LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR RED FLAGS

[chaishai 1]

I think it has everything to do with the fact that he's not Moroccan.

I think you are absolutely correct. Hicham and I have both thought this many times.

When we began the whole process in the States, before he ever got stuck in Maroc, the local office couldn't figure out how to code his file because there was no code set up for "Palestinian". He's actually considered "stateless" but not a refugee. Even though he was born in Morocco, he has to have a Palestinian passport. So very freak'in complicated!!!!

Does your formula factor in variables of that nature????

Sorry allousa, I didn't mean to ignore your question here. Actually, I was kidding about really developing a formula. While it would be sooooooo useful, unfortunately, we don't have nearly enough data to come up with anything at all credible. If that data were available, then absolutely, the formula should factor in variables such as those affecting your case, since I think it's pretty clear that Hicham's statelessness is slowing down your process.

I knew you were kidding. I was just wondering if you could add in the "dumb" factor?

I was dumbfounded when we were at our local CIS office and they officers were scratching their heads like they didn't know how to process his case. He even went through filing for Asylum and the court recognized that he was stateless but decided sorry, you can't stay here.

Since I've been here, I think I've only seen two other people with SOs from Palestine, one being WOM. I would be curious to know if SOs coming out of "conflict" areas get the big 'ole nasty red flag?

We had a relatively smooth process (so far... knock on wood) -- much easier than many. I don't know that being Palestinian in itself is necessarily a problem.

More to add but back with that later.......

I have a few palestinian friends that came over without too much of a hassle. Most israelis I know (also considered conflict area?) have very little hassle, ourselves included.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I just can't think of any other red flag in our case than that which would have caused us to be in AP for well over a year other than Hicham being Palestinian. There is no age difference, no criminal record...NOTHING. I've seen most people go through the waiver process in 8 months to 1 1/2 years max. It should have NEVER taken 4 years for us to get to this point.

I would be interested in your thoughts and experiences on this.

OK I am not clear on all the details of your case, and I know it is a bit complicated. From what I understand (tell me if I have this wrong) --

1. Your husband once filed for asylum in the U.S., which was eventually denied ?

2. He had some overstay problem on another visa ?

3. You got married while you were awaiting the decision on the asylum case, and then filed for a spouse visa after the denial ?

4. You are now awaiting decision on a 601 waiver for the overstay ?

I apologize if I have any of this mixed up. But if I have the story straight, perhaps it could be complicating your processing.

-MK

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I think it has everything to do with the fact that he's not Moroccan.

I think you are absolutely correct. Hicham and I have both thought this many times.

When we began the whole process in the States, before he ever got stuck in Maroc, the local office couldn't figure out how to code his file because there was no code set up for "Palestinian". He's actually considered "stateless" but not a refugee. Even though he was born in Morocco, he has to have a Palestinian passport. So very freak'in complicated!!!!

Does your formula factor in variables of that nature????

Sorry allousa, I didn't mean to ignore your question here. Actually, I was kidding about really developing a formula. While it would be sooooooo useful, unfortunately, we don't have nearly enough data to come up with anything at all credible. If that data were available, then absolutely, the formula should factor in variables such as those affecting your case, since I think it's pretty clear that Hicham's statelessness is slowing down your process.

I knew you were kidding. I was just wondering if you could add in the "dumb" factor?

I was dumbfounded when we were at our local CIS office and they officers were scratching their heads like they didn't know how to process his case. He even went through filing for Asylum and the court recognized that he was stateless but decided sorry, you can't stay here.

Since I've been here, I think I've only seen two other people with SOs from Palestine, one being WOM. I would be curious to know if SOs coming out of "conflict" areas get the big 'ole nasty red flag?

We had a relatively smooth process (so far... knock on wood) -- much easier than many. I don't know that being Palestinian in itself is necessarily a problem.

More to add but back with that later.......

I have a few palestinian friends that came over without too much of a hassle. Most israelis I know (also considered conflict area?) have very little hassle, ourselves included.

