Failed interview !!

[Anh map 2,098]

The CO's prepare ahead of time. If not, they cannot keep to their schedule. While no one will know for sure, it's likely that that CO had concerns and was using the interview to push them to blue or pink.

My wife saw pink and got blue. We had to submit some more proof of communication (we killed some trees and printed off all chats and emails covering 2+ years), proof of my ex wife's address (she was not born in the US, actually European), and proof of my wife's ex's current address. We turned it in and got pink.

Now that was before the timeline became an unofficial requirement. Was it due to our age difference (22 years) or the fact that we both were married before? All we could do is respond to the blue slip as best we could. In our case my ex wouldn't cooperate so I could only submit my affidaivt stating what I knew to be true.

Blaming the translator is easy. But as stated before, the CO controls the interview. Trying to get the beneficiary "off their game" is one of the tools they use to evaluate the person being interviewed.

One thing that another VJ member who was formerly with CBP said about the process is this:

A good way to try to check your emotions is to understand that the nature of personal questions is not a reflection on you, it's a reflection of finding the truth to make an informed decision. They are doing their job which is to determine the eligibility of an individual to receive a benefit.

It's business not personal. That's tough to soak in because getting an immigration visa to be with your family is a very personal issue, but they don't see it that way and neither should you. If you understand their perspective and keep that in mind, you can tailor your responses to meet that perspective. Do that and you're most of the way there.

Sounds like you folks are working through the process. Submit what was requested and it seems likely you will get pink. Remember that the visa is the goal. Don't get side tracked by anything else.

Edited October 11, 2010 by Anh map

[pwolocen 2]

The CO's prepare ahead of time. If not, they cannot keep to their schedule. While no one will know for sure, it's likely that that CO had concerns and was using the interview to push them to blue or pink.

My wife saw pink and got blue. We had to submit some more proof of communication (we killed some trees and printed off all chats and emails covering 2+ years), proof of my ex wife's address (she was not born in the US, actually European), and proof of my wife's ex's current address. We turned it in and got pink.

Now that was before the timeline became an unofficial requirement. Was it due to our age difference (22 years) or the fact that we both were married before? All we could do is respond to the blue slip as best we could. In our case my ex wouldn't cooperate so I could only submit my affidaivt stating what I knew to be true.

Blaming the translator is easy. But as stated before, the CO controls the interview. Trying to get the beneficiary "off their game" is one of the tools they use to evaluate the person being interviewed.

One thing that another VJ member who was formerly with CBP said about the process is this:

A good way to try to check your emotions is to understand that the nature of personal questions is not a reflection on you, it's a reflection of finding the truth to make an informed decision. They are doing their job which is to determine the eligibility of an individual to receive a benefit.

It's business not personal. That's tough to soak in because getting an immigration visa to be with your family is a very personal issue, but they don't see it that way and neither should you. If you understand their perspective and keep that in mind, you can tailor your responses to meet that perspective. Do that and you're most of the way there.

Sounds like you folks are working through the process. Submit what was requested and it seems likely you will get pink. Remember that the visa is the goal. Don't get side tracked by anything else.

Due to what they requested on the blue slip and did not request a second interview, I too feel that we will get pink when we submit all that they asked for. I still cannot understand why they changed from pink to blue. I guess we will never know! Thank you for your support.

[luckytxn 2,264]

The CO seemed happy with our information, he had the pink slip sitting in front of him for my fiancee to see. She first saw it at the first window too!! If you have not, please read my answer to JimVaPhuong about the contents of our blue slip. It did not seen like anything that could harm us that much. 1) Timeline 2) My residential info last 10 years 3) Fiancee residential info last 10 years 4) Relatives living in the US info. As far as #4 She had to get her Mother and Brother to find the information they want. Before this whole mess, she did not even know their names much less where they live. Did the translator make out the blue slip? The CO was studying his computer the whole interview and my fiancee is not sure he even heard the questions!! Can she make out the slip and just get him to sign it?

