My Interview AP experience

[Cereza 1]

Here is a part of my interview experience. If any of you could tell me why you think we are on AP, or what steps we should take next, I'd appreciate it. And NO my SO has NEVER tried to enter the US illegally, NEVER had his finger prints taken by the police, and NEVER been in trouble, and is the ONLY person in the entire country with his FULL name, including his mother's maiden name. Ok, now read on.....

So we are called to window #20. Our CO was a guy in his mid 30s and his name was Glenn but looked more like a Bubba. He had a heavy American accent and was balding. He instantly struck me as a laid back guy, and it seemed like it was going to be easy. Glen swore us in. Shaking our heads was suffice, we didnt even verbally have to say yes. I told him I would do the interview in Spanish because I wanted my SO to understand everything, but he said no. That hed do it in English and Spanish. Well, the whole interview was a mix of the 2. He spoke to us in both, my SO and I responded in both. So each question we just picked different languages. At least he was able to see we both had no problems talking English and Spanish. He only asked me what was my SOs Bday and where I worked. The rest of the questions were to my SO, but I chimed in and had to clarify some questions-answers.

Were did we meet? We told him, and then he said, OK Im going to google the place. But then said, just kidding. Then he said it was better than meeting on the internet like some other people do.

He asked us what our religion was since that was on the original application as to the circumstances on how we met.

He asked my SO had he ever been out the country including Cuba PR etc...

He asked my SO what is Bed Bath and Beyond? That was on the original application as one of my past employers. Another CO said, "Hes not going to know that!" Then I realized why he was asking and told the CO that it was a temp job for a few months to save up for DR, and that my SO wouldnt know the name of the company, but that if he asked about my other employment he would know.

He asked my SO if he knew my ex boyfriends name? My SO said yes and told him. The CO asked if they were friends, my SO said not yet. Lots of laughs here.

He asked my SO if he knew my email address and to write it down. I told the CO my SO only knows my cerezadulce1@....com address and that is not the address I used for my petition. I used a more professional one. Either way my SO wrote it down. Then the CO was like, "ok back to level 2 spanish let me try to see if I can figure out what this means...sweet cherry 1?" I said "yes, that is part of the meaning of my name." He said ok. The CO then saw my jetblue miles and said "wow you have a lot. What happens when you get 100?" I told him I get a free flight. Then he saw my cerezadulce1 email address on my jetblue paperwork and said ok.

Then he started looking at our proof that I had sent in with the original paperwork. He started reading some emails and started saying jokingly, "What does this say here? Besame besame? A donde? Whoa!" Then I said, no that is not possible. He was joking again. Then he wanted to open up the photos we sent with the original petition but it was glued and stapled shut and he couldnt get it open. He said jokingly, "its the most fun to see the dirty pictures, lets see what you got" Again, I told him I didnt send stuff like this. He said he was most interested to know WHO took the pictures of us. But when he couldnt get it open was like "forget it, I dont want to see it that bad." So then I knew he was positive of our relationship. There were lots of laughs and we joked a lot.

So at this point all I was looking for was a green paper to start feeling happy. I see him pulling out a small green piece of paper-like a ticket and start to clap. He says "your visa is approved BUT"..... (the words I never wanted to hear and was my worst fear)...."there is some more processing to be done." He took my SOs passport and told him that when the processing is done, the visa will be delivered to his house. So right there my heart dropped as I thought of people waiting so long like TJ, Wfeliz, and Deale, and I said "this is bad news. This means this is going to take another 2-6 months." Then the CO said, "no this could take 24hrs to 2years, but as soon as you go pay Domex, I will hit the send button to Washington and this might be resolved very quickly." Then I asked if there was a hit with his name and he said very sarcastically because at this point there was no reason to joke anymore "Mmmmaybe yes, mmmmaaaybe not." I told him I wanted my SO to come back with me Friday for my sisters wedding, and he said that was never going to happen. We took the green paper and headed to the crazy long Domex line. Instantly I start crying and had my face red like a tomato and I was tore up. Instantly everyone begins to stare and stretch their necks to eavesdrop in my SO and mines convo to hear what the problem is. So we talk in english to avoid this and I start giving dirty looks to at the people staring and that resloved that problem. People were so confused as to why I was crying if were ON THE DOMEX LINE. My SO had a friend also petitioning his wife the same day. Apparently they called my SO back to window 20, but we never heard. Instantly his friend came running to the line to tell us to go back to window 20. So instantly we begin to think this was one of the COs many jokes or figure there was some mistake. But no, he forgot to give us another large green slip explaining everything, and that we were to present the slip to Domex. So then I say to the CO, "so basically we are under administrative review?" And he said, "no you are under administrative processing." Then I said, "thats the same thing." He didnt refute it. He also began to stare at me because I was a total mess even though I didnt cry in front of him, it was obvious I was crying. He told me, "Hey at least you get to find out if your SO is a drug dealer" Again, NOT the time to joke around! "I said I am positive he is not." I wasnt laughing either. Then we went back to the Domex line where I began to cry the entire hour till we paid Domex, and cried the whole night pretty hard. My eyes were so puffy I could barely see, and they are still puffy now even though I stopped crying yesterday. It seems like this ####### always happens to me. I am wondering if when the CO said, "all he had to do is hit send" if that means this is a process done by email?? If so that would make things quicker that waiting for DHL to send packages.

