jook

Jeez, I thought I was done here. Newbie, do you have an agenda? The second statement was not made by me. Not that your comment deserves a response, but to clarify, while I was pursuing completing the K1, the guy in Florida was doing the same. My pursuit of the K1 was actually put on hold for a year based on the woman's assertions that her ex-husband refused to let the children leave the country. If you search the board, you will see that I discussed this and asked what my options were. Do you think her choice was made on whomever completed the K1 first? I could go into the entire story, and it is a long story, but it is pointless and no one's business. Newbie, if this is the kind of stuff that makes your day, that is, looking to find contradictions or reading into something that's not there, I feel sorry for you.

I would like to thank the majority of people that offered useful advice, whether it be to let it go or whom to contact. Thanks a million.

As for a number of other responses, I never would have expected some of the mean-spirited replies. Many of the responses are not based on the statements I made, including the last one by newbie.

Again, thanks to many of you for your input. Adios.

At Long Last had a good suggestion above.

You know, after reading this post for a time it appears that no matter what you wish some sort of payback. You state: You have all kinds of information, payments, plane tickets fees. Report it to ICE/USCIS Agencies. They may or maynot look into this but I have an Idea they will and look into currant Petitions and Future Petitions for Conduct. I would suggest you do. I would also ask a Moderator to Erase your Timeline in Case of MAYBE a later Petition since this was a Fail Since 2008. I would'nt hold a grudge against that one specific woman/or the Country.

Caring and Love make us blind and don't see things accurately until its to late.

I would report this.

As for her having my personal info other than DOB, that's a negative, thank God. Yes, I have to admit I do want some retribution though not in the form of money. I'd love to be able to send both sisters home. The depth of the duplicity is what gets me. She had her entire family playing along with her including her kids, which is about the lowest thing I can think of. AS I mentioned early on, her 20 year old sister married a gringo a year ago. Even though he's ugly and in his 50s, it seems to be the real deal, but what do I know? I met them both in Colombia as well as here. We had dinner! In a private conversation with the sister's husband, he told me he knew the woman was for real and I had nothing to worry about. However, he knew the truth all along. I phoned him the other day just to ask why he bullshitted. He laughed at me! These kinds of things make you wanna rip people's thingies off. I know this is not a first time thing. Putting 2 and 2 together, I believe she did or tried to pull a scam on a guy in Chicago. And there were probably others.

I know the fiance's name and that they live in Miami. That's it for now. But I have some other info that might lead to getting a phone number and address.

Can someone advise exactly what department in USCIS to call and how I should approach them?

I guess I'll make a call to USCIS, it can't hurt, then drop the matter and as someone suggested, chalk it up to experience. And stay away from Colombia! I'll also warn the guy in FL if he isn't in on it but I have a sneaky suspicion he is. And yes, she is in the US.

I told her I wanted $1000 back immediately as a partial repayment of the money I gave her - I paid for her friggin' trip to the US unknowingly! She seemed scared and said she'd come up with the $$, but then again, she's an oscar deserving actress. Mind you, it's not blackmail, I didn't threaten her with anything if she didn't pay.

I agree, fraud was probably the wrong terminology. She duped me. I never followed through with the petition because I didn't get all the info I needed from her. The other guy filed the visa.

My thought was that the USCIS might take an interest in this and deny the visa based on her character. Or do they not concern themselves with such things?

As for the guy in Florida, he may be in on it, I don't know. I am in the process of getting all his information.

I'm not sure if this belongs on the board, but here goes.

I was taken for a ride by a Colombian woman for about 5 years. We intended to marry, at least she led me to believe that, but it was always one problem or excuse after another. She actually filled out all the paperwork for a K1 visa and I have the originals along with copies of pertinent documents. If she was telling the truth, she also filed for a K1 visa before, but that's a long story. I visited her in Colombia 4 times if that makes a difference. I foolishly sent her money which probably totals several thousand dollars or so - I have Western Union receipts for most of the money I gave her.

To make a long story short, I recently found out that she never had any intention of marrying me but planned to marry another guy in Florida. I wouldn't pursue this matter it weren't for the depth of the lies and the cunning scheming. For example, she used her children to get money from me. Her sister and sister's husband also played a part in the deception. [The sister is a 20 year old who recently came to the US on a fiance visa to marry a guy 50+ - this was a year ago - I'm wondering if I can report them also.] I should probably still let it go, and I might, but at this point, I want to explore options.

