DCF Mexico

[czmjacq 1]

pnewton - I checked and seems like they are pricing tickets like 2 -oneways now a days -- so there wasn't any price difference when I booked it as 2 OW tickets or a 1 RT. The only difference would be that waiting until the day before or the day of may be more expensive if the "cheaper" seats are already sold out. But we bought RT tickets last time and it cost a lot more to make the changes and if you buy the insurance, I would check to see if "my VISA was ready" is a reason they accept to make changes without penalties... If you do book the round trip I would go ahead and book it for the day AFTER you get pick up the VISA since most times I have read they aren't ready until after 2pm and then going to the bridge to get it made official can take hours...

I would guess there are taxis there on the El Paso border side, but we are planning on using Victor Garcia to pick us up and take us to DHL, then to the bridge and then to the El Paso airport -- and if the VISA doesn't get approved, I'll still use him to pick me up in CJ and take me to El Paso airport.

[Marisol73 0]

Hello !

Im preparing I-130 for my husband.. but I have a question:

How much proof of bonafide relationship did you all include with the I-130?

We have many photos, emails, etc.. and of course the birth certificate of our son, but Im not sure how much evidence will be OK.

Please tell me your experiences.. thank you !

[czmjacq 1]

Hello !

Im preparing I-130 for my husband.. but I have a question:

How much proof of bonafide relationship did you all include with the I-130?

We have many photos, emails, etc.. and of course the birth certificate of our son, but Im not sure how much evidence will be OK.

Please tell me your experiences.. thank you !

I only sent copies of pictures from the last 6 years -- I am going tomorrow to the appointment so I'll let you know if they ask to see them. I'm sure the emails, photos and having a child together will be more than enough!

[pnewton 0]

Hey Marisol...I actually didn't include any evidence of our relationship, such as photos or emails--I'm planning on bringing everything to the interview. Speaking of which, we've created a photo album from the past 5 years, and I'll bring some emails and flight itineraries from many visits. Anything else that people recommend bringing?

And I think you're right Czmjacq, I'll probably wait on getting the return tickets for now. Also, what's the easiest way to get in contact with Victor Garcia? We're thinking that maybe if he could pick us up at the border in El Paso, drop me off at the airport and then take my husband back to CDJ (either hotel or airport), that'd be convenient.

I can't believe that we'll be getting ready to go in just about a month! Ahh!

[czmjacq 1]

Hey Marisol...I actually didn't include any evidence of our relationship, such as photos or emails--I'm planning on bringing everything to the interview. Speaking of which, we've created a photo album from the past 5 years, and I'll bring some emails and flight itineraries from many visits. Anything else that people recommend bringing?

And I think you're right Czmjacq, I'll probably wait on getting the return tickets for now. Also, what's the easiest way to get in contact with Victor Garcia? We're thinking that maybe if he could pick us up at the border in El Paso, drop me off at the airport and then take my husband back to CDJ (either hotel or airport), that'd be convenient.

I can't believe that we'll be getting ready to go in just about a month! Ahh!

Victor's email is rejoinjesus@cs.com his phone number is 915-726-0957 in El Paso TX. He normally responds pretty quickly to either email or text msg. It would probably be best to email him with your plan and then he will email you back and most likely tell you to call, text or email him again to reconfirm a day or 2 before you actually need him.

[Marisol73 0]

Thanks !.. I will include a small package of pictures and mails.. and then at the time of the interview we`ll bring a lot more just in case.

Good Luck in your interview !!

I only sent copies of pictures from the last 6 years -- I am going tomorrow to the appointment so I'll let you know if they ask to see them. I'm sure the emails, photos and having a child together will be more than enough!

[Marisol73 0]

Pnewton:

About the 6 months...czmjacq is right.. the six months are for get their VISA stamp.. Im attaching the second paragraph of letter that is in the sealed envelope that you need to turn in to the USCIS at US port of entry.

(I was trying to attach the whole letter but it seems to be too big. So I cut off the second paragraph.)

[pnewton 0]

Hi everyone.

just wanted to let you know we went to the Social Security office as soon as we got to California but they told us we wouldn't be able to get his card until at least 3 weeks from the date of approval.