[CouscousApplePie 0]

  Cereza said:

Here is a part of my interview experience. If any of you could tell me why you think we are on AP, or what steps we should take next, I'd appreciate it. And NO my SO has NEVER tried to enter the US illegally, NEVER had his finger prints taken by the police, and NEVER been in trouble, and is the ONLY person in the entire country with his FULL name, including his mother's maiden name. Ok, now read on.....

So we are called to window #20. Our CO was a guy in his mid 30s and his name was Glenn but looked more like a Bubba. He had a heavy American accent and was balding. He instantly struck me as a laid back guy, and it seemed like it was going to be easy. Glen swore us in. Shaking our heads was suffice, we didnt even verbally have to say yes. I told him I would do the interview in Spanish because I wanted my SO to understand everything, but he said no. That hed do it in English and Spanish. Well, the whole interview was a mix of the 2. He spoke to us in both, my SO and I responded in both. So each question we just picked different languages. At least he was able to see we both had no problems talking English and Spanish. He only asked me what was my SOs Bday and where I worked. The rest of the questions were to my SO, but I chimed in and had to clarify some questions-answers.

Were did we meet? We told him, and then he said, OK Im going to google the place. But then said, just kidding. Then he said it was better than meeting on the internet like some other people do.

He asked us what our religion was since that was on the original application as to the circumstances on how we met.

He asked my SO had he ever been out the country including Cuba PR etc...

He asked my SO what is Bed Bath and Beyond? That was on the original application as one of my past employers. Another CO said, "Hes not going to know that!" Then I realized why he was asking and told the CO that it was a temp job for a few months to save up for DR, and that my SO wouldnt know the name of the company, but that if he asked about my other employment he would know.

He asked my SO if he knew my ex boyfriends name? My SO said yes and told him. The CO asked if they were friends, my SO said not yet. Lots of laughs here.

He asked my SO if he knew my email address and to write it down. I told the CO my SO only knows my cerezadulce1@....com address and that is not the address I used for my petition. I used a more professional one. Either way my SO wrote it down. Then the CO was like, "ok back to level 2 spanish let me try to see if I can figure out what this means...sweet cherry 1?" I said "yes, that is part of the meaning of my name." He said ok. The CO then saw my jetblue miles and said "wow you have a lot. What happens when you get 100?" I told him I get a free flight. Then he saw my cerezadulce1 email address on my jetblue paperwork and said ok.

Then he started looking at our proof that I had sent in with the original paperwork. He started reading some emails and started saying jokingly, "What does this say here? Besame besame? A donde? Whoa!" Then I said, no that is not possible. He was joking again. Then he wanted to open up the photos we sent with the original petition but it was glued and stapled shut and he couldnt get it open. He said jokingly, "its the most fun to see the dirty pictures, lets see what you got" Again, I told him I didnt send stuff like this. He said he was most interested to know WHO took the pictures of us. But when he couldnt get it open was like "forget it, I dont want to see it that bad." So then I knew he was positive of our relationship. There were lots of laughs and we joked a lot.

