InfoPass Appointment was a DISASTER

[TBoneTX 46,216]

alas, what might have helped you..

is to ask for the shift supervisor

and then ask for a lookup on the case, with a real time status call/check on nexis name check, by same supervisor.

You got played, alas, by incompetent buffoon.

I'd strongly recommend this, and consulting with a sharp, motivated immigration attorney, si man. First, however, contact your Congressman in regard to the current outrage; maybe his liaison can set you up with a confirmed appointment with the head of the USCIS InfoPass office where you received the unspeakable treatment. Try to hang in there over the government-holiday weekend.

I vividly remember just having returned from being abused and 100% hosed by the ####### Guayaquil consulate at this time in 2008. I was not predisposed to feeling patriotic. I attended a "town hall" meeting held by then-Congressman Nick Lampson. He asked for what people were concerned about, and someone said "immigration." Lampson said, "And now we need to know whether this means 'illegal' or 'legal' immigration." I felt better immediately, just knowing that someone realized and cared -- and indeed his immigration liaison was incredibly supportive. There was little that could be done in regard to the ####### consulate, but it's well-known in Congressional offices that "USCIS is our very worst Federal agency" (a direct quote). Lean on your Congressman's liaison -- these people know, and they do have some pull.

Keep the faith, si man.

[minkthecat 6]

DO NOT GET MARRIED. It will look very bad given that you have filed for a fiance visa. It will be seen as not waiting for approval and cause a huge delay, if not an outright rejection. I agree with the advice to get the ombudsman involved.

[sara..... 371]

uff i hate it when this happens to nice people.....here is some of my story hope it helps you some

we waited two years for noa2...in that time we contacted congressmen, Ombudsman, had info passes even called the white house and faxed our case to them as they requested ......i followed gogos ideas on who to send out emails and snail mails to on a daily bases.....

if i had it to do all over again and perviz could have gotten a visitor visa i would run to the court and marry....not walk

the fact that you had a info pass appointment shows you had NO intent......the fact that they them self asked why didn't you do marriage petition shows either they are very stupid or that they gave you the way to resolve this.....in my own personal opinion.....just get married i do not think they will state that you had intent because you have tried to resolve this with him here in the USA attending the info pass appointment with you.

my prayers are with you

sara

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; Like I told you, I would wait before getting married.

You are waiting for 2 months since your RFE.. I would wait til August 1st (dead line) and if you haven't received your NOA2 by that time, then considder other options.

You waited for 9 months now, it's ridiculous, but average after RFE is 1/2 months. You are sooo close for receiving your NOA2!!! Don't give up the past 9 months of waiting just yet.

Give yourself a final dead line. August 1st + no NOA2= cancel K1 and get married.

Watcha say?

[Eve&Josh 5]

Im not a 100% sure about this, but if they were to get married now and her husband went back to Mexico, wouldn't they have to apply for CR1 for him to be able to go back to the US to stay? Im pretty sure that he wouldnt be able to stay for good at the moment if they got married - like the OP said, he's got a pretty good job he needs to go back to, and heck, he's got a life back home that needs to be wrapped up before moving.

Id imagine that getting married now AND STAYING would not be a good option, unless you had nothing that needs to be taken care of before moving. Getting married now and going back would me another petition, another waiting period, and more fees to be paid.

Maybe make another Infopass appointment and try to get to talk to a superior?

Im so sorry that this process is taking you so long.

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Im not a 100% sure about this, but if they were to get married now and her husband went back to Mexico, wouldn't they have to apply for CR1 for him to be able to go back to the US to stay? Im pretty sure that he wouldnt be able to stay for good at the moment if they got married - like the OP said, he's got a pretty good job he needs to go back to, and heck, he's got a life back home that needs to be wrapped up before moving.

Id imagine that getting married now AND STAYING would not be a good option, unless you had nothing that needs to be taken care of before moving. Getting married now and going back would me another petition, another waiting period, and more fees to be paid.

Maybe make another Infopass appointment and try to get to talk to a superior?

Im so sorry that this process is taking you so long.

