I NEED HELP ASAP

[kayj 0]

my fiance just left the Lagos consulate and was denied based on the fact that the pictures we attached to the form were our engagement pictures. The CO said in Nigerian the engagement i considered marraige and I should have filed a K3 visa. I dont have any marraige certificate to do this bcuz we didnt do any registry. WHAT DO I DO NOW?? pleaase help me

[kayj 0]

my fiance just left the Lagos consulate and was denied based on the fact that the pictures we attached to the K1 petition which were our engagement pictures are considered marraige pictures. The CO said in Nigerian the engagement are considered marraige and said I should have filed a K3 visa. I dont have any marraige certificate to do this bcuz we didnt do any registry. WHAT DO I DO NOW?? pleaase help me

[Enlighten one :) 5]

What did the pictures show? Usually embassy's are considerate of cultural customs around ceremonies/ celebrations.

What did you denial read exactly.

[kayj 0]

What did the pictures show? Usually embassy's are considerate of cultural customs around ceremonies/ celebrations.

What did you denial read exactly.

pics shows us with same attire, shows families holding hands and that pretty much it. denial states that the case will be returned to USCIS reommending revocation because we are ineligible for a K1 cuz we are considered married.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Nigeria marriage requirements are that you are posted for something like 30 days and certified. I think you need to contact your senators and congress people. Maybe a lawyer.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Even tribal marriages do not require documentation of the divorce or should I say the dissolve of the marriage, because there is no documentation.

Considering this information can really make your denial more confusing.

[evanscholly 1]

As Mrs Jibowu said you need to contact your congressman asap and explain the situation before they send your petition back to the US. Something like this happened to a friend of mine too and he had to refile for K3, hopefully yours won't be like that. Just keep on praying and get in touch with your Senator or Congressman immediately. I pray things work out for you real soon, you are in my prayers.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

She wouldn’t' be able to file a K3 unless she legally got married in Nigeria, which is weird that they were denied on these specific grounds.

If the facts are accurate this is a blatant display of injustice.

[kayj 0]

She wouldn’t' be able to file a K3 unless she legally got married in Nigeria, which is weird that they were denied on these specific grounds.

If the facts are accurate this is a blatant display of injustice.

exactly..im not. no marraige certificate..nothing..anyway,i contacted a lawyer and he's going to help me file an appeal and get an appointment date. Im trying to find out how to contact my senator and congress rep

[Aniomaman 0]

It's really sad US embassy in Lagos is descending this low to make things hard for couples. I have never seen any country where the Nigerian traditional wedding has been admitted as being legal. Just contact your senator ASAP and see that they chase it up. There is no legal document singed at traditional weddings and they are just for both families to get acquainted and for the dowry to be paid. If you do need to get a lawyer, make sure the lawyer is well versed in the tradition and understands how the Lagos embassy operates.

This is definitely a display of injustice of the highest order and that staff did this because he/she felt they had the power to do so. I hope this gets resolved because it will complicate issues if it gets sent back and time will be wasted.

All the best.

[kayj 0]

Anyway, thanks to everyone that gave me some advice.

I have contacted my congressman, senator and have obtained the services of a lawyer. Both congresman and lawyers have asked for review and reconsideration. I got an email back from Lagos sayin that the case has been returned and is no longer withing thier jurisdiction (mind you, this was a day after the interview). I have called the Visa office in DC (cuz NVC has no new info) for the past 3 days and have gotten three different stores i.e its still at the embassy, its been returned and it has been returned (dont know what to believe)

The good news ( i hope) is that my congressman hasnt gotten a ####### and bull story about the case been returend to USCIS. He called me today and said he should be getting a response by Monday. My lawyer hand delivered an appeal and reconsideration letter (with additional evidence) to the embassy and also sent a package via DHL. And i know GOD IS IN CONTROL

[Naijabound 1]

This is why Im scared to death when it comes time for my fiances interview in Lagos. I can understand trying to prevent fraud but it seems like the officers there misuse their power. How can one person make a decision like this for two people they dont even know? It seems like they ruin alot of peoples lives in Lagos... I wonder what the ratio of approvals vs denials are in Lagos...

I will keep you and your fiance in my prayers for sure.

Edited July 17, 2009 by mstamiz2much

[Pman's Wife 0]

Anyway, thanks to everyone that gave me some advice.

I have contacted my congressman, senator and have obtained the services of a lawyer. Both congresman and lawyers have asked for review and reconsideration. I got an email back from Lagos sayin that the case has been returned and is no longer withing thier jurisdiction (mind you, this was a day after the interview). I have called the Visa office in DC (cuz NVC has no new info) for the past 3 days and have gotten three different stores i.e its still at the embassy, its been returned and it has been returned (dont know what to believe)

The good news ( i hope) is that my congressman hasnt gotten a ####### and bull story about the case been returend to USCIS. He called me today and said he should be getting a response by Monday. My lawyer hand delivered an appeal and reconsideration letter (with additional evidence) to the embassy and also sent a package via DHL. And i know GOD IS IN CONTROL

You really turned this post around kayj! From hopeless to hopeful. I'll keep you in my prayers. Thanks for sharing. I'll definitely inform Pman of this form of trickery. Please post updates especially when you have the victory.

[reeses16 8]

Kayj, I'm very glad you're staying on top of the situation. I hope you receive good news soon.

I just want to point out that its best to read as much as you can about the process before submitting. VJers often discourage people from submitting photos that could be misinterpreted or assumed to be evidence of a marriage, to prevent this exact situation. But you can't possibly read everything, or ask a question if it doesn't even occur to you to ask a question.

No doubt Lagos is a very difficult consulate. But there have been a few people to get through without drama. I wish the best for you all!

[kayj 0]

Kayj, I'm very glad you're staying on top of the situation. I hope you receive good news soon.

I just want to point out that its best to read as much as you can about the process before submitting. VJers often discourage people from submitting photos that could be misinterpreted or assumed to be evidence of a marriage, to prevent this exact situation. But you can't possibly read everything, or ask a question if it doesn't even occur to you to ask a question.

No doubt Lagos is a very difficult consulate. But there have been a few people to get through without drama. I wish the best for you all!

well. i did ask ppl who got recently approved (around March 2009) what kinda pictures they included with thier K-1 petition. Beleive me, i id enough research. Some ppl were denied becasue thier SO have not met thier future in-laws. So i made it a point to show that our parents have met each other and are in support of us getting married. That is what we call "Introduction and engagement ceremony " in Nigeria. Its not a tradiional marriage. Its a formal meeting of the families.

This isnt the 1st time Nigerians have included introduction and engagement pictures with thier petition. This was just a vendetta by a very nasty CO. She even stated that she had denied five K-1 visas the previous week because she beleives Nigerians take the K-1 route instead of the K-3 because they believe its faster. I dont know why the other couples were denied but im sure she found a convenient reason to do so. So please when, you are praying for you r SO's interview, pray dont dont meet someone with a personal vendetta agiants nigerians. GOD has the final word.