aicha

thanks hmm1 - it is okay - we will endure and be together one way or another!

I'm so confused and have one question.

in Immirgant visa for spouse IR1 after you pay the immigration visa processing fee bill and the NVC send you the instruction packet form DS.230 and the list of the required papers.will I have to send the form and the papes to the NVC or just take them with me to the interview appointement???!!!

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3176.html

I'm pretty sure you can find the answer here. Find your embassy in the list, click and it will tell you where what to send

She is correct and I sent you the same link in your other post. Just remember to make two or three copies of everything you send in so you have your own record of it all and also so you can take it with you when your interview is scheduled. Just because you have sent it all in to the NVC - does not mean it will actually show up at the interview, so better safe then sorry to keep all copied and in your own folder, just in case you are asked for it, you can show you did it. You will be sending it all into the NVC. DO NOT FORGET the NVC case number on the top of every piece of paper you send in. Good luck!

Try the following link - it is very useful - it will give you all the details you need. Just remember to not send in anything without your notices and to make sure your case number from the NVC is at the top of each and every piece of paper submitted.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3176.html

In the drop down list you will select your country's consulate. Good luck and hope this helps - I know it helped me!

Okay - I have some good news and hopefully it will hold true. My husband's father knows a man who works with the offices of interior in Rabat and he called to tell us that the CO is set to open back up next week - I hope this happens and we can all get back on to our scheduled cases through the CO soon. If there is any more information before then I will continue to post it here for you all.

oh gosh this is so difficult.

you are getting the wrong info regarding your I-130. it will be the petition USCIS wil review and use to issue you the NOIR. the NOIR will be sent where? you will have 30 days to respond to it or your I-130 will be revoked. will you still be in Morocco when the NOIR arrives?

Chi, I think you are talking about my other post on this one, so I will go there to reply on your comment about the petition status.

i could not find your reply

as to the residency in Morocco. this is what their website says>>>>

Residence permit

Americans and other foreign nationals interested in residing in Morocco for more than three months have to report their intention to stay in Morocco to the nearest police station of their place of residence within two weeks of their entrance. To apply for a resident card, non-Moroccan nationals have to provide supporting documents of their place as well as reason of residence (e.g.: job contract, employment verification, proof of investment, proof of registration for students, marriage certificate for people married to Moroccan nationals). When first issued, residency cards are valid for one year, renewable every year. Processing time takes approximately 3 to 6 months.

did you report your intention with in the first 2 weeks there?

Yes - we did exactly this - I wrote to the US CO here to get all of the information and we followed each and every step for their process here for a residence permit. So I am aware of all of this information - we researched before starting. I took in all of the supporting documents - even my husbands family signed papers to sponsor me with my husband - I went through the interview and everything - we were applying for the residence permit - the man processed as only a tourist extension. He said there was no reason for me to stay here - if I wanted to I could come back.

are you going back?

as to the corruption. they do not consider asking for money as wrong. it is a way of life. you do for me i do for you. your husband must know this. we call it corruption they call it life. (is it right? not by our standards.) but this is how this culture lives and it is expected if you want something you will pay for it. plain and simple. there is no way you will be able to change this. going higher up the chain of command usally doesnt help either because they do the same thing and they will say there must have been a misunderstanding or whatever. its a battle you cannot win. what is the saying, when in spain do as spain does or something to that effect.

just give the money to renew your stay. even if you do go to spain i am sure you will still have to pay someone else for it so why bother unless you just want to take the trip?

one question, did you apply for a tourist or residency permit? Residency Permit

i wish you the best. this is such an emotional time for you. i so understand. please dont get angry for what i have told you.

