Contacting a Congressman

[jalie 3]

Anybody from Texas here?

Me and my fiancé is thinking of contacting his congressman with regards to our K-1 Visa problem. But he does not know how to do it, or which office to call or email. I know nothing how the congressman's office in Texas work or deal with its constituents. But I have read here that people with immigration problems are advised to contact their congressmen.

Anybody here who knows which office we should bark at? My fiancé resides in Dickinson area.

Thank you once again

[Alan-and-Ira 1]

Hi, Take a look at the link: Representative. Regards, Irina.

[jalie 3]

Thanks Irina, that's great!

[marriedtomrg 141]

What happened after the second Embassy interview on September 22?

Anybody from Texas here?

Me and my fiancé is thinking of contacting his congressman with regards to our K-1 Visa problem. But he does not know how to do it, or which office to call or email. I know nothing how the congressman's office in Texas work or deal with its constituents. But I have read here that people with immigration problems are advised to contact their congressmen.

Anybody here who knows which office we should bark at? My fiancé resides in Dickinson area.

Thank you once again

[jalie 3]

What happened after the second Embassy interview on September 22?

I was told to wait for a couple of weeks!

[K and L 27]

A couple of weeks for what? For a decision?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I've moved this thread from the AOS Progress Reports Forum to the K-1 forum as the poster is pursuing K-1, not AOS.

[jalie 3]

A couple of weeks for what? For a decision?

... for a formal denial? or to give me the reasons for the denial?... perhaps!

[Tom and Teaw 1]

Sounds like you are possibly in AP status if you had a second interview. We went that route and I stopped at my Congressman's office across the street from my work. They have their own special contacts that can update them

somewhat on what is happening with your case. They also sent more info via email to the embassy in Thailand and we got our visa shortly after that. They are required to answer them within 14 days but they just gave us the visa

and never gave a formal answer. Depending on what you perceive is the problem, they may be able to help. You should have an idea of what the holdup is by the questions asked during the second interview. Usually a second interview is done by the fraud unit because they are trying to clarify something. So try to figure out what it is and have an explanation that you can have the Congressman's office send with their letter.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have some interaction with our states Senators. I can tell you the BEST way to get attention from his congressman (or Senator) is to go to their office. Their district office(s) will be listed at their website. If it is within a few hours drive I STRONGLY SUGGEST he go there. Just go there. Walk in and say he needs to speak with someone on an immigration issue. They will most likely see him and discuss the matter. The issue will be handled by a liason that represents the Congressman. This can have a lot of JUICE or none, depends on that congressman. I can tell you that when Senator Leahy's office calls, they pay attention. If that doesn't do the trick, then go to a Senator who usually has a lot more clout but in a state like Texas can be very difficult to contact. In Vermont it is easier to deal with one of our two Senators rather than our ONE congressman, besides the state is barely bigger than a west Texas county so it is never a long drive to the office and BOTH our Senators are wicked powerful in Washington.

Start with the congressman. Have COPIES of evrything with you and be prepared to critique your case. They do not want to be standing at the copy machine making copies of your emails or whatever. Have a file ready to hand to them. IF you want results. They are lawyers, they are not FREE secretaries to make your copies. (most liasons are attorneys)

[TBoneTX 45,319]

go to a Senator who usually has a lot more clout but in a state like Texas can be very difficult to contact.

Good overall advice from Gary. The quote here is a chance for me to advise Texans to not bother trying to deal with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's office. After several attempts, I reached her chief assistant, who cut my explanation short and said, with perceptible snootiness, "The Senator has far more important things to do than to concern herself with a K-1 visa application." Edited September 29, 2010 by TBoneTX

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Good overall advice from Gary. The quote here is a chance for me to advise Texans to not bother trying to deal with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's office. After several attempts, I reached her chief assistant, who cut my explanation short and said, with perceptible snootiness, "The Senator has far more important things to do than to concern herself with a K-1 visa application."

Well! As you know Tbone, I am a Texican myself and in my opinion Kay Bailey Hutchison hasn't done anything more important than an immigration case since she was elected. Could be just me. When I was living in Dallas I used to deliver my letters to Senator Phil Gramm by hand at his office in the same building where I worked. Hopefully this man's congress person will do better.

And I will say this, I disagree with Senator Leahy on almost everything politically...and I tell him so. But I will tell you that he is 100% for his constituents and has an excellent staff to deal with immigration issues and for that alone I will vote for the man.

The more direct you make the contact, the better the result will be, go to their office if possible.

[Dakine 26]

I contacted both my congressman and senator. Congressman was worthless. Senator's staff was and is GREAT. I've used them 3 different times thruout the process. Just voted for him.

[jalie 3]

Sounds like you are possibly in AP status if you had a second interview. We went that route and I stopped at my Congressman's office across the street from my work. They have their own special contacts that can update them

somewhat on what is happening with your case. They also sent more info via email to the embassy in Thailand and we got our visa shortly after that. They are required to answer them within 14 days but they just gave us the visa

and never gave a formal answer. Depending on what you perceive is the problem, they may be able to help. You should have an idea of what the holdup is by the questions asked during the second interview. Usually a second interview is done by the fraud unit because they are trying to clarify something. So try to figure out what it is and have an explanation that you can have the Congressman's office send with their letter.

Thanks Tom, your story of course gives me some hope. I was not given any blue slip or was not informed what was wrong after the second interview so I have not a minimum idea what the problem is. I was only told that he will contact me in two weeks.

I am only guessing that it is about name discrepancies as the consul asked me to send him my previous passports. And when he received those he asked me to go for a second interview "to clarify certain discrepancies that have arisen". My fiancé asked if there are documents that I should bring but he said no.

Anyway we already sent documents (affidavit and consular cert.)this morning to clarify those discrepancies.

Again,thanks, I'll give updates if something positive/negative will happen.

[jalie 3]

I have some interaction with our states Senators. I can tell you the BEST way to get attention from his congressman (or Senator) is to go to their office. Their district office(s) will be listed at their website. If it is within a few hours drive I STRONGLY SUGGEST he go there. Just go there. Walk in and say he needs to speak with someone on an immigration issue. They will most likely see him and discuss the matter. The issue will be handled by a liason that represents the Congressman. This can have a lot of JUICE or none, depends on that congressman. I can tell you that when Senator Leahy's office calls, they pay attention. If that doesn't do the trick, then go to a Senator who usually has a lot more clout but in a state like Texas can be very difficult to contact. In Vermont it is easier to deal with one of our two Senators rather than our ONE congressman, besides the state is barely bigger than a west Texas county so it is never a long drive to the office and BOTH our Senators are wicked powerful in Washington.

Start with the congressman. Have COPIES of evrything with you and be prepared to critique your case. They do not want to be standing at the copy machine making copies of your emails or whatever. Have a file ready to hand to them. IF you want results. They are lawyers, they are not FREE secretaries to make your copies. (most liasons are attorneys)

Thank you Gary. Yes, Carlo has managed to contact the staff of Ron Paul. They were sweet humans and have already adviced us what steps we should take. I will post more when I will know more. As of now there is nothing to do than wait.