CAIRO'S FINAL REVIEW CLUB

[Khadijah1 0]

i have sent my joint sponsor one week ago but nothing until now , they are reviewing it . i hope they will not take a long time to review as everyday really hurts .

hot guy you are doing a great job of how patient you are and isA within march you will get your visa , and the same for khadija

i know that we are the remaining members of the club for now , and i really wish from the buttom on my heart that we will hear some good news for one of us within the first week of march , as we need that . my interview was 6 months ago , hot guy's interview was 12 months ago and khadija's wife's interview was 7 months ago .

may God help us and give us some more luck in order to get our visas as we really need them to get back to life again . it feels like we live on the purgatory but we are willing to get done with the journey carrying the visas as we are too close to , and we will

there's a will , there's a way

lmao actually its Khadijahs husband but its ok... i will consider you just had a brain fart today!!!

[tenderheartusa79 14]

i have sent my joint sponsor one week ago but nothing until now , they are reviewing it . i hope they will not take a long time to review as everyday really hurts .

hot guy you are doing a great job of how patient you are and isA within march you will get your visa , and the same for khadija

i know that we are the remaining members of the club for now , and i really wish from the buttom on my heart that we will hear some good news for one of us within the first week of march , as we need that . my interview was 6 months ago , hot guy's interview was 12 months ago and khadija's wife's interview was 7 months ago .

may God help us and give us some more luck in order to get our visas as we really need them to get back to life again . it feels like we live on the purgatory but we are willing to get done with the journey carrying the visas as we are too close to , and we will

there's a will , there's a way

Thank you so much bro .I hope that we all will get our visa next month .Can not wait till i see all of us get ours visas .

[Khadijah1 0]

We are using http://www.cheapoair.com/default.aspx?fpAf...CFRFRagod_E4TdA for my SIL and nephews flight! I saved a ton of money using them. they are coming around the end of March for 4 months or so.

awwwwwwwwwww i love my adopted niece and nephew!!! give baby loves from auntie Kelly.this is a really good site Annie thhx

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoloves to you and Hazem too and tell the ####### to holla every once in awhile lol

[Nothing1234 2]

oh i forgot to ask our friends who already done with the purgatory and now they got to the paradise of having a family with they beloved ones , how does it look like ?? how do you feel now ??

i am sure you are proud and happy i wish an eternal happiness to all of you

thank you! i think each day is a blessing but the real journey begins when you start your life together here. The transition into the US culture, working world, driving, bills, etc...can be very overwhelming. It's not always a perfect world or walk in the park smelling the roses. But, at least this struggle is together!!

i really thought our hell (purgatory) was waiting on that visa and being apart. however, adjustment to the US, married life, babies, family, etc has been more of a struggle for us than anything else. he was very depressed, missed home, family and friends and still goes thru his ups and downs. just be prepared for this. i also know our friends that live close by (a gf from Cairo) is going thru the same thing now too. she arrived here 1 year after my hubby and she now is experiencing what he did. i'm happy we all have each other to lean on. everyone goes through it and nothing prepares you for life here until that person is actually here. Don't be afraid from my words...be happy to be prepared now and ready for what lies ahead.

i think there is a thread some where here for adjusting and being ready when a spouse arrives....there is TONS of advice and awesome support and love here in MENA!

[disconnection 4]

lmao actually its Khadijahs husband but its ok... i will consider you just had a brain fart today!!!

oh sorryyyyyyyyyyy LOL

[disconnection 4]

thank you! i think each day is a blessing but the real journey begins when you start your life together here. The transition into the US culture, working world, driving, bills, etc...can be very overwhelming. It's not always a perfect world or walk in the park smelling the roses. But, at least this struggle is together!!

i really thought our hell (purgatory) was waiting on that visa and being apart. however, adjustment to the US, married life, babies, family, etc has been more of a struggle for us than anything else. he was very depressed, missed home, family and friends and still goes thru his ups and downs. just be prepared for this. i also know our friends that live close by (a gf from Cairo) is going thru the same thing now too. she arrived here 1 year after my hubby and she now is experiencing what he did. i'm happy we all have each other to lean on. everyone goes through it and nothing prepares you for life here until that person is actually here. Don't be afraid from my words...be happy to be prepared now and ready for what lies ahead.

i think there is a thread some where here for adjusting and being ready when a spouse arrives....there is TONS of advice and awesome support and love here in MENA!

and this is the perfection of life , Nawal . life is so boring when it's always happiness and roses , i am being soooooooooooo happy when my wife and I are talking about our future and our plans . i know that life is not easy and everyone will have challenges and obstacles in his new life , but there you will find someone beside you .

i really can't describe it but my wife is so helpful and we are always thinking together and i love that we will struggle together through the rest of our life for bills and kids and life issues

may God make all days a happy days for us and for all of you

[tenderheartusa79 14]

Tomorrow i will hit the 11 months of waiting and still no visa .

