Writing to the US Consulate in Lagos, NIgeria! would it help?

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Hello members, a week ago, I prepared a letter to the Honorable Joseph D. Staffort, the US Consul General in Lagos. In my letter, I am asking him for his assistance in obtaining answers pertaining my fiance's visa, Requesting an update on the status of our case, since I am not getting any clear answers through the sent and received emails. They did not even respond to my recent one. I HAVE NOT MAILED IT OUT YET, AND I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR OPINIONS FIRST PRIOR TO SENDING IT.

My question is has anyone ever written to the US Consulate in Nigeria and received actual help, or response to their correspondence? has contacting them directly ever helped or been done? I feel even mailing it addressed to an official might not mean that the official will ever see that letter.

For the last four months my fiance's case I-129 has been in AP, at the time of his interview, he was given a letter indicating if he was not contacted within 60 days from the letter that he should contact them by email. We did twice and we got an email back word for work asking us to refrain from emailing them. They apologized for the delay and that was ALL. I have called DOS for the last two weeks, and all they are able to tell me is that it is still in process...and sometimes this takes a year...and who wants to hear that????

It is very frustrating,I know, we are not alone in this, for many of you are on the same boat which is moving with God's grace very slowly. What I want to know is, anyone has a comments or thoughts on this? maybe sending letters together "as a group" demanding answers to the prolonged AP and the delays with our paperwork? As US citizens we have rights to request answers and officials to respond.

I completely agree that our national security is an important issue and it should not be compromised. But the slow response is outrageous, and I feel it is due to lack of work done by the employees there more so than the amount of work load, which they are dealing with.

Your comments and thoughts are appreciated.

[patient2010 93]

Have you tried contacting your congressman or congresswomen to help you? I would probably do that before you email the consular general because to be honest with you sometimes those people at that embassy are useless.......

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I contacted a whole list of people , by registered mail after our first petition was denied. That included the then head of the consulate in Lagos. No one responded in a positive way. You may feel better when you send it but you will get frustrated with the lack of response. We were denied because my now husband didn't know details of my classified work.

[crew1980 1]

HSLT,

I must say I've never contacted the Nigerian embassy but I did contact the Argentine embassy on behalf of my husband then fiance. I was very frustrated with the K1 process and decided to contact the Ambassador. I was in contact with the IV staff but not getting the responses that I wanted. I found out that the Ambassodor was of Cuban descent like my husband. I knew he would understand my husband and what he was going through being from Cuba and not wanting to go back there. I was very complimentary to his staff and only had good things to say about them and their performance. The Ambassador did get the letter however he always had his staff contact me. All of my responses to him were via email. All of my contact with the staff were also via email. After my complimentary letter to the Ambassador I would always get a response from IV in a timely matter. If I sent an email to IV I would get a response literally within 12 to 24 hours. In the end I can say the correspondence to the Ambassador made all the difference as far as positive and timely communication was concerned.

The whole thing took place back in 2003/2004 so I don't remember everything but I do have all the emails. I'm not saying do what I did or even if what I did was right but if you'd like more info just let me know.

Toria

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

I contacted a whole list of people , by registered mail after our first petition was denied. That included the then head of the consulate in Lagos. No one responded in a positive way. You may feel better when you send it but you will get frustrated with the lack of response. We were denied because my now husband didn't know details of my classified work.

Thanks for the heads up! I appreciate your input. So waiting is the only clear answer.

HSLT,

I must say I've never contacted the Nigerian embassy but I did contact the Argentine embassy on behalf of my husband then fiance. I was very frustrated with the K1 process and decided to contact the Ambassador. I was in contact with the IV staff but not getting the responses that I wanted. I found out that the Ambassodor was of Cuban descent like my husband. I knew he would understand my husband and what he was going through being from Cuba and not wanting to go back there. I was very complimentary to his staff and only had good things to say about them and their performance. The Ambassador did get the letter however he always had his staff contact me. All of my responses to him were via email. All of my contact with the staff were also via email. After my complimentary letter to the Ambassador I would always get a response from IV in a timely matter. If I sent an email to IV I would get a response literally within 12 to 24 hours. In the end I can say the correspondence to the Ambassador made all the difference as far as positive and timely communication was concerned.

