UPDATE on Casa Interview

[Always+Forever 7]

I wonder if the fraud level, perceived or accurate, in a specific country (such as Morocco) is something the consular officers consider as evidence of which they are aware, and DHS is not. Also age differences, previous marriage/s and/or children from previous relationships, etc, etc, etc, and the cultural norms in Morocco connected to these - I wonder if these are things that the co's are allowed to consider "evidence" that they have and the DHS does not. Does anyone know?

I would think if they r basing it also on "out of cultural norms" then they should also take in to consideration how the Moroccan family feels about it, because every family is different on their views. If it was because of my daughter, then its because they didn't try to get any information about the relationship...they only asked her age...if they saw even one pic of her with him or his family, they would see that they accepted her whole heartedly & were devestated when we left.

Monica

[sachinky 465]

The reason they don't care is because if it is a fraud relationship constructed solely for the purpose of securing immigration benefits, then, it's no surprise that the Moroccan family is more than happy to be kind, generous, loving and very accepting of the American wife and her child (from a previous marriage/relationship). It's their ticket to the U.S.A in the near future, after all. I'm not saying this is true in your case or in any other case but you have to think like a CO sitting at the highest-fraud consulate. Would these Moroccan families be just as accepting of their sons marrying an older woman from their community who has a child from a previous relationship/marriage?

Now--you have to sit and think about ALL your red flags (and you'd probably know them best), how you can address them and eventually overcome them. Focus on the response. Good luck.

[Always+Forever 7]

The reason they don't care is because if it is a fraud relationship constructed solely for the purpose of securing immigration benefits, then, it's no surprise that the Moroccan family is more than happy to be kind, generous, loving and very accepting of the American wife and her child (from a previous marriage/relationship). It's their ticket to the U.S.A in the near future, after all. I'm not saying this is true in your case or in any other case but you have to think like a CO sitting at the highest-fraud consulate. Would these Moroccan families be just as accepting of their sons marrying an older woman from their community who has a child from a previous relationship/marriage?

Now--you have to sit and think about ALL your red flags (and you'd probably know them best), how you can address them and eventually overcome them. Focus on the response. Good luck.

I guess u r right...its just hard when u know its true and not just a show...they don't need a ticket to the US...he has a brother there...his family doesn't need a meal ticket...they have money...so i really don't know. The only other things they really questioned about was him working for the government & my financial status (but they never asked for any papers to confirm or deny any assumsions)

Monica

[Always+Forever 7]

Btw, Senator's office is on the case...i told her about everything & forwarded her all the emails between the embassy, refusal form & interview questions...she said she will do whatever she can to stop it & if not she will atleast find out the reason for denial. She was a little disturbed as well about how they seemed to make sure & call before we left & then denied as soon as we were gone.

Monica

[msheesha 548]

I wasn't referring to any one case specifically; I was wondering based on what was written about the CO's not returning a case unless they became aware of more evidence that the DHS did not have. Just wondering if cultural norms, values and judgements of a specific country are considered "evidence" that the CO has but the DHS doesn't necessarily have.

I agree with the other post also. As difficult as it is, try to take the emotion out of it, and review everything from their perspective when devising your response to the situation. It's not easy; I know, but the reality is that they probably already view us as emotional, head over heels, vulnerable women who have let our emotions lead us to a foreign country to get married, involved, etc with foreign men. Therefore, I think the poster is right. We'll all due well to try to take the emotions out of it, as difficult as it is, when developing plans to overcome denials, etc.

[Always+Forever 7]

I wasn't referring to any one case specifically; I was wondering based on what was written about the CO's not returning a case unless they became aware of more evidence that the DHS did not have. Just wondering if cultural norms, values and judgements of a specific country are considered "evidence" that the CO has but the DHS doesn't necessarily have.

I agree with the other post also. As difficult as it is, try to take the emotion out of it, and review everything from their perspective when devising your response to the situation. It's not easy; I know, but the reality is that they probably already view us as emotional, head over heels, vulnerable women who have let our emotions lead us to a foreign country to get married, involved, etc with foreign men. Therefore, I think the poster is right. We'll all due well to try to take the emotions out of it, as difficult as it is, when developing plans to overcome denials, etc.

