martindart

martindart,

I know you were only being facetious, but to clarify for the unwitting, the Diplomatic Pouch is designed to move Government classified or sensitive material internationally. I wholeheartedly agree that computer technology could speed up this process. One would hope that documents are scanned and further progress tracked electronically.

But wait, paper shuffling seems to be the case here. Sad but true...And the wait continues...

When my Congressman inquired to the Visa Chief in HCMC as to how and when my petition was returned (after waiting for it's return for over 5 months months) the chief wrote in a fomal letter which my congressman shared with me via email on U.S. Consulate letterhead; We return Mr.**** petition via Diplomatic Pouch to the service center who approved it Now the consulate could have been less then truthful but, that what the letter said. I learned later it went to NVC first, then onto NSC. This is where I was confussed as to where is my file been for five and one half months

Has anyone else seen this while checking your status?

USCIS Director Gonzalez to Participate in "Ask the White House"

On Monday, July 24, USCIS Director Emilio T. Gonzalez will be featured on Ask the White House, an online, live interactive forum. You may submit questions for Director Gonzalez in advance at the White House website.

Here is your chance to flood their forum with questions. I posted one question and I did not see a limit.

So fire away with the questions on the website

My 2 cents.

Why so slow in processing K-129F petitions? Each stage of this process is so 1980 paper work shifting. Why not move into advanced computer transfer of files where a person would apply and expect consistent file locations.

Super fast and super secure computer systems have been around for a long time. One could do away with the infamous Diplomatic pouch.

Has anyone else seen this while checking your status?

USCIS Director Gonzalez to Participate in "Ask the White House"

On Monday, July 24, USCIS Director Emilio T. Gonzalez will be featured on Ask the White House, an online, live interactive forum. You may submit questions for Director Gonzalez in advance at the White House website.

Here is your chance to flood their forum with questions. I posted one question and I did not see a limit.

So fire away with the questions on the website

My 2 cents.

Why so slow in processing K-129F petitions? Each stage of this process is so 1980 paper work shifting. Why not move into advanced computer transfer of files where a person would apply and expect consistent file locations.

Super fast and super secure computer systems have been around for a long time. One could do away with the infamous Diplomatic pouch.

MartinDart...when you submitted the packet, did you include photos. If so, please tell me you did not include pictures of the 'ceremony'..Nice pics by they way, I just dont think those are best for submission as a 'fiancee'

The Consulate officer chose 3 out of 90 photos presented at time of interview. They said in report I received 5 months later was they only saw 8 people in attendance of our ceremony? over 80+ guests attended our ceremony and I sent other photos to NSC during review showing many many other guest in the background along with more documents which overturned the consulate officer findings. I wore my work clothes while I was in Vietnam for 14 days so, they viewed the photos of Phuong and I at 30 different landmarks in Vietnam in my same work clothes daily duh.. my fault, Consulate officer saw this as I was in Vietnam only two days. I have about 8 sets of same style and color.. and the final was my friend who is a Vietnamese American "as a favor to me" in June 2004 I'd asked him to get a airplane ticket for me while he was in ChinaTown and I was home sick. I've known my buddy for over 10 years. Plus during the time of My Fiancee interview there were scams of fraud marriages in the next county. This is why today I don't blame the consulate officers, Visa Chief for their decision because I didn't know anything until months later. I did not understand at the time they denied our petition.

Thanks for helping me get my timeline squared away! I think I'll be able to help others because I think IMBRA Law will create some denied petitions and those people will want to know what to expect to happen next. I found no information NONE on returned petitions and /or procedures.

Thanks Again you are wonderful!

Try this as Signature..it is SLIGHTLY abbreviated

I edited and revised again....(sorry. easier to read with moved dates)

1 more time. try this signature:

WOW! Thank you it appears to work! Thank you once again I feel a true member now!

11-3-04 Filed K-129F

12-3-04 Received NSC

2-4-05 NOA1 & 2 (Approved) sent to NVC

2-24-05 NVC received

4-8-05 Consulate received

7-19-05 Interview

After interview Consulate requested Video of me speaking Vietnamese

7-25-05 Sent video (seemed fine)

Consulate denied, claiming evasion of immigration law

Returned petition to original Service Center

Apr 06 Received letter from Vietnam Consulate in Washington DC claiming reasonable person would be convinced.

4-3-06 letter from NSC - MOTION TO REOPEN WITH INTENT TO DENY

Report from consulate (dated 9-6-05) came with notice "Petitioner given opportunity to rebut consulate findings."

