Juarez Consulate

[E&K 0]

Here's an old link to another Mexico thread - outdated but still good reading:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87

Mine's Chilango from D.F. which is like my second home these days . . .

E&K is the fiance - from close to the border, right E?

Hola a todas!

Yeap, KK is right, I'm the 'E' girl So we are all ladies here

I'm from Reynosa, Tamaulipas-Right in the border, y mi futuro marido is from Detroit, Michigan

Yeah UCLA_Cutie, is just the two of us left in the NOA2 wait hopefully it won't be too long anymore We are really..REALLY tired of waiting, and it's just getting harder and harder to be apart I'm going to be spending 6 weeks with him starting in November, and we're hoping I can go back again in January to finally get married after spending the Christmas holidays with my family

luvinmb, I thought that was the case at some point, but now I'm not so sure it is a good idea to just go as soon as CDJ gets the packet from NVC. I would go as soon as you get it in the US though, I've heard that many times it never gets received in Mexico.

Thanks for the words Allie, I'm actually pretty nervous about the Juarez experience. In the past I wasn't too dilligent turning in my I-94's when they expired- actually not a lot of people that got them at the border were, since they never ask for them when you return to mexico by land, you just pay the toll- so I'm affraid they'll think I overstayed at some point even though I never did I did turn in a copy of my "laser" visa with the I129F, so hopefully that'll help speed up any checks they want to do. I've been pretty good about turning the I-94's in before they expire since 9/11, and I've not been denied entry because of an "overstay" , but with these people you never know

KK & Wanting, I'm sorry to hear about the 10+ month wait!!!!!! That's awful I thought waivers took 6 months TOP to approve!

I'll be soo happy when I don't have to deal with US immigration anymore

Mucha Suerte para todas!

[Louisa 0]

I didn't know we were at a 10 month wait for waivers now. Man this is driving me crazy. My fiance is from Mexico City, I have two little ones, and I've just started a new job. Needless to say I don't get to see him very often. I'm looking forward to our interview because that is the next time I will probably be able to see him. I just pray it doesn't take forever to get to the interview.

[luvinmb 0]

I thought all the fiance forms (DS-156, etc.) were now to be completed online and that you do not have to wait for the packet. I mean you do have to wait for the official NOA2 and forms from NVC. But, the packet from Juarez you don't have to wait for. Once they have the information and you have your stuff together, you can go to Juarez.

You can download all of the forms online - and you're right that the DS-156K needs to be done online with the barcode generated. But you need to wait until you receive the packet because the official "we have received your file" letter is in the packet and this is necessary for the medical and the interview. If they have not completed processing of your file and sent the official letter, then it's not ok to go. You may be confused by the fact that CDJ doesn't require appointments for fiances - but that doesn't mean you can go when you are ready - they still have to be ready. Also, there are no forms from the NVC - everything comes directly from CDJ.

In the past people have gone without it and waited in line at the information booth to get a copy, but I feel like that is risky. (One poster said he waited for 5 hours).

An update from Laurel Scott, an attorney who deals with CDJ and waivers, regarding their new policy on waivers (very very irritating):

Update on Juarez:

Processing times have increased from 6-9 months to 10+ months. OIC (officer-in-charge) has requested that all I-601ers not file ANY inquiries until it has been 11+ months since you filed your waiver. The consulate is no longer accepting the I-601 waiver application on the day of the K visa or immigrant visa interview. They are now requiring everyone to come back for a second interview to file. While I have not yet gotten any denials through USCIS-Juarez, other attorneys have reported to me that their approval rates have plummeted and that they've had a marked increase of clients approaching them following a denial of their pro se filings (note: a "pro se" filing is something a person files without using an attorney). When the OIC saw that I was telling everyone that Juarez was the easiest office to get an I-601 approval abroad, he asked me to be careful not to give anyone the impression that the I-601 process in Juarez is a 'formality'; i.e. you have to PROVE your case.

I will probably get killed for saying this, but what the heck, I think that Laurel Scott is informative.... absolutely informative. However, she makes money (alot of money) off preparing waivers, etc. I think that everyone should remember that all cases are different, some waivers are approved within a matter of 4 months at Juarez and some are approved much longer. I truly believe nobody knows what will happen when anyone goes to their interview. I have seen attorneys give one answer to an immigration question one way and turn around and give a different answer to the same question just worded slightly different. Again, I think attorneys are helpful, but most of the visa journey process, including waiver prep. can be handled by yourself, if you have the time and determination to do so.

Now on another note, I would really love to get a touch.....Its been a little over two months and not a single update or touch. Nothing, Nada, Zilch!!!!!! Okay I know be patient....

[kitkat1 5]

I will probably get killed for saying this, but what the heck, I think that Laurel Scott is informative.... absolutely informative. However, she makes money (alot of money) off preparing waivers, etc. I think that everyone should remember that all cases are different, some waivers are approved within a matter of 4 months at Juarez and some are approved much longer. I truly believe nobody knows what will happen when anyone goes to their interview. I have seen attorneys give one answer to an immigration question one way and turn around and give a different answer to the same question just worded slightly different. Again, I think attorneys are helpful, but most of the visa journey process, including waiver prep. can be handled by yourself, if you have the time and determination to do so.

Now on another note, I would really love to get a touch.....Its been a little over two months and not a single update or touch. Nothing, Nada, Zilch!!!!!! Okay I know be patient....

I agree with you 100%. But apparently the information regarding CDJ's new and inefficient waiver process and processing times came directly from the consulate. I hope and pray it is incorrect but the average waiver wait on I2us has been around 9 months of late.

In any event, that's out of anyone's control. The thing about the appointment letter, however, is accurate in regard to getting into the medical and consulate. Here's hoping for a touch for you!

