DCF Mexico

[Marisol73 0]

Hi Ulises

You were right. For medical appoinment they asked for the letter that said that he is eligible to schedule an appoinment. (also the passport).

He is in the medical clinic right know. Tomorrow he has the ASC appoinment and wednesday the consular interview.

What I understant is that he can not do the ASC Appoinment right? anyway he will go and I will let you know what they tell him tomorrow.

Good Luck.

Hi Marisol,

Congrats, lucky you guys. I got my family's for April 8th.

So for medical examination what I understand is that you need the letter that you got indicating you the dates you were eligible to schedule an appointment, i.e. the last one you got from them.

EsperanzaXMyS should be able to confirm this. By the way congrats to EsperanzaXMys :=)!!!!!!

Your husband will also need his passport to show them. You don't need an appointment for the medical appointment, just make sure you arrive there 2 days before to cover any eventual delay on the medical examination, and be there preferably early. I'll do as Esperanza, be there at 5:30 a.m. to ensure having the medical results for that same day.

For detailed instructions read Packet 4 instructions.

http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/immigrant-visa-and-fiancee-visa-forms.html

[ulises 0]

Hi Ulises

You were right. For medical appoinment they asked for the letter that said that he is eligible to schedule an appoinment. (also the passport).

He is in the medical clinic right know. Tomorrow he has the ASC appoinment and wednesday the consular interview.

What I understant is that he can not do the ASC Appoinment right? anyway he will go and I will let you know what they tell him tomorrow.

Good Luck.

Hey Marisol,

Good to know. I went with my family to the medical appointment too. I didn't have good luck though, my eldest had been vaccinated 1 week before the letter arrived, and today, only 3 weeks have passed, so they cannot do the "Tuberculosis" test, until April 13, so we'll have to go to the appointment and see if they give us an appointment for April 18 or 19. This is going to take up like 3 weeks to me, but hopefully it all ends up with them being approved.

My wife and my other kid did get the results.

After the medical appointment I headed to ASC (CAS) to confirm what EsperanzaxMyS told us, I arrived there, walked into the line, and after a couple of minutes there was a guy outside ASC, and I told him that I couldn't fill up the DS-260, and he said that I should be ok, just go to my appointment.

At any case, please update tomorrow and wednesday with the results.

REgards,

Ulises

[DerZinker 4]

Hi, Esperanza. It's good to know everything went well with today. Good luck tomorrow on your interview!

Dhudson, I strongly recommend doing it the right way, via Juarez. When we were first thinking about moving to the US, we were just going to go and adjust over there, since apparently "everybody" does it that way. I know people who have done it and some who have had problems. This really is the best way and since you're in no hurry, I suggest you take this route. Yes, Juarez sucks so bad, but it's only a couple of days, you'll be fine!

Thanks Gringa! I definitely agree with you that it makes plenty of sense to go the Juarez route, especially since we qualify for DCF and an IR-1 visa and are pretty much a shoe-in so long as I get all the paperwork right. It's just that my wife is super weary to travel there and worse yet she tells me that if we do it she would rather go alone so that I could be with the kids in case something happens to her. I cannot in good conscience let my wife go through all of that on her own, so what's a guy to do?

Anyway, we're still just in the planning phases and have it pretty good here in Mexico and have time to think about it. Thing is that my job and my life is here in Mexico right now, so it's a real catch 22 because were I to get hired in the US then we'd have to go through all the immigration stuff and I certainly don't want to file without a prospective job on the horizon and have it be all for not (which is pretty much what happened when I filed her I-129F back in 2005).

The way Ulises is going about it is an option though and I have actually had officers at the US Embassy in DF tell me that she could enter as a tourist while her I-130 was being processed and then just go to Juarez once it's ready to go (although yes, you have to take what they say with a grain of salt since they often don't know what they're talking about, lol). We had planned to do it that way when I worked briefly in the states in 2008 but I wasn't loving the job I had so I came back here and here we are.

