Travel ban

[Malrothien 6]

USCI can deny my petition based on the merit of my application and only on its merit.

I think you're having a problem differentiating between reality and theory. If you want to take that chance, then good luck. This whole discussion is going in circles now and seems to have run its course anyway.

Us:

Him:

[luckytxn 2,265]

I am debating a point that does not makes all of a lot sense but for those that decided to pass personal attacks is not cool. All I am saying is the immigrant are not regarded much higher than a convict that just got released from jail and have been told not to leave the country. This is my feeling about this and I believe any person regardless of its nationality should be able to travel were ever he/she pleases without this ridiculous ban that accomplishes noting. After all most K1 are making real sacrifices, leaving everything behind and this ban is not here to help.

At the interview I am going to raise this point and if the interviewer denies my petition on my beliefs and not on its merit, then what do you think it will show about this person or the USCI! I believe most persons at USCI are decent and open to discussion.

I for one applaud you and hope you do so fervently. Good to see someone standing up to the public servants that work for us taxpayers. Our taxes pay for their salary and they should be reminded of this now and again. Again good luck and God bless.

[Wei&Shu(Joe) 2]

Free of our moves is not a privilege (given by somebody because we are nice) but rather a right and at this moment I have to make many concessions around my life just because this moving restriction that was imposed to us..

I wish to know one good reason why a K1 can't travel abroad after the first entry. I take it all back if I can have one good valid reason.

Actually, immigration is not a right, it's a privilege. Rules are rules.

I see the reasoning though. When you enter the United States as a K1 visa holder, it is 1 time use. You're main purpose is to go there and get married and adjust status to that of a green card holder. Between getting married and filing AOS, you are in limbo...you are technically no longer a resident of the country you came from, and you status is the US is no longer that of a visa holder until you get AP/EAD/AOS.

The K1 visa makes sense as well being 1 time use. You have 90 days to get married after you enter on a K1... if they made it multi-entry, how would they be able to control the 90 days aspect to the visa. The main purpose of attaining a K1 visa is to come to the United States to get married and settle here as an immigrant.

If traveling is something that you want to do, then perhaps you should looking to obtaining a different kind of visa that suits your needs.

yes, A k1 should have its travel ban lifted as soon as you marry. That will make more sense. To check the 90 days, look at the date of the first entry, The K1 we have has two dates, the first entry and 90 days later. Those are the dates we should base our time line with and a ban has no real place or purpose in this.

Yes, I think that is a good point. We could simply raise the price of AOS to say $12,000 and then USCIS could assign an officer to witness each of our weddings. Then they'd know right when you were married and they could issue re-entry documents at the time of the wedding. Then there wouldn't be the need for filing certificates and forms to prove our compliance with the immigration process because as OP points out, Homeland Security should assume all immigrants are on the up and up and not do all this bothersome checking and data collection. These people act as if there is a huge number of immigrants every year to be processed. It can't be more than a few hundred people right? It should be easy for those slackers. My wife and I were prisoners here for 6 whole months! Who among us spends 6 consecutive months in the US? They forced me to put off my annual excursion to St Tropez, those evil.... If they make me miss Cannes, I'm going to go down there and personally tell them what I think of this .....system! How can a person be asked to not plan any international travel for 6 months. I'm practically out of that fine Beluga I can only get in Russia! What do I do then USCIS?!?!?!?!

Of course, they seem to have more questions about some and prolong their process, ask for more info, so our personal immigration officer would have to live with some couples for a few weeks and collect info, rather than having the immigrant collect and send it because that would delay their ability to re-enter any time they wished. So maybe we could each chip in $20,000 or so to cover the extended stay for some of the PVOs (Personal Visa Officers).

The slow down really comes because they expect us to gather evidence and send it and then have a limited staff to process the documentation. Of course, that system keeps our cost at $1,010 but who among us wouldn't have gladly forked over 10 or 20 grand so that we could have instant travel rights on the wedding day?

