Getting into Israel to East Jerusalem US consulate

[SunnieAndMoh 0]

My husband is Palestininan and is having to enter Israel to go to the Us Consulate in East Jerusalem. He went to the Israelis to ask permission to eneter the date of his interview, which is September 17th, and they denied him entry. Anyone been here and done this and can help give some advice. We are almost there and any dealy would be even harder then its already been, for which you all know, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

[Darnell 8,479]

Here's a member with same exact issue, in the past -

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/user/75962-%26%239829%3Bmuslimqueen%26%239829%3B/

Suggest you send her a PM from the member profile page.

*** moving to MENA forum ***

Edited September 3, 2010 by Darnell

[SunnieAndMoh 0]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Ramialbali 23]

My husband is Palestininan and is having to enter Israel to go to the Us Consulate in East Jerusalem. He went to the Israelis to ask permission to eneter the date of his interview, which is September 17th, and they denied him entry. Anyone been here and done this and can help give some advice. We are almost there and any dealy would be even harder then its already been, for which you all know, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

I am sure your husband will find away to get into Jerusalem. Did he receive a paper from the consulate saying that he has an interview in September 17th? When I had my interview, the consulate send such a paper, and I attached it with the permit application, and I got 12 hours permit. But, sometimes they deny the permission even if you have such thing.

He should be there early because sometime you can find a line of people in front door, and also, it will take him time to go through the gate, and the security until he gets to the second floor. They opens the door at 8am as far as I know.

I am sure he will be fine, and send me a message if he could not find away to get into Jerusalem without risk being caught and miss the interview. May be I can help in this.

Best Luck,

Edited September 3, 2010 by Rami-Becky

[SunnieAndMoh 0]

So I will put up the review of the consulate soon, but I need a question answered. He got denied under section 221g, does that mean AP or an actual denial??

[Ramialbali 23]

So I will put up the review of the consulate soon, but I need a question answered. He got denied under section 221g, does that mean AP or an actual denial??

I am sorry to hear that. I got the same paper. It is AP. hopefully will take few weeks.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

So I will put up the review of the consulate soon, but I need a question answered. He got denied under section 221g, does that mean AP or an actual denial??

Glad to hear he made it to the interview!

What exactly was stated on the form as the reason for the 221g? It should have something at the bottom that gives the reason they did not issue a visa. Most likely it is normal AR/AP.

But if it mentions something about sending your case back to the US, then you have a denial.

[SunnieAndMoh 0]

They marked documents only. One thing was I filled the I-864 and the NVC said nothing, actually sent me something saying they apporved my finacial, but now the consulate wants a I-864a??? What if I live with no one? I live alone and don't have any household members. The rest, the Israelis didn't send his Police certificate like he ordered, so come Sunday he will go and re-order. And thanks hun!

[Darnell 8,479]

sounds like they want you to get a joint sponser / co-sponser.

FWIW, NVC never 'accepts' the I-864 - they just do intake, and a first level review - to see if you meet the basic requirements.

That 'in-depth analysis' is always done at the Immigration Visa Unit at the US Embassy, prior to interview day, but an applicant is TOLD on interview day about it, if some problem.

The 221G is not a denial, at all.

Good Luck !

[SunnieAndMoh 0]

So when hubbys interview was over they gave him a white paper saying we needed more documents, and they were listed. I wasn't clear about the I-864a so I emailed the Consulate and asked them specifically about the I-864a and told them that I had no one living with me, so I asked if I needed to have a joint sponsor. This is the email I got back today.

Dear Madam;

Thank you for your interest in this case. At present we have no additional questions or concerns that need clarification. This case is pending mandatory administrative processing. If any additional information is needed we will let you know. Unfortunately we are unable to give a precise timetable for when this administrative processing will be completed. Each case is unique. We assure you we will process this case as expeditiously as possible and look forward to being able to provide you with a final determination in the near future.

Sincerely,

Immigrant visa unit

Ok, so tells me nothing. So I get on the phone with DOS. They told me to contact the Consulate. I explained to her that I did already that is why I was calling them and she, in a stern voice , tells me to listen to her and contact the Consulate.