When I said that you left out something it was that you reposted this but you left out something that when you posted this before that I saw very important which is this.

They asked for 4 items on our blue slip.1) Timeline(The first window she went to,the clerk there told her she did not need Timeline)The Co did not ask for one! 2) My residence for past 10 years including adddress phone #'s and who lived there with me. 3) All members of fiancee house including name, phone #'s and relationship. 4) Name ,address phone #'s of her relatives in US. Also proof of that info.(Utility bill, driver liscence,ect.) My fiancee will have to ask her brother for this info as she has no contact with them. It is an aunt & uncle that live in 2 different parts of the US.

In the bold is what I meant. It is added that they want to know who also lived there for some reason and not just where you lived. That to some of us looks like they are fishing and saw something when they did a search that warranted them wanting to look further at this. They usually have asked this in the past when there have been recent divorces and want to see if the divorce was a fraud or they see a overlap somewhere where someone else appeared to be living at the same address at the same time.

Of course it could be nothing and but we actually know very little about you and are flying blind and are trying to figure out why they say this in the blue so we can help. Just go and submit everything and we will pray for a pink. Good luck.

[BinhJerome 14]

Due to what they requested on the blue slip and did not request a second interview, I too feel that we will get pink when we submit all that they asked for. I still cannot understand why they changed from pink to blue. I guess we will never know! Thank you for your support.

Dont get hung up on the pink to a blue thing. Many of us were in the same situation, Binh saw and was able to see that it was an approval letter, and yet we ended up getting a denial. It is never good to give up hope, but try not to hang on the little things, we will never know why they went from pink to blue, and it really doesnt matter why they did it, as long as you end up with the pink you started off with.

As for what others see, there is something they are looking at, but i know for a fact that at times they ask for things just to ask for them, with no real intention of ever looking at what you submit, accept for maybe a quick glance to make sure it is what it was supposed to be. I know this because the CO I know said that ALL the CO's do it, it is a stall tactic, usually the CO I know does this stall tactic in his words to test the relatinship, he is not quite 100% sure and he wants to see the reaction when they get issued the blue, most people here would say the CO does not give the blue slip out but a lady in a different window, but the CO's do pay attention to the reaction they get, and often they are near the window waiting for the reaction. This is just one side, on the other maybe they are curious as to who really lived with you, but I really doubt that they are suspecting you of fraud since you are as old as you are. No offense intended with that remark.

The facts are simple, love is blind, and probably 95% of the fraud that occurs one party (usually the petitioner) did not know it was fraud, he/she was just floating on cloud 9 and never really saw through the smoke and mirrors. But even with all the fraud, I would want to say it is probably less than 5% that are really there for fraud. Some people marry not for love, but for money it happens in America all the time, and some marry for security, but most do marry for love, so no matter what anyone tries to tell you right or wrong, it is YOUR life, and listen or dont listen it is YOUR decision. On a more personal note, with the age of the both of you I personally dont feel that your relationship is fraud, but I am not your CO.

Good luck Jerome and Binh

[ScottThuy 140]

Looking at past interview results as an indicator of what may happen.. there were two VJ member interviews in August with similar results to the OP which in one case was approved when resubmitted and the other was put in AP...

As has been said before.. dont dwell on the past.. look ahead and keep an open mind to all things that could happen.. this is a process and it is not personal to the CO...

[pwolocen 2]

Looking at past interview results as an indicator of what may happen.. there were two VJ member interviews in August with similar results to the OP which in one case was approved when resubmitted and the other was put in AP...

As has been said before.. dont dwell on the past.. look ahead and keep an open mind to all things that could happen.. this is a process and it is not personal to the CO...

We plan to submit all they ask for on the date given. Do you see anything there that would put us in AP?

[BinhJerome 14]

We plan to submit all they ask for on the date given. Do you see anything there that would put us in AP?

