tijuanahilton

Janet, I know this sounds erally horrible on my part, but lots of things about Edgar's experience don't seem to be adding up. The electronic transfer, the denial for something that isn't grounds for denial. Are you sure that Edgar's being completely honest about everything?

If that's not the case , then you can go down there and demand your rights. There's no basis for a denial. Insist on getting your man here with you!!!!!

its over. deniied because he admitted to smoknig po 5 years ago.its iver. no hope now . it;s over.

denied.

only trying to decide whether or not to live.

Janet, I just can't believe that that can be possible. The policy is clean for 3 YEARS! I can't believe that they're putting you through this torture. Is there any way you can fly out to Juarez and pitch a fit? We see that that tactic worked with Monica.

I'm so sorry. This is so awful literally, I feel nauseous and depressed for you guys.

Well, it's noon in Juarez.

I would have heard if he'd been sent home already.

I can' t believe how nerve wracking (how on earth do you spell that) this all is. We were talking last night about how they make you feel like you're criminals when really all you're trying to do is be with the one you love. I mean come on, quizzing him on all of my information like he'd had to learn it.

Boy do I wish it were 5 already. Hopefully I'll have good news by then

how crazy is this! someone just added me to her msn messenger saying, I read visajourney and i'm with my boyfriend in Juarez. We saw Marco today and would like to get in contact with you.

gringakt!!!!! post! we'd love to have you in our forum

Day one: Marco's medical exam. Fairly painless.

Marco went to the Clinica Medica Internacional that’s to the side of the Consulate, he could see it from his room at the hotel la playa.

He got there at 6:20, and there were already people there. It’s a good thing he stayed at that hotel because he could see the line, and he said that people were there starting at 6:00 am. There were about 80 people, maybe more. Regardless, it moved quickly.

He got in at 7am. They took his passport and invitation letter and took his photo.

7:15 They took two in at a time which is where they take your blood. They were really nice, it was a young guy, like 23 more or less. He was even joking around about his tattoo, he told him that it’s a good thing that he’s got visible veins because otherwise with his tat it would be impossible to draw blood.

Then he went back to sala de espera 1.

7:35 they called him in for x-rays. They went in four at a time. The technician wasn’t rude, but he was shorter with them because he seemed harried. They made him take out his hair band and put his hair in a bun!!! He had to take off his shirt and whatever chains you might be wearing (he wasn’t). It didn’t take longer than 5 minutes.

Then he went to sala 2. That’s where they give you the physical. They called them in in groups of four. Every time you go to a new sala they check your info again. If you had a previous petition, they have to check your records more thoroughly and that takes more time.

Then they called him again and put him in a room. He had to take off all his clothes (except his boxers and socks). They measured him, weighed him, asked about any illnesses, if he’d had surgery, if he’d ever been in trouble with the law, immigration, if he’d ever been stabbed or shot. They asked if he had tats or piercings. They checked his tattoos. He got a really nice woman doctor about 45. She asked him what they mean, what they were of, and he explained all of them to her. Then she had him walk towards the wall and told him to pull down his boxers to his knees and turn towards her. She asked if he’d had any stds. She did a superficial check of his genitals, no touching. Then she checked out his ###. I think they just do this for fun.

Then he had to get dressed and he had to take a urine drug test. He went out and waited, and about 8 minutes later they called him for the urine sample. They brought him to the Sala 3 which is where they do vaccinations. He waited about 35 minutes and he kept seeing people go by, and he finally asked and they told him that he didn’t have to wait, he could just go pay.

The window to pay is right at sala 2. They gave him back his passport, his invitation letter, and a number with to come back at 2pm to pick up your packet.

Marco doesn’t think you need to get there so early. At 8 it was really empty and they attend until 11 am. He thinks if you go around 8 it would be perfect timing.

Then he went to take his photos right there in front. They were 15 bucks and they’re guaranteed.

They went to Banamex and they gave him like a receipt like a supermarket receipt. He was expecting something fancier.

By the way there’s a supermarket in the mall in front of the Banamex if you want to buy anything to eat.

Everyone there has been shocked that he’s on a fiancé visa, not many people are there for it. Almost everyone’s there on family visas and have been to the US a lot of times. Most people don’t seem educated about the process.

tomorrow's the big day!!!!!

