Fraud

[rsn 135]

I am confused so please excuse me. If one is denied at the Consulate abroad, can the petitioner refile another I-130? Does the first I-*130 need to be revoked before you can do that? Are their any waiting periods?

The poster's visa was not denied. If you have a question about visa denials, please either open another thread or search the archives so this thread is not derailed.

[JD63 4]

Thank you for responding. The consular official in charge stated when I went to Thailand in December of 2010 that they have had a problem with ladies from Thailand leaving their husbands, or prostitution.

My wife's character is beyond reproach. She is a hair dresser. She has her certificate from the Cosmotology school she went to. And has a beauty shop.

I have stayed the summer with her at her parents home. They are fantastic. She has taken two English classes. A wonderful woman.

It wasn't even her Internet account, but her friends who contacted me online. And I decided to obtain a Thailovelinks account.

Thank you for the background information. It is nice to know that it is not uncommon to go through Administrative Review. There needs to be a timeline on completion though.

I think you should really talk to your wife, especially previous relationships and/or association with unsavory characters or employment or jealous exes. Someone or something slight may have tipped off the embassy and made them suspicious. I only say this because the consular officer specifically stated ladies leaving their husbands, and that your marriage may not be considered valid was stated in your original post. Something doesn't add up.

As ning and others have said online dating is perfectly acceptable. This alone wouldn't cause any problem.

[Teddy64 0]

My wife's police report was clean.

We used a Thailand attorney to assist us in the process.

I have no idea what the Embassy in Thailand is in AR this long for.

I know one thing though, they need to replace the consular official in charge of applications.

She is incompetent and discriminates.

[Amy and Nick 37]

When you stated that a friend of hers contacted you first, this is a hypothetical situation that sprang to mind.

Your wife decided that she wanted to emigrate to the US. She paid someone to find a US citizen who would be willing to marry her and sponser her for a visa. She comes to the US, gains citizenship, and then divorces you.

I am in no way saying that this is what has happened. As with many other unfortunate couples, something had triggered a long AP, and very often, it is unwarranted.

I am just pointing this out as if the embassy knew about the friend contacting you, this is what they could believe to have happened?

Good luck, and I really hope this gets resolved for you soon. I would suggest you keep badgering your senators/congressmen.

[LoveMyMiky 35]

OP, mean no disrespect -- this situation has to be gut wrenching for you. You have indicated you have spent time in Thailand -- you cannot be blind to the environment. Would suspect your wife has apparently been profiled as being a high potential candidate for fraud. As to the officer encountered, expect this is routine for him, hardly recent or new. Any signs of disrespect towards him/her would only have made matters worse as they are in the drivers seat. Very likely it is a combination of things that prompted the investigation such the referral by an individual and to the love site. The fact she owns a beauty salon could be perceived as a front, as so often this type of personal service business can be viewed in Thailand. While it is stated that 1 out of 5 relationships begin on the Internet, the fact is you were referred and connected through the site and then apparently immediately married -- knowing you could not live with her for sometime? I would suspect this is an area of high suspicion and one seen many times over by Thai authorities as being the root of attempted fraud. Imagining the possibilities that the Thai Embassy need to deal with on a daily basis in this regard, would suggest that you do not attack them, but try to reason with them. Hope you the very best in getting through this quickly.

[Ning 619]

OP, mean no disrespect -- this situation has to be gut wrenching for you. You have indicated you have spent time in Thailand -- you cannot be blind to the environment. Would suspect your wife has apparently been profiled as being a high potential candidate for fraud. As to the officer encountered, expect this is routine for him, hardly recent or new. Any signs of disrespect towards him/her would only have made matters worse as they are in the drivers seat. Very likely it is a combination of things that prompted the investigation such the referral by an individual and to the love site. The fact she owns a beauty salon could be perceived as a front, as so often this type of personal service business can be viewed in Thailand. While it is stated that 1 out of 5 relationships begin on the Internet, the fact is you were referred and connected through the site and then apparently immediately married -- knowing you could not live with her for sometime? I would suspect this is an area of high suspicion and one seen many times over by Thai authorities as being the root of attempted fraud. Imagining the possibilities that the Thai Embassy need to deal with on a daily basis in this regard, would suggest that you do not attack them, but try to reason with them. Hope you the very best in getting through this quickly.

I think this opinion is given with the best intentions but some of it is simply wrong.

I know many people that met on Thai Love Links & were approved with no problem. That includes me. There wasnt one question asked about meeting that way. My husband & I met on the net he came to Thailand & we married within 45 days. There wasnt one single question about the timing of our relationship. At the time of my interview the USC was allowed inside the embassy & my husband was standing right there to answer any questions they may have had.

I do agree that there may have been some suspicion cast upon the case if they were told of the friend that helped in the begining. However many do that same thing because of the language situation alone. Many of my friends asked me about using the net. None were hookers.

