CRI Interview Help

[NativeLisa 0]

I was also told to appeal by congressmen office. I called them three times and they said Jordan Embassy does not reply. She did give me names of no profit organization that may be able to help. I have left a message with no help. The good news is someone told me I can get copies of sms text messages on my phone so i called today and they said yes i can have them for the past 12 months for a charge of 5 bucks per month...they will ship out on a cd in 3 to 4 working days. This will show daily contact for the past year. I also use www.startec.com for all my calls to Jordan and i do them for a few min each day now for a daily record and then use the www.alosmart.com calling cards for longer times.

[NativeLisa 0]

she has contacted her senator. who they say that someone has been assigned to their case and that they would hear something within 4 to 6 weeks regarding it. She really doesnt know what to do at this point. The embassy emailed her back and told her that there was nothing they could tell her that she just needed to contact them here (USCIS) for further information.

I also have contacted my congressman who tells me that we will need to appeal it. Anyone got any ideas? Is there anything else that I can do at this time?

Didn't say anything about senator!~

I dont know what your financial situaton is but I was told to look for a pro bono lawer or low cost since I dont have the financial means to fight this in court. The congressmens office said it would need to be appealed in washing DC. I am clueless right now. I have two kids I am the sole provider and I work six days a week and go to college three days a week............I was not prepared for this. I am not even gong to class today because I came home from work crying my eyes out.

[morocco4ever 63]

Please scan the form they gave you and post it here so we can understand and guide you correctly.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Lisa,

Im so sorry. I dont have any advise, I just want to offer support and prayers.

Is there anything else you can think of that would have made the officer suspicious? (i mean red flags for them)What all did he bring with him? It sounds like you guys had everything 'cept the phone logs.

Lisa

[NativeLisa 0]

Lisa,

Im so sorry. I dont have any advise, I just want to offer support and prayers.

Is there anything else you can think of that would have made the officer suspicious? (i mean red flags for them)What all did he bring with him? It sounds like you guys had everything 'cept the phone logs.

Lisa

He took about 100 emails from me, letters snail mail from me, pictures, phone records. No chats . He said he felt very confident during the interview and was shocked in the end when she returned all original documents and told him he could tell his wife not to bother contacting them and that she could start all over again if she wanted, but if she didnt want to she did not have to. There is not a lot of pictures with family or with him, 90 percent of the time I was the one taking the pictures.

I have given my old computer that crashed to a friend to try to recover chats..............there was a lot.

I know the interviewer asked where i worked and he said the post office, and i am actually a star route contractor for the postal service which means i am SELF EMPLOYED. This could have been a big mistake. He thought they would ask what I did and he would tell them my wife has a contract with the Post Office and she delivers the mail. (She never asked)

She asked if we had a wedding party, he said no. She asked why, he said "we did not have time." The truth was i had a horrible uti infection that turned to a kidney infection from the 3rd day i was in Jordan!! The first doctor visit I was given antibiotics for 7 days. The day after I finished them the pain was worse than in the beginning. We went to another doctor who gave me more antibiotics and performed an ultra sound on my kidneys . She told me that the infection that i had was severe. This doctor said we need to do a sensativity test to find the correct antibiotic....but I would be home by then. She did give me antibotics and told me to go to my own doctor at home and stop taking what she gave me. I returned in agonizing pain during all the flights (3 planes) and went to my doctor the very next day. I was given more antibiotics and was cured this time.

I do have a copy of the doctor visit here that says i had taken cipro for 7 days before seeing him. He never documented everything i told him, like being out of the country. I do have the empty boxes of antibiotics in Arabic here at home that I can copy. I do not have any receipts from those doctors. My husband does know the pharmacist well enough to get a letter from her. The day i left we walked to the pharmacy becaue i was in so much pain. She gave me some coli-urinal effervesent granules from egypt to use only during the plane ride to help with pain. I still have that also. We only visited one place in Irbid together, we had to cancel going anywhere because I was in so much pain.