Mr. Stephanie says that he's made a mental note so that I can post every step of the medical on here tonight. I told him I'd call him later for detailed info. We usually use vonaeg but I've been buying those stupid calling cards that run out if you try to make two calls with them. For now I 'm off to a meeting and to spend some quality time with my 1 and 3 year old nieces. THAT is a stress reliever for sure, unless the big one gives me another black eye

further bulletins as events warrant.

Janet, todo va a estar bien, no te preocupes, y mañana estaremos celebrando

ajuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

He's thru with the medical, they gave him a receipt and said they would send the results to the consulate electronically,

This is a little unusual as Allie said. If they send the results electronically, how will he get his xray copy? Just something he should be sure to ask about.

Marco has to go back at 2 for his results. No mention of electronic transfer of anything. Not sure which clinic he went to though, as I only spoke to him for a second.

#3? #4? I don't know what you are asking lol.

I'm a wreck, Edgar just called from the medical, he said it's packed.

He was concerned about a form called OF-156, OF-156 is the OLD Visa application isn't it? Somebody please confirm --

Also, can someone please list the questions so I can go over them with Edgar tonight?

Please stick around you guys, I need moral support today and tomorrow!!!!!

Janet, starting at about page 65 of this thread and going backwards there are several lists of questions that people got asked. We did it last night.

as for the numbers, I was just teasing because it seems like everyone's got an Edgar except for me.

Tell him not to listen to what ANYONE says because he's probably one of the few at the exam that is there for this type of visa and people will only give him bad advice.

yay! thanks for your wise words of advice alejandra

I graded papers all evening and tried not to think about tomorrow.

About 9 I phoned Marco over in Juarez and we went over every play-by-play of the medical and consulate that I could find on this message board. Thanks everyone for taking the time to write them. I hope I can live up to them tomorrow night, though as far as timestamps go, I doubt it.

And Mr. oh so cool I'm not nervous is too funny because he suddenly couldn't remember my birthday!!!! I told him he had better watch it because the alley behind our house is pretty cold in the middle of the night.

Tomorrow's the medical.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

JAnet and Edgar #3 (or is it #4?) buena suerte!

nitenite everyone! I seriously wish I could just sleep through the next few days!

Maybe you could blast your super impressive stereo and play X-box to calm your nerves?

I've NEVER heard of the Advil thing before...I truly hope it's just an urban legend.

I swept and swiffed and mopped. I don't have any Xbox games to play. A wiser girl would head over to the beach, but I think I will plug in his fancy DVD player and watch a film.

I read up on advil and apparently it was true, but now there's more modern technology. I can't WAIT until this is all over, god knows I'm obsessive. Part of me wants to hop on a plane and go over there, but I know it's totally pointless.

And being totally disconnected from the world isn't helping any either.

Stephanie...I also had a freak out about the whole tattoo/shrink thing. I've been trying to follow what happens and people have said that sometimes they do get sent to a shrink and others time they don't. Last time I posted elsewhere, one person said that the doc just asked, "so does your fiance/e have tats and where?"

Any word from Janet?

Sigh...I'm so nervous for you both. Just dropped a student off at her house and she's also nervous for me, and had a lot of ojala's to say!

I didn't think I'd be this much of a wreck. I'm starting to be sorry I didn't just take the damned time off of work. Advil, for goodness sake!

The good thing is that I've been cleaning in an attempt to settle down. Much better than the depressed I miss my chango laying around in bed that's been going on as of late

found something to freak out about.

Advil can cause false positives for pot on a urine sample????? He's been taking them for a toothache. I'm trying not to spaz. I've already researched it online and while many sites state this to be the case, I found a pretty reliable one that says it's no longer true. Boy, I can't wait until this is all over.

Also, the taxi driver told marco that they were going to send him to a psychologist because of his tattoos. I know I shouldn't let words of wisdom from a juarez cab driver freak me out, but it's hard not to. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN OR HEARD ABOUT IT HAPPENING?

Let's see, he's at hotel la playa, says it's a really creepy vibe around the consulate and that there really are shady characters hanging out, people aren't just making that up. Also that there's nothing to do.

Ah yes, and significant others, remember to bring your passport to Banamex or they won't accept your payment.

I think that's it for today.

So my cell phone got 'left' in a bathroom in the Mexico City airport literally moments before boarding my flight, and its replacement won't come until likely Wednesday. That said, Marco must have landed in Juarez about an hour ago and of course can't text me since I am phoneless.

Did I mention that I don't have a home phone? I begged my dad's cell off of him and am counting the minutes until I get out of work and can phone him.

I'm going to try and be calm, but boy I can't wait until it's Wednesday night and homeboy is finished.

