Who do I complain to get a policy change?

[himher 634]

Here is a thought for policy change - why dont you sue to pass and enforce laws in Kenya that protect the safety and rights of Kenyans (and visitors to Kenya?)

That wont happen know why? Because the fat, lazy, corrupt fee-grabbing governments in that region of the world don't give a dam about the safety or rights of their citizens (or citizens of any other country either) and most of the time the threat to safety is from the government itself.

When you get to the US you won't have to worry about that. Otherwise, save your tears and complaints for the aforementioned fat, lazy, and corrupt officials who are responsible for conditions there.

Further point: Consulates that are notorious for denying visas are usually located in regions of the world that are notorious for scamming and exploiting the immigration rules. Neither country we interviewed through was known for that, but I dont get scamming emails from either south asia or the mideast either. The reason that scammers are so prevalent in some areas of the world is because scamming is considered a form of "income" and therefore not punished and even encouraged. See above about fat, lazy, corrupt, fee-grabbing officials.

Sorry about your trouble. Your problems however stem from issues at home and not with the US State Department.

Noah I think what your sadly misunderstanding is that ...we are all human beings on this planet and we all deserve respect and safety. The OP may not have US citizen rights, but he does have human rights. It seems to me that your ideas of immigrants is what is wrong with the immigration system. The OP is putting his personal safety in danger because of a flawed system. And yes, the US citizen DOES have a right to complain because her tax dollars pay for embassy services. Such a great country as the United States should take responsibility for humanitarian violations, which the OP has every right to complain about.

[Sabian 4]

Here is a thought for policy change - why dont you sue to pass and enforce laws in Kenya that protect the safety and rights of Kenyans (and visitors to Kenya?)

That wont happen know why? Because the fat, lazy, corrupt fee-grabbing governments in that region of the world don't give a dam about the safety or rights of their citizens (or citizens of any other country either) and most of the time the threat to safety is from the government itself.

When you get to the US you won't have to worry about that. Otherwise, save your tears and complaints for the aforementioned fat, lazy, and corrupt officials who are responsible for conditions there.

Further point: Consulates that are notorious for denying visas are usually located in regions of the world that are notorious for scamming and exploiting the immigration rules. Neither country we interviewed through was known for that, but I dont get scamming emails from either south asia or the mideast either. The reason that scammers are so prevalent in some areas of the world is because scamming is considered a form of "income" and therefore not punished and even encouraged. See above about fat, lazy, corrupt, fee-grabbing officials.

Sorry about your trouble. Your problems however stem from issues at home and not with the US State Department.

very true, thanks for the insight.

[TBoneTX 45,273]

I am entitled to my opinion about the OP's incessant whining

Your opinion might be further respected if you posted a timeline and gave some indication of which visa process you're working through or have dealt with.

[mr and mrs 187]

Do you know how many people of the US gov't secretly monitor the internet around the clock? Do you know that they have the ability to determine who we are even if we don't use our real names?

oh i get it now. youre one of THOSE kinda people. great! i can dismiss everything youve said.

jimbo. no one is buying your bile here. sorry, mate.

[jimmynug 13]

oh i get it now. youre one of THOSE kinda people. great! i can dismiss everything youve said.

jimbo. no one is buying your bile here. sorry, mate.

Apparently, your still a little angry about a war a long time ago. Newflash: If most of the people in the US didn't feel the same way as I do, don't you think the laws would be different?

[jimmynug 13]

"I'm sure everything went peachy for you, otherwise you wouldn't sound so.. spiteful about me wanting things to be better?" Well, what happened was that I followed the rules (like them or not), did everything I was suppose to, waited my time just like everyone else, and then finally made it through it all. That is what immigrating is all about. It is not for trying to bend the rules to your own personal benefit, or berating the country that you are trying so hard to get too.

