Was race of the petioner brought up in the interview

[patient2010 93]

This may be an unpopular answer, but I think that the billing that Nigeria has earned itself as the highest fraud consulate is what brings about the race issue. In MENA countries you see a lot about religion, in Lagos its race.

It may not be fair and people may scream discrimination but so much fraud comes out of Lagos that I feel that, sometimes, the questions are warranted.

I know that people want the government out of their relationships, but once the relationship falls apart, for whatever reason, it becomes the government's task to "send him back".

hmmmmmmm........

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

They are expected to marry only their own so they can stay in their little corner where they belong according to some warped minds. Heaven forbid we intermingle ! Yes, put that in writing on the web sites, not just in a verbal interview. Of course they wouldn't but behind closed doors it goes on and on...

All I have been saying thus far is "the USCIS needs to put all their requirements in writing on their website". If we, white women or black or asian and etc. and older or not, if we can't marry a Nigerian, or a black man from Africa, then tell us. DON'T make our lives a living hell, after the fact!

Make the information available online on the USCIS website. Why wait to question the beneficiary "why he or she is marrying a white man or woman during the interview?". Why? did they not see the pictures sent to them with the forms? did they not approve the application themselves prior to forwarding it abroad??

This is ridicules system. I agree, they wouldn't put it in writing for it is out right discrimination however you look at it, and what is said behind closed doors in an interview becomes very hard to be challenged. Specially, when a CO is treated like a god and has so much power.

Edited August 16, 2011 by LoveNigarmostyle

[Zee Bee 61]

USCIS just makes sure the beneficiary meets the minimum requirements to apply for the visa at the consulate level.

The validity of the relationship is determined at the embassy level by the CO.

Two different steps with different priorities.

Its a process that has its flaws, but the one that we have and are forced to deal with if we want to get our loved ones here.

[LoveNigarmostyle 164]

USCIS just makes sure the beneficiary meets the minimum requirements to apply for the visa at the consulate level.

The validity of the relationship is determined at the embassy level by the CO.

Two different steps with different priorities.

Its a process that has its flaws, but the one that we have and are forced to deal with if we want to get our loved ones here.

FORCED TO DEAL WITH is what we have to change to be able to get our loved ones here. Specially for those of us who are not with them as we speak due to those FORCED flaws.

I am happy for the ones that have their loved ones with them, but would like to see each one of us have the same opportunity in fairness.

Thanks

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

FORCED TO DEAL WITH is what we have to change to be able to get our loved ones here. Specially for those of us who are not with them as we speak due to those FORCED flaws.

I am happy for the ones that have their loved ones with them, but would like to see each one of us have the same opportunity in fairness.

Thanks

Exactly.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

USCIS just makes sure the beneficiary meets the minimum requirements to apply for the visa at the consulate level.

The validity of the relationship is determined at the embassy level by the CO.

Two different steps with different priorities.

Its a process that has its flaws, but the one that we have and are forced to deal with if we want to get our loved ones here.

The validity of the relationship does not include aspects of race according to the requirements in accordance with immigration laws. Clearly the CO has stepped outside of the realm of decency and regulation by asking the questions if the father died because she is white. It was meant not to establish genuity but as a sarcastic provocation. People need to stop condoning it and making excuses and insist on change. No matter how high fraud a country is....this is not justified procedure and simple wrong.

[Zee Bee 61]

The validity of the relationship does not include aspects of race according to the requirements in accordance with immigration laws. Clearly the CO has stepped outside of the realm of decency and regulation by asking the questions if the father died because she is white. It was meant not to establish genuity but as a sarcastic provocation. People need to stop condoning it and making excuses and insist on change. No matter how high fraud a country is....this is not justified procedure and simple wrong.

High fraud is high fraud, and I'm sorry to say it but, if going through such a consulate, be prepared to have your relationship scrutinized; and whether stated or not race matters, and it matters at a lot of consulates. When we went through the process we were among the rare bunch that got put through AP in Accra and we thought we had a rock solid case. It may not be written anywhere and it may not be an official "rule" but at the end of the day the CO has to be convinced that you have a real relationship. And yes, you will get that #### of a CO who will say things about your relationship.

