I just can't stop crying

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[Neg&Amor 3]

Attend the interview, it is the best "evidence".

By not been at the interview with him you showed them no interest in the relationship.

Some say it's not important to be there, IT IS.

It is a lot of $$$ but it's worth it.

I'm on the same boat and I have budgeted to go, just waiting for interview date.

Best wishes!

[CaroSL 68]

him two questions and ask him to bring more evidence of our relationship on September 12. #######??? Going to Ghana to me means going to visit everyone at home and it costs a lot of money when I visit so it is not just the price of a ticket and hotel.

I am soooo upset and do not know what to do. We have spent money on planning our wedding in September because I thought an interview in July would give me enough time to get him here by September. What else do they want?

In my opinion, if you have a lot more evidence to print, u don't need to go for the second interview, anything u can think of and print out, they won't go everything but they just want to see a mountain of evidence/papers.

Then again I don't know if your presence would be the deal breaker.

If it won't break the bank, why not.

I really get what u mean... Going home isn't just ticket... But right now everyone should give u a break, u have issues to deal with.

It is a good idea to print e-mail exchanges, bring letters (with enveloppes and stamps), etc...

But it is their 2nd chance, they won't have a 3rd. Why take the risk to be denied? I think the petitioner being there is very important! If you have any doubt on that, read T-Bone story... This is not fair in anyway... And they don't tell you that they expect the petitioner either, which makes things even worse because many people don't plan the expense of the trip for the interview...

(To the OP, that really sucks, I am so sorry you have to go through this...)

[godlove 29]

You clearly have more than enough to proof your relationship with him. Stay stong, he get the second time. I would also include any wedding arrangement/ plans that you have made, maybe like quest lists and catering.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

It is hard not getting through the interview when you have so many dreams about the days that follow. I have been through that, cancelled wedding plans , cancelled family travel , creams tossed out. You will come back, you just have to play the immigration game a bit longer because you landed on the square that says go back 3 spaces. It doesn't mean you are out, just a bit slower to the finish line and in the grand scheme of things it is just a bump. Marc Ellis is a good idea, he is getting very good at knowing the idiosyncrasies of each embassy. Joseph and I got hit with a total denial for what I think was the worst of reasons but now that is just a moment in our lives and he just got his US citizenship. Be strong

[Zee Bee 61]

This has happened to many couples going through Accra and it happened to us as well. We had the first interview and then were told to come back for the second one. Did the CO specify what kind of evidence they wanted? I think its just part of how the process happens in Ghana for some people.

Good luck!

[Carie_Azan 35]

DWHEELES would be a great person to ring in on this one..

you are so very lucky ( I think) to be granted a 2nd interview. just take everything you can to prove your story minus the money transfers...I think sometimes that can look off to a CO.I am praying for the very best for you. Dont loose hope, this is just a road block

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

So sorry you are going through this unfair mess.

This happened to me. 16 months in AP, then denial. No factual reason, 12# of evidence, myself at the embassy as evidence during AP...on and on...

Co said "Convince me." We brought 12# of evidence and CO said "I don't have time to look through all that."
Me: " What more do you want ?"
CO:" I can't tell you that."

1. Involve your senator immediately.

2. Be there for the next interview.

3. Bring everything and the kitchen sink, affidavits from friends and family attesting to your bona fide relationship, wedding plans.

4. If refused again next time ask to speak to the section chief.

We did all that and it did not help us. Hoping you have better success.

After you are over the shock and tears, kick it in gear with a plan of action and eventually you will be approved. They like to see you navigate an obstacle

course. Don't get me started ... sigh !

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

After reading to tosh's post thought I thought the same thing... The money transfers thing is a sooo not good idea. Many gone wrong interviews I've read about showed money transfers, before the interview, they already think u wanna go for monetary reasons, then u show u've tasted the fruit... :-) Not good idea dear

T.

I agree generally that is the case but this couple had a joint account and taxi bussines so it would seem that occassional money tranfers proof more "merging" of 2 households than suspicious intentions. Too many are of course not a good idea.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

It is a good idea to print e-mail exchanges, bring letters (with enveloppes and stamps), etc...

But it is their 2nd chance, they won't have a 3rd. Why take the risk to be denied? I think the petitioner being there is very important! If you have any doubt on that, read T-Bone story... This is not fair in anyway... And they don't tell you that they expect the petitioner either, which makes things even worse because many people don't plan the expense of the trip for the interview...

(To the OP, that really sucks, I am so sorry you have to go through this...)

[Tosh Love 77]

Thanks so much for all your advice and kind words and I am glad for everyone that chimed in. This is what I have gleaned so far:

Mail evidence -- We don't send each other that much mail so I have about two pieces of mail to send

Facebook, Skype -- I thought they were too personal but now is not the time to be delicate so here comes the shock and awe.

Senator/Congressman -- Unfortunately for me, I have access to these people due to my line of work so I am hoping to wait incase I get DENIED to bring in the big guns for concerns for inpropriety, etc.

