March 2015 K-1 Filers

[gtessier 17]

I don't think it needs to be that new. I think it just needs to be recent and valid. I am having Daisy get hers so close to the interview because I want there to be zero questions with the CO. I didn't front load our petition, I only sent the minimum required with the I129f.

I know I saw somewhere it does not need to be that new. Here is the link:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/1178798/feb2015/K1-K2%20Applicant%20Interview%20Preparation%20Instructions%20-%20English%20_February%202015_.pdf

Its direct from the Manila Embassy, and says the NBI clearance is good for one year.

Hopefully that eases Daisy's mind.

[dsldesch 27]

I always found this interesting. I have a customer that works for DHS and he told me some of the countries that have high fraud rates and although he did not have specific numbers, the usual suspects were mentioned.

Out of curiosity, I Googled and found this link with a spreadsheet. Surprisingly, Mexico has one of the highest K1 issuance rates in the world.

As a mathematician, I am sure this spreadsheet with pique your interests and keep you busy for awhile.

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/VisaStatistics.html

I'm generally more interested in the theoretical rather than the computational ("arithmetic" barely counts as math to me with some of the things I've seen), but it was an interesting read... That said, I have some reservations: (1) the data is more than ten years old and most likely is not indicative of current trends; (2) the website is hosted by a law office (and immigration attorneys are notorious for fraud) so there's potential for biased reporting to drive up business (capitalism); and (3) it doesn't seek to explain the reasons why there are disparities that seem to defy expectations or how the data is being analyzed. Perhaps, for K1 visas, Mexico has low fraud becasue Mexican fraud is found in other forms of immigration and the data is lumped together rather than being broken down. Or perhaps adjudicators in Mexico understand it's likely fraud but (at least ten years ago) let things pass for other reasons, such as understanding economic conditions (technically illegal, but on whose part?). Maybe the rates are low for Brazil because nobody wants to leave; maybe the rates are higher for Mexico because more Mexicans meet U.S. citizens than Brazilllians do. While I'm not one for statistics when it comes to my mathematical interests, as of one week from today I'll also have a degree in political science, and for analyzing issues such as these, empirical data--and complete data sets--is incredibly important. If I weren't pursuing my master's in mathematics and went on to grad school in political science/public policy/public admin, I'm sure I would end up researching something related to immigration at some point, but at least for now my career aspirations are taking me to other placess academically.

[gtessier 17]

I'm generally more interested in the theoretical rather than the computational ("arithmetic" barely counts as math to me with some of the things I've seen), but it was an interesting read... That said, I have some reservations: (1) the data is more than ten years old and most likely is not indicative of current trends; (2) the website is hosted by a law office (and immigration attorneys are notorious for fraud) so there's potential for biased reporting to drive up business (capitalism); and (3) it doesn't seek to explain the reasons why there are disparities that seem to defy expectations or how the data is being analyzed. Perhaps, for K1 visas, Mexico has low fraud becasue Mexican fraud is found in other forms of immigration and the data is lumped together rather than being broken down. Or perhaps adjudicators in Mexico understand it's likely fraud but (at least ten years ago) let things pass for other reasons, such as understanding economic conditions (technically illegal, but on whose part?). Maybe the rates are low for Brazil because nobody wants to leave; maybe the rates are higher for Mexico because more Mexicans meet U.S. citizens than Brazilllians do. While I'm not one for statistics when it comes to my mathematical interests, as of one week from today I'll also have a degree in political science, and for analyzing issues such as these, empirical data--and complete data sets--is incredibly important. If I weren't pursuing my master's in mathematics and went on to grad school in political science/public policy/public admin, I'm sure I would end up researching something related to immigration at some point, but at least for now my career aspirations are taking me to other placess academically.

I'm sure there are underlying factors for the lower fraud/rate/higher approval rate from Mexico. As Mexico borders us by land to the south, its understandable that someone immigrating here the "wrong way" would just sneak across and be here illegally. Other than Canada, it's a difficult POE for anyone else as they need to enter at an airport or by sea (less likely). Further, a Mexican immigrating here "the right way" has the means (themselves or beneficiary), that would likely be less fraudulent. I realize this is speculation but, if you think it through, it makes sense.

I hear you on the lawyer thing. But makes no sense to put that much work into a spreadsheet just to blow smoke. I would think it was copy/pasted from somewhere else.

Finally, on your previous post, excellent plan to front load due to your situation. Consider that every adjudicator and consular is trained to spot fraud and look at every immigrant with a critical eye, your situation is outside of their normal scope of what they typically see (even though it is becoming more prevalent). I also front loaded mine as well - not the same situation as yours, but a considerable age difference between my fiancee' and I. Not exactly Hugh Hefner kind of difference, but also enough to get out in front of it rather than have to explain later.

Jeez, I hope you get out of that"black hole" soon!!

[Vladsayame 5]

Dsldesch thanks for your response. Though I have another question, is it ok if only the petitioner will provide a full statement of how we met? do I really need to provide a statement also with my sign and date. Thank u

[dsldesch 27]

I'm sure there are underlying factors for the lower fraud/rate/higher approval rate from Mexico. As Mexico borders us by land to the south, its understandable that someone immigrating here the "wrong way" would just sneak across and be here illegally. Other than Canada, it's a difficult POE for anyone else as they need to enter at an airport or by sea (less likely). Further, a Mexican immigrating here "the right way" has the means (themselves or beneficiary), that would likely be less fraudulent. I realize this is speculation but, if you think it through, it makes sense.