The interviewer asked if there was letters or emails from him to me he said NO. I had a few, but not many. Most of our conversations have been by telephone, text messages. He never even told her he could get the ones I have. When she asked if he had more proof he looked into his bag and said NO. He thought she was talking about right there and then..............not could he get more proof and provide it. He said he felt shy to say that his wife had an infection and had to use the bathroom every five minutes. Even if the interview was in Arabic he would have given the same answers. He felt he was only suppose to answer he questions, but provide more unless she asked.

Again thanks for any and all help

[morocco4ever 63]

The fact that you didn't have many pictures of all of you together is not good. They would want to see that, along with pictures of you with his family. And letters to you from him is not the best thing either. And no wedding party is kind of the topper. Did he have any copies of your conversations at the interview? I could be wrong, but I suspect that these are the things that got the denial. If I were a CO, and you didn't have any of this proof, I think I would have come to the same conclusion. I have a feeling you guys weren't very prepared. They asked if he had more proof, and that was the opening they gave you to say that you could get more if they needed it, but unfortunately your husband said no. It really is a sad situation. Oh yes, one other question. Does he speak English? It is usually very helpful if he can do the interview in English so that he can prove that the two of you can communicate.

Have you had any luck with finding a good senator or congressman to assist you? Although you can't produce any letters, pictures or proof of the wedding party, if you could gather letters of support for your marriage from both yours and his side of the family. If you could write a letter as well explaining the situation with your UTI, and reasons for the lack of pictures together, and the chat logs, then have a representive submit these it might be helpful.

I think it is time for you to prepare yourself for a long wait. This process is very time consuming, and it is important that you continue to gather evidence. There is no quick fix to this, so your best luck would be to have a representative that will assist you through the next year or longer to get this resolved.

Edited to add that yes, the fact that he answered the question wrong about your employment is a big issue. That would need to be explained as well.

Edited November 9, 2008 by morocco4ever

[NativeLisa 0]

The fact that you didn't have many pictures of all of you together is not good. They would want to see that, along with pictures of you with his family. And letters to you from him is not the best thing either. And no wedding party is kind of the topper. Did he have any copies of your conversations at the interview? I could be wrong, but I suspect that these are the things that got the denial. If I were a CO, and you didn't have any of this proof, I think I would have come to the same conclusion. I have a feeling you guys weren't very prepared. They asked if he had more proof, and that was the opening they gave you to say that you could get more if they needed it, but unfortunately your husband said no. It really is a sad situation. Oh yes, one other question. Does he speak English? It is usually very helpful if he can do the interview in English so that he can prove that the two of you can communicate.

Have you had any luck with finding a good senator or congressman to assist you? Although you can't produce any letters, pictures or proof of the wedding party, if you could gather letters of support for your marriage from both yours and his side of the family. If you could write a letter as well explaining the situation with your UTI, and reasons for the lack of pictures together, and the chat logs, then have a representive submit these it might be helpful.

I think it is time for you to prepare yourself for a long wait. This process is very time consuming, and it is important that you continue to gather evidence. There is no quick fix to this, so your best luck would be to have a representative that will assist you through the next year or longer to get this resolved.

Edited to add that yes, the fact that he answered the question wrong about your employment is a big issue. That would need to be explained as well.

yes he interviewed in English, he is very good in English from all the hours and hours on the phone. No luck with congressmen or senator, but I am putting a binder together ASAP OF ALL OUR PROOF TO SUBMIT TO THEM to see if they will help. I will submit to them emails, chats, copies of outside of envelopes from me to him, sms messages for last year, phone bills, and pictures. This will take a little time as he is sending me all the emails he had from me. I think if I can provide a congressmen or senator with the whole thing they may be more apt to help. That is my hope anyway. It will also include my doctors visit notes and copies of the antibiotics in arabic. What do you think?

I appreciate all your help.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Wow Lisa. I think you guys are in for a big,long battle, or refiling. Im so sorry I would call an immigration lawyer and see what your options are. I never suggest that but, I dont know what else you can do.

Unfourtunatley, all of the key proofs were missing. The whole thing is proving that HE is invested in the relationship. So emails and letters from you, are good.. but the important factor is to show that HE is communicating with you.

