acidrain

I can only speak to my own experience with filing our i130 with NSC. There is obviously a huge problem happening with Nebraska. As mentioned in another thread in over 30 working days they have only completed 6 days worth of i130 applications. I searched through some old postings from 2013 and noticed Nebraska had some major problems then too. I'm not sure what they did but once things got bad enough they must have done something to clear the backlog. It took a few months from the looks of it to get back to normal processing times.

To give you an example the average processing time for an i130 at other processing centers is taking about 5 months. Nebraska currently is taking 8-9 months. Keep in mind our application fees pay for these people's salaries at Nebraska. This service center has hung up on my lawyer and is incredibly rude to people. I'd tread carefully if you speak to them directly. To file a complaint I believe you have to write to the DHS Office of the Inspector General.

10 hours ago, AlisonC said:

My NOA1 is February 27 and is at Potomac. Received notification this week of a RFE (request for evidence). Anxiously awaiting the letter in the post to see what we need to do 😐

 

Sending positive vibes your way! I can only imagine how stressful this must be for you. If it's any consolation I'm at the Nebraska Service Center and probably won't be approved for another few months. I bet your i130 will still get approved before ours!

5 hours ago, Caro285 said:

Hi,  one question, why didn't you apply for a status adjustment within the US, so that you could be with your loved one during the wait?  It seems like it would have been easier on your family financially....?

In Jan our family tried to enter the US with a U-haul worth of all our stuff in hopes to adjust status. I was under the impression this was legal as Canadians are able to visit the US for up to 6 months. I was given a section 212 7 a denial (intent to immigrate) and told I needed to file for a green card back in Canada. We hired a lawyer who advised us there is a way to adjust status but you would have to execute the plan perfectly from the start. Since everyone is aware of our situation including customs we have no choice. Since I got that denial I'm on a special screening list and have to report to secondary customs to prove my ties to Canada and that I will return. My lawyer advised giving the border a declaration stating I will not adjust status as I'm sure they are afraid of me doing just that. In other words I forfeit my right to adjust status every time I enter the US but at this point seeing my spouse and allowing him to see our 4 year old son on a regular basis is keeping our sanity.

When I went onto Visa Journey Timeline today I BLEW A GASKET. According to USCIS website as of May 31, 2017 Nebraska was processing cases from: Nov 15, 2016. When I looked at Visa Journey today they are processing cases from Nov 21, 2017!!!!! This means in over 30 WORK DAYS they have only done 6 DAYS OF APPLICATIONS! If me or my spouse worked this slow WE WOULD BE FIRED!!! I'd rant about how they are Government but these guys are being paid with OUR APPLICATION FEES! WHAT HAVE I PAID MONEY FOR??? Nebraska is officially THE slowest service center now. My estimated completion date says Oct. Every week it keeps getting pushed back. Has everyone in the NSC gone home for the summer??

I am thinking of typing up a letter to send to the DHS Office of the Inspector General as the Ombudsman does not have the power to do anything. It might be even worth sending the higher ups in DHS a letter too. I don't care what planet a person is from this situation is not right. Our family is paying an extra $3,000 a month to live separately. I sure hope they transfer files to other service centers because at this rate Feb filers will be lucky to get an approval BY THE END OF 2017!!!! I'm sure the other service centers will be THRILLED to get the workload of Nebraska. Not only is this service center incredibly rude but they can't handle their own workload. This is TOTALLY unacceptable.

When I went onto Visa Journey Timeline today I BLEW A GASKET. According to USCIS website as of May 31, 2017 Nebraska was processing cases from: Nov 15, 2016. When I looked at Visa Journey today they are processing cases from Nov 21, 2017!!!!! This means in over 30 WORK DAYS they have only done 6 DAYS OF APPLICATIONS! If me or my spouse worked this slow WE WOULD BE FIRED!!! I'd rant about how they are Government but these guys are being paid with OUR APPLICATION FEES! WHAT HAVE I PAID MONEY FOR??? Nebraska is officially THE slowest service center now. My estimated completion date says Oct. Every week it keeps getting pushed back. Has everyone in the NSC gone home for the summer??

