Lucy N Fer

THANK YOU LADIES!! We are planning our wedding ceremony for Dec. 27 in Las Vegas. He wants an Elvis wedding :laugh: Since this is his first wedding, I guess I can do that for him. Again thank you all for the tremendous support. I felt better prepared than most who were there simply due to this forum. It was amazing to hear how many people go blindly to their interviews. They simply went by the instructions sent to them in their packets, and we all know how reliable that info. is...:laugh:

Ok Ladies,

Here it goes:

First and foremost.....HE IS HERE WITH ME!!! :dance:

The day was long...we got there at about 6:30. He was let in around 7:30. I waited outside across the street the entire day...no where to sit, but plenty of company.

I could hear names being called to various windows. I saw several people come out and needed retakes of pictures. At about noon the first to come out was the fiance of girl from Ohio. He was noticeably upset and she said he was denied. They immediately got in a taxi and left. At about 1 a girl came out, she was approved and asked to return in an hour to pickup her packet. Then at 2 two other gentlemen came out...both denied. Talk about panic...I was with a group of 5 gentlemen who were also waiting for their fiances. One of the girls came out and asked him in. They were in for about an hour. He came out very upset and she was crying...denied. He didn't want to talk about it. THey just left. I saw more denials than approvals. By 3 o'clock I was really nervous. It was either a good thing or a bad thing that he was still in there.

He came out with a big smile on his face at 3:30. I knew immediately that he was approved. We immediately headed for the border. They have to go in if they cross in El Paso. I was also asked to go in with him. Twice he was asked by the customs if I was there with him. He pointed me out several times.

As for his interview and documents, this was strange. He was NOT asked for a single document of financial support. He brought back ALL my paystubs, W2's, tax forms....EVERYTHING! They didn't look at a single thing. They were more concerned with my divorce decree and birth certificates. I included mine, just in case and they took it. He had his birth certificate along with several documents to show he was actually in Mexico. They didn't look or ask him about his stay in the US or if he returned in time. He said they did ask him twice if he had ever been denied a visa. He answered yes because he was denied a tourist visa. They asked if he had ever been refused entry..again no. They didn't ask if he overstayed his visa or anything of the sort.

The second person who interviewed him ....asked:

1. How and when we met

2. If he had met my family

3. If I had met his family

4. Our ages and birthdates

5. Again how and when we met (total of 3 times)

6. If he had pictures

He said she was rude. He showed her a photo album and she said she was not going to take the time to go through it for him to take 1 photo at random for every page and hand them to her. SHe looked for dates behind photos and asked for timelines. She asked when and where photos were taken. He took receipts for trips, phone bills, bank and credit statements for purchases while visiting him....NOTHING! She was not interested in those items.

She told him to sit down and his name would be called again. He didn't know if he was approved or not. She never told him. Later they called him to another window and they handed him the packet.

It was a very nerve wrecking experience. Of the nine of us who were there for fiance visas, I saw 4 denials...2 were still waiting when I left so I don't know what happened. It was very strange. If any of you have any specific questions, I will ask him when I get home...It's great to think he is waiting for me at home now. It's a great feeling. Oh yeah, there was one girl who asked for a waiver and she was told that she would get it in about 6 months.

We flew in on a red eye at 1 am. So my honey is asleep as I am here at work. Again, I will be more than happy to ask him more specific questions if any of you has any. I think he just told me what he could think of on the spot.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and warm wishes....It has certainly paid off!!!

Well here goes the first part:

Medical - He arrived there at 6:20 AM and was out by 7:15. He said they drew blood, urine test, chest xrays, and Nothing else...no vaccines or anything else. The femaile doctor asked him to strip to boxers and looked him over, later asked his to drop them to his knees. She asked him lift his genitals..and that was it...no touching. She asked him about drug use. That was the one and only question. He returned at 2 for the results. They are in a big black plastic envelope with an official paper attached.

BAD news: Consulte decided to close the entire week. YES, even after 2 emails confirming that they would be open Wednesday and Friday. They even showed the hours of operation on the news stating they would be opened those days!!!!!!!!!!!! Many people there today...even with appointments...simply told to return on Monday by a security guard...no notices.. or signs anywhere...no explanations!

We decided to look for another more affordable hotel for the remainder of our stay till Monday. I found one called El Monaco for $350 pesos a night. It is about 3 blocks away and nice. The ones closer to the consulate are rip offs!! They wanted from 450-600 a night and not that nice. For us, not that big a deal but many poor people with not enough money to stay till Monday. I met a woman from DF crying and desperate walking with her bags. She only had enough money for the 1 night....she walked away when we offered to help. I can't imagine how many come in that situation. I contacted work and told them I would be out. There is no point in going back now and making more of an expense later.

WEll that is it for today...will keep you posted...

