city2countrygirl

hello how is everyone on this lovely evening i am currently in the process of getting together my i 129 visa and just have so many questions to ask before i actually send if off my first question is can you still get married if your finace is on a student visa and next question after marriage what do he have to do to get permently resident i have asked several question and have received great answers thank you everyone

Hi kylewife, I can suggest that you look into the Adjustment of Status forum here in answer to your second question, but am quite clueless regarding the student visa situation, is it a k1 Visa you are petitioning for ? if so this link will have all your answers http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/300-general-k1-guides-and-info/

Oh look, someone mentions "Irish sausages" and I miraculously reappear.

Thanks to all of you for remembering me, and thanks especially for your prayers. We need them.

Clearly, with all of these UK moves to Texas, I am going to have to invest in a box of cowboy hats.

I'm glad you're all still here, and C2C, it was lovely to see an update from you. One of the things I complained about when Hubby was here visiting was his tea cup (always on the furniture with no coaster). I would give ANYTHING to have him slopping a big mug of tea from one end of this house to another right now. When you reach a bump in your relationship, just think back to how hard you fought to be together, and I'll bet whatever you are facing will pale in comparison to the 601 struggle.

As for us, wow. What a whirlwind these past 6 weeks have been. It took me a good week to start eating again, then another 2-3 weeks of therapy to be able to function properly. I really just wanted to die. God has other plans for me, I guess, because here I am.

We did hire Mr. Heller as our attorney, and he has been wonderful. He spent an awful lot of time answering what must have seemed to him an unending series of questions. He did a really good job for us, and he's hopeful. I, however, am not. If you've been in this thread for a while, you know that I have had way too many "ups" that turned to "downs" in very cruel ways. It nearly killed me, and as a result, I refuse to have hope. The entire process has been so unfair to us, and having hired a good attorney NOW, I truly do see the differences. It is so hard to tell when you have hired a good attorney. I mean, how do you really know? Our first one talked the good talk, but when there are mere days before the interview and the waiver packet isn't complete, you know there's a problem. He just threw it together. I wrote my own hardship letter, my husband wrote his own letter, and all the attorney did was type up the 601 form. I paid him thousands to fill in forms that I could have filled out myself. He offered no guidance on the hardship letters or anything. He filed no legal memorandum or anything. It was all done last-minute, and we paid the price for it. This time around, we received much more guidance, and Mr. Heller seems to be not only an intelligent man, but a compassionate one, which is sorely needed when one is as tender as I am these days.

So, we did get the appeal filed on time. So far, I have not received anything to indicate that it has been received by the AAO, so I don't know if that means London is reviewing it, or if the AAO is just backed up in sending cards. All I know is that when I turn the key in my post office box, you would swear there's a hornet's nest in there.

The stress of all of this has been unGodly. I continue to suffer horrific bouts of anxiety and depression, and it is really hard to find the motivation to do much of anything. I truly need the harvest from my garden to get me through, but with everything that has happened, it's nothing but weeds. I try very hard to stay focused at my job, and I'm lucky that my boss is very understanding, but my job requires me to be compassionate and mentally sharp, and as you might imagine, I'm neither of those things right now.

That's the news from Happyville.

Hi Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your recent heartache, its just too cruel for words. lets hopeit doesn't go as long as you think and that your new lawyer will do the business for you , I was very fortunate in my choice of that Steve Pattison of MaGraths in Fitzrovia, London and he came through for us in spades, so if you or anybody else here should ever need a London based Immigration Lawyer he comes highly recommended. I think of you often especially when I hear or read what Obama wants to do for the illegal Mexicans, its just not right and I hope you can hang in there and it all works out in the end. I am in Texas now and preparing to Adjust my status, and THAT is a nightmare compared to the K1 petition.. Steve referred me to a Lawyer in Houston just in case we should need one. Bye for Now Julie and try to keep your spirits up

hi guys, I've searched the forum for the answer to my question but to no avail, so I call upon the good people here for advice on whether it would be ok to type some of the forms for AOS and write some, as my joint sponsor will want to write his and the I-693 will be written by the doctor too, I'm wondering if anyone has had any trouble submitting them completed differently or should I write them all out the same, many thanks for any answers on this

Just in case anyone else sees this -

Dr. Arnold's office is closed - rumour has it that he's retired.