If you wouldn't mind though, I'd like to PM you about the AOS deal just b/c I'm curious about it. Also, Ulisses, I haven't checked your timeline, but approx. how long did it take for you from the time of filing (DCF) to her interview? If I unsderstood you correct, it was about 4 months... Thanks for your help, guys

[ulises 0]

Thanks Gringa! I definitely agree with you that it makes plenty of sense to go the Juarez route, especially since we qualify for DCF and an IR-1 visa and are pretty much a shoe-in so long as I get all the paperwork right. It's just that my wife is super weary to travel there and worse yet she tells me that if we do it she would rather go alone so that I could be with the kids in case something happens to her. I cannot in good conscience let my wife go through all of that on her own, so what's a guy to do?

Anyway, we're still just in the planning phases and have it pretty good here in Mexico and have time to think about it. Thing is that my job and my life is here in Mexico right now, so it's a real catch 22 because were I to get hired in the US then we'd have to go through all the immigration stuff and I certainly don't want to file without a prospective job on the horizon and have it be all for not (which is pretty much what happened when I filed her I-129F back in 2005).

The way Ulises is going about it is an option though and I have actually had officers at the US Embassy in DF tell me that she could enter as a tourist while her I-130 was being processed and then just go to Juarez once it's ready to go (although yes, you have to take what they say with a grain of salt since they often don't know what they're talking about, lol). We had planned to do it that way when I worked briefly in the states in 2008 but I wasn't loving the job I had so I came back here and here we are.

If you wouldn't mind though, I'd like to PM you about the AOS deal just b/c I'm curious about it. Also, Ulisses, I haven't checked your timeline, but approx. how long did it take for you from the time of filing (DCF) to her interview? If I unsderstood you correct, it was about 4 months... Thanks for your help, guys

Hi dhudson.

I filed on December 16th, and received the letter from USCIS on January 5th telling they were approved on december 17th.

I received the letter from the consulate in Guadalajara by end of februaray (but by that time I had already sent an inquiry over the inquiry system of the consulate and had got the case numbers.

I sent all the packet 3 documents on Februrary 19th. And on march 20th I had the letters instructing to make the appointment for 1-12 of april.

So if my wife gets approved next friday, all the process would've taken less than 4 months.

Now, if you won't be filing in person, then maybe USCIS would file your case for a couple of weeks, perhaps a month (when I went there, they told me it would take about a month to have a resolution).

But it can be pretty quick.

I'll have news by friday afternoon as if having brought my family to visit me at US affected their decision (denial). I brought them with me on January 8th by air, and we crossed the border yesterday (april 3rd) and returned form I-94 to a CBP officer at Zaragoza bridge.

[DerZinker 4]

Hi dhudson.

I filed on December 16th, and received the letter from USCIS on January 5th telling they were approved on december 17th.

I received the letter from the consulate in Guadalajara by end of februaray (but by that time I had already sent an inquiry over the inquiry system of the consulate and had got the case numbers.

I sent all the packet 3 documents on Februrary 19th. And on march 20th I had the letters instructing to make the appointment for 1-12 of april.

So if my wife gets approved next friday, all the process would've taken less than 4 months.

Now, if you won't be filing in person, then maybe USCIS would file your case for a couple of weeks, perhaps a month (when I went there, they told me it would take about a month to have a resolution).

But it can be pretty quick.

I'll have news by friday afternoon as if having brought my family to visit me at US affected their decision (denial). I brought them with me on January 8th by air, and we crossed the border yesterday (april 3rd) and returned form I-94 to a CBP officer at Zaragoza bridge.

Wow, well good luck to you Ulises. Thanks very much for sharing the info, that is definitely quick. I really don't think that her visiting should have any bearing on their decision. After all, she was technically 'visiting,' came in legally and left on time so they shouldn't give you any guff about it IMO. If anything the immigration officer at the airport would've said something.. I'm kind of suprised that they didn't give you a hard time; after reading all the horror stories here one would think that they would be miffed if you told them that you had filed an I-130 but entering for now on a tourist visa at the point of entry.