I would never condone what the CO said about NigeriaorBust's FIL (I think she knows me better than that), but the system is what it is. With the power given to the CO's its bound to continue happening until something changes.

[dwheels76 5,468]

There is no excuse for the disrespect your father-in-law was shown. God rest his soul. There is no reason for the way your husband was treated with such disrespect when he was at the Embassy.

This is why we are so angry with the existing system, and so passionate about making a change. Yeah, there is a reason for questioning a lot of things about Nigeria. But there has to be a way to do it with respect and dignity. NO one should be treated less than a human being or degraded, as most of the beneficiaries are in this process.

Each of us has a story, some full of pain and unnecessary mistreatment. God be with us!

I would be interested to know how many black women (american) and Nigerian men feel these same discriminations. Because really I feel its a black racist hatred. Like why are we shipping all these black men to america we don't want them. Of course when the american is white they play that race card. But I will be interested to see what card they pull out for us. Maybe the age one who knows, They think I'm white here in Nigeria anyway but my butt will be right there looking at them at the interview with my husband I dare them to say anything flaming like that I will have name and badge number to my senator and president within 24 hours. Enough is enough we are grown folk we need to be treated as such and stop letting these Embassy Visa people thing they are lord and master over us.

[In God We Trust 3]

I would be interested to know how many black women (american) and Nigerian men feel these same discriminations. Because really I feel its a black racist hatred. Like why are we shipping all these black men to america we don't want them. Of course when the american is white they play that race card. But I will be interested to see what card they pull out for us. Maybe the age one who knows, They think I'm white here in Nigeria anyway but my butt will be right there looking at them at the interview with my husband I dare them to say anything flaming like that I will have name and badge number to my senator and president within 24 hours. Enough is enough we are grown folk we need to be treated as such and stop letting these Embassy Visa people thing they are lord and master over us.

YES!!! I am afraid I have to agree with you as well ... IF they DARE to speak such words to my man during his interview I will be on the phone with my Congressman's office reporting their foolishness & rubbish. I have no fear in handling things on this end and making noise when soemthing is NOT RIGHT!

[sachinky 465]

Damn, I love the righteous anger in this thread.

It still cracks me up that people think age differences, racial differences, economic disparities, religious differences, etc. do not matter in the visa process. Because love conquers all, right? Or for that matter, thinking that calling the President is going to make any damn difference. I love it almost as much as I love online petitions.

It's all "the US government is trying to impede on my pursuit of happiness!" when the going is tough and then, funnily enough, when the beneficiary high-tails it within the first couple of months in the US, we are subjected to the plethora of threads ranging from the ever-popular "How do I send him/her back?" like a defective appliance or "the ICE woman laughed in my face. I am a US citizen. Why won't the government protect my rights?" *whiny voice*

Now I am not condoning rude/unprofessional behavior exhibited by embassy officials -- and I have seen passports being thrown across the room during my F-1 interview in Calcutta -- but I'm going to have to go with Zee Bee on this. High fraud is high fraud for a reason.

Regarding the topic at hand: no, the race of the petitioner was not a factor during my three-minute CR-1 interview.

Edited October 29, 2011 by sachinky

[In God We Trust 3]

Damn, I love the righteous anger in this thread.

It still cracks me up that people think age differences, racial differences, economic disparities, religious differences, etc. do not matter in the visa process. Because love conquers all, right? Or for that matter, thinking that calling the President is going to make any damn difference. I love it almost as much as I love online petitions.

It's all "the US government is trying to impede on my pursuit of happiness!" when the going is tough and then, funnily enough, when the beneficiary high-tails it within the first couple of months in the US, we are subjected to the plethora of threads ranging from the ever-popular "How do I send him/her back?" like a defective appliance or "the ICE woman laughed in my face. I am a US citizen. Why won't the government protect my rights?" *whiny voice*

Now I am not condoning rude/unprofessional behavior exhibited by embassy officials -- and I have seen passports being thrown across the room during my F-1 interview in Calcutta -- but I'm going to have to go with Zee Bee on this. High fraud is high fraud for a reason.

