Colombia Club

[parkpapa 0]

parkpapa,

The problem is that USCIS had us put June 11 on our forms and the marriage certificate says June 12. Hopefully they won't give us any grief about it.

Thanks,

CG

I'm a little surprised they would care, but as long as you hang on to any and all documentation - including anything that USCIS sends to you. If you got this info verbally, be sure to record the date and time of the conversation, as well as the name of the person you talked to. One reason this is important is that, as I have found personally, you will get a different story and different requirement from USCIS depending on who you talk to and on what day it is.

I would encourage you to stick pretty closely to the hard-won information you find on this website, as it tends to be more consistent and more accurate than what you'll get from immigration attorneys or the USCIS, itself. We've been tempted to hire an attorney a couple of times, but I have yet to find anything in this process that you can't handle quicker or more certainly yourself. The only requirement is to study, study, study here and on the USCIS website .... and practice lots of patience while being ready to act quickly, when required. But the one overriding requirement is to document everything and keep all your records in good order as any of them could become necessary at any given time.

Hang in there.

Charles

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Well. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything in writing from USCIS about this. They approved our petition without any RFEs or anything. I got the suggestion from an officer at USCIS and I have her name written down.

I had thought about calling today and talking to the embassy, but I don't think the people who answer the phones in the visa section could be very helpful. I would prefer to try and discuss this with someone at the embassy before the interview.

Thanks,

CG

[Mononoke28 135]

CG,

I honestly don't think it's a big deal really. I think it is something that you can explain in person and they're really mostly concerned with whether you have a legit marriage or not. But don't sweat it, they can treat it as a typo.

As for AP at the embassy level, I believe it's the same as at the NVC level. For CR1/IR1 petitioners, they're caught at the NVC and they will then hire several agencies to double and triple check the name that came up on their "red flag" list. They're mostly coincidences but they need to make sure they're not giving "X" person a visa if they were tagged as felons or potential felons. Since K1 and K3 visas spend just a few days or weeks at the NVC, they don't have time to do this part of the process and so the embassy takes care of it.

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

I agree with Diana, CG. Its something you can explain in writing and in person if asked. You probably won't even be asked about the discrepancy.

[Andres and Diana 0]

CG,

As for AP at the embassy level, I believe it's the same as at the NVC level. For CR1/IR1 petitioners, they're caught at the NVC and they will then hire several agencies to double and triple check the name that came up on their "red flag" list. They're mostly coincidences but they need to make sure they're not giving "X" person a visa if they were tagged as felons or potential felons. Since K1 and K3 visas spend just a few days or weeks at the NVC, they don't have time to do this part of the process and so the embassy takes care of it.

Diana

Thats exactly whats bothering me...we have already been through AP at the NVC Level! It took the NVC 3 weeks to forward our paperwork to the Embassy! If we have already been though AP why do we have to go through it again? Should the first time be sufficient...

And now out of total curiosity Im starting to wonder who has the problem with the security checks...him or I....and what kinda of "red flag" is being flown on us!

[parkpapa 0]

CG,

As for AP at the embassy level, I believe it's the same as at the NVC level. For CR1/IR1 petitioners, they're caught at the NVC and they will then hire several agencies to double and triple check the name that came up on their "red flag" list. They're mostly coincidences but they need to make sure they're not giving "X" person a visa if they were tagged as felons or potential felons. Since K1 and K3 visas spend just a few days or weeks at the NVC, they don't have time to do this part of the process and so the embassy takes care of it.

Diana

Thats exactly whats bothering me...we have already been through AP at the NVC Level! It took the NVC 3 weeks to forward our paperwork to the Embassy! If we have already been though AP why do we have to go through it again? Should the first time be sufficient...

And now out of total curiosity Im starting to wonder who has the problem with the security checks...him or I....and what kinda of "red flag" is being flown on us!

A&D,

I haven't followed your situation real close, but keep in mind you're dealing with two separate government agencies in this process - Department of State and Homeland Security (USCIS is part of HS). They each have separate priorities and separate means and methods of checking stuff. Why they don't communicate with each other or have the same information is a real mystery, but that's government in action (or inaction). One may give approval readily and the other drag their heals for whatever reason.

Charles

[Andres and Diana 0]

Yeah Charles...I know...its just frustrating seeing visas getting approved and everything going swimmingly for others and it seems that with ours we have had curve ball after curve ball.

I just pray that we are a set of the lucky ones going through AP...that are wait isn't to extensive. I have known my fiance for close to 14 years...I just dont want to wait anymore.

Thanks for your info!

Diana

[HAL 9000 96]

CG,

As for AP at the embassy level, I believe it's the same as at the NVC level. For CR1/IR1 petitioners, they're caught at the NVC and they will then hire several agencies to double and triple check the name that came up on their "red flag" list. They're mostly coincidences but they need to make sure they're not giving "X" person a visa if they were tagged as felons or potential felons. Since K1 and K3 visas spend just a few days or weeks at the NVC, they don't have time to do this part of the process and so the embassy takes care of it.

Diana

Thats exactly whats bothering me...we have already been through AP at the NVC Level! It took the NVC 3 weeks to forward our paperwork to the Embassy! If we have already been though AP why do we have to go through it again? Should the first time be sufficient...

And now out of total curiosity Im starting to wonder who has the problem with the security checks...him or I....and what kinda of "red flag" is being flown on us!