Ok first update: He just emailed me that he returned from the medical by 7:20 AM. He left at 6:15 which seemed really fast. He sent a quick email just telling me that he returned and that he had to pay $1639 pesos for it. He simply wrote that he was really tired and would write the details later. As soon as he sends them to me, I will post them. The only thing he focused on was how much it was I wrote to him and told him that many of us needed ALLLLLLL the details so I am expecting another email soon. Oh yeah, if any of you make the reservations at Holiday Inn for your man before you get there, I did run into a small problem: I had made the reservations in both our names and advised them that I would be arriving a day later. I was told that wouldn't be a problem. Well after he arrived and had to check in, they asked him to pay for each night in advance because the cardholder was not there. I later called them and asked them why considering that they charge the entire amount to the card if you don't show. They said that was the policy.... so again he had to pay. We thought that was taken care of. It's a good thing he took enough money with him to cover the first 2 nights. Now with the medical fee, he is without a cent. The taxi from the airport was $220 pesos. I hope this info. helps. I will post more as I receive it. I leave at 6:00 pm so tomorrow I will report on the interview .

WEll my honey should be in CDJ now. I haven't heard from him but I will assume everything is well. I am at working getting things ready for when I leave. I leave here tomorrow at 6 PM. He should have already had his medical by then. I will report as soon as I know something. I know that come Thursday, I will have another reason to be thankful!!! Thanks again to everyone for encouragement and support.

Well Ladie I am getting the big day this week. I just spoke to my honey and he is packing. He leaves for CDj tomorrow (Monday). He is sad that I cannot be with him tomorrow, but unfornately I was not able to get off work until Wedesday. I tell him he needs to be a big boy and do this first part on his own. I reviwing my copies of all the paperwork, hoping I didn't make any errors along the way. Either way, I am tired and ready for this to be over. Thank you ALL for the words of encouragement and prayers. You are truly appreciated. As I promised before, I will keep you posted... Keep the positive thoughts and prayers God bless!!

Good evening Ladies (more like sisters now), I am getting everything ready for the trip next week. As you may imagine, it is nerve wrecking. I do however feel much better having met you gals here on VJ. I can't imagine going through this alone. I truly feel like I have all your support, not even my family can relate to all the turmoil and stress. They just feel like if it doesn't work out for him to come, it is for the best. Well, I don't agree. I know that each of us love our men for who they are and NOT what they are. The support and love here on this forum is much needed. Today I made reservations at Holiday Inn, printed last forms, bought his airline ticket there, my airline ticket there, and YES, our airline tickets together back home. I am being an optimist and thinking positive thoughts.

I hope that each one of us will soon be reunited with our men. I think the well wishes and prayers will reunite us ALL!! If there is in fact internet at the hotel, I will give you all a step by step run down. I know how much I looked forward to KK's feedback and now I will pass it on to everyone.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend. I hope to give you all good news soon!

Thanks again to everyone for the support, help and understanding

UCLA I have sent money to my fiance using Bank of America. If I recall correctly, you have BOA. It is called Safesend and is totally free. You simply go in and sign up for the service once, then you can send money from your accounts simply by calling an 800 number. It is really convenient and free. He can withdraw the money from any Banorte or Banco Santander. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. As I said, I have used their service and am very pleased with it. Oh yeah, they will give you a password to give to him in order to withdraw it.

I agree KK, you have been a tremendous help to all of us going through this process. I hope with the knowledge I have obtained here on VJ that will enable us to be better prepared for the interview and hopefully receive the visa that day. I know nothing is for certain with CDJ, but I am certainly hoping and praying. I too want this stress over with and want to be able to live like normal people. Again thank you all for the support. I guess no one knows what we go through, except those that go through it themselves.

Did you complete the DS157? The supplement listed on the website but not in the package.

KK I have a question: On the DS-156 did you leave blanks for the items that did not pertain to you or did you write none or NA? I want to make sure I did it right. We don't need the supplemental form do we? The one that states for males between the ages 16-45 right?

I hope the consulate does not decide to take a longer vacation and close the Wednesday before. I had emailed them and they told me they were only closed on Monday and Thursday . I know they are not that reliable so I hope that information is true.

Well Ladies,

I am back home again, alone It is difficult returning alone all the time. I know that hopefully this is the last time I go and come back alone. I brought almost ALL his things. I only left him with a week's worth of clothes. I hope we don't encounter any problems otherwise I will have to return his things. Here is our timeline for next week: Monday he flies alone to CDJ, Tuesday has medical, I join him Tuesday night, Wednesday interview and we cross to El Paso (hopefully). Friday evening we go HOME!!! Please keep us in your prayers. I will update from CDJ and let you know EVERYTHING!