Why would Israelis have any flags at all given their great relationship with the US? Its like the 51st state. Sure wouldnt have too much problem figuring out who was "bad" and "good ". 1800 Mossad and 25 minutes later you have the whole life story of a person . LOL LOL LOL. I sure would not worry if I was Israeli about getting a visa.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Way back to wife_of_mahmoud: I don't think we have a lot of hard data on fraud cases, just suspicions. But age gaps as a flag (as a predictor of fraud) don't help as much when the man is older, since that's the norm. Yet, if you browse around some of the Asia forum, you'll see that some consulates will think the relationship is invalid if the couple hasn't had at least three visits. It's like they suspect fraud so much that nearly everyone is a suspect and age isn't even a big problem.

Yes I mentioned seeing some other regional forums with some members who had age gaps. But I'm speaking specifically about the woman older/man younger relationship in ME/NA -- as it's being perceived here in the ME/NA forum, and I'm especially asking why some of the consulates (especially Morocco) have specifically identified this factor as a potential red flag indicator of fraud.

There are of course many other red flags that ME/NA (and other) consulates look for -- family connections, money being exchanged, marriage soon after a divorce, marriage soon after first meeting, etc.

But I have heard some reports from USCs who have been at their SOs interview, and spoke privately with the COs. They were painted a very disturbing picture of ME/NA men engaging in outright marriage for a green card -- a distinct pattern that included a younger man engaging in a quick online relationship with a older female USC, and marriage soon after first meeting. In these fraudulent cases, the divorce from the USC averaged at about the 5-year anniversary mark (soon after naturalization) and was often soon followed with the man petitioning for a new spouse from his country of origin.

I wonder if that is behind the warning posted on the State Department's page about Egypt, and if other consulates may issue similar alerts.

Have fraudulent older woman/younger man relationships really become such a significant problem in ME/NA ?

From the state department site

Many marriages between Egyptians and Americans are successful. However, the Embassy warns against marriage fraud on the part of the American or the Egyptian. Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is against U.S. law and can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment for the American citizen and the Egyptian. At the same time, it is not uncommon for Egyptians to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation. The US government urges Americans who meet Egyptians on the Internet or while touring the country, to take the time necessary to get to know them before considering marriage. Unfortunately, the Embassy sees many cases of abuse against American spouses and often the marriages end in divorce when the Egyptian acquires a green card or citizenship in the U.S. These cases invariably occur when the relationship is based mostly on Internet communication and very little face-to-face interaction.

Wahrania that has already been posted and we are all pretty much aware of the Consular Sheet for Egypt.

Why doesn't Morocco have a consular warning? Why Egypt? Seems kind of weird to me..

[amrssnowangel 0]

First of all, Sparrow...calmmmmmmm...breath....your man is Coptic...if he is real into his faith, he doesn't believe in Divorce. Most good muslim men wont treat a wife in a bad way. IF MENA marriage divorce rate is higher...its because of the parties failure to truely understand and adapt to the cultural differences. WE can not take the information from the break ups here on VJ alone. This is a SUPPORT forum....support is only for those that NEED support and those that want to give support. Its not really accurate to account for breakups here. We dont have enough MENA members to give us accurate data.

I know. If he had any idea the thought even crossed my mind a fraction of once it would break his heart. I'm just really stressed about a lot of stuff lately and the guy he wanted to be his best man (who was like his best friend when he was here 6 years ago) didn't even know who I was and was really rude to me so it just really unnerved me a bit. And half the people who are helping me with the wedding are like "ARE YOU SURE IT'S NOT FOR A GREEN CARD?!?!! YOU KNOW ALL THOSE ARABS BEAT THEIR WIVES" give me a ********* break already!

--Bridezilla

Sparrow...look at your man...I can see just from his eyes, he has a gentle kind spirit. Am I right? No worries. Thats what we are here for. Its hard beig 8000 miles apart...its hard on our sense of security and our emotions. Everything u feel...I've felt at one time of another. Don't let anyone scare you. You have love...everything in life is a gamble..but we are given one chance to live it. Dont sweat the small stuff. A song I found from Carrie Underwood called "So Small" really made me think.....here's the link...

http://www.cmt.com/videos/carrie-underwood.../so-small.jhtml

Check it out...it is amazing how it will put things into persepcctive...listen to it ANY time u have doubts...or mountains...."Don't run out on your faith, sometimes that mountain you are climbing is just a grain of sand...."