But then! We actually got the social in the mail our second week there (the day before we were leaving in fact!) so give it a few weeks either way...

Arianak--I have a question about getting the Social Security card. Once the visa is approved (I assume at the Consulate or at the POE?), will Social Security be automatically contacted and then issue the card within 2-3 weeks? Or when you went to the office in CA, did you have to apply for the card in person?

Thanks, Marisol, for posting that part of the letter! And thank you, Czmjacq, for passing me Victor's contact info! Once we decide what to do, we'll contact him.

[czmjacq 1]

Pnewton:

About the 6 months...czmjacq is right.. the six months are for get their VISA stamp.. Im attaching the second paragraph of letter that is in the sealed envelope that you need to turn in to the USCIS at US port of entry.

(I was trying to attach the whole letter but it seems to be too big. So I cut off the second paragraph.)

Thanks for the info. Well the trip was worth it - once I spoke to the consulate agent and explained I did NOT renounce my US citizenship when I became a naturalized Mexican and clarified a couple other things she was not clear on, they approved him. Also, I had sent some pics with my app and more with my husband but he said they never asked for them -- better to have them just in case!

At DHL they said pick up from 1-4 days -- does that sound like what everyone is told but normally the VISA is ready for pick up the next day around 2pm?? I know from what I have read almost everyone has their VISA ready at DHL the next day, but I'm not sure what DHL told them about it being ready.

By the way DHL had signs all over the place saying they NO LONGER ACCEPTED DOLLARS-- so be sure and bring pesos or VISA/MC

pnewton- I think I remember somewhere on the I130 or 230 or some form where it said to check the box if you wanted them (the consulate) to request and have the SS card sent automatically-- so you got yours in the mail automatically or did you fill something out requesting one at the SS office?

[pnewton 0]

Thanks for the info. Well the trip was worth it - once I spoke to the consulate agent and explained I did NOT renounce my US citizenship when I became a naturalized Mexican and clarified a couple other things she was not clear on, they approved him. Also, I had sent some pics with my app and more with my husband but he said they never asked for them -- better to have them just in case!

At DHL they said pick up from 1-4 days -- does that sound like what everyone is told but normally the VISA is ready for pick up the next day around 2pm?? I know from what I have read almost everyone has their VISA ready at DHL the next day, but I'm not sure what DHL told them about it being ready.

By the way DHL had signs all over the place saying they NO LONGER ACCEPTED DOLLARS-- so be sure and bring pesos or VISA/MC

pnewton- I think I remember somewhere on the I130 or 230 or some form where it said to check the box if you wanted them (the consulate) to request and have the SS card sent automatically-- so you got yours in the mail automatically or did you fill something out requesting one at the SS office?

Hey Czmjacq--Congrats on getting the visa (finally!) approved! I know that it was stressful for you to get to this point, and once you pick up it and cross, that'll be it! And now that you're in CDJ, how does it seem to you? Also, how was the ride over from the El Paso airport? I hope everything continues to go well and that your receive the package tomorrow!

Also, now that you mention it, I do remember checking something on one of the forms to get the SS card sent automatically.

[czmjacq 1]

Hey Czmjacq--Congrats on getting the visa (finally!) approved! I know that it was stressful for you to get to this point, and once you pick up it and cross, that'll be it! And now that you're in CDJ, how does it seem to you? Also, how was the ride over from the El Paso airport? I hope everything continues to go well and that your receive the package tomorrow!

Also, now that you mention it, I do remember checking something on one of the forms to get the SS card sent automatically.

I'll have to say I was expecting vacant streets with people not leaving there homes because of all the violence and danger, but like Marisol said, this area is not bad. Victor picked me up at the airport and drove me to the hotel with no problems - they don't even stop people going in to MX for ID or anything. There was normal foot, bike and car traffic the whole way so I guess life goes on for the people here.

We are at La Quinta and it's secure - there is a metal gate in the front and a tall cement wall around the property with barbed-wire on top. I haven't heard any sirens but I think I heard something that sounded like 2 gunshots sometime during the night -- nothing closeby --.

We ordered food from Burger King and Denny's - so we haven't ventured off anywhere except for the Consulate and back. So far so good!