I have to say I followed all of the rules, but was harrassed by the Islamabad Embassy. Just because you follow the rules doesn't mean it all works out ok. I have been waiting almost 2 years to see my husband again. I take some of what you say to be valid. However, I am not joking about humanitarian violations. Though the US does aid other countries, it has also been a key player in violating human rights. For example: Afghanistan, Vietnam, and even the Holocaust. The U.S. did experiments on people by giving them syphilis without telling them. Many times the U.S. claims it does a great job aiding the world but greatly falls short. If you have Netflix you should watch the movie "Motherland Afghanistan". The U.S. cannot fix everything, but it should not pretend like nothing is happening either. I agree with you that the OP doesn't have any right to take anyone to court. But if he feels in danger and upset, let him complain to whomever he wants. This immigration process is EXTREMELY stressful and heart wrenching. Now..can't we all get along?

Sabian, i do really feel for your situation. But I do also feel for all of the 9/11 victims too. There are people all over the world that would like to come here and kill every american they see. But lets hide that fact and just open our borders to anyone, lets really jump through hoops to let any and everyone in. And I will agree with you one hundred percent that the U S is far from perfect. You can go all back through history and see things that we have done, that with hindsight, we sure shouldn't have done. And not you, but most people want to look at that and not look at the good we have also done. In world war II, we dropped the bombs on Japan, surely not a humanitarian thing to do. But did it save American lives, did it end the war, had Japan not already attacked Pearl Harbor. You see I know the world is not perfect, but it is not the U S gov't that should take sole responsibility for curing the world's problems. If everyone took the effort they do on bashing the U S, and instead used that effort to improve their native countries, then the whole world would be a better place. Once again, i do feel for you, you do seem to have a good grasp on reality, unlike many here that want to dish out the heat, but then get angry when someone else doesn't just roll over for them.

[yketwaroo 10]

I have to say I followed all of the rules, but was harrassed by the Islamabad Embassy. Just because you follow the rules doesn't mean it all works out ok. I have been waiting almost 2 years to see my husband again. I take some of what you say to be valid. However, I am not joking about humanitarian violations. Though the US does aid other countries, it has also been a key player in violating human rights. For example: Afghanistan, Vietnam, and even the Holocaust. The U.S. did experiments on people by giving them syphilis without telling them. Many times the U.S. claims it does a great job aiding the world but greatly falls short. If you have Netflix you should watch the movie "Motherland Afghanistan". The U.S. cannot fix everything, but it should not pretend like nothing is happening either. I agree with you that the OP doesn't have any right to take anyone to court. But if he feels in danger and upset, let him complain to whomever he wants. This immigration process is EXTREMELY stressful and heart wrenching. Now..can't we all get along?

I'm not really going to take anyone to court. That's just jimmy barking at the moon. There's nothing wrong with me wanting to though, what with all the duress we're being put through. And for no valid reason, mind you.

but yeah like I said earlier, an effective petition, if any, should have a solid structure. You should be able to defend your arguments. In court if necessary.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Governments play those stupid ego games against each other and we're the one's that get caught up in their #######. They never seem to understand that being hated never gets them any respect.

I don't know much of your situation but I'll say that the people who harrassed you at the Islamabad embassy, they suck.

Here is a thought for policy change - why dont you sue to pass and enforce laws in Kenya that protect the safety and rights of Kenyans (and visitors to Kenya?)

That wont happen know why? Because the fat, lazy, corrupt fee-grabbing governments in that region of the world don't give a dam about the safety or rights of their citizens (or citizens of any other country either) and most of the time the threat to safety is from the government itself.

When you get to the US you won't have to worry about that. Otherwise, save your tears and complaints for the aforementioned fat, lazy, and corrupt officials who are responsible for conditions there.

*gasp* but jimmy tells me the government will spy on me. oh noes! what should I do??

Listen. there are fat, lazy, corrupt, officials in the US government too. in all possible combinations and permutations. and everywhere. some countries less than others. In the case of mine, actually less than most of east african countries.

There are good and bad people everywhere.

Actually in the US I may have more to worry about that much more than in Mauritius.

Further point: Consulates that are notorious for denying visas are usually located in regions of the world that are notorious for scamming and exploiting the immigration rules. Neither country we interviewed through was known for that, but I dont get scamming emails from either south asia or the mideast either. The reason that scammers are so prevalent in some areas of the world is because scamming is considered a form of "income" and therefore not punished and even encouraged. See above about fat, lazy, corrupt, fee-grabbing officials.