I am thinking of typing up a letter to send to the DHS Office of the Inspector General as the Ombudsman does not have the power to do anything. It might be even worth sending the higher ups in DHS a letter too. I don't care what planet a person is from this situation is not right. Our family is paying an extra $3,000 a month to live separately. I sure hope they transfer files to other service centers because at this rate Feb filers will be lucky to get an approval BY THE END OF 2017!!!! I'm sure the other service centers will be THRILLED to get the workload of Nebraska. Not only is this service center incredibly rude but they can't handle their own workload. This is TOTALLY unacceptable.

On 7/11/2017 at 7:59 PM, Dilorena said:

I love everything you wrote, we are so much alike! 

My husband is incredibly positive, and I try my best to keep up. I firmly believe that there has to be some form of karmic retribution in trying to keep others emotionally stable, which is not an easy task considering what we have to go through. Just as you, I used to have privilege, I was completely ignorant when it came to immigration. It is quite funny, because a lot o people (especially U.S citizens) have this idea in their minds that we all Mexicans are alike. The fact that some can be English speaking, cultured, light skinned,   college educated, with money, baffles them. Just as you, the possibility of migrating illegally was never considered, because even though this is incredibly frustrating, the aftermath of just overstaying or even entering illegally, would be far worse. but I completely understand why a lot of people opt to marry on a tourist VISA and adjust from the inside. Even many of my aunts did it, and when one of them was talking about it and just  exclaimed ''but why is it taking so long, I just did my biometrics and I was here with my husband the whole time'' I felt like punching her on the face. Friends would do the dreaded ''OMG, I don't know how you guys do it, I wouldn't/couldn't'' 

 

If you're planning on gathering people for a mass complaint at the Ombudsman, count me in. I don't know what to do, and if more people got together and try to fight it I'd be on board. I know it's a long shot, like you've said, if he can't expedite no one can. I can't believe they punish people with a 60 day delay after a complaint. That is indeed a very vindictive, non profesional way to deal with their on wrongdoings. Everyone I've talked to have also exclaimed in shock that they can't believe this is the system the U.S has, that it is deeply flawed and that we shouldn't have to go through this. 

 

I still don't know enough about immigration to figure out why can't we be with our loved ones, at least after USCIS's approval. I understand background checks are needed, and ultimately they're trying to protect the United States from ''bad hombres'' (couldn't help myself) but it also prevents a lot of honest, good families from being together. Another thing completely spot on about what you said, is the fact that I find incredibly ironic that you have to do everything you can to prove your relationship is real, and in the meantime they do everything to break you apart. Sure it might not be ''intentional'' but like you mentioned, it tests everything about yourself and your marriage, and it's putting both of us in a lot of emotional and even financial distress. We constantly fight because we're incredibly frustrated we can't be together, we're both on edge and vulnerable right now. And learning that I might still have four months to go before we even get approved, fearing RFEs, is utterly ridiculous. 

 

I had a previous CR1 approved, that took less than 6 months. But unfortunately it was with my ex husband and we stopped before we reached NVC, the relationship didn't work and we got a divorce, so that's added pressure/stress because I'm worried USCIS will think I'm just trying to marry for the green card, which dear Lord couldn't be more wrong. I literally just want to be with my husband, and it isn't easy for him to move since he has a job he loves and we decided to try this option first, since my job can be easily moved. But like you said, having to go through  this in a very young marriage is more than I ever anticipated, and today has been particularly hard. 

 

And we have hopefully a safe space here to vent/share our experiences. No one but us know what's going on, barely as you said. We at least have to stick together. 

 

I honestly can't imagine what it must be like to try to immigrate from Mexico right now. This whole process has opened my eyes up to why illegal immigrants make the choices they do. If you were to ask the average person whether they think being separated from their spouse or children is fair for over a YEAR most people would say no. The financial hardship this causes people is insane. I can't believe even in a country such as Canada they require spouses and families to be separated. The border official I talked to knew her stuff and point blankly said to me that I was doing the process correctly by being separated. Your pretty much screwed if you try to immigrate from Canada as a couple because they want the American citizen to be established inside the US (domicile). I really feel for you to have to go through this process. I've been together with my spouse for 12 years now in many respects it's easier because we've been together for so long. It's the separation from my son that I know upsets him.

