CASABLANCA

[sereia 0]

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

[sarah and hicham 3]

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

We got there around 7:15 am. Hicham went in right around 8. We were waiting in line which was apparently for tourist visas so he asked the guard and they took him in before the tourist visa interviews however his interview was about 3 hours later. I would get there around 7:30 if I were you.

[moroccogirlny 100]

I am sorry to see more denials here, it seems that April is a popular month for denials as my fiance was denied on 4/4/06. We are still waiting on Vermont to respond and can't wait to send them all my added proof.

[limah 1]

I am sorry to see more denials here, it seems that April is a popular month for denials as my fiance was denied on 4/4/06. We are still waiting on Vermont to respond and can't wait to send them all my added proof.

Are u talking about the NOIR/D? Are you serious? You haven't heard anything? It's over a year now.....

Limah

[peezey 0]

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

I believe everyone's appt time is 8am, then I don't know the order they take them once the day begins.

[chiquita 0]

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

I believe everyone's appt time is 8am, then I don't know the order they take them once the day begins.

lol...that is true.

my husband got there early every time yet barely saw the CO before noon. i think they call ppl how they want to.

i will say that the CO at our last interview kept closing her shade. it appears she keep talking to my husband then would have him sit down and then she closed her shade to read more of our file. i hope she read every single item in our file! i proved beyond a shadow of doubt that they are liars and I said so too!

any way when she at last wanted to speak to me she kept saying how sorry she was that we went through what we did. i am telling ya, she looked so scared to me. i dont know why. is she afraid of being there? i have a very good sense of ppl and that is how i found her...very scared and nervous. so much so that when i asked her a questions she flew off the handle and screemed at me. normally i wouldnt take that kind of behavior without comment but i wanted that visa so i let her abuse me. who was gonna be my proof that she did that any how?

which brings me to another thought. i am sure these CO's abuse many an applicant at least verbally. they can get away with it because who is gonna tell or even believe an intending immigrant? to bad there cant be cameras there to record to assure there is no verbal absue. to bad it would come to this.

chi

ps...hope that wasnt to much info as i know that was not the question

[sarah and hicham 3]

is it better to show up for their appointment early the day of their interview? or is on time fine? and if early, how early?? my fiance's appointment is at 8am.

I believe everyone's appt time is 8am, then I don't know the order they take them once the day begins.

lol...that is true.

my husband got there early every time yet barely saw the CO before noon. i think they call ppl how they want to.

i will say that the CO at our last interview kept closing her shade. it appears she keep talking to my husband then would have him sit down and then she closed her shade to read more of our file. i hope she read every single item in our file! i proved beyond a shadow of doubt that they are liars and I said so too!

any way when she at last wanted to speak to me she kept saying how sorry she was that we went through what we did. i am telling ya, she looked so scared to me. i dont know why. is she afraid of being there? i have a very good sense of ppl and that is how i found her...very scared and nervous. so much so that when i asked her a questions she flew off the handle and screemed at me. normally i wouldnt take that kind of behavior without comment but i wanted that visa so i let her abuse me. who was gonna be my proof that she did that any how?

which brings me to another thought. i am sure these CO's abuse many an applicant at least verbally. they can get away with it because who is gonna tell or even believe an intending immigrant? to bad there cant be cameras there to record to assure there is no verbal absue. to bad it would come to this.

chi

ps...hope that wasnt to much info as i know that was not the question

What do you mean? How do you know this?

[chiquita 0]

What do you mean? How do you know this?

what do i mean about what?

if you are asking how i know about verbal abuse...i was a victim of it first hand. now if it happens to an American and there is nothing that can be done, how much more can we guess it is done to applicants?

i remember Ellis writing about abuse in other consulates so it is not unheard of. i suppose if given the chance any one can abuse their position when no one is held accountable.

chi

[moroccogirlny 100]

I am sorry to see more denials here, it seems that April is a popular month for denials as my fiance was denied on 4/4/06. We are still waiting on Vermont to respond and can't wait to send them all my added proof.

Are u talking about the NOIR/D? Are you serious? You haven't heard anything? It's over a year now.....

Limah

No limah, no word yet ! My Senator says my case is in security checks right now and waiting to be reviewed also told Vermont is way behind in reviewing returned petitions. any year now

[sarah and hicham 3]

what do i mean about what?

if you are asking how i know about verbal abuse...i was a victim of it first hand. now if it happens to an American and there is nothing that can be done, how much more can we guess it is done to applicants?

i remember Ellis writing about abuse in other consulates so it is not unheard of. i suppose if given the chance any one can abuse their position when no one is held accountable.

chi

What kind of verbal abuse were you subject to at Casa?

I think sometimes the CO is really trying to determine if the relationship is legitimate or not and some people might take that as being abusive or too forward. I think they should get some credit for doing their job the best they can. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to spend one day making those kinds of decisions. I'm not saying this is the case with you but I imagine that they go through a lot of stress as well and don't want to intentionally ruin people's lives with a denial, and they might even think that they are doing some people a favor. It's a sticky situation either way.

[limah 1]

o i mean about what?

if you are asking how i know about verbal abuse...i was a victim of it first hand. now if it happens to an American and there is nothing that can be done, how much more can we guess it is done to applicants?

i remember Ellis writing about abuse in other consulates so it is not unheard of. i suppose if given the chance any one can abuse their position when no one is held accountable.

chi[/color]

What kind of verbal abuse were you subject to at Casa?