I have no reason to get angry at you Chi - people have really got the wrong idea about me through this battle - I am really an easy going person. As for the corruption issue - I will stand by my beliefs, as will my husband - we both are very aware of the system here, but we do not have to aid it - if we have to go other methods to do things right, then that is what we will do. And I stood on the belief I can never win the battle - then why I am I even here - I know what battle you are speaking of, but in my philosophy - all of life is a battle and I will fight each and every one I come faced with, but I will do it with my ethics in tact and believe that if people believe in somethng enough - it can be changed - if we all go through life thinking that these battles can not be changed - then what good are any of us in this world?. And I have went up the chain of command here and won each and every time - I believe there is good in this country - I have seen it many times. Sadly for one good - there is ten bad, but I seekl to find the one good and will go through the ten to get to that one. I hope you understand - thank you so much for all of your help and advice - you are a good person!

chi

i have no wrong idea about you at all. i understand all you are going through. i am just not sure how you will be able to accomplish what you want.

how will you do battle with USCIS for your husband living in Morocco? have you changed your address with them? USCIS are notorious for blunders in this area (among other things as well). My address still exists in the states - I have not needed to do this, as I have not given up my residence - all of my mail is screened by my adult children, so it is being taken care of - anything that would have came in would have been taken care of in plenty of time - believe me I did have everything put in place so nothing would have been missed that way or any other.

how much experience does your senator have with immigration and USCIS issues, especially returned cases? mine told me to continue processing our approved I-130 saying it would get send to Casa and we would get a visa with that petition. right in the middle of processing it was sent back to CSC for further review. senator was wrong. senator's liason said she learned something new. (gulp, at my expense) in the 2 years i have been learning it has been my experience no represenative knows this process. which i would expect to be the case since this is not their area of work. as a matter of fact each service center seems to have their own way of handling returned cases. I am checking into their experience - I feel they have done and responded very accordingly and they have got results that my lawyer was not getting to say the least - they were even getting response from the CO here, so I am comfortable so far, but can not answer you on the experience issue.

my point is that you cannot always go by what senators/congressman tell you since they dont know much either. in your case, i find it reasonable that your approved I-130 is in storage. it is awaiting the K3 return and expiration then they USCIS will pull it for review, send you the NOIR and go from there. This is where you were not understanding the issues with my CR1 - the CR1 petition was approved on January 31, 2007 - they sent it to storage from there. They would not have even been aware of my K3 denial or interview at that time - my K3 interview was on March 21, 2007 - so you see what you are saying is not making sense to me - it could not have been waiting the K3 return on January 31 when the K3 had not even arrived in Casa for a scheduled interview yet. My K3 and CR1 petitions were being processed at about the same time - my CR1 was right behind the K3. But they finished and sent my CR1 eroneously to Storage.

staying with your husband is a wonderful thing. how i wish i could have stayed with mine. but i would have lost my job, our home and the abilty to fight the denial. there would have been no place for us to come home to when we did overturn the denial. We have a life to go back to in the states and a place to stay.

i understand your desire for right and wrong. but to do battle with a culture that has existed for centuries by yourself is certainly applauable and admiral. if aiding the sysyem (corruption) there would have helped us i would certainly have done it! as i stated, this is life there. we payed many hands just to get married in Morocco. it was that or no marriage.

We were in the same position, but we still chose not to pay and we hired a local lawyer - we got married - a few more steps, but we did it without compromising our beliefs. I am not trying to do battle with them - I jsut will not waiver on my beliefs and neither will my husband. There is good here and we just sometimes have to go the extra steps to get there.

however would not your energies be better directed at the USCIS since this will be the next step in the process? My energies are being spent where they are needed one step at a time - I am a very organized person, so I am not over stepping myself or my abilities, but thank you Chi for caring so much!

your battle at the moment is not with the corruption issue there but with the DOS and USCIS since these are the American govermental agencies who have the power to issue a visa for your husband. how will doing battle with the Moroccan way of of life change anything for you? this is what i dont understand. is your plan perhaps to remain in Morocco with your husband or is your plan to one day come to the states with him? if the latter is true why waste your time and most of all your energy on what Morocco does? certainly that issue can wait until you have cleared up the visa problem. I am not in a battle with these people, this is just one issue with my residence permit, (some of the things they are doing makes me upset) and right now with the way the CO is, we have no idea how long we could be here. Our choice is to be in the states because of my children and my parents due to their health issues. I am heading back to the states to deal with a few things there and to try and set up some kind of assistance for my step-father. I will deal with a few other things and get some binders set up to deal with rebuttal or with my CR1, whichever it is that comes first. But when I come back here it will be until we have VISA in hand and can return together, so my residence permit here was important and on my return we will go directly to Rabat to the Ministry of Interiot - he is the one who makes the decison and approves the residence permits. The man here in Kenitra just decided to only put in for a extension of stay even though we requested a residence permit.

