What's next? Married 2 years I129 interview visa denial

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

I'm new to this site, mostly came on to find some sort of hope or similar experience with Embassy in Lagos Nigeria. I don't know where our case is going and the situation is such that visiting my Husband is going to take some miracles.

The long and short of it, we're married for about 2 years now, last summer was denied our I129 much to the surprise of our lawyer as well. "no evidence of bona fied relationship." - As I have read all over this website everyone too explained their surprise due to the poundage of evidence supplied that somehow their relationship was not bona fied.

Trying to sort through all these feelings of shock and anger at being separated for really no seemingly plausible reason but keeping faith that at some point something has to happen.

There was the strange events prior to our denial...Before our packet left the service center in US it was MIA for months then in Nigeria the loss of the interview letter and package by the Embassy and waiting months to get any info about it - no offer to replace the MIA packet and no responce either.

8 months later we have a interview notice in 2 weeks - after lawyer directly contacts them to find out when our date is! Not allowing my spouse in for his interiview on the day claiming he wasn't my husband...

Senator gets involved just to get him in the door for his interview. We've been together years before - plenty of evidence - not much interest in it. Denial. That was about 8 or 9 months ago. Senator office still supporting our situation. No word from the Service Center. It's near impossible due to so many circumstances to visit my Husband. Not sleeping, wondering when we'll finally be together and what more stress to prepare oneself for.

People in my circle said they had no idea a spouse could be denied a visa. Due to the previous events I wasn't entirely shocked but we really felt that they would see obviously that there was no reason for us to be denied. He is upstanding citizen, no threat and it's not difficult to see our relationship is bona fied. I wonder what is coming next. Any comments would be more appreciated. It's like being on a island with "other" people who have no idea what this is like. - Thanks for reading.

[Ta Ta 1]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...68107&st=15

The above link to a thread contains 7 other links that I posted and that you will find helpful.

I am sorry you experienced such trouble.

Lagos seems to be going through stages alternating between lots of approvals and lots of denials, seems like many here are currently having trouble again with this embassy.

You have already involved your senator and that is good, but can he try to get a more specific reason of the denial instead the catch all no bona fide relationship generalization ? Was he able to answer all questions ?

[idocare 3]

First I want to say welcome to the boards !!!!

This is just my comment.Seems to me that you are taking the right steps thus far. Have you tried making an infopass appointment and talking to an immigrant officer face to face? They may be able to give you further guidance, just a thought.

If all else fails couldn't you go and live with him, I know it would probably be a HUGE change for you but if you stop and think a minute he's making a huge chage to come here, maybe you can go there so that you and he can live a married life together.

If it's the not being together part that's got you down then you can resolve it by going and being with him in his country. Sometimes that's best at least you get to be together that way. I hope this helps.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Thank you so very much for replying to my post! I am going to open up the threads you linked me too and appreciate that very much. After my Husband was denied we contacted the Embassy for a second interview which we didn't get, the reasons for denial were four and vague and didn't make sense. We submitted proof to clear those claims and some more evidence. I just don't know what's next except we were going to pursue the I130 now. I havn't spoken with the senator's office the lawyer has done that, I just don't know what's next. I feel helpless sitting here.

I come up with silly jokes to move through this. Like I joked that God may have prevented the catastrophe of my Hubby coming because he knew I hadn't replaced my granny panties yet...lol.

Thank you again so much.

[Ta Ta 1]

Thank you so very much for replying to my post! I am going to open up the threads you linked me too and appreciate that very much. After my Husband was denied we contacted the Embassy for a second interview which we didn't get, the reasons for denial were four and vague and didn't make sense. We submitted proof to clear those claims and some more evidence. I just don't know what's next except we were going to pursue the I130 now. I havn't spoken with the senator's office the lawyer has done that, I just don't know what's next. I feel helpless sitting here.

I come up with silly jokes to move through this. Like I joked that God may have prevented the catastrophe of my Hubby coming because he knew I hadn't replaced my granny panties yet...lol.

Thank you again so much.

Hurry buy some lace

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Thank you for your reply and welcome to the boards. I would like to look at the infopass I didn't know about that. It really is a matter of us being together ... actually trying to figure that out. Without going into detail I can't live there, not due to discomfort or any of those things - I love my family there and I've been in Nigeria and I'm most willing to be there. Safety is a huge concern. Has anyone here traveled through Nigeria?

Thank you so much for your encouragment.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Oh my goodness I just read your timeline, you were denied and you've been together for years as well! You must have been heart broken - did you have to leave him after the interview to return to the US? How are you managing? I was going to go for the interview but our lawyer thought things were set and although advised me I could go understood the complications at that time. I wished I had gone to be with him for the denial. It sure puts your relationship through much stress.

