treehugger

Julie what's going on at your end? What did the new lawyer say? How are you, the Irishman and your Mum?

the passport and docs were sent to him I thought... and case sent to NVC

Sorry, you're right, I didn't read it properly

I'm not quiet sure how other people have been getting CNN to cover them. There was a journalist from france who got their attention awhile back, a large group of enigneers/ph.d prof. signed a petition and went to congress. I made that post so people who respond/start a discussion. I"ll post link for you later. Its in this form title of it is CNN sub title is ireport.

You'd need as large a group as possible. Are you aware that there are a few other AP threads across VJ? There's an Islamabad one in IR-1/CR-1, a Cairo one in MENA, and the other regional forums probably have one too...you could try to drum up interest/support there as well.

The engineers group had an advantage over the likes of me, and almost all other AP-ers, in that they've lived, worked, studied in the US, some for many years. I've been to the US a few times, and many AP-ers have never been to the US from what I understand. Public support/interest will be harder to come by

transfered to NVC means either 212 or 221g... both are types of denials and the consulate is saying we can't or won't issue the visa.... back to the states to try to get a rebuttal.... similar to the road whatsnext has been going down...

Hmmm, is it normal to send Armani's passport to NVC as well? Armani, did they say anything else at all to you? Did you call DoS?

Congratulations on the recent approvals :dance:

MQ left visajourney. That's what she posted on her personal page--I think after her last post here she felt that people were being mean to her. Hope she is okay.

MQ has been on VJ since November, I remember her joining the IR-1/CR-1 forum. She's not a newbie any more, and at approaching 1500 posts she's an active member to say the least. Over the months she asks the same questions, and when I answer her, she never responds. She does respond to general comments, but when I take the time to answer her etc, poof, she ignores me. She's been here long enough to know what the nettiquette of this place is.

I could say that one of the traits of a good believer, of any faith, is humility and being polite. I don't need to be thanked, but the whole point of VJ and forums like it is for members to offer advice and support to one another - not be ignored ad infinitum. Otherwise it grinds to a halt. To leave VJ just because a few posters told her that she'd already asked a particular question, and had already recieved an answer just shows she needs to grow a thicker skin, and perhaps grow up a little too.

Congratulations!!

If it's a simple name hit - it can be cleared up in a matter of weeks. If there is further review required - then it may take longer. Try not to stress about it, although that can be a difficult task. My best suggestion would be to follow up weekly (ie: once a week) just to keep tabs - but try not to obsess over something that is out of your hands and probably just a few weeks delay. Good luck!

Thanks With my username, would you be surprised if I said I loved your little treehugger?

I don't quite get what you are driving at.

You objected to my earlier comment to arwilson, and I simply replied to the points you raised.

It's been a long time since I've worked on security clearance information. But there are several specific clearances that are run during AP(four I believe) and some of these are run on a person based upon their occupation.

Persons who travel frequently, and those who have visited certain countries, are also subjected to scrutiny.

Yes, I knew all that thank you. If those that visit certain countries are subject to scrutiny, how about those who live in certain countries, eg NI?

As for myself, my occupation is not a consideration, I rarely travel, and yes, I lived in a certain part of the world as a child. Not that unusual - we were part of a very large expat community, and most of my former classmates are now living and working in the US, as citizens no less.

The explanation for that would be that the Police Service of Northern Ireland is a separate body apart from that on the mainland.

Actually, you should remember that there are several police forces on the mainland - the PSNI is no different from any of the others covered by ACPO, as can be seen from the list below.

http://www.police.uk/forces.htm

I just got off the phone after booking my Medical. Im at the stage in thinking, that i dont really care what they want a flash of xD May God have mercy on the Doctors soul!

I was just looking through one of the other regional forums and they also have a pinned medical thread. Someone has painstakingly described the details of the TWO day medical exam that is required by the embassy, and for women at least, consists of a full internal exam. Perhaps having a peek down below isn't so bad after all!!

When I've asked those types of questions it's been a matter of wondering what DOS could possibly use to flag people they put in AP. Several of us were aware of specific cases at the London as well as other consulates which made us think that maybe people with ties to certain countries could be put into lengthy AP processes.

I think it is silly that so many VJers get put into AP. There are several that have passed the medical with flying colors AND proved they have no criminal records yet they still end up in AP. I understand that this process will catch a few people that want to get into the country with very bad intentions. With that logic I can understand that AP is necessary even if it is overly used.