i am just an outsider reading and these are my thoughts. being that i also have been through this in approval processing. very same process i know how easy it is to get sidetracked. my suggestion is to keep focused on what you have the power to do and leave the rest behind. keep your focus on establishing a valid marriage. My focus is fine - i may go off once in awhile about the way things are being handled, but I am okay Chi - I know this process is long and can be very agonizing, but I am in no dream, fantasy world here - I know the way it is and I will do what it takes, but we will stand by our ethics.

living in Morocco is not necessarily proof that you have a valid marriage. keep that in mind. one of the best proofs is letters from those who will verify they know you as a couple. you will want to gather as many of these as you can for the NOIR. all of those letters will come from our family and friends here - out of our ten month marriage - eight of those months have been spent here with our family and friends. My children and my mom have wrote their letter already. I do not have much else for back in the states - most of my time has been here and all of those who know us as a couple are here.

my best wishes and prayers for a quick resolution to your case. Thank you so much Chi, I always enjoy talking with you, Aicha

chi

I don't think that once the consulate re-opens they would try to catch up and process the cases any faster than before. The back log will probably just result in longer waiting times to get an interview date.

This is sad, but you are probably right in this one.

(the paying of money to send emails inside does not surprise me, Morocco capitalizes on any situation to make money) -

Now "Morocco" is capitalizing on this? Just because a couple guys are standing outside selling some emails, doesn't mean Morocco is capitalizing on this. Hell, this is tame in comparison to the sick Americans who try to sell pieces of the World Trade Center. This kind of thing happens everywhere.

Excuse my wording - and yes it is tame comparing to what a lot of Americans do to capitalize on a lot of tragedies in America or around the world for that matter - I have seen the amount of things that get sold over ebay from many tragedies and I think it is sickening! That is fine if people want to find a way to make more money here in Morocco - God knows they need to - life here is very hard. So my wording was wrong and for that I will apologize. What i was meaning to say is it is sad to see that another tragedy can make people money. I did not go into it and used the wrong words. My mind is just on the main issue at hand, not another discussion that could have a topic of its own.

[quote name='mybackpages' post='910510'

I understand that and believe me I know nothing is simple in doing anything when it comes to things of this nature, but it still is a temporary solution that could work. They obviously want to spend some time to make future security measures effective, this temporary solution would give them that time. And yes I do understand that they are two different functioning places and that it is not a public building - it does not mean it can not be done.

How can it be a temporary situation? You say you don't know if we've been to the embassy, but do you understand that it is ILLEGAL for a regular Moroccan to touch the grounds of the embassy? The perimeter and the building is US soil, not Moroccan soil. When there are security concerns the very last thing the US will do is open the embassy up to wider traffic. Spending time to be more secure in the future is not going to include making the embassy secure to let Moroccans in for visa business, when there is history of bombings. This makes zero sense.

Everyone is coming at this with the perspective of needing something from the government, but keep in mind, YOU are not the customer of the consulate during the visa process, the petitioners, your SO's, are.

Just trying to help peezey - I understand a lot of this that everyone is saying - and I was not disagreeing with anyone - just opening up the discussion for solutions - and if it is illegal than fine, but if they do not do something soon it is going to make their lives very miserable just trying to catch up. I am thinking of them, not just us. And I do understand fully that the beneficiary is the one going there, not the USC. This is just a discussion, not a plan. And let me add to the fact that the suicide bombings that have taken place here are nothing compared to Iraq or Algeria. The way the Casa CO sits right now - if these bombers were really out to hurt someone - there bombs would be far greater and done during open hours of service - not minimizing the acts at all, just giving an opinion. Plus on top of that - the Casa CO is open to one of the biggest main roads in Casa and if they really wanted to hurt us or our government, they would just be driving down the road with a car bomb like they do in Iraq. I just feel there are solutions and the door to solutions should open a little to help their own processes and their own backlogs that are being created in this lengthy closure.

