My husband had his interview today in Garden City, New York. Unfortunetly he was not approved. He passed the test however the interviewer told him she needs him to bring certified copies of his court record and a driving abstract from a $55 traffic ticket he got back in April (making an illegal left turn.) I was shocked when my husband told me they were requiring these documents as it specifically says on the instructions that these documents are NOT necessary. We spoke with a supervisor who stated these requirements are just a suggestiion, and NY is different blah blah blah. The worst part is they couldn't give him another appointment until March. We applied in July. Anyone else experienced this? I considering contacting our senator/representative because this is just really unfair.

Hey everyone,

I remember reading at some point that there is a time limit to how long it can take the USCIS to procress the citizenship application? I think it was in response to a lawsuit people had filed. I tried to search but couldn't find anything. Is this true or am I just making stuff up? I'm just asking cause we applied in July, completed fingerprints in August, but still are waiting to have an interview scheduled. I know its not that long but just thinking about worst case senario.

Thanks,

Christina

Hello Everyone,

My husband is going to applying for Removal of Conditions, and we hoped to do so on the first possible day, July 20, 2009. However we will be out of the country from August 31 until September 23. I am worried the biometrics appt will come while we are out of the country since it usually seems about 1 month after the filing date. Would you recommend just waiting until September 23 to file (that is still within the 90 day window) or just take our chances and file in July and hope to get the Biometrics notice early enough to reschedule.

Thanks

Christina

PS. I know my timeline says GC approved 11/09/07 but on my husbands GC it says resident since 10/17/09 and 90 days before that would be July 20, 2009

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping that people can give me some advice on good careers (not jobs) for new immigrants. Since my husband got here he's been working in a warehouse and in a kitchen. His English is much better and right now he's considering his career options. He doesn't have any high education but does speak 4 languages. He doesn't want to go back to school for a long time or spend a lot of money. I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas for us? Some things we've considered are something in the medical field (like an ultrasound technician) or in hospitality (getting an associates in Hotel Management). Anyone have good ideas for new careers for immigrants? Any personal experience with getting an degree or certificate?

Also, did any immigrants find it helped to get a GED? My husband finished high school in Algeria but I'm not sure if its worth the time and effort to get a GED over here and if it will help when applying for jobs that require "HS diploma or equivalency."

Thanks a lot for any advice you can give. Best of luck to all of you

Chris

This is linked somewhere on VJ but its a really great guide put out by the US governement for new immigrants. You can download it to your computer.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

Hey,

We tried to get a Schengen visa for France and were denied. My husband is from Algeria and only had AP at that point. They didn't tell us why, but I think you need to show significant ties to this country (ie: lots of money in the bank, a house, cars etc) and we are just "starting out" so to speak. All Schengen countries require a visa with a green card. Once you are a citizen you don't need a visa. However, Switzerland only requires a green card (no visa) if you are interested in going there.

This is a good website to check requirements:

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations...rt_information/

If you want any info on the application process I can help you as well.

Hope you have better luck than we did,

Christina

Inshallah everyone's family/friends are safe. What terrible news.

Christina

Just wanted to offer some advice about the cosponsor. Make sure to read very carefully and explain to your dad what the cosponsor is and is not responsible for. I believe that a cosponsor is only responsible for paying back benefits paid by the government, not for all of the immigrant's expenses. Also if you are doing a K-1 fiancee visa, most countries (not sure about Morocco) only require the I-134 which is not legally binding, so maybe your father will be more comfortable signing that (however you will need to meet the income requirements to adjust status, but by then maybe you can find a higher paying job.) Also remeber that you can make up your lack of income on the I-864 in assets.

Good Luck to you, I know how difficult it is to deal with cosponsors

Christina

I use this website for insurance

http://www.inboundimmigrant.com/

It is not great but its only $100 a month.

Good Luck

Christina

If you leave the US without AP approved you are considered to have abandoned your AOS application, and you will not be allowed back in even if somone brings it to you. The K1 visa can only be used once, so you wont be able to use that either.

Good luck

Christina

My husband had the same issues, he had all his shots but not proof (and I'm not even sure they would have accepted proof from Algeria). We went to a NYC Dept. of Health immunization clinic and got all the shots for free (It only ends up being like 3-4 shots b/c the rest are not age appropriate). We then took the vaccine record from the clinic and brought to a civil surgeon who transferred the info to the 693A for $20.

Good luck

Christina

You cannot get married while she is traveling to the US. If the government sees that she entered with intent of getting married and staying they can say its visa fraud and you might have some problems. While I'm sure people have done it, your best bet is to file the K1 in Malaysia and go through the whole process.

Christina

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, we did the ticket on Travelocity, so that we could cancel within 24 hours. We did the reservation on Holilday Inn. We went this morning and Spain would not give us the visa because my hubby is not working. Even though we have proof of more than enough money in the bank. Sigh...maybe we will try through France.

Thanks again,

Christina

Hey all,

My husband is an Algerian Citizen, with Advanced Parole so he can travel and return to the US. He is looking to make a quick trip to Spain ASAP. We are looking to get him a Schengen visa from the Spanish Consulate here. A letter of invitation would take a few months, and we are looking to do the trip faster than that. The Spanish Embassy requires flight confirmation and a hotel reservation. I am wondering how we are supposed to book a flight if they might deny the visa? The refundable flights are about $1000 more than the regular flights, and even those still will charge you a $250 booking fee to cancel.

Does anyone have any experience with getting a Schengen visa for their spouse?

Thank you.

Christina

I just want to offer that my husband was illegal in Spain and got his visa through the Embassy in Madrid without going back to Algeria. He tried to get a police certificate (with the help of a lawyer) but they wouldn't give it to him. We explained this to the Embassy and they said they understood the situation and that he could still interview without the police certificate. He was approved at the interview then got the visa after a few weeks of AP. I suggest you speak directly with the people holding the interviews at the Embassy in Italy since they are the ones who will determine whether or not your fiancee will get the visa. Don't listen to any lawyers or any government officials in the US because everyone I talked to told me it was impossible for my husband to get the visa while he was illegally living in Spain.

PM me if you want more info.

Christina

Hey,

My husband just got back from Algeria after traveling with AP and he encountered no problems. To answer your questions:

They should take out your I-94. If they don't ask them.

My husband went through the NonUS line. They asked him to go wait in the little office. They looked at his paperwork, and put a new white I-94 in his passport that says "Paroled to resume appliction for AOS."

Good luck

Christina

This happened to us except they were missing my husband's medical exam, which would have been quite difficult to recreate. What the USCIS told my cogressman's office was that every applicant gets two folders, and apparently my husbands medical exam was in the "other" folder. They found it pretty quickly with some prodding from the congressman. I guess unless they have to look its just easier for them to issue an RFE So that is about the best explanation I can give you.

It does suck and is unfair that you follow the rules and still get slowed down, but if you just mail in a copy of the passport they should get back to processing your case quickly. This is a lot easier than contacting them and trying to have them find it.

Good luck

Christina