[ulises 0]

MEDICAL APPOINTMENT EXPERIENCE

First let me ask a question.

Why would every one go to Medica Internacional? Is it just because they are the nearest clinic?

I mean, it's really only half block more to get to Servicios Medicos de la Frontera.

I tried first at Clinica Medica Internacional, at 5:40 I was there with my wife and both kids on a double stroller. The security guard told us that I couldn't get in with her to help with the kids, and he actually was rude to us, so we decided to go to Servicios Medicos. There was no line there, but a group of people was already inside. We got turn 37.

There, they did let me get it with them, and actually I was with them all the time, I hold my little one for the picture and then they sent me with both kids to the waiting room. They called my little one's name (cause for the other they won't be able to do the TB test until April 13), and while they were weighing him, my wife entered the room. She had already had her blood and X-ray.

I was with my kid into the waiting room, and a She-Doctor examined him. She told me what vaccines they would put him, and I argued that I had delivered a copy of the immunizations my son had taken in California, and she was very kind and told me to go and speak with Licenciado Soto (who is the one in charge of authorizing what vaccines each one should have) and there I went, talked to Licenciado Soto, who was a nice person too. He asked me if I had given them a copy (fortunately I had copies of everything) and he modifying the information in the computer, and I went back to the Doctors office and then she would only put Varicella.

She asked me if I wanted to wait for the pediatrician (who is also an alergologist) as he would be able to decide if upon the information we gave him about his allergies to waive that vaccine. She told us that the pediatrician was not there yet, but that if we wished we could go to have lunch outside and then come back in a couple of hours, and just tell security that we had an appointment with the pediatrician when we came back.

We did so, and my wife said that all the nurses that examined her were very nice with her too. She only had the varicella vaccine too, cause she didn't have a way to prove that she had the disease.

So getting back to my youngest, we went to lunch at the hotel (at 8:15 we were out), had some rest, and came back at 10:00, unfortunately the Pediatrician had an emergency and we waited there for 2 and a half hours, but finally he arrived, and the other Doctor came out for us to tell us so, and had the Pediatrician check my youngest.

He took the time to listen to us and asked us about the reactions my son's had in the past to other vaccines. At the end, he said that there would be no danger in my son getting the varicella vaccine, (which he didn't have before neither in Mexico or in the US), but I liked the fact that they gave us a choice, and all of them were very kind to us.

From people in the hotel I've heard that some of the ones that went to Medica Internacional, were not treated very well, but since I didn't go there, I can't tell.

I can tell however, that at 10:00 a.m., Servicios Medicos de la Frontera were still receiving people for their medical exam.

So, guess what I am saying is that in my experience I would recommend Servicios Medicos de la frontera over the Clinica Medica Internacional.

[ulises 0]

Hi Ulises

You were right. For medical appoinment they asked for the letter that said that he is eligible to schedule an appoinment. (also the passport).

He is in the medical clinic right know. Tomorrow he has the ASC appoinment and wednesday the consular interview.

What I understant is that he can not do the ASC Appoinment right? anyway he will go and I will let you know what they tell him tomorrow.

Good Luck.

Hi Marisol,

Your husband is on his appointment today right?

Please update with news, was he able to pass without filling up DS-260 form?

At what time his interview was and when did he go out?

I wish very good luck to you guys.

[Marisol73 0]

Hi Ulises

He did the medical examination on Monday ..it took 7 hours !!! but everything went fine. He got the results same day in the afternoon.

Yesterday he went to the ACS appoinment but they told him if he couldnt file the DS260 online, he will be OK just going to the regular appoinment today.

Actually he is there right know. The appoinment hour is 12.15.

