Are you currently in Administrative Processing?

[lalouse 1]

Hi all,

Just trying to figure out how many people are currently in administrative processing (AP) on this forum right now? I know MENA is NOT super active, but I think so many of us are in AP it's ridiculous. Please fill out the poll and let us know what you're experiencing. I'm trying to gather more information about people's different experiences in AP. Apologies if I missed your country in the poll; I tried to base it on the AP conversations that I've been seeing.

Thank you all.

Lama

Edited October 23, 2011 by Lama&Hasan

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

AP is a necessary thing to do sometimes. I don't consider it racist or undemocratic. Documents are verified, home investigations are done, fraud exposed and National security is protected. The system is back logged, there are not enough agents for all the cases. I do however find the process of AP extremely non transparent and believe things could be handled differently and in a more timely manner with forthcoming communication from the CO instead of vague generalizations and avoidance of explanations. The petitioner/ beneficiary feel like they are lost in an abyss never to resurface. This too shall pass. At times it is used as a deterrent and stalling tool and that makes it unacceptable when all else is in order.

[lalouse 1]

AP is a necessary thing to do sometimes. Agreed, but not to every Middle Eastern man with a Muslim name. For us, based on what my congressman and senator have told me, it's not about verifying the relationship... it's about homeland security, and that is where our files are. The embassies have to wait for a security clearance from Homeland Security. Yes, that might be necessary sometimes, but it is racist when it is done to every Middle Eastern man with a Muslim name. We're not all a threat to national security, believe it or not.

The goal of this poll is to see who is experiencing it and whether we can do something about it. I can't necessarily comment on the other kinds of AP out there (validating relationships, etc.. ), as I only know what I know from my experience and speaking with others like me.

Lama

[HateAP 0]

Not only is it Racist, but it is also causing so much pain and suffering to so many people. They spend so much time trying to figure out if we are a threat to National Security, fine I understand that, but sometimes the information provided to them is pretty clear who is and who isn't. Plus they spend so much time focusing on OUR documents and clearance while the real people who really are a threat are overlooked somehow. At the end, we the normal people with true legal documents are paying the price for some others action(a terrorist) or the incompetence of workers in the DOS or DHLS or whatever!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Then how do you suggest to sift the good guys from the bad guys ? What is the solution and how would you change things.

Whom would you put in AP and why ? Bring solutions to the table.

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

Then how do you suggest to sift the good guys from the bad guys ? What is the solution and how would you change things.

Whom would you put in AP and why ? Bring solutions to the table.

Alphabetical order, wahahahaha!! (no, i take that back my husbands surname begins with M) lol

[lalouse 1]

You know, I'm not even gonna get into this. if you think it is fair to racially select people into AP, then that's fine. I'm not going to try and get into arguments with racist people. I'm not saying that they shouldn't do AP, but overdoing it in the Arab countries is the wrong thing to do.

The airports used to racially select out the Arab travellers, including an Arab-looking woman like me who is a US citizen, and make sure that we went through additional, often time-consuming searches. President Obama realized that this was a racist, backwards practice and he ENDED it. Since then, I've thankfully never been singled out because I have an Arab name, and although I know it still does happen because of racist officers, I'm glad the President is working to put an end to it.

Now, was he able to use his brains a bit and find an alternative way to sift through the good guys and the bad guys in the airport?

Yes.

And you should too.

I know that some people may think what I'm saying is harsh to you, but I'm finding it very offensive that your blatantly racist remarks may be considered acceptable.

Then how do you suggest to sift the good guys from the bad guys ? What is the solution and how would you change things.

Whom would you put in AP and why ? Bring solutions to the table.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Lama&Hasan

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

You know, I'm not even gonna get into this. if you think it is fair to racially select people into AP, then that's fine. I'm not going to try and get into arguments with racist people. I'm not saying that they shouldn't do AP, but overdoing it in the Arab countries is the wrong thing to do.

The airports used to racially select out the Arab travellers, including an Arab-looking woman like me who is a US citizen, and make sure that we went through additional, often time-consuming searches. President Obama realized that this was a racist, backwards practice and he ENDED it. Since then, I've thankfully never been singled out because I have an Arab name, and although I know it still does happen because of racist officers, I'm glad the President is working to put an end to it.

Now, was he able to use his brains a bit and find an alternative way to sift through the good guys and the bad guys in the airport?

Yes.

And you should too.

I know that some people may think what I'm saying is harsh to you, but I'm finding it very offensive that your blatantly racist remarks may be considered acceptable.

I honestly think you lost your marbles. I ask you for solutions to sort through fraudulent and honest people other than AP and all you can do is come up with calling me a racist ? Did I say it was acceptable to racially select people for AP ? No. Your perception is extremely paranoid and you read into my response what couldn't be further from the truth. Do you even understand what it takes to petition a change ? Do you think you are the only one that goes through long AP ? What makes you think the Middle East and other countries do not need AP for security checks, fraud checks, document verification, name checks etc... ? This isn't the air port. Reality check. You complain but have no solutions to discuss except getting an attitude. At least most Middle Eastern countries eventually do get approved whereas other countries get denial after denial. Your attitude stinks. About what other people think you being harsh I couldn't care less so don't flatter yourself, I really do not care. You can continue to throw your temper tantrum now by yourself. I am done.