Faith

[♥JP♥ 5]

Way back to wife_of_mahmoud: I don't think we have a lot of hard data on fraud cases, just suspicions. But age gaps as a flag (as a predictor of fraud) don't help as much when the man is older, since that's the norm. Yet, if you browse around some of the Asia forum, you'll see that some consulates will think the relationship is invalid if the couple hasn't had at least three visits. It's like they suspect fraud so much that nearly everyone is a suspect and age isn't even a big problem.

Yes I mentioned seeing some other regional forums with some members who had age gaps. But I'm speaking specifically about the woman older/man younger relationship in ME/NA -- as it's being perceived here in the ME/NA forum, and I'm especially asking why some of the consulates (especially Morocco) have specifically identified this factor as a potential red flag indicator of fraud.

There are of course many other red flags that ME/NA (and other) consulates look for -- family connections, money being exchanged, marriage soon after a divorce, marriage soon after first meeting, etc.

But I have heard some reports from USCs who have been at their SOs interview, and spoke privately with the COs. They were painted a very disturbing picture of ME/NA men engaging in outright marriage for a green card -- a distinct pattern that included a younger man engaging in a quick online relationship with a older female USC, and marriage soon after first meeting. In these fraudulent cases, the divorce from the USC averaged at about the 5-year anniversary mark (soon after naturalization) and was often soon followed with the man petitioning for a new spouse from his country of origin.

I wonder if that is behind the warning posted on the State Department's page about Egypt, and if other consulates may issue similar alerts.

Have fraudulent older woman/younger man relationships really become such a significant problem in ME/NA ?

From the state department site

Many marriages between Egyptians and Americans are successful. However, the Embassy warns against marriage fraud on the part of the American or the Egyptian. Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is against U.S. law and can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment for the American citizen and the Egyptian. At the same time, it is not uncommon for Egyptians to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation. The US government urges Americans who meet Egyptians on the Internet or while touring the country, to take the time necessary to get to know them before considering marriage. Unfortunately, the Embassy sees many cases of abuse against American spouses and often the marriages end in divorce when the Egyptian acquires a green card or citizenship in the U.S. These cases invariably occur when the relationship is based mostly on Internet communication and very little face-to-face interaction.

Wahrania that has already been posted and we are all pretty much aware of the Consular Sheet for Egypt.

Why doesn't Morocco have a consular warning? Why Egypt? Seems kind of weird to me..

Dont' be shocked if Morocco gets one some time soon. Actually I wouldnt be suprised if they did one for all of MENA.

[amrssnowangel 0]

If the America divorce rate is 60% I would venture to say after being in many MENA forums, not just VJ, the rate is much higher, I would put 83% on a MENA marriage. Would knowing that number have affected if I had married Mohammed, no. I was head over heels in love at first sight and no one could have waved red flags in front of me. I was told repeatedly "habeebti, we are different, our marriage is different,,there has never been a divorce in my family, I will not be the first.....' Well, we all know the end of that story.

Jaklen

Wait are you saying that 83% of MENA marriages break up? Do you mean a mixed MENA marriage, or any MENA marriage?

First of all, Sparrow...calmmmmmmm...breath....your man is Coptic...if he is real into his faith, he doesn't believe in Divorce. Most good muslim men wont treat a wife in a bad way. IF MENA marriage divorce rate is higher...its because of the parties failure to truely understand and adapt to the cultural differences. WE can not take the information from the break ups here on VJ alone. This is a SUPPORT forum....support is only for those that NEED support and those that want to give support. Its not really accurate to account for breakups here. We dont have enough MENA members to give us accurate data.

Being Coptic doesn't mean you don't believe in divorce, the coptic church, along with others do have a means to divorce your partner. I hear this quite often, that Catholics, Coptics, Orthodox, don't believe in divorce. Not true at all, times have changed and the religions have evolved.

