CAIRO EMBASSY DENIED CR1 VISA TO MY HUSBAND

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

Hello VJ family members-

It's been awhile since my last post but I have been a bit depressed behind the U.S. Embassy in Cairo's decision to deny my husband's CR1 visa.

On the interview day - my husband said everyone's interview took about 15minutes, where as his lasted for 1hour. Let me begin by saying that my husband's English though limited is well enough for he and I to communicate. On the interview day obviously he was a bit nervous due to his language problem but felt comfortable enough because he knows our marriage and paperwork is legitimate. While the woman began her questions, my husband mentioned he felt her upset and somewhat mad, making him feel quite intimidated during the process. He stated that even though she was speaking to him, what he felt was "fast" in her speech...he understood every question and answered it correctly until he got to a question about a short stay I had in a different state from where I now live. (May I add, I did not go into great detail with my husband about this 8month short stay in Ohio because quite honestly it was a horrible time for me). Anyway, he answered this question wrong & as soon as he did, the woman stops the interview and tells him that he will not be getting a visa because in her opinion she feels our marriage is not a legitimate marriage and that she will be returning back our paperwork to the U.S. for the USCIS office to conduct further investigation. She gave him a document and instructed him to mail that to me for my information and dismissed him just like that.

My husband immediately calls me to tell me how the entire process went and was confused about the denial because he took all the documents requested. He had numerous cell phone bills to show our "daily" communication and some emails though I did not print all of them because I felt it was so much (over a year and a half worth of daily chat & email messages), personal drawings my children made for him, and proof of packages we've sent to each other, pictures of my stay in Egypt (with his family)...all this didn't matter to her. I must add on important factor: MY HUSBAND & I HAVE A 15 YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE. I'M OLDER THAN HE.) But my husband is more mature, more a man than my children's father, who just happens to be older than me. I don't look 40 but in my early thirties...Age does not matter to us and both our families are so supportive of our marriage/union. My children talk to my husband weekly via cam-chat and by telephone. He is more a father to my children than their own biological father. I can go on and on about how true our marriage is.

Bottom line, I've contacted both my State Senator's office and my local Congresswoman and have asked their assistance in this matter. My local Congresswoman's office informed me that because I have contacted my State Senator and have requested their assistance, the Congresswoman office cannot intervene. I must chose one office to run the investigation/inquiry into our case. I have also called USCIS regarding the document the Embassy gave my husband and all they told me is that once the paperwork reaches their office, they will make the final decision and notify me. This scared me. I asked her, if before their office makes ANY KIND OF FINAL DECISION, will they allow my children and I to be interviewed so that they can see & hear from our mouth the legitimacy of my marriage. My children have bonded with my husband for over 1.5 years. They turn to him more than their biological father. He is the one they turn to and he has been there via cam and telephone for the ups and downs. He is a wonderful husband and step-father. USCIS could not guarantee me that I would be called. All she said was for me to wait for them to contact me.

Has anyone else had the same problem happen? Please help us. We need advice on how we should proceed. I am not going to give up the fight! Does anyone know if our case is pretty much done? Should we pretty much consider that his visa will never be granted? Do we throw in the towel per say???

HELP!

Thanking you in advance,

Lizz&Mohamed

Edited February 26, 2010 by Lizz&Mohamed

[Darnell 8,479]

I dunno, this smells like Cairo is gonna return the casefile to USCIS. Sorry for the news. IMO, based on what you've written, the age gap was a red flag, and the VO grilled him, in an attempt to trip him up. Also sounds like they had prior idea of outcome, and prior idea of 'how to handle the interview'. This does happen for petitions that have OTHERWISE UNCOVERED RED FLAGS. (At least from what I've been reading here and on a China-specific portal - China is hard, also, the tactics on Interview Day are similar).

Once the casefile is returned, you'll get some notice about it.

Then , USCIS will make a decision to either 're-affirm the petition' or 'uphold the Embassy's decision'.

If they re-affirm it, you'll get a notice about it.

It will go back to DOS, to be forwarded back to Cairo, for a 2nd interview.

If they require any other paperwork or evidence, you'll get a notice about it.

A 2nd option would be to file a new I-130 petition, front-loading the bonafides of marriage evidence on initial submittal, plus front loading evidence and attestations on ANY RED FLAG items that you may know about. IMO - front-loading is important, it gives a VO in Cairo an opportunity to review what you've sent them, prior to interview day.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Darnell

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

I dunno, this smells like Cairo is gonna return the casefile to USCIS. Sorry for the news. IMO, based on what you've written, the age gap was a red flag, and the VO grilled him, in an attempt to trip him up. Also sounds like they had prior idea of outcome, and prior idea of 'how to handle the interview'. This does happen for petitions that have OTHERWISE UNCOVERED RED FLAGS. (At least from what I've been reading here and on a China-specific portal - China is hard, also, the tactics on Interview Day are similar).

Thank you for your fast response...