NOA3 NSC REOPENED APPLICATION

4-21-06 submitted requested docs to NSC.

6-12-06 NOA4 I-797C from NSC

6-13-06 DECISION letter from (Acting Director), approval of petition REAFFIRMED and petition forwarded to U.S. Consulate/Embassy at Ho Chi Minh City.

Waiting for NVC to say they’ve received petition…

I found that most people use the timeline in their signatures for quick reference to others. That may be the best option for you. Many of these ordeals are not optins in the timeline. you would just add it in the bottom in the timeline, but again. The signature including would be fine.

Tried that, signature field wont accept so much text Stay happy! Thanks Kevin&Loan well see

Filed K-129F November 3, 2004

Received NSC December 3, 2004

NOA1 and 2 February 4, 2005 (Approved) sent to NVC

NVC received petition February 24, 2005

NVC sent petition to Consulate in Vietnam February 30, 2005

Consulate receives petition April 8, 2005

All packets were sent to my Fiancée she handled all that.

Interview day July 19, 2005

After interview Consulate wanted/requested Video of me speaking Vietnamese.

Sent video July 25, 2005 via FedEx

Video fine, according to fiancée.

Consulate denied petition, Said sham relationship to evade immigration law.

Returned petition to Service Center whom approved it.

April, 2006 Received form letter from Vietnam Consulate in Washington DC quote; 9 FAM 42.43 N2.2 reasonable person would be convinced. Then, I would/could not understand and very upset! Today, understanding more I now understand why, Their just doing their job.

April 3, 2006 letter from NSC SERVICE MOTION TO REOPEN WITH INTENT TO DENY

Report from consulate (dated September 6, 2005) came with this notice (specific reason(s) consulate denied petition) Petitioner given opportunity to rebut consulate findings.

NOA3 NSC REOPENED APPLICATION

April 21, 2006 submitted requested documents to NSC and more.

NOA4 June 12,2006 I-797C, from NSC reaffirmed decision.

June 13, 2006 (postmarked) formal DECISION letter from (Acting Director) After review of the record, including any response you have sent to this office, the approval of this petition is REAFFIRMED and the petition has been forwarded to the United States Consulate/Embassy at Ho Chi Minh City.

Waiting for NVC to say they’ve received petition…

I was just approved for the second time, same fiance

I am so Happy to read that! Love is wonderful! The best to you and yours!

Hi,

any one knows if USCIS will do the name check for every I-129F petitioner? If so, it will be very time consuming.

thanks,

lele

Time Consuming... That's an understatement... but hang in there! it's worth it Once your best half comes home. I'll disapear from this site and enjoy my life when she comes home. These are GREAT people here. Since 2004 I have been waiting. When can I breath again with song in my heart...

I'll NEVER stop waiting because I love her so much! She's my Vo (wife) I will never never stop.... (give up)

NEVER!

who in here have applied for K1 Visa again for same fiance(e) from the previous K1 Visa approve?

I'm currently going through my second round of the process. Can I help you?

Press Release

USCIS SERVICE CENTERS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS

(WASHINGTON) - What began 25 years ago with a handful of employees in the basement of a post office in northern Vermont, is now a major part of how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) efficiently and securely provides immigration benefits to millions of customers every year. Created to carry out work that does not require face-to-face interaction with the public, the USCIS Service Centers located in Vermont, Texas, California and Nebraska, now handle more than 70 percent of the applications received every year.

The idea of the service centers was first conceived in the late 1970s by two legacy U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) managers during a hunting trip in northeastern Vermont. The concept was to relieve overburdened district offices by transferring work that did not require applicant interviews to other locations. This allowed the district offices to concentrate on applicants for immigration benefits such as citizenship and legal permanent residency that require face-to-face interviews.

During the next 25 years we hope to complete the processing of all applications that have been sitting in Service Centers since the Service Centers were created.

Why not put those feelings as you do here (into letters to the editor) and rebut the story... Once upon a time in a land far away...

Reading these posts I have discovered there seems to be some things I wouldn't have thought of that might make it more difficult to get a visa, such as being a woman trying to bring a man into the country, a large age difference between you and your fiance/fiancee, having brought or filed for another immigrant fiance/fiancee or spouse in the past, etc. What other kinds of things make Consular Officers go, "hmmmm"?

Wearing the same color clothes in each photo together. I brought 5 sets of the same color clothes (carhart) The consulate officer said we were together only 2 days when the truth is we were together just over two weeks.