Shoot, I only put the intent to marry form in the packet for Edgar, I wrote a letter that I still intend to marry him because there really wasn't any instructions about what to do with mine so that's what I did, I hope that's ok? Edgar will be in Juarez by tonight and will be going for his medical tomorrow! I'm so excited, I can't wait to see him!!!!!!! Please say a prayer for us!

Marco and Edgar will be there the same day! They can rub elbows at the Consulate. Buena suerte!

Does anyone know how long it takes to pass through customs at the border if Edgar decides to go to El Paso after his interview? I want to book him a flight out of El Paso to NJ but I don't know how long he could be held up at the border. Anyone???

I don't know anything about the juarez crossing, but here in tijuana it can (and often does) take up to four hours!

Marco arrives in Juarez tomorrow. I told him we're all waiting for a play by play.

Okay, MAJOR FREAKOUT #3487:

For those of you whose fiances or hubbies drink, even if it's just normal Friday nights out with friends, how did they answer that question at the medical? For those of you whose fiances never drink, I'm sure you just said, "No."

But what about the rest of you?

Did you include pictures of parties where everyone is obviously drinking?

Is this a stupid reason for me to get my panties in a bunch?

I have several photos where there are obviously bottles at the table. It's not illegal to drink here, or there, so I'm assuming it's fine. I don't know what will happen, but I'll let you know after Wednesday. Marco's just planning on saying in moderation, which is the case. It's the USC who's the lush

Which one of you is planning on wearing the gold lamé? Or is it both of you?

ay gabacha,

you know it would have to be Marco

I will be in demure gold brocade

and ebay special wedding gown, if you may

and hot pink metallic candies platforms from the 70s.

you know, drinkin' shoes

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! I am FALLING out of my chair over here! You can't do this to me while I'm at work!

all in a day's work. And you, Monica, have cause for cheer I'm glad everthing turned out for you guys

I can't wait to see those wedding pictures...and I assume that the cheesy, pill-riddled Elvis will marry you, so he could wear his gold cape.

yes, fat elvis or else.

i've been trying not to get excited until he has the visa in his hand but all this talk about fat elvis is making me quite giddy about the fact that my chango is finally moving in.

that and him messaging me about taking the DVD, Xbox and laptop home with me on saturday

p.s. MArco says to tell you he's NOT wearing gold lamé...he's going vintage cowboy a la Lemi from Motorhead!

Which one of you is planning on wearing the gold lamé? Or is it both of you?

ay gabacha,

you know it would have to be Marco

I will be in demure gold brocade

and ebay special wedding gown, if you may

and hot pink metallic candies platforms from the 70s.

you know, drinkin' shoes

I'm throwing my two cents in...

we're getting married by Elvis, in Vegas. The only way I'd agree to a wedding, and the way I knew it was meant to be (the look on his face when he found out it was a possibililty). We still haven't decided whether or not we'll invite anyone. Because the idea of being married, sloshed and dressed in gold lamé on the streets of Vegas seems too good to want to share with anyone else.

Marco can't decide how to tell his mom. He thinks she's going to be really upset, not that he's leaving, but that he's getting married and she can't be there. I personally think she'll be thrilled that he's getting married at all, as she told me she'd given up on it and just wished he'd at least have a girlfriend in the same city (I've refrained from telling her that I bought a place here and definitely won't be moving down to stay in her good graces).

So we're still not sure about any guests but will worry about that once he's here, which looks like it's going to be the last week of June!

Looking at the forms I have to fill out, I'd assume that they wouldn't get their knickers in a twist about discrepancies in employment history. The fellow had yet ANOTHER job change (this time he's at his dream job in a five star hotel...for which he'll have to give his renuncia). It asks for most recent employer, and of course this isn't indicated anywhere on the G325A I originally submitted because it came after.

Will they care?

How's this for evidence (I realize they won't look at most of it):

- a lovely photo album, "Best of Edgar and Melissa since 2000," NO metal anywhere to be found

-my cell phone bills for six months, with our calls and texts highlighted (basically whole pages will have to be highlighted)

-my visa bills from my three last visits after moving back here (with charges in Cancun and Playa)

-whatever I can scrounge up from my travel agent detailing my flight history to and fro since 2000.

-notarized letters from dad, mom, and stepmom all giving the dates that they met him while he was with me (pictures to back it up...dad looks frighteningly like me, so no question there)

-pictures of the shrine I made in his honor, with samples of his fingernail clippings, a lock of his hair, and a shmear of his saliva from the first time we kissed

Nothing from the computer...we don't email. Only one actual boarding pass that I included in the original packet. My passport doesn't have clear stamps.