I've got names, addresses and a copy of her passport. I have tons of photos of us together, letters and 5 years' of emails that I didn't discard. She is supposed to get married in January. Any thoughts? Thanks from a dummy.

Please know that any service or attorney will not alleviate this. Different strokes for different folks. Do as you think is best for you and your case.

I understand that some people think services and attorneys are worthless and provide virtually no service. While I can't say firsthand, I don't believe that to be true. I don't want to turn this into a contentious discussion. However, services can provide a valuable service in that they make sure all the documents are in order, the one I spoke with DOES purport to fill out the paperwork after being provided the information and some will help with coaching for the interview. For some people, this is helpful while for others, it might not be. I'm sure there are services that do a lousy job and they can do more harm then good. Perhaps that's what turns people off in general to services. A few bad apples...

As for attorneys, if a case is not cut and dry, they obviously serve a purpose in helping with legal matters and again, checking that the paperwork is done properly.

Again, I have no first hand experience dealing with services. However, I base my opinions based on what several others have said and talking to a couple of services and attorneys.

I don't believe outside services should be dismissed so casually and an open mind should be kept.

Interesting banter.

I remember doing the whole K1 myself 12 years ago and, while it was not rocket science, it takes time and patience. Some people don't have the stamina, which may be the case with me at this point. While things have changed since then, the process remains essentially the same. All this discussion is bringing back nightmares of endless waits on hold with the government and being frustrated as heck. In the end, it took about 8 months for my now ex-wife to be granted permission to enter the US. Getting the green card though, was a nightmare. We were awarded the agent from hell for our interview. He was completely arbitrary and seemed to relish in the unmitigated power he had over us. He held up the green card cuz he thought the marriage was a fraud (though he never gave a reason, he simply refused to make a decision and ignored all writings), and we had to get a lawyer. It turns out we did several things on the interview that were a "no no," like holding hands and stuff. We didn't know better.

Anyway, I spoke with the agency 6-12 mentioned several times. I also called an agency that someone recommended by PM. The former wanted $900 and the latter $2100 to get my fiance and 2 kids here. The latter was basically a 1 man operation. While I got a very good impression of him and he was knowledgeable and seemed sincere, i don't believe any service warrants that kind of money. In my opinion, he didn't have any special background that would merit that kind of fee. The former, the one recommended by 6-12, was less intimate and, in the 3 times I called, I spoke with someone different each time. I'm not saying this is a negative; they seemed to be well-organized and capable of getting the job done efficiently.

Still, I haven't made up my mind about which road to take. I'm thinking more and more of an attorney. While someone said I had nothing to worry about my fiance's fairly recent application for a petition, I'm not so sure about that. There's a little more to it than I can say on a public forum.

In any event, different strokes for different folks. The one thing I've learned from this discussion is that outside services and attorneys serve their purpose, though one has to tread carefully. Every case is different.

Thanks for such a detailed response. Just out of curiosity, is there an additional charge for the service handling the RFE or are they including it in the price?

I used a "Traditional" attorney a couple of years ago when I filed my first K-1, and he did a great job of getting documents completed, and filing everything on time, he was very efficient, but he was also very expensive...I paid somewhere around $3500.00. So now that I'm processing for another K-1 (the last fiancé' decided she did not want to leave Brazil), I'm using the "Easy Fiancée' Visa" service (listed at the top of the visajourney page), and they did a great job of putting my I-129f package together, everything the last attorney did, but for a fraction of the cost. They'll assign you and your fiancé a website with your own e-mail address, allowing you to go online and upload your evidence of an ongoing relationship: photos, documents etc. directly to them without having to send by snail mail; unless of course you want to...it's your option.

When we received our RFE a couple of weeks ago, I contacted them (Easy Fiancé Visa),and my case worker immediately began working to rectify the problem when I e-mailed a copy of the RFE to her. My suggestion is to at least contact them, review their web site and decide for yourself. I'm satisfied with my choice, because of my work schedule I just did not have the time to sit down and complete the documents, and the other required details. I collected the information requested and sent it in to them. You'll be assigned a case worker who will interview you to determine if you meet the requirements to file for you K-1. The staff there are experienced and some either have immigrations or customs backgrounds...and there is an attorney on site. I live in California, so I was able to visit their office to see how they operate first hand, and I stay in touch regularly.