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

I am not sure if any of you have been to the embassy in Rabat, but this place is secure - it is just an option to speak about if it is needed - I am sure they are discussing it if need be - I do not think they would have to spend any money on securing Rabat for consular activities - they also do not need to do full service either and certain services can be scheduled for certain days - not every day of the week. You can very easily schedule these days - people and businesses do this all the time in America - you spend one day here and the rest at the other job site. There are several Consulate Officers and each week one could be the one to do services in Rabat. I have had to organize things like this before for government programs and they work very well. I just think that there can be temporary solutions to this instead of creating the amazing backlog that is becoming apparent. I figure they must do around 50 or more interviews a week and i am sure I am being conservative - the amount of time they have been closed now is creating an undue hardship on them as well as us - I would not want to be in their shoes when it is re-opened and their moods are going to be far from nice. The longer they take to make a solution, whether it be temporary or permanent, the longer the cases build up and then their jobs become enormous. I am thinking of them as much as us here. So I do not believe they would have to do a total re-organization - it is just a temporary solution that can be limited in the amount of time and staff.

The embassy is not the same thing as the consulate. The embassay is not a public building. They have two very different functions in the world of international relations. It is not as simple as opening an office in the building to do the work.

I understand that and believe me I know nothing is simple in doing anything when it comes to things of this nature, but it still is a temporary solution that could work. They obviously want to spend some time to make future security measures effective, this temporary solution would give them that time. And yes I do understand that they are two different functioning places and that it is not a public building - it does not mean it can not be done.

Okay I have checked the other threads - and not saying the information is wrong, but I do know the CO is still closed to the public. They have staff working there and it is open to only staff members. Their concern is re-opening to the public without having more secure security forces in affect to not only protect them, but to also protect all of the people who stand outside waiting in line and across the street - these people in the latter are at serious risk if there were to be another terrorist attempt on a full fledged working day. I understand that some people are being told - wait they may open - (the paying of money to send emails inside does not surprise me, Morocco capitalizes on any situation to make money) - and it is good that people keep going there to check on a daily basis, it lets the CO still see that services are needed and people are trying and waiting patiently.

At this moment in time - they are still closed - and I do believe that the non-immigrant VISA's being handled out of country are for only visitor, work and student non-immigrant VISA's. All other VISA's are still being held here - for those who have not filed their papers yet and if their fiancé or husband can take residence in another country, maybe with family or a friend, then those papers can be filed with the new place of residence. So I guess everyone's situation just depends on how far you are into the process of things. I am watching everyday for news of re-opening or anything else that comes out on the CO in Casa - I am doing my best to pass along as much information as possible. i hope this answers questions - God bless you all in your processes!

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

I am not sure if any of you have been to the embassy in Rabat, but this place is secure - it is just an option to speak about if it is needed - I am sure they are discussing it if need be - I do not think they would have to spend any money on securing Rabat for consular activities - they also do not need to do full service either and certain services can be scheduled for certain days - not every day of the week. You can very easily schedule these days - people and businesses do this all the time in America - you spend one day here and the rest at the other job site. There are several Consulate Officers and each week one could be the one to do services in Rabat. I have had to organize things like this before for government programs and they work very well. I just think that there can be temporary solutions to this instead of creating the amazing backlog that is becoming apparent. I figure they must do around 50 or more interviews a week and i am sure I am being conservative - the amount of time they have been closed now is creating an undue hardship on them as well as us - I would not want to be in their shoes when it is re-opened and their moods are going to be far from nice. The longer they take to make a solution, whether it be temporary or permanent, the longer the cases build up and then their jobs become enormous. I am thinking of them as much as us here. So I do not believe they would have to do a total re-organization - it is just a temporary solution that can be limited in the amount of time and staff.

