Visa denied in Algeria

[DanniandMary 1]

I am not sure it matters so much why you have only spent one week with him. Rather, you need to explain--and prove with as much documentation as possible--that you have a valid, strong relationship despite having spent very little time together. (baby crying...more in a few...)

We had pics of when we were together, proof of when we wet the first time online, emails, regular mail, phone records for last 9 months (although it was calling card to AFrica). I guess I can get personal letters from friends and family? Not sure what else to get.

[Twisted K 2]

that was excellent advice, jpaula

[DanniandMary 1]

Im sorry April

The ladies here have given some solid advise and pointed you in the right direction... good luck to you and I hope everything turns out as you want it to

JPaula...dead on and correct

Thank you Y's_habibitk! I will not give up. I will keep fighting and do what I can.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

I am not sure it matters so much why you have only spent one week with him. Rather, you need to explain--and prove with as much documentation as possible--that you have a valid, strong relationship despite having spent very little time together. (baby crying...more in a few...)

We had pics of when we were together, proof of when we wet the first time online, emails, regular mail, phone records for last 9 months (although it was calling card to AFrica). I guess I can get personal letters from friends and family? Not sure what else to get.

were the emails and reg mail showing daily communication?

We did have letters from family and friends that we frontloaded into the petition and we also had additional ones to use as proof at the interview but they didnt look at them then.

I do think they help if they are from HIS family.

Showing that they accept you and his marriage is a biggie in MENA. Did you have any pics with his family or friends or anything or were they just you guys together?

Just thinking out loud here

[jpaula 20]

I know when you are in the middle of it you cannot see it from this angle, so let me suggest something.

You met someone on-line from a country I assume you have never been to and knew little about. Several weeks later you were flying across the world to marry him. Certainly in the short time between you had to overcome your own suspicions. Marriage is a big decision in any culture and a particularly serious affair in MENA. What made you decide to marry him? What convinced you that he was sincere in wanting to marry you? Try to think through real details in an unemotional way. For example (I am totally making things up here), you have something specific in common that overcomes large cultural differences. You bonded over x. He has a good job and a full life there but only wants to come to the US because you cannot live in Algeria. You found that you had very similar approaches to life (such as x,y,z) and would be able to make a common life together. I should probably stop making things up and let you make the list, but I hope you get what I am trying to make you think about. Remember, the Consulate has started with a suspicion of his intent and you are trying to show the sincerity of that intent.

Furthermore, I do think family approval is very important to show. Particularly his. You have married into a culture in which families are very involved in these things and the Consulate knows that. They will think it odd, at best, if his family does not approve or is not much involved. Do you have/can you get photos and letters from his family?

This is a document-intensive process. For every point you want to make, think about what you can provide to prove it.

Lastly, luck never hurts either so Good Luck!

[DanniandMary 1]

I just talked to Senators office. They said they do not get involved in recommendations to revoke. They said there is nothing they can do. I was advised that a lot of denials are starting to go through between Muslim men and American women. They also proceeded to tell me also that my husband probably used me for greencard. My husband now wants me to come live with him in Algeria. I would love to but my daughter is not allowed to live more than 50 miles away from her dad and I don't think I could ever give up my daughter and not see her. It would kill me too. I was told my case will go back to California and get put on the bottom of the stack. At that time that USCIS gets around to looking at it they will most likely side with the embassy and deny it. I guess after that I have heard that I have to wait another year before re-applying and starting the process all over again. My husband said he will wait for me his whole life. I am so depressed thinking it could be another 3 years though. I can't stop crying. Trying to keep hope but just keep getting more and more bad news. We did not even get a 221g which is what most denials gets. It was flat out recommend to revoke. That's it.

[DanniandMary 1]

I know when you are in the middle of it you cannot see it from this angle, so let me suggest something.

You met someone on-line from a country I assume you have never been to and knew little about. Several weeks later you were flying across the world to marry him. Certainly in the short time between you had to overcome your own suspicions. Marriage is a big decision in any culture and a particularly serious affair in MENA. What made you decide to marry him? What convinced you that he was sincere in wanting to marry you? Try to think through real details in an unemotional way. For example (I am totally making things up here), you have something specific in common that overcomes large cultural differences. You bonded over x. He has a good job and a full life there but only wants to come to the US because you cannot live in Algeria. You found that you had very similar approaches to life (such as x,y,z) and would be able to make a common life together. I should probably stop making things up and let you make the list, but I hope you get what I am trying to make you think about. Remember, the Consulate has started with a suspicion of his intent and you are trying to show the sincerity of that intent.

Furthermore, I do think family approval is very important to show. Particularly his. You have married into a culture in which families are very involved in these things and the Consulate knows that. They will think it odd, at best, if his family does not approve or is not much involved. Do you have/can you get photos and letters from his family?

This is a document-intensive process. For every point you want to make, think about what you can provide to prove it.

Lastly, luck never hurts either so Good Luck!

Thank you JPaula....I don't even know if they will give me a chance to prove anything. From what I know now it will be a VERY LONG TIME (years) before my husband and I will be together.

[jpaula 20]

I know when you are in the middle of it you cannot see it from this angle, so let me suggest something.

