Unusual love story, how to present it during interview?

[apalopohapa 0]

Hello.

I met my wife about 7 years ago in Colombia (I was born in the US but grew up in Colombia). I came to the US 6 years ago and started a K-1 application 4 years ago. Unfortunately, the paralegal friend that was 'helping' me was not very good and we had problems with the mail, two RFE's and an MTR (motion to reopen) apparently not being received. This took about 2.5 years. I switched to a renowned immigration law firm and they told me that if I wanted to get married, it would be best if I did and then apply for a CR1. So I called my then girlfriend and told her that it was best if we got married. I got the papers I needed (birth certificate and a certificate that I hadn't been married before), flew there, got legally married, then came back, applied for the CR1, everything went great and now I'm having the interview in October. I'm trying to prepare for it, and my dilemma is that the regular questions that I expect are, for example: how did he propose, where did you go for your honeymoon, who attended the wedding. And the problem that I have is that I didn't do the regular kneel down with a diamond ring, but it was more like hey, to be together we should get married asap, so I'm flying there next month ok love?. And then there was no trip to Europe or anything, we just stayed at a beautiful hotel for the night and a few days later I flew back to the US. At the notary public where we got married only my mom and my wife's sister were there. 'I mean, we love each other and we have travelled together and done a lot of fun stuff but this is just the way we are and that's how we actually got married. But I'm afraid that the consular officer will think that it is not true because it was not how things normally happen, while the truth is that we're just doing whatever is necessary so that we can be together in the US.

Any suggestions?

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

Hello.

I met my wife about 7 years ago in Colombia (I was born in the US but grew up in Colombia). I came to the US 6 years ago and started a K-1 application 4 years ago. Unfortunately, the paralegal friend that was 'helping' me was not very good and we had problems with the mail, two RFE's and an MTR (motion to reopen) apparently not being received. This took about 2.5 years. I switched to a renowned immigration law firm and they told me that if I wanted to get married, it would be best if I did and then apply for a CR1. So I called my then girlfriend and told her that it was best if we got married. I got the papers I needed (birth certificate and a certificate that I hadn't been married before), flew there, got legally married, then came back, applied for the CR1, everything went great and now I'm having the interview in October. I'm trying to prepare for it, and my dilemma is that the regular questions that I expect are, for example: how did he propose, where did you go for your honeymoon, who attended the wedding. And the problem that I have is that I didn't do the regular kneel down with a diamond ring, but it was more like hey, to be together we should get married asap, so I'm flying there next month ok love?. And then there was no trip to Europe or anything, we just stayed at a beautiful hotel for the night and a few days later I flew back to the US. At the notary public where we got married only my mom and my wife's sister were there. 'I mean, we love each other and we have travelled together and done a lot of fun stuff but this is just the way we are and that's how we actually got married. But I'm afraid that the consular officer will think that it is not true because it was not how things normally happen, while the truth is that we're just doing whatever is necessary so that we can be together in the US.

Any suggestions?

Ok let me tell you that we had the same issue before our interview.

You don't have to worry my friend.

Mike and I are living very close to Las Vegas and we went there to be married in a little chapel with only our 2 sons and Mike's sister.

We took pictures from this day and thats the only thing we had.

We didn't have any honeymoon.

The thing the consular is looking at is if you guys are living together as a normal happy couple.

It dosn't matter at all how you guys proposed or the way you were getting married.

Mike and I wish we could have done this much better. But it was so hasty everything and my famely from Denmark couldn't be here.

We couldn't affort anything either back then.

Our dreams about big weddings the consular officer knows everything about. And they don't expect you to be able to do this since you only have a short period to do this.

I hope I can calm down your worryness a little bit with my experience. You really don't have anything to worry about.

Sincerely

Anette

[canadian_wife 1,808]

Honestly, your story is not that unusual. My husband and I decided to get married because an immigration lawyer told us to (no engagement ceremony, no ring, no 'down on one knee'), we didn't have a honeymoon or even invite anyone to our wedding.

Tell the truth, you'll be fine

Good luck.

[mrsemcee 1]

Hey there,

my hubby and I got married at the Courthouse and NO family or friends were there, then we had lunch at Burger King, so trust me, we did it weirdly so to speak, too!

I am not nervous at all though. We have so much love for each other and millions of photos of other things we have done together, plus soppy lovey emails, texts, and lots of phone bills too...

GOOD LUCK! You'll be ok.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

visas arent measured by the size of the ring, large wedding etc etc or the exact order the trip took, they just look at the reasons all these steps took place, if they are true it will show

[Old Dominion 26]

Just tell it like it is. What you did is certainly acceptable and not that unusual. Bottom line, it gives evidence that you really want to be together as husband and wife.

