Is this right?

[andrea4prez 1]

Yesterday my sister was interviewed for N400 application. The immigration officer was a Filipino. From the time she sat down, the guy was power tripping and said right away, “You are not qualified for the 4 years and 1 day rule” and then said “but I’m not sure because it’s been a long time since I handled a case like this.” He then pulled up a software in his computer, like a travel calculator and then he saw that indeed, my sister is qualified. My sister also showed him that she has paperwork to prove that he is indeed qualified. By then, he said “ You are right, you are qualified.” The immigration officer looked embarrassed because, my sister was right and it showed that he didn’t know much about the rule. He said, he won’t approve her yet until she gave a notarized letter stating why she had to stay in the philipines ONE time for 6 months. My sister then told him, because it was my last semester in college and I have a re-entry permit that was approved for that whole six months. NOTE:the whole time she only stayed one time for 6 months. She then showed her college diploma to show the timeline and showed paperwork that she then took the Occupation Therapist board here in California shortly right after. But immigration officer said, “Then put that into writing and have it notarized!”

By that time, another Filipino immigration officer came into the room and said this exact words that made my young sister sad and annoyed at the same time “ I-DENY MO NA YAN, MUKA NAMANG MAYAMAN (deny her, she looks rich anyway). While they were laughing because, they were looking at her tax papers and employment letter as a Occupational Therapist. After that, the other immigration officer left. The original immigration officer then saw my sister just got married and said “ CONGRATULATIONS, you just got married, YOU DID NOT WAIT FOR ME!” he said this as a joke but it was very unprofessional and unbecoming of an immigration officer interviewing a candidate for naturalization. He then told her submit that letter and we will decide. He did not even listen to my sister, he just told her goodluck and thank you!

Is that right? Those words those two Filipino officer uttered were both, DISCRIMINATORY and reeks of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT. My sister has the letter prepared now and ready to have it notarized and bring in the letter tomorrow at the office. BUT I told her she has to complain about those words uttered by the immigration officers, what do you guys think?

Thank you!

[TravellingNomad 12]

they took your sister for a ride. she does not need to submit such notarized statement/letter. because the first time i was interviewed back in 1999, i had the same travel situation as your sister. i was out of the country for a few years but had a re-entry permit. but the immigration officer didn't even bat an eye regarding the time i was out of the country. all he did was ask why i was out for a few years...i told him because of school and that was that.

that is exactly the reason why i hate talking with other filipinos you have to deal with in these goverment agencies. some of them think they are invincible and therefore can say anything to a fellow filipino...knowing full well that the fate of this person is in their hands. sa halip na makatulong, nagpapahirap pa.

Edited September 9, 2010 by TravellingNomad

[Darnell 8,478]

You could file a grievance on both of them. IMO, you should, and slam them as much as possible.

There are 'official channels' to file, both with the Inspector General and the Ombudsman's office.

I'll post the links for you, in a bit, but just remember -

anything that 'comes through' on a complaint, goes into their official employment file (which is a good thing) then over time, these complaints are 'weighed' for such things as advancement, reduction-in-force selections.

There's a fine line, of course, for 'waiting for approval' on the citizenship application, but hei... The 'merits of her case' should have nothing to do with 'their behavior'.

[Darnell 8,478]

Here's the VJ link with 'complaint filing' info - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/271584-interview-harassment-or-what/page__view__findpost__p__4158481

Good Luck !

[andrea4prez 1]

they took your sister for a ride. she does not need to submit such notarized statement/letter. because the first time i was interviewed back in 1999, i had the same travel situation as your sister. i was out of the country for a few years but had a re-entry permit. but the immigration officer didn't even bat an eye regarding the time i was out of the country. all he did was ask why i was out for a few years...i told him because of school and that was that.

that is exactly the reason why i hate talking with other filipinos you have to deal with in these goverment agencies. some of them think they are invincible and therefore can say anything to a fellow filipino...knowing full well that the fate of this person is in their hands. sa halip na makatulong, nagpapahirap pa.

also, She didn't leave for a year, exactly 6 months

[andrea4prez 1]

what do you guys thinks she should do? submit the "notarized" letter and wait for decision and then complain? or complain now? She is just wary that complaining might jeopardized her case or will make her wait longer. She will go to the office tomorrow to submit the letter. The filipino immigration officer told her to go to the office anyway. I told her when she goes to the office tomorrow to then talk to a supervisor. What do you suggest? She is scared that even if she submits her letter, she will be denied because the filipino officer did not even bother to listen to reasoning.

also, She didn't leave for a year, exactly 6 months

I meant, she left for 6 MONTHS only and its just ONE TIME

[marriedtomrg 141]

Their behavior was appalling, to say the least.