You know, I hear there are marriage visa frauds and sometimes the USC isn't even aware of it but that really shouldn't be of any concern to Homeland Security. And while we're at it, how about all the other infringements on our freedom in the process? Visa expiration dates? Who are they to tell someone when they can and can't legally be in the country? It really is monstrous and I'm glad the OP brought it up.

I look forward to the era of PVOs. It will be a great step forward and the price will ensure that there will be only a few hundred marriage visas to process each year!

[rebeccajo 14]

Free of our moves is not a privilege (given by somebody because we are nice) but rather a right and at this moment I have to make many concessions around my life just because this moving restriction that was imposed to us..

I wish to know one good reason why a K1 can't travel abroad after the first entry. I take it all back if I can have one good valid reason.

Because it's a single entry visa?

[thepizzadude 26]

Free of our moves is not a privilege (given by somebody because we are nice) but rather a right and at this moment I have to make many concessions around my life just because this moving restriction that was imposed to us..

I wish to know one good reason why a K1 can't travel abroad after the first entry. I take it all back if I can have one good valid reason.

Because it is the rules of acquiring and using a K1 visa to enter and remain in the US for 90 days to be married.

[mamaSue 38]

Really... we're on page 4 of this topic now.... and I don't see what the OP's big deal is!!

With your AOS papers, you can also apply for AP, which gives you the right to travel.

If an emergency comes up and you don't have the AP yet , you can make an infopass appointment and they'll give you a quick AP... this happened to an acquaintance.... it was very easy to do... and she got back into the US without problems.

Also.... the AOS process is fairly quick now.

I really wouldn't piss off the interviewing officer.... he can't do anything about the travel situation anyway.... but, to a certain extent, your fate is in his hands... I'd be as nice to him as I possibly could. Venting anger just isn't worth it in this case!

When I had my AOS medical, the doctors office was filthy... the nurse was rude and racist.....I sucked it up.... because complaining may have delayed my AOS.

My point is... there will always be things in life that we don't agree with.... but we have to decide when it's better to just follow the rules.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Edited August 19, 2009 by lancer1655

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Good for you both. Write to your elected representatives about it. Chain yourselves to the USCIS offices. Go on a hunger strike. And of course you are always welcome to go live elsewhere until the drag is fixed.

[rebeccajo 14]

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Nope. Not a right. Not unless they amend the Constitution.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights barely mentions immigration at all. It get a little blip where it is mentioned as a federal responsibility to establish the rules of naturalization.

Spouses and family members DO receive preferential treatment already. If you are not married to a USC, you will be hard pressed to find a way to permanently move to the US unless you are highly skilled. So whether we like to admit it or not, our spouses ARE on the fast track to living in the US.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Good for you both. Write to your elected representatives about it. Chain yourselves to the USCIS offices. Go on a hunger strike. And of course you are always welcome to go live elsewhere until the drag is fixed.

I'm just saying it does no good to be complacent about the issues at hand.

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Nope. Not a right. Not unless they amend the Constitution.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights barely mentions immigration at all. It get a little blip where it is mentioned as a federal responsibility to establish the rules of naturalization.

Spouses and family members DO receive preferential treatment already. If you are not married to a USC, you will be hard pressed to find a way to permanently move to the US unless you are highly skilled. So whether we like to admit it or not, our spouses ARE on the fast track to living in the US.

I didn't say it IS....I said it SHOULD BE

[Brian&Naty 0]

We are finding out while adjusting we are not allowed to travel abroad!!! It is insane to both of us to be subjected to this kind of treatment. No one in our life stopped us from traveling freely and here we go, the US, the alleged most free country in the world can tell us when we can travel and when we can't. We are not anymore in the 80's East block anymore. What is the purpose of this?? We are not criminals. What do they think they are???

Further the all process of obtaining a visa for a spouse is ridiculous, heavy, un-respectful, expensive and borderline comical and stupid. I have better words for it but I should be nice! I tell you it does not show well to the rest of world, the way foreigners seeking visas are treated with this process. I am certain we will get many objections from the US if a US citizen has to be going through this type of process from another country.

