Will I EVER get to USA?

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Bothering the senator's people doesn't seem to do much good as they say the only thing they can do is to ask about our case from the USCIS once in every 30 days... We're now waiting for Friday when we supposedly will get NEW info. We'll see.

Im sorry to hear that. Mine bothered them and got updates whenever I asked them to, which was pretty often

I hope you do get something on Friday

[mrsB 0]

TIMELINE (approximates)

Married (in Finland) 12/15/2007.

& Got the paperworks started once my

husband returned to USA after Christmas.

Filed I-130 in February 2008.

NOA1 on I-130 on 04/16/2008.

Filed I-129F in April 2008.

NOA1 on I-129F on 06/06/2008 (with our names spelled completely wrong).

Immediately reported the typo regarding I-129F and was told that it's being fixed.

No news from USCIS.

I contact the US Embassy in Helsinki in August 2008 asking about visa waiver & tourist visa, they instruct me to use visa waiver - at my own risk, they also tell me that I should be expecting my visa in October, this calms me down.

Around mid-December 2008 after contacting USCIS we hear that our case has been forwarded to an officer (I guess this means picked up,

already several months late). We also learn that the name on I-129F was never fixed. USCIS recommends dropping the I-129F as it hasn't managed to speed up our process.

No news from USCIS.

I contact the US Embassy in Helsinki 02/02/2009, they are surprised that I still haven't got my visa and instruct me to tell my husband to contact his local congressman. They also agree to send me their package already with the hopes that with the congressman being involved the USCIS will be done in a couple of weeks.

I start gathering up my paperwork for the USCIS.

Husband contacts the congressman/senator 02/03/2009.

Congressman's involvement resulted in USCIS contacting my husband around mid-February 2009, telling him our case is going through FBI name check.

I contact the US Embassy in Helsinki 03/26/2009 in hopes of finding out if they have new ideas or know what's taking so long, all they could tell me was to keep bothering the congressman and the USCIS. They are shocked to see my case STILL stuck with the USCIS and said that the FBI name check shouldn't take more than a few days.

I contact the USCIS 03/27/2009 in hopes of knowing more about our case, but all the info I get is the NOA1 from April 2008. They tell me to tell my husband to call them.

My husband contacts the USCIS 03/27/2009 and is romised more information within 7 days.

I contact the congressman's immigration specialist 03/27/2009 and I'm told that allmthey can do is contact USCIS every 30 days.

Waiting...

Edited March 30, 2009 by mrsB

[cris11 0]

mrsB, Ohhh. I feel so sad and frustrated too when I know your situation. I really hope you get some light on your case, its your time now.. Take care

[jimmypop123 0]

Hey there!! I'm sorry about what you are going through. My wife and I were married in Russia in May of 2008 and we are still waiting as well for her interview date.

I just wanted to give you some advice....DO NOT call the embassy in Helsinki for information or advice, they have no idea what is going on and everything they tell you has no relevance to your case. We also made the mistake of getting information from the embassy in Moscow which was not in any way correct. Only once your I-130 goes to the National Visa Center should you even consider contacting the embassy about your I-130. If you have questions about the visa waiver program, then you can contact the embassy.

Your husbands congressman is the best way to go for help and info on your current status. They can ask more often than every 30 days...some people are just pricks and won't do it. Ask them to be understanding and help you out.

Also something else I have noticed throughout our process....when you talk to someone and get information from them, you need to contact at least 3 other people to confirm the information they give you. Some people tell you stuff that isn't 100% true and you need to talk to a few people about your questions to make sure you get the right information.

We've been waiting for about 10 months now, so I feel a little bit of your pain. Fortunately, I have been able to travel over to Russia to be with her, but their visa restrictions are strict as well. Good luck!!

[mrsB 0]

Happy anniversary (jimmypop123) in advance! I hope you two are luckier than us and actually get to spend it together!

In other news, the embassy (hehe) keeps on telling me I should have no problem just using the visa waiver and yes, in theory I guess there is no problem. BUT. Considering my situation that I live at my parents' and have no permanent job here in Finland AND I'm done with college, I wouldn't have much other proof about my intentions of returning to Finland than a return ticket and my word. And of course the fact that I'm not stupid enough to risk my visa application process and I have family & friends here. Ugh.

Right now I'm just waiting for Friday in hopes of more info and then I'll go from there. I'll keep you posted.