I don't want to include my FM3 because it has an address that neither of us ever lived at. Anything else or does this sound good?

amiga, you said shmear, it's so jewish!!!

kit kat!!!!!

when are you getting to mexico???? I'm going too (this friday) and will be super available if you are.

let me know. i'm in the south...walking distance from Coyo.

We're about 15 minutes east of the airport (I'd love to be that close to Coyo). But I'll working the whole time I'm there and probably not much time to play early on since I'm facing two mid-June deadlines. How long will you be there?

just friday and saturday, but seeing as marco's at work all day friday and i'm not letting any of my girlfriends know i'm flying in, I'll be on my own.

Marco's family lives out your way...... a few blocks into neza off of avenida panti i LOVE that part of town on christmas/new years etc.

when do you get into town?

I've been reading about all those headed to Juarez soon. Wow, how our Juarez thread has grown. In the beginning it was simply a couple of us in the group, and it's been growing lately, that's great.

I just wanted to wish all of those heading out to Juarez soon the best of luck. You guys are almost there and when you finally receive the visa and your SO is in the U.S. you realize that it was all well worth the wait. I hope to read on about all of your visa approvals coming up, we've never had a denial in our Juarez thread.

We are especially waiting for your approval kitkat, I know its coming soon, you deserve it! Oh yeah, thanks for clearing up the vaccination questions on the I-693 for me. Wasn't I supposed to be the one to clear up the AOS stuff for you?

Well, after all this time and research, I've learned a bit about AOS too!

That's a GREAT point about no denials here - everyone should keep that in mind and feel very encouraged!

Our approval will come one of these days. Hopefully CDJ will find a way to address the backlogged people soon enough. I'm ok - heading back to DF next week on a ONE WAY ticket!!! I have no idea how long I'll stay, but if we're lucky, I won't come home alone!

kit kat!!!!!

when are you getting to mexico???? I'm going too (this friday) and will be super available if you are.

let me know. i'm in the south...walking distance from Coyo.

Did your fiances quit their jobs before they left or did they just go to interview without saying anything? I'm worried if Adolfo quits his job and then we are denied, he won't have a job to go back to! Jobs are hard to come by here. (Plus we work at the same place!)

mine's giving notice as soon as he gets back from Juarez. Of course, none of us have any need for concern as we're all going to be APPROVED , but it's difficult to quit your job when things are so abstract.

I think also our situation's a bit different. Marco (aka Mr. Stephanie) is flying back home after getting the Visa and then flying to LA about a month (maybe three weeks) later rather than crossing straight from Juarez.

I splurged and got myself a ticket to go see him this weekend before he goes (para darle la bendicion, if you catch my drift) because it really wasn't THAT much more expensive to fly down all of the paperwork myself than it was to send it. (well, that's my story and i'm sticking to it) and I really can't leave work to go to Juarez.

suerte everyone, almost all here on this board will be heading to the consulate this month, yay!!!!!!

suerte for all of us, even though we're shoe-ins

Congratulations Monica. YOU ROCK! Sorry about your mishap and thanks for posting it. It will definitely help others on the Juarez thread.

BTW, Ady and I are now going to Juarez on June 11th. I've been way busy printing tons of stuff out for proof of relationship. I want them to tell us that we brought too much. It sounds like Stephanie is doing the same.

Stephanie, when is Marco (aka Mr. Stephanie) going again?

We are also going to enter through El Paso. I'm very curious about others adventures entering there. Would also like to know when the border opens and how long it will take for her to get through as our flight leaves at 12:30pm.

Mr. Stephanie arrives in Juarez on the evening of the 4th, so I'm assuming he'll have visa in hand by Wednesday, June 6. You guys will just miss each other by a week. And you'll just be a week before GabachaY, too bad. I'm so crazed printing up evidence, besides the 60 something photos (I don't know when all of them were taken, so I just did my best), the hotel bills, the pages of phone bills and emails, the boarding passes, the passport stamps, yesterday I decided it would be a good idea to print up around 200 pages of myspace comments dating back to 2004. Between Marco's posts, the posts asking how mexico is, the posts asking when Marco's coming and the posts askign me when I'm coming home, they had better not give us any grief. I also wrote up a letter similar to Kit Kat's suggestions, which I may edit to look a bit more like hers.

Juarez, look out