Hi, I just tried Dr Arnolds Office also and you are right, it is closed so in support of the previous posters enquiry - can anyone give us some reasonable civil surgeon names in Texas, preferably Austin or Houston who will transcribe our vaccination records without doing a medical. thanks

Hi C2CG

Thank you so much for the congratulations comment, it has been a long time coming but at least a few of us have now reached the end of the I-601 process.

I guess most of us on here feel very sad for the way Julie was treated with her case, I just hope that now she has continued to persevere and re-submit/appeal the decision and is now using a good lawyer that her outcome will also be positive within a few weeks/months.

We are already married, and had gone for a K3 originally, this ended up turning in to a CR-1 at the Interview when I was denied, the waiver has now overturned these objections and they are now finalizing the process so they can issue the visa, but as we only have 3.5 months left before our second wedding anniversary, we have decided to delay entry in to the US POE until a day or two after our anniversary to avoid having to go through the AOS and having to be under the restrictions of the CR-1.. So hopefully when I do arrive in the USA at my POE which I have decided to be San Francisco I should be issued an IR-1 (10 year green card) and have no more USCIS hassles.

What about you, how is things at your end?

Take care

Andrew

Hi Andrew, well that didn't work did it? lets try again: Thank you for asking we're working things out regarding actually living together, after the lengthy process apart. we're mentally gearing up for the AOS process, I got my Tdap and Flu shots yesterday and now have to get a civil surgeon to transcribe my vacs record as part of the AOS package. We got married in San Antonio, near the Alamo - last week and dont envisage any probs adjusting, its just gonna take another $930 and hopefully will only take a few months till I get CPR status..we're hoping we can do it without a Lawyer, I believe most people do it themselves, all it takes is a little application (said the PG tips monkey) BTW I got some english sausages (well Irish actually) and Rashers and colmans mustard and Mr Kipling Bakewells in Fiesta in Katy Texas in case anybody wants to know, yes folks, we dont have to suffer for our loved ones and miss our favourite foods

Hi C2CG

Thank you so much for the congratulations comment, it has been a long time coming but at least a few of us have now reached the end of the I-601 process.

I guess most of us on here feel very sad for the way Julie was treated with her case, I just hope that now she has continued to persevere and re-submit/appeal the decision and is now using a good lawyer that her outcome will also be positive within a few weeks/months.

We are already married, and had gone for a K3 originally, this ended up turning in to a CR-1 at the Interview when I was denied, the waiver has now overturned these objections and they are now finalizing the process so they can issue the visa, but as we only have 3.5 months left before our second wedding anniversary, we have decided to delay entry in to the US POE until a day or two after our anniversary to avoid having to go through the AOS and having to be under the restrictions of the CR-1.. So hopefully when I do arrive in the USA at my POE which I have decided to be San Francisco I should be issued an IR-1 (10 year green card) and have no more USCIS hassles.

What about you, how is things at your end?Hi Andrew and thanks for asking..Things here in Texas are working themselves out as far as the phycial relationship goes, it takes a little getting used to after being apart for so long (no visits to each other during process - and for 6 months before that too as was erroneously flagged as deported and banned therefore not eligible for B2s or VWPs - unbeknownst to myself)but got married in San Antonio, near the Alamo and preparing mentally to take on the challenge of AOS, I have an SSN and had the last of my shots (should have got them done in London and now have to go to a Civil surgeon to validate another form necessary for the AOS process.) I'm sure once all the paperwork has been filed (with another $930)it will just be a matter of time, I dont foresee any complications there..I continue to watch this site as I dont think I'll ever forget how horrible it was in that 'black hole' so, like you, I hope to help others overcome their misery somewhat if I can.

Take care

Andrew

Congrats, J nurse, TexasBantam and Andrew and Traci I only wish Julie were with us in our approved Gang, I'm sure you're all with me in combining our thoughts and prayers for the best outcome for here and her Irishman.. Now comes the hard part..living with each other, and if you're not married already - going thru with that ! and applying for AOS - which is even more intense than the original petition stuff..wishing you all an easy POE and the best of luck for the future

Thanks, C2C. I used to think that the wait was the worst thing ever. I was wrong.