AP is really the hardest and the worst part of that journey .

I hope that i will wake up from that nightmare with visa in hand soon .

3 days left in Feb and probably we wont hear anything in them cause its the embassy's weekend .

So i hope that March will be our lucky month and we all will have our visas .

Disconnection Who is still waiting in the club ?!Me ,you and khadijah .anyone else ?!!

[disconnection 4]

Tomorrow i will hit the 11 months of waiting and still no visa .

AP is really the hardest and the worst part of that journey .

I hope that i will wake up from that nightmare with visa in hand soon .

3 days left in Feb and probably we wont hear anything in them cause its the embassy's weekend .

So i hope that March will be our lucky month and we all will have our visas .

Disconnection Who is still waiting in the club ?!Me ,you and khadijah .anyone else ?!!

i really wish you all the best man , and isA yoyu will have your visa during march isAAAAAAAA.

yes i guess there are no others but you, khadijah and I .

keep praying guys and isA God will help us to get our visas within days

[disconnection 4]

today we have recieved some reply from them says :

Thank you for your e-mail message.

Please note that the case is still pending mandatory administrative processing.

Regards,

Consular Section

US Embassy Cairo

anyone knows what does that mean ?? does it mean they have approved the JS that we sent them one week ago??

i hope cairo or nancy or flower would tell me when did their visas were issued after having this message , as i know all of you got this mandatory AP mail someday before your visa was issued .

i am confused :s

[disconnection 4]

i have found this and i wanted to share it with you

SECURITY NAME CHECKS

AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW*

I. SECURITY NAME CHECKS (ALSO CALLED BACKGROUND CHECKS)

For public safety & welfare and national security reasons, all visa petitions under current regulation and procedure are placed through security name checks at three (3) locations: 1. USCIS office, 2. National Visa Center (NVC) and 3. the U.S. Consulate where the visa is ultimately issued. There can be not one but several levels of security checking: There is an initial security name check done rountinely on all in-coming petitions. If the results produce a "lookout hit" or "red flag hit", the petition is placed in line for additional more intensive customized security screening, which could include a request for full fingerprints and which obviously has the undesirable effect of extending processing time for adjudication. While security checking is widely focused on the visa beneficiary, petitioners and even attorneys and consultants involved in a case are subject to security screening.

A Lookout Hit or Red Flag Hit can be generated on a visa petition, among other reasons, for any the following:

*Past arrest record

*Past criminal conviction record

*Past firearms record

*Past record of domestic violence or sexual offenses

*Past fingerprint record with any law enforcement agency

*Past visa or immigration history

*Watch List or Pending Charges "Hit": Petitioner or Beneficiary is currently on watch list or wanted on pending charges with any law enforcement or other government agency, (local, state, federal, FBI, INTERPOL, Homeland Security, State Department designated terrorist group list)

*Common or Similar Last Name with others in the database who have

past arrest or conviction records (sometimes called a "False Hit")

Under post 09-11 legislation such as USA Patriot Act, Border Security Act and Intelligence Reform Act, our Immigration Service, the Consulates, and Customs and Border Protection, have worked to significantly upgrade their technological capabilites, increase inter-agency data-sharing and coordinate investigative activities. The current policy directive is "zero tolerance" policy for security issues. The on-going U.S.Visit program is one example. Another important example is the implementation of a critical software upgrade which effectively links up Immigration and Consular databases with many local law enforcement data bases and the FBI criminal database.

Obviously, any security name check is only as good as the accuracy and completeness of the database upon which the check the done. Here is a sample of the principal databases upon which an immigration and consular security check can be done currently:

*NCIC (National Crime Information Center)(also called FBI criminal database)

*IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System)

[Click Here for More Information on Security Checks with IBIS.]

