Juarez Consulate

[E&K 0]

Hola chicas!

We are in El Paso. Leo GOT VISA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Took 5 hours this morning and then 1.5 hours at border but everything went smoothly. We are so happy and are going out in El Paso tonight to celebrate.

Allie

Congratulations Allie!!!!!! I'm so happy for you too

Jessica I just saw you e-mail, Contratulations to you too

Wow, this great girls, keep the approvals coming!

Edited January 12, 2007 by E&K

[New Yorker 0]

HELLO!!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALLIE AND JESSICA!!

Well Ive got our airplane tickets today. We are going to Juarez next monday night..!! I have everything ready, just finishing gathering evidence for a waiver in case I need it, I still dont know.. and I hate not to know!! I wish to know what is gonna happen to me certainly... But I decided just relax, have faith and wait to see whats next.. travel to NY o wait months!!

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY ..

UN BESITO!!

[kitkat1 5]

Wow girls - what a week! Congrats to Jessica and Allie - what GREAT news.

I, on the other hand, just go back to the US after 6 weeks in Mexico City with my honey. I know, I know, I cannot complain. But the weather was beautiful there and it's drizzling and crappy here!

Brenda, before you go, I would REALLY consider doing an email consulation with Laurel Scott. That way, you'll know exactly what you are up against. Her prices are reasonable and if you contact her on Friday, you could have all the information you need before you go. Either way, BEST OF LUCK!!!

[Allie&Leo 0]

Hola,

We woke up really early this morning so I thought I would check in with you guys! FEELS SO GREAT to have Leo at home with me and waking up to him. So I will recommend a really nice restaurant in CDJ. We went wed night day before interview. It is called Maria Chuchena. Pretty close to embassy. Great atmosphere and excellent food. Very romantic and great service. Pricey but worth it. So Thursday morning Leo's appointment was at 7:30 but that really didn't mean anything. He had to stay in line with everyone else. We got their about 10 till 7:00. We stayed at Fiesta Inn and took a 3 minute Taxi ride to consulate. Their was about maybe 75 to 100 people in line ahead of us. But as soon as they opened doors took only 30 minutes to get everyone inside so didn't make a huge difference if you got there at 5:30 or 7:30. A lot of people who went alone had to rent lockers across the street in put in metal belts, cell phones, etc that aren't allowed in consulate. Because this was Leo's second appt he didn't have to turn in any new forms. But he did have to go thru 2 interviews again and they drilled him. He said one person was nice and another lady was tough with questions. Lady was getting mad at Leo because he wasn't responding very quickly and was trying to hurry him along. Leo responded and said I know you do this all day long but not me and this is very important to me so I want to make sure I answer correctly and want to take my time. She relaxed. Leo spoke in spanish entire time although he is fluent in english. They asked if we still had relationship, last time we saw each other, wedding plans. They looked thru pictures. Glad I made him bring everything again. So for all of you guys that have to do a second interview bring proof of relationship. You have to go thru same steps again. They told him his prints cleared which we already knew and they told him he got it. He waited another hour for visa. He walked out at noon and smiled really big so that was a big relief when I saw him. I waited outside in front of a coffee shop across the embassy. There are some benches. Really only place to sit. I would recommend bringing something to sit on because your bottom will hurt. I bought coffee in the morning so I was able to use the coffee's shop clean bathroom all day. Then we went back to hotel, grabbed some lunch and went to Paso Del Norte border crossing. His brown envelope stated to go to that crossing. Border extremely busy. Took a taxi and taxi dropped us off. Leo had to wait in line with tourist visa people who have to request permits. THEY WERE SO SLOW. Took 1 hour to process 5 people. Border patrol took a break for 20 mintues and we all just had to wait. They took his envelope and fingerprints and put 94 form in visa. Then went thru security and just scanned luggage like everyone else going thru. No problems. Then grabbed taxi and headed to Camino Real hotel. Very nice hotel. Went to dinner at Cappetos ?? family italian restaurant that bartender at hotel recommended. You have to take a taxi to it but very good and good priced. Left next day for Nashville. My mom and sister left 2 dozen roses and a bottle of wine and muffins for us in my house. We brought take out home and had a really nice evening before crashing at 9:00 after 3 long days of traveling.

So now wedding plans can begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allie and Leo

[Allie&Leo 0]

oh ya -

Leo was counting people who got visas. He said 18 out of 100+ people there. He said girl sitting next to him didn't get fiance visa because she had hit for drugs. I think majority of people in there though was not for fiance visas - just tourists. There were a couple of girls sitting on benches that I think their fiances were there but not sure how theres turned out b/c Leo came out. My sister and I stood out because not too many americans waiting. A lot of homeless people asking for change and a lot of people selling stuff. Some playing music. Didn't bother me because gave me something to look at.

Okay - off to spend time with my baby!

[New Yorker 0]

HELLO GIRLS

ALLIE! i FOWARDED YOUR JOURNAL WAITING OUTSIDE THE CONSULATE TO MY FIANCE, SO HE CAN EXPECT SOMETHING

IM TRYING TO TALK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAY. I HOPE TO GET AN ACURATE ANSWER ABOUT THE WAIVER.. after a lot of research im 70% sure Im not gonna need it, but Im still worried..