A close friend owned a beauty shop in Thailand. She had zero problem getting approved. A beauty shop in Thailand is like a beauty shop anywhere. We dont associate them with prostitution as a rule. Does it occur sometimes? Probably but in my 35 years in Thailand I never saw it.

I hope the OP will let us know what happens in this case because it could help others.

[LoveMyMiky 35]

I think this opinion is given with the best intentions but some of it is simply wrong.

I know many people that met on Thai Love Links & were approved with no problem. That includes me. There wasnt one question asked about meeting that way. My husband & I met on the net he came to Thailand & we married within 45 days. There wasnt one single question about the timing of our relationship. At the time of my interview the USC was allowed inside the embassy & my husband was standing right there to answer any questions they may have had.

I do agree that there may have been some suspicion cast upon the case if they were told of the friend that helped in the begining. However many do that same thing because of the language situation alone. Many of my friends asked me about using the net. None were hookers.

A close friend owned a beauty shop in Thailand. She had zero problem getting approved. A beauty shop in Thailand is like a beauty shop anywhere. We dont associate them with prostitution as a rule. Does it occur sometimes? Probably but in my 35 years in Thailand I never saw it.

I hope the OP will let us know what happens in this case because it could help others.

Everybody has a right to an opinion, however, while you say my probable assessment is wrong, believe you are overlooking the fact that there is an investigation which you offer no possible reason based on the facts given. It is great you had no problem and others you know did not as well. The fact remains there is a prolonged investigation and taking it all out on an officer is doomed for further delays. There is a reason and it appears profiling is involved based on facts as a whole. There is always the possibility that the OP is not divulging all of the facts or possibly he has not been fully informed. Pragmatically speaking, and yes I have been to Thailand several times, based on cumulative facts presented this could optically appear to be a reason that prompted investigation. I am not saying the spouse is involved with any fraudulent activities, but point out the possible reasons she could be suspected based on the facts presented. Not all, in any country, are as innocent, nice or legit as you may be.

[pushbrk 12,898]

There needs to be a timeline on completion though.

I'm sorry you've found yourself in these unfortunate circumstances. Your emotional responses are certainly understandable, however unproductive. The reason I chose this one line from all your posts is that in my experience people who start sentences with "You need" or "There needs" are really saying, "I want" or "I wish". While your wants and wishes are understandable, they are not helpful. The Consular official is doing her job. They have a reason to suspect fraud. Their investigation may end this suspicion with a resulting visa approval or it may not. There is no, and will be no law passed that says, if you can't complete your fraud investigation within X period of time, you must issue the visa.

Defending your wife's character is admirable but again not helpful at this point. What would be more productive is a frank discussion with your wife about what in her past or in the interview might possibly have raised suspicion of fraud. This is not to say there IS fraud, but SOMETHING, not "discrimination" has brought this about. They obviously issue spouse visas to women on a daily basis in Bangkok.

[Teddy64 0]

Pushbrk,

Thank you for your comments. My mother is a family therapy psychologist. She tells many people about the "me" or "I" statements, and to use they, them statements etc. That doesn't mean I agree with her or you. Just because people give advice, doesn't mean it's good. Some of what you are saying is true.

Yes, it's the government. Slow to change, or no change at all. But change starts somewhere when there are problems. I disagree with you about th consular official doing her job. Either you did not read the particulars, or did not understand.

In any case, one thing is clear - hurry up and wait...

[pushbrk 12,898]

Pushbrk,

Thank you for your comments. My mother is a family therapy psychologist. She tells many people about the "me" or "I" statements, and to use they, them statements etc. That doesn't mean I agree with her or you. Just because people give advice, doesn't mean it's good. Some of what you are saying is true.

Yes, it's the government. Slow to change, or no change at all. But change starts somewhere when there are problems. I disagree with you about th consular official doing her job. Either you did not read the particulars, or did not understand.

In any case, one thing is clear - hurry up and wait...

I think you're in denial. Yes, I read the "particulars" very carefully. Mostly, they were not actually particulars. They were your understandably emotional and inexperienced interpretation of what you heard first and second hand. Unlike you, this ain't my first rodeo and I'm not emotionally involved. You can bet your boots, I "understood" better than you have any frame of reference to comprehend.

As for the "I" statements. You missed the point. You said, "There should..." when you are in no position to judge whether there should or should not be (whatever). I absolutely clearly understood your "There should" to mean, "I want" and/or "I wish". That you want it and/or wish it is understandable but there are reasons why "investigations" don't have time limits. The reasons they "don't" are the same reasons they "should not", no matter how much we may "want" or "wish" they would.