I learned that one! change color clothes when being photoed together then presented at time of interview

I forgot how long it was the first time NSC sent my petition to NVC NSC "this time" said we sent your reaffirmed petition on to NVC June 12, 2006 NVC says; weve yet to see it.

Is this normal? I've seen other petitions "post" timelines go from their service center to NVC and out again to consulate in days.

is it me or my cologne

Thanks for any info...

My gut instinct suggests to me that being Nebraska Service Center is moving all visa petition applications away to other service centers that maybe soon, NSC will handle all appeal petitions both at the initial stage and later down the road to include consulate returns petition(s). I feel NCS "perhaps" will become the central hub for all appeals. IMBRA will surely impact many petitions.

Just a though

My fiancee's interview is this coming Monday, and she does not want to take her copy of the i-129f/k-1 packet along with her, to much stuff already for the day of travel and the restrictions of what you can and can't bring to the embassy. So I am wondering on others experience's of just bringing what the checklist asks for and nothing more? I would take it (i-129f) just to have it, because you just never know.

Thanks

Scott

I'd take everything plus the kitchen sink... Interviews dates are few and far apart. This is no time to wish I had, if I'd only brough...?? ya know what I mean

Martindart-

Any ideas how to "prove" a real relationship? I was going to send about a hundred photos of my fiance and I together, a few hundred emails, pages and pages of love letters, and letters from our friends and family attesting to the veracity of our relationship. Is this what they want? I guess the best thing is to read the report that the Consular officer furnishes and rebut it point by point? I think I do have some naked pictures of my boyfriend- would that be REAL enough for them?!

What have you done or what is your plan?

My dear friend,

before I ran naked in hope to convince a consulate officer ("quick! see me!!) I'd would had all my friends and co-workers sign my signiture petition of my intent to marry, all states, for a price will do a background check to show all is well and we believe she/he is single and free to marry. Very easy my friend, cost about 32 bucks thats good paper. takes a few weeks to get.

I'm tired,

Seeing death in my family...nothing comes after...working... little to no hope... still I hang in there... I'll never quit... I'll keep on... because I love my Vo!

Strong in Vietnam..

Martindart,

You should be my misery penpal! I am on antidepressants, I periodically yell at people for no reason and my best friend is my dog because she is the only one I want to spend time with anymore. The visa process has made me crazy. And none of my friends or family members really understand what it is like.

I am here for you!

I'm trying to sqeeze frozen beer out of a can! I now work at an Elementray school and played guitar with a old band named Wishbone Ash long ago... I'm ok, still here. I want you to be the same ok?

Hang in there buddy!

I'm here for ya!

Don Nicely =-)

Does anyone know of a good immigration lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia? The Embassy I am dealing with is New Delhi if that matters.

Thanks.

First, I understand what you are going through, been there doing that.

The Consulate Officer is just doing his/her job. I am way past the angry stage being a year later. You are bait for an Attorney to sweep in and say: Your Fiancée is gone forever! In addition, for about 6-10 thousand dollars, I will help you. Yeah and the sun will not shine tomorrow… nevertheless.

When a Consulate Officer denies a K-129F petition, this is what will happen.

You will receive a form letter “unsigned” from the Consulate in Washington DC from the Country where your fiancée lives. It will probably say: After a careful review, pursuant to 9 FAM 42.43 N2.2 that a reasonable person would be convinced, a sham relationship, to evade immigration laws. bla bla.. This will arrive in about 40 days.

Then in about 7 months later you will receive from the service center that approve you petition 2 letters, One from the Consulate which is a written report to the specific reason(s) why they (the consulate officer) decided to revoke your petition. The second letter is from the service center whom approved your petition which now reads; SERVICE MOTION TO REOPEN WITH INTENT TO DENY here you will have a chance to rebut the consulate officers findings (In fairness to you)

Then 2 months later (if you are successful) you will receive from the same service center that approved your petition initially a letter of DECISION that states; After review of the record, including any response you have sent to this office, the approval of the petition is reaffirmed and the petition will be forwarded to the Consulate/Embassy who denied your petition.

Hope this gives you an idea of what is before you. This is what I’m going through now and I found no information on the web as to what the “procedures” are, to a petition the is revoked with intent to deny by a consulate officer.

I feel if you do not challenge the consulate officers findings, that decision will haunt any new K-129 or even the 130 petitions should you marry and think… this will work… Nope, The Consulate Officer has all the reason to deny you once again. Think about it… I did and went this way.