A&D,

I haven't followed your situation real close, but keep in mind you're dealing with two separate government agencies in this process - Department of State and Homeland Security (USCIS is part of HS). They each have separate priorities and separate means and methods of checking stuff. Why they don't communicate with each other or have the same information is a real mystery, but that's government in action (or inaction). One may give approval readily and the other drag their heals for whatever reason.

Charles

That is the weird thing, Charles... NVC is Dept of State and acts as a staging ground for Embassy-centered paperwork.

I am starting to smell a rat on this case... Diana2 (para no confundirnos con Diana1 de Mononoke jeje) it seems that if in a certain amount of time you don't hear back from the Embassy in Bogotá then it would be in order for you to contact them directly about the case, repeating as I'm sure you have already, that you went through AP at the NVC. The "glitch" could be something as mundane as an NVC employee that did not follow procedure and document everything they "reviewed" etc etc. Or it could be something as serious as the embassy staff having placed something in the file behind a fax machine, copier, filing cabinet, etc... catch my drift? It could be that they saw AP on the NVC side of the paperwork and are using it as an excuse to hurry on up whatever legal thing they need to do to get that visa expedited.

What do you think would be reasonable for them to get on the ball with that? 1 month?

I would seriously draft my letter to my rep or my senators now and have it ready for mailing in one month's time should the embassy drop their legwork.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I hate to say it, but it seems like there is somewhat of a bias against couples where the petitioner is a female. Aside from Diana 1, it seems like an awful lot of female petitioners have trouble at the embassy. I remember some lady having a world of problems last year until she got her congressman involved. At least it isn't as bad as the mideast where practically every female petitioner automatically goes into AP.

I hope you get this resolved quickly Diana. I agree that you should get the ball rolling ASAP on writing your representatives in Congress.

[bigley 0]

Hi all understand that the other problem is bigger than mine but I wanted to repost. I really need some advise. Do I just fax everything the page 1& 2 of ds-230 plus 2100 plus biographical page of passports or no?

Hey all my lawyer is giving me a hard time about filing the shortcut method. Our file is in Bogota since the 22nd and they sent the packet 3. Does anyone know if my fiance will receive notification? My lawyer again is useless.

She says she does not want to fax the information to the embassy because she does not want to make a mistake and slow down the process. She already screwed up earlier and caused a RFE. I need to send ds-2100, part 1 ds-230 and biographical page of passport right? If so I will do it myself but want to make sure. Please tell me.

[bigley 0]

colombianogringo You helped me earlier am I right about the fax and sending everything. My lawyer has me thinking I have doubts. She says she will get a letter from NVC (packet 3) from them to respond. If she does not have it she will not send. I owe her @$1000 I think I it will be hell to pay right now.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

bigley,

I can't advise you on how to deal with your lawyer. Keep in mind that she works for you. The issue of a remaining balance does not change that. You will obviously have to pay her, but you can dictate what she does or doesn't do in regards to your case.

As I mentioned, we faxed in our Packet 3 forms using a Spanish version pdf that was sent to me by another VJ member who went through the process a few months before us. it was essentially the same as the downloadable version on the embassy website. As I mentioned, we faxed it in on a Friday and mailed another copy via ServiEntraga that same day. By the time I called the embassy the next Wednesday, they verified that it was already in their system. I think that the step of sending via Servientrega was probably redundant, but it didn't appear to cause a problem. Remember that the post in Colombia can sometimes be slow so waiting to receive packet 3 from the embassy can create an unnecessary delay.

Good luck,

CG

colombianogringo You helped me earlier am I right about the fax and sending everything. My lawyer has me thinking I have doubts. She says she will get a letter from NVC (packet 3) from them to respond. If she does not have it she will not send. I owe her @$1000 I think I it will be hell to pay right now.

Edited May 29, 2008 by ColombianoGringo

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I ended up sending an email to the visa department at the embassy about my concerns with our wedding date mismatch. Here is their response.

I would not expect this issue to cause any problems or delays. However, the interviewing officer will have the final decision.

I understand the need for them to add a caveat, but I certainly feel somewhat relieved.

Thanks to all,

CG

[HAL 9000 96]

I ended up sending an email to the visa department at the embassy about my concerns with our wedding date mismatch. Here is their response.

I would not expect this issue to cause any problems or delays. However, the interviewing officer will have the final decision.

I understand the need for them to add a caveat, but I certainly feel somewhat relieved.

Thanks to all,

CG

Hey as long as its explained previously to the interview, then that mismatch is not a biggie.

[buck501 0]

colombianogringo You helped me earlier am I right about the fax and sending everything. My lawyer has me thinking I have doubts. She says she will get a letter from NVC (packet 3) from them to respond. If she does not have it she will not send. I owe her @$1000 I think I it will be hell to pay right now.

Your lawyer is only a help when the docs are in the US. Once the papers are in Bogota your lawyer is useless, at least our's was. I would not wait for any papers to arrive. You can get it all and send it in. We did not ever recieve Pkt 3 or Pkt 4. Why the Embassy insists on sending them by mail in a country that does not have a mail systems is beyond comprehention. The docs you need for Pkt 3 are going to be gatherd in Colombia. Some take time to get. I would get started on that now and submit them as soon as you have them. Our lawyer did eventually recieve Pkt 3. I never did and niether did Paola.