Sorry about your trouble. Your problems however stem from issues at home and not with the US State Department.

here's where I'm in my right to complain. Mauritius is not Kenya. It's unfortunate that Kenya has a bad reputation but http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Mauritius#Corruption_Law. I quote: "Mauritius is one of Africa’s least corrupt countries." From the transparency international corruption perception index of 2011, the US isn't squeaky clean either.

And no, really. My problems do stem from the US state department not doing their research about the region.

Plainly, they are being very rude.

The US embassy here does handle K3 visa. The problem is getting them to do K1 as well. It's just bad policy making on their part to concentrate all the K1 applicants from 12 countries in a "slaughterhouse" situation.

There may be some hope to have the visa issued here but as usual there'll probably be a huge fee. And yes, the tax payers money argument is a load of bull. The applicants pay for all administrative fees and have done so for years. It's just wrong. It's like they are holding us up for ransom at ever turn.

[jimmynug 13]

I'm not really going to take anyone to court. That's just jimmy barking at the moon. There's nothing wrong with me wanting to though, what with all the duress we're being put through. And for no valid reason, mind you.

but yeah like I said earlier, an effective petition, if any, should have a solid structure. You should be able to defend your arguments. In court if necessary.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Governments play those stupid ego games against each other and we're the one's that get caught up in their #######. They never seem to understand that being hated never gets them any respect.

I don't know much of your situation but I'll say that the people who harrassed you at the Islamabad embassy, they suck.

*gasp* but jimmy tells me the government will spy on me. oh noes! what should I do??

Listen. there are fat, lazy, corrupt, officials in the US government too. in all possible combinations and permutations. and everywhere. some countries less than others. In the case of mine, actually less than most of east african countries.

There are good and bad people everywhere.

Actually in the US I may have more to worry about that much more than in Mauritius.

here's where I'm in my right to complain. Mauritius is not Kenya. It's unfortunate that Kenya has a bad reputation but http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Mauritius#Corruption_Law. I quote: "Mauritius is one of Africa’s least corrupt countries." From the transparency international corruption perception index of 2011, the US isn't squeaky clean either.

And no, really. My problems do stem from the US state department not doing their research about the region.

Plainly, they are being very rude.

The US embassy here does handle K3 visa. The problem is getting them to do K1 as well. It's just bad policy making on their part to concentrate all the K1 applicants from 12 countries in a "slaughterhouse" situation.

There may be some hope to have the visa issued here but as usual there'll probably be a huge fee. And yes, the tax payers money argument is a load of bull. The applicants pay for all administrative fees and have done so for years. It's just wrong. It's like they are holding us up for ransom at ever turn.

"I'm going to ignore any further comment you make"

Well doesn't look like you told the truth here, wonder where else you lied? And I wonder why the embassies are so strict.

You know, in a hundred years we will never see eye to eye. You have your opinion which you are entitled to, just like I have my opinion which I am entitled to. The only difference is that i am a natural born u s citizen, who served my country in war, and am very proud of MY country. You on the other hand will never be. Now if you want to let our bickering back and forth end, then good luck to you, if not, then we can both continue until we are both banned from here. Your choice?

[mr and mrs 187]

quick translation of jimbo's nationalist rhetoric:

The only difference is that i am a natural born u s citizen, who served my country in war, and am very proud of MY country better than you.

[yketwaroo 10]

Well doesn't look like you told the truth here, wonder where else you lied? And I wonder why the embassies are so strict.

Really, that's your best shot?

Oh jimmy, you're just amusing to poke fun at. And you make it way too easy.

I mean you started hostilities. You even make thinly veiled threats at the happiness of me and mine. You showed intent to use whatever privileges your job gives you to make the lives of others miserable? Isn't that a sign of corruption? Why? Seriously? Over what? What kind of person does that make you? Also, I don't drink.

I didn't get any warning from admins or moderators by the way. Did you? But yes. We agree to disagree. Or you can keep disagreeing all you want. I don't care.

Just remember we are all here trying to be with our loved ones here.