I hear what you are saying about how people screw with the rules. There are so many arm chair athlete's who think they know the immigration system. I had absolutely no idea how complex it was. It's my belief if your married you should have more rights than if your just engaged. After all married spouses are subjected to IRS rules. I've had to turn over all of my bank statements that are held jointly with my spouse. I am subjected to having to pay income taxes jointly with my spouse. But have less rights than someone who just met an American and is more likely frauding the system. Our immigration story has peaked the curiosity of Canadians and Americans. I've heard people say "Trump isn't letting Canadians in" referring to us. But the truth is these rules were here long before Trump ever came into office. I just think the politeness of the previous administration has been lost. I know if you or I had been sent to a different service center we would be waiting any day for our NOA2 approval.

It's not right the government spends so much effort breaking relationships and families apart. It shocks people to know how many resources are put in place in order for me to cross the border. You can't tell me if Melania Trump was told to go back to her native country and go through what we have the Trumps would accept that. I had a previous i130 approved in 2 months. A few years back I just had to drive 4 hours to the nearest consulate in Vancouver. Now everything goes through Montreal which is on the other side of Canada and much more costly. Now all i130's are not done at the embassies but in the US. Looking at the lack of customer service in Nebraska this experience has been horrendous. I totally hear what you are saying about the fear of a RFE. I'm constantly on edge and wonder if or when things will progress. I'll post my rant about the Nebraska office on the next comment. Just know you aren't alone in this process. I'm just so glad I'm not alone.

In my Province in Canada something like 85% of all BC'ers are anti-Trump. It's been tough because I've had so many friends and family start going off on the United States. People have flat out asked if I am treated so poorly why I'd ever want to move there. Many of my friends and family think Trump himself has something to do with our problems. This whole immigration process has not only tested my relationship but my feelings toward America. It helped tremendously to have so much support of Las Vegans when I went for a visit there. It's just weird just as I'm sure it is for you to be caught up in real time political warfare. We tried crossing the border the day after the travel ban and the things I saw while being detained where very shocking. I've had friends cancel trips to the US because of bad border stories. The one border supervisor at the land crossing closest to me claimed Canadians were saying they are going for gas and not coming home (why he'd deny me visiting my spouse). I told him I've never known ONE Canadian to live in the US illegally. There is such a culture right now to keeping foreigners out. It's perplexing and against everything the US is supposed to be for.

I honestly believe you will be okay to prove your relationship is genuine. The one thing I've learned is gather evidence and a lot of it. I'm hopeful this i130 business will be the worst part of the process.

I looked up complaints for USCIS and the Ombudsman unfortunately has no power to do anything. There is not even a formal complaints system according to a report I read. The DHS Office of the Inspector General does take care of complaints against officers and report abuse of financial resources. I'm tempted to write those guys a letter stating what I will rant about in my next post.

27 minutes ago, Dilorena said:

This, a million times this.

That's exactly how I've been feeling lately. Frustrated, angry, sad, disheartened, all rolled into one. Why do we have to wait considerably longer than other centers, when we applied at the same time and paid the same fee? A fee that isn't cheap by any means without taking into account the added cost of having someone abroad like you mentioned. I understand the whole ''waiting in queue for your turn'' which is only fair, but when you start seeing filers from the same month from other service centers get approved, it's really a slap in the face. I am genuinely happy for them, after all they deserve it as well, but it's hard not to feel the injustice. 

I absolutely agree, it would only be fair to expedite/approve in order of waiting time. You are inside the U.S in no hurry and been waiting four, five months? yeah not the same as the families waiting outside for over eight. But the cold truth?  it just isn't a priority to them. We are just numbers and thousands upon thousands of papers to get filed, but it's our lives. Tax payers are not involved, so no rush in changing their ways.  We can't wait inside because we are seen and treated as potential threats, especially us in high fraud countries.  We are at their mercy since there are not a lot of options to legally migrate to the U.S, and they rely on '' This is a privilege, not a right. If you don't like it, go live somewhere else'' 

I haven't even tried calling USCIS because I fear I'll get the same answer. I feel it will just make me even more mad, and even though our case should be expedited if it goes overtime, I know a lot of families like yourself have it worse, and it breaks my heart. You have genuine expedite reasons. My husband and I will probably spend our first anniversary apart, we're depressed and I cry most nights, but thankfully I have the support of my family and I can work/provide for myself, we get to see each other every two, three months at most, so I know it's way better than many.