*NIIS (Non-Immigrant Information System)

*CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System)(This name-check database

in particular has been greatly expanded, now storing up to 18 million records.)

*CCD ( Consular Consolidated Date Base)(Stores 75 million records of past visa applications and outcomes)

*TIPOFF (Classified DOS Bureau of Intelligence database)

*NAILS (National Automated Immigration Lookout System)

*TECS II (Treasury Enforcement and Communucation System)

*TSC and TTIC databases (DOS Terrorist Screening system)

At USCIS (Homeland Security Department) stage, currently, NCIC, IBIS and NIIS database checks are done, with the option, if warranted, to do additional database checks.

At National Visa Center (State Department) stage, a separate independent NCIC database check is done by in-house FBI staff in connection with information supplied in the DS-230. Based on results, NVC has the option to request full fingerprints to be taken at post. NVC checks can usually be completed in 24 hours. In some limited cases involving high-risk visa applicants meeting certain specific criteria, NVC also does Security Advisory Opinions (SOAs) before sending the file to Consular Post.

At Consular stage, there are three (3) Visa Security name checks done: CONDOR, MANTIS AND MORE ANOTHER NCIC (via CLASS)

[Consulate has option, if warranted, to run full gamut of checks, such as CCD (past visa applications & results), TIPOFF (DOS Bureau of Intelligence), NAILS (Nat'l Automated Immigration Lookout System), TECS II (Treasury Dept. database), TSC & TTIC (DOS Terrorist screening)].

CONDOR refers to a check done mostly of information supplied on Form DS-157, and focuses on visa applicants with a potential terrorist, firearms or weapons background. CONDOR in most cases should be completed in 90 days or less. If not, contact the VO Public Inquiry line at Tel: 202-663-1225 or usvisa@state.gov

MANTIS refers to when potentially sensitive technologies might be used by the visa applicant in her visit to the U.S. If the visa applicant might employ a "critical-fields" technology in the U.S. which could have a "dual-use" such military or national security application, this check will be done to screen out a high-risk applicant. Most MANTIS checks can be done in 30 days. If not, contact the SAO Problem Resolution Unit at saoinquiries@state.gov.

NCIC (via CLASS) refers to the name check procedure done by the Consulate with the NCIC criminal database at FBI. This procedure screens visa applicants by name to see if there is a "hit" with the criminal database: that is, a person in the criminal database has the same or very similar name to the visa applicant.

"False Hits" Problem: Consular posts however have recently been inundated with "false hits" from 7 million new names added to the NCIC database, including persons with convictions for minor offenses such as simple DUIs and shoplifting. Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a "false hit": the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called "Administrative Review". Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months.

"False hits" have become a major problem for some visa applicants. There are reportedly an alarming number of false hits caused by similar or identical or very similar names, or errors, inconsistencies or discrepencies in listed names in official documents. This is true especially in countries, such as the Latin countries, where there are only a few surnames and name-similarity is common, or record-keeping accuracy in official documents is dubious. Reportedly, approximately half of all names in the NCIC database are Latino, and this has resulted in a high number of false hits for individuals with common or very similar last names at Consulates in the Latin countries. Applicants presently are not allowed the opportunity to prove that they are not the same person as that on the database, nor is there a way to initiate security checking in advance of the visa application.

Thus, the best protection for visa applicants to avoid name check problems and delays resulting from Administrative Review at the Consulates and USCIS is: providing full, accurate and truthful name information (first, last, middle, and other) in all forms and documents, timely submission of local police clearance reports and promptly complying with any request for full fingerprints.

*SPECIAL NOTE ON EFFORTS TO AVOID OR CIRCUMVENT "FALSE HIT" BACKGROUND SECURITY CHECK*: Except in the most extra-ordinary circumstances, advance efforts to avoid or circumvent "false hit" before it happens, or complete a background security check in advance, such early submission to the Consulate of the DS-156 and DS-157 or police, arrest or fingerprint records, will probably not be fruitful. As stated by AILA: "Although attorneys have attempted to be pro-active and expedite the process by submitting copies of arrest records, final court-dispositions and attorney-initiated FBI results [and DS-156 and 157], at the initial visa application, consular officers are required to obtain fingerprints in a NCIC name check "hit". Once a post has received a response from the FBI via the National Visa Center (NVC), it may at the consular officer's discretion accept documentation from the applicant that matches the extract provided by the FBI. However, consular posts will not accept submission of all related documents in lieu of initiating required security checks and fingerprinting." See 22 CFR Section 41.105((2), and "DOS Answers to AILA's Questions" (Oct. 02, 2002), published on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 02100340 (posted Oct. 03, 2002).