KIT KAT, THE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE WAIVER HAS TO BE ALL ORIGINAL? CAN BE COPIES? Anyway Ive got the hardship letter ready

HAPPY WEEKEND

[kitkat1 5]

Another thing that I think it's worth mentioning: when they handed me the visa they told me that I HAD to go to the Cordova bridge to get my passport stamped and turn the envelope with the documentation in. I asked her if I could do this at another POE since I wasn't ready to get accross to the US just yet, and I wanted to do it at another bridge closer to home, but she said that I had to do it at the Cordova bridge-she even went back to verify this- and that I didn't have to get accross to the US, I just had to get the stamp, turn the envelope in and come back to Mexico. She said that later I could get accross using my visa and get the I-94 at another POE. I was really surprised since I never heard that we had to do this before, so we went to the Cordova brige just to make sure, and they of course told me this information was wrong: I turn in the envelope, get the passport stamped, and get the I-94 when I'm ready to use my visa to cross to the US and this can be done at any other POE. What worries me is the fact that the envelope with the documents DOES say "present your visa from Monday through Friday at the immigration offices pass through the Cordova bridge". Has anybody heard about this before?

Amigas muchisimas gracias por todo su apoyo y sus buenas vibras, en serio que esta experiencia no hubiera sido la misma sin ustedes

I've been meaning to comment on this for a while -- they tell which bridge to cross - IF YOU ARE CROSSING INTO El Paso -- because they want to control the flow. If you are flying direct from Mexico to the US, for example, this does NOT apply. When I arrived yesterday I verified this with immigration. So no worries if you are not crossing there . . .

Brenda, I believe I kept all my originals and gave them copies - I do NOT trust them!

[luvinmb 0]

Brenda,

I gave them my originals because I wanted them to have the original doctor's signatures, etc....But I made a complete copy of every single page of my HSL and supporting documents. Which ever way you decide to go Brenda, always make a copy of everything you ever provide to the government during this process. Good Luck!

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Congrats Allie, I am so happy for you and Leo, you both had been waiting for a while now. Take a break from this forum and spend some time with him!

Brenda, buena suerte with your interview. Try not to worry too much about whether you need the waiver or not, you are stressing yourself out girl. I hope you don't need it though, keep us posted.

As for me, the days are getting closer and closer until Juan goes to Juarez for his interview, he will be there in about 2 weeks. I am soooo nervous already, but I'm trying not to think about it too much.

[Kristen_y_Efrain 0]

It's so cool to log in and read about another visa approval! Really makes me feel good, and excited for when it's our turn.

I am still waiting for the packet. I checked the email I had received from CDJ again, and it DOES say that they received the info... doesn't say whether it was only electonically or not, but I am just going to hope for the best and think that it was everything. That was on Dec. 21. I figure that I have this week to go until I start freaking out with impatience.

My sister had a baby on Wednesday, so that has distracted me from "the wait" for the packet.

Anyway, here's to GOOOOOOOD news this week for everyone waiting!

[E&K 0]

I've been meaning to comment on this for a while -- they tell which bridge to cross - IF YOU ARE CROSSING INTO El Paso -- because they want to control the flow. If you are flying direct from Mexico to the US, for example, this does NOT apply. When I arrived yesterday I verified this with immigration. So no worries if you are not crossing there . . .

Brenda, I believe I kept all my originals and gave them copies - I do NOT trust them!

Thanks KK! I was just worried about the fact that the envelope does mention the cordova bridge and I had not heard about that before and the fact that she insisted and even "verified" about it really confused me. But talking to the officer at the bridge help me feel more confident about not having to cross through that bridge.

Brenda muchísima suerte en tu entrevista no te pongas nerviosa y SOLO contesta lo que te pregunten

[kitkat1 5]

Thanks KK! I was just worried about the fact that the envelope does mention the cordova bridge and I had not heard about that before and the fact that she insisted and even "verified" about it really confused me. But talking to the officer at the bridge help me feel more confident about not having to cross through that bridge.

More proof that they are clueless at the consulate!! Really, it's shocking.

Emma, when are you thinking of moving/getting married? Soon I hope!

Brenda, keep us posted and good luck!

[New Yorker 0]

HELLO GIRLS..

THANKS FOR THE GOOD LUCK! i LOVE YOU ALLLL! AS USUAL I NEEEED YOU..

DO I NEED FORM DS-230 I AND II..? I DID NOT FIND IT IN THE PACKAGE..

AND ABOUT THE QUESTION 36 IN THE DS156.

36. HAS ANYONE EVER FILED FOR A VISA ON YOUR BEHALF?

DO I HAVE TO WRITE MY FIANCE? OR IT MEANS "ANYONE" BEFORE THE ACTUAL FIANCE?

[ucla_cutie26 0]

Hi Brenda,

You do not need to fill out form DS-230. For question 36, we checked off NO since the question asks about filing any immigrant visa petitions. The k1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, not an immigrant visa.

[New Yorker 0]

HOLA CHICAS!

THANK YOU ALE!! I KNOW, SOMETIMES I SOUND WEIRD WITH MY SILLY QUESTIONS BUT SINCE MY ENGLISH IS NOT PERFECT , I GET CONFUSSED EASILY..!!

IM FLYING TOMORROW 1.50AM TO JUAREZ!.. YA LES CONTARE COMO ME VA..

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.. WITHOUT YOU ALL THIS COULD IT BEEN EASY..

LAS QUIERO!!!!!