It sounds like you guys are gathering all the necessary stuff. Maybe they will consider it, and not make you guys refile. The petition was denied right? So are you trying to get them to overturn the decision? or are you trying to submit more proof before they send it back officially denied? Im unclear on that.

Lisa

[maggieNomar 0]

Sorry you have to go through this, Morocco4Ever is right though. Not many pix together is a big red flag. We became professionals at taking pix of ourselves together (long arms and a digital so we could make sure the pix turned out). The only advice I can offer you is to follow what M4E says to the best of your ability. She is unfortunately a wise woman in this area.

[morocco4ever 63]

The fact that you didn't have many pictures of all of you together is not good. They would want to see that, along with pictures of you with his family. And letters to you from him is not the best thing either. And no wedding party is kind of the topper. Did he have any copies of your conversations at the interview? I could be wrong, but I suspect that these are the things that got the denial. If I were a CO, and you didn't have any of this proof, I think I would have come to the same conclusion. I have a feeling you guys weren't very prepared. They asked if he had more proof, and that was the opening they gave you to say that you could get more if they needed it, but unfortunately your husband said no. It really is a sad situation. Oh yes, one other question. Does he speak English? It is usually very helpful if he can do the interview in English so that he can prove that the two of you can communicate.

Have you had any luck with finding a good senator or congressman to assist you? Although you can't produce any letters, pictures or proof of the wedding party, if you could gather letters of support for your marriage from both yours and his side of the family. If you could write a letter as well explaining the situation with your UTI, and reasons for the lack of pictures together, and the chat logs, then have a representive submit these it might be helpful.

I think it is time for you to prepare yourself for a long wait. This process is very time consuming, and it is important that you continue to gather evidence. There is no quick fix to this, so your best luck would be to have a representative that will assist you through the next year or longer to get this resolved.

Edited to add that yes, the fact that he answered the question wrong about your employment is a big issue. That would need to be explained as well.

yes he interviewed in English, he is very good in English from all the hours and hours on the phone. No luck with congressmen or senator, but I am putting a binder together ASAP OF ALL OUR PROOF TO SUBMIT TO THEM to see if they will help. I will submit to them emails, chats, copies of outside of envelopes from me to him, sms messages for last year, phone bills, and pictures. This will take a little time as he is sending me all the emails he had from me. I think if I can provide a congressmen or senator with the whole thing they may be more apt to help. That is my hope anyway. It will also include my doctors visit notes and copies of the antibiotics in arabic. What do you think?

I appreciate all your help.

To be honest, I think that you have waited to long after the interview, and it will soon be sent back. Once it has left the consulate you have no other option than to wait it out. Was this for the CR1? If yes then it will do no good to refile because you will have a fraud marker on your name. I still highly suggest you keep with a representative. If you could just ask them if they can help you to ensure that your case is followed up with, and not lost in the shuffle.

Is there a chance that you could take some time to go visit him? Two reasons, first you will need some time together to work out this terrible blow. Second, you need to get more serious on collecting evidence that your relationship is real.

I wish I could give you a little more hope on this, but I think you are in for a long wait. If you have a strong marriage you can make it. It was hard on both me and my husband, but it didn't break us, in fact it made us stronger. So just hang in there.

[~kiyah~ 14]

My husband received a 212 (a) (5) (A) NOT A 221g. They returned all his original documents to him at the end of the interview. Can anyone tell me what we can do now? They are returning the petition with the recommendation to revoke.

First, let me say I am so sorry you are going through this, I know this is very difficult.

Second, I don't want to alarm you in any way, but I do need to ask you: are you absolutely SURE that your husband received a 212 refusal? There is a big difference between using a 221g, and a 212 to refuse a visa. The 221g is used to communicate many things to the beneficiary, but when it is used to communicate a refusal, this means that the consular officer has no real ground or proof of ineligibility according to the INA, so they can only refuse the visa using a 221g to notify the beneficary, and return the file to the local service center who originally approved the petition.