*SPECIAL NOTE ON NEW SOFTWARE TO EXPEDITE "FALSE HIT" CLEARANCES*: Department of State (DOS) has initiated worldwide deployment of new computer software that is expected to greatly reduced the clearance time for applicants who have been the subject of "false hits" in the visa security check process. The new software will allow posts to capture the applicant's digital fingerprints and check them electronically with the FBI's NCIC database within 24 hours. DOS has launched this new software through a pilot program at consular posts in Mexico City, and reports that the pilot program has been able to clear "false hits" in as little as same day (sometimes in one or two hours). Worldwide deployment of the new software to expected to be finalized once the Technical Communications Security Office approves the program. See "DOS Answers to AILA'S Questions" (March 23, 2006), published on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 06041060 (posted Apr. 10, 2006).

II. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

"Administrative Review" refers to a Consular Official placing the case "on hold" because the Visa Petitioner or Beneficiary FAILED TO PASS the security name check or background check, or because the Consulate or State Department or Homeland Security NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE some issue or matter in the case more closely. Cases placed into Administrative Review can ADD WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS to processing time and final decision on visa issuance, typically in most cases AT LEAST 4 to 8 weeks additional time. Under current regulation, there is no right of appeal within State Department or Homeland Security for administrative review status. It is suggested that visa petitioners and beneficiaries keep track of the status of their case as best as possible, and secure, if possible, the reason or reasons their case has been placed into administrative review, which at least helps to relieve some anxiety during the waiting time. **STATUS CHECK OF CASES IN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW: Status Checks of cases in administrative review should first be addressed to the Consulate in question. Click Here for List of Consulates. The State Department's Office of Visa Services can also assist in status checking of cases which are unusually delayed. Tel: 202-663-1225 (Punch 1, Then 0, Avg. Wait Time Approx. 15 minutes to Speak with a Live "Visa Specialist", ET 8:30 AM to 5:00PM). E-Mail: usvisa@state.gov Click Here for More Information. For people who want to be active during the painful waiting period, especially if it becomes protracted, here are two suggestions: 1. Request in Writing Information from Immigration Service and the State Department under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regarding the reason for the Administrative Delay. See: USCIS Freedom of Information Act Request. and State Department Freedom of Information Request. 2. Order the Visa Applicant's FBI record directly from the FBI and have it ready in case the Embassy requests same. See: FBI Criminal History Record.

**WRIT OF MANDAMUS: What is this Writ and How is it Obtained?

"Writ of Mandamus" refes to a federal court order signed by a federal district judge which directs the Consular Official in the State Department's U.S. Consulate abroad to decide whether to issue a visa or not within a short time. It is appropriate ONLY in a limited number of extra-ordinary cases, where the visa applicant's waiting time has been extremely long. It requires that the U.S. Citizen Visa Petitioner be prepared to spend the time, effort and money to file a federal court lawsuit, namely, an Action for Writ of Mandamus, in the District Court where the Petitioner resides. It is also generally required that reasonable documented efforts be made with Immigration Service or U.S. Consulate and State Department BEFORE filing suit in court. As explained by the U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit:

"Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy and is available to compel a federal official to perform a duty only if: (1) the individual's claim is clear and certain; (2) the official's duty is nondiscretionary, ministerial, and so plainly prescribed as to be free from doubt, and (3) no other adequate remedy is available. Azurin v. Von Raab, 803 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir.1986)."

A Writ of Mandamus is usually not appropriate for a Visa Petitioner and Applicant whose case has been placed into Administrative Review for only a few days, weeks or even months. However, it may be appropriate for a case which has been waiting for many, many months and even years. See: Patel v. Reno (U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Cir., No. 96-55359a, Jan. 16, 1998)(Court issues Writ of Mandamus to Consular Officials at U.S. Consulate in Bombay, India because "consulate had a duty to act" when Petitioner's family visa applications were under administrative review for EIGHT (8) years without decision). For more general information, see: Writ of Mandamus Process Practice Advisory from AILF.