[mrsB 0]

Alright, so it's Friday. My husband called the USCIS and what they could come up during the past 7 days was: "Your case is stuck with the FBI. I cannot tell you when it was sent for the security checks but usually it doesn't take longer than 6 months." So, basically we know nothing that we didn't already know in February, except that if the case was just forwarded to the security check in February, it'll be August before anything else will happen.

I don't really have anything else right now that I could write here, I'm too upset to be able to really form rational sentences.

I now have 2 choices. 1.) Try to go to USA with the visa waiver programme and hope for understanding officials at the airport or 2.) Move on with my own life and start all over either here, or somewhere else in Europe.

I need some time to think.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Alright, so it's Friday. My husband called the USCIS and what they could come up during the past 7 days was: "Your case is stuck with the FBI. I cannot tell you when it was sent for the security checks but usually it doesn't take longer than 6 months." So, basically we know nothing that we didn't already know in February, except that if the case was just forwarded to the security check in February, it'll be August before anything else will happen.

I don't really have anything else right now that I could write here, I'm too upset to be able to really form rational sentences.

I now have 2 choices. 1.) Try to go to USA with the visa waiver programme and hope for understanding officials at the airport or 2.) Move on with my own life and start all over either here, or somewhere else in Europe.

I need some time to think.

So sorry again.

Is there no way for your husband to come visit instead of you coming here and risking being turned away at POE?

[mrsB 0]

He could only come for a week, tops if even that and considering that the travel here and back take 2 days, we'd only really have 5 days together. Not sure if it'd be a good idea to spend half a month's salary on 5 days...

[Y's_habibitk 2]

He could only come for a week, tops if even that and considering that the travel here and back take 2 days, we'd only really have 5 days together. Not sure if it'd be a good idea to spend half a month's salary on 5 days...

I totally understand that.

It's hard to justify spending that kind of money on a plane ticket/trip that only lasts 5 days.

editted to say, sorry I asked. It bugs me when people ask me why I havent gone to see my husband, or "why dont you just go". If I could I would.

Edited April 3, 2009 by Y's_habibitk

[mrsB 0]

Oh it's fine, everyone's always asking it... But it'd just be SO MUCH easier for me to go than for him to come here... He has all of our animals to take care of there (a cat, 2 bearded dragons, a salamander, a black emperor scorpion and a tank full of malawi fish) too who'd need someone to look after them while he's away... Ugh. :/

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Oh it's fine, everyone's always asking it... But it'd just be SO MUCH easier for me to go than for him to come here... He has all of our animals to take care of there (a cat, 2 bearded dragons, a salamander, a black emperor scorpion and a tank full of malawi fish) too who'd need someone to look after them while he's away... Ugh. :/

Cool, I miss my geckos and snakes.

Well, I surely hope you have some progress soon. This is a glaring case of whats wrong with this whole process.

[Arthur Roberta 1]

Yes the process appears to have little humanity or compassion. Immigration appears at times to be not much more than the processing of cattle prior to the slaughterhouse. I truly wish that the new president when he has the time can address what is a poor system. A system which approves some in days whilst others are kept many months if not years to be re-united with their loved ones.

Best wishes

Arthur and Roberta

[lgg 2]

Dear Miss B...

Just wanted to say that I read this and I feel for you. It's so hard, the waiting. You did what I want to do, move, sell my stuff, ship it down to the US but I'm afraid that I'll be left in the lurch due to the possibility of a very long wait and for who knows why?

i'm Canadian and am a nice, harmless person as you are so... you took the plunge that I'm still waiting to make and Kudos to you for that. I hope it goes well and I hope you get there soon.

all the best. Your post made me sad for all of us good people who'd be welcome additions to the US population who have to sit and wait and be at the mercy of the bureaucratic system...

Good luck, keep strong.

LGG

[mrsB 0]

I registered on the USCIS website myself now finally and added the portfolio, wasn't sure if I could do that but apparently so. From there I could see that the case was last updated 03/03/2009, so I guess someone has at least looked at it? Is there any way I could get to see the previous updates as I haven't found a way to do that yet...?

[Hoot 0]

Mrs B,

Sorry to hear about your situation. First of all - don't give up on your relationship - whatever is happening it should clear up in a few months. Some practical advise - there is no price on spending time together - have your husband visit - you will reconnect and it will help ease the pressure of this problem. Even though it is difficult on him - get someone to watch the pets, etc.

Second - get very assertive (but not aggressive) and don't take no from your congressman, senators, and USCIS. Call all the time and push them gently and firmly - in the USA they have a saying the squeaky wheel gets greased" meaning if you complain alot they will address your problem.

Be patient - your life will get resolved.

Hoot