However, this is my decision and my avenue to follow.

Oh, I am still waiting for a new interview day for my fiancée. Should happen in the next few months. If you really love him/her this is nothing but time. Keep busy and stay healthy because I love you and soon we will be together. I say this daily to her. =-)

Okay, I stand corrected. However, on the surface, with no additional descriptive information, it is most simple to complete the forms yourself and save the money. Had Sakurasama provided further clarification then of course, I would have agreed that they consultwith an attorney. Be it known that I have seen so many people spend three thousand and more dollars for an attorney who do nothing more than act as a "mail drop" for their clients. The clients must still complete the forms, or at least provide all of the requested information to the attorney for him/her to complete, so what good is the attorney at that point? Given extenuating circumstances such as is apparently present, then the advice of a good attorney may well be prudent. That is all. Jeepers....all this for my opinion....golly!

This is what it all about, In the last 2 years I thought all would be fine, just follow the K-129F procedures and all would be fine… I have lost 2 of my 3 brothers waiting… thinking something got to be better… I have nothing to smile about yet knowing that someday I’ll be with my love is…try explaining this over Yahoo messenger during morning coffee. I cry for my loss each day… time without, is worse than anything I know…

Does anyone know of a good immigration lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia? The Embassy I am dealing with is New Delhi if that matters.

Thanks.

First, I understand what you are going through, been there doing that.

The Consulate Officer is just doing his/her job. I am way past the angry stage being a year later. You are bait for an Attorney to sweep in and say: Your Fiancée is gone forever! In addition, for about 6-10 thousand dollars, I will help you. Yeah and the sun will not shine tomorrow… nevertheless.

When a Consulate Officer denies a K-129F petition, this is what will happen.

You will receive a form letter “unsigned” from the Consulate in Washington DC from the Country where your fiancée lives. It will probably say: After a careful review, pursuant to 9 FAM 42.43 N2.2 that a reasonable person would be convinced, a sham relationship, to evade immigration laws. bla bla.. This will arrive in about 40 days.

Then in about 7 months later you will receive from the service center that approve you petition 2 letters, One from the Consulate which is a written report to the specific reason(s) why they (the consulate officer) decided to revoke your petition. The second letter is from the service center whom approved your petition which now reads; SERVICE MOTION TO REOPEN WITH INTENT TO DENY here you will have a chance to rebut the consulate officers findings (In fairness to you)

Then 2 months later (if you are successful) you will receive from the same service center that approved your petition initially a letter of DECISION that states; After review of the record, including any response you have sent to this office, the approval of the petition is reaffirmed and the petition will be forwarded to the Consulate/Embassy who denied your petition.

Hope this gives you an idea of what is before you. This is what I’m going through now and I found no information on the web as to what the “procedures” are, to a petition the is revoked with intent to deny by a consulate officer.

I feel if you do not challenge the consulate officers findings, that decision will haunt any new K-129 or even the 130 petitions should you marry and think… this will work… Nope, The Consulate Officer has all the reason to deny you once again. Think about it… I did and went this way.

However, this is my decision and my avenue to follow.

Oh, I am still waiting for a new interview day for my fiancée. Should happen in the next few months. If you really love him/her this is nothing but time. Keep busy and stay healthy because I love you and soon we will be together. I say this daily to her. =-)

Yes, three years and still waiting. We have been victims of exceptionally bad treatment and service at the HCM Consulate. Not all cases take as long as ours, but I hear wait times are on the way up. I hope your case and those of others do not suffer the same kind of service we have received. Good luck and stick with it.

We have been waiting for 2 years now. Denied petition said we were a sham relationship. Consulate said 8 people attended our ceremony. Consulate slected 3 photos out of 52 presented at time of interview of our ceremony. They over looked the others photos where CLEARLY in the background you can see many other tables filled with other guest.. Other photos where I wore my work clothes while in VN and those photos of me in same clothes (which I have 5-7 sets all same color was another reason to deny our petition. My buddy got my airline ticket for me while he was in China town while I was on call with work that day, that was final reason to deny. returned petition(s) take about 6 months to get back to service center who approved petition. They then contact you to rebut consular officer findings (which I've done) NSC reaffirmed their decision to approve our petition once again and now we wait as it travels back through the NVC then onto HCMC visa unit and reset another interview date. Once I found out our petition was denied I was so angry I was spitting nails...Today I am more at ease... and as I look back the consulate did they're job there are so many people trying to scam that consulate it hurts true and real relationships like ours and others. So to all the new people who are about to have an interview at U.S. Consulate in HCM be on guard and prepare well. being denied it a cold shot in the heart I know, I am healing well now. Should it happen to you be prepared to fight at the Service Center who approved you petition because if you don't overturn the consulate decision it will haunt the next K-129F you file because that decision will follow the new application and that will be grounds to deny you again.

