aicha

according to our lawyer this consulates denial rate is over 50 percent.

Aicha, I am curious about this statistic. Did you lawyer go into any details about how this rate was deterimined? Does it include tourist visas as well as family based immigrant and non-imigrant visas? Was this an educated guess based on his expertise int he field or also in conjunction with available government data?

I know Vj does not represent but a small percentage of families going through Casa and I do not think we as Vjers are truely reresentative of the group as a whole either. The success rate for Vjers is much higher and for these reasons may or may not mean much.

I wish I could answer this for you - the only reply that I can give is taht our attorney only works in the fields of law that govern immigration - their whole firm is only for immigration attorney's - so I am sure in some case they have to be experts in their field. They deal with immigration all over the world, so I am sure that they have some kind of statisitics going in their office that one of their assistants keeps track of. I can send him basically any CO and he will tell me if they are a good one or bad one as far as VISA's are concerned. He has been talking to us already about last resorts if we can not get this overturned at the CASA CO, then he wants us to take up residency in a nearby country to file for VISA through a more friendly CO. Here is the statement he made on another CO that is a problem in Vietnam:

Morocco is more of a problem than other jurisdictions. We had a recent case where there was a problem with the Ho Chi Minh Consulate in Vietnam, another PIA Consulate. The couple then married in Jamaica and we processed there. The Jamaican Consulate wanted to know what is going on and we told them about problems at Ho Chi Minh. The Kingston staff then contacted Ho Chi Minh directly and asked for comment. When Kingston received a reply from Ho Chi Minh, the officer forwarded it to me with his comment: "That's ridiculous!" The spousal visa was issued in Kingston.

If I get more information I will let you know.

if you and your husband speak the same language whats the problem? apprently the embassy is under the impressing you both talk through a communication device such as babble fish. if this is not true then PROVE it. That is how you will over come this denial.

oh yeah and you have to prove your husband KNOWS you. apprently he knows only 3 things about you.

For one, this was only a very minimal of what actually transpired in this interview. I have a very lengthy letter that was drawn up of the entire interview and for her to come to the those conclusions was wrong - my husband tried to give this woman proof, she walked away and would not allow it. There were many more questions and I think if my husband only knew three things about me - I would not be here living with him.

then you have to provide the proof with your rebuttle. you must address each issue WORD FOR WORD. Drop the fabrication ideas. and refocus on how to get this over turned. basicly READ what the embassy is saying and understand what they mean. I am not saying this to humour you but, to help you. sometimes when we are in this situation its easy to be damm bitter and not focus on the issues at hand. so first step - your husband has to PROVE he knows YOU. I am not talking about simple stuff.. I am talking he has to really know about YOU apprently the embassy is getting a diffrent impression. Stop blaming the translater. there was something in the way that your husband communicated that left a diffrent impression. ok FINE. now address it.

as far as his e mails to you. ok have him keep sending emails to you. show the USICS all the proofs. get this monkey reaffirmed!!

Aicha ,the only thing that i can say is yur case is sent back to Homland security (on the back of your file) I130 or 129 the officer wrote (realtionship)thats all that means he want the homland security to make sure that the marriage is entered in a good faith not just for immigration benifits ,and 221g is NOT a denial if you take a look at it again you will see that they are asking for more process thats all ,are you a US citizen?if not that means you will have to wait untill you are a USC ,if you are he will be called for an other interview and he will be here for sure .

Thank you - I do know that the case has been sent back for further review - it has not been denied - I have not received an actual denial - and it was just my I-129 - he said he returned the I-130 also, but this was a lie - his office has never had my I-130 petition - it is still at the NVC - I have not paid the fees for it yet. Yes - I am a USC and yes in time I know my hsuband and I will leave Morocco together and walk hand in hand into the USA. My husband will never take this journey alone and I will not either - we are together - we will stay living together side by side through all of this.

shoot I forgot to add. if you and your husband speak a common language such as english . there would have never been a need for a translator. that in itself is a big RED FLAG. unles you both speak fluent language other than english. then I would see why the need for a translater- coz the embassy personel speak english. but if you ONLY speak english and your husband speak somethign else. then there was a translator the embassy would keep in their heads the entire interview

" how does this man communicate with this woman" . you understand? so thats why you have to prove the embassys idea is WRONG. not point fingers but show the proof.