Good Luck!

I called them today. I wasn't expecting a fee of $900 for a service. That was after haggling and getting a $200 discount. They charge $695 plus $200 per kid. My fiance has 2 kids. They also offer a limited service for $195 but that covers very little. Can I ask what you paid and if you think it's worth this kind of money? Thanks, glenn

Thank you, it sounds just what I'm looking for.

After procrastinating for far too long, I am ready to go ahead with the filing process, that is, complete the I-129F and everything else. I received all of the paperwork from my fiance and her children, i.e., G-325A, passports, birth certificates, etc.

I previously asked here about using an attorney. I was convinced that I should do it myself with the assistance of all the helpful people on VJ. However, now that I'm finally starting to get the paperwork together, I'm wondering again if it might be a good idea to at least find a good service. This is not a straightforward application for several reasons:

1. My fiance has 2 children - we plan to have them live with her sister in another state for about 6 months after they arrive in the US. I don't know if that makes a difference. In any event, there's that much more paperwork for me to screw up with the addition of having to file K2's.

2. My fiance previously applied to come to the US via a K1 visa filed by another fiance. The petition was withdrawn about 18 months ago. There's a long story to it; I don't know how relevant it is though.

3. We're both divorced. However, we both have marriage certificates and divorce decrees.

If it was a straightforward application, I wouldn't hesitate to do this on my own. But there seems to be a lot more paperwork as a result of the children and our divorces and I'm find it a bit overwhelming. Much of the paperwork also needs translation, so that only adds to the pile of paperwork. Plus, I'm concerned that her previous K1 application might be frowned upon. For that I know a service can't help and I would need an attorney.

I would really really like to avoid an attorney mostly because of the cost. I would probably only go with one if the sentiment was that my fiance's previous K1 application might necessitate an attorney . If not, I would consider a good service just to help me with the paperwork because, like I said, I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. Any thoughts? Recommendation for a "good" service? Thanks.

Hah, I guess that leaves out the attorney that was recommended for $1000! I asked her that if in lieu of a flat fee, she would consider simply addressing my concerns and charge me an hourly rate. She said she doesn't work that way. She then proceeded to tell me why a layman should not file the paperwork without an attorney.

I should also add that I went through the fiance visa process successfully 15 years ago and married a woman from the Philippines. (Our marriage lasted 10 years and we are now divorced.) I handled all the paperwork on my own (before visajourney was born and the internet was in its infancy! -- so it's not like I don't know the ropes, though I am very rusty. In the end, I had to hire an attorney for my wife to get her green card because we got a real winner at the INS who refused to believe our marriage was real. But that's another story. Thanks for reminding me what an attorney can and can't do. I needed a refresher. In any event, I will take the advice given and pursue this as far as I can on my own. Thank you again.

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to mull this over. I wish I could discuss the problem openly but I can't. I don't even know if I should tell an attorney. Something improper was done in the past, a foolish mistake, leave it at that. I wish I could talk to someone off the record and is knowledgeable.

Thank you Anh.

brykit, I'm not sure I need an attorney but I'm fearful of taking chances and perhaps messing things up beyond repair. My fiance in Colombia has some issues. Her divorced husband has bounced back and forth about giving permission to let her take the 2 kids to the US. There is a second more important reason but I do not want to discuss it publicly.

Does anyone have an idea how much the going rate is for a straightforward fiance visa? I would use that figure as a baseline. I was referred to a nearby attorney and she wants $1000. I know nothing about her and when I spoke with her on the phone, there was a certain chemistry missing. So, I'm hesitant about using her, though I'm not ruling her out just yet.

The 2 attorneys mentioned by Anh seem very high end and I'm guessing they have fees to match. Does anyone have further recommendations? Many thanks, glenn.

I am considering using an attorney for a fiance visa. There's some issues involved and I don't feel comfortable doing this on my own. I started to do it on my own (though I never filed anything), then it started becoming complicated because of various issues. I live in Jersey City, NJ (not far from Newark) and work in NYC. Can someone recommend an attorney? What is the going rate, if there is such a thing, for this assuming it was straightforward, no complications? Thanks, glenn

Thanks for the replies. As for a cash payment, i.e., bribe, I tried that.

