Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

[LynnandAhmed 0]

I wrote to my congress woman about 6 weeks ago, thinking that it couldn't hurt to expediate the visa process.

Right?

Well, I got this from her this week....

Hi Lynn.

Wanted to let you know I received a response from the Consular in Cairo. I wasn't able to reach you by phone, but will forward you a physical copy of their response. They inform that Mr. El Shimy's visa was going through the mandatory administrative processing, however, that process is complete and they anticipate his visa will be issued within ten working days!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email.

Best,

Claudia

Then, shortly afterwards, I wrote the Embassy and got this reply:

Dear Madam,

The case is currently being reviewed. Once the process is completed, we will issue the visa and mail it via DHL.

Regards,

Consular Staff

NM

Just wanted to post this stuff in case anyone else is going through the same process.

I think it helps to write your senator or house of representative congress person.

It seems like it helped. Maybe I should have done it sooner like Cheryl and Ahmed did.

They did the request a month earlier than I did and got their visa last month.

Anyway....stay tuned.

Just wanted to give everyone an update.

Hope everyone is doing well and is having a great week..........

[mohamed N melinda 0]

thats great news lynn. soon u will post visa in hand

and your day is coming son shekspair

wish u both best luck

[shekspair 0]

Thank you for keeping us up to date.You have been in our prayers. This waiting for any answer is so hard on all of us. It's like a test to see how hard they can push.Anyway, we decided to get a hold of our congressman also. We weren't sure if it helped cuz there were ppl who said it didn't help them, but looks like it will. We have an attorney who is supposed to do this for us yesterday,waiting for his reply. You think we should do it on our own as well? The DOS says we are in security name checks and everything looks good.....it's just his name has "Mohamed" in it so takes longer?There are Mohameds that have gotten their visa quicker...wonder what the difference is? Also, I spoke with someone at the Embassy in Cairo today...same answer as DOS. He said don't be frustrated, looks good, it's just the name check. I know they have been giving words of encouragement but now I'm Just P@#$ed ! Why they don't say sir........you will get your visa in X amount of time rather than a time that is incorrect. We were told 3-4 weeks, so now we are 2 months almost 3. I hope your visa is in the time you were told and as for others out there waiting....our prayers to you. Also, if anyone has any other idea what to do .....please let us know. Thanks So Much. Have a good day!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

an update.

Hope everyone is doing well and is having a great week..........

Hey, good luck with all this. I hope everything becomes "official" very quickly for you two.

[shekspair 0]

Thanks Mohamed!!! Hope you are doing well with your family. Great pics. Your son is so cute. We appreciate your kind words. Have a great day.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Cairo is gonna give you their standard BS. You can't trust them.

Lynn, you have been in my prayers for quite some time now and Im not going to stop until I read your ' Visa in Hand ' post.

Shekspair, Im praying for you, also. There will be an end to this madness. Try to think in terms of that fact that you closer to your visa than you were 3 months ago.

[Aymsgirl 0]

I'm glad to hear that something is being done Lynn. I think it is about time for you and I hope that really soon he will get the visa. Thank you so much for updating us and so many of us are praying for you.

Shekspair, same to you. I am sure this is so aggravating! Best wishes to you!

[LynnandAhmed 0]

Thanks for everyone's support and replies!!

Makes me feel like there is family here........lol.

The lawyer never did much. I contacted my representative from the Congress myself. She emailed me

a privacy waver and then I mailed it back to her.

It took about 5 weeks I guess for the Embassy to reply to her.

I just know it helps when you are waiting, to read others progress on here to get an idea

of how things might go over time. I know each case is different though and I know there's no reason to it from our

perspective.

I hope it helps someone who wonders and waits too, like Shekspair.........

Anyway..............I am hoping for May 24th at the latest.

That's over 5 months at the Embassy.............guess it could always be worse.

[tenderheartusa79 14]

its really gorgeous news and i hope you will post visa in hand so soon

my best wishes for ya and you are in my prayers

[CassandraHaydar 0]

Why did you write your congresswoman?

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Good luck with this! We're praying for you!!!

[sara..... 371]

u have been waiting a long time i hope u get it with in the next few days my prayers are with u

sara

[LynnandAhmed 0]

Why did you write your congresswoman?

Because they represent their constituents in their state and are advocates for you.

They inquire about the status of your visa as your representative.

Sometimes that makes the Embassy know that you are not giving up and have contacted your congressman

over the matter.

The congressman or woman have political pull in some situations.

Sometimes the Embassy gives them a more detailed response than they give you.

It is just another way to find out information from the Embassy too.

Edited May 15, 2008 by LynnandAhmed

[KimandRuss 0]

Good for you doing everything you can Lynn.

I realize it's a matter of national security and i'm all for that, of course, but some of these consulates are seriously mismanaged and make some people wait way too long.

I hope he has his visa soon.