So at this point all I was looking for was a green paper to start feeling happy. I see him pulling out a small green piece of paper-like a ticket and start to clap. He says "your visa is approved BUT"..... (the words I never wanted to hear and was my worst fear)...."there is some more processing to be done." He took my SOs passport and told him that when the processing is done, the visa will be delivered to his house. So right there my heart dropped as I thought of people waiting so long like TJ, Wfeliz, and Deale, and I said "this is bad news. This means this is going to take another 2-6 months." Then the CO said, "no this could take 24hrs to 2years, but as soon as you go pay Domex, I will hit the send button to Washington and this might be resolved very quickly." Then I asked if there was a hit with his name and he said very sarcastically because at this point there was no reason to joke anymore "Mmmmaybe yes, mmmmaaaybe not." I told him I wanted my SO to come back with me Friday for my sisters wedding, and he said that was never going to happen. We took the green paper and headed to the crazy long Domex line. Instantly I start crying and had my face red like a tomato and I was tore up. Instantly everyone begins to stare and stretch their necks to eavesdrop in my SO and mines convo to hear what the problem is. So we talk in english to avoid this and I start giving dirty looks to at the people staring and that resloved that problem. People were so confused as to why I was crying if were ON THE DOMEX LINE. My SO had a friend also petitioning his wife the same day. Apparently they called my SO back to window 20, but we never heard. Instantly his friend came running to the line to tell us to go back to window 20. So instantly we begin to think this was one of the COs many jokes or figure there was some mistake. But no, he forgot to give us another large green slip explaining everything, and that we were to present the slip to Domex. So then I say to the CO, "so basically we are under administrative review?" And he said, "no you are under administrative processing." Then I said, "thats the same thing." He didnt refute it. He also began to stare at me because I was a total mess even though I didnt cry in front of him, it was obvious I was crying. He told me, "Hey at least you get to find out if your SO is a drug dealer" Again, NOT the time to joke around! "I said I am positive he is not." I wasnt laughing either. Then we went back to the Domex line where I began to cry the entire hour till we paid Domex, and cried the whole night pretty hard. My eyes were so puffy I could barely see, and they are still puffy now even though I stopped crying yesterday. It seems like this ####### always happens to me. I am wondering if when the CO said, "all he had to do is hit send" if that means this is a process done by email?? If so that would make things quicker that waiting for DHL to send packages.

WOWOW>>>>>

I am so sorry my eyes were welling up to... these so called ppl( with NO HEART) just dont have a clue what we all are going thur and how hard this whole process is emotionally ....

I will keep you in my prays ad hope for a speedy AP.......

hugs

[Bocajr27 3]

First. Stop the crying, pick yourself up and dust yourself off. Trust me when I tell you that it's not the end of the world.

Second. He took the passport and told you that it was approved and to pay Domex, That's not exactly a bad thing. We were put on AP and our Passport was given back until it was over (which lasted 30 days). When the AP was over we were told to bring an approved I-212 and that my wifes visa would be issued. When she brought it in, she was told that the visa was approved but that it would take a little longer than usual to get it to her because they needed to process a little more information in the system so that when she came to the US she would not have a problem with customs.

So. Cheer up. Cahnces are, in a few weeks you'll get the visa. We were approved on September 22 and got her visa on October 3rd. It may work the same way for you. Don't get pissy with the CO. They are the gate keepers and you have to play their game. Remember, you get more flies with hone than you do with poop.

Good luck

[Cereza 1]

Boca-Thanks for your insight and advice. I am hoping that this isn't the end of the world like you say. It's just so hard to wait with out knowing why, or for how long......I am PRAYING this has a happy ending soon. I know the good news is that we were approved. We just have to wait for Domex to show up at his front door! It's just so hard to wait forever for your NOA2, then interview....you think in your heart the waiting is almost done, only to have to wait MORE.

[Bocajr27 3]

  Cereza said:

Boca-Thanks for your insight and advice. I am hoping that this isn't the end of the world like you say. It's just so hard to wait with out knowing why, or for how long......I am PRAYING this has a happy ending soon. I know the good news is that we were approved. We just have to wait for Domex to show up at his front door! It's just so hard to wait forever for your NOA2, then interview....you think in your heart the waiting is almost done, only to have to wait MORE.

This is by far the least stressfull moment. The most stressfull moment for me was when we arrived in MIA and going through Customs. You don't know what will happen and (personally) I was on pins and needles up to the moment they let us go. It really wasn't that bad (only an hour wait). But I was going nuts until it was over and done with.

Anyhow, I'm sure you'll have it soon. Take care

[Cereza 1]

Just read your timeline Boca. Your experience might have been easier because they were constantly emailing you updates on your case. I have never heard of the Dominican embassy doing that. That is what makes it harder.

Edited October 15, 2009 by Cereza

[wayno 9]

Hang in there! My wife was put in AP after an approval at the embassy in Costa Rica on. Her interview was on the 12th of August. She picked up her visa last week and is now here in MD. It'll work out.

