What a nice surprise!

[Meredith_Brahim 2]

Yesterday I was so frustrated after umpteen phone calls and emails to the DOS and Embassy about our four months of AP, that I wrote what I guess was a convincing e-mail to the embassy, using the trail of back and forth from December, to ask what was the problem...and they responded!! Here's the trail...

'Hello - I'm following up once again on that status of my husband's visa. His case has been under administrative processing for more than four months now (127 days to be precise). I cannot get any details about its status from the Department of State, and I would like to know why we are being delayed so long and an approximate timeframe on when we can expect the processing to be complete - 'a few months' have already passed and we're well beyond the published guideline of 60-90 days.

I understand that this stage is the last stage of the visa process, but where can I get more information? Please confirm as I was told earlier, that the administrative processing is happening in the US and is not 'internal review' at the embassy.

As always, any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.'

And not 24 hours later (they usually take a week to respond with the standard 'your husband's case is still pending administrative processing'):

'Dear Mrs. xxxxxxxxxxxx;

Rest assured that we are not sitting on your husband’s case here in Paris. We are also concerned with the length of time since we originally put forward the request for approval. With that in mind, we have asked for further information on this case, the most recent request this week.

As soon as we receive approval we will be happy to issue the visa. We will inform you as soon as that happens.

Regards,

[signature]

IV Chief/ Fraud Prevention Manager'

While it's not the fantastic news we've been hoping for, at least it's reassuring that someone's bloody listening to me and doing something about it. See, if the various agencies could just take the time to respond thoughtfully, there'd be a whole lot less VJ-ers with such angst.

Here's hoping for good news soon to us all.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Well, at least you know they aren't using the file as a foot rest while they play tetris all day

Good luck

[Bernie C 24]

I see a glimmer of hope and here is wishing that it shall soon blossom with the fresh spring air into a flower of approval.

[Meredith_Brahim 2]

Thank you! I see light at the end of the tunnel too!

[treehugger 23]

All it takes is a little information, just knowing something about what's going on, for us to be so much happier! I hope your husband's AP is over very, very soon!!

[Malarie 0]

Well ... At least they are working on it!!

I hope you guys hear something soon and can move on with your lives!!!

The man that contacted me yestereday apologized about the length of time and also added that he has so many cases to work on. Maybe we have the same person working on our cases?

Anyway -- GOOD LUCK -- Something is better than nothing!!!!!

Take care and keep us posted!!

Malarie

All it takes is a little information, just knowing something about what's going on, for us to be so much happier! I hope your husband's AP is over very, very soon!!

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOREVER!! If they would just tell you the case is waiting security clearance and the reality of it all is you are probably going to wait a minimum 3 months ... then so be it. At least you would clearly know the exact status of your case -- the unknown is the worst!!!

[Americanfromage 0]

Hi Meredith -

Can I ask you about your interview experience at the Paris Embassy. I have an interview coming up and would like to be prepared.

Thanks!

[wellmux 3]

Yesterday I was so frustrated after umpteen phone calls and emails to the DOS and Embassy about our four months of AP, that I wrote what I guess was a convincing e-mail to the embassy, using the trail of back and forth from December, to ask what was the problem...and they responded!! Here's the trail...

'Hello - I'm following up once again on that status of my husband's visa. His case has been under administrative processing for more than four months now (127 days to be precise). I cannot get any details about its status from the Department of State, and I would like to know why we are being delayed so long and an approximate timeframe on when we can expect the processing to be complete - 'a few months' have already passed and we're well beyond the published guideline of 60-90 days.

I understand that this stage is the last stage of the visa process, but where can I get more information? Please confirm as I was told earlier, that the administrative processing is happening in the US and is not 'internal review' at the embassy.

As always, any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.'

And not 24 hours later (they usually take a week to respond with the standard 'your husband's case is still pending administrative processing'):

'Dear Mrs. xxxxxxxxxxxx;

Rest assured that we are not sitting on your husband's case here in Paris. We are also concerned with the length of time since we originally put forward the request for approval. With that in mind, we have asked for further information on this case, the most recent request this week.

As soon as we receive approval we will be happy to issue the visa. We will inform you as soon as that happens.

Regards,

[signature]

IV Chief/ Fraud Prevention Manager'

While it's not the fantastic news we've been hoping for, at least it's reassuring that someone's bloody listening to me and doing something about it. See, if the various agencies could just take the time to respond thoughtfully, there'd be a whole lot less VJ-ers with such angst.

Here's hoping for good news soon to us all.

This email u received from fraud preventation unit and it makes me wonder why embassy sent ur visa case to fraud preventation unit maybe they have some doubts.

V Chief/ Fraud Prevention Manager'

[edward toro 3]

We are also in AP. So I am happy for you that you got this e-mail.

Also I called DOS and they don't have any updated info ever!

Good luck!

[Audy_Rob 26]

'Hello - I'm following up once again on that status of my husband's visa. His case has been under administrative processing for more than four months now (127 days to be precise). I cannot get any details about its status from the Department of State, and I would like to know why we are being delayed so long and an approximate timeframe on when we can expect the processing to be complete - 'a few months' have already passed and we're well beyond the published guideline of 60-90 days.

I understand that this stage is the last stage of the visa process, but where can I get more information? Please confirm as I was told earlier, that the administrative processing is happening in the US and is not 'internal review' at the embassy.

As always, any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.'

I think your letter to them was very well written.