I happened to get in touch with an attorney in Colombia on another internet list who seems knowledgeable about such matters. His advice: try all other avenues before getting a lawyer. It's time consuming and expensive.

It's a difficult situation because there's a lot of animosity between my fiance and ex husband. It's a long story and not one that I really wish to share on a public board, but I'm going to take the lawyer's advice and try to look for an intermediary who can hammer out an arrangement. The father has no desire to be responsible for the kid but I know he would do it for spite the way things stand now. Yes, not only is it juvenile, but it's hurting an innocent party, the child.

In the end, there is the recourse of legal action and if I have to, I will go that route.

Thanks again.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get very far into the fiance visa process. The holdup is with the ex husband who has wavered back and forth about giving his permission to let the kids come to the US (at one time agreeing to accept money in return for his okay). Not to get into all the dirty details, but he is a horrible father, and at this point, I don't want to deal with him. I need to resolve the situation once and for all. Can someone recommend a bilingual attorney in the Medellin area? Thanks.

I have a general question concerning visiting the US.

A friend wants to come here from Russia on a tourist visa. What is the procedure? She has a Chinese passport. She went to a travel agency in Moscow, supposedly a reputable one, to get info. They told her they would be able to handle everything and it would be no problem getting the visa. They want $2000 for a round trip ticket. [they say that with a tourist visa it is required to purchase a round trip ticket.] I'm suspicious about having her pay anything before she has her visa.

Second, she actually wants to stay here permanently. She is a registered nurse and I'm thinking it should be no problem since there is a shortage of RN's here. Can someone shed some light on this.

Thanks.

Thanks. I suppose I'm too naive. Money talks and it looks like the piece of garbage ex can be bought.

Can anyone help with a lawyer recommendation or any other recommendation? I need help with a custody issue in Medellin Colombia.

I should have expected this, but still, it came as a shock and also came on the heels of submitting the I-129F to the USCIS. My fiance's (CM) ex is, to put it nicely, is an evil self-centered drunken sod. I'm not quite sure of the specifics, but the children cannot leave the country without his permission. He won't give it, not because he loves the children, but simply for spite. The children dislike him and want to come to the US. He never sees them. Not that it matters, but he has also threatened CM with physical harm on numerous occasions.

Thanks for any help, glenn

Really, you can email the embassy about such matters? If we had to pick a time for her to come, it would be 6 months after my fiance.

I have a dumb question and don't want to start a new thread since it seems embarrassingly stupid. Will my fiance need a translator when she goes for her interview in Colombia, or should I expect that the embassy people are bilingual?

Is it a big hassle if my fiance's daughter, 7 years old, doesn't apply for the K1 along with mom? We'd like to get settled before she comes here.

My fiance just sent off her initial paperwork to me, i.e., G325, etc. The day after she sent it, we had very very unexpected fantastic news that she got custody of her daughter over her ex. As I said, we'd like her to join us later (6 months to a year). If that's going to be a major big deal, she'll come with mom. Will I have to have my fiance amend the paperwork that was sent to me or can I change it myself?

Hey Mando why are you paying a fortune to get translated copies? My fiance got hers done for less than $2 a piece in Barranquilla - you can find a cheaper one. Yes you need her passport size picture to send with the I129f. Good Luck

That was me. It cost about $200 to get all her papers translated and certified, though I'm not sure if the latter was necessary. That also includes divorce papers. She's in Medellin. Did we get ripped off?

Btw, what kind of delivery company does everyone use from Colombia? Fedex charges about $100 and DHL about the same.

It took a while for my fiance to get her divorce papers, but she is finally ready to send me her initial paperwork so I can file the I-129F, thank God! Would someone mind looking at my checklist for her of items to send to make sure we get it right the first time? Fyi, she is divorced and in Colombia. All documents are translated (which cost a minor fortune). Thanks!

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1. name as it appears on legal documents

2. legal address

3. Place of birth -- town/city and country

4. date of birth

5. other names used

6. name of prior spouse

7. date marriage ended

8. copy of birth certificate

9. copy of passport

-Provide document that your marriage was legally terminated, divorce papers

-complete the G-325A - 4 copies

-complete attached Letter of Intent (I wrote it for her, all she needs to do is sign it)

-send a passport-style color photograph.