And trying to get things back on topic, did anybody else, I mean non US fiance(e), have or will have to travel far away from their country of origin for their K1 interview and think they shouldn't have to?

[jimmynug 13]

Really, that's your best shot?

Oh jimmy, you're just amusing to poke fun at. And you make it way too easy.

I mean you started hostilities. You even make thinly veiled threats at the happiness of me and mine. You showed intent to use whatever privileges your job gives you to make the lives of others miserable? Isn't that a sign of corruption? Why? Seriously? Over what? What kind of person does that make you? Also, I don't drink.

I didn't get any warning from admins or moderators by the way. Did you? But yes. We agree to disagree. Or you can keep disagreeing all you want. I don't care.

Just remember we are all here trying to be with our loved ones here.

And trying to get things back on topic, did anybody else, I mean non US fiance(e), have or will have to travel far away from their country of origin for their K1 interview and think they shouldn't have to?

Ok I am giving you a free pass on your last shots. You might not drink now, but you probably will before your journey is over with. And don't get so angry over everything someone says, if you do make it here, you will probably hear a lot that you don't like, and getting so angry won't benefit anyone. Also, there were no threats from me, but there were warnings that you might want to watch what you say. You may think I am kidding on this, but you make the wrong person mad, and your petition can be tied up for ever, and there will be nothing you can do about it. You really have no idea who you are talking to on here, you could be talking to the very person that will interview you, or one of the people that your fiancee sent her letters to. If you want to fight city hall, you have to have a bigger stick than they do, and right now, you don't have any stick at all. I know you think you are so much smarter than me and everyone else and you have everything figured out, but I have been playing this game a lot longer than you, and I do know how it works, and how to work it successfully. A dose of humble pie will go a lot further that threats, and wanting to change the world to benefit you. And I can assure you that there is no politician in the U S that cares a flip about you, and if they cared anything about me, it would only be to get my vote. As I said before, the immigration laws are changing, but it's not to make it easier, it is to make it harder. You know as well as I do why they make it so hard for you and others like Sabian's husband. It's by their choice, you or me aren't going to change that. Think how many people their are in the U.S. and then think about how few are involved in any form with immigration matters. My wife's father was turned down for a tourist visa to the U. S. to visit, instead of blowing a gasket and trying to change the system, learn it. Eight months later, he was here on a permanent green card. He can come and go as he sees fit. Learn the system.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Some of the greatest men in the history of America were subjects of a foreign government, who saw injustice, and wanted to make it right. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington - all were subjects of Britain. These men were smart enough to know that governments become tyrants when people become apathetic and don't speak up when the government is doing something wrong. Thomas Jefferson wrote profusely on this subject. Many immigrants listened.

You ever hear of Mary Harris Jones? She was a factory worker in Chicago in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire burned much of the city. She lost everything she had, and like most of the other workers in Chicago at the time, she was entirely dependent on the factory owners. She spent the rest of her life working to improve conditions for workers in factories and coal mines. She was an immigrant from Ireland.

How about Francis Cabrini? Ever heard of her? She was a Catholic nun who founded 67 schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States. She was canonized by the Vatican in 1946, and became the first American saint. She was an immigrant from Italy.

How about Irving Berlin, Albert Einstein, Joseph Pulitzer, John Muir, or Madeleine Albright? All were immigrants who became US citizens and made substantial contributions to this country. In fact, nobody who has ever come to the America, looked around, and concluded that everything was just fine the way it was has ever made a significant contribution to America. The ones who make a difference are the ones who see a wrong and try to right it, who see a need a try to fill it, who see something that could be improved and try to improve it.

There is no part of immigration law that requires an intending immigrant to love America, or agree with all of it's laws or policies. It only requires that they follow those laws unless and until they are changed. If America ever passes such laws then it will have become that tyrannical state that our founding fathers warned us about. I hope that never happens.

I do agree that some things are the way that they are for good reason, and sometimes the best policy is to just accept the way that things are and deal with it. I also think that there are many cases where there is no reason other than mindless bureaucracy for things being the way that they are, and there's no good reason not to try to change them. I don't believe there's any sound reason for the US government to force residents of Mauritius to travel to Kenya for a visa interview, and I don't see any reason not to try to change this.

