AP from Montreal Consulate after interview, they sent passport back

[O&Z 1]

Good afternoon,

ANY help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

some info: I am a US born Citizen and my husband is a Canadian Born citizen with a Muslim name.

We have started the process in March and just had our interview in Montreal on 11/29.

At that time, they took his fingerprints and said he will be placed into Administrative Processing.

I said to my husband, "It's because of your name" and the CO said, "she's right".

So basically, I assume they are doing name checks and fingerprint checks, which is concerning because this will take forever due to the upcoming holiday season. He has absolutely no criminal history.

The problem is, I am moving mid-January and obviously we were hoping to move together and finally be able to live together.

I highly doubt that will be case now.

I mentioned to the CO I am moving and now I will have to move alone. and she said he could have his passport back to help me move.

But we left it there, because we thought it might expedite the process somewhat.

On 12/5, my husband received a phone call stating he had a package at DHL and it was his passport with no additional visa paperwork, just the letter stating he needs administrative processing.

neither of us requested the passport back.

of note, his parents recently immigrated, but were born in Pakistan and India. Their AP took 9 weeks between February to April.

I guess my question is:

what are they doing during the AP?

how long should we expect? He's not from a T country

What does it mean that they sent the passport back of their own accord.

Is there ANYTHING I can do?

I contacted DOS and they said they don't know but it must mean they are not ready to issue a visa yet.

Thanks so much!

PS: I couldn't have survived this process without VJ and all the VJers for their priceless info!

[O&Z 1]

Good afternoon,

ANY help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

some info: I am a US born Citizen and my husband is a Canadian Born citizen with a Muslim name.

We have started the process in March and just had our interview in Montreal on 11/29.

At that time, they took his fingerprints and said he will be placed into Administrative Processing.

I said to my husband, "It's because of your name" and the CO said, "she's right".

So basically, I assume they are doing name checks and fingerprint checks, which is concerning because this will take forever due to the upcoming holiday season. He has absolutely no criminal history.

The problem is, I am moving mid-January and obviously we were hoping to move together and finally be able to live together.

I highly doubt that will be case now.

I mentioned to the CO I am moving and now I will have to move alone. and she said he could have his passport back to help me move.

But we left it there, because we thought it might expedite the process somewhat.

On 12/5, my husband received a phone call stating he had a package at DHL and it was his passport with no additional visa paperwork, just the letter stating he needs administrative processing.

neither of us requested the passport back.

of note, his parents recently immigrated, but were born in Pakistan and India. Their AP took 9 weeks between February to April.

I guess my question is:

what are they doing during the AP?

how long should we expect? He's not from a T country

What does it mean that they sent the passport back of their own accord.

Is there ANYTHING I can do?

I contacted DOS and they said they don't know but it must mean they are not ready to issue a visa yet.

Thanks so much!

PS: I couldn't have survived this process without VJ and all the VJers for their priceless info!

Could we 'move' his furniture with me when I move? how would we take it across the border without his visa information?

could we say it's my furniture?

[jazzly 3]

Give them 12 weeks, then contact your Senetor. I waited for 6 months, contacted congressman and then got visa within weeks. I don't know if I had contacted congressman before, it would have been same turnover.

Edited December 10, 2012 by jazzly

[bsd058 296]

Please do not post the same thread three times. Moderator will be in to combine all of your threads into one and will place int he appropriate board.

Aside form this, I'm sorry he had to go into AP. Just be patient. I'm sure this will be resolved soon.

His name could have been cross-referenced with a known terrorist's name or he might have a similar/same name with someone with a criminal background. Who knows? I just hope that this gets resolved for you soon!

Good luck!