The overstay thing was a mistake on the part of USCIS. They issued an amended denial & denied us for CIMT & misrep. I don't know if we have any hope at all, but I guess we're going to try it. That denial was harsh - the words are stuck in my brain, and I could nearly quote it word-for-word. I pray none of you ever experience this.

My heart goes out to you Julie, but please think about what I said regarding your congressman, keep on him hard, in a dire case like this he really can make a difference, load him up on your traumatic situation and dont let up, I think he's probably your best bet right now, I'm wishing you all the best of Good Luck and try to stay positive

He never overstayed by even a day. We were careful to make sure he was out on time, because we knew that was our responsibility. In their own decision, they quote his entry dates, there's not 6 months between any of them.

Hi julie, I cannot tell you how upset I was to hear of your bad news, especially as I had been so fortunate with my case - it could have gone another way - and I wished with everything I had that you all could get good news and soon, I am happy to see that you've got another lawyer and are going to keep on with your case, and I hope he is the right man for the job, I told my fiance who said that your congressman is quite a powerful man and should be kept up with also as you have an ongoing thing with his office and they really can make a difference, (even though they got your information wrong sometimes). It would seem that USCIS also got your facts wrong with the overstay issue and hopefully when that is cleared up it may pave the way for a total re-think with a better decision. Keep your head up and have faith, it HAS to work out one day

Hey Guys, I just thought I'd check in before I go. Sorry to see you're all still waiting and I hope yourcases will all be cleared up soon, I'll be thinking of you.. I got my visa back yesterday and it was an amazing sight to behold. It took six months from my interview in total. It took three months almost to the day from the waiver decision but now its all over and we can begin our lives together and the despair has already begun to fade, as it will for all of you guys, please stay strong and I will be hoping and praying for you every day and checking the site to get the good news. Thank you all again for all your support,encouragement, and good wishes. Adios for now

Well, my joy has been snatched from me.

I think maybe the Congressman called the London EMBASSY, who of course told them that they would need to contact the Dublin Visa Unit about our case, because the file begins with DBL. I called DOS today & they show no record of the file being sent back to the Dublin Visa Unit.

So, I guess hope is dashed. This is what I get for allowing myself to be hopeful.

It's a cruel, cruel day.

Chin up J..this is but a drop in the ocean, for what its worth I have never, in my 2 years of studying these sites seen any evidence of a successful attempt by a Congressmans Office to assist anyone so while it may have given you some hope at first, dont be too disheartened and try to continue to do these things by yourself as IMO you just drive yourself even madder dealing with these offices..nobody knows your case, and what to expect, more than you.

I'm second-guessing myself now. Did I hear her right? Did she REALLY say that it was back in the visa unit? Did they misinform her? Did she give them the wrong case number?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julie, get your hubby to call DOS in London, I'm sure they will update him if it has in fact gone back to Dublin, and if it has I'd bet that it's gone there for visa issuance,as thats where they would have to issue it from, not London. but it could still take a little time as it did with me ! They came to get my passport today

I believe the answer is... I would pass out.

My congressman made an official inquiry, so we'll just have to wait. I suppose it's possible that the USCIS may have decided that we require another filing? Or maybe if there's an RFE, it is done through Dublin? Too many unknowns. This will be a long, long weekend.

Everything crossed for you Julie !

JonnyQuest, thanks for the support. I knew you were trying to be helpful, and I appreciate it. It was really nice of you.

Tree, vent away. That's what our thread is for. Anybody who has spent even ONE DAY of separation due to immigration issues, be it waiting for an interview, AP, waiver, deportion, or whatever, has experienced some degree of frustration. All we really want is to be with our loved ones and begin a life together. I often think to myself that there are sooo many others worse than I. I read a horror story about a man of Mexican birth who was brought here from age 2. He didn't even speak Spanish. Married an American citizen, had a family, built a business. He never took the steps to become legal and they finally caught up with him and deported him back to a country he hasn't seen since age 2. While some people may say that he got what he deserved, I just plain feel BAD for him. No matter what anyone says, he and his family are suffering at this time. And I don't like suffering in any form.