I too, feel that this was a planned effort to intimidate him through the interview process. Though I agree with the age difference, I ask myself and my local government agencies is this not a form of "Age Discrimination"? Men have gotten away with marrying women much younger than they are & when a woman does it, it's a problem...I'm quite upset about this more because I wish they could see us in our daily interaction. How my husband helps me with the children if they are not doing well in school or with me...and in so many other areas. I can bet that our marriage is probably stronger than some in the U.S. This is not fair at all. I am so scared that they have no intention of ever approving his visa...

[Darnell 8,479]

The problem, as I understand it for MENA - is that

there is high visa fraud specifically with couples where the USC wife is OLDER than the Foreign Husband.

15 years is a gap, you betcha

But, But ? I hope you had some gleaning about this, from reading in the MENA forums (thats where I learned about it )..

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

The problem, as I understand it for MENA - is that

there is high visa fraud specifically with couples where the USC wife is OLDER than the Foreign Husband.

15 years is a gap, you betcha

But, But ? I hope you had some gleaning about this, from reading in the MENA forums (thats where I learned about it )..

Gleaning??? I don't understand. Sorry.

I must admit while in Cairo, I did see several couples where the woman was in her 50's and the husband in his 20's. Now this age difference was so obvious to the human eye...and I even question the legitimacy of their marriage. It is my hope that the USCIS will interview me, if possible or ask me to submit additional evidence of our daily communication since the day my husband and I met. I just wish, I knew what the next step USCIS will take with our case. Can they make the final decision without seeing or talking to me??? This is my greatest fear....

Re-filing another I-130??? Is this the norm is these types of cases? Of course, I am trying to avoid having to restart the entire process again...I am missing my husband terribly. Please anyone with a similar situation, if you can offer and advice or share your story I would truly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Lizz&Mohamed

[Darnell 8,479]

i had editing one of my replies to include the 'what happens next' here in this thread. have another look ?

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

i had editing one of my replies to include the 'what happens next' here in this thread. have another look ?

I'm sorry, I don't see the thread...?

[Darnell 8,479]

refresh this page - it's in post #2.

[christeen 966]

sorry to hear... hopefully you can get another interview, this time I definetly suggest that you attend with your husband... Follow the above links and check out the MENA forum to see what is the next step for you....

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

sorry to hear... hopefully you can get another interview, this time I definetly suggest that you attend with your husband... Follow the above links and check out the MENA forum to see what is the next step for you....

Thank you for your response...but I feel I will not be able to stop the paperwork from leaving Cairo. I've read that the paperwork sometimes takes months before it reaches the USCIS office...Should I perhaps go with a K3 visa that I had initially filed for. I originally filed for a K3 and later switched it to a CR1??? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Lizz&Mohamed

[Gail Owino 0]

Gleaning??? I don't understand. Sorry.

I must admit while in Cairo, I did see several couples where the woman was in her 50's and the husband in his 20's. Now this age difference was so obvious to the human eye...and I even question the legitimacy of their marriage. It is my hope that the USCIS will interview me, if possible or ask me to submit additional evidence of our daily communication since the day my husband and I met. I just wish, I knew what the next step USCIS will take with our case. Can they make the final decision without seeing or talking to me??? This is my greatest fear....

Re-filing another I-130??? Is this the norm is these types of cases? Of course, I am trying to avoid having to restart the entire process again...I am missing my husband terribly. Please anyone with a similar situation, if you can offer and advice or share your story I would truly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Lizz&Mohamed

I have been reading this sad account of how the consulate officers can mess with people's lives. I must say, where do we draw the line in age differences? My husband is 18 years younger than me. I have not even started the process, and probably will not now because of what I have found out. Unless the government over here changes the policies and such. Is there a way to private message you? I would like to contact you. I'll be praying for you.

[Lizz&Mohamed 2]

I have been reading this sad account of how the consulate officers can mess with people's lives. I must say, where do we draw the line in age differences? My husband is 18 years younger than me. I have not even started the process, and probably will not now because of what I have found out. Unless the government over here changes the policies and such. Is there a way to private message you? I would like to contact you. I'll be praying for you.

You can email me at: msgnabottle143@yahoo.com

Please don't give up the fight...I still believe love will conquer all. We just have to be in it for the long haul. Good luck.

[Gail Owino 0]

You can email me at: msgnabottle143@yahoo.com

Please don't give up the fight...I still believe love will conquer all. We just have to be in it for the long haul. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your response. I did find out about applying for a hardship waiver too. You see, I was stricken with RA just before I went to Kenya. I am now in a wheelchair and need my husband to care for me. I have no one else who can or will. So there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. But first I must exhaust all of this other. I will email you soon. I hope you have good luck in bringing your husband here.

[egypt lover 0]

oh my god u scared me to death now first let me say iam so sorry to her about all what happened to u iam applying for k3 switched to cr1 automatic iam in nvc step and the problem is me and my wife have 25 years age diffrent she older than me i dont know what to do now god bless u sister and tell us about any new news

[Married2009 32]

From what I have read, the K-3 is not an option any longer, it is now obsolete.