The fact that you have already been given a blue effectively means that you are already in AP. If you look at the past cases, I would say at least 60% when given the first blue will get a second blue. Lucky was one of very few that I can think of off the top of my head who submitted after the first blue and got a pink when he showed back up. Your case has many things that could put you into AP. The first thing being what they asked for alone. If they truly do want to know who was living with you they cannot find this out the same day you resubmit, meaning you might get another blue. The same for the other things like the timeline, if they really want to look at it and they are busy when you turn in the paperwork then you will get a blue. I know this sounds bad, but it is probably the truth, but this means if they REALLY want the information they requested. Something as simple as a police check they can look and see with only a glance, while a long timeline or a list of relatives might need to be proven. With what you have said in the past and knowing we are NOT CO's we can only really tell you what we have seen, because we do NOT know what they think or do, I probably have a bit more insight since I personally know one of the current CO's at HCMC but this does not mean I know anything, just what he tells me. Either way expect the worst, but hope for the best so you are not let down. You should be fine, just go in there and do what you can do.

Jerome and Binh

[ScottThuy 140]

Getting put in AP can be for a number of reasons or for no obvious reason... our CO obviously didnt like the fact that we were both married (on paper only) when we met.. and that after the divorces were final we applied for our K1...

in the past I have heard of someone getting a similar blue sheet due to utility bills not reflecting a divorce... ie his name was on a utility bill for his ex at her residence... they thought it was an immigration only relationship. the guy found out what the issue was and it was resolved...

When they ask for the P's or B's previous residence history for 10 years.. it is usually because either they think something is up.. or that there could be gaps in data or conflicting data in the reports.. or it could just be to screw with you...

dont expect AP, just keep in mind that it is possible and is just a waiting game. a long wait in some cases.

Just so we know a bit more.. how many visits have you made? How long together with her before filing... and did you have a dam hoi?

Edited October 14, 2010 by ScottThuy

[luckytxn 2,264]

The fact that you have already been given a blue effectively means that you are already in AP. If you look at the past cases, I would say at least 60% when given the first blue will get a second blue. Lucky was one of very few that I can think of off the top of my head who submitted after the first blue and got a pink when he showed back up. Your case has many things that could put you into AP. The first thing being what they asked for alone. If they truly do want to know who was living with you they cannot find this out the same day you resubmit, meaning you might get another blue. The same for the other things like the timeline, if they really want to look at it and they are busy when you turn in the paperwork then you will get a blue. I know this sounds bad, but it is probably the truth, but this means if they REALLY want the information they requested. Something as simple as a police check they can look and see with only a glance, while a long timeline or a list of relatives might need to be proven. With what you have said in the past and knowing we are NOT CO's we can only really tell you what we have seen, because we do NOT know what they think or do, I probably have a bit more insight since I personally know one of the current CO's at HCMC but this does not mean I know anything, just what he tells me. Either way expect the worst, but hope for the best so you are not let down. You should be fine, just go in there and do what you can do.

Jerome and Binh

To be honest it was actually pretty often that people got a blue for simple stuff like a timeline for instance and then to go in early and turn it in and get the pink at that time but this was back almost two years ago when I got my pink. Soon after we started to notice that practice to subside a lot but it still happens but rarely.

[pwolocen 2]

Getting put in AP can be for a number of reasons or for no obvious reason... our CO obviously didnt like the fact that we were both married (on paper only) when we met.. and that after the divorces were final we applied for our K1...

in the past I have heard of someone getting a similar blue sheet due to utility bills not reflecting a divorce... ie his name was on a utility bill for his ex at her residence... they thought it was an immigration only relationship. the guy found out what the issue was and it was resolved...

When they ask for the P's or B's previous residence history for 10 years.. it is usually because either they think something is up.. or that there could be gaps in data or conflicting data in the reports.. or it could just be to screw with you...

dont expect AP, just keep in mind that it is possible and is just a waiting game. a long wait in some cases.

