Is my husband's tattoos going to be a problem for getting his visa in Cuidad Juarez?

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

My husband has tattoos from when he was younger, none of which is gang related. He has the Mexican Eagle that blends into the Aztec Calendar on his chest, An Indian Princess with a dream catcher around it (In honor of my late Mother) on his back, a girl pouring water into a stream (Aquarius Symbol) on his back, a Kanji symbol meaning "heartbroken" on his forearm, and another Kanji symbol that we just found out means absolutely nothing on his other forearm. I found information online for all of these tattoos to help explain the meaning to the medical exam physicians and the US Consulate but I still am a little worried about them thinking he is a bad person because of his body art. I also found documentation on the tattoo that means nothing. I guess this is a tattoo that a lot of people were getting, thinking it meant to "Live for Today" but it was a young dumb mistake. Can anyone help me? Is there a chance they will deny him based solely on his tattoos? No criminal convictions or arrests. Married almost 8 years with 2 children and together for almost 9 years. No separations. He has been in the United States for 13 years and entered EWI when he was 17 years old. Married not only in the courts but also in the Catholic Church.

[Penguin_ie 5,999]

I have full sleeves (upper arm totally covered), including what could be considered a pentagram, and penguins on my legs- nothing was even said at the medical.

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

I have heard that in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico they question you extensively about tattoos and drug use. Thanks for your input!

[Apapaia 25]

It probably depends on where you're having your interview and the country you come from. I wouldn't be worried if I was you, he sounds like a good guy and his tattoos have nothing to do with gangs or anything against US so I think they'll just consider it body art.

Good luck to both of you!

[Operator 1,927]

I have never heard of tattoo's being an issue during an interview but with the gang problems south of our border it wouldn't surprise me at all if the consulate in CDJ was looking. You could ask to have your post moved here to the regional forum for more recent experiences and input.

Good luck!

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

Thanks to all of you! I am just severely worried about the outcome of his visa interview.

[Operator 1,927]

Are there lots of denials out of CDJ for IR-1 visas? You have been married for almost 8 years, why are you so worried?

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

I am worried about my husband's denial just because it would be impossible for myself and my children to live in Mexico with our medical conditions. Just a little history, I have OCD, Bipolar type 2, anxiety disorder, asthma, heart murmur, severe allergies to pollens, pollutants, and some foods, and some other medical conditions. My 6 year old daughter has Chronic Severe asthma, hydrohydrosis, eczema, ADHD, heart murmur, and severe allergies. My 4 year old has febrile seizures, severe allergies, and a heart murmur. I also am the sole caregiver to my elderly grandparents and if I was to have to move to Mexico, it would leave them to fend for their selves and eventually lead to them being put in a nursing home. I am a family person and we could NOT live our lives without our support system, my husband and their father. I currently work in a substance abuse clinic and make $2000.00 monthly and my husband's income is obviously needed for us to survive. This is why I am so worried! My life depends on this APPROVAL! I really appreciate the support from this forum. Keep the advice coming.

[skiptex 225]

just make sure he wears a shirt to the interview..

i am sure it will go well

[meadow 2]

As long as your paperwork is in order and your husband answers everything calmly and politely he should be fine, there's no reason he should be denied because of the tattoos, it just might make the questions more intense. My fiance just had his medical exam and interview this week in Juarez. What he said is that in the medical exam the doctor asks everyone a lot of questions, including if they have a history of violence or drug use. My fiance said "no" and the question was repeated a few times before the doctor told him that the urine test would prove if he were telling the truth about drugs. Basically it seems like she was just trying to intimidate everyone, so it was just a matter of staying calm and not acting nervous. He said that everyone with tattoos was sent to talk to the clinic psychologist after the medical exam and before paying, but I think they mostly just repeated the same questions. In the interview, my fiance was asked if he'd ever had problems with police and if he had tattoos. My fiance doesn't, but if your husband says yes, and then pulls out the printed explanations you found about what each tattoo means and gives it to the interviewer, it shouldn't be a big deal. Good luck!

[jenyadenise 4]

My husband has tattoos from when he was younger, none of which is gang related. He has the Mexican Eagle that blends into the Aztec Calendar on his chest, An Indian Princess with a dream catcher around it (In honor of my late Mother) on his back, a girl pouring water into a stream (Aquarius Symbol) on his back, a Kanji symbol meaning "heartbroken" on his forearm, and another Kanji symbol that we just found out means absolutely nothing on his other forearm. I found information online for all of these tattoos to help explain the meaning to the medical exam physicians and the US Consulate but I still am a little worried about them thinking he is a bad person because of his body art. I also found documentation on the tattoo that means nothing. I guess this is a tattoo that a lot of people were getting, thinking it meant to "Live for Today" but it was a young dumb mistake. Can anyone help me? Is there a chance they will deny him based solely on his tattoos? No criminal convictions or arrests. Married almost 8 years with 2 children and together for almost 9 years. No separations. He has been in the United States for 13 years and entered EWI when he was 17 years old. Married not only in the courts but also in the Catholic Church.

Hi! They won't deny your husband because of tattoos, but from what I understand about the process in Juarez, he should just be prepared to answer a few more questions at the medical exam. I've read that people who have tattoos are asked more questions or might be given longer Psych evaluations in Juarez. I think they just want to be sure he has no connection with gangs. It sounds like you guys are really prepared for that, so he should be fine! Praying it goes smoothly!!!

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

Thanks everyone for the advice and I surely hope you guys are correct. Also, my husband will be wearing a shirt to the interview , just saying. LOL

[pushbrk 13,374]

My husband has tattoos from when he was younger, none of which is gang related. He has the Mexican Eagle that blends into the Aztec Calendar on his chest, An Indian Princess with a dream catcher around it (In honor of my late Mother) on his back, a girl pouring water into a stream (Aquarius Symbol) on his back, a Kanji symbol meaning "heartbroken" on his forearm, and another Kanji symbol that we just found out means absolutely nothing on his other forearm. I found information online for all of these tattoos to help explain the meaning to the medical exam physicians and the US Consulate but I still am a little worried about them thinking he is a bad person because of his body art. I also found documentation on the tattoo that means nothing. I guess this is a tattoo that a lot of people were getting, thinking it meant to "Live for Today" but it was a young dumb mistake. Can anyone help me? Is there a chance they will deny him based solely on his tattoos? No criminal convictions or arrests. Married almost 8 years with 2 children and together for almost 9 years. No separations. He has been in the United States for 13 years and entered EWI when he was 17 years old. Married not only in the courts but also in the Catholic Church.

With the kind of tattoos you describe, I would advise you to stop worrying start preparing for your husband's arrival instead.

[Mrs. Hernandez 0]

Thanks pushbrk! I certainly hope that it is not an issue but I can't help but to worry.

[Jawaree 719]

He should be ok but really S Americans are taken to task a lot

with tattoos ...if your paper work is fine, everything bonafided

urine clean, all he has to do is answer the doctor truthfully

during medical...I would have him walk with an interpretation

of the tattoos . don't give it to doctor but if a lot of questions

comes up it helps...notation of the tattoos goes in the medical

report....have him dress in slacks and a nice shirt, he can put on

a tie outside before going in....best wishes