Forensic Psychiatrist offer

[Mintchip 0]

I am still in a bit of a shock after meeting with a forensic psychiatrist the other day. Made the appointment at the instruction of my immigration attorney with whom we are preparing an I-601 Waiver application. The result will be to prove extreme hardship when my husband's visa is denied. Bad enough that it cost $800 to have this guy write a report, but at the end of the appointment, he suddenly determined that he should fly to the UK to interview my husband and do a detailed biography on him, all for the "low" sum of $7500 plus airfare and hotel. Holy cow! This will wipe me out completely and I seriously doubt the necessity of it. Has anyone felt simalarily taken advantage of by one of these "experts?" I told him I would discuss it with my attorney. Thanks.

[Neonred 3,522]

I am still in a bit of a shock after meeting with a forensic psychiatrist the other day. Made the appointment at the instruction of my immigration attorney with whom we are preparing an I-601 Waiver application. The result will be to prove extreme hardship when my husband's visa is denied. Bad enough that it cost $800 to have this guy write a report, but at the end of the appointment, he suddenly determined that he should fly to the UK to interview my husband and do a detailed biography on him, all for the "low" sum of $7500 plus airfare and hotel. Holy cow! This will wipe me out completely and I seriously doubt the necessity of it. Has anyone felt simalarily taken advantage of by one of these "experts?" I told him I would discuss it with my attorney. Thanks.

You're getting screwed! Looks like someone has decided to buy a new Beemer and you are going to pay for a good portion of it.

[I & G 1]

Why would his visa be denied?

[Darnell 8,478]

The interview is on 2010-10-26

So - if you are already anticipating needing the waiver,

prep the waiver. You prolly already know it's BEST to file the waiver at the interview, same day, at the end of the interview (to the VO - oh ! btw, you need this, please take it from my hands).

But

IMO, that 'extreme hardship' is to be proved up on the USCitizen, by the USCitizen - and not the Foreign Spouse. Hopefully someone else can chime in, give some other opinion about this.

Edited September 19, 2010 by Darnell

[I & G 1]

I am positive that extreme hardship is to be proved on the USC.

[LotofPatience 65]

I am still in a bit of a shock after meeting with a forensic psychiatrist the other day. Made the appointment at the instruction of my immigration attorney with whom we are preparing an I-601 Waiver application. The result will be to prove extreme hardship when my husband's visa is denied. Bad enough that it cost $800 to have this guy write a report, but at the end of the appointment, he suddenly determined that he should fly to the UK to interview my husband and do a detailed biography on him, all for the "low" sum of $7500 plus airfare and hotel. Holy cow! This will wipe me out completely and I seriously doubt the necessity of it. Has anyone felt simalarily taken advantage of by one of these "experts?" I told him I would discuss it with my attorney. Thanks.

Before the interview itself, why DO you need I-601 waiver?

Did you or your attorney mention in DS-230 that your husband (beneficiary) has any psychiatric problem?

Loto

[Mintchip 0]

We are in the middle of preparing the waiver because my husband was convicted of a crime three years ago, so we know he will be denied. And yes, we are hoping to have it all done in time for the interview, so that we can then hand it over right then and there. My lawyer confirmed what I had already researched - that the hardship must be on me, and in fact, my circumstances are quite difficult. He sent me to the forensic psychiatrist to have a report written to support my case. I can't explain why at the end of the appointment the psychiatrist suddenly decided it was necessary for him to do an in person interview with my husband. No mention of my husband having mental problems because he doesn't. So, it seemed very sureal at the time, and I certainly also got the idea that he was looking to have a nice little trip on my dime (my last one in fact!) - or as Neonred said, "a new Beemer."

Edited September 20, 2010 by Mintchip

[LotofPatience 65]

We are in the middle of preparing the waiver because my husband was convicted of a crime three years ago, so we know he will be denied. And yes, we are hoping to have it all done in time for the interview, so that we can then hand it over right then and there. My lawyer confirmed what I had already researched - that the hardship must be on me, and in fact, my circumstances are quite difficult. He sent me to the forensic psychiatrist to have a report written to support my case. I can't explain why at the end of the appointment the psychiatrist suddenly decided it was necessary for him to do an in person interview with my husband. No mention of my husband having mental problems because he doesn't. So, it seemed very sureal at the time, and I certainly also got the idea that he was looking to have a nice little trip on my dime (my last one in fact!) - or as Neonred said, "a new Beemer."

Yes, then you need a I-601 prepared for his interview.

Hardship waiver is prepared by you (petitioner) and has to clearly show that you can NOT leave the U.S AT ALL and his visa denial will separate the family apart.

You need to list your strong points very clearly on this hardship waiver letter.

I don't understand why forensic psychiatrist needs to visit him. Try talking over the phone would suffice. Otherwise go for another guy.

Loto

[ValerieA 350]

What was the crime? If it falls under 'moral turpitude', then you need the waiver. I had two DUIs over the course of my life (young and stupid) and, although they are a criminal charge in Canada, they did not fall under moral turpitude and thus I did not have a problem, other than needing to get the court documents.

[Penguin_ie 5,992]

I would ask the psychiatrist why he thinks it is necessary to met your husband face to face, as this is about your hardship, not your husbands. The psychiatrist may not fully realise this.

[Mintchip 0]

To ValarieA: It was definitely a CMT - he was convicted on 4 counts of deception/fraud and served 2.5 weeks of a 2 month sentence. My immigration attorney agreed that we would, indeed, need the waiver.

To Penquin: The psychiatrist was quite adamant that this was necessary. The thing is, he's not only a psychiatrist, but an attorney as well who specializes in immigration issues. My attorney was the one who recommended him and said they use him all the time to write these reports. So, he certainly should know where the hardship evidence needs to be placed.

Anyway, I just spoke to my attorney and told him what happened. He was dumbfounded, and apologized as he was the one who sent me there. He said he will wait for the report and then we will discuss it. He also said there is no way it is necessary for my husband to be interviewed or evaluated - that the hardship is on ME, not my husband. At least he and I are on the same page.

What I think is that the psychiatrist thought I was naive and would fall for this free trip to the UK, taking advantage of my desperation.

[Angelheart1962 6]

WOW! The cheek of some people! Did he really think you would fund a nice little first class trip to the UK for him??

[LotofPatience 65]

What was the crime? If it falls under 'moral turpitude', then you need the waiver. I had two DUIs over the course of my life (young and stupid) and, although they are a criminal charge in Canada, they did not fall under moral turpitude and thus I did not have a problem, other than needing to get the court documents.

OP, A nice read for you: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86943.pdf

Loto

[Mintchip 0]

Certainly seemed that way, Angelheart. He kept going on about having been to Edinburgh before, and how far was that from Glasgow where my husband lives. I told him 40 miles, but they have flights directly to Glasgow and he wouldn't need to go to Edinburgh. But, he kept mentioning Edinburgh, so to me it appeared he had other motives for wanting to go there. Guess I should have asked if he played golf!