Stay healthy and happy! This is what I say to my love Vo daily We will be together soon

Am I the only one who has tried to work out a system to USCIS's case status updates?

I'm getting a little obsessive compulsive about checking the USCIS site - usually 3-4 times a day (even weekends!).

I need a hobby to pass the time (besides calling my fiance - last phone bill was $383 for international calls)!

Man... Use a phone card...

I received a NOA I-797C letter from NSC (Nebraska Service Center) Post marked June 13, 2006 that says: We have reaffirmed our decision. We have forwarded the case back to TDOS (The Department of State) aka NVC for Action However, I Received also from NSC June 13, 2006 a DECISION letter which says: After review of the record, including any response you have sent to this office. The approval of the petition is reaffirmed and the petition has been forwarded to the United States Consulate/Embassy at Ho Chi Minh City. By Law, On Consular returned petitions they must keep a copy of my petition in the Visa Unit in HCM, so why send it Nebraska?

What is HCMC going to do with “The DECISION letter?” Are they on alert? He’s back? NVC on alert of what’s forth coming? Anyone thoughts please?

One more VERY important thing. My friend purchased my (June 1, 2004) airline ticket for me while he was in China Town I later paid him back. The Consulate did not like this... even though my name was on the ticket and itinerary they returned my petition for this reason also. I just reviewed the consulate report. So, make sure you have paid your airline ticket with a credit card in your name. I have my own but he (my buddy) was there in China Town and I asked him to get me a ticket, it was cheaper. Had I known it would haunt me later I’d never done it.

7/12/06 Reaffirmed Decision Letter forwarded to Ho Chi Minh City :wacko martindart

I think you mean 6/12/06. You get your own personal smiley.

Cam on =-)

Note: PM member Vietnam to be added to this list or to update your information.

05/10/05 --k1 interview -- duclinhreo --------- visa 09/06....... AOS Passed ----03/24/06

09/26/05 --k1 interview -- nychang------------visa 11/05....... AOS Passed ----03/31/06

09/08/05 --k1 interview -- mk4tt ------------------------------- EAD------------05/02/06

10/07/05 --k1 interview -- thai0699 ----------- visa 12/12....... AOS BIOM ----- 05/20/06

01/24/06 --k1 interview -- nodownguy ------------------------- EAD BIOM------05/26/06

05/08/03 ----interview----wait4ever----------delayed

05/16/05 ----interview----sweetiewynn ------delayed

08/29/05 ----interview----Kevin&Loan------- visa 5/24/06

02/16/06 ----interview----scy K3 ------------- visa.....2/28

03/21/06 ----interview----ct94 --------------- passed------

03/24/05 ----interview----JOSmith2 ---------- passed------

03/29/06 ----interview----landy -------------- passed------

04/13/06 ----interview----yellow123 --------- delayed

04/24/06 ----interview----Bruce Han --------- passed------

05/12/06 ----interview----kvtran ------------- passed------

06/27/06 ----interview----Matt Stevens------

07/10/06 ----interview----menyoo------------

07/19/06 ----interview----STL_HCMC---------

07/27/06 ----interview----nhatrang-----------

03/20/06 ----- Pack 3 -----gurugreg-----------

05/19/06 ----- Pack 3 -----mike1972e---------

06/02/06 ----- Pack 3 -----Icarus--------------

06/03/06 ----- Pack 3 -----justin728jn---------

06/09/06 ----- Pack 3 -----songsparrow ------

00/00/06 -Case at HCMC----------

06/12/06 ---- Left NVC ----Robert & Van-------

05/02/06 ------NOA2 ------3AD----------------

05/18/06 ---I130 NOA2----Idinh CR1----------

06/01/05 ------NOA1 ------ngoc K3------------

12/30/05 ------NOA1 ------My Le K3-----------

03/10/06 ------NOA1 ------Waiting so long ----

05/05/06 ------NOA1 ------quintaris-----------

05/15/06 ------NOA1 ------Tony&AnhThu*-----

06/14/06 ------NOA1 ------phong_mai CR-1---

7/12/06 Reaffirmed Decision Letter forwarded to Ho Chi Minh City :wacko martindart