The whole thing took place back in 2003/2004 so I don't remember everything but I do have all the emails. I'm not saying do what I did or even if what I did was right but if you'd like more info just let me know.

Toria

Thank you so much for your reply.

[Afrikan Queen 11]

Have you tried contacting your congressman or congresswomen to help you? I would probably do that before you email the consular general because to be honest with you sometimes those people at that embassy are useless.......

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

I will and thanks for the advice.

[minae 5]

I will and thanks for the advice.

Please I am having the same problem, i cant get a reply from the US embassy in lagos.what do you think i should do Anyone kindly advice me.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

Please I am having the same problem, i cant get a reply from the US embassy in lagos.what do you think i should do Anyone kindly advice me.

All you can do is email them and wait. I hear they are very busy these days. Good luck!

[TinaG 0]

Please I am having the same problem, i cant get a reply from the US embassy in lagos.what do you think i should do Anyone kindly advice me.

Have you gotten a response yet? It's been two months since I sent the email and still no response from Lagos!

[patient2010 93]

Have you gotten a response yet? It's been two months since I sent the email and still no response from Lagos!

Wow 2 months> has your case been rerouted yet? If memory serves me correctly you were trying to switch embassies abi?

[TinaG 0]

Wow 2 months> has your case been rerouted yet? If memory serves me correctly you were trying to switch embassies abi?

No, the case is just sitting at the embassy in Ankara Turkey. I even called the NVC last night. They gave me a number to call in Washington. I just dont know what to do! I dont understand those rude ppl at the consulate in Lagos! I called consulate in Lagos yesterday, the guy cut the phone on me. I called 5 more times and he would pick up and hang up...lol! I am confused as to why they behave like this!!!!!!

[TinaG 0]

Hello members, a week ago, I prepared a letter to the Honorable Joseph D. Staffort, the US Consul General in Lagos. In my letter, I am asking him for his assistance in obtaining answers pertaining my fiance's visa, Requesting an update on the status of our case, since I am not getting any clear answers through the sent and received emails. They did not even respond to my recent one. I HAVE NOT MAILED IT OUT YET, AND I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR OPINIONS FIRST PRIOR TO SENDING IT.

My question is has anyone ever written to the US Consulate in Nigeria and received actual help, or response to their correspondence? has contacting them directly ever helped or been done? I feel even mailing it addressed to an official might not mean that the official will ever see that letter.

For the last four months my fiance's case I-129 has been in AP, at the time of his interview, he was given a letter indicating if he was not contacted within 60 days from the letter that he should contact them by email. We did twice and we got an email back word for work asking us to refrain from emailing them. They apologized for the delay and that was ALL. I have called DOS for the last two weeks, and all they are able to tell me is that it is still in process...and sometimes this takes a year...and who wants to hear that????

It is very frustrating,I know, we are not alone in this, for many of you are on the same boat which is moving with God's grace very slowly. What I want to know is, anyone has a comments or thoughts on this? maybe sending letters together "as a group" demanding answers to the prolonged AP and the delays with our paperwork? As US citizens we have rights to request answers and officials to respond.

I completely agree that our national security is an important issue and it should not be compromised. But the slow response is outrageous, and I feel it is due to lack of work done by the employees there more so than the amount of work load, which they are dealing with.

Your comments and thoughts are appreciated.

I contacted my congreswoman in my district. I told her the problems that we were having getting the paperwork transferred to Lagos. I also told her about how they had not responded to my e-mails. I wrote the consular general as well. Finally I get an e-mail from the embassy in turkey that they had forwarded my paperwork to Lagos. Over two months I have been desperately trying. Exhaust all resources until you get an answer. They are very slow in Lagos and very apathetic!!!

[MAO36 30]

Hey in there Girlie! Your time will come very soon!!!

[slazzaro1 1]

Have you tried contacting an Immigration Attorney?

When I started this process to get my Nigerian Fiance here it was over 6 months ago. I went for a free consultation and wanted information bc he had been denied to tourist visa's in the past 3 years. When I went to meet with her she told me Nigeria is VERY difficult to communicate/deal with. They don't respond well over the phone or by mail. She has 15 years of experience with Africa and Nigeria in particular. I would at least consider getting an attorney if you can. We are working with her now...Just waiting it out at this point. 5 months as of the 15th since the recvd the petition so we are just hoping for an approval soon.

Good luck!