Im so nervous.. but I know I have to be patient, because it seems to be taking too long.

I didnt go with him to Juarez. We receive the letter 8 days prior to the appoinment and the plane tickets are so expensive if we buy them with short notice. So Im waiting in Houston to have news from him. Anyway they wont let me go inside the consulate with him. But I wanted to be there for moral support. Or in case they wanted to speak with me. But as I read in the forums, rarely they ask for the petitioner. So I have my fingers crossed that they dont need me to be there.

I will tell you how thing went later today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help and support.

Do you will stay in Juarez until they can do the test to your son??

Good luck.

Marisol

Hi Marisol,

Your husband is on his appointment today right?

Please update with news, was he able to pass without filling up DS-260 form?

At what time his interview was and when did he go out?

I wish very good luck to you guys.

[ulises 0]

Hi Ulises

He did the medical examination on Monday ..it took 7 hours !!! but everything went fine. He got the results same day in the afternoon.

Yesterday he went to the ACS appoinment but they told him if he couldnt file the DS260 online, he will be OK just going to the regular appoinment today.

Actually he is there right know. The appoinment hour is 12.15.

Im so nervous.. but I know I have to be patient, because it seems to be taking too long.

I didnt go with him to Juarez. We receive the letter 8 days prior to the appoinment and the plane tickets are so expensive if we buy them with short notice. So Im waiting in Houston to have news from him. Anyway they wont let me go inside the consulate with him. But I wanted to be there for moral support. Or in case they wanted to speak with me. But as I read in the forums, rarely they ask for the petitioner. So I have my fingers crossed that they dont need me to be there.

I will tell you how thing went later today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help and support.

Do you will stay in Juarez until they can do the test to your son??

Good luck.

Marisol

I went to the consulate information window, and they said that I should still go on with my son's interview. And that if he is approved I will have to send the medical exam results via DHL. I forgot to ask if he was approved they would send the visa until they have the results of the medical exam, but I am pretty sure it will. So best case scenario is that on Friday they all are approved until the condition that I retrieve my sons medical, when I have that (on April 16), and they receive it, I'd have to wait another couple of days for the visa to be sent to DHL. All in all, if everything else goes fine, I'd have to be here until April 21st, which is certainly I was not looking for, but as long as they approve the visas, I am willing to wait here.

[DerZinker 4]

I went to the consulate information window, and they said that I should still go on with my son's interview. And that if he is approved I will have to send the medical exam results via DHL. I forgot to ask if he was approved they would send the visa until they have the results of the medical exam, but I am pretty sure it will. So best case scenario is that on Friday they all are approved until the condition that I retrieve my sons medical, when I have that (on April 16), and they receive it, I'd have to wait another couple of days for the visa to be sent to DHL. All in all, if everything else goes fine, I'd have to be here until April 21st, which is certainly I was not looking for, but as long as they approve the visas, I am willing to wait here.

Yeah I know all about the waiting game in Juarez.. not fun at all. That's why I was very relieved when you told me that we could choose a DHL location in Guadalajara to send the visa. Best of luck to both of you who are doing the interviews and everything right now.

Also, thanks Ulises for sharing the info about the medical appointment. We were there 5 years ago and I have no idea which one we went to, but it was right next door to the US Embassy. I understand that they have changed things around a lot since then, so it may be something else entirely now, but my wife HATED her experience at the Medical Exam and thought it was humiliating and just horrible. So I'd be willing to bet we went to the wrong one haha. Guess if we decide to do it over again, we'll go to the other location you recommended Ulises.

Kind of a crazy question for anyone who dares to answer - what if one was to have their medical exams performed in the United States by an approved clinic and then attend their interview abroad with the results? Trying to color outside the box to avoid Juarez as much as possible, but I wonder if you could pull that off? Maybe even get the interview performed at a different location?