I hear you on the lawyer thing. But makes no sense to put that much work into a spreadsheet just to blow smoke. I would think it was copy/pasted from somewhere else.

Finally, on your previous post, excellent plan to front load due to your situation. Consider that every adjudicator and consular is trained to spot fraud and look at every immigrant with a critical eye, your situation is outside of their normal scope of what they typically see (even though it is becoming more prevalent). I also front loaded mine as well - not the same situation as yours, but a considerable age difference between my fiancee' and I. Not exactly Hugh Hefner kind of difference, but also enough to get out in front of it rather than have to explain later.

Jeez, I hope you get out of that"black hole" soon!!

I'd missed the actual spreadsheet in my first read of the page; looking at it now, it seems Mexico (ten years ago) averaged about 1100 K1 applications annually, and it went from over 200 denials to only 2. That's a drastic change, and I'd want to know what caused it before making eneralizations. Or it's possible many of those initially denied as fraudulent reapplied and were approved. Or it's possible something going on in 2002-2003 increased the number of fraudulent applications. In either case, one or the other years would be an outlier, so given a sample of size two, we can really gain no helpful information from the data.

As far as being a same-sex couple, I think adjucators shouldn't bat an eye anymore because the federal government has been processing K1s for same-sex couples since mid-2013. But both me and my fiance felt better frontloading. It also got us to gather all our evidence sooner rather than waiting to the last minute.

I'm not the only one caught in this time dilution, so I hope we all start to see some movement soon.

Dsldesch thanks for your response. Though I have another question, is it ok if only the petitioner will provide a full statement of how we met? do I really need to provide a statement also with my sign and date. Thank u

That should be fine. In fact, if it can fit on the form itself, then a supplement shouldn't be necessary, from what I understand. However, if it is printed separately, it will still need to be signed and dated, at least by the petitioner; I don't think it would hurt if the beneficiary doesn't sign.

[Vladsayame 5]

Dsldesch thanks

[CJZott 0]

Hi All -

We are also a March filer here. And we mailed last March 16th in the Lewisville, TX Lockbox. We received the hard copy receipt last March 20th and now, we're patiently waiting.

I have a question though, my girlfriend from Philippines sent her an incorrect passport photo size, which is not a US standard passport photo, can we get an RFE for this?

I've tried to research but all the responses I got from google were date 2013 below and nothing recent. She's planning to get the required photo soon and send it over to me just in case but hopefully not a cause for RFE.

Hope I can get some clarifications. Thank you everyone.

[delisyus 14]

What country? Which embassy? Your profile is not complete.

Thanks, It's for Philippines

[CJZott 0]

My fiance is from Mexico, which I have been told is a moderately high-fraud country, and we're a same-sex couple, so we frontloaded and provided as much primary evidence as we could. We included a one-page written supplement of how we met, explaining we met on an online dating site that was free and stayed in touch through Facebook until our relationship began a few years later, and then we briefly outlined my three trips to visit him in Mexico. I'm not sure if it was necessary or not, but we both signed this statement. Then I included copies of my birth certificate, all pages of my passport (adding captions to the pages where my passport was stamped in Mexico so it's easy to locate), and copies of all my boarding passes. For frontloading, we included copies of messages between us from each month and pictures from each trip (captioned with date, location, and who was in the picture). We also had all the required forms, including intent to marry statements. I feel strongly we won't get an RFE for any of that (the passport photos he had taken in Mexico were a little smaller than the ones I had taken in the US, so I'm concerned that might end up being problematic), but since we're currently stuck in the black hole that is TSC, I can't know for certain.

Hi, it's actually the same case with us. My girlfriend from the Philippines sent the incorrect passport size photo and not the US standard passport size. We are also worried this may cause a RFE for us, she's planning me to send me the required passport photo in the upcoming days just in case we received one so, the delay won't take that longer. The processing of the petition alone is a bit excruciating already but we have high hopes like everyone else.

[CJZott 0]

I got my NOA1 on the 16th. Heard nothing since.

We got ours on March 17th and the hard copy was on March 20th and we are clueless we're we at as of writing. So, we are all hoping our NOA2 is will be out sooner btw, our packet is in TSC and that's like a black hole but we're always keeping our high hopes up, who knows ...

[gtessier 17]

Thanks, It's for Philippines

I came across this website/blog some time ago. It's written by a Filipina and she outlines the process from beginning to end in a very detailed manner. It's been helpful to me and answered a lot of questions.

She maintains the site/blog very well and info is current

http://www.mrspresson.com/immigration/129f-fiancee-petition-process/

[Sabrina&Chuck 32]

I know I saw somewhere it does not need to be that new. Here is the link:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/1178798/feb2015/K1-K2%20Applicant%20Interview%20Preparation%20Instructions%20-%20English%20_February%202015_.pdf

Its direct from the Manila Embassy, and says the NBI clearance is good for one year.

Hopefully that eases Daisy's mind.

Do u know if smth similar Germany is available in the world Wide web too?

[TabeaK 517]

Yes, there is: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/frankfurt/9318/consular_pdf/Instructions%20for%20IV%20and%20K%20Visa%20Applicants.pdf

[Sabrina&Chuck 32]

Yes, there is: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/frankfurt/9318/consular_pdf/Instructions%20for%20IV%20and%20K%20Visa%20Applicants.pdf

yay thx

[nancyandissam 13]

No number yet from NVC and I think I spoke with the same woman who was a bit miffed at me last time hahaha! Oh well! She gave me the same spiel that it takes 4 weeks to enter into the system there at which time they will send all parties involved notification, blah, blah, blah. I'll try again tomorrow!