[FinnLove 0]

This seems to be the norm for all of us VJers in the same position. My husband and I eloped in Finland. I chose not to tell my family in the US beforehand. My teenage daughter and her best friend were our witnesses. He didn't tell his family, and they're in Finland! We just wanted a small ceremony with just my daughter, and we wouldn't have done it any other way had we both been in the US! We're in our 40s, it was my 2nd marriage, we met back in 1988, and that is what we wanted. I've been there, done that with the big wedding. It hasn't even been a concern to me. Don't worry at all! There are so many of us in your shoes! I didn't even wear my ring until we got married, and his proposal was very comical!!!! You'll be fine.

[Ellie-and-David 38]

We met on a karaoke website.

Met a year later and spent time together.

Fell head over heels even more.

Filed, did a few more trips and I arrived here in July and got married on a beach with 2 witnesses and then went for a nice meal with our friends. I received my engagement ring 5 months after we filed.

Hardly anyone has a "usual" story here. You'll be just fine. Just be ready for her to answer questions about your first petition. They'll probably want to know what happened.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

As others have said your story is just fine

We met online. I sent an email at the end of March telling how frustrating it was being on seperate continents and his response??? An email back, "If you're that frustrated then just come here and we'll get married." That was on April Fools Day no less!!! I flew to Senegal met him for the first time in person on Nov 1 and we were married on Nov 3, no one from my family or his at the courthouse wedding, just two of his friends and two paid witnesses (you have to have Senegalese citizens be the "official" witnesses).

Our second interview is in 2-1/2 weeks, I'm so certain he'll get his visa I already bought his ticket home.

Edited September 6, 2009 by WhidbeyGirl

[pretty mommy 0]

i suggest that just answer truthfully. and as long as you have all the proofs and documents that you are legally married and you have all the requirements needed, then you don't have to worry about anything.

we almost have the same situation, and i am here now in US with my husband.

[mlybrand 0]

My wedding was kinda big, but I had a whole Peruvian family to make happy In my defense (so I don't seem weird here on this forum), none of my people were there... good lord, how many people would have been at the reception then!!!

Mark

PS. Your marriage sounds a lot my first marriage in 1993 in Bogota... Of course, I was living there at the time, so there was never any question of the bona fides of that relationship by the time we did the DCF.

[apalopohapa 0]

Thank you all for your responses. I actually feel a lot better and more confident now, knowing that this is more usual than I thought it was, and therefore should be no surprise to the consular officer.

[jcrom 2]

Hello everybody, I hope you can get my advice, if you want. The thing is that for USCIS, everything has to have a support, evidence or probe. what it could be? Let's say, pictures, copy of mutuals emails, or copy of letters, letters together about the relationship, or any kind of other evidence. I think you just need to explain how was the story how you knew each other and that is it. You don't have to put too much mistery or problem to your story. The thing is that if you don't explain nothing or you don't know how to explain the things, maybe the USCIS officer is going to think that you are trying to make up or to invent something, so it is good idea that you and your husband agree on what exactly to tell in the interview, it is very helpful. The preparation and training for the interview, both any visa in Bogota or in any USCIS office in the U.S. is very delicate and sometimes rough. Of course, that always depends on your evidence and your training on the interiview, even a little bit of luck. I tell you that I got a difficult interview in Philadelphia, PA, I got a difficult officer, it was a lady who was a little bit desperate, exaggerated, even rude too. I think she was cocky, thanks to God, about 1 week later, I got my green card. The fact is that you have to train with your husband, bring your evidence to the interview, be tranquil and confident and that is it. Please follow the rules of an USCIS INTERVIEW, Just exactly answer what they are asking to you or to your husband, do not answer less or more that they are asking you. they like that every couple be as much as accurate and every quick, sometimes their patience is almost zero, so, it's better to be as much as practical on everything. The thing is that if you both guys believe that is better to give a good explanation about something that is fundamental, please do it. But, do it in a way that is easy to understand to the officer, thanks and bye,

[meowmeowmeow 0]

don't worry....

similar story for me. we got married in a municipal building in ankara, turkey. we just had a few friends and my cousins and aunt joined us later for nargile and dinner in the city. my mom and siblings couldn't make it out because of work and what not, but they sent me their blessings. it is what it is. not everyone has $$$ to splurge on big fancy showy weddings and what not. what matters are your intentions and feelings towards one another. and especially in these times, when the economy sucks everywhere, hopefully the consulate will get that.

good luck to you