Also, something that is apparently new (my husband didn't have to do this in Sept when he was here the first time) you have to go to the Waiting Area which is the building PAST the actual consulate to have your appt letter stamped BEFORE you get in line at the consulate -- it's just a short walk down the sidewalk. I guess I felt safe there since there were so many people and security -- once inside the consulate compound, we had to sit in a metal building that was completely open at the front -- I was cold -- the metal building had huge fans and what looked like heating devices on the top, but they were not on. It wasn't freezing, but it was cold even though I had a jacket on. Once your number comes up, you go inside where it's warm but we were sitting outside for 2 hours before we went in. Once we go in, our number came up pretty quick and the rest only took like 15 minutes total since my husband had already done everything else - medical papers turned in, paid consulate fees, intereviewed him -- they only talked to me and we were done. So just be sure and check the weather forecast for El Paso or Ciudad Juarez before you go - I bought a heavy jacket for my husband and brought it with me -- good thing since we didn't own that type of outerwear since it never gets colder than 65-70 in Cozumel!!

[jaremedios 1]

Congrats, czmjacq! I know it was a longer than necessary process, but now it's almost done. Glad to know everything went well and you feel safe. I know you were worried about that. Hope the rest of it goes ok.

[Marisol73 0]

Congratulations !! Im glad your husband finally get his residence approved !

And yes.. about the appoiment letter stamp it seems to be new.. We did not do that when we were there. Thanks for the info.... we are preparing everything now for my husband.. so I will tell him about the new change.

I'll have to say I was expecting vacant streets with people not leaving there homes because of all the violence and danger, but like Marisol said, this area is not bad. Victor picked me up at the airport and drove me to the hotel with no problems - they don't even stop people going in to MX for ID or anything. There was normal foot, bike and car traffic the whole way so I guess life goes on for the people here.

We are at La Quinta and it's secure - there is a metal gate in the front and a tall cement wall around the property with barbed-wire on top. I haven't heard any sirens but I think I heard something that sounded like 2 gunshots sometime during the night -- nothing closeby --.

We ordered food from Burger King and Denny's - so we haven't ventured off anywhere except for the Consulate and back. So far so good!

Also, something that is apparently new (my husband didn't have to do this in Sept when he was here the first time) you have to go to the Waiting Area which is the building PAST the actual consulate to have your appt letter stamped BEFORE you get in line at the consulate -- it's just a short walk down the sidewalk. I guess I felt safe there since there were so many people and security -- once inside the consulate compound, we had to sit in a metal building that was completely open at the front -- I was cold -- the metal building had huge fans and what looked like heating devices on the top, but they were not on. It wasn't freezing, but it was cold even though I had a jacket on. Once your number comes up, you go inside where it's warm but we were sitting outside for 2 hours before we went in. Once we go in, our number came up pretty quick and the rest only took like 15 minutes total since my husband had already done everything else - medical papers turned in, paid consulate fees, intereviewed him -- they only talked to me and we were done. So just be sure and check the weather forecast for El Paso or Ciudad Juarez before you go - I bought a heavy jacket for my husband and brought it with me -- good thing since we didn't own that type of outerwear since it never gets colder than 65-70 in Cozumel!!

[grangkm 1]

wait a minute so they asked for both of you to be present at the interview czmjacq?

[arianak 0]

Arianak--I have a question about getting the Social Security card. Once the visa is approved (I assume at the Consulate or at the POE?), will Social Security be automatically contacted and then issue the card within 2-3 weeks? Or when you went to the office in CA, did you have to apply for the card in person?

Hey Pnewton- We checked the SS box on one of the forms, but I had read on other sites that even though some people had asked to have the SS card sent to them it never came. My advice just was not to go the SS office until at least 3 weeks from your approval date as they won't have any info. I think that countdown probably begins from the POE as that's when your packet gets activated. But either way, your husband would have to go to the SS office himself if he doesn't get the card in the mail 3 weeks after entering. Good luck in Juarez...it's going to go great!

ps- As for evidence, they didn't want to see anything from my husband, but they did ask him many more questions than the woman who went before him..I think the guys do get treated differently...so have your hubbies study up;-)! good luck to everyone!

Edited December 1, 2010 by arianak