[MRStee 19]

I pray things work out for you. I felt the pain in your words

[jpcanon 0]

  Cereza said:

Here is a part of my interview experience. If any of you could tell me why you think we are on AP, or what steps we should take next, I'd appreciate it. And NO my SO has NEVER tried to enter the US illegally, NEVER had his finger prints taken by the police, and NEVER been in trouble, and is the ONLY person in the entire country with his FULL name, including his mother's maiden name. Ok, now read on.....

So we are called to window #20. Our CO was a guy in his mid 30s and his name was Glenn but looked more like a Bubba. He had a heavy American accent and was balding. He instantly struck me as a laid back guy, and it seemed like it was going to be easy. Glen swore us in. Shaking our heads was suffice, we didnt even verbally have to say yes. I told him I would do the interview in Spanish because I wanted my SO to understand everything, but he said no. That hed do it in English and Spanish. Well, the whole interview was a mix of the 2. He spoke to us in both, my SO and I responded in both. So each question we just picked different languages. At least he was able to see we both had no problems talking English and Spanish. He only asked me what was my SOs Bday and where I worked. The rest of the questions were to my SO, but I chimed in and had to clarify some questions-answers.

Were did we meet? We told him, and then he said, OK Im going to google the place. But then said, just kidding. Then he said it was better than meeting on the internet like some other people do.

He asked us what our religion was since that was on the original application as to the circumstances on how we met.

He asked my SO had he ever been out the country including Cuba PR etc...

He asked my SO what is Bed Bath and Beyond? That was on the original application as one of my past employers. Another CO said, "Hes not going to know that!" Then I realized why he was asking and told the CO that it was a temp job for a few months to save up for DR, and that my SO wouldnt know the name of the company, but that if he asked about my other employment he would know.

He asked my SO if he knew my ex boyfriends name? My SO said yes and told him. The CO asked if they were friends, my SO said not yet. Lots of laughs here.

He asked my SO if he knew my email address and to write it down. I told the CO my SO only knows my cerezadulce1@....com address and that is not the address I used for my petition. I used a more professional one. Either way my SO wrote it down. Then the CO was like, "ok back to level 2 spanish let me try to see if I can figure out what this means...sweet cherry 1?" I said "yes, that is part of the meaning of my name." He said ok. The CO then saw my jetblue miles and said "wow you have a lot. What happens when you get 100?" I told him I get a free flight. Then he saw my cerezadulce1 email address on my jetblue paperwork and said ok.

Then he started looking at our proof that I had sent in with the original paperwork. He started reading some emails and started saying jokingly, "What does this say here? Besame besame? A donde? Whoa!" Then I said, no that is not possible. He was joking again. Then he wanted to open up the photos we sent with the original petition but it was glued and stapled shut and he couldnt get it open. He said jokingly, "its the most fun to see the dirty pictures, lets see what you got" Again, I told him I didnt send stuff like this. He said he was most interested to know WHO took the pictures of us. But when he couldnt get it open was like "forget it, I dont want to see it that bad." So then I knew he was positive of our relationship. There were lots of laughs and we joked a lot.

So at this point all I was looking for was a green paper to start feeling happy. I see him pulling out a small green piece of paper-like a ticket and start to clap. He says "your visa is approved BUT"..... (the words I never wanted to hear and was my worst fear)...."there is some more processing to be done." He took my SOs passport and told him that when the processing is done, the visa will be delivered to his house. So right there my heart dropped as I thought of people waiting so long like TJ, Wfeliz, and Deale, and I said "this is bad news. This means this is going to take another 2-6 months." Then the CO said, "no this could take 24hrs to 2years, but as soon as you go pay Domex, I will hit the send button to Washington and this might be resolved very quickly." Then I asked if there was a hit with his name and he said very sarcastically because at this point there was no reason to joke anymore "Mmmmaybe yes, mmmmaaaybe not." I told him I wanted my SO to come back with me Friday for my sisters wedding, and he said that was never going to happen. We took the green paper and headed to the crazy long Domex line. Instantly I start crying and had my face red like a tomato and I was tore up. Instantly everyone begins to stare and stretch their necks to eavesdrop in my SO and mines convo to hear what the problem is. So we talk in english to avoid this and I start giving dirty looks to at the people staring and that resloved that problem. People were so confused as to why I was crying if were ON THE DOMEX LINE. My SO had a friend also petitioning his wife the same day. Apparently they called my SO back to window 20, but we never heard. Instantly his friend came running to the line to tell us to go back to window 20. So instantly we begin to think this was one of the COs many jokes or figure there was some mistake. But no, he forgot to give us another large green slip explaining everything, and that we were to present the slip to Domex. So then I say to the CO, "so basically we are under administrative review?" And he said, "no you are under administrative processing." Then I said, "thats the same thing." He didnt refute it. He also began to stare at me because I was a total mess even though I didnt cry in front of him, it was obvious I was crying. He told me, "Hey at least you get to find out if your SO is a drug dealer" Again, NOT the time to joke around! "I said I am positive he is not." I wasnt laughing either. Then we went back to the Domex line where I began to cry the entire hour till we paid Domex, and cried the whole night pretty hard. My eyes were so puffy I could barely see, and they are still puffy now even though I stopped crying yesterday. It seems like this ####### always happens to me. I am wondering if when the CO said, "all he had to do is hit send" if that means this is a process done by email?? If so that would make things quicker that waiting for DHL to send packages.