I have to ask a tacky question. I notice you may be white...or mix race, I wonder if interracial couples recieve discrimation? I'm so sorry you're experiencing such a difficult experience...does your case look good with your lawyer? What do you think occured in the interview?

Thanks for your encouragement I think I'll buy the pretty panties now..lol.

[Ta Ta 1]

Oh my goodness I just read your timeline, you were denied and you've been together for years as well! You must have been heart broken - did you have to leave him after the interview to return to the US? How are you managing? I was going to go for the interview but our lawyer thought things were set and although advised me I could go understood the complications at that time. I wished I had gone to be with him for the denial. It sure puts your relationship through much stress.

I have to ask a tacky question. I notice you may be white...or mix race, I wonder if interracial couples recieve discrimation? I'm so sorry you're experiencing such a difficult experience...does your case look good with your lawyer? What do you think occured in the interview?

Thanks for your encouragement I think I'll buy the pretty panties now..lol.

We have a long wait ahead of us. Yes, it helps to be present at the interview to get a feel of what is going on and for the mere fact that the CO will be a little more talkative with the USC than the beneficiary should there be problems. That also depends on the embassy.

I do not think that interacial couples have a more difficult time, allthough I haved observed that most of us stuck here seem to be interacial.

In our case,their decision was made and the paper signed off by the chief CO before the interview. We were told they believe we have a genuine relationship but due to a previous typo on a B2 visa we needed a waiver.

[Dakine 26]

Sad but Nigeria is "infamous" for scammers. Especially when the bene is a younger male. Makes it super tough on people that have a "for real" marriage and relationship.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Wow, they know you have a real relationship but because of a typo you are awaiting a waiver. How long a wait are you talking? That must have been heart breaking, you sound resolute though and confident. I feel resolute we'll be together I just wish someone could say a date for anything, the sitting and waiting is painful. You know I too am white. I never thought of it as an issue, it was an nuetral party that thought it could have been an issue in our denial. It's pretty speculatory but I was just curious what you thought.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Thanks for your thoughts - I do think because Nigeria is filled with fraud that perhaps it's somewhat standard to deny a large portion of visa's for some reason, because it does seem like so many are denied. I wonder how it compares to some other countries. I wonder how many people get denied and then eventually get their visa in the end. I wonder if some people who are scamming just give up and those who don't persevere - because this is a hard process. All speculation.

Thanks and have a good day.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

I am also stuck in visa hell . K1 route but still stuck. Lagos is a terrible embassy to go through. My only condolences from the interview was I actually reported the CO for attempted espionage due to the line of questions she used to deny the visa. I just got back from a month in country but the trip had it's share of snags. Kind of like a plot from one of the national lampoon vacation movies. My future father after law died right after the interview which has added to the problems. I am white and older so I guess that was enough to make them ignore the evidence we had. We haven't been totally denied as it is under "review" but there is no longer a time line which makes things hard. Our long term plan is to split time between the US and Nigeria partly because I have children and grandkids here and partly because he will take his fathers throne. I wonder if this drags out if they will consider my position as lolo proof ? We are trying to wait out the k1 review but will marry before he take title so that I can be installed at that time. Have you filed a freedom of information claim to get access to the consular report ?

[Ta Ta 1]

Foia ( Freedom of Information Act ) usually takes about 18 - 24 months.

Edited December 28, 2008 by Omoba

[idocare 3]

That's the thing. Alot of people that have husbands or fiance in Nigeria have been

there. When I went there it was in 2003, I read all could read before going and was

kinda nervous about the trip but I went anyway and while there nobody tried to attack

me, I even witnessed many women walking the streets alone at night there and came to

the conclusion that Nigeria is just like any other place. I say that because many many

people from other cultures go there and they are fine.

My feeling concerning Nigeria now is that if you go there and don't flash your money or

act out in some bosterious way you will be fine. Some women there that are from other

countries formed a group there in Nigeria and they show pictures of women of all colors

there living in Nigeria I can't quit remember the name of it but it's something like

NigerianwivesNigeria, if you google it you will find it. Nigeria has all kinds of people living

there just as we do here. Indian women, white women and black American women.

There still alive no harm has come to them, there still there living with their Nigerian

spouses, so it's all about you and him. One sure way of living your life with your

husband is going to him, that's a sure way of you all being together. I hope this helped.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Wow Omoba, your serenity appears to be faith driven and determination and love. I am speechless.