I agree...thats why i'm trying my hardest to focus on the facts...like u said...easier said than done with all of the emotions involved...helps having everyone who has been through it to talk to

Monica

[msheesha 548]

I guess u r right...its just hard when u know its true and not just a show...they don't need a ticket to the US...he has a brother there...his family doesn't need a meal ticket...they have money...so i really don't know. The only other things they really questioned about was him working for the government & my financial status (but they never asked for any papers to confirm or deny any assumsions)

Monica

You had to have submitted your tax returns for the last 3 years, right? Did he get the answers to your financial status correct? Don't forget they have paperwork that you have already handed in (tax returns, biographic, etc).

[Golden Gate 530]

The only other things they really questioned about was him working for the government & my financial status (but they never asked for any papers to confirm or deny any assumsions)

Did they ask about these things on Monday again? If so, what exactly did they ask about them?

[Always+Forever 7]

they didn't ask for any financial information, and he answered everything correctly

[sachinky 465]

Have your fiance write up a detailed review of ALL the questions he was asked.

How did he respond to them?

Did he mess up on any dates? Did he stumble on facts?

Did he know your personal history?

Does he speak English?

Do you have a large age gap?

Did you have a short online courtship?

How quickly did he propose?

How many trips did you make?

Does he have family in the US?

Cultural/social/religious differences?

Financial/education/social status of the beneficiary?

Large disparity in physical appearance?

Somewhere in there lies the clue to his denial.

Edited June 15, 2010 by sachinky

[msheesha 548]

they didn't ask for any financial information, and he answered everything correctly

I might be remembering incorrectly - don't you need to submit tax returns somewhere along the way? Or other financial documentation to show you are sufficiently above the poverty line, can support him so that he won't be a public burden, and don't need a sponsor? Whatever you submitted for that is what they would have assessed his answers against, I think.

[Carrie1978 2]

My heart goes out to you and all that you are going through right now I thought things were tough in Morocco 2 years ago when my husband had his interview (CR1) and how horrible the CO was to him. I also have kids from a previous marriage and the kids actually stayed in Morocco with my husband and his family for months while I was in the army-I thought that would show them how true our marriage was but she actually used that against us! Yet we were approved hamdulillah. I dont know what goes through their heads when they interview our spouse. It's disheartening to see the Casa consulate this way when all I ever got in Morocco was warmth and love from family and strangers alike...nothing like my husband receives here.

I wish all the best for you and your fiance and pray that things will turn around now that you have your Senator involved. Stay strong and don't give up

BTW...where does everyone get the information about Morocco being so high in immigration fraud? I know thats what the CO's bark about but I dont get it. Most of the Moroccans I know don't even care to EVER step foot in the states. Is there somewhere I can get this information??

[KittyPollitt 284]

I might be remembering incorrectly - don't you need to submit tax returns somewhere along the way? Or other financial documentation to show you are sufficiently above the poverty line, can support him so that he won't be a public burden, and don't need a sponsor? Whatever you submitted for that is what they would have assessed his answers against, I think.

Casablanca doesn't require any financial info- it's pretty fresh in my mind because we just got a list of stuff my fiance needs to take from them.. I think the only questions they asked Hicham regarding any kind of finances were about her work history, which is on the G-235a that is submitted with the original petition..

[Always+Forever 7]

To those of u who keep asking about our interview & what was asked...here is the link to the original post:

Casa Interview Results

Monica

[tany1157 161]

Our K-1 was returned to USCIS on January 7, 2010. Got 2 senators and congresswoman on the case, in the end they could not do anything. We married in march. I did not send out our I130 until we knew what happened with our K-1 because you don't want to send out a petition when there is one still floating around....turns out the USCIS opened the diplomatic pouch and there was no petition lmao!!! Because of this, they were going to make an exception and let us send in a new package, and they would review it right away. Our senator told them we had already gotten married, so they sent out the official letter that our K-1 had expired. I sent our I130 a week later. So we got the official expiration letter from the USCIS 4 months after the denial. Am sorry to hear of your news, but unfortunately it is very common. Good luck to you both!