Obama's Address to the Nation RE: K1 Visa

[pochemuchka 2]

So after Obama addressed the nation on Sunday night, what does this mean for K1 visa applicants? Are only people in Arab countries going to have a more difficult time, or everyone? I feel as though they should be looking at people travelling to IS territory/ Saudi Arabia, and arriving home - more than just K1 visa applicants as a whole! If the terrorist had come on CR-1, they would probably would be looking more at that. Terrorists can come from anywhere, even withing the U.S. - people can even become radicalized online. Honestly, I feel as though the I-129f/K1 visa process is extremely thorough as it is, with the background and criminal checks, I wonder what else they will need to do - but I assume the process will now take much longer than 5 months. And probably way more denials will ensue. I know that nobody has any answers right now, since this is so new, but hopefully soon we will. I guess I'm just concerned and would like to start the discussion.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

When i asked for help from White House with my visa, i recieived a polite letter saying they understood my frustration with immigration

It went on to say US government officals including all Congressmen and President had no power over visas

It is controlled by 1 of the 7 divisions of Homeland Security and not under the US government budget

The letter politely said to follow all instructions from USCIS and good luck

the only reason immigration is shut down during a budget crisis is the offices are housed in Federal Buildings which are shut

Immigration is solely run by our fees

Also look at the list of Senators and the committees they are on / none of them are listed on any committee for Immigration reform

In short, it is up to the CO and embassy for any visa approval

[Amhara 460]

And visas are in the law - the United States Code - which is difficult to change.

If you listen to his speech, (starting from 6:19 through 6:28) Obama says the 'visa waiver program'. Us learned people in the VJ community know that she arrived on the K-1, which is much different than the VWP. If they review the VWP, that's fine by me. All except one of the Paris shooters all held European passports.

[Texas22 50]

I am sure that after what happened on Dec 2nd, immigration is going to get a lot more difficult. You are definitely hearing more about the K1 Visa process in the media after this. The thing I don't like is that we all know what the process is and how difficult it can be, yet media bring their "immigration lawyers" on there to talk about it and the funny thing is - I know more about the K1 Visa process (thanks to Visa Journey and our own journey thru it) than the lawyer they interviewed.

It is a shame that possibly one bad person can make the process more difficult for real, honest and true loving relationships. I know we must be vigilant, but shaming the K1 Visa process just rubs me the wrong way. Just my opinion

[crazyworld 54]

I would think that the K1 visa process will not change that much.

When you get the READY at the NVC, you and your fiance have been checked out by the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, and any other department required by the DOS. I am sure the the process has changed over the years since the 9/11 attacks and will keep on changing as needed. I would guess that certain countries and names will be getting additional checks now after the latest shootings.

I have no problem with being check out or my fiance, we have nothing to hide!

[Texas22 50]

I would think that the K1 visa process will not change that much.

When you get the READY at the NVC, you and your fiance have been checked out by the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, and any other department required by the DOS. I am sure the the process has changed over the years since the 9/11 attacks and will keep on changing as needed. I would guess that certain countries and names will be getting additional checks now after the latest shootings.

I have no problem with being check out or my fiance, we have nothing to hide!

No, we didn't either and the checks are a must. I'm just thinking this might slow the process down, especially for certain countries.

[Pennycat 880]

And visas are in the law - the United States Code - which is difficult to change.

If you listen to his speech, (starting from 6:19 through 6:28) Obama says the 'visa waiver program'. Us learned people in the VJ community know that she arrived on the K-1, which is much different than the VWP. If they review the VWP, that's fine by me. All except one of the Paris shooters all held European passports.

He slipped up. He meant to refer to the K1 visa and it is noted as such in the official transcript:

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-obama-visa-waiver-speech-mistake-k1-tashfeen-malik-htmlstory.html

The confusion (and why he probably slipped up) is that they are *also* talking about looking into changes in the visa waiver program. He's probably said and heard "visa waiver program" hundreds of times over the past several days, it just slipped out. It was a big mistake, for sure, but one that most Americans won't realize or understand.

You never know how anything is going to end up. My best guess is that only certain "hotspots" will be immediately affected by this (over the next several months), that USCIS will start taking longer with each file (but not by much) and eventually they'll discuss scrapping the visa altogether. But then they'll realize that they really can't for a variety of reasons. They may make it harder to get (which, honestly....90% approval rate and people have gotten approved having next to nothing in common and having only met once for a few days-- I think most people could stand for the requirements being tightened up significantly and still get through just fine).

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I honestly do not care about the scrutiny they put us through so long as KM at Accra embassy is fired

[Boiler 45,767]

Really a failure of background checks, not specific to the visa type. I would imagine those checks will be significantly enhanced.

[k_stacky 65]

The thing I don't like is that we all know what the process is and how difficult it can be, yet media bring their "immigration lawyers" on there to talk about it and the funny thing is - I know more about the K1 Visa process (thanks to Visa Journey and our own journey thru it) than the lawyer they interviewed.

