schretel

I just found this petition within this forum. Would you consider signing it? Who knows it may help all of us!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/

Hi everyone,

My fiance was denied his visa at the consulate in March...but today I got this message from USCIS

Post Decision Activity

On April 25, 2011, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please contact them directly.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

Can anyone explain what it means? Does this mean it's being sent back to the consulate or is this the NOID I've been hearing about? To me it sounds positive, but I wanted to ask before I get all excited!

Thanks for any input!

Jennifer

Hi,

My fiance is working abroad and we are wondering which consulate would he have his interview at: his home country or his new residence? He was denied at his first interview in his home country and now that he is working abroad we have no idea which consulate he would use to continue the process. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I've wondered a lot what I think the consulate could or should do differently, but I keep going back to the fact that if I were a CO, I'd give out FEWER visas than they do. I'm worried that just saying, "Well, your paperwork appears to be in order and you passed a background check, so you're in!" would open up the flood gates. The harder it is for a scammer to get through, the more scammers will give up or decide it's not even worth trying. It's like that statistic about how 75% of denied couples don't bother refiling. I'm sure some of that 75% is made up of legitimate couples who couldn't handle the separation ... although I'd argue that those relationships weren't that serious, even if they were honest, if they broke up over one denial. Anyway, that means that who knows how many hundreds (thousands??) of women were saved heartache after their SO was denied and disappeared. I don't know, I don't have a good solution, but when I look at the statistics....75% not even sticking it through a denial, and who knows HOW many ending up being fraud even after they got through the visa process (50%? 75%? 90%??), it seems crazy to me to let in everyone who can pass a background check when only 1 out of 20, or whatever, will end up sticking around. And if word got around in all the cyber cafes that everyone with a clean police record gets in, I imagine even more scammers would try their luck at the online dating scene...

I have a question about this 75% who don't refile. Is it they don't refile a fiance visa or they don't refile for anything at all? I mean, yeah they may go in with a K1 fiance then get married and go CR-1. In my case, I have a feeling the petition will expire before we can do anything about it. So, this summer we were planning on marrying anyway, so we will and file CR-1. But does that mean I am part of the 75%? Just curious because I am unsure where this "magical" number came from. Does anyone know the specifics? Thanks!

What was the purpose of the letter they say he copied from the internet?

How long was the interview? What questions were asked?

In what way are you thinking you'll be a burden to his family?

The purpose of the letter was just to tell me how he felt. A simple email before we filed to let me know he loved me and wanted to be with me. It was nothing more that a simple piece of evidence they choose to pick out amidst the hundreds of pages of conversations, etc.

The interivew was over an hour. They asked all sorts of questions, from what we talk about to my political views, but she only chose to focus on the length of my stay and the letter he wrote. He has the feeling as soon as he started answering questions that she wasn't going to approve him.

I think I will be a burden to the family because I will be living with them this summer. His family is not well off and putting up another person for a few months will be at least a financial burden for them. Not to mention they will want to throw us a wedding. I know they will do whatever they can to do so without thinking of the costs. That's what I mean by being a burden. this is something I do not want to do.

I was told that the K1 petition is only valid 4 months after its approval. Our approval date was 26 Jan. I only meant if no extension was filed it would be expired by June and we could get married then file the K1 spousal.

I am looking into trying to find work in Morocco teaching English at least for the summer. Does anyone have any leads? I have taught English abroad before, but I only have a teaching certificate from the states to teach general English. Thanks for any leads you may have.

Most likely the age is one of the issues but they will not put that in black and white. Are there other possible issues? Have you been married before, any kids, culture, religion, did you stay with his family, does he have any family in the USA......go over each question that was asked at the interview. You'll need to address the issues at the next interview and next filing.

I have never been married, I have no kids. Neither of us are very religious and the discussions we've had on the subject are compatible. We have different faiths, but the basic beliefs are the same.

I did stay with his family, they accepted me with open arms, communicated to me that they approved of the marriage. His mother was so sweet, while we were watching the cousin's wedding video...she put a ring on her finger, pointed at me and Salah and then did the ever famous Arabic cry that women do with their tongue...it was so cute! hahaha The little things his family did proved to me they approved of our marriage. I was immediately taken in as a member of their family. So I know his family accepts me.

The interviewer claims he copied a letter off the internet. He DID research letters to find something good to say, but he never copied it. I think we all use the internet to find a better way to say what we want to say from time to time. She also claims he said we could get to know one another better after he got here. This of course was said AFTER she gave him the rejection letter and he was pleading with her that we have a bona fide relationship.