[DerZinker 4]

Forgot to add to keep the good information coming, Ulises. Sounds like so far so good for you guys and I wish you the best. I have enjoyed and learned a lot from the info and expereinces you have shared so far, so keep it up!

[ulises 0]

Yeah I know all about the waiting game in Juarez.. not fun at all. That's why I was very relieved when you told me that we could choose a DHL location in Guadalajara to send the visa. Best of luck to both of you who are doing the interviews and everything right now.

Also, thanks Ulises for sharing the info about the medical appointment. We were there 5 years ago and I have no idea which one we went to, but it was right next door to the US Embassy. I understand that they have changed things around a lot since then, so it may be something else entirely now, but my wife HATED her experience at the Medical Exam and thought it was humiliating and just horrible. So I'd be willing to bet we went to the wrong one haha. Guess if we decide to do it over again, we'll go to the other location you recommended Ulises.

Kind of a crazy question for anyone who dares to answer - what if one was to have their medical exams performed in the United States by an approved clinic and then attend their interview abroad with the results? Trying to color outside the box to avoid Juarez as much as possible, but I wonder if you could pull that off? Maybe even get the interview performed at a different location?

Hi dhudson, I tried to exactly what you want to do (that is have my family examined in the clinics in Sacramento), but I called the US Consulate and they say the only clinics approved would be the ones designated by each consulate. I asked if I could use the approved clinics in Mexico city (currently US Embassy in Mexico city is helping Ciudad Juarez process some cases where a US citizen petitions a sibling), but they said they wouldn't.

The problem with the clinics in the US, is that they direct the results to the USCIS I think, so they would only process cases that go through the NVC.

But in your case, since it is only your wife, you will only need 2 days. Just try to get your appointment for a tuesday. Arrive sunday afternoon to Juarez, go to medical appointment Monday morning (preferably before 6 a.m.), and you'll be out at 8-9 a.m. Go and pick up your results at 4 p.m. (it will take at most one hour), back to the hotel, and then go to the appointment the next day, and take the trip back to Guadalajara.

I think there is a vivaaerobus flight from Gdl to Juarez so if you get your appointment with enough time, you won't need to spend that much on air tickets. Everybody here in Juarez say that during daylight Juarez is safe.

I also recommend to book a hotel near the consulate, Holiday Inn and Suites (Misiones), Ibis, or Microtel are the nearest ones (there is also City Express Junior in front of the Consulate).

If you book on ibis, I think to get to the clinic you can just cross the parking lot and reach the clinic from behind.

Everybody here stays at La Quinta, but I stayed sunday and monday on Holiday Inn, so that I could reach the clinic by foot. I am now at La Quinta because its cheaper, but to get anywhere you need to take the shuttle, and at least this week, that has been very busy and we've had a hard time to get a hold of it. Yesterday I ended up taking the bus (it costs 6 pesos, you take it in front of the hotel, and you are at the consulate in roughly 5

minutes).

However breakfast is better here, and wireless is better too. I need a good wireless because I am working remotely.

So if you are only coming for a couple of days I'd go for the hotels around the consulate, there are more places to eat at, and also a nice mall near the consulate, Wendys, Dennis, etc.

Getting nervous now, tomorrow's the decisive day.

Hi Ulises

He did the medical examination on Monday ..it took 7 hours !!! but everything went fine. He got the results same day in the afternoon.

Yesterday he went to the ACS appoinment but they told him if he couldnt file the DS260 online, he will be OK just going to the regular appoinment today.

Actually he is there right know. The appoinment hour is 12.15.

Im so nervous.. but I know I have to be patient, because it seems to be taking too long.

I didnt go with him to Juarez. We receive the letter 8 days prior to the appoinment and the plane tickets are so expensive if we buy them with short notice. So Im waiting in Houston to have news from him. Anyway they wont let me go inside the consulate with him. But I wanted to be there for moral support. Or in case they wanted to speak with me. But as I read in the forums, rarely they ask for the petitioner. So I have my fingers crossed that they dont need me to be there.