Just so we know a bit more.. how many visits have you made? How long together with her before filing... and did you have a dam hoi?

We met through a dating site(VietnamCupid) in Oct.2009. I made my first trip(Feb.2010) to meet her and confirm that what we felt through our many web conversations were for real. We had our engagement ceremony on that visit. I went on my second trip to be with her for the interview. I am afraid you know the rest of the story! During this visit we purchased our wedding rings and I visited her entire family again. She is going to the Pagoda this week to pray(7hrs each way) Jerome mentioned that too long a Timeline could result in a second blue. How long is too long? What happens if we get a second blue?

[pwolocen 2]

The fact that you have already been given a blue effectively means that you are already in AP. If you look at the past cases, I would say at least 60% when given the first blue will get a second blue. Lucky was one of very few that I can think of off the top of my head who submitted after the first blue and got a pink when he showed back up. Your case has many things that could put you into AP. The first thing being what they asked for alone. If they truly do want to know who was living with you they cannot find this out the same day you resubmit, meaning you might get another blue. The same for the other things like the timeline, if they really want to look at it and they are busy when you turn in the paperwork then you will get a blue. I know this sounds bad, but it is probably the truth, but this means if they REALLY want the information they requested. Something as simple as a police check they can look and see with only a glance, while a long timeline or a list of relatives might need to be proven. With what you have said in the past and knowing we are NOT CO's we can only really tell you what we have seen, because we do NOT know what they think or do, I probably have a bit more insight since I personally know one of the current CO's at HCMC but this does not mean I know anything, just what he tells me. Either way expect the worst, but hope for the best so you are not let down. You should be fine, just go in there and do what you can do.

Jerome and Binh

Once again, Jerome and Binh, thank you for your input. I have lived alone for over 15 years since my divorce. I cannot imagine what would make them think otherwise. How long a timeline would be too long? My fiancee only has 2 relatives in the states and they have promised to supply the information they requested. She has had no previous contact with them until the consulate basically forced her to do so. It seems to be a stupid thing to do on their part. I checked on getting a Lexis Nexis report on myself, but they said I would not get results for 30 to 60 days. I am curious as to what is on that report.

[BinhJerome 14]

Once again, Jerome and Binh, thank you for your input. I have lived alone for over 15 years since my divorce. I cannot imagine what would make them think otherwise. How long a timeline would be too long? My fiancee only has 2 relatives in the states and they have promised to supply the information they requested. She has had no previous contact with them until the consulate basically forced her to do so. It seems to be a stupid thing to do on their part. I checked on getting a Lexis Nexis report on myself, but they said I would not get results for 30 to 60 days. I am curious as to what is on that report.

What I meant by too long was any timeline of substance would be at least 2 pages, and if they really wanted it to check her answers, this means they would need to read it, and if you have ever been to the consulate, you understand they are VERY busy there. Do NOT try to make your timeline short just so they can give you the result you want, simply put if you make it too short then it looks like you dont have a real relationship, point out each and every thing that happened in your relationship, highlight everything that you want them to know about, if you sent a package, if you got a package, if you did something special (birthday/4th of july) on webcam, when you proposed, when you landed and met for the first time, what you have done each day while in Vietnam.

Such things show that your relatinship is real, this is what they want, and what you want to give them. If they specifically request something do NOT skimp on what you give them.

As far as a Lexis report, I have no idea what is on them, I know on our denial, they had some really bad information. When I got my passport in 2007 I used a passport service which required me to sign for it once it returned. I had just relocated to Indiana that year for a job, so I listed my first address, and my work address so I could sign for my passport, in 2008 I moved. They listed my address as my 2007 and then said I had a different home address (my work) and yet on my paperwork I showed I lived in yet another address. Ignore the fact that my IRS papers, my W-2's, my Bank, telephone, and all my USCIS paperwork showed my correct address. So basically I am saying that there could be something just crazy on it like it was with mine.

Good Luck Jerome and Binh