Thats true and you have to let the background check finish out cause I'm sure with CR1 you would still have to go through the checks. Unfortunately they are between a rock and a hard place, when you're in background check there is nothing you can do but wait till they finish out and not even a powerful congressman/senator can allow you to bypass them.

To put it another way, I think only getting the results from the background checks will clear your/his good name.

Wish the OP the strength to get through this.

[Sergi9 110]

don't be so fast to discount the marriage option, if they marry and apply for adjustment immediately, they can at least spend that time together here in the states...

Not such a good idea after she had a conversation with USCIS where she said she knew it was illegal to do that, might be notes in the file on that.

[Ning 619]

Not such a good idea after she had a conversation with USCIS where she said she knew it was illegal to do that, might be notes in the file on that.

"Then she asked me why Fiance and I didn't just file a I-130 for him. I was like, UH, we are NOT Married,.....THAT IS WHY WE FILED A FIANCE VISA! How stupid, right? So she looked all confused and said "Oh, I thought you were married!" (why would we have been asking about fiance visa?) and then she asked why we didn't JUST GET MARRIED WHILE MY FIANCE WAS HERE VISITING IN THE US....

I almost flipped out when I heard that. I told her "because I understand that would be ILLEGAL. He is here on a tourist visa and I understand it is illegal to get married while he is on a tourist visa". And then she looked confused and consulted with her co-workers, but then just told me there was nothing she could do and to get back in touch with my congressman".

The O P was confused by her understanding of the law. The USCIS person was right in this statement. They could be legally married while he is here on a tourist visa. You can see the O P thought that was illegal.

Its illegal to have the intent of using a tourist visa to enter to marry & then stay. It is not illegal to marry & leave.

What is important here is the intent at the time of entry. He clearly came to visit. They tried to get some info while he was here about what the problem is with their case. To me the fact that they did that proves there was no intent to circumvent the process. He could have entered at any time & dont that if that was his intent.

There is some thought here about going back to get a CR 1 & what that involves. Its no different than he was going to do after marrying while using the K 1. Or was he going to stay & AOS? That is legal too.

The OP has said many times that she cant endure being without him & going thru this for what seems like forever. Actually their case is no different than many others. However as some have said he could legally stay right now. He could get the EAD & begin working within a short time. That is if they want to take a chance that in this economy he can replace his income. With unemployment at record highs it requires some thought.

Edited July 2, 2011 by Ning

[payxibka 10,047]

Not such a good idea after she had a conversation with USCIS where she said she knew it was illegal to do that, might be notes in the file on that.

please, that is like saying I believe it is illegal to walk on the sidewalk and then you tell me that when I do, the cops will give me a ticket...

Please stop perpetuating a non existent fear factor...

Edited July 2, 2011 by payxibka

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I'd strongly recommend this, and consulting with a sharp, motivated immigration attorney, si man. First, however, contact your Congressman in regard to the current outrage; maybe his liaison can set you up with a confirmed appointment with the head of the USCIS InfoPass office where you received the unspeakable treatment. Try to hang in there over the government-holiday weekend.

I vividly remember just having returned from being abused and 100% hosed by the ####### Guayaquil consulate at this time in 2008. I was not predisposed to feeling patriotic. I attended a "town hall" meeting held by then-Congressman Nick Lampson. He asked for what people were concerned about, and someone said "immigration." Lampson said, "And now we need to know whether this means 'illegal' or 'legal' immigration." I felt better immediately, just knowing that someone realized and cared -- and indeed his immigration liaison was incredibly supportive. There was little that could be done in regard to the ####### consulate, but it's well-known in Congressional offices that "USCIS is our very worst Federal agency" (a direct quote). Lean on your Congressman's liaison -- these people know, and they do have some pull.

Keep the faith, si man.

my thoughts to you guys would be to get all your facts and info together and then decide.

Consult a good immigration attorney, pose both the cases of getting marry or not, the infopass situation, etc. Follow up with your Congressmen, etc. In fact, I'd even try to get an Infopass with someone higher up. Some might think it's a waste of time, but if anything, it would only strengthen your case if you go the marriage route. You will have extensive documentation to counter anything the government can throw at you.

Keep in mind that when it comes to the government, incompetence is not a cause for dismissal, short of going postal -literally-, they will not lose their job. Direct your energy to your case, not to the stupidity of anyone in the Infopass appointment or the government rules.