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

I agree with you on this - it could just be a temporary solution so the Casa office is not getting so backlogged. No one says it would have to be full fledged service like Casa, but at least trying to keep up with some of the incoming interviews, especially ones close to expiration.

Cheryl (Aicha), could you please check to see if the consulate opened as posted in the other threads? Since you're in Kenitra I figure you're final word on this.

What other threads? and last I looked - it was still closed as of tonight. I am checking everyday - sometimes more than a few times. Will go do some checking again.

I understand everything everyone is saying here - everyone has good points.

There has always been life in the CO - they have continued to do simple services and have very few personnel in the office. You will get response from there - it just takes more time right now.

As for the move to do some services in Rabat - was just a temporary solution if this build for a more secure situation takes an exceptional amount of time. I do believe the building they were looking into is over by the airport.

I did not mean for people to send in angry letters or anything like that - just maybe some helpful solutions or suggestions - I do not feel there is anything wrong with that - it is just showing that we care too about this situation and are trying to support and help. It is the same when something happens in the USA - everyone is encouraged to contact their congress or Senate. These are all merely suggestions, but done with support of solutions.

Maybe if we as a group continue a discussion on solutions for this we will come up with something for all concerned.

Just to clarify on this subject - there is a difference between what they are telling you for non-immigrant VISA (K's) and immigrant VISA (CR1, etc.) I am pasting that info for you below.

The U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca continues to provide passport and emergency services for American citizens. Residents of Morocco seeking nonimmigrant (visitor) visas to the United States with urgent travel needs may wish to consider applying at U.S. Embassies located in nearby countries. The following is a list of Internet sites providing information on visa application procedures at U.S. embassies in other countries where Moroccan citizens may wish to apply:

(list of country websites)

Moroccan applicants for immigrant visas and Diversity Program (“Lottery”) visas will be contacted about the future processing of their cases once normal operations resume at the Consulate.

http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/

here is the direct website and then you just click on next to get to the rest of the notice.

Good luck to all!

I dont know what I am fighting for. so I have to find out the reason..

Babybunny - I am so sorry - my heart goes out to you and what you are feeling right now - you have been in this system for so long - what is wrong with people?!!!!

Please PM me if there is anything I can do to help you - I have learned a lot in my process of denial, night and day on this stupid computer. And just a reminder - I know you are talking about the reasons on he 221(g), but your real fight is for the love you and your husband deserve to have together - not the reasons they told you No. you will get those reasons and prove them wrong - you have been together and married for a long time - you will make it through and I, as well as a lot of other people are right there backing you and supporting you in your process. God be with you both - find strength in your love for each other!

Aicha

oh wow - lmao - is this true men? Do you really judge other men by there ring tone on the ir cells -

Plus, when does an experienced smoker ever drop a lit cigarette in the car? I smoked for 4 years, and never dropped a lit smoke on myself while driving.

I also see way too many people texting while driving. Dont you wish you could just reach out and slap someone? :sigh: If only my arms were longer.

I've never dropped a lit cigarette in the car either. I suppose there's a first time for everything, but people eat and drink while driving; what if you dropped a hot coffee on your lap, or a bottle of water? Most people would be distracted by that. What if a kid projectile-vomited and got it on the inside of the windshield? Why, you'd be unable to see! What about when you've got two kids in the back and they're playing the whole "MOM HE'S LOOKING AT ME/MOM SHE'S GOT HER FOOT ON MY SIDE" game? When you turn around to roar at them or slap them, you're not 100% focused on driving.

I don't want to slap the texters, but I do make a silent wish for a cop to pull them over and bust their azzes.

You took the words right out of my mouth - I would be distacted by so many other things as well - please, a bee flying in my window would distact me much farther than a lit cigarette. I have handled most other distractions, but not the buzzing bee - I am alergic But really - I think this world is becoming ban happy and suit happy, so many things all across the board!