I don't know you, but I care for you because we're in this together. I'm so sorry we have to go through this and you have my full support, understanding and love. 

 

 

I must confess I creeped this page out many times and admire all of your posts and courage. I wish I was as optimistic and positive as you! My personality can come across as quite strong and when I get worked up it shows. You are spot on when it comes to everything you said. This entire process has opened up my world and eyes to immigrants. I'm used to having white privilege and being a part of the dominant culture. It's not to say I feel discriminated against for wanting to immigrate. I've met Americans who believe I should be expedited based on the fact I'm Canadian and white. I honestly do not expect to be ahead of anybody else and have no problems waiting my turn. However, as you mention how is it fair that others get approved who applied a couple of months ago? 

You are right in saying people don't care about immigrants and it's forced me to take a look at my own views having lived in Canada all my life. Honestly if paying a retired federal immigration judge $500/hr can't expedite the process than I firmly believe nothing will. The Nebraska office honestly fears nobody and because they are Government employees they can say or do whatever they want. The level of dysfunction in the Nebraska office is upsetting. I am tempted to file a complaint against that entire office to the Ombudsman for not only what my own lawyer went through but what they have done to others. To make a person wait an extra 60 days for filing a complaint against them is vindictive but I'm sure that's why they do it. Perhaps I will consider sending a complaint to someone in higher authority. It's honestly not just my situation that irritates me but yours and others too. My spouse was shocked when I told him what the i130 even is. All they do is look at the birth certificate (or passport) and the form to verify he can sponsor me. My son is a given because he's his biological child. I've been approved before so for the process to take 8 months is ridiculous.

Funny you should mention immigration being a privilege and not a right. I was told this when I was denied at the border. However, whenever I start going off how all of my financial information has to be disclosed to the IRS because I'm married to an American spouse people shut up pretty quickly. So I have no rights to disclose my personal information but to enter the US I have less rights than my spouse's half brother who recently went to Vegas to get drunk? My son apparently has a claim to citizenship but the fact I gave birth to him means nothing. If it's any consolation to you or others there is not one person I've met (Trump voters included) that thinks this process is right. I'm a very blunt person and I've told Trump supporters flat out if they want to tackle illegal immigration I'd suggest cleaning up their immigration system. I understand more why people make certain decisions including living in the country illegally. Obviously I'm doing everything legally but this process tests everything about you.

I was fortunate to be able to visit my spouse recently so I'm a lot more fortune than many others. I was hoping I'd be living in the same city we got married in for our 10 year wedding anniversary next Feb but I'm starting to wonder about that. I'm so sorry you have to start out a relationship like this. The whole point to the exercise is ridiculous. The immigration process does everything to break a marriage apart only at the very end to say "okay you can come live here now - forever". As many Americans have told me they really should have a system where you can get a temporary Visa while this is all going on and report to someone every so often. Thank you for allowing me to vent. It helps to know I am not alone. It's so difficult to even attempt to explain to my friends and family what is going on. I barely understand the rules myself.

Just now, larnar1309 said:

Wow! My heart really goes out for you!  this sounds awful... do you mind me asking the reason you are not allowed to apply from the states? 

 

When i went to visit my husband we went to the government office to ask about our application. The lady told me that I could file a separate form and that I would be able to wait with my husband in the states during the process - however during that time I wouldn't have been able to work. Since I have a good job I didn't take that option but I'm wondering if that's the same reason why you are not doing that? Although it sounds like it's costing you more money being apart? 

 

Best wishes to you! Cmon Nebraska! Maybe you could request through your lawyer to transfer to Potomac? That seems to be the fastest centre 

Thank you very much for your support! These forums help tremendously because I'm starting to get really frustrated with the whole thing. My dual spouse, son and I attempted to cross the border with a U-Haul from Canada last Jan. It was the day after the travel ban was instated. I was under the impression we could stay in the US for a duration of 6 months just like other Canadians do on a routine basis. My spouse was going to find work and we were going to see if we wanted to live there. The border agent denied entry based on the fact he did not feel we had enough ties to Canada. We had sold our house, rental apartment and had all our belongings. Needless to say we had to come back to Canada and to a city with little to no rentals and is very expensive. Fortunately someone we knew just bought a house so I was able to rent their basement while this was all going on.

