Homeland Security paperwork delays weddings

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

WASHINGTON - Red tape is holding up wedding bells for an estimated 10,000 U.S. citizens waiting on the Homeland Security Department to design new paperwork so they can apply for visas for their foreign fiancees.

A new law, approved in January, required Homeland Security to retool visa application forms in an attempt to protect foreign mail-order brides from abusive American spouses. But the department, which oversees immigration services, failed to meet a March 6 deadline to produce the paperwork. And that has had unintended consequences — snarling the immigration process for thousands of other couples.

A Homeland Security spokesman estimated that at least 10,000 couples have had their plans jilted even before they got to the altar.

On Tuesday, the department said it would send out additional forms to the visa seekers for more information that should satisfy the new law's protections.

"Mine never got approved. It's just sitting there," said Bill Hall, 41, a construction foreman from Burlington, Vt. He applied two months ago for a visa for his fiancee, Debbie, to immigrate from Canada with her two sons. In separate interviews, the couple said they have been dating for six years.

Homeland Security acknowledges the bureaucratic delay is "certainly an inconvenience," said Chris Bentley, spokesman for the department's Citizen and Immigration Services.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No one should be planning their wedding before they get the visa without understanding clearly that by doing so they stand losing a lot of money. That was true before IMBRA and it is true now.

[Jenn! 918]

This is the article billsgirl was talking about then, right? I see they were mentioned...

[Mirorgate 0]

No one should be planning their wedding before they get the visa without understanding clearly that by doing so they stand losing a lot of money. That was true before IMBRA and it is true now.

True that... we checked immigration dates/times of how long things could take.. set a prospective church wedding date (no money down kinda thing). we missed that date by... more than a year already ppl do not plan on the time it takes to get the proper paperwork together, let alone processing times, and normal delays.. yet if there is a hang-up somewhere... extend that delay by months unfortunately.

but hey... its a bloated gov'ment process.. are ppl REALLY shocked that there could/would be issues? no, until it happens, then their up in arms over it.

[Wrenly 0]

"clearly an inconvenience"

Sheesh. An inconvenience is when they don't have a turkey sandwich so you have to get ham. Or you get to the car wash and it's closed.

[MrsWhizz 0]

Holding up weddings?!?! Yes, and I'm really sorry about that. But what about those of us who are ALREADY MARRIED?!?!?! WHO HAVE LIVED TOGETHER???? ARRGGGG!!!!

Surely they would have known using a fiance petition for married couples was stupid to begin with.

Sorry to vent, but Jeeezus H. Crispy!

[rebeccajo 14]

This is the article billsgirl was talking about then, right? I see they were mentioned...

It sure enough looks like it!

[Nessa 23]

This is the article billsgirl was talking about then, right? I see they were mentioned...

It sure enough looks like it!

oh yeah i remember that...