I feel like I am the barer (sp) of bad news!

I think everyone who is going through Morocco really needs to be aware of what is currently happening here. The Ambassador to the US Consulate is trying very hard to make sure that the CO stay closed until the Moroccan authorities agree to build a secure wall around the CO in Casa. For those who have interviews waiting or interviews coming soon - this creates a problem for all of us. They are advising all people to go to neighboring countries to pursue their VISA's. The Ambassador is being very headstrong on this and if he has his way, the CO will not be opening anytime soon.

Me, myself I do not understand why they can not just move the services to Rabat, where that Embassy is very secure, until they fix the security issues and concerns. It might be a worthwhile thing for everyone through Morocco to maybe start sending letters to the Ambassador in Rabat - this could be a major problem for all of us. Even if Morocco agrees with putting up the wall around the Casa CO - it could still take months to complete, which still leaves all of us waiting.

Any ideas on this issue? I am looking into this more - but i do know it is on the front pages of newspapers here. And the Embassy website is now stating that they are working with Moroccan Authorities to fix the issue and they are giving referral websites to all the nearby countries for VISA information.

oh gosh this is so difficult.

you are getting the wrong info regarding your I-130. it will be the petition USCIS wil review and use to issue you the NOIR. the NOIR will be sent where? you will have 30 days to respond to it or your I-130 will be revoked. will you still be in Morocco when the NOIR arrives?

Chi, I think you are talking about my other post on this one, so I will go there to reply on your comment about the petition status.

as to the residency in Morocco. this is what their website says>>>>

Residence permit

Americans and other foreign nationals interested in residing in Morocco for more than three months have to report their intention to stay in Morocco to the nearest police station of their place of residence within two weeks of their entrance. To apply for a resident card, non-Moroccan nationals have to provide supporting documents of their place as well as reason of residence (e.g.: job contract, employment verification, proof of investment, proof of registration for students, marriage certificate for people married to Moroccan nationals). When first issued, residency cards are valid for one year, renewable every year. Processing time takes approximately 3 to 6 months.

did you report your intention with in the first 2 weeks there?

Yes - we did exactly this - I wrote to the US CO here to get all of the information and we followed each and every step for their process here for a residence permit. So I am aware of all of this information - we researched before starting. I took in all of the supporting documents - even my husbands family signed papers to sponsor me with my husband - I went through the interview and everything - we were applying for the residence permit - the man processed as only a tourist extension. He said there was no reason for me to stay here - if I wanted to I could come back.

as to the corruption. they do not consider asking for money as wrong. it is a way of life. you do for me i do for you. your husband must know this. we call it corruption they call it life. (is it right? not by our standards.) but this is how this culture lives and it is expected if you want something you will pay for it. plain and simple. there is no way you will be able to change this. going higher up the chain of command usally doesnt help either because they do the same thing and they will say there must have been a misunderstanding or whatever. its a battle you cannot win. what is the saying, when in spain do as spain does or something to that effect.

just give the money to renew your stay. even if you do go to spain i am sure you will still have to pay someone else for it so why bother unless you just want to take the trip?

one question, did you apply for a tourist or residency permit? Residency Permit

i wish you the best. this is such an emotional time for you. i so understand. please dont get angry for what i have told you.

I have no reason to get angry at you Chi - people have really got the wrong idea about me through this battle - I am really an easy going person. As for the corruption issue - I will stand by my beliefs, as will my husband - we both are very aware of the system here, but we do not have to aid it - if we have to go other methods to do things right, then that is what we will do. And I stood on the belief I can never win the battle - then why I am I even here - I know what battle you are speaking of, but in my philosophy - all of life is a battle and I will fight each and every one I come faced with, but I will do it with my ethics in tact and believe that if people believe in somethng enough - it can be changed - if we all go through life thinking that these battles can not be changed - then what good are any of us in this world?. And I have went up the chain of command here and won each and every time - I believe there is good in this country - I have seen it many times. Sadly for one good - there is ten bad, but I seekl to find the one good and will go through the ten to get to that one. I hope you understand - thank you so much for all of your help and advice - you are a good person!

chi

Stay strong and hold on to your beliefs because you are the one who has to lives with the choices you make. I don't really know how things work in that country and I havenot had to personally endure this stuff. I know when I follow my ethics, values and principals I can live with myself better and I have the faith and trust in God to provide the path which He would have me follow.