Sure there are instances when divorce in the Catholic, or Coptic church is ok....INFEDELITY....that is it. Thats the only acceptable way with the church. However....I know each individual lives their life and makes their own choices, but on the whole...most don't want to see a divorce and are raised that marriage is important. We just see the ones that fail here....for each that fails..many more are happy. People who are happily married have no reason to come here for support or to complain....just my opionion.

[♥JP♥ 5]

If the America divorce rate is 60% I would venture to say after being in many MENA forums, not just VJ, the rate is much higher, I would put 83% on a MENA marriage. Would knowing that number have affected if I had married Mohammed, no. I was head over heels in love at first sight and no one could have waved red flags in front of me. I was told repeatedly "habeebti, we are different, our marriage is different,,there has never been a divorce in my family, I will not be the first.....' Well, we all know the end of that story.

Jaklen

Wait are you saying that 83% of MENA marriages break up? Do you mean a mixed MENA marriage, or any MENA marriage?

First of all, Sparrow...calmmmmmmm...breath....your man is Coptic...if he is real into his faith, he doesn't believe in Divorce. Most good muslim men wont treat a wife in a bad way. IF MENA marriage divorce rate is higher...its because of the parties failure to truely understand and adapt to the cultural differences. WE can not take the information from the break ups here on VJ alone. This is a SUPPORT forum....support is only for those that NEED support and those that want to give support. Its not really accurate to account for breakups here. We dont have enough MENA members to give us accurate data.

Being Coptic doesn't mean you don't believe in divorce, the coptic church, along with others do have a means to divorce your partner. I hear this quite often, that Catholics, Coptics, Orthodox, don't believe in divorce. Not true at all, times have changed and the religions have evolved.

Sure there are instances when divorce in the Catholic, or Coptic church is ok....INFEDELITY....that is it. Thats the only acceptable way with the church. However....I know each individual lives their life and makes their own choices, but on the whole...most don't want to see a divorce and are raised that marriage is important. We just see the ones that fail here....for each that fails..many more are happy. People who are happily married have no reason to come here for support or to complain....just my opionion.

Infidelity is not the only way, I got a divorce from my church and it was not due to infidelity. I actually didnt even mention that part to the preist.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Way back to wife_of_mahmoud: I don't think we have a lot of hard data on fraud cases, just suspicions. But age gaps as a flag (as a predictor of fraud) don't help as much when the man is older, since that's the norm. Yet, if you browse around some of the Asia forum, you'll see that some consulates will think the relationship is invalid if the couple hasn't had at least three visits. It's like they suspect fraud so much that nearly everyone is a suspect and age isn't even a big problem.

Yes I mentioned seeing some other regional forums with some members who had age gaps. But I'm speaking specifically about the woman older/man younger relationship in ME/NA -- as it's being perceived here in the ME/NA forum, and I'm especially asking why some of the consulates (especially Morocco) have specifically identified this factor as a potential red flag indicator of fraud.

There are of course many other red flags that ME/NA (and other) consulates look for -- family connections, money being exchanged, marriage soon after a divorce, marriage soon after first meeting, etc.

But I have heard some reports from USCs who have been at their SOs interview, and spoke privately with the COs. They were painted a very disturbing picture of ME/NA men engaging in outright marriage for a green card -- a distinct pattern that included a younger man engaging in a quick online relationship with a older female USC, and marriage soon after first meeting. In these fraudulent cases, the divorce from the USC averaged at about the 5-year anniversary mark (soon after naturalization) and was often soon followed with the man petitioning for a new spouse from his country of origin.

I wonder if that is behind the warning posted on the State Department's page about Egypt, and if other consulates may issue similar alerts.

Have fraudulent older woman/younger man relationships really become such a significant problem in ME/NA ?

From the state department site

Many marriages between Egyptians and Americans are successful. However, the Embassy warns against marriage fraud on the part of the American or the Egyptian. Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is against U.S. law and can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment for the American citizen and the Egyptian. At the same time, it is not uncommon for Egyptians to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation. The US government urges Americans who meet Egyptians on the Internet or while touring the country, to take the time necessary to get to know them before considering marriage. Unfortunately, the Embassy sees many cases of abuse against American spouses and often the marriages end in divorce when the Egyptian acquires a green card or citizenship in the U.S. These cases invariably occur when the relationship is based mostly on Internet communication and very little face-to-face interaction.