My husband and I speak in combinations of three languages - arabic, english and french - I am fluent in english and speak some french and arabic - My husband is fluent in arabic and is getting fluent in english and speaks some french. We have been speaking for over a year - 14 months to be exact - we have been living together seven months out of that time. My current residency is in Morocco with my husband. The translator was called for one explanation because my hsuband wanted to answer the CO with no mistakes. We again, are not pointing fingers - there was misunderstandings - the opportunity was not given to provide proof - the woman asks him for proof, but walks away instead.

if you and your husband speak the same language whats the problem? apprently the embassy is under the impressing you both talk through a communication device such as babble fish. if this is not true then PROVE it. That is how you will over come this denial.

oh yeah and you have to prove your husband KNOWS you. apprently he knows only 3 things about you.

For one, this was only a very minimal of what actually transpired in this interview. I have a very lengthy letter that was drawn up of the entire interview and for her to come to the those conclusions was wrong - my husband tried to give this woman proof, she walked away and would not allow it. There were many more questions and I think if my husband only knew three things about me - I would not be here living with him.

then you have to provide the proof with your rebuttle. you must address each issue WORD FOR WORD. Drop the fabrication ideas. and refocus on how to get this over turned. basicly READ what the embassy is saying and understand what they mean. I am not saying this to humour you but, to help you. sometimes when we are in this situation its easy to be damm bitter and not focus on the issues at hand. so first step - your husband has to PROVE he knows YOU. I am not talking about simple stuff.. I am talking he has to really know about YOU apprently the embassy is getting a diffrent impression. Stop blaming the translater. there was something in the way that your husband communicated that left a diffrent impression. ok FINE. now address it.

as far as his e mails to you. ok have him keep sending emails to you. show the USICS all the proofs. get this monkey reaffirmed!!

Maybe you are not getting my point, so let me try this again - I know talking over computers can be very treacherous at times. In another post/reply here I attached a very detailed accounting of what transpired in our interview. My husband and I for one, speak to each other in three languages - last I knew that is great for the mind - my husband had problems with one of her questions because he was not quite sure how to explain the exact details of one question in particular - should nto be construed as we do not understand each other. My focus is on this every day - I do not get stuck on the fabrication ideas - that is merely a word I used to speak to all of you - does not mean I am stuck on it. I am working night and day and my hsuband is by my side - together we are working very hard to overturn this. I have read what the embassy said and I have rebutted it - the consulate chief only knows what she said - now he knows all detail by detail even my explanation of how I could see how she came up with some of her statements, but not solid proof and as he tried to give her eveidence she walked away never looking at our evidence - wrong on their part, not ours. I ca ngo through detail by detail and get this overturned - I am not worried about that - our life together is solid and we never have anyone communicate for us. No one can humor me on issues that just are not right, but I am not bitter about it either - I am very focused - my lawyer is very pleased with my progress in this matter - I have got more response then he has. As for my hsuband knowing me - he even sat down at the computer himself and sent a very detailed letter to the embassy about us and our relationship and he was very polite in that letter as well even after the way he was treated. I am not blaming the translator - I am not blaming anyone - jsut that there was miscommunication here and misunderstandings and assumptions made, not solid proof conclusions. I am addressing it everyday - it has become my 24/7 job. Your last comment about e-mails - why would my husband be sending me e-mails - we have been living together since November 2006. I am registered here and have residence papers. Another thing he could not pull out to show them.

This whole report of what the CO wrote in her report was fabricated.

It IS a tough situation.

That being said, why would a consulate go out of their way to "fabricate" a story against you and your husband, "personally"? I don't see what they would have to gain by doing so.

That's a very serious claim you are making..................and to make such a claim, you hopefully have something to back it up,

Because, if it's just your word against theirs....................and that's all you got, I don't think you will get very far.

Especially when they seem to have a pretty good argument and explanation for their side.........judging by that email.

You are right - it is a very serious claim, but you also do not know the CASA Consualte. Maybe fabrication was too strong of a word to use - but assumtive is not - feel free to read my attachment - it is a detailed account of my husband's interview - and at the same time please realize that this consulate is very good at lying and doing whatever they choose. And even sadder - the way interviews are done - it will always be my word against theirs - there are no tapings of said interviews by video or by voice - so basically the interviewee is always screwed fro mthe beginning if something does not go right in the interview. I can also go have an interview with someone and take things said at that interview and turn them to say what I want to report - does it make it right - no, not even close and if I thought the way you are telling me to think - I might as well throw in the towel right now and not fight for something that I know is right. The woman would not allow any pictures, no letters, no conversations , not even a statement written by me taht I have been living here - not even the stamped paper from there own office taht had my change of address registration with them. Never will I be one who will stand back and quit because there e-mail is such a good argument. Cases are tried in courts for both sides to be presented - I could have wrote that e-mail too - does not make it right.