As it was noted, also set up your deadline and then make your decision.

As many here are in pro or con or marriage, it is possible that you are not quite convinced one way or the other. No one can decide for you, except yourselves. Consider the posting about the high unemployment currently going on. I'd even put together a budget for the next 1-2 years, based on worst case scenario (that your spouse would not work), to ensure you have all the facts. It might seem cold, but financial issues could lead to recriminations and other problems (" I was ok in Mexico and now I am not working", "it' your fault", etc); not saying those will happen, only that is best to take all into account when you decide.

Finally, press exposure would not be a bad idea if you can get that going.

Good luck guys, like many others here, I feel your pain

[rlogan 2,036]

I started crying and she didn't care and so we left.

I am at the end of my rope. Nine months. No answers. Completely in the dark about what is holding up our case or keeping us in "background checks" THIS long, when neither one of us have criminal pasts or anything. No idea when this will end. Months, years from now? I am this close to giving up everything and moving back to Mexico. While I would love for us to be in the states, how long am I supposed to wait, completely in the dark? Another year? 2? 5?

I am completely dejected and feel I have exhausted every single resource. I would welcome any other ideas, if there are any left I have not tried.

So sorry to hear for your troubles. I know some people are saying USCIS is the worst, but the social security office was even worse for us, telling us to commit a felony and be barred from immigrating forever by changing her I-94 stamp. We also encountered employees not just incompetent, but who really enjoyed tormenting us. Our congressman was useless. One thing is to never trust them to do the right thing or to give you the right information because they don't have to and there is no penalty whatsoever for being incompetent and cruel. You have to know their jobs better than they do.

This is how government actually works as opposed to the magical thinking people seem to have about it, and the reason why we need them to have less power over us and not more.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

I remember reading your posts and I am very sorry you had such a bad experience during your Infopass appointment. However, I am not surprised. I have also had Infopass experiences in the past that were complete wastes of time and money. I can see how you would be at the end of your rope. As you probably know, it is not illegal for a foreigner to marry a US citizen while on a tourist visa. It is, however, illegal to have planned to get married while using a tourist visa to come to the US. I really do not know what is the "standard of proof" that is used to determine whether a couple decided to get married before or after arriving to the US. I think if I were in your sitaution I would go to the courthouse and file for a marriage license and proceed to do the AOS.

Best wishes on whatever route you decide to take!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

We have been waiting NINE months since we filed our I-129f K1 petition. No news. We got on RFE on 4/18 asking for another passport photo of me which I sent back ASAP and they confirmed receipt of on May 2. Today has been the "Sixty Days" they have to update us. Nothing. I have been in contact with my Congressman since March, and his congressional aide to immigration has written several emails to Vermont Service Center. We have been told since April (3 months ago) that we are in "background checks" and to check back in six months. Then we had the RFE. No one will give us answers on the phone so I made an InfoPass appointment at the local immigration office to inquire about my case. I had HIGH hopes, as this option was a last resort to get some answers about why.

My fiance flew in to visit me yesterday (he has a valid B1/B2 tourist visa) so we went together to the InfoPass. I thought they would surely give us the time of day. I wasted $15 on cab fare going over there and being treated like garbage.

We checked in and got called up to the counter. As soon as I saw the woman attending us, I knew we were in trouble. She looked very unfriendly and bitter and she was. She was also extremely incompetent. She asked to see "our papers" so I asked her which ones and showed her our NOA1 and other correspondence from the USCIS. I told her we filed for K-1 in October and have not received approval yet. She asked me something about form I-485. I said "no, no, we are not at that stage yet, I only APPLIED we have not been APPROVED yet".

I told her we are getting no answers from anyone and even my Congressman has been involved with no luck. As soon as she heard that, she told me "Oh, well if your Congressman is involved, you can't come to us. We can't TOUCH a case after a Congressman is involved." #######? I NEVER heard that before. I told her, all the Congressman did was e-mail VSC on our behalf and was told the same thing we are. She continued to tell me that she could not do anything if we had already involved a congressman, and that I would have to go back to him to help me, and she wouldn't even be able to see anything on her screen anyway.