I know it is unfair and hard to go through. The good part is that when you do finally get settled into your new life in the US it can always be said that you passed x amount of months of security checks to get where you are.

As I said in my previous post, although it's unfortunate that those questions are asked, I don't think it is unreasonable. I was not offended, why should I be? I have nothing to fear from AP - and although it is frustrating I don't worry that it'll ruin my marriage as some people think AP is used for. I think every country has a right and a duty to screen immigrants for every possible risk, and as you say, when I do eventually get there it'll be in the knowledge that I have passed all the checks there are, in order that I, along with my husband, family and friends, live in the safest possible society. I would be disappointed if that were NOT the case.

I just wish that it were a little quicker

People aren't very well versed in how AP occurs. Many don't know the records checked by DOS. Or why.

There's quite a lot of bigotry involved in some of the questions asked of you.

Just as those comments toward you were unreasonable, I would call it unreasonable to assume that "a significant proportion of the population were either directly involved, or related to someone who was" involved in the Troubles. It was actually a sliver of the population who were responsible for those atrocities. There WAS and REMAINS a significant proportion of the population who was touched by the violence, but that is far different than having been a perpetrator.

Well, there was no bigotry intended in my question to arwilson, and if he was in any way offended, I apologise to him. I in no way assumed or insinuated that he, or another other person on VJ, was in any way involved. To pretend that there isn't the tiniest possibility that his name might match or be similar to someone that was, or the relative of someone that was, is naive. As it is the DHS that determines who it considers a risk, and there is/are Irish paramilitaries on there, it is only logical to deduce that is one of the avenues they follow. I have spent the last 16 weeks researching AP, and I'm pretty good at finding things if I do say so myself.

I was not offended when I was asked if I were naturalized or from a certain part of the world originally. I understand why people might ask that, and whereas I think it unfortunate, I do not think it racist or prejudiced. It is a fact (gleaned from the subset of people that post on VJ) that females from certain parts of the world are put in AP somewhat regularly, in other parts it's men, and in some neither, for all kinds of reasons that one can only guess at. Myself, and fellow VJ-ers who are also in AP for no 'obvious' reason, feel that we wish we knew why, as it would make the wait that little bit easier. For obvious reasons, from the mundane to the serious, we're not.

PS - it depends on how one defines significant. It does not necessarily mean a large proportion, and it can almost certainly mean a small percentage. What you and I think is immaterial. It is what DOS/DHS think that matters.

I've just looked at the ACRO site, which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It specifically asks if the applicant has lived in Scotland or convicted of a criminal offence there, presumably because it is outside of ACRO's catchment area / jurisdiction. However, it also asks if an applicant has ever lived in NI or convicted of a criminal offence there. What possible explanation do you have for that, seeing that NI is within ACRO's catchment, and yet they don't ask similar questions about England and Wales?

If an immigrant from Northern Ireland gets caught in a security clearance or a namecheck, why is there always the assumption (especially from the English) that there must be some connection to the Troubles?

Seeing how the Troubles dominated life in Northern Ireland and for the period of time it did so, it's not unreasonable to think that a significant proportion of the population were either directly involved, or related to someone who was. That period is thankfully over and has been for some time, and although I in no way meant to imply that arwilson was involved in any way, it's not that farfetched to think that someone with a similar name might have been. To be honest, before seeing the list put out by DoS, it hadn't even occurred to me. Is NI associated with any other activity that might entail longer than usual name checks? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the other issues that might come up are mostly linked to the Troubles too. Of course there could be another reason but as it's AP no one will never know, but it's the most obvious one, at least according to DoS.

I could ask, why was it when I said I was in AP everyone asked whether I was a naturalized citizen, or from a certain part of the world originally? If I were, would it automatically be so that even though I'm female, I must have a dubious past?

Yeah, that's highly likely. And to be honest i don't mind if it takes longer... but i don't understand why they can't do these checks alongside the USCIS stuff in NVC, or while the case is sitting 'idle' in the embassy between P3 and the interview. And the fact they they process 2- 3 million of them in a year, yet they have 'no idea' how long they will take.

I have no idea. All i know is that i do have one. In fact all our folks have at least 1 middle name. Sometimes 2.