The only issue they have against our petition is my 9 day visit, and they didn't want to give it to him, so they didn't. From what I understand the petition was sent off immediately. I guess so we couldn't fight it while it was still in Casa.

I know my visit wasn't long but it took a lot of planning to even get me to Morocco for those 9 days. So this summer not only do I have to find the money to go back, but we have to be a burden on his family for several weeks and plan a wedding. I just feel this is unfair to everyone involved.

The only available step now is to wait a month until USCIS reviews it then fight it. Either that or we wait until the K1 has expired and I travel to Morocco to marry him there. Another several thousand dollars just to be with him. It really disgusts me, but I guess that's the only way we can be together.

Very sorry you guys got this denial. Me and my fiance haven't had the interview yet. We have lots of things "against" us, the age being one of them. I too want to add my "good luck" from here on out. A summer together ahhhh sounds like just what the doctor ordered! Good luck, really. I hope all will resolve in the best possible way for you!

I finally got an answer from the consulate, it wasn't the issue of age. I believe that's because it is against our US laws to discriminate based on age. They will find another reason if they want to. Our reason was my 9 day stay...not long enough for them to think we wanted to get married. But the months before and after talking daily for hours didn't give us a clue, I guess.

I sincerely believe they were going to use that excuse until they were blue in the face. So, we were doomed even before the interview. In my opinion, it's not right to have your decision made before the interview. Or if that is the case, why take someone's hard earned money and waste both the interviewer's and the interviewee's time? That is my biggest problem with it all.

I really hope you can make it back to Morocco soon to see him. I truly believe that if you do, marry him there, and file for a CR1, that you won't have problems with a second interview. I know it's hard to get over there, especially with the prices of tickets going up, but you need to. Not only for your case, but for your sanity. You guys make a really handsome couple, btw. I'm sorry you have to go through this

Sarah

haha, thanks for the "handsome" comment...can you see the 14 year age difference? I betcha you can't nor would you see if if you met us. sigh, I hate having something I can't change held over me as to why I can't be with my loved one. I am looking into spending the summer with him. Probably going to do the marriage route if we can't get someone to listen to us before the files gets returned to USCIS.

Btw, your daughter is adorable. I can't wait to have little Moroccan babies too!

hello everyone,

I am now part of the "hi, they denied my fiance his visa" group. Salah had his interview this morning and Nahal Kazeem (sp?) was his interviewer. I hear she's a death sentence, so I wrote directly to her and asked her to reconsider her decision and gave compelling reasons why. I also contacted my senators and congressmen. I am thankful to be given this link to denied visas. Thank you to everyone who has posted things to do...this is exactly what I need to do to keep myself from breaking down.

thanks!

<< I'm sick of people asking for advice/help and then bit$hing because they don't like the reality of the help that is given.

Did you really mean to refer to yourself as "not pretty" >>

I wasn't griping at you, just at the idea that that's all people seem to notice is our age difference. So, sorry if I offended you. I knew it was a red flag, but I didn't think that it would be as big of an idea as it has been. I figured if his family accepted me, why can't the consulate?

I meant "petty," as marked by narrowness of mind, ideas, or views. That's how Salah sees most women his age, so he prefers older women. I see that quite a bit with educated people his age. The "average" 20 something year old woman isn't after a partnership with equality but often wishes for one where she is treated like the princess she feels she is. Not many men anywhere in their 20s can support princesses.

In all objectivity, from the very little you have said, it sounds like two very large red flags to overcome. The congressman/senator are the only two people I know that can intervene at this level. You can also ask the consulate to allow you to provide more evidence, but I don't know if that would work because you spent so little time in Morocco.

Did you meet his family while you were there? You mentioned burdening his family, so it's unclear if you met them or not.

I did meet his family. Spent quite a bit of time with them. I didn't want to go to Morocco on my first visit and spend months with his family. They didn't know me and I didn't want to be a burden, so we decided 9 days was a good time period.

I have written congressmen and senators and even Obama's office asking for help. I emailed the consulate and asked for a second interview if possible.

I understand the 14 year difference is a red flag, but I don't look or act my age. Salah prefers older people who aren't petty and immature. I prefer the company of younger people, I always have, so our ages didn't matter to us at all. It's not like we are mother and son age, and it's not exactly like something we can change either, is it? I'm not griping at you, but it is frustrating when that's all people see when they look at our details. It's not an issue of age for us, so why is it for everyone else?

I am really sorry to hear that. I hope you can get another interview before it gets sent back.

Do you know how we can request this?

I was there for 9 days in June. The flight is very expensive and we didn't want to burden his family with my stay of weeks and weeks. I tried to go back over in November, but we were saving up for the interview fees.