There is a way to "adjust status" but it is an extremely thin line to cross. With the crack down on immigration due to Trump that thin line is becoming thinner. One can only cross the border without the intent to immigrate. As our lawyer described, if you bought tickets to Disneyland and set up the vacation of your life and suddenly during the trip said "oh wow let's move here" that is legal. However, if you tell your friends and get on a plane knowing you aren't coming back that is considered fraud. That is why my spouse's neighbor is allowed to stay in the US and adjust status because she fell in love AFTER she crossed the border. I just find the whole process insulting to those who are honest and in our case have been together in total 12 years. The kicker is I've had to turn over all of my personal information to the IRS because it's the law that all US citizens file taxes abroad. So I'm legally obligated to disclose all my bank account information but to visit my spouse for 12 days I have to undergo such an extensive process at the border to prove I am coming back to Canada.

At this point we won't be able to adjust status because we've declared our intent to immigrate. We had absolutely no idea about the rules and at least the last time when I went to visit my spouse the border agent acknowledged that. My spouse has not lived in the US since 1986 so he has to establish domicile or ties otherwise we'd live in Canada and then move. It's quite the contradiction that I have to prove ties to Canada and he has to prove ties to the US thus breaking our family apart and running two households. One could apply for an expedite but in our case our hardship is arguably just like everyone else. Sorry I am venting so much. Everyone I speak to in Canada and the US cannot believe what's happening. Our lawyer who is a retired federal immigration judge says in his 60 years of practicing law he has never experienced anything like this. Canadians who used to sort of be treated as a distant cousin are facing additional scrutiny. I'd like to think we are reasonable people but the kicker is we've been approved for a i130 in the past! However, Canada shreds the file and cancels the application. We were going to move years back but changed our minds. I had no idea how much money this would all cost and how unreasonable the Nebraska office would be. Our lawyer the retired federal judge was absolutely shocked when the Nebraska office hung up on him!

Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska. I'm looking at Visa Journey Timeline's and it's saying they are processing applications from Nov 27. What is going on? I really think it's unfair to those who have been assigned to NSC to have to wait upwards of three months longer than other service centers.

Our lawyer called up Nebraska to see why they do not expedite applications that are filed abroad. Other service centers do! They HUNG UP on him! The stories coming out of Nebraska are quite frankly shocking. I cannot believe they are allowed to be so rude when our application fees are paying their salary! Does it really make sense to process an application for a person inside the US before families who are suffering tremendous financial hardship?

According to the latest timeline this means to process a i130 in Nebraska is taking EIGHT MONTHS. How is this reasonable? When I shared this information with Americans while visiting my spouse they said that was ridiculous. It's costing our family upwards of $3,000 in living expenses every single month this goes on for. An extra 3 months we are talking over $10,000 it will cost us compared to those who are in other service centers. How is that fair? It's even more ridiculous a person cannot wait out the process inside the US with their spouse. Especially if they are from a low fraud country! Nobody understands the logic behind all of this. My spouse's next door neighbor however met a girl from Australia and she got to stay inside the country not having to file abroad. How is that fair? I've been married to my spouse for almost 10 years and the whole process is going to have cost somewhere over $50,000!!

If our application was at another service center our application would be approved or be about to. I honestly think the Consulates abroad should be expediting appointments in accordance to how long a person is waiting for their i130. Like if you are stuck in Nebraska you should get your Visa appointment first. I guess all we can hope is for a transfer or for that center to get their act together! Very frustrating!

Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska. I'm looking at Visa Journey Timeline's and it's saying they are processing applications from Nov 27. What is going on? I really think it's unfair to those who have been assigned to NSC to have to wait upwards of three months longer than other service centers.

Our lawyer called up Nebraska to see why they do not expedite applications that are filed abroad. Other service centers do! They HUNG UP on him! The stories coming out of Nebraska are quite frankly shocking. I cannot believe they are allowed to be so rude when our application fees are paying their salary! Does it really make sense to process an application for a person inside the US before families who are suffering tremendous financial hardship?