I will tell you how thing went later today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all your help and support.

Do you will stay in Juarez until they can do the test to your son??

Good luck.

Marisol

Hi Marisol, how did it go for your husband?

[DerZinker 4]

Hi dhudson, I tried to exactly what you want to do (that is have my family examined in the clinics in Sacramento), but I called the US Consulate and they say the only clinics approved would be the ones designated by each consulate. I asked if I could use the approved clinics in Mexico city (currently US Embassy in Mexico city is helping Ciudad Juarez process some cases where a US citizen petitions a sibling), but they said they wouldn't.

The problem with the clinics in the US, is that they direct the results to the USCIS I think, so they would only process cases that go through the NVC.

But in your case, since it is only your wife, you will only need 2 days. Just try to get your appointment for a tuesday. Arrive sunday afternoon to Juarez, go to medical appointment Monday morning (preferably before 6 a.m.), and you'll be out at 8-9 a.m. Go and pick up your results at 4 p.m. (it will take at most one hour), back to the hotel, and then go to the appointment the next day, and take the trip back to Guadalajara.

I think there is a vivaaerobus flight from Gdl to Juarez so if you get your appointment with enough time, you won't need to spend that much on air tickets. Everybody here in Juarez say that during daylight Juarez is safe.

I also recommend to book a hotel near the consulate, Holiday Inn and Suites (Misiones), Ibis, or Microtel are the nearest ones (there is also City Express Junior in front of the Consulate).

If you book on ibis, I think to get to the clinic you can just cross the parking lot and reach the clinic from behind.

Everybody here stays at La Quinta, but I stayed sunday and monday on Holiday Inn, so that I could reach the clinic by foot. I am now at La Quinta because its cheaper, but to get anywhere you need to take the shuttle, and at least this week, that has been very busy and we've had a hard time to get a hold of it. Yesterday I ended up taking the bus (it costs 6 pesos, you take it in front of the hotel, and you are at the consulate in roughly 5

minutes).

However breakfast is better here, and wireless is better too. I need a good wireless because I am working remotely.

So if you are only coming for a couple of days I'd go for the hotels around the consulate, there are more places to eat at, and also a nice mall near the consulate, Wendys, Dennis, etc.

Getting nervous now, tomorrow's the decisive day.

Great info Ulises, thanks buddy. I figured trying the Medical exam somewhere else would be a real longshot, but thought I'd put the question out there. Everywhere I look there seems to be no avoiding Juarez and really it is the most straightforward process (if not cheapest) out there.

As far as vivaaerobus, actually I drove to the US Consulate here in Guadalajara just this morning to request my daughters SS# (tax time!) and at an intersection there were skimply clad women (as there often are here in GDL ) promoting vivaaerobus and they gave me a booklet and I checked them out online to find that they have great deals on airfare to Juarez. So one step ahead of you there (just barely), but a great suggestion.

Interesting that you mention the wi-fi at La Quinta since I also work remotely, so that would be a huge bonus were we to stay there. We stayed at Holiday Inn when we went in 2005 and it was nice and well-located, but I have been looking closely at La Quinta for the next trip up and it sounds like a winner. Great prices too. I'm a little nervous to board the public bus here in Guad. (although I used to do it everyday) so I would definitely be edgey trying it in Juarez and would really try to stick with the shuttle. But let me know in the end how much you liked La Quinta, because I'm pretty sure that's where we'll stay when we eventually get up there and if it's just for a few days we could swing it (we'll just order in ).

Good Luck to you guys tomorrow, I'm sure it'll all go smoothly. Let us know how it goes (and don't disappear once it's all said and done).

[ulises 0]

Great info Ulises, thanks buddy. I figured trying the Medical exam somewhere else would be a real longshot, but thought I'd put the question out there. Everywhere I look there seems to be no avoiding Juarez and really it is the most straightforward process (if not cheapest) out there.