Regarding the topic at hand: no, the race of the petitioner was not a factor during my three-minute CR-1 interview.

WOW!!! Aren't you vocal on this topic... I find that quite comical considering you "Brezzed Through" your 3 minute interview. I mean really why so much hostility in your post ... Did your beneficiary leave you my friend? If you read the original post you would know that is was started out of concern for possible red flags or better yet maybe even worry for an uncertain future, considering "Our Future" is in someone else's hands. And WHO in the world said anything about sending anybody back any where? *whiny voice*

Considering the fact that your interview was such a cake walk and the fact that YOU personally did not go through the Nigerian Consulate, which means you can not even begin to know what it is like for those who do, I think you really have no right to be so harsh when speaking your peace. Therefore, in my opinion, I feel that you should try and be a bit more sensitive & respectful for those that DO struggle with issues such as this and are in a legitimate relationship.

I mean honestly if the post is Consulate specific and you have no experience with that Consulate than maybe "Positive Encouragement" is more warranted than negative conclusions & personal feelings. I would think that we are all here to "Help" one another and not "Hurt" one another

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

We are about to remove conditions and the year after that he will file for citizenship and we will be buried in planning the coronation. No fraud on our half and we have been treated decently so far by the USCIS people in the US. There are so many stories so inappropriate behavior in Lagos. It seems the US government doesn't afford the same respect to female petitioners when the beneficiary is in a third world country as it does to men. I guess it is too soon after getting the right to vote to expect to garner the same respect as a man in matters of the heart.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

The United States currently has 42.3 million legal immigrants... More than any other country (Number two by the way is Russia with 12.3 million).

The top 20 countries in immigration for 2010:

Mexico

China

Philippines

Dominican Republic

Cuba

Vietnam

Haiti

Colombia

South Korea

Iraq

Jamaica

El Salvador

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Ethiopia

Peru

Iran

Nigeria

Canada

Over a million people in 2010.. The vast majority of them non-white.. 47% of the immigrants were men...

I'm sure that means nothing to anyone convinced they are a victim of racism... But the stats don't reflect the claims many are implying here.. Attacking the CO and the process assuming the problem is discrimination seems like a path to failure.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

We are about to remove conditions and the year after that he will file for citizenship and we will be buried in planning the coronation. No fraud on our half and we have been treated decently so far by the USCIS people in the US. There are so many stories so inappropriate behavior in Lagos. It seems the US government doesn't afford the same respect to female petitioners when the beneficiary is in a third world country as it does to men. I guess it is too soon after getting the right to vote to expect to garner the same respect as a man in matters of the heart.

The discrimination in that case would be against men, not women.. They do not afford the same respect to male beneficiaries.. Men are more likely to commit fraud and commit crimes and are more likely to victimize when they do commit crimes... Hence the gender difference in the prisons.. I could buy the fact that being a male beneficiary causes extra scrutiny.

...but again 47% that get through each year are men.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The discrimination in that case would be against men, not women.. They do not afford the same respect to male beneficiaries.. Men are more likely to commit fraud and commit crimes and are more likely to victimize when they do commit crimes... Hence the gender difference in the prisons.. I could buy the fact that being a male beneficiary causes extra scrutiny.

...but again 47% that get through each year are men.

Yes there are a lot of immigrants from around the world. But I have never heard of an asian woman being asked if her father died because she was marrying a white man ( my husband was asked this ) or why didn't they just go marry someone local black instead of their husband ( this question has also been asked at Lagos ) These questions are rude, and racially insensitive. Even though Lagos is in a foreign country it is considered US soil and as such I expect the US personel there to behave as US citizens should and be accountable for bias due to race, age and religion. I know scammers tend to marry whites because they are less apt to travel back into country after the marriage a detect second families but the questions asked my husband did nothing to detect fraud they are just an embarrasing behavior. It is no wonder that US consulates are hated in some countries when the employees act in this way.