According to the latest timeline this means to process a i130 in Nebraska is taking EIGHT MONTHS. How is this reasonable? When I shared this information with Americans while visiting my spouse they said that was ridiculous. It's costing our family upwards of $3,000 in living expenses every single month this goes on for. An extra 3 months we are talking over $10,000 it will cost us compared to those who are in other service centers. How is that fair? It's even more ridiculous a person cannot wait out the process inside the US with their spouse. Especially if they are from a low fraud country! Nobody understands the logic behind all of this. My spouse's next door neighbor however met a girl from Australia and she got to stay inside the country not having to file abroad. How is that fair? I've been married to my spouse for almost 10 years and the whole process is going to have cost somewhere over $50,000!!

If our application was at another service center our application would be approved or be about to. I honestly think the Consulates abroad should be expediting appointments in accordance to how long a person is waiting for their i130. Like if you are stuck in Nebraska you should get your Visa appointment first. I guess all we can hope is for a transfer or for that center to get their act together! Very frustrating!

6 hours ago, mnoman said:

so can we create a joint bank account in US to show her ties for domicile

I think domicile is pretty subjective. From what I understand they want a person to show ties to the US because they want to know for certain you will live there. A promise to the consulate officer is not enough. They are asking "how do we know you will in fact move to the US and not continue to live abroad"? Then you must provide proof to that answer. The more proof you can show the more likely you will be approved. I've been married to my spouse for almost a decade but was told he should move down to the US to re-establish ties as he hasn't lived there since he was a child. They want to know things like where are you going to live? How will your sponsor support your family? A green card holder gets the opportunity to live in the US and gets a number of rights that go a long with that. US immigration wants to make sure the people who are applying for a green card are in fact going to live there.

I thought I'd share my story for all of those who have gone through the experience of being denied entry (Section 212 7a) and wondering if you can visit afterwards. I've been married for 9 years to my dual US/Canadian spouse and we have a 4 year old son. Now that we know the rules we feel stupid to have sold our house and packed up all our belongings into a U-Haul. Last Jan we attempted to cross the US border and I was denied entry. The border agent said he'd permit my son and my stuff to cross but not me until I completed the immigration process. I was denied not necessarily because I intended to immigrate but because of lack of ties to Canada. The border agent was actually very nice throughout the ordeal and we had to come back to Canada to figure out how to do everything legally.

I was told to call the same land crossing when I wanted to visit my spouse. The short end of the story is I got the supervisor who in my opinion was very rude. Everyone else at this land crossing was nice and professional. However, the supervisor said if I crossed the border I'd be turned back. The part I found the most shocking was how little this border supervisor knew about the immigration process. I got into an argument when he said it was "impossible" for a spousal visa to take a year because there was no wait time for it. It's true a spouse does not have to wait for a visa to become available but as we all know it takes time to process. My spouse and I asked several different POE's what their take was. After being fingerprinted, photo taken and entered into the system I was terrified of a ban. The agents at Vancouver airport, Seattle airport, Las Vegas airport and Sumas land crossing were all in unison. They said it was up to the individual border agent whether they felt I would return to Canada and it would be up to me to prove to the agent I would return. I also asked our lawyer who is a retired Federal immigration judge who also said the same.

Our lawyer suggested I draft up a letter of declaration I would give to secondary that demonstrated I had no intention to immigrate and that I will return to Canada. Our lawyer signed and stamped my letter to show he had reviewed it. I put together a binder of documents just as other has suggested in these forums (thank you). I printed off everything I could think of that showed any evidence I was coming back. I printed off a Facebook message chat with my best friend showing our plans for the summer and hotel reservations. I had fall school registration for both myself and my son. I had a copy of my lease, damage deposit, a bank statement showing all my bills including my rental payments, photos of the inside of my apartment, return ticket, letter from my son's daycare provider, day care subsidy, payment of MSP coverage, a copy of my spouses letter of employment, mail forwarding service, car insurance, credit card statement, a quote for my son's dental procedure and appointment, doctor's appointment.

I have been told there are two categories of people. Those who the border knows are trying to immigrate and those they do not know. Most people in this forum will more than likely visit without ever having to go through secondary. I was told however that once you are in the system you are in there until your immigration status has been resolved. So every time I enter the US I will be subjected to the following.

I arrived at the airport and was told to check in at the self serve kiosk. I was not able to complete the transaction as I need additional security checks. I had to go check in with a real person and she told me I had been "randomly selected" for additional security checks. I already figured I was in the system after my Section 212 denial. You will know if you have been selected because you will have four SSSS on your boarding pass. I wound up being a nervous wreck on my connecting flight not knowing what kind of grilling process was going to happen. I had no idea how my previous denial would impact me. The Westjet attendant was at least funny in saying she's always selected for random checks because she once puked on the plane.