Your sister should report them, for sure. You wouldn't want other Filipinos to deal with them down the road when they file for citizenship.

[andrea4prez 1]

she will...she is actually scheduling an appointment with the supervisor in that office...this is the 2nd time it happened...one friend also went to the same office here in California and was denied by filipino immigration officer who was making rude side comments too....

[Dakine 26]

Take in the letter and move on. I took a lot of ####### from IOs during the whole process and just smiled and moved on. If you do want to report them. Wait until she has her USC.

Edited September 9, 2010 by Dakine

[andrea4prez 1]

Take in the letter and move on. I took a lot of ####### from IOs during the whole process and just smiled and moved on. If you do want to report them. Wait until she has her USC.

[/quote

and let others experience the same thing over and over again because we let others abuse their authority?

the thing is what if she doenst get her USC because of how the immigration officer treated her?

[TravellingNomad 12]

and let others experience the same thing over and over again because we let others abuse their authority?

the thing is what if she doenst get her USC because of how the immigration officer treated her?

EXACTLY! at least if she reports it to the supervisor, and she gets denied, she can appeal the decision. she can say on appeal that she's worried it didn't work out too well for her because of her complaint. i don't want to say it...but we all know that some of these filipinos that are in a position of power over somebody else, they will throw their weight around. also, the comments both of these guys made to your sister...that's very unethical.

this @$$hole is just giving your sister a freakin' hard time. because she already told them during the interview why she was gone for half the year. making her come back to submit a notarized statement saying the same thing is wasting her time. the IO could've just written what she on her file. that's what the both IOs did to the things i was saying on both of my interviews (don't ask...i just had to go through the process twice...lol).

on question though. why didn't your sister complain to a supervisor immediately after she talked to that balasubas?

Edited September 9, 2010 by TravellingNomad

[andrea4prez 1]

EXACTLY! at least if she reports it to the supervisor, and she gets denied, she can appeal the decision. she can say on appeal that she's worried it didn't work out too well for her because of her complaint. i don't want to say it...but we all know that some of these filipinos that are in a position of power over somebody else, they will throw their weight around. also, the comments both of these guys made to your sister...that's very unethical.

this @$$hole is just giving your sister a freakin' hard time. because she already told them during the interview why she was gone for half the year. making her come back to submit a notarized statement saying the same thing is wasting her time. the IO could've just written what she on her file. that's what the both IOs did to the things i was saying on both of my interviews (don't ask...i just had to go through the process twice...lol).

on question though. why didn't your sister complain to a supervisor immediately after she talked to that balasubas?

she was told to talk to someone once after she submits the letter. she told the lady at the counter she wanted to talk to somebody regarding her interview..but she didnt want to tell her story to them only to the supervisor.. she is going back tomorrow to submit papers and try to talk to somebody...if she could not get anybody tomorrow. she is already scheduled for a infopass on Friday. She has her complaint letter ready too...

SO, i'm right? those Balasubas, I was told by my sister were really ganging up on her and why will you be making a joke about her money as a reason to deny my sister and saying you didnt wait for me after she said she is married....NAKAKAINIS sobra!!! Naawa ako sobra sa sister ko kasi she was waiting for this and she was hoping her visa journey will be over na....Also, i forgot to add... The original officer said, "WOW you bought a house last November and you were single and now your husband, is still in the philippines... madami ka nga siguro pera ( maybe you really have a lot of money). After officer made a joke on how she is rich anyway, so she can be denied!

[Dakine 26]

Take in the letter and move on. I took a lot of ####### from IOs during the whole process and just smiled and moved on. If you do want to report them. Wait until she has her USC.

and let others experience the same thing over and over again because we let others abuse their authority?

the thing is what if she doenst get her USC because of how the immigration officer treated her?

If she causes problems for the IOs then she may have problems. Best to let it ride and let others do their own trip!

Edited September 10, 2010 by Dakine

[andrea4prez 1]

He already caused problems for my sister by not giving her citizenship... if he can do his own trip, we can do our own too by complaining about him.