Andrew, as always, thank you for your snappy analysis of the latest update. I would expect to see a mammoth update shortly. I really think these things sit in "completed" status on a pile until a final signature is added. Until that occurs, however, they can't be added to the completed line.

And last, but not least....I wanted to extend a HUGE congratulations to C2C, who has waited patiently and optimistically for SO long. I hope you'll come back to visit us often, but if you put all of this mess behind you, I certainly wouldn't blame you.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

Thank you Julie, I only wish you could all be in my situation now, its funny but I had started to feel like it would NEVER happen and in that respect TREE was right, the call did come when I least expected it, I didn't even answer the phone I was busy and let it go through to the answermachine then scrambled like mad when a message was being left. I couldn't believe my ears, they were pounding so much I thought it was a 'wind up' until he gave me the number to call the courier service.. it could happen any time, and it will and this whole mess will be behind you and Andrew and Traci and Tree and all you other hopers out there. dont give up and I will visit again often I'm sure

Congratulations!!! :dance: That's fab news

Thank you Tree.. and I truly wish you all this joy..and soon. I will keep you all posted too

C O N G R A T S CITY2COUNTRYGIRL!!!!!

That is such FANTASTIC news!!!!! We needed to hear some good news today!! Question - when your case completed in March were you told that you were being placed into AP or has it just taken this long to finally get your visa? Also did the Embassy ask for your passport in March and how did they contact you then?? Thanks for the help - just trying to figure out what happens once you're moved to completed on the update list. Congrats again and please keep us posted!!!

Traci

Hi Traci. anything to help - in March, I received a letter by post concluding my I-212 and was told that DOS had been informed (no mention of AP) and no request then for my passport, all I heard from then until now was that my case was still under review,. I think my case, while not being too complicated, still required further clarification between departments and wouldn't cite it as typical so please dont think that your one will take as long from the decision, as all cases are different. I have been in turn, hopefull, depressed and distraught over this delay but I must tell you that when you get this news all of that melts away and you forget it very quickly so please bear up and I'm sure that your time will come soon.

hi Guys.. you're not gonna believe this.. I can hardly believe it myself but this monring I received a call from the Embassy and my case has been approved and visa ready to be issued within days So please hang in there everyone, your day will come and you will be as happy as we are. Petition: May 2009 - interview Sept 2009 - I-212 completed March 2010. Good Luck everyone and may God be with you

Just knowing I will not hear any news on the weekends makes me wish the weekend away. I know I will hear something soon so it seems time is at a stand still. I find myself scrubbing my frustrations LOL Maybe I should get a parttime job cleaning on weekends.

Hey Waz.. I was like that too, before I went beyond it and weekends became, in a way somewhat of a relief to not expecting the phone to ring any minute or an e-mail arriving, then it became a little of both, then I just went lol - six months since my interview, 10 weeks since I-212 case completed.

aw dont say that. i hope we all hear good news this week.

aw dont say that. i hope we all hear good news this week.

I'm just kidding and thanks for your good hope ! I wish it too for everyone but I'm not holding my breath I did some things over the weekend that I was waiting to do just before heading off, like refresh my highlights, body waxing, botox etc., and may even go on a short trip abroad, I can't keep waiting and hoping, and maybe something will break then!

ugh darn them and to think i was waitting that whole week lol. i hope they call this week so my hubby can be here for his birthday.

Birthday ? Hah.. I'll be lucky to get there before I'm totally grey and wrinkled

Mmmm, bar-b-que! I love Tex-Mex food.

I sure hope you get that magical phone call soon!

Tomorrow's Friday - maybe an update? We haven't heard from Andrew for a while. Andrew, if you're out there, have you burst a vein in your forehead? I've been dangerously close to it myself during the course of the last year.