[jimmynug 13]

Some of the greatest men in the history of America were subjects of a foreign government, who saw injustice, and wanted to make it right. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington - all were subjects of Britain. These men were smart enough to know that governments become tyrants when people become apathetic and don't speak up when the government is doing something wrong. Thomas Jefferson wrote profusely on this subject. Many immigrants listened.

Great men without a doubt. All signers of the Constitution I believe. This same document that gave the power to congress to establish a naturalization process. But lets see, it was amendment XI I believe that provided immunity of states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders.

You ever hear of Mary Harris Jones? She was a factory worker in Chicago in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire burned much of the city. She lost everything she had, and like most of the other workers in Chicago at the time, she was entirely dependent on the factory owners. She spent the rest of her life working to improve conditions for workers in factories and coal mines. She was an immigrant from Ireland.

How about Francis Cabrini? Ever heard of her? She was a Catholic nun who founded 67 schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States. She was canonized by the Vatican in 1946, and became the first American saint. She was an immigrant from Italy.

How about Irving Berlin, Albert Einstein, Joseph Pulitzer, John Muir, or Madeleine Albright? All were immigrants who became US citizens and made substantial contributions to this country. In fact, nobody who has ever come to the America, looked around, and concluded that everything was just fine the way it was has ever made a significant contribution to America. The ones who make a difference are the ones who see a wrong and try to right it, who see a need a try to fill it, who see something that could be improved and try to improve it.

Without a doubt also great people, that did great things once they were in the U.S. But where is the list of the other immigrants that committed mass murder, plotted terrorist attacks, etc, after they arrived? In the eyes of a few, I am sure Osama bin laden would have done great things if we had changed the laws and rules to allow him to enter the U S.

There is no part of immigration law that requires an intending immigrant to love America, or agree with all of it's laws or policies. It only requires that they follow those laws unless and until they are changed. If America ever passes such laws then it will have become that tyrannical state that our founding fathers warned us about. I hope that never happens.

Well it seems some don't want to follow them, so who should be the one changing them? According to our great forefathers, it would be Congress.

I do agree that some things are the way that they are for good reason, and sometimes the best policy is to just accept the way that things are and deal with it. I also think that there are many cases where there is no reason other than mindless bureaucracy for things being the way that they are, and there's no good reason not to try to change them. I don't believe there's any sound reason for the US government to force residents of Mauritius to travel to Kenya for a visa interview, and I don't see any reason not to try to change this.

You know what, I agree with you on most of this, except that there is a right and wrong way to try to change things. Trying to change something for your own self interest only is not the right way. Trying to change something for the good of all is the right way. There are also proper means to go through for the change in a democratic society.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

There is no part of immigration law that requires an intending immigrant to love America, or agree with all of it[']s laws or policies. It only requires that they follow those laws unless and until they are changed. If America ever passes such laws then it will have become that tyrannical state that our founding fathers warned us about. I hope that never happens.

I do agree that some things are the way that they are for good reason, and sometimes the best policy is to just accept the way that things are and deal with it. I also think that there are many cases where there is no reason other than mindless bureaucracy for things being the way that they are, and there's no good reason not to try to change them. I don't believe there's any sound reason for the US government to force residents of Mauritius to travel to Kenya for a visa interview, and I don't see any reason not to try to change this.S

Sure,

but the best time to tell your boss that he's an idiot is when you've got your first million, ready to leave, not when trying to get that job he's offering.

[yketwaroo 10]

Mr JimVaPhuong sir, if I ever get to the US in one piece, we're inviting you and the Mrs to dinner.

I'm still semi looking into the whole issue but my (predicted) NOA2 due date is creeping up and I have to face the eventuality of having to go to Kenya anyway.

Nairobi can't be the only so called super embassy serving several countries. If it can be shown that this kind of gross inequality happens several place, it might just encourage some reform for the sake of better PR. It sort of a hunch but I'm sensing that they choose the most politically unstable regions to set up those places.

Edited January 1, 2012 by yketwaroo