Hi All,

I am here in Mexico for the weekend. Spending some time with my love and getting him ready for the interview. I brought him all my paperwork and hopefully everything is there. I am in the process of taking all his clothes and personal items so that he doesn't have anything lug with him in Juarez. I am being positive and believing that he will be able to leave with me. It is good to hear from everyone and to know that we are all in the last stage of this long, nerve-wrecking journey.

KK make sure and let us know what the appointment for today was all about. I am sure the others are just as anxious to know. Well at least you are over the first hurdle. That must be such a relief...

Well I am here at work too waiting for KK's reply. I too had a question regarding all the financial stuff... I just started a new job on October 13. I got fed up with my last one and quit in August. It took me two months to get a new job. Anyway, I have all my paystubs from my old job and 3 from this job (I get paid biweekly). I also have the last three years of income tax statements. My income on all previous years has been more than enough but now am curious if they will even notice that there is a two month gap in paystubs. I read somewhere that they are mainly concerned with W2's and not paystubs. Some people have even been asked to return once their 2006 W2 comes in to show sufficient income even though their paystubs showed enough. I don't know. I am really just getting nervous. I can just imagine what you must be going through KK...Hang in there! We are all here with you!

I am not sure about the dialing rules. What exactly is that? Are text messaging long distance for you? He does have Telcel but I wasn't aware of the dialing rules. It seems like I am always the one calling him.

KK how are you communicating with your fiance? Are you calling the hotel or does he have a cell? I heard that cell phones are banned in the consulate and am worried about mine taking his.

Yes if anyone is interested in knowing the days of operation for Thanksgiving week, they are closed on November 20 (Mexican holiday I think) and November 23 (Thanksgiving). I sent them an email and received a response today. Those were the dates they quoted as being closed for the month of November.

KK did your fiance complete the electronic version of the 156 or did he fill in the one they mailed? I agree with you the copies are not that good. I saw on the Juarez Consulate webpage that they are going to turn away anyone who does not fill in the electronic version of the form 156. If that is the case, they need to menton in the package.

JessRaul if the trend continues, you should receive your letter later this month. It is taking under 4 weeks from the time the NVC sends the case to Juarez. So don't go by what they are telling you.

Yes, under four weeks to receive it.....WOW I can't believe that from the time I started this whole process, it has only been 3 months. I put on my affidavit that we planned on getting married the week of Thanksgiving and that their assistance would be greatly appreciated. I NEVER really thought I would actually see that date as a reality. We are planning on going to Juarez the Monday before Thanksgiving. I am driving to take him the letter and all my documents this Friday. That only leaves us a week to prepare for everything! I just called him and he was shocked. He could hardly say a word. He just kept asking me if I was sure it was the letter. Hopefully it is now one right after the other...Waiting4O should be next

I GOT IT!!!!!!!! OMG I got home from work and the letter from the consulate was here! Now to start planning the trip

Good to hear everything went well at the exam . Did he mention how much the taxi was from the airport? Although I am familiar with Juarez, my fiance has never been there. He is curious about how much to plan for the taxi from the airport. I am hoping to hear something soon and will be there within a couple of weeks...I hope.

Ladies I have another question, are our men required to have the military service record, paper, whatever? I have heard that they do and then I heard that they don't. Also KK, did you give him an updated letter of intent to marry? Is there a standard format? Ok that was more than one question. Good luck KK.

Danielle, my fiance is also from Hermosillo....

Well we speak in both languages. My Spanish is quite good, and his English has definitely improved during our relationship. He always had an interest in English, therefore he picked up quickly. He also studied it in high school and college. He too is nervous about the interview being in English. He is afraid he will say the wrong thing due to nerves.

Oh yeah, UCLA_Cutie I went back to Bank of America (different branch again) and asked to speak to another supervisor. Again, I was told that it is BOA's policy to no longer issue any kind of letter on letter head unless it is a computer printout. She said no officer is allowed to write anything on their own or sign anything. The best they were able to do for me is to print out a their screen which shows date account opened and balance. I asked them to print that out on BOA letterhead, and she did. She also put a stamp on it that read: I certify this to be a true copy of the original and signed it. I had her do that for both my checking and savings account. I hope that will suffice since that is the best they can do. I am also attaching my bank statements for the entire year.

KK I am very excited for you. Don't forget to post everything that was done and said during the interview process I am sure WE are ALL anxious to hear .

I don't know if that was a new thing with Bank of America, but in February of this year they did me one when I was in the process of buying a home. Now they claim that the NEW privacy act policy went into effect and that no one is allowed to give out personal information, not even the owner of the account. I did speak to a supervisor and that is when I was told that the USCIS can send them a form directly and that they would be happy to fill it out but that it can never cross hands with anyone else (not even me).

I will try a different branch and see if I get the same response. Either way, I have 4 years of tax returns and W2's. I just changed jobs a month ago so I can take paystubs for both jobs...I guess.