Need some advice

[OrangeFolder12 0]

First off, thanks for providing this site. It's a tremendous resource and has been incredibly helpful in navigating the immigration process.

But I need some help figuring out what to do now.

Background: My fiancee (Filipina) and I are trying to get a K1 visa. We've made it through most of the hurdles. She had her embassy interview back at the end of June, 2010. Unfortunately (for us), she spent many years working in the middle east as an OFW. So, the embassy has requested that we obtain police clearances from: Lebanon, Qatar, and Bahrain. We've managed to obtain 2 of the 3 (Lebanon and Qatar). But we're still waiting for the paperwork to come back for Bahrain. The first 2 requests my fiancee made (May and October) to Bahrain were just letters mailed to the Bahrain CID (General Directorate of Criminal Investigation). No response was received from either request. The most recent request (December) was made through the Philippines DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) using a special form form the government of Bahrain. The Bahrain government web sites suggest 12-16 weeks for a response (that window opens this Friday).

My concern is that with all the recent protests/unrest in the Middle East, including Bahrain, that our request will either be delayed or continue to go unanswered. I've tried to get the Embassy to waive the requirement, but they do not seem to be willing to do it. Unfortunately, the only responses they provide are requests for more information via a standard form. I've written a hardcopy letter, emailed them, phoned them and even visited the Embassy during my last trip in January, 2011; but I cannot get any information about why they will not waive the requirement. It seems like an obsolete requirement anyway, aren't there international criminal records databases that should make the police clearance requirement a moot point?

I guess my question for you is this: Is there anything else I could/should do? Best case, the paperwork will come back in a couple of weeks and everything is resolved. But what options are there if that doesn't happen? What if week 16 comes and goes? Would an immigration lawyer or my Senator be of any use? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

[Zen Den 18]

First off, thanks for providing this site. It's a tremendous resource and has been incredibly helpful in navigating the immigration process.

But I need some help figuring out what to do now.

Background: My fiancee (Filipina) and I are trying to get a K1 visa. We've made it through most of the hurdles. She had her embassy interview back at the end of June, 2010. Unfortunately (for us), she spent many years working in the middle east as an OFW. So, the embassy has requested that we obtain police clearances from: Lebanon, Qatar, and Bahrain. We've managed to obtain 2 of the 3 (Lebanon and Qatar). But we're still waiting for the paperwork to come back for Bahrain. The first 2 requests my fiancee made (May and October) to Bahrain were just letters mailed to the Bahrain CID (General Directorate of Criminal Investigation). No response was received from either request. The most recent request (December) was made through the Philippines DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) using a special form form the government of Bahrain. The Bahrain government web sites suggest 12-16 weeks for a response (that window opens this Friday).

My concern is that with all the recent protests/unrest in the Middle East, including Bahrain, that our request will either be delayed or continue to go unanswered. I've tried to get the Embassy to waive the requirement, but they do not seem to be willing to do it. Unfortunately, the only responses they provide are requests for more information via a standard form. I've written a hardcopy letter, emailed them, phoned them and even visited the Embassy during my last trip in January, 2011; but I cannot get any information about why they will not waive the requirement. It seems like an obsolete requirement anyway, aren't there international criminal records databases that should make the police clearance requirement a moot point?

I guess my question for you is this: Is there anything else I could/should do? Best case, the paperwork will come back in a couple of weeks and everything is resolved. But what options are there if that doesn't happen? What if week 16 comes and goes? Would an immigration lawyer or my Senator be of any use? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

the reason the embassy won't grant your request is they treat everybody the same. your lawyer/senator won't be of use because the paperwork required is not from your end. why not channel your request through the embassies (they will assist/apply on your behalf) of the countries that have not yet replied and cc in your request to each country's police agency their respective foreign affairs ministers (or whoever is is above their office). sometimes letting people know that other people know you are requesting something will push them to act on it. and then follow up and follow up