Ugh Administrative Processing

[DCFAMS 2]

Well had my interview today, felt like everything went well, no major grilling questions or anything.

Went to one window, gave them the forms with copies and everything, went to another window and paid a fee then got the the third window (well it went window 5 first window, window 7 second window and then window 6 as the last one):

Had to raise my right hand, yadda yadda do you swear to tell the truth etc, and then the CO typed some stuff into the computer and I had to provide some fingerprints again after he looked at the screen and made a weird face. Asked me if I had been in the USA before, which I had for 2 different student visas and showed him my previous passport with the student visa in it. Then asked me when I had last been in the USA, I said I had been there June & July of this year for a wedding, visiting friends and family. Asked me if I had had any issues, I mentioned that as per the course of since I got married I have always been sent to secondary processing and had my bags searched (never happened before my wedding, has been standard since) and this has happend when I traveled by myself to the USA for business and when I went with my wife for pleasure as well. He asked me if I had lived in the USA before, I answered yes, in two states for education and then he asked if that is how I met my wife, I said yes that is correct and explained how we met.

Then he asked me what I did for a living, what my wife did, and whether she had come here to be with me. I replied in the positive and explained that my wife was here with me from date X to date Y, completed her studies here and relocated back to the USA to establish domicile while my immigrant visa was pending. Then he disappeared for a bit and came back, got a white slip saying that my case needed to undergo some additional administrative checks and that it should take 1-2 weeks, but if I had not heard anything in 3 weeks that I should email them.

All in all, rather frustrating since I honestly don't know what seems to be causing the issues. Our petition has been flagged for additional, secondary or extra screening at every step of the way, from the I-130 through to the DS-230/I-864 phase. I figured since they pulled the I-130 for secondary screening that all the background checks etc would have been done but I guess not. I honestly don't really understand but it may have something to do with my dual nationality, my rather frequent coming and going to the United States (wife's family is from there and we go twice a year to see them, especially now that her grandparents are starting to deteriorate in health, not to mention I like visiting all my buddies from college) and all that. I honestly believe it is some massive comedy of errors/series of unfortunate events that given a rather odd and specific set of variables we seem to throw up a red flag but anything I type is nothing but conjecture and hearsay at this point. Hopefully it will all be done in 2 weeks like the form says and otherwise I will have some kind of answer after 3 weeks although hearing some of the AP horror stories from other members does somewhat make my heart sink

I still honestly don't know what seems to be causing the problem, and likely never will given how odd the US gov't is with clearing information and general transparency about these kinds of issues, although I do hope I don't get stuck in endless AP limbo as that would be really devastating, especially after enduring an 8 month wait just to get an interview (although I am sure that some people will scoff and say 8 months is nothing, but for DCF that is waaay outside general guidelines). I am also sad that I will be missing xmas with my wife and her family as well as the NYE party with our friends that we usually always go to. I do hope that once this is all over I will be able to look back on this and say that it was all worth it, but right now I do have to admit that I am on some level incredibly disappointed with how slow and bureaucratic the US gov't can be.

[Lana2011 0]

So sorry. Has I worked itself out now?????

[DCFAMS 2]

It has not

Will be coming up on one month of AP now in a few days. We've been calling DOS every few days to get updates but they're not very informative. I wish I had some idea what is going on or what seems to be causing the delay.

[Lana2011 0]

I'm sorry to hear. What a mess. My I-130 was approved 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for my interview letter. I just want to join my husband. Chin up and I hope you get some answers soon

[EAbbas 213]

It has not

Will be coming up on one month of AP now in a few days. We've been calling DOS every few days to get updates but they're not very informative. I wish I had some idea what is going on or what seems to be causing the delay.

While i totally know our countries are different and my husbands country does way more mandatory screening i just wanted to offer my support and give you some info that i've found about AP

AP is a general statement of verifying all about the beneficiary. It can be a simple doc verification, name checks, field investigation *not done so much other than MENA countries* past Visa info etc.

Because of the travels internationally yes that can affect AP, having a dual nationality might as well. AP usually doesnt' last too long for people from countries not specific to MENA so you can relax a little knowing it probably won't take so long.

really no way of knowing and when you call DOS they either say pending or updates can't tell you what they are or they will finally say AP complete.

Best thing to do is call DOS on a Friday morning after all updates were made that week.. email embassy once per month or call once per month.

Wishing you a speeding AP!