Hang in there- AP is a funky thing... I have been in it for over 5 months, with no information at.... It'll happen at some point, just don't lose your mind in the meantime!

Joe

[Cereza 1]

Thanks guys! We are hoping to have my SO here by December or January!

[Bajih 4]

Welcome to the AP club! It sucks, but it is what it is. I have been in AP with absolutely no word since April 15, 2009 and since that time I have felt every emotion there is. Done a lot of praying. It is hard- that not knowing when. All we can do is hang on and have faith it will work out.

Baj

[Bocajr27 3]

  Cereza said:

Just read your timeline Boca. Your experience might have been easier because they were constantly emailing you updates on your case. I have never heard of the Dominican embassy doing that. That is what makes it harder.

It was in no way easier for us. The only reason they e-mailed me so much is because I took a proactive aproach to my case and was relentlessly e-mailing them on a weekly basis. Now while I agree that every Embassy is different in their own ways, the rules are generally the same. Contact them weekly. Also...It wouldn't hurt if you had the e-mail address of a specific consul in that Embassy. The reason I say this is because in every e-mail that I sent, I made sure to cc a specific consul (who's card I got when I visited the Embassy on a previous trip). Why did I do this? In my opinion, the IV Center in that embassy paid a little bit more attention whenever they saw that this specific Consul was CC'd. Kind of like when you send a coworker an e-mail about a project and you made sure to cc your boss on it. Your coworker will tend to pay a little more attention and answer you quickly. Same principle applied here.

You still need to be patient, but remember that you are totaly within your rights to inquire at least once on a weekly basis.

Good Luck

[Cereza 1]

Thanks Boca for the advice. In the Dominican Embassy they offer absolutely NO emails for anyone. I have tried searching and can't find anything. I just have a general email asktheconsul@usemb.gov.do. Then I have emails for the consulate for the DR in Washington DC that look like this consular@us.serex.gov.do. If I knew the name of any one consular officer, I would play with the first and last name to try and send emails there, but I don't have anything. But I will continue to fax the embassy at least and send emails. Thanks.

[Bocajr27 3]

  Cereza said:

Thanks Boca for the advice. In the Dominican Embassy they offer absolutely NO emails for anyone. I have tried searching and can't find anything. I just have a general email asktheconsul@usemb.gov.do. Then I have emails for the consulate for the DR in Washington DC that look like this consular@us.serex.gov.do. If I knew the name of any one consular officer, I would play with the first and last name to try and send emails there, but I don't have anything. But I will continue to fax the embassy at least and send emails. Thanks.

By any chance are you planning a trip any time soon to see your husband? If so, you may want to go on a day that the Embassy is open and ask to speak to a Consul. They HAVE TO TEND TO YOU!! I say this with caps because some people turn away at the first encounter with a security guard that may try to turn you away.

That was what happened to me, and I insisted that I'm an American Citizen and it is my right to speak to a consul in MY EMBASSY! They reluctanly let me in and I received great advise from the Consul. If you have the time to do this, I suggest you do. It can go a long way. That way, you'll have the name and e-mail address of someone in the embassy and the e-mail address of the IV unit.

Good Luck

[Omark 3]

I was told the same thing that i was approved and some adtional processing was needed.I was given a green letter saying my case in temporarily refused and needs administrative processing,kept my passport as well so exactly the same situation.I have been under AP for more than 90 days now and counting and yes ........its not the end of the world , just hang in there.....it happens.