[luvinmb 0]

I will probably get killed for saying this, but what the heck, I think that Laurel Scott is informative.... absolutely informative. However, she makes money (alot of money) off preparing waivers, etc. I think that everyone should remember that all cases are different, some waivers are approved within a matter of 4 months at Juarez and some are approved much longer. I truly believe nobody knows what will happen when anyone goes to their interview. I have seen attorneys give one answer to an immigration question one way and turn around and give a different answer to the same question just worded slightly different. Again, I think attorneys are helpful, but most of the visa journey process, including waiver prep. can be handled by yourself, if you have the time and determination to do so.

Now on another note, I would really love to get a touch.....Its been a little over two months and not a single update or touch. Nothing, Nada, Zilch!!!!!! Okay I know be patient....

I agree with you 100%. But apparently the information regarding CDJ's new and inefficient waiver process and processing times came directly from the consulate. I hope and pray it is incorrect but the average waiver wait on I2us has been around 9 months of late.

In any event, that's out of anyone's control. The thing about the appointment letter, however, is accurate in regard to getting into the medical and consulate. Here's hoping for a touch for you!

So both my fiance and myself will be mailed a copy of the packet from CDJ? If so, I am confident that I will receive mine much faster. Once I receive the packet, then because me fiance will have everything ready, we can head to juarez?

We are in the group of people that may or may not need the waiver, but I have my HSL complete with documentation and everything. According to I2us, it is a really good letter. It is 7 pages and I have like 28 supporting documents. YIKES! It took me a full month to complete mine. I used an attorney prepared approved letter off of I2us as my template. Anyways, hopefully I will not need the waiver, but if so, then we will do it and wait this out. Someday, I know we will look back on this and think "yeah, it was a long wait, but it was all worth it."

[kitkat1 5]

So both my fiance and myself will be mailed a copy of the packet from CDJ? If so, I am confident that I will receive mine much faster. Once I receive the packet, then because me fiance will have everything ready, we can head to juarez?

Both the USC and Mexican Fiance are *supposed* to receive a copy of the complete fiance packet forms and letter. But history here shows that the Mexican pretty much never receives it . . . that's why I've been stalking the mailman since September 28!!! As soon as you get it, and have all the forms ready, you can go.

Hope you don't need the waiver - sounds like a real mess in CDJ these days and I am not looking forward to it!

[luvinmb 0]

So both my fiance and myself will be mailed a copy of the packet from CDJ? If so, I am confident that I will receive mine much faster. Once I receive the packet, then because me fiance will have everything ready, we can head to juarez?

Both the USC and Mexican Fiance are *supposed* to receive a copy of the complete fiance packet forms and letter. But history here shows that the Mexican pretty much never receives it . . . that's why I've been stalking the mailman since September 28!!! As soon as you get it, and have all the forms ready, you can go.

Hope you don't need the waiver - sounds like a real mess in CDJ these days and I am not looking forward to it!

Kitkat, you are almost there..... I know it is really hard, but hang in there. Remember that everything will turn out the way it should in the end.

[E&K 0]

luvinmb, I'm crossing my fingers so you don't need a waiver

Oh, and I guess you are also in NOA2 watch like Ucla_cutie and me, so good luck and hope you get a touch soon We've finally been getting a lot of touches lately, so maybe we'll get to leave CSC hell soon

[Louisa 0]

I received my NOA2 in the mail today. It is nice to actually have it in hand. They must of mailed it the same day it was approved! That amazes me lol.

[kitkat1 5]

I received my NOA2 in the mail today. It is nice to actually have it in hand. They must of mailed it the same day it was approved! That amazes me lol.

Congrats Louisa! One step closer!!!

[E&K 0]

That's great!!! Congratulations!

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Hello everyone,

I am glad to say that I can finally do the happy approval dance and now begin the next phase of this longgggg process.

I received my NOA2 today in the mail. It's one of those strange approvals that have been happening lately out of the CSC. I never received an e-mail update about an approval or anything. However, I did get a touch on October 11th, then another touch on October 19th and now my approval in the mail on October 20th. I don't live too far from the CSC. It does seem kind of strange, the postmark date on the envelope is the 19th, so maybe the touch on 10/19 was them mailing it out. Who cares, I got it and that's all that counts.

E&K, you're next, I know it, all of those touches are there for a reason, you'll see

[waiting4Oliverio 0]

Congrates to the new NOA2's!!!!

About the 601 waivers....Is it true if your fiance was here illegally you have the choice of either filing the waiver or paying a $1000 fine? My friend told me about paying a fine..but he can't be completely trusted

[kitkat1 5]

Congrates to the new NOA2's!!!!

About the 601 waivers....Is it true if your fiance was here illegally you have the choice of either filing the waiver or paying a $1000 fine? My friend told me about paying a fine..but he can't be completely trusted

Unfortunately NO. Too bad. There was a proposal included in the most recent immigration reform act that would have allowed SPOUSES needing waivers to pay a $2000 fine in lieu of the waiver. It did not pass and even if it had, it was not for fiances. (Although I guess it would have eliminated the huge backlog and allowed them process much faster).

So nope - you have to submit the hardship letter and documentation, pay the fees for the waiver and fingerprints (apparently now on a second visit post interview denial) and then wait 10+ months for approval and an additional 7 weeks for visa pick up once approved. This is not gonna be fun : (

On a happier note, CONGRATS to UCLA Cutie!!!! So glad someone gets to do the happy dance!

[E&K 0]

ucla_cutie me da muchisimo gusto que ya te hayan aprobado

I'm hoping you're right and we have our NOA2 coming in the mail soon Those touches are certainly giving us hope