Oops - hit the send button before the attachment - try this again. Obviously I have nothing to hide - I have communicated with these people, but I was lied to repeatedly by them in many e-mails - that is what I have going for my case - a lot of continued proof against them - even my attorney has been continually unanswered by this consulate.

This whole report of what the CO wrote in her report was fabricated.

It IS a tough situation.

That being said, why would a consulate go out of their way to "fabricate" a story against you and your husband, "personally"? I don't see what they would have to gain by doing so.

That's a very serious claim you are making..................and to make such a claim, you hopefully have something to back it up,

Because, if it's just your word against theirs....................and that's all you got, I don't think you will get very far.

Especially when they seem to have a pretty good argument and explanation for their side.........judging by that email.

You are right - it is a very serious claim, but you also do not know the CASA Consualte. Maybe fabrication was too strong of a word to use - but assumtive is not - feel free to read my attachment - it is a detailed account of my husband's interview - and at the same time please realize that this consulate is very good at lying and doing whatever they choose. And even sadder - the way interviews are done - it will always be my word against theirs - there are no tapings of said interviews by video or by voice - so basically the interviewee is always screwed fro mthe beginning if something does not go right in the interview. I can also go have an interview with someone and take things said at that interview and turn them to say what I want to report - does it make it right - no, not even close and if I thought the way you are telling me to think - I might as well throw in the towel right now and not fight for something that I know is right. The woman would not allow any pictures, no letters, no conversations , not even a statement written by me taht I have been living here - not even the stamped paper from there own office taht had my change of address registration with them. Never will I be one who will stand back and quit because there e-mail is such a good argument. Cases are tried in courts for both sides to be presented - I could have wrote that e-mail too - does not make it right.

Oh good Aicha you are there with your husband.

I know his family has to be thrilled you are there, of course I know they wish it could be under different circumstances though.

Bonne Chance!

Yes I have been living here since November - his family is elated and want me to stay forever, and if things keep going the way they are going - that may happen. Teh circumstances of us still being here are ahrd, but at least we are together - i just wish it was not so hard on my children and now with the continued month of suicide bombings, it sure is not making them feel any better - they missed me before, but now they are jsut downright scared. Thank you for your support - it is wonderful to have that from someone besides my family.

if you and your husband speak the same language whats the problem? apprently the embassy is under the impressing you both talk through a communication device such as babble fish. if this is not true then PROVE it. That is how you will over come this denial.

oh yeah and you have to prove your husband KNOWS you. apprently he knows only 3 things about you.

For one, this was only a very minimal of what actually transpired in this interview. I have a very lengthy letter that was drawn up of the entire interview and for her to come to the those conclusions was wrong - my husband tried to give this woman proof, she walked away and would not allow it. There were many more questions and I think if my husband only knew three things about me - I would not be here living with him.

Please say this is figured out soon

If my fiance gets denied I swear I am moving over there no matter how dangerous it is for me. After what it took to find this man. No, one way or another I'm going to be with him. This one is my Chosen.

BT

Good for you - I know it is hard to make that choice -this country is not easy to live in, but I have been living here side by side with my husband since November 2006 while we go through this grueling process and we were denied on March 21, 2007 - and then others have been approved - it is a hard consulate - more than 50 percent denial rates.

I do wish you and yorus a beautiful life together and inchaallah - you will receive your VISA.

sorry this posted twice - not sure why!

I was vasked about my situation and if I had informed the VJ of my situation - No I had not as of yet - been really caught up in the process of fighting this denial. I did update my timeline and put a note in my profile - but now I will try to give details of our situation.

Our interview for a K-3 VISA was on March 21, 2007 at 8 am with the wonderful Casablanca, Morocco consulate. I know this consulate has had a lot of mixed review and according to our lawyer this consulates denial rate is over 50 percent. I would love to add our detailed step by step interview, but it is quite large. Through many daily contacts and lies from the consulate - I finally got the confirmation date of return of our papers and also the reason for denial. Mind you I contacted them daily and finally sent out a very long letter to the Ambassador, the Consulate General and teh Cosulate Chief Officer - with this I got the specific reasons for denial. Here is that response:

This is in response to your recent e-mail message to Ambassador Riley and Consul General Greene regarding the Immigrant Visa case of your husband, Mr. Mourad Hattari..