So do I resend them another email saying the same thing, or do I just have a joint-sponsor fill out another I-864 and send that?

[Darnell 8,479]

whoa

sorry - this is a new issue

'Mandatory Administrative Processing' has NOTHING TO DO with any I-864a. Nothing whatsoever.

They are doing additional namechecks on yer spouse. There is no 'known turnaround time' on this, but if 120 days have passed, without any notification, something is even more messed up. MQ's casefile was actually 'lost' at the Embassy for 4 months. (maybe 5?)

IMO, alas, this email did not come from a Consular Offical, Visa Officer, US Citizen Employee. Instead, it came from an 'indigent worker', a native to the country, who won't have any 'clearances' to actually 'do something' on yer case - they can look up things, and send silly emails, and that's it.

IMO, also, you need to get a Consular Official, Visa Officer, US Citizen Employee, to look into your husband's casefile. I've no knowledge, alas, on how to make that happen.

Just to be certain, though, that is IS AP, call the DoS Hotline on Tuesday, and ask them -

--Is the casefile in administrative processing, AP, or not?

They (DoS Hotline Humans) are required to tell you yes or no, but not required to tell you why.

Edited September 21, 2010 by Darnell

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

They marked documents only. One thing was I filled the I-864 and the NVC said nothing, actually sent me something saying they apporved my finacial, but now the consulate wants a I-864a??? What if I live with no one? I live alone and don't have any household members. The rest, the Israelis didn't send his Police certificate like he ordered, so come Sunday he will go and re-order. And thanks hun!

When did you request the police certificate? It's not unusual for it to take a LONG time getting into the system at the consulate. And holiday seasons like Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur slow everything down even more.

My husband's certificate took just over 5 weeks from the date he requested it until it was acknowledged as received at the consulate, although we know from acquaintances in the police department that it was sent almost immediately. I remember I was on the phone with the consulate checking to see if they'd gotten it, and I could hear the employee digging around in a pile of papers on a desk and she finally said "Oh. Here it is. We have it."

So when hubbys interview was over they gave him a white paper saying we needed more documents, and they were listed. I wasn't clear about the I-864a so I emailed the Consulate and asked them specifically about the I-864a and told them that I had no one living with me, so I asked if I needed to have a joint sponsor. This is the email I got back today.

Dear Madam;

Thank you for your interest in this case. At present we have no additional questions or concerns that need clarification. This case is pending mandatory administrative processing. If any additional information is needed we will let you know. Unfortunately we are unable to give a precise timetable for when this administrative processing will be completed. Each case is unique. We assure you we will process this case as expeditiously as possible and look forward to being able to provide you with a final determination in the near future.

Sincerely,

Immigrant visa unit

Ok, so tells me nothing. So I get on the phone with DOS. They told me to contact the Consulate. I explained to her that I did already that is why I was calling them and she, in a stern voice , tells me to listen to her and contact the Consulate.

So do I resend them another email saying the same thing, or do I just have a joint-sponsor fill out another I-864 and send that?

As Darnell said, a lot of these email responses are just form letters. Sometimes it seems they don't even read (or understand) the question being asked

But I would just give them what the 221g asks for. The documents the consulate listed are just normal requirements for issuing a visa. It's entirely possible that your I-864 has been lost or misplaced... or maybe they think you're on the borderline so they want a co-sponsor. Is there any reason they might think you have dependents living with you? (indicated on an old tax return, etc.?)

Send them another I-864 if you are well over the poverty line with plenty of proof of your income/assets... or if it's a close call, do an I-864a as well. Have your husband re-request a police certificate if it's been more than 6 weeks or so (but it's most likely already at the consulate, just still sitting on someone's desk waiting to be processed.)

After they receive your documents, it might take a while for the name/security checks to be completed but this is not unusual with MENA cases.

Wishing you best of luck for getting your documents in quickly, a speedy completion of your case, and visa in hand very soon!