The Consulate's fraud unit IS doing and WILL complete their job, whether you want them to or not and whether you like how long it takes. You can spend your time berating them or otherwise spinning your wheels if you wish. My advice is to have that heart to heart, get down to the details talk with your wife and see what about the interview or her past may have triggered this. Perhaps you won't find an answer, but if you do, you'll then be able to start preparing any needed response.

[rsn 135]

I think you're in denial. Yes, I read the "particulars" very carefully. Mostly, they were not actually particulars. They were your understandably emotional and inexperienced interpretation of what you heard first and second hand. Unlike you, this ain't my first rodeo and I'm not emotionally involved. You can bet your boots, I "understood" better than you have any frame of reference to comprehend.

As for the "I" statements. You missed the point. You said, "There should..." when you are in no position to judge whether there should or should not be (whatever). I absolutely clearly understood your "There should" to mean, "I want" and/or "I wish". That you want it and/or wish it is understandable but there are reasons why "investigations" don't have time limits. The reasons they "don't" are the same reasons they "should not", no matter how much we may "want" or "wish" they would.

The Consulate's fraud unit IS doing and WILL complete their job, whether you want them to or not and whether you like how long it takes. You can spend your time berating them or otherwise spinning your wheels if you wish. My advice is to have that heart to heart, get down to the details talk with your wife and see what about the interview or her past may have triggered this. Perhaps you won't find an answer, but if you do, you'll then be able to start preparing any needed response.

This is excellent advice, especially the bold statements.

[R&W 5]

Hello OP,

I understand that this whole journey can be stressful and everything. But understand too, that our consulate is the doorkeeper of our country. They do the best they can to protect our doors. They don't really care on how we feel. They are trained to do what they are doing.. more than you realize.

Sorry to hear your AP.

[Teddy64 0]

This is excellent advice, especially the bold statements.

This is your opinion. It is not excellent advice. It just adds to the emotional pain I am feeling regarding my wife's Visa application. Do not contact me anymore.

I think you're in denial. Yes, I read the "particulars" very carefully. Mostly, they were not actually particulars. They were your understandably emotional and inexperienced interpretation of what you heard first and second hand. Unlike you, this ain't my first rodeo and I'm not emotionally involved. You can bet your boots, I "understood" better than you have any frame of reference to comprehend.

As for the "I" statements. You missed the point. You said, "There should..." when you are in no position to judge whether there should or should not be (whatever). I absolutely clearly understood your "There should" to mean, "I want" and/or "I wish". That you want it and/or wish it is understandable but there are reasons why "investigations" don't have time limits. The reasons they "don't" are the same reasons they "should not", no matter how much we may "want" or "wish" they would.

The Consulate's fraud unit IS doing and WILL complete their job, whether you want them to or not and whether you like how long it takes. You can spend your time berating them or otherwise spinning your wheels if you wish. My advice is to have that heart to heart, get down to the details talk with your wife and see what about the interview or her past may have triggered this. Perhaps you won't find an answer, but if you do, you'll then be able to start preparing any needed response.

Do not contact me anymore.

Thank you

[rsn 135]

It is not necessary to take any of the advice here, from people who have been around for a while, personally. No one has set out to attack you. Everyone in this thread has simply offered you some things to consider and some points of action.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

This is your opinion. It is not excellent advice. It just adds to the emotional pain I am feeling regarding my wife's Visa application. Do not contact me anymore.

Do not contact me anymore.

Thank you

If you're just going to tell everyone who doesn't say what you want to hear to go away then why bother posting at all?

It's great that you believe with all of your heart that your wife has been put under suspicion unfairly. There are a lot of men who would react the opposite. Unfortunately that faith in your wife doesn't do much to move the US Embassy's Fraud Unit.

They don't just randomly harass visa applicants, for some reason they believe she fits some profile. It may be something that was said at the interview or something that was found during background checks. Even if they eventually find that they were mistaken there really is not much that can be done other than be supportive of her until the process is complete.

When my wife interviewed in the Philippines she got worried because the pre-screener made a big deal about her son since the father was listed on his birth certificate. She kept trying to get Anna to admit that she was already married before me. Then when Anna interview with the CO he said they needed to verify her CEMAR (Certificate of Marriage(s)) to confirm that I was her first & only husband. We anticipated this and Anna had a fresh CEMAR on hand to give to the CO. Of course this addressed the concern and approval was given.

My point is: Did it offend us that they suspected Anna of Fraud, sure it did as I love her and any accusation of such is offensive. Now if either of us reacted in outrage would it have had the same effect as remaining calm and reminding ourselves that it isn't something personal to them, they are doing their job which is to protect our borders and prevent fraudulent beneficiaries from getting to the US.

Nothing can be said or done to relieve the heartache caused by the additional wait. If you want to seek assistance from you congressman or senator then be calm and ask them to find out of the Embassy would like any additional evidence to clarify something so they can resolve whatever doubts they have.