Affidavits -- I am going to get as many as I can from friends and family and have them notarized to take with me.

Photo Albums -- I am going to organize them a little better and write a whole story to go with each group.

Please let me know if I forgot anything else. My big fear is that I will go ballistic at the Embassy because of all the frustration but I am sure my fiance will keep me calm. He always says I am prone to end up on Ghana News the way I react sometimes. Figures and toes crossed on that!

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

him two questions and ask him to bring more evidence of our relationship on September 12. #######??? Going to Ghana to me means going to visit everyone at home and it costs a lot of money when I visit so it is not just the price of a ticket and hotel.

I am soooo upset and do not know what to do. We have spent money on planning our wedding in September because I thought an interview in July would give me enough time to get him here by September. What else do they want?

In my opinion, if you have a lot more evidence to print, u don't need to go for the second interview, anything u can think of and print out, they won't go everything but they just want to see a mountain of evidence/papers.

Then again I don't know if your presence would be the deal breaker.

If it won't break the bank, why not.

I really get what u mean... Going home isn't just ticket... But right now everyone should give u a break, u have issues to deal with.

I so totally disagree with the advice not to go. It is not always more paper evidence that they want to see but how much the USC is invested

in the outcome and how far he/she will push the envelope to make it happen.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Thanks so much for all your advice and kind words and I am glad for everyone that chimed in. This is what I have gleaned so far:

Mail evidence -- We don't send each other that much mail so I have about two pieces of mail to send

Facebook, Skype -- I thought they were too personal but now is not the time to be delicate so here comes the shock and awe.

Senator/Congressman -- Unfortunately for me, I have access to these people due to my line of work so I am hoping to wait incase I get DENIED to bring in the big guns for concerns for inpropriety, etc.

Affidavits -- I am going to get as many as I can from friends and family and have them notarized to take with me.

Photo Albums -- I am going to organize them a little better and write a whole story to go with each group.

Please let me know if I forgot anything else. My big fear is that I will go ballistic at the Embassy because of all the frustration but I am sure my fiance will keep me calm. He always says I am prone to end up on Ghana News the way I react sometimes. Figures and toes crossed on that!

I can so relate to going ballistic and being on the news ! At one point I told them I am not leaving until I speak to a chief. I waited a long time.

Hours. But instead of escorting (i.e.throwing) me out they finally let me talk to someone. No use but at least I did what I could and didn't take this

####### laying down with my tail tucked between my legs.

Try to be firm and assertive and look them straight in the eye. Be confident and show that you won't be intimidated. Last resort at

1 minute to 12o'clock when all else fails give 'em all you got. Within reason of course

[CaroSL 68]

Senator/Congressman -- Unfortunately for me, I have access to these people due to my line of work so I am hoping to wait incase I get DENIED to bring in the big guns for concerns for inpropriety, etc.

I am not sure you should be worried about that. This is a service that is offered by many congressmen and senators. They have a budget allocated for it, and forms to fill in. It is an official business... I don't see why it would be considered as a privilege in your particular case. You should activate it, as any other citizen would do (this is just my opinion, I may be very wrong...)

And if it works better, or if it goes faster because you know those people because of your work... Gosh, I hope everyone will just be happy for you and smile.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Thanks so much for all your advice and kind words and I am glad for everyone that chimed in. This is what I have gleaned so far:

Mail evidence -- We don't send each other that much mail so I have about two pieces of mail to send

Facebook, Skype -- I thought they were too personal but now is not the time to be delicate so here comes the shock and awe.

Senator/Congressman -- Unfortunately for me, I have access to these people due to my line of work so I am hoping to wait incase I get DENIED to bring in the big guns for concerns for inpropriety, etc.

Affidavits -- I am going to get as many as I can from friends and family and have them notarized to take with me.

Photo Albums -- I am going to organize them a little better and write a whole story to go with each group.

Please let me know if I forgot anything else. My big fear is that I will go ballistic at the Embassy because of all the frustration but I am sure my fiance will keep me calm. He always says I am prone to end up on Ghana News the way I react sometimes. Figures and toes crossed on that!

Two things I see upfront see is where are your conversations to each other. Letters, gifts, cards. You submitted phone records but where's the emails, IM's the dialogue talking of the business, the future, the wedding. Affidavits from family attesting to your love and commitment.

Also the money transfers was a big mistake. It doesn't matter you have a business. You are single. All this co-mingling is not a normal thing that most non-married folk do. And face it its high fraud country and money coming from the USC to the immigrant will always look suspicious.

For your next interview do bring your texting, IM's chats, Skpye, emails to your interview. Seems you kind of just focused on your business relationship and not the love affair. How did you write up your relations timeline was it all business stuff or was it January 1, 20XX we said I love you. March XX, 20xx we got engaged, etc.

This whole process is about you convincing them you are in a bonfide relationship pure and simple saying you have a business means that you are in business together not that you love each other. Sorry to be blunt but you need to prepare better for your interview to be successful and be approved. They don't believe you are real. So its up to you to prove them different.