[Ontarkie 14,321]

~~~~Duplicate topics merged and will remain in Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g), There really is no need to post duplicates in other forums your thread will get replies.~~~~

Edited December 10, 2012 by Ontarkie

[O&Z 1]

Sorry for duplicate psts, I wasn't sure where to place this.

Thank you for responses.

When i move, i will need his furniture. However, since it looks likely that HE will not have a Vis by then,

What would be the best way to move our canadian furniture into the states?

We were thinking about using u-pack services.

Thanks again

[jazzly 3]

Yes, just chill and have patience. This is normal for all applicants from other side of the globe having names that be on some kind of watch list. The kind of world we live in, this is good to have your background checked by the country that is letting you live in and work with its citizens.

Just forget about it for 3 months, if AP is over before that time, its a bonus. But if not you have next line of action ready = contact senetor or congressman. But getting worried will get you nothing. Just don' t make any plans for next three months.

I suffered because I didn't anticipated this AP, second I had everything planned before my interview. Wasted 6 months for nothing. If everyone here from those countries, keep AP in mind before interview, they will not be disappointed.

[jazzly 3]

Furniture? Now the post is moved to 221g, you're talking about furniture you are sure nervous. Go and check the first three sticky thread in the Canada forum. Your answer is there, or open a new thread there. I am also planning to move my stuff very shortly, it will be beneficiary for us.

[O&Z 1]

Well i was living in buffalo so that i could visit him in canada.

But i am the US Citizen/petitioner and am being transferred to North Carolina.

I have a furnished place now in buffalo, so when we moved to NC, we were going to use the furniture in our Canadian apartment.

If he had a Visa, there would be no problem when we cross the border with the paperwork.

However, now im not sure how i can move the furniture without visa paperwork

Technically, its 'ours' since we r married. I wonder if they would accept it across the border if it was all under my name?

Thanks again!

[bsd058 296]

Sorry for duplicate psts, I wasn't sure where to place this.

Thank you for responses.

When i move, i will need his furniture. However, since it looks likely that HE will not have a Vis by then,

What would be the best way to move our canadian furniture into the states?

We were thinking about using u-pack services.

Thanks again

We used U-Haul. Just depends on what's available to you and what's most cost effective. I moved our stuff before my visa was approved (it's still not approved). If you go over the border with your furniture just make sure to let the border security know that it's all yours. He is only allowed to bring enough stuff for the trip (a suitcase) and he must bring proof that he is coming back to Canada (Proof of NOA1, paystub, Employment verification letter, rental agreement, car registration, etc.). We wanted to use U-Pack, but it wasn't available in our area.

Edited December 10, 2012 by bsd058

[O&Z 1]

Thank you so much. This is encouraging.

[hikergirl 277]

http://search.cbp.gov/cs.html?charset=iso-8859-1&url=http%3A//www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/moving_goods.ctt/moving.doc&qt=moving+furniture&col=&n=1&la=en

According to the above link, you have to have used the Household Effects in a household where you have lived for a year.

If you haven't lived with your husband in Canada they will probably charge you duty on the furniture unless you wait for his Visa.

Of course you could always contact CBP and ask them.

[O&Z 1]

Ok thank you. That is very helpful. I dont think i could prove living there because i only visited on weekends.

Thank you again

[Cathi 5,771]

No one knows how long it will last, and no one can tell you. There is nothing you can do to bypass or expedite the process. They are doing background checks, and I'm sure it is because one of his parents is from Pakistan, he isn't from a T country but one of them is. After 60 days has passed you can contact the DOS for updates, before that they will not give you any info. If it lasts more than 6 months you can contact elected officials, but even doing that won't help or expedite the process, they can only inquire on your behalf and will most likely be told the same as you, that the case is pending AP and you will be contacted when it's over. I know this from experience as my husband had AP earlier this year. Good luck.

Edited December 11, 2012 by mimolicious

[O&Z 1]

So I Just wanted to update everyone.

it has been about 100 days (14 weeks or so) since our interview and we are STILL in AP.

I have emailed the consulate about 3 times with useless replied arriiving 3-5 weeks later.

Called DOS and NVC with no help.

Contacted senators and congressman when I was living in NY with no reply or help.

Recently completed the move and used ABF and crossed under my name as marital property per instructions from CBP officers. Had no problems thank goodness with that

Now that I am in a new district, contacted congressman and they have placed an inquiry.

Received call from NVC supervisor at odd times (missed calls at 8pm, 11pm) from 603-334-9400 who basically told us it's Mandatory AP and to be patient, they know nothing.

soo...

that's about it.

I guess i'm wondering who else has been under Mandatory AP given 221g form from Montreal, US and how long did it take?

He is visiting me now while i was getting settled in, but obviously he won't overstay his welcome of 6 months. Also worried that the visit may adversely affect our case.

He is studying for his professional licensure for the US but can't work until this is settled.

just venting and hoping someone has encouraging anecdotes to share