*INTERNATIONAL MARRIAGE BROKER REGULATION ACT ("IMBRA")*: Security Name Checks at USCIS and the Consulates have reportedly intensified due to the passage of IMBRA, which effectively requires more security checks of both Petitioner and Beneficiary, including check for Abuse Protections Orders, court-restraining or "no-contact" orders and past domestic violence history, and a check on the number of a past K Visa petitions a Petitioner has submitted.

For more on IMBRA, see: IMBRA

RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. "Navigating Through the Maze of Security Checks", Walsh & Wolfsdorf, The Visa Processing

Guide 2004-05 Edition, Published by American Immigration Lawyers Assn.-AILA,

2. "Secure Borders, Open Doors: Consular Processing Issues in 2006", Miller, Pederson & Weigle, The Visa Processing

Guide 2006-07 Edition, Published by American Immigration Lawyers Assn.-AILA,

3. 22 CFR Section 41.105((2)

4. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, February 2003, Report No. 03-14.

5. "DOS Answers to AILA Questions" (Oct. 02, 2002), posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 02100340 (Oct. 03, 2002).

6. "DOS Answers to AILA Questions" (Mar. 27, 2003), posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 03040340 (Apr. 03, 2003).

7. "DOS Answers to AILA Questions" (Mar. 23, 2006), posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 02100340 (Apr. 10, 2006).

[tenderheartusa79 14]

i really wish you all the best man , and isA yoyu will have your visa during march isAAAAAAAA.

yes i guess there are no others but you, khadijah and I .

keep praying guys and isA God will help us to get our visas within days

Thank you so much bro i really appreciate it .

[tenderheartusa79 14]

today we have recieved some reply from them says :

Thank you for your e-mail message.

Please note that the case is still pending mandatory administrative processing.

Regards,

Consular Section

US Embassy Cairo

anyone knows what does that mean ?? does it mean they have approved the JS that we sent them one week ago??

i hope cairo or nancy or flower would tell me when did their visas were issued after having this message , as i know all of you got this mandatory AP mail someday before your visa was issued .

i am confused :s

I guess that's normal .you will get the same Email from the embassy and the same answer if your call DOS till they issue the visa .

I hope that we will hear good news soon .

I also called the embassy today and the woman there was not that god as she used to be .and it ended me hanged up on her !

Really sick of that damn sh*t and i really want to wake up from that damn nightmare .

[disconnection 4]

I guess that's normal .you will get the same Email from the embassy and the same answer if your call DOS till they issue the visa .

I hope that we will hear good news soon .

I also called the embassy today and the woman there was not that god as she used to be .and it ended me hanged up on her !

Really sick of that damn sh*t and i really want to wake up from that damn nightmare .

i want to know if that mandatory AP is for reviewing the JS ?? or is it name checks ??

i was in final review last month and now i am in mandatory AP . so what is going on??

- man you shouldn't lose your mind , you will have your visa soon isA but you just need to wait ... isA you will have it during march

[tenderheartusa79 14]

i want to know if that mandatory AP is for reviewing the JS ?? or is it name checks ??

i was in final review last month and now i am in mandatory AP . so what is going on??

- man you shouldn't lose your mind , you will have your visa soon isA but you just need to wait ... isA you will have it during march

Well i'm not sure about that part but i guess when they say mandatory it does not mean review or name check or anything its just AP still .

Yeah bro you was under final review before they asked you for the Co-Sponsor .now after they asked you for it you are under AP .so they can review your documents one more time before they issue the visa .

I'm trying to not lose my mind but sometimes they drive me nuts .I don't like people who act like smarty pants and that woman was trying that with me .

I hope that we both will get our visas soon bro .

[Its Me N U 0]

muhamed i really feel bad man for u

all i can say u have been thro the hard part i think inshallah u r in final stages of that pain in the butt process

so just be patient bro and inshallah its gonna be good

and i have found a very good ticket price from cairo to new york like 620 usd with delta but the crazy thing with i tried to find a cheap ticket to where i want to go the price was damn high like 550 so now im stuck i mean its almost the same price like the ticket i paid for from cairo to new york

so what if i book my ticket from jfk airport like last minute would that be any cheaper??? or it will be waste of my time i feel bad that i booked this flight