I think sometimes the CO is really trying to determine if the relationship is legitimate or not and some people might take that as being abusive or too forward. I think they should get some credit for doing their job the best they can. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to spend one day making those kinds of decisions. I'm not saying this is the case with you but I imagine that they go through a lot of stress as well and don't want to intentionally ruin people's lives with a denial, and they might even think that they are doing some people a favor. It's a sticky situation either way.

Sometimes you just have to call it like it is. There is a big difference in "doing your job" and "doing the fool" at your job. There is verbal abuse that happens at the consulate, to the point they make you feel like shiz-nit, like a liar because they twist questions and answers around, not to mention there is a room full of people. Sometimes there may be a slip up on a question because it was misunderstood or misinterpreted, for thst matter. This isnt to scare anyone but people still need to be ready for any and all aspects of what may happen. Have I dealt with it first hand, nah. Has my husband? Yes. It's nothing I've cared to delve into to deeply on VJ because somethings are just not everybodys business and besides he asked me not to. How can you have a job where your job is to "make those kinds of decisions" and you are not approaching the cases to see what each couple is about. That is their job and they can hardly do it in 3 minutes.

I remember when I first joined VJ, I asked, on more than 1 occasion, should I send in more than what they ask for with the oringinal petition. If I had known that there was even the smallest possibility that the cases are predetermined, I would have sent it all in the first time. Just to make a difficult decision a little easier for the officers. We dont need favors from them. We need them to be fair and just. They may not ruin peoples lives intentionally, but whether that is the case, they do.

Limah

[mybackpages 0]

What kind of verbal abuse were you subject to at Casa?

I think sometimes the CO is really trying to determine if the relationship is legitimate or not and some people might take that as being abusive or too forward. I think they should get some credit for doing their job the best they can. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to spend one day making those kinds of decisions. I'm not saying this is the case with you but I imagine that they go through a lot of stress as well and don't want to intentionally ruin people's lives with a denial, and they might even think that they are doing some people a favor. It's a sticky situation either way.

You know Sarah, I hear the same stories about COs from everyone I know that had to face a interview for a visa from a developing country. The CO comes out with a stern look as if they are there to make it difficult. I remember Idir described this look as "hungry" as if she were a lion out to get her prey. I think COs must have something in their training manuals that say "Don;t come out smiling!"

In this regard I do not think Casa is any different from other Consulates. But I do think there is room for great change in how to handle the whole process. And I have no doubt that some COs are doing their job not as well as others. And I am sure if you are targeted as a case for denial, then you wil lnever see a smile and they must come off even harsher.

I agree with you its not an easy job.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

To fight a case a lawyer will take every piece of paper and work with it to build his case not just look at a few and decide, if these CO would do the same and let each person show their case maybe then they would be doing their job based on what is there which is concrete evidence presented, not build on what they assume. Even criminals are given the opportunity to show their evidence without having to push it to the lawyer who knows already its his job to consider "everything", when these people do this only then will they be doing their best jobs. Life altering decisions i would think should take a little more than 10 minutes.

[sarah and hicham 3]

To fight a case a lawyer will take every piece of paper and work with it to build his case not just look at a few and decide, if these CO would do the same and let each person show their case maybe then they would be doing their job based on what is there which is concrete evidence presented, not build on what they assume. Even criminals are given the opportunity to show their evidence without having to push it to the lawyer who knows already its his job to consider "everything", when these people do this only then will they be doing their best jobs. Life altering decisions i would think should take a little more than 10 minutes.

I don't think that CO's and lawyers can be compared. A lawyer is getting paid to defend clients and CO's are trying to do their job in a timely manner. Like I said it's a sticky situation. The cases are reviewed ahead of time as the CO can't spend more than an hour with each interview otherwise can you imagine how far behind interviews would be in Casa? I agree that they should look at evidence but like it's been said before I think sometimes they already have a decision in mind when they review the case and see red flags.

Criminals who get to prove or disprove their case in the US are Americans and they have rights in America. Our fiance's aren't American during their interview and they have few rights at that point.

Good luck,

Sarah

Edited April 13, 2007 by sarah and hicham

[sarah and hicham 3]

What kind of verbal abuse were you subject to at Casa?

I think sometimes the CO is really trying to determine if the relationship is legitimate or not and some people might take that as being abusive or too forward. I think they should get some credit for doing their job the best they can. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to spend one day making those kinds of decisions. I'm not saying this is the case with you but I imagine that they go through a lot of stress as well and don't want to intentionally ruin people's lives with a denial, and they might even think that they are doing some people a favor. It's a sticky situation either way.

You know Sarah, I hear the same stories about COs from everyone I know that had to face a interview for a visa from a developing country. The CO comes out with a stern look as if they are there to make it difficult. I remember Idir described this look as "hungry" as if she were a lion out to get her prey. I think COs must have something in their training manuals that say "Don;t come out smiling!"

In this regard I do not think Casa is any different from other Consulates. But I do think there is room for great change in how to handle the whole process. And I have no doubt that some COs are doing their job not as well as others. And I am sure if you are targeted as a case for denial, then you wil lnever see a smile and they must come off even harsher.

I agree with you its not an easy job.

Like I said I think it's very difficult because the CO's can't spend hours on each case otherwise we would be waiting years for our interviews. I think it's hard for a country like Morocco because there it is known as suck a high fraud country for immigration that the CO's are really skeptical of anything they come across. Like I said before I don't think they're trying to ruin lives.