The record indicates that, despite the assistance of an English-, French- and Arabic-speaking interpretor during the interview, Mr. Hattari could provide very few details about is his relationship with you other than your name, occupation, number of children, and birthday. When asked how you met and communicate, he could not specify the website via which you initally made contact, simply saying that it was shown to him by a friend. He also said that he largely relies on friends not only to handle written e-mail communication with you while you were in the U.S., but also for verbal communication when you're in Morocco.

Mr. Hattari was given numerous opportunities during the interview to provide information in his native language about you and your relationship, but was only able to provide the bare minimum cited above. Therefore, the Consular Officer returned the file including the original I-130 petition (which is standard procedure in such cases) to the Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) via the National Visa Center for a further review of the of the relationship. Unfortunately, this office has no authority over the case at this time and to seek information about its status, you need to contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

I trust you find this information helpful.

Do I find it helpful - lol - NO! This whole report of what the CO wrote in her report was fabricated. She took details from our interview to turn them into something else that was never said. Example - her question "How did you learn english?" My hsuband's response "I learned from friends." The translator was provided for one question - that question was what is the member directory? ( referring to yahoo personals member directory) and my hsuband had a hard time trying to explain the details of how that system works, so he was provided a translator for that one purpose. The woman through this entire interview used norrible body language, hand gestures and made numerous disgraceful faces - what a nice impression she made. She finally at the end of the interview asked my hsuband for our proof of rrelationship and as he was trying to show her everything, including my residency here, she handed him the 221(g) and walked away not even allowing him the chance to show her anything. This is a rundown of our experience and I even have a lawyer - the consulate will not respond to him at all, not even one time. The Consulate Chief Officer told me in the reply above that he returned our I-130/CR1 - this was another lie of theirs - my lawyer said our CR1 is ion process at the NVC and plus I have not paid the fees on it yet, so it has never left the states to even come here yet. This is how this Consulate works - they don't! My lawyer even went on to tell me that we should divorce and marry in another country or at least try to get to anotehr country and get residency papers and then we would go through that country's consulate instead - I was applaed at my lawyer for this - I need him to do his job, not give me things that just are not an option finacially or emotionall!

Well there it is - a brief description of our journey so far - not a fun one.

OKAY HERE YOU GO - THIS IS THE WARDEN MESSAGE THAT JUST CAME OUT OF THE CASABLANCA, MOROCCO CONSULATE:

Warden Message-April 14, 2007

From: ACS, Casablanca (ACSCasablanca@state.gov)

Add contact

Sent:Sat 4/14/07 1:24 PM

To:

Warden Message

April 14, 2007

On the morning of April 14, two suicide bombs were detonated on Boulevard Moulay Youssef in central Casablanca, one near the United States Consulate General and the other near the American Language Center. Police have secured the area and are undertaking an investigation. Other than the two suicide bombers, the U.S. Mission in Morocco has received no reports of fatalities or serious injuries. U.S. government personnel in Casablanca have been advised to remain at home. American citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and be vigilant regarding their personal security.

The potential for violence against American interests and citizens and other Western targets remains high in Morocco. Moroccan authorities continue to disrupt groups seeking to attack U.S.- or Western-affiliated targets and arrest individuals associated with international terrorist groups. Establishments which are readily identifiable with the United States are potential targets for attacks. These may include facilities where US citizens and other foreigners congregate, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, movie theaters and other public areas. Such targets may also include establishments where activities occur that may offend religious sensitivities, such as casinos or places where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.

While in Morocco, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and maintain a low profile. All U.S. citizens are urged to consider seriously their personal security and to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well-being. Report any suspicious incidents or problems immediately to Moroccan authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat or the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca.

The U.S. Department of State encourages all American citizens residing in Morocco to register their presence and obtain up-to-date information on security conditions at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca at 8 Blvd. Moulay Youssef, Telephone: 022-43-05-78. After hours, please call 022-26-45-50 or 061-17-23-67. Information is also available on our website at: http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/warden_information.html

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, and other Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

my name is mourad - I am aicha's husband in morocco.

I am so sorry what happend in morocco - really I hate so very much the terrorists anywhere in this world.

on monday - the day before the tuesday bombings - my wife and I were upstairs and we were watching the sky and I told my wife that I feel something bad will happen and the next day there were more suicide bombings in morocco - but I want everone in this world to know that I will never let anyone touch my wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OKAY THIS IS THE BEST SITE AVAILABLE - WITH THIS ONE YOU CAN KEEP TRACK OF ALL RECENT EVENTS ON THIS SUBJECT AND KEEP INFORMED.

http://article.wn.com/view/2007/04/14/Two_...ets_in_Morocco/

My husband and I got married last September in the U.S. and he submitted I-130 in late February. We have received NOA-1. Now we are planning to also try the K-3 route as well.