It is a shame that possibly one bad person can make the process more difficult for real, honest and true loving relationships. I know we must be vigilant, but shaming the K1 Visa process just rubs me the wrong way. Just my opinion

Agreed.

A lot of "friends" on Facebook lately have been cropping up with their own opinions of immigration as though they just hand out visas left and right, and they constantly use the term 'terrorists' and 'immigrants' interchangeably, which really irks me. For the most part and in my opinion, someone who has never dealt with the stressful hoop jumping of immigration has no right to comment on it. When I think about the journey I've been on so far and all of the genuine couples before and after me who will take the same or similar journeys, it's really frustrating to think we may be lumped in with the few bad people who abused the system.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

The way I see it, it's going to be hard to say what is going to happen long-term until next Novemeber.

While we may see some restrictions, I do not think that Congress will be able to enact anything that is overtly severe in the next year since the President is likely to veto anything unreasonable. It's his last year of his last term, if the Republican-controlled House and Senate send him something he does not agree with, he has little incentive not to veto. Whether it could go back and get the 2/3 vote necessary to pass through regardless, that I am not sure of..

As I mentioned, it's 2017 that is more up in the air. If any of the candidates are serious with their rhetoric, the outcome of the 2016 election has the potential to be pivotal for the future of U.S. Immigration. As someone mentioned before, it is hard to do anything that alters or changes how laws that are so entrenched in the county's code work. However, this becomes significantly less difficult with a legislative and executive branch that are controlled by the same party. If someone from the GOP is elected and the Democrats are unable to take back any seats, I would not be surprised if we end up seeing at least some attempts at changing how immigration works.

Now if either Hilary of Bernie is able to take the White House (or O'Malley.. Somehow?) and the majority of Congressional races goes to the Dems, my prediction is we won't see too many attempts at change. Depending if this sort of tension and paranoia exists, the person who I see as most likely to support restrictions is Hillary, and I say that just considering her experience as Seceraty as State and her relatively conservative positions on foreign relations/policy. (conservative in relation to other democrats, I mean). Bernie has talked a lot about trying to open our borders and make the process of immigration more fair and attainable, but even he is going to have a hard time legitimizing that viewpoint among many members of the general public if this feeling of danger is still present.

All of this is compounded even more if anything happens to any of the current Supreme Court justices that could lead to the appointing of new justices that sway the majority to either the right or the left.

That's my spheel, anyway. Feel free to agree, disagree, ignore, whatever. Just has been a topic of conversation in many of my lectures recently.

**Just a note to keep in mind: This post is by no means an endorsement or attack on any one particular candidate or ideology. It is also not an attempt to sway the political viewpoints of anyone on this thread or on this site. It is just my attempt at an honest and intelligent analysis of what could play out in the future, from someone with an academic background studying political science.

Edited December 7, 2015 by MorganandMichael

[BS1982 13]

My opinion is that ALL visas to the US are going to be more difficult moving forward, especially K1 visa from countries with any Radical Islamic Terrorist connections or activity. I think this is true even if no immigration laws are changed.

Think of the many, many government bureaucrats involved in the visa process. Given the recent mass killings in Paris and San Bernardino, is a government bureaucrat going to be more or less attentive to every detail on the visa application? Are they more likely to get fired for rejecting a visa applicant that should have been admitted, or accepting an applicant that should not have been admitted? How would you like to be in the shoes of any of the bureaucrats that had anything to do with approving Tashfeen Malik's visa?

I think the best case is that visas will take longer to process, and the worst case is that many people who would have received visas before will be rejected with the increased scrutiny.

My wife entered the country on a K1 visa a little over three months ago, and I am very thankful. My heart goes out to the people currently in the process, and the people that start the process in the future. It is frustrating and difficult enough without terrorists making it even more difficult. I wish all the best of luck.

[Love To Teach 161]

I feel like my husband and I are REALLY screwed as we are just getting ready to file a CR1 and he is from Pakistan. I can't imagine what AP is going to be like for us. It's just so sad that a few mess it up for all. He is the kindest, most gentle man in the world. And terrorism effectively ruined his travel business.

[Boiler 45,767]

The only thing that is reasonably certain is that there will be more incidents.

Then what happens?

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I feel like my husband and I are REALLY screwed as we are just getting ready to file a CR1 and he is from Pakistan. I can't imagine what AP is going to be like for us. It's just so sad that a few mess it up for all. He is the kindest, most gentle man in the world. And terrorism effectively ruined his travel business.

I just want to say how sorry I am for what may come of this for you. My heart is so heavy for all of the innocent people who are put in a disadvantaged situation based on the country they happen to be born in. It's situations like this that really reinforce my goal to become an immigration lawyer myself. I really hope you are able to complete the process and be reunited with your husband as soon as possible, and that your life together in the U.S. is filled with joy and prosperity.