Most people I know have a middle name or two, sometimes even three! My brother has one, I don't

Like you, I've no problem people checking my name. Like you, I wondered why they didn't do it at the NVC stage or before the interview. The USC has their name checked at the USCIS stage. You might have read on the AP tracker thread that the reason they send the name to one agency at a time is so that it saves money. All it takes is for one agency to come up with a hit and the application is dealt with accordingly, so why waste money sending it to multiple agencies all at once? Presumably, this is the logic regarding doing the name checks before the interview - if the visa is denied/delayed for whatever reason, it would have been a waste of time and resources to have done the checks beforehand.

It does make sense, even though I wish it were otherwise

Actually, come to think of it my brother has two middle names!!

I very much doubt it (and if it does it's definately not me. All i have is 1 speeding ticket... ), but i guess with a surname that is one of the most common in the western world it's entirely possible it's going to 'match' up with someone somewhere.

I can't find the link, but recently I came across the list of individuals and organisations named by the US as you-know-whats, and they did include Irish groups. As you say, with such a common surname it's entirely possible that a 'namesake' is involved. My husband told me that when they do name checks, they don't just check an applicant's name, but variants of it and those similar to it as well. I don't know how true that is, but for anyone with a common name it does mean it takes longer.

I hope it's over very soon for you

Thanks guys

Scott, the very first time I called DoS I got a very professional, authoritative, well-spoken lady who was polite, friendly, helpful and as informative as she could be. There's no way she was just an operator. Thought gosh, DoS definitely better than NVC! I called again the very next day as I thought that AP could be due to missing passport photos, and I very quickly discovered that the first lady was very much the exception. It didn't take long to realise that they are indeed just operators reading from a screen, no more no less.

That's why even though I call every week, I really don't expect much - it's futile.

And the ones who were approved (and this seems to be a global thing), weren't approved because they had 400 emails and 300 photos, because the CO never looks at them.

My husband (the USC) only sent in an affadavit from his father to USCIS - I have to admit I was worried that he should have sent in a couple of photos at least, but it was fine. At my interview I had around 30 photos, taken over several months, in both countries and with our families, and the engagement and wedding. Did the CO even ask? Nope.

Then again we've been in AP for 18 weeks and counting (name checks) so I think we've paid our dues!! I'd much rather have been asked for more evidence, of which there's plenty, then be stuck in the 'black hole'

Good luck for tomorrow I hope it goes well

Well... just off phone to DoS... My AP is undergoing name checks in DC. 30-90 day wait time.

Here are a couple of links that may put minds at ease (or maybe not)...

http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress04/garrity022504.htm

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/security_checks_42506.pdf

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/03/

I hope so - my name check has lasted 126 days so far. It exceeds all the figures quoted. The last line of the USCIS link is the most difficult to deal with, especially the status aspect.

Do you think that your name might match or be similar to someone involved in the Troubles?

Wow!!!

Perhaps it was the Monday morning blues

Regardless, it wasn't worth calling back.

What do you mean she put the phone down? She hung up on you?

Yup. She had of course said the immortal line 'it's still pending' before I asked her about the agency checks.

I called a short while ago for my weekly update - when I asked her if the agency checks were finished she got angry and put the phone down! It's been 18 weeks since my interview

I just called for my weekly update - when I asked her if the agency checks were finished she got angry and put the phone down!

Those were the sorts of questions i was going to ask...

When was the last action taken on it?

Is it in London or gone back to the US?

I guess the 'about to issue the visa?' one is good too.

Are there any others that would be good to ask?

Oh no, don't fall in the trap of 'has it gone back to the US?'....if it was physically sent back to NVC or USCIS they'd tell you at the embassy, and if you ask DoS that they'll just say 'no, sir, the case file is still physically at the embassy'. You need to ask where the processing is being done, whether US (ie DC and namechecks) or the embassy (where they review the info they have, either before or after DC).

The last action on it question - varying degrees of success. They only make a note in your file in certain instances (no, I don't know what they are lol), and some will refuse to tell you anyway.

There really isn't much more you can ask, other than are the documents complete, is it the validity of the relationship, etc...I've asked every permutation and combination I can think of, and after 18 weeks all I know is that my documents are complete, the relationship is recognised as valid, and I'm undergoing namechecks. And guess what - I got that all from my very first phonecall to the DoS.