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

Well, it started off as a good thread!! Hope with all the bickering that others will still come in and vote

[Om&Abo Malik 12]

You know, I'm not even gonna get into this. if you think it is fair to racially select people into AP, then that's fine. I'm not going to try and get into arguments with racist people. I'm not saying that they shouldn't do AP, but overdoing it in the Arab countries is the wrong thing to do.

The airports used to racially select out the Arab travellers, including an Arab-looking woman like me who is a US citizen, and make sure that we went through additional, often time-consuming searches. President Obama realized that this was a racist, backwards practice and he ENDED it. Since then, I've thankfully never been singled out because I have an Arab name, and although I know it still does happen because of racist officers, I'm glad the President is working to put an end to it.

Now, was he able to use his brains a bit and find an alternative way to sift through the good guys and the bad guys in the airport?

Yes.

And you should too.

I know that some people may think what I'm saying is harsh to you, but I'm finding it very offensive that your blatantly racist remarks may be considered acceptable.

I don't necessarily believe it's racial selection. AP is a fact for a great number of countries including the UK and Canada and Mexico. There are some countries that it is considered "mandatory" those would be middle eastern nations. (although really some in those countries don't get AP so it's hard to see that it actually is "mandatory". We have visas coming 3 days after the interview here in egypt and some 1 week, 2 or 3.

To me, the only unfair thing is that some get AP and others fly out with visa's week later in a place that is on the list of "mandatory" and that preference is given in most cases to fiances and those who share same nationality with their foreign spouse who happens to be us citizen. Meanwhile us citizens married to foreign nationals and have lived together and have family together wait it out past the rest.

[ineedhelp 0]

WHAT A MESS THAT WAS....

m so glad I am over this mess... thank God...

[Josie-Be-Happy 11]

I agree with you, Lama and the poll's results can be quite interesting if more people respond. You may want to consider moving this poll outside of MENA since AP is used in other countries outside of MENA.. There are countries that are targeted for AP, and very common in the middle east. I understand the reason for AP, but the process should not be so long. I have seen VJ members on here that have been and still undergoing the AP process for months. It takes a lot of time to get to the interview stage only to find that the wait is not over. The separation is heartbreaking when two people just want to unite and finally live their lives together.

I wish you all the best and hope that your fiance's AP will soon come to an end.

[EAbbas 213]

my husband and i didnt mind the hour long interview, we didnt mind the CO calling me 5 weeks after we submitted a crazy document after the interview (an apt lease showing who lives in the apt) and we didnt mind the questions he asked to verify our relationship. What we do mind is being told we cant technically tell you that your approved but I can say that your case is fine and nothing to worry about but we have to do name checks now that evthing is verified and in place.

Ok.. so they waited until 5 weeks later to BEGIN name checks... that we can handle .... but at almost 5 months AFTER the interview and we still know NOTHING BUT PENDING??? are you kidding me?? THey can only say there was an update in August cant tell you what it was but they say our case is fine just processing and when its complete they will call...

thats what I mind... We know name checks can take a while but at wht point is enough enough???????? They should be able to complete it within 3 months tops.

[Confused 2 94]

You know, I'm not even gonna get into this. if you think it is fair to racially select people into AP, then that's fine. I'm not going to try and get into arguments with racist people. I'm not saying that they shouldn't do AP, but overdoing it in the Arab countries is the wrong thing to do.

The airports used to racially select out the Arab travellers, including an Arab-looking woman like me who is a US citizen, and make sure that we went through additional, often time-consuming searches. President Obama realized that this was a racist, backwards practice and he ENDED it. Since then, I've thankfully never been singled out because I have an Arab name, and although I know it still does happen because of racist officers, I'm glad the President is working to put an end to it.

Now, was he able to use his brains a bit and find an alternative way to sift through the good guys and the bad guys in the airport?

Yes.

And you should too.

I know that some people may think what I'm saying is harsh to you, but I'm finding it very offensive that your blatantly racist remarks may be considered acceptable.

Unfortunately, in today's world it is easier to call anybody racist but heaven forbid if a country try and do additional check on countries where more than 99% of the terrorists with ill intentions for the US come from. Being an Arab for you is a problem not because the US is trying to stop you from coming in but because most of your kin with similar names are trying to come in with all kinds of destructive intentions. For once, instead of calling the people trying to stop another 9/11 from happening as 'Racists' maybe you can have the balls to tell those terrorists to 'Stop' so you can have a more normal life just like the rest of us who do have their loyalties and prayers with America.

[nurse1967 287]

Unfortunately, in today's world it is easier to call anybody racist but heaven forbid if a country try and do additional check on countries where more than 99% of the terrorists with ill intentions for the US come from. Being an Arab for you is a problem not because the US is trying to stop you from coming in but because most of your kin with similar names are trying to come in with all kinds of destructive intentions. For once, instead of calling the people trying to stop another 9/11 from happening as 'Racists' maybe you can have the balls to tell those terrorists to 'Stop' so you can have a more normal life just like the rest of us who do have their loyalties and prayers with America.

I couldn't agree with you more. My husband is Egyptian and we had AP, only little over 3 weeks. I would rather they take the time up front to single out the fraudsters and threats to our safety. It is amazing that you will never hear Arabs denounce those who give their race and culture a bad name. It's much easier to whine about racism.