We do have an age difference of 14 years. But I don't act my age and he often acts older than me! haha So, that and "short" visit are the only red flags.

Do you know why they aren't reviewing K-1s? I mean, it may not be a lot of money to them, but we've "wasted" nearly $2000 already and now a trip this summer? I wish I had a rich uncle...

Hi everyone...I'm so upset right now. My fiance was denied his visa this morning because my visit to Morocco was too short. I am trying to find out who I need to write to complain. I know my congressman, but who else? I am more than willing to flood the government with my letters.

Thanks!

The consulate emailed and said I-134 is what they are requiring "today." I went ahead and prepared both forms...easier and if they change their mind my fiance has both...want to make sure he has proof for anything they throw his way.

We were touched on Oct. 3rd too. We filed end of July.

pfft, I personally found the story amusing and quite "Orwell-esque" I think if one is familiar with this type of literature they can see the sarcasm and identify with it. AI142 hit it on the nail...I mean think about his ID...he's a number just like anyone else in an Orwell "state." Bravo, kudos, and congrats...a great way to vent and oh so well done!

I'm with you! I have been so depressed and little things now make me so upset and angry. My fiance must be wondering if he's getting married to a psycho! haha

I wonder if we can get the case expedited if we claim medical emergency? I'm not thinking this just to get a quicker response, but it is literally making life had to handle. Every day my life is consumed with checking USCIS for a response and freaking out at every chance I get. I'm at my wit's end and I wonder if anything will ever get better. Does anyone else have problems with the depression associated with this waiting endlessly?

"Hanging in There", I'm sorry this has happened to you, but I think the best thing to do is realize that the actions of this individual is not necessarily Muslim, but just rudeness. I know several people have rejected my invitations in the past based on religion, color of my skin, and political beliefs. I can either be upset about these rejections or simply keep trying to invite people and share my life with them. Maybe instead of trying to ask about radical Muslims, just think of it as rude people who cannot seem to accept others regardless of their actions? Because after all, it only takes on person to change the world. Maybe the next invitation will be accepted and the world will be a brighter place? Happy Holidays!

A lot of us are in the same boat. Vermont doesn't seem to be getting too many cases done lately. Lots of rumors going around, but since not that many of us have our NOA2 from July, think of it as a good sign. What I mean is, they aren't just keeping yours from you...they are keeping everyone's. So, as sad as it is, we may not see anything until after the New Year. I'm hoping the centers will be plagued by all of us calling and start working on K-1 visas again.

Good luck!

I know it's frustrating, but it's just not you. If you look at all the people on VJ who haven't gotten approved since June you'll see you aren't alone. And to be honest, those are the only petitions that are registered on here. So, what is happening in Vermont?! Most of us would love to know. It's completely frustrating, but think of it this way...if none of us are getting approvals then that's a good sign. It means they are doing something else. Otherwise, it'd be your individual petition itself. So, blessing in disguise? Let's hope so.

Our five month period is up on the 29th. Good luck to everyone...I hope they remember about us soon!

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew exactly when one should start gathering the necessary paperwork for the interview. My fiance is Moroccan and I guess documents "expire" after three months. We don't want to wait too long and not have everything ready for his interview...whenever that may be. Should we start collecting the paperwork after the NOA2 or wait until he is contacted by the embassy (or whoever contacts them)? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

It took them at least 10 days to cash my check. I think it's faster with money orders, but then you don't get the number on the back of the check..oh wait, you still don't! hahah

Did you fill out the G-1145 Electronic Notification Form when you filed? I'm hoping I'll get my information this way, though I have still been obsessively checking my status on the site as well =)

How long did it take for them to cash your check? Mine has been there for 4 days now but they haven't cashed it yet.

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit impatient. I just received notification that my check has been cashed and I'd like to see my case on USCIS site, but there are a bunch of numbers on the back of the check. Does anyone know if they are still putting the number on the back of the checks and which one is it?

Thanks!

Jennifer

Thanks everyone. I think I'm just like a nervous bride having second thoughts. When I went to see him in Morocco it was a dream. We stayed with his family, he introduced me to his friends and everyone asked me about our upcoming marriage. During my stay it wasn't all parties and romance...I saw the other side of the "dream." Luckily I got to experience the good with the bad. I had an incredible time there; I truly love his family and they accept me as his future wife.

He's a good guy; I only doubt because I am pessimistic. My true question was really what were my responsibilities. That is if/when things got sour not that I think they would. I agree if I bring him here he is my responsibility...I was trying to find out what that truly meant. Thanks again for your help!