I went to my Neurologist today & they diagnosed me with narcolepsy. I spent about half an hour asking questions, going over my treatment plan, etc. I got back to my office and proceeded to tell the entire world. LOL. The phone rang and the Neurologist said, "Um, I'm really embarrassed, but.... well, er, my staff put the wrong sleep study in your chart."

So I came home after that mess to find that my neighbor had removed my roof. Yes, that's right: removed. my. roof. I'm a writer and I can't make up stories this good.

Ah, what can you do but laugh, right?

This rotten day sure would be forgotten if we got good news tomorrow.

Well maybe (if i ever get there) you and your hubby can visit us in Texas for some great barbecue.. what a disaster with your medical situation !!**?? honestly, those people are incredible, (had you found yourself nodding off? - its probably stress, anxiety and sleeping badly, as these are symptoms affecting us all.. And then your roof !!!!! I hope he put it back At least there is some stuff going on to take your mind off things, even though its not what you'd order and on the positive side it does give you fodder for your novel, 'truth is stranger than fiction' as they say Well according to Update Andy..nothing much has happened today so I wish you a good weekend and look forward to something on monday

Still no news for me ..could someone please send me a link to AP case status sheet, I've looked everywhere but cannot find it, who knows I might be on it

Hi Guys - happy Friday...I hope... Good luck for an update today !

Thanks, C2C. It's the new POSITIVE me. I'm just sort of "trying it on," admiring it in the mirror & such. Like everything else, I'm sure it'll eventually wear out. It is truly hard not to despair. Patience was never my strong point.

There aren't an abundance of Indian restaurants here in the sticks of Pennsylvania, but if I ever get to one in the city, I will try the Tandoori. Right now, I'm eating one of my masterpiece salads - spinach, arugula, tomatoes, black olives, green olives, capers, garbanzo beans, croutons, and parmesan cheese. All sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. It's my standard lunch & I never get tired of it.

I noticed yesterday that my garden greens are growing. It won't be long before I'm eating freshly grown lunches. The strawberries are green yet, but they have huge, and I do mean HUGE, berries on them. In a few weeks, I'll be feasting. Here's hoping that my husband will be here to enjoy them with me before the plants are exhausted.

I've been writing a novel, but I have discovered some new motivation for completing it and getting published. If I am ever given a voice, you can bet your a$$ that I will write a novel taht will somehow, some way, get our sufferings onto the bestseller list.

Hi Julie, Its great to hear of your new positive attitude, and I hope it fits well ! i'll bet your husband will be able to bring over some Tandoori Paste then you can make some yourself.. Your salad sounds gorgeous, right up my street as they say I cannot wait to get to Texas for the best barbecue in the world and, of course, all the tex-mex you can eat and they have great salads there too ! its funny but patience was never my strong point either but when you just have absolutely no choice, well, you have to grin and bear it dont you ? i'm still waiting to hear something any minute, hour, day, week but every day that goes by brings me closer to my darlin' and I really do feel sure that, although they are making you wait, you ARE married and you have been honest, that when you do hear it will be good news, so keep up the positive, try not to let it make you ill, and even though at times it may seem like its the hardest and worst thing you've ever had to do, it inevitably will be over soon at least the novel can be used as an outlet and do let us know if you become rich and famous

So true, c2c, but I thought that we agreed that this whole process wasn't very rational, and that we're all a bit mad I use every trick I can think of to take my mind of things whilst at the same time hoping that the next time I check my email (which is several times a day ) or that even the next time the phone rings, it'll be good news from the embassy or my husband.

I called the DOS twice today, and the second lady was much more helpful, and based on what she said it seems it's true that contacting one's Congressman/woman helps, even if it is only a little bit. Have you and your SO given this a try yet?

Hi Tree.. My SO's Congressman's office has been contacted during this nightmare but it seemed like they had no experience in these things and not very interested in getting any ! and after reading several accounts on here and other forums I have concluded that there is a great possibility of nothing useful coming of it.. also it could even harm ones case, I've e-mailed and received 'under review' replies and apart from that, I'm just like you and have to get through every day as best as I can and just wait for the e-mail or the phone call, I am lucky really, despite everything there are some who are worse off around the world, so I try to count my blessings and not wish my life away too much . Good Luck for this week