I am not living in the U.S. nor in my native country (where I have my passport from), but living in a third country due to my work. We haven't submitted the I-129F form yet.

I think the policy is that if you got married in the U.S., you need to be interviewed in your country of "residence." Does this mean a country where you have your official residence (like permanent residence -- more like your native country), or simply where you "live"?

So my question is:

1. Is it possible to be interviewed in the third country where I live in now? Any delays, difficulties, additional forms expected if I decide to go this route?

Thank you!

I am going to get you two sets of information on this - I happen to be having problems in our consulate, so have been getting information on this very area - not that i am going to do this, but it will answer your questions I hope. So I am just copying and pasting the info out of my e-mail directly from my attorney - here they are:

1) Another option would be to divorce and remarry in another country so that we can process through a more friendly Consulate. Morocco is more of a problem than other jurisdictions. We had a recent case where there was a problem with the Ho Chi Minh Consulate in Vietnam, another PIA Consulate. The couple then married in Jamaica and we processed there. The Jamaican Consulate wanted to know what is going on and we told them about problems at Ho Chi Minh. The Kingston staff then contacted Ho Chi Minh directly and asked for comment. When Kingston received a reply from Ho Chi Minh, the officer forwarded it to me with his comment: "That's ridiculous!" The spousal visa was issued in Kingston. My suggestion would be that you set the record now with Morocco, but do not expect them to issue the visa. It is likely they will not do so. You need to consider moving the case to another Consulate and processing there with explanation. Thank you.

2) Jurisdiction for CR processing is set at the foreigner's place of residence, not the place of marriage. If we could get residency status for your husband in a country other than Morocco, perhaps we could solve the problem.

Good Luck in your endeavor - I hope I have helped in some way.

I heard on my local news, that there was some immigration reform, to restrict illegals that have kids born in the US (from their kids gaining automatic citizenship). Because once their kids are old enough, they can petition to have their illegal parents gain status. Also if their parents are under deportation proceedings, its hard to throw them out, because there is undue hardship on the american citizen child.

This is why we need to change the law to eliminate the anchor baby issue.

Please refer yourselves to the following website and sign this petiton - and have your beneficiaries sign this petiton as well. I am currently working on a petition to get us some exposure and also working on writing up an entire Reform Act - even if we cannot get it to replace the current Immigration and Nationality Act, we can at least get ammendmants made to it. I need all the supportive signatures to I can get to get this done - a large post on this is currently being reviewed and I was also told that the administrator will do a news section for this to go in the main news area here on the site. But right now I encourage you and anyone you know, family, friends, etc. to go to his site for the petition and read and sign it - there is a place when you are filling out the signature page to input all suggestions you have for this reform, please input them so I get them on the signature reports. This was just started so there are only a few signatures so far - I would really like to change that with your help - spread the word quickly. Anyone who wants to get involved in this process needs to e-mail me with specifics please. Thank you all.

I am giving you all a few different news links that are more accurate as to all that is happening in Morocco and Algeria. these are updated all the time and the information is better. Let us all remember that we are here for helping each other and all of us are in the same position - marraige and immigration - having disagreements over why things are happeing on terrorist activities and pointing fingers is not something that is necessary.

http://english.aljazeera.net/English

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Morocco+N...amp;fr=ush-news

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070411/wl_af...9bv.5sNYLW96Q8F

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=Mo...mp;type=feature

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/search/searc...=all&sort=1

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/0...ists/index.html

This should give you a good starting point to keep an eye on things for yourself - I will do my best to continue to provide information as I can since I am living here right now.

Thanks for the info! My brother-in-law had his tourist visa interview schedued for tomorrow. I guess I'll check out the website to see what to do.....

You are very welcome - things are escalating here and in Algeria - please track news through aljazeera.net, it will come up in arabic, but there is a link to click on for english. My prayers are with you and yours!

This is a message I received in my e-mail today from the Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco. I am posting this for those members who are in Morocco or are planning a trip here. Right now the Consulate is closed to any public services due to the recent events of terrorist activities here - In the beginning of March there was a suicide bombing that took place in a cyber cafe in Casablanca - since then there has been 31 arrests. Here is the most recent article that was just posted about one hour ago: Below that article you will find the warden message as well. Please be careful in your travel plans and tell our spouse to stay safe as well.