As far as vivaaerobus, actually I drove to the US Consulate here in Guadalajara just this morning to request my daughters SS# (tax time!) and at an intersection there were skimply clad women (as there often are here in GDL ) promoting vivaaerobus and they gave me a booklet and I checked them out online to find that they have great deals on airfare to Juarez. So one step ahead of you there (just barely), but a great suggestion.

Interesting that you mention the wi-fi at La Quinta since I also work remotely, so that would be a huge bonus were we to stay there. We stayed at Holiday Inn when we went in 2005 and it was nice and well-located, but I have been looking closely at La Quinta for the next trip up and it sounds like a winner. Great prices too. I'm a little nervous to board the public bus here in Guad. (although I used to do it everyday) so I would definitely be edgey trying it in Juarez and would really try to stick with the shuttle. But let me know in the end how much you liked La Quinta, because I'm pretty sure that's where we'll stay when we eventually get up there and if it's just for a few days we could swing it (we'll just order in ).

Good Luck to you guys tomorrow, I'm sure it'll all go smoothly. Let us know how it goes (and don't disappear once it's all said and done).

Ha ha ha, no man, I promise I won't disappear, even when my family get their visas.

By the way, I lived in Guadalajara from March 2007 till January 2011, and I once called the Consulate in Guadalajara to ask for tax information, you know to submit my income tax there, but they said they didn't do that there.

How do you do it? I mean I won't need it now (they charged me $300 dls here in the States for doing my income tax for years 2006-2009), but it's always good to know (who knows, I may someday return to Guadalajara).

The hotel is nice, it's just that up to this point it's been very crowded. But at least wireless is better than in Holiday Inn. The only reason I booked there, was because it was very close to the consulate.

The very thing I don't like from this one, is what many other people have liked, that the hotel is gated. I don't like it, because it gives me the impression of being in jail lol!

So anyway, if LaGringa doesn't update today with her husband's experience, I'll just commend my self to God and pray for everything to be ok.

I'll keep you posted.

[DerZinker 4]

Ha ha ha, no man, I promise I won't disappear, even when my family get their visas.

By the way, I lived in Guadalajara from March 2007 till January 2011, and I once called the Consulate in Guadalajara to ask for tax information, you know to submit my income tax there, but they said they didn't do that there.

How do you do it? I mean I won't need it now (they charged me $300 dls here in the States for doing my income tax for years 2006-2009), but it's always good to know (who knows, I may someday return to Guadalajara).

The hotel is nice, it's just that up to this point it's been very crowded. But at least wireless is better than in Holiday Inn. The only reason I booked there, was because it was very close to the consulate.

The very thing I don't like from this one, is what many other people have liked, that the hotel is gated. I don't like it, because it gives me the impression of being in jail lol!

So anyway, if LaGringa doesn't update today with her husband's experience, I'll just commend my self to God and pray for everything to be ok.

I'll keep you posted.

It's all good, I just think I'll have more questions for you when we get around to applying is all The info you have shared has been really helpful so far man. As far as taxes, I have always been lucky enough that my dad helps me out so usually I just give him the info and he files for me. But the first few years I lived in Guad I didn't file at all and then when I went up to the US I paid H&R Block to file my back taxes (sounds like what you did), so I guess that's a good way to go. Usually you can break even if you get some money back and you don't end up loosing any money at all; I only had to shell out like $150 for 2 or 3 years of back taxes, so it wasn't bad.

Crowded isn't awesome, but I guess it's a good sign that you've found a popular place to stay at least. I'll take the gated community too.. anything you can put between me and the narcos is a plus. Do they have armed guards outside the hotel? Guess it doesn't help much when you have to go out, but when / if we go I don't think we'll make any other trips that aren't to the Embassy or the Airport

Good luck to you guys tomorrow. I'm sure you'll do fine, it sounds like you're on top of your game.