I know at times ecspecially now that if i could pay to get my husband here right now I would beg, borrower or still to do it. I don't have the option so oh well i have to wait out the AP. My mom was jsut given a few months to live and I want more then anything for m y husband to met her before she passes as she really wants to met him, i ahve to hold to my beliefs that if God wants them to be abel to met that He will provide a way for it to happen. That is why He won't allow options for me to beg, borrower or steal to get him here. We are never quite sure of why things happen they way the do only that it is of God's amking or it simply wouldn't be, as I believe nothing happens in the world by mistake. The heartache is real as is the pain and I can only pray that it will soon be over and you will see what needed to be learned by this lesson in life that you are experiencing. I know that i am learning that the love and support that i have encountered through this process is so great, and teh best part is not having to do this alone. God has joined many into our lives that are of all different races, creeds, religions and we are joining as a tight knit group.

I will help you in your fight with the system in anyway I can.

I have learned a great deal through this experience - as I have through all other experiences in my life, my background has never been easy, but I continue to endure. I feel very much taht there are many reasons for all that is happening and my hsuband and I are discussing those various reasons. Through this we are trying to make a decision that will be right for our future and still be able to live with the choices we are making. As my husband says - it is the "maktoub" - God's written plan - I believe this very much - sometimes we just feel the pain so great that we feel as though we will fall forever and never stop. We know there is a light to the end of this and our life will take on an enormous beauty because of all we have endured to get there - that we hold close to our souls and that keeps our love strong.

Thank you for the offer of help on the sytem - will talk to you later.

Esalaamu Aleikum Rahmat Allah dearest Aicha!

I pray this finds you in the highest form of faith, understanding and sisterhood. I can only imagine what you are going throu dearest sister.

I myself, have jumped the hurdles of bureaucratic BS and red tape in my husband's country. And I myself, still waiting for Algerian residency...thanks to John Walsh and the new CO here. I keep thinking if I could have only filed last year, when several others had filed DCF and gotten approvals within a month. And I hit my head against the wall, cos I know the conidtion of my dh (if we were in the US) would be solved by now. He would be walking...getting meds that he needs.

But no... Allah destined us for us something else. WHat I cannot say... but I do say BarakuAllah fik my sister. I sa your petition and signed. I comend your efforts and pray Allah ease your suffering and trails.

I do wonder sister, since I see you are filing k3 you are legally married... how can the Morrocan goverment deny you residency? ALgeria is not Morroco, true, but I do not understand how a country can deny residency when it based on marriage? Enchallah I will try to look into and enchallah maybe find you some light in the tunnel. INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAHI RAJI'UN Be strong my sister and remember Allah only gives what He can take away. You are in my duúa!

Shukran bezaf for all of your comments - they really meant a lot! My faith has always been my stronghold in life and i can only do my best to try and seek and understand god's plans for me and my husband - and I will do my best to do what he is asking of our life in this struggle. I am so sorry for your struggles also and I can see that your faith is also very high with Allah and that is wonderful - you too keep fighting for what you know he wants from you. What is wrong with your husband, if I may ask? I will say lots of prayers for you also - I feel I am always praying now and Allah must have an open ear with my name on it.

I only understand how corrupt things are here - I have seen so much and anytime you give these people money - they will jump though hoops for what you want. the police here are shocked by what this man did to us and we will continue to fight the powers that be, but until then we need to follow the laws. you also will continue to be in my duùa!