Perhaps it is insane but there are reasons for everything. The "treatment" you are experiencing is the same as everyone else and to be honest, you sound a little angry. be careful with that. You complain this way to a customs official you may find yourself in a very undesirable situation. - Such as refusal of entry. Oh, "They" are Homeland Security. They exist because there are a lot of ANGRY PEOPLE out there in the world who have an attitude that the Americans should be wiped off the face of the earth. (Perhaps because they did not like the entire immigration process and it stressed them out.)

Oh, and just for the record. If you do not care for our process or our laws, well, stay where you are OK? have a nice day

[rebeccajo 14]

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Good for you both. Write to your elected representatives about it. Chain yourselves to the USCIS offices. Go on a hunger strike. And of course you are always welcome to go live elsewhere until the drag is fixed.

I'm just saying it does no good to be complacent about the issues at hand.

I'd have to say I pretty much agree with the OP. The system by which spouses immigrate is hopelessly flawed and needs reworking including K1, CR etc. But I wouldn't bring it up at the interview because that is ANOTHER area of the system that is not properly balanced without proper checks of power.

I also agree that as a USC it should be seen as right not a privilege to allow a family member to immigrate to be with you and so on....

Nope. Not a right. Not unless they amend the Constitution.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights barely mentions immigration at all. It get a little blip where it is mentioned as a federal responsibility to establish the rules of naturalization.

Spouses and family members DO receive preferential treatment already. If you are not married to a USC, you will be hard pressed to find a way to permanently move to the US unless you are highly skilled. So whether we like to admit it or not, our spouses ARE on the fast track to living in the US.

I didn't say it IS....I said it SHOULD BE

Well, that and a buck fifty will get you a cup of coffee.............

Seriously lancer - I don't think there's any country on earth (perhaps with the exception of Australia) that just lets 'foreign born' onto their soil permanently.

I'm a hopeless romantic when it comes to the New Colossus and everything that persons from foreign lands have brought to this country. But you'll never see open borders again and you'll never see the US admitting ANYONE here permanently without jumping through some hoops.

The alternative is no immigration at all. And there are many Americans who would be very happy about that.

Edited August 19, 2009 by rebeccajo

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

99 cents !!!

Anyway, I totally agree. You and I both agree that it could be a lot better thats all I was saying. I think once you get through everything things don't seem as bad. At first I thought the OP was being a bit silly then I thought back to how I felt at the beginning and realized he doesn't sound much different then me.

Can you believe for instance that I received a UK work permit in 30 days and a visa in two days?

[Kittykisses73 1]

This is a tough process, I have been thru the process with my husband who is the immigrant. If you need to travel then file for AP if you have not done so, OR leave without it & go back to your home country & let your spouse immigrate their, maybe their rules & process maybe more acceptable to you. It's a long hard road, but it is a privelege to bring someone here, so I am asking you nicely, PLEASE stop bashing the US & the USCIS system, it's only going to make the process seem LONGER & HARDER than it really is. Whoever posted "AP is like them holding place in line" SPOT ON!!!!

I am seeing most of the postings are "take it and shove it" type of deal. I still believe someone telling me when we can or can't travel is not acceptable. Seems as we are accepting it just because it is that way. Not so! and on my interview I will let them know what I think about this..

[Anh map 2,098]

Free of our moves is not a privilege (given by somebody because we are nice) but rather a right and at this moment I have to make many concessions around my life just because this moving restriction that was imposed to us..

I wish to know one good reason why a K1 can't travel abroad after the first entry. I take it all back if I can have one good valid reason.

You chose to apply for a single entry visa. Therefore you must abide by the choice that you made.

You are a member of VJ where there is ample information regarding all aspects of the immigration process. This ought not be a surprise to anyone petitioning for a K1 visa.

As a former colleague of mine would say when someone had backed themselves into a corner: "in this instance you fvcked you, no one else."