However, when they use a 212, they do have specific proof of ineligibility they are refusing to issue the visa under. Here is a link to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)...specifically Section 212.

Section 212 lists specific ineligibilities that the State Department upholds or enforces such as health, criminal, foreign policy, misrepresentation, previous negative immigration status related ineligibilities. Not having enough evidence of your relationship is no reason to deny a visa application using a 212 which is why the 221g is used for many of these returns. There has to be more to this other than you didn't provide enough evidence of your relationship, or your husband would have received a 221g.

Without sharing more personal information online, does this form have any other information on it as in specifics of why the file is being returned? This will tell you what steps you may have available to you, and what you can expect from the USCIS service center who originally approved your petition after they receive your file back.

I do know a great a immigration attorney who specializes in returned and denied visa petitions/applications, I can provide his information for you if you would like. I do think it is very important to understand exactly what your husband received, and if any reason why is given. Send me a PM if you would like his info. Regardless, good luck to you, I pray everything works out for you and your husband.

~kiyah~

...edited because I can't spell today

Edited November 10, 2008 by Kiya

[~kiyah~ 14]

I just read INA section 212(a)(5)(A) and this does not seem like it would be related to your case unless your husband filed for an employment-based visa.

This particular section is specific to employment based immigration and the exclusion of immigrants in the second and third employment-based preference categories, and their ineligibility due to the lack of an approved labor certification.

Do you have a copy of the actual letter your husband received after his interview? How this type of refusal could be related to a family-based petition and visa application doesn't make sense to me in the slightest.

If this is correct, and what this letter says, I would be contacting every senator/congressman available to find out why my husband is being denied a family-based visa under an employment-based ineligibility. I would also be contacting the State Department directly.

~kiyah~

[morocco4ever 63]

I just read INA section 212(a)(5)(A) and this does not seem like it would be related to your case unless your husband filed for an employment-based visa.

This particular section is specific to employment based immigration and the exclusion of immigrants in the second and third employment-based preference categories, and their ineligibility due to the lack of an approved labor certification.

Do you have a copy of the actual letter your husband received after his interview? How this type of refusal could be related to a family-based petition and visa application doesn't make sense to me in the slightest.

If this is correct, and what this letter says, I would be contacting every senator/congressman available to find out why my husband is being denied a family-based visa under an employment-based ineligibility. I would also be contacting the State Department directly.

~kiyah~

I have taken a look at her form, and sure enough they marked the 212(a), and it states that it is to be sent back with the recommendation to revoke. My guess is that they marked it wrong, but it appears that she is having trouble getting a representative to assist her.

[~kiyah~ 14]

Wow...I'm not sure what else to do other than keep on them, keep contacting senate and congress representatives. Contacting the consulate directly via phone, email, etc until someone answers.

I remember when our file was returned, I went through 2 senators before Cornyn's office agreed to help. It did take the consualte in Morocco 3 weeks to answer to them, but they did answer cordially.

One thing I do know is that the State Department answers to congress, so they do eventually have to answer even if they don't give the information you need, they are required to answer inquiries from congress and the senate regarding constituents.

...I would definitely be hiring a lawyer and fighting them with every breathe I have.

Lisa - Even if you don't find out now what the problem is and stop the return, you will find out what you can do when the local service center sends you an NOIR/NOID. That is when I would have a lawyer in my pocket, ready to rebut what ever the issue is.

Until then, keep every single inquiry, document, phone call, names, dates & times. Go see your husband, and definitely gather a ton of evidence to provide with your rebuttal. There are a lot of resources out there for phone calls that you can keep track of dates/times/numbers.

We used IDT.net (Global Call) because of this very reason...yes, we could have saved a few bucks every month by using calling cards, but proof we were talking to each other on a consistent basis was well worth the extra money it cost us in ther long run. When we married and refiled, I provided over 2 years worth of phone records with the original petition.

Keep strong, stay patient. The CR1/IR1 does not expire, so they have to address the return by reviewing the original petition/application. M4E is definitely a great resource to have around, she is a wealth of knowledge in this area

[Nita&Assaad 0]