Esalaams

Speaking of money, greed and bureaucratic BS...when my husband and I were applying for our marriage premit here in Algeria... the officer at the local city hall/police station after knowing I had ties to the US... first question asked was: Are you rich? ... then came the sly speech about helping him with 7000DA (which is only about $100, but still) and buying him a PC. Ye whatever! I feel it here daily, when I go out shopping people are kind to me cos I am foreigner, thinking someday somehow I will doing them favours. But as far as the bureacracy...unless you shovel over some liquide cash you will waiting and waiting until Judgement Day.

I know I am country away, but I will PM you my information...so (enchallah I pray you do not) but if you do help...enchallah my family and I are here to help. I pray things get resolved. I know it hard enough being a foreigner, but when you get stuck with obastacles of extreme not much fun! Allah Ma'3ki sister!

I know exactly what you mean - but here in Kenitra - when they see foreigner's, especially Americans - the prices on everything get jacked up, even if I am not buying anything - if I am out with our sister or our mom, they try to charge them more money. Tahnk you Henia - your support is great - I will look for your pm.

Good luck to you! Going to Melilla sounds like a great idea and very inexpensive. I see your point about not aiding the corruption, but if you're going to be living in Morocco your life might be alot more difficult. To ensure to be together with my husband I would do as all Moroccans do. It's part of life there, just consider it tipping.

Michaela

I have tipped a lot - people who do their job - this man has been rude and inconsiderate to me and my hsuband since the beginning - he told us flat out that "Americans make it hard for everyone else, so we are going to make it hard for you" - I do not think it is just about the money - I think he is just trying to prove something.

My husband and I are both very aware of what it is like here, of course, but it does not mean we need to compromise our ethics and we won't. We will take other actions to fix this - the advice has been great - thank you.

The border between Morocco and Algeria is closed and you will not be allowed to enter into Algeria. But it's nto necessary to go that far. A few dirhams will get you a bus from Kenitra to Melilla which is controlled by Spain. The train from Kenitra to Nador is only about 6 stops away. A taxi will take you from Nador to Melilla for about $1-2 dollars.

Thank you so much for this information - I was not aware of this city and giving me the money prices also helped a great deal - we will check into it. Thank you again!!!

Just so everyone knows - I have not given up and packed my bags yet - we are also contacting Rabat - the Ministry of Interior - like I said we had applied and done the interview for a residence permit not just an extension of stay, so I will be contacting them to find out how to fix what this man did. I am willing to do anything that it takes to fix this and stay here - the last thing I want to do is leave - I just want to do it legal and keep to our ethics - I do not feel anything is wrong in that.

How much could it be to give the guy a little money to extend the visa?

It is not really the point of how much it would be - it is the point that it is not ethically right to do this and I will not be one who condones what is happening here. If I pay this man off - what kind of person does that make me - I am trying to do everything legal - everything right - if I start falling into the illegal class, then all of my words through this would have meant nothing. I understand why people do that - I am just not going to start following that path. I hope you understand what I am saying. My husband and I love each other more than anything in this world, but we will not taint our love or our beliefs by doing things that are just not right - and encouraging these corrupt individuals is just not right. Our doors will open and in the end we will walk away knowing we never compromised our selves to make it happen.

You're making far too big a deal out of this for a few bucks. It's not like it will be documented that you helped the guy with Friday couscous so you could get a few months. Until there is a huge change in the economy, your refusal to give the guy a few dollars makes no change at all in the "system" and only hurts you and your plans.

And if you don't want to give the guy some money, why don't you take a day trip to Melilla to get the visitor visa extended? This is totally legal and people do it everyday. It seems like you are refusing to do any of the things suggested just because one man is trying to get some money out of you. He isn't your only option.

Peezey,

Thanks for your comment - I did not refuse to do the Spain thing - I refuse to do the money thing - I did not know about the Spain thing until I started getting the posts here and comments about it - I am considering this option. I would never refuse to do something that is legal to help us - and the Spain trip is now becoming an option. But I have paid out enough money on the other things - I should not have to continue to pay more just because they are corrupt. I am checking into a lot of other options and I posted to get comments and suggestions. So thank you to everyone for your prayers and for your suggestions and especially for the trip advice to the city controlled by Spain.