You met someone on-line from a country I assume you have never been to and knew little about. Several weeks later you were flying across the world to marry him. Certainly in the short time between you had to overcome your own suspicions. Marriage is a big decision in any culture and a particularly serious affair in MENA. What made you decide to marry him? What convinced you that he was sincere in wanting to marry you? Try to think through real details in an unemotional way. For example (I am totally making things up here), you have something specific in common that overcomes large cultural differences. You bonded over x. He has a good job and a full life there but only wants to come to the US because you cannot live in Algeria. You found that you had very similar approaches to life (such as x,y,z) and would be able to make a common life together. I should probably stop making things up and let you make the list, but I hope you get what I am trying to make you think about. Remember, the Consulate has started with a suspicion of his intent and you are trying to show the sincerity of that intent.

Furthermore, I do think family approval is very important to show. Particularly his. You have married into a culture in which families are very involved in these things and the Consulate knows that. They will think it odd, at best, if his family does not approve or is not much involved. Do you have/can you get photos and letters from his family?

This is a document-intensive process. For every point you want to make, think about what you can provide to prove it.

Lastly, luck never hurts either so Good Luck!

Thank you JPaula....I don't even know if they will give me a chance to prove anything. From what I know now it will be a VERY LONG TIME (years) before my husband and I will be together.

Some of the members with direct experience with denials will chime in here and give you good advice, but I think the trick is to fire off as much evidence as possible to Algiers before they send it back to California. Otherwise, you are correct. It is a long haul.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Contact your other senator's office, as well as your Representative. Staffers and helpfulness vary widely from office to office.

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

I just talked to Senators office. They said they do not get involved in recommendations to revoke. They said there is nothing they can do. I was advised that a lot of denials are starting to go through between Muslim men and American women. They also proceeded to tell me also that my husband probably used me for greencard. My husband now wants me to come live with him in Algeria. I would love to but my daughter is not allowed to live more than 50 miles away from her dad and I don't think I could ever give up my daughter and not see her. It would kill me too. I was told my case will go back to California and get put on the bottom of the stack. At that time that USCIS gets around to looking at it they will most likely side with the embassy and deny it. I guess after that I have heard that I have to wait another year before re-applying and starting the process all over again. My husband said he will wait for me his whole life. I am so depressed thinking it could be another 3 years though. I can't stop crying. Trying to keep hope but just keep getting more and more bad news. We did not even get a 221g which is what most denials gets. It was flat out recommend to revoke. That's it.

I'm so sorry April, this immigration process is a nightmare, we have no control over it in any form or fashion.

I dont have the words to comfort you, but if you just want someone at other end of phone, you know the number Dearest.

[DanniandMary 1]

I just talked to Senators office. They said they do not get involved in recommendations to revoke. They said there is nothing they can do. I was advised that a lot of denials are starting to go through between Muslim men and American women. They also proceeded to tell me also that my husband probably used me for greencard. My husband now wants me to come live with him in Algeria. I would love to but my daughter is not allowed to live more than 50 miles away from her dad and I don't think I could ever give up my daughter and not see her. It would kill me too. I was told my case will go back to California and get put on the bottom of the stack. At that time that USCIS gets around to looking at it they will most likely side with the embassy and deny it. I guess after that I have heard that I have to wait another year before re-applying and starting the process all over again. My husband said he will wait for me his whole life. I am so depressed thinking it could be another 3 years though. I can't stop crying. Trying to keep hope but just keep getting more and more bad news. We did not even get a 221g which is what most denials gets. It was flat out recommend to revoke. That's it.

I'm so sorry April, this immigration process is a nightmare, we have no control over it in any form or fashion.

I dont have the words to comfort you, but if you just want someone at other end of phone, you know the number Dearest.

Thanks Beth...Oh my god life sucks!!!!!! I feel like somebody close to me has died. Hard to keep the faith right now. I wish I had some hope.

[jpaula 20]

I know this can all be wildly frustrating and it feels as though someone else has control over your life. But right now, not only are there things you can do, but things you must do immediately. So, hard though it is, try to focus on what you can do to help your case. As mentioned, contact your other Senator and member of Congress. Call Algiers and try to get them to hold off on sending it back to CA for as long as possible to give you time to send additional info. Gather evidence and strengthen your case. We all react differently, but I know that I always feel better when I can direct my frustration to something productive and I think you have the opportunity to do that here. It is by no means a done deal and there is a lot you can do to help yourself.

[morocco4ever 63]

From what I have heard there are a lot of denials that never go back to the consulate. BUT even if the USCIS agrees with the findings of the consulate they will send you what is called the NOIR (notice of intent to revoke). You have an opportunity at that time to prove your case to them. I highly doubt that the consulate has anything solid, so their goal is to see if the relationship will last through it. If it isn't real it probably won't make it. So don't think negative.

Go visit him as you planned. Keep collecting proof. Prove to them that the relationship is real. You can overcome this. It isn't easy, but you can.

[DanniandMary 1]

From what I have heard there are a lot of denials that never go back to the consulate. BUT even if the USCIS agrees with the findings of the consulate they will send you what is called the NOIR (notice of intent to revoke). You have an opportunity at that time to prove your case to them. I highly doubt that the consulate has anything solid, so their goal is to see if the relationship will last through it. If it isn't real it probably won't make it. So don't think negative.

Go visit him as you planned. Keep collecting proof. Prove to them that the relationship is real. You can overcome this. It isn't easy, but you can.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This gives me so much hope!! At least I will have a chance to prove my case. That is great news! thank you thank you thank you!!!!

[Meriem_DZ 37]

I am so sorry that you are having to go through all of this. I know you are heartbroken. Just keep your chin up and fight for your husband! I hope and pray you can get this turned around soon.

Take care,

Meriem