Interview, child of US citizen

[gemini23nj 2]

My ex husband, who is a naturalized citizen has been going through the process of bringing his 16 year old son to the USA. It has been almost two years since he began the process. I have helped him with all the paperwork, etc. Although we are divorced, and have moved on with our lives, I love my step son with all my heart. Yesterday, his child has the consulate interview yesterday. First, they requested the Affadavit of support from me (cosponsor) Now, we had sent all aff of support documentation, and it was returned to us, stating that we did not need this information, but needed to have a waiver signed. This delayed processing for a couple of months. Once USCIS received the signed waiver, they continued processing the case, and ultimately approving. Ok, that is one missing document, not a problem will send again. Next, a certificate of being single is requested(common in Costa Rica), but this is not needed until you are 18, the child is 16. Now for the kicker!! The consulate is asking for DNA results for the child. Yes, child was born out of Wedlock, my ex was not added to the birth certificate until the child was 9 years old. We had a DNA test performed, there were two options, one that could be used for legal purposes, and the other (cheaper) would not hold up in court. The only difference in the testing is that the entire packet is sent to the family for DNA collection for the the $300 test, for legal purposes, the lab sends out the testing to each party separately, and specimen collection is returned to the lab separately. At the time, we knew we were taking responsibility for supporting the child if he was truly my ex's son, so we didn't spend the extra $$. Sorry for all the details, just trying to give a complete picture. My beef is not in the fact that the consulate is requesting the testing, my frustration is why, at the end of the process, instead of the beginning. It could take months for us to have these tests completed now. I am not even sure (yet) if we have to use a designated uscis lab, or what, but we could have had this done months and months ago! Has anyone had a similar experience? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[gemini23nj 2]

Update. Spoke to family down in Costa Rica, the embassy called this afternoon. They are also requesting pictures of my ex and the child together, and "other" types of proof of relationship. I feel like I am going through the whole application for permanent residency all over again! So, it is pretty obvious, since dad wasn't at the interview, they don't seem to believe there is a father son relationship. Thankfully I have plenty of pictures, and such. The DNA testing is going to cost $1,000 though! That really has us upset. oh well

[NArocks 13]

I am so sorry to here this. My husband was able to make it to the interview wiith his boys and I think this helped a lot, I petitioned them as the USC but I could not make it.

I hope this goes quickly so your family can be together soon

[gemini23nj 2]

Thanks! I guess it was dumb on my ex's part, but I sent an email to the embassy asking if he was required to be present. Our thoughts were that his uncle who he has been living with for 6 years could take handle all the "leg work" down there, such as medical exams etc. and interview. Then my ex was going to go down for a week, see his parents and travel back to the USA with my step-son. Because my ex does not get paid time off, and we didn't want Rosbyn to travel on a plane by himself, he would go down afterward. I thought this would be cut and dry, if I knew we needed to "prove" relationship, I would have gotten all that info together previously. I am not worried about getting denied, my heart just breaks for my stepson, I know he wants to be here with us, my children are devestated that it is taking so long they love their bro!