Good luck, for a speedy approval.

[Meredith_Brahim 2]

Hi Meredith -

Can I ask you about your interview experience at the Paris Embassy. I have an interview coming up and would like to be prepared.

Thanks!

Sure - it went rather smoothly actually - we waited what seemed to be forever for the appointment, though in reality, it was about a month before it was scheduled. When you go in, get a number from the machine/welcome guy and they'll call you up once to take your name/case info; then again to another CO to give evidence and the unopened medical; then finally with a more senior CO (ours was a mature American woman). We went up to the window together - my husband does not speak English, but I speak both.

First she asked him questions about where we met, how did our relationship develop, what do I do for a living, what does he do, why hadn't he been to the US. I just stood and listened. Then she turned to me and said very matter of factly in English that she was going to ask me some personal questions - she respectfully asked me to explain to her in a way that she would understand, why this relationship...inferring the difference in our socioeconomic backgrounds, race, religion (I have a pretty senior position at a global bank and my husband is a contractor/house painter and an immigrant in France; I'm white/agnostic and he's Arab/Muslim). It was an intrusive interview, but respectful, so I didn't feel offended. I answered plainly that we met and instantly fell in love, that though he doesn't have more years of school, he certainly knows more about politics, culture, and current events than I do; and that my family and friends are very open to different cultures. I think it also helps that I moved to Paris last January after we met in September 2008 and that we live together here.

I could see through the window that our case had been stamped 'Approved' but when she was done with our questions, she said that she had to send the file back to the US for mandatory administrative processing, because of his nationality and the fact that he'd never been to the US before, it was out of her hands and they'd let us know when the AP was finished. Of course, I'd already booked our tickets home, having ignored the page on the website that warns about AP, and we had a big homecoming and Christmas celebration planned, plus our apartment lease was ending the following week. I was visibly upset and she suggested that I go ahead home to the States and he stay with a friend, that she couldn't tell me how long, could be 2 weeks or 2 months. Well, we immediately started looking for another apartment and are still here 17 weeks later, painfully waiting for the approval.

My advice would be to look the CO straight in the eye, answer truthfully and openly, and don't be offended by their questions. Good luck to you - hope you escape sans AP! The process should take around 3 hours.

[Meredith_Brahim 2]

This email u received from fraud preventation unit and it makes me wonder why embassy sent ur visa case to fraud preventation unit maybe they have some doubts.

Mmmm, I noticed that her title is IV (Immigrant Visa) Chief/Fraud Prevention Manager - I took it to mean she's the boss of the CO's and was responding on their department's behalf. I don't think we're being investigated for fraud - saw the Approval stamp on our file during our interview. I think we're in name checks and our file is sitting stagnant. Here's hoping a kick from the embassy will get it going again! But who knows, you may be right.

[Whatznext 2]

maybe this will clear up the fraud prevention it seems that it is under one title - security and record verification

About The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security

The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) is a division within USCIS National Security and Records Verification Directorate (NSRV). FDNS was created in 2004 to enhance the quality, integrity, and security of the U.S. legal immigration system. FDNS¿ primary mission is to detect, deter, and combat immigration benefit fraud and to strengthen USCIS¿ efforts aimed at ensuring benefits are not granted to persons who threaten national security or public safety. FDNS is USCIS¿ primary conduit to the law enforcement and intelligence communities. Adjudications officers collaborate with FDNS officers who in turn, work in collaboration with DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and if pertinent, with other federal, state, and local government offices to bring suspected cases to conclusion, i.e., criminal prosecution or administrative sanctions.

[Meredith_Brahim 2]

maybe this will clear up the fraud prevention it seems that it is under one title - security and record verification

About The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security

The Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) is a division within USCIS National Security and Records Verification Directorate (NSRV). FDNS was created in 2004 to enhance the quality, integrity, and security of the U.S. legal immigration system. FDNS¿ primary mission is to detect, deter, and combat immigration benefit fraud and to strengthen USCIS¿ efforts aimed at ensuring benefits are not granted to persons who threaten national security or public safety. FDNS is USCIS¿ primary conduit to the law enforcement and intelligence communities. Adjudications officers collaborate with FDNS officers who in turn, work in collaboration with DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and if pertinent, with other federal, state, and local government offices to bring suspected cases to conclusion, i.e., criminal prosecution or administrative sanctions.

Thanks, not sure if it does clear it up - I don't think it's anything to do with fraud, I think the woman holds two posts as part of her role at the consulate: she's the head of the immigration unit and as part of that, looks after fraud. Here's hoping anyway...since when do any of us know anything about this process! I was reflecting back today on the past year and how many times my husband and I thought we knew something and it turned out to be incorrect. Like following the directions/letters that the NVC sends as part of the I-130 even though we're supposed to ignore them and only follow the I-129F (that was expensive - forfeited at least $500 in fees not knowing - pre-VJ of course!). And thinking we'd get an interview quickly and be home for Christmas. And thinking that AP would really only last 2-8 weeks like the CO said. This is so painful. Sorry to be negative. Today is a rough day - I miss my hometown and my family. We're stuck in purgatory and all we can do is plan for the future. Hope you all are having a better time enjoying the Spring.

[treehugger 23]

This is so painful. Sorry to be negative. Today is a rough day - I miss my hometown and my family. We're stuck in purgatory and all we can do is plan for the future. Hope you all are having a better time enjoying the Spring.

There's no need to apologise, we might just have an idea of what you're going through!!