Then she asked me why Fiance and I didn't just file a I-130 for him. I was like, UH, we are NOT Married,.....THAT IS WHY WE FILED A FIANCE VISA! How stupid, right? So she looked all confused and said "Oh, I thought you were married!" (why would we have been asking about fiance visa?) and then she asked why we didn't JUST GET MARRIED WHILE MY FIANCE WAS HERE VISITING IN THE US....

I almost flipped out when I heard that. I told her "because I understand that would be ILLEGAL. He is here on a tourist visa and I understand it is illegal to get married while he is on a tourist visa". And then she looked confused and consulted with her co-workers, but then just told me there was nothing she could do and to get back in touch with my congressman.

What a waste. Nine months. I show up there in person with my fiance and was treated like the garbage of the earth. I said, if it is a security issue why would they have let him into the US yesterday? Why would he have this valid tourist visa? And she just said she didn't know and it could take months maybe a criminal has the same name as him or something.

I started crying and she didn't care and so we left.

I am at the end of my rope. Nine months. No answers. Completely in the dark about what is holding up our case or keeping us in "background checks" THIS long, when neither one of us have criminal pasts or anything. No idea when this will end. Months, years from now? I am this close to giving up everything and moving back to Mexico. While I would love for us to be in the states, how long am I supposed to wait, completely in the dark? Another year? 2? 5?

I am completely dejected and feel I have exhausted every single resource. I would welcome any other ideas, if there are any left I have not tried.

Typical Government agency employee. They have no incentive for thier agency to do well, becuse they are funded by the tax payers and do not need repeat business. And some Americans really want these same people running your health care ? Amazing. Keep hammering your congresman, cal your Senator also.

[notmuch88tosay 21]

Very sorry that you are going through this.

Some of the Government employees that we will encounter are like brainless infurating creatures that live in and have just crawled out of the Sewer. They don't believe in or value any of our rights and they never will. And our Government will never fire them... which says alot about our Government.

Government employees are supposed to work for the people who 'really do' pay their salaries (the taxpayers). Tell the brainless loser Government employee that the only reason that she is employed is because of taxpayers such as yourself.

Then you have to make these people insignificant to you in your mind and in your world. They are worthless and have no value to anyone. So you cannot let them get to you. That is what feeds these Parasites.

Persist, get in their face each day (calmly). Show them what they do doesn't bother you. Return the next day and the day after that and the day after that (Smile to the Sewer Creature).

Question EVERYTHING they say to you and ask you.

All you're asking for is to be allowed to be with the person you love. Is that asking too much?

Go to FoxNews.com (Freedom Watch, Hannity), BigGovernment.com, and everyone else who might have an interest in your story and tell them your story and the injustices that our Government employees have done to you.

Don't let a Government employee Parasite destroy what is most important to you in your life. They have no right to do that.

Hang in there,

notmuch88tosay

Edited July 2, 2011 by notmuch88tosay

[monyfer 27]

So, from what I am hearing, we can legally get married while he is on a tourist visa and then he could go back to Mexico and pack up his life and come back in legally? How? He has a job he will need to give notice to, a car to sell, an apartment to pack up, accounts to settle - he can't just stay here, as someone else mentioned, he has a life there he can't leave hanging. He can't just have family pack up his stuff and send it to him. It isn't that easy.

It is too late now anyway - he is leaving Tuesday morning and today is Saturday, Monday is a holiday, so we can't get a marriage license before he goes. I will try to contact Senator again next week and contact the Ombudsman. I could also try to contact BigGovernment and some of the other sites suggested here.

It is said when someone tries to go the legal way and is forced to go through a long and arduous process when maybe an illegal immigrant would have an easier time. Ugh.

I will probably wait until August 1 or put some absolute last deadline of when we will wait.

As for the suggestions about contacting an Immigration Lawyer - I could try it, but I want to know, is there REALLY anything further they could do? From everything I have read, if your case is stuck in "admin processing"/background checks, there is nothing that ANYONE - not a congressman, not a really good immigration lawyer - can do about it or to get answers about it, so I don't know if I see the point of spending money on that if they can't get any more reasons than I can get from our Congressman.