I got to YVR and was totally prepared to be told to get on another flight back home. I entered the security screening area and the first person asked if that was my boarding pass. My son who I was traveling with did not have the four SSSS as I was told he has a claim to citizenship therefore can stay in the US if we wanted. I had to go through a number of additional security screening tasks. They took me aside and did a complete pat down. Then they took a sample from my hands and my waste band for drugs. Then the x ray machine had to carefully screen my carry on bag. When that was done I was asked to turn on my electronics as they needed to confirm it wasn't a bomb.

I went to check into the self serve kiosk stations for US customs. I took my photo and told the machine I was visiting as a tourist. When it printed out my ticket it had a big X across my face. If you've watched the show Family Feud I could hear the X buzzer go off in my head. I gave the ticket to the attendant and she said I was to go a different way than the others. I waited in line with others who appeared to have Visa's that needed stamping. All the other Canadians were in another line up. After waiting a while I went up to the station. The border agent was very nice and you could tell was rooting for us. He checked over the permission letter my spouse provided for my son. He muttered "let's see what's going on here" and could see him taking a deep breath. If it were Family Feud this was the second XX buzzer to go off. He told me to accompany him to secondary and told my escort that I had immigration issues and a random bag check.

I have to say all the US customs agents were very professional and nice during my encounter at YVR. We were taken to an area to wait for an agent. I was really stressed out by this time. I tried to stay calm as I was traveling with my 4 year old son. I thought 2 1/2 hours for a layover would've been fine but did not realize how long everything would take. My son of course had to use the washroom so we wound up  having to leave the secured area and come back. They were really good about that and was thankful. The agent was ready for me upon my return. She asked how many bags I had because they had to find them to take them physically off the plane and search them. She asked for a list of employers since the year I married my spouse. Since we have been married almost 10 years it was a lot of companies and schools I had to list.

I showed the border agent my ties to Canada and the declaration letter I had put together with the help of my lawyer. We went through the binder from start to finish. I explained everything. I included a copy of all the correspondence with my lawyer. I also included the entire copy of my IR-1/IR-2 application. She flat out asked me "how do I know your not going to stay in the US and wait out the immigration process"? It was a valid question and I pointed out all the appointments I had to come back for and me and my son's school. She was very nice and professional and was quite relieved I had gotten an agent who knew the immigration process extensively. I brought up a prior application which realized later I really did not need to overcompensate information. But she said that it's good my spouse is living in the US because he has to prove domicile (ties to the US) which he did not have before. It sounds like the agent who denied entry was fair in his notes and said we were a bunch of morons who meant no harm. We just did not know what we were doing. It was the truth and it was the honest truth I was coming back to Canada.

The border agent did say something to the effect that I was coming back right away so there was no concern there. I watched Border Security religiously in the days leading up to my trip. If you treat the trip more than a simple vacation it will raise flags. In all honesty most people can't leave their lives for more than a week or two. If a person can blow off their life for 3 months than it's a valid question to ask how strong the persons ties are to that country. I asked if I had to go through this process again and she said absolutely until the immigration process is resolved either way. She could not tell me if traveling in 6 weeks would be approved. It depends on so many variables and it often depends on the agent in front of you. She complimented my binder and said she wished she could show others the extensive evidence I provided. I spent days putting things together, highlighting, writing notes. It paid off because I was a nervous wreck. She approved my trip and stamped my Passport and we had a wonderful 12 day trip!

2 out of the 3 bags did not make it to my destination. My word of advice for anyone in a similar situation is to make sure you allow enough time for questioning. I thought 2 1/2 hours would be more than enough but I literally made it to my flight with 5 minutes remaining. I intend on traveling back to visit my spouse in 6 weeks and putting together a new package showing what I have to come back for. Things like if you plan on attending a wedding, baby showers, appointments are quite helpful. I know occupation is one of the more important things too and showed my tuition payment. I also included a list of phone numbers including a cell phone for my landlord should she want to call. I was as transparent as possible and the whole process took a while. But it worked and it was worth it!