NEWS AFRICA

Suicide blasts rock Casablanca

Three bombers blew themselves up and one was shot after a police raid [AFP]

A third man has blown himself up in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, police sources said late on Tuesday. The blast came after police raided an apartment building in the el Fida neighbourhood before dawn on Tuesday, searching for four people suspected of planning to carry out a series of suicide attacks. One suspect blew himself up during the raid and another was shot dead as he attempted to detonate 4kg of explosives he was carrying, officials said. Two suspects escaped, one of them blowing himself up near the scene later, killing one police officer and seriously wounding another. A 7-year-old child was also hurt in that blast. Police cordoned off the area, erecting metal barriers to find the fourth suspect. But he appeared to have deliberately targeted the police, injuring five of them and 14 other people, a policeman at the scene said. "He sneaked through the police cordon and then elbowed his way through a crowd of onlookers and journalists to move close to a cluster of policemen where he blew himself up," the policeman said. Al Jazeera has learnt that Moroccan police were pursuing the men on suspicion of involvement in a suicide attack on an internet cafe on March 11. A man carrying explosives was killed in that attack. An accomplice and three customers in the cafe were also injured. Thirty-one people have been arrested since the March 11 attack. Police sources said they believed the suspects had started wearing explosives belts all the time to prevent security forces from taking them alive. Investigations into the internet cafe blast led police to suspected plots to attack ships in Casablanca's port, police stations and tourist sites in Morocco. An interior ministry official told The Associated Press news agency that the two men killed in the dawn raid were also being sought in connection with suicide bombings in the city in 2003 which left 45 people dead.

(End of Article)

Warden Message

April 10, 2007

As noted in the November 20, 2006 Public Announcement for the Middle East and North Africa, there are ongoing security concerns in the region. Further to the November Public Announcement and the February 9, 2007 warden message issued by the Consulate General, U.S. citizens in Morocco are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

Following an April 10 incident in Casablanca during which Moroccan police confronted three potential terrorists in a residential neighborhood, the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca temporarily suspended services to the public. The potential for violence against American interests and citizens and other Western targets remains high in Morocco and the Consulate General encourages Americans in Morocco to remain vigilant regarding their personal security. Moroccan authorities continue to disrupt groups seeking to attack U.S.- or Western-affiliated targets and arrest individuals associated with international terrorist groups. Establishments which are readily identifiable with the United States are potential targets for attacks. These may include facilities where US citizens and other foreigners congregate, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, movie theaters and other public areas. Such targets may also include establishments where activities occur that may offend religious sensitivities, such as casinos or places where alcoholic beverages are sold or consumed. Due to varying degrees of security at all such locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when visiting these establishments.

While in Morocco, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and maintain a low profile. All U.S. citizens are urged to consider seriously their personal security and to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well-being. Report any suspicious incidents or problems immediately to Moroccan authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat or the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca.

The U.S. Department of State encourages all American citizens residing in Morocco to register their presence and obtain up-to-date information on security conditions at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca at 8 Blvd. Moulay Youssef, Telephone: 022-43-05-78. After hours, please call 022-26-45-50 or 061-17-23-67. Information is also available on our website at: http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/warden_information.html

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, and other Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

I thought this was a crazy question when I first read it, but do realize that for some there is a lot of other questions involved around this issue. Some have young kids, that would make for a very hard move - some could never do that. I pray for those in that kind of situation - inchallah - that never happens to them!

I am basically already living in my husband's country - we had hoped that we would have been gone by now, but our interview was not favorable - now I am fighting the system. They thought I would just merely sit on my hands and run crying home I guess, but that is just not in my nature to do so. I ave made more contacts then they can keep up with right now, including messages and contact with the Consular General, the Senior chief Consulate Officer and the Ambassador of the Consulates here in Morocco. through those contacts I finally managed to get the reasons for my husband's denial after three weeks of probing - I can see why it took them three weeks - they needed to fabricate what actually took place in our interview - wow, was I surprised at the things they said! Anyways, I have just begun my fight and have been taking it all the way to the Speaker of the House in the USA. Petitions started to change the Immigration and Nationality Act and continuing my constant contact with anyone who is listening - the news and media are next. And prayfully, I live through all of this, especially with all of the recent events taking place in Morocco right now. Three suicide bombings in one months time - things are getting a little unnerving here to say the least and now we are getting warnings in our e-mails from the consulate. I am posting a main topic on this for those who are in Morocco or are planning a trip here.