Wahrania that has already been posted and we are all pretty much aware of the Consular Sheet for Egypt.

Why doesn't Morocco have a consular warning? Why Egypt? Seems kind of weird to me..

Dont' be shocked if Morocco gets one some time soon. Actually I wouldnt be suprised if they did one for all of MENA.

Algeria won't have one.. its hard as hell to get a visa to even get used for a greencard.. It takes me 3 months every time I apply and then people cannot even get married there easily. They sure as heck do not have a very busy consulate thats for sure because there are not that many Algerians in the US anyway. Their British consulate and French consulates are rocking though.. They even have a name for the fake marriages.. MARRIAGE BLANCHE.. ( white marriage)I had my ticket to Algeria before I even met him and was going there anyway so I cannot imagine that too many women get used for papers out of there.. The whole consular sheet is one big travel warning.

[♥JP♥ 5]

Way back to wife_of_mahmoud: I don't think we have a lot of hard data on fraud cases, just suspicions. But age gaps as a flag (as a predictor of fraud) don't help as much when the man is older, since that's the norm. Yet, if you browse around some of the Asia forum, you'll see that some consulates will think the relationship is invalid if the couple hasn't had at least three visits. It's like they suspect fraud so much that nearly everyone is a suspect and age isn't even a big problem.

Yes I mentioned seeing some other regional forums with some members who had age gaps. But I'm speaking specifically about the woman older/man younger relationship in ME/NA -- as it's being perceived here in the ME/NA forum, and I'm especially asking why some of the consulates (especially Morocco) have specifically identified this factor as a potential red flag indicator of fraud.

There are of course many other red flags that ME/NA (and other) consulates look for -- family connections, money being exchanged, marriage soon after a divorce, marriage soon after first meeting, etc.

But I have heard some reports from USCs who have been at their SOs interview, and spoke privately with the COs. They were painted a very disturbing picture of ME/NA men engaging in outright marriage for a green card -- a distinct pattern that included a younger man engaging in a quick online relationship with a older female USC, and marriage soon after first meeting. In these fraudulent cases, the divorce from the USC averaged at about the 5-year anniversary mark (soon after naturalization) and was often soon followed with the man petitioning for a new spouse from his country of origin.

I wonder if that is behind the warning posted on the State Department's page about Egypt, and if other consulates may issue similar alerts.

Have fraudulent older woman/younger man relationships really become such a significant problem in ME/NA ?

From the state department site

Many marriages between Egyptians and Americans are successful. However, the Embassy warns against marriage fraud on the part of the American or the Egyptian. Entering into a marriage contract for the principal purpose of facilitating immigration to the United States for an alien is against U.S. law and can result in serious penalties, including fines and imprisonment for the American citizen and the Egyptian. At the same time, it is not uncommon for Egyptians to enter into marriages with Americans solely for immigration purposes. Relationships developed via correspondence, particularly those begun on the Internet, are particularly susceptible to manipulation. The US government urges Americans who meet Egyptians on the Internet or while touring the country, to take the time necessary to get to know them before considering marriage. Unfortunately, the Embassy sees many cases of abuse against American spouses and often the marriages end in divorce when the Egyptian acquires a green card or citizenship in the U.S. These cases invariably occur when the relationship is based mostly on Internet communication and very little face-to-face interaction.

Wahrania that has already been posted and we are all pretty much aware of the Consular Sheet for Egypt.

Why doesn't Morocco have a consular warning? Why Egypt? Seems kind of weird to me..

Dont' be shocked if Morocco gets one some time soon. Actually I wouldnt be suprised if they did one for all of MENA.

Algeria won't have one.. its hard as hell to get a visa to even get used for a greencard.. It takes me 3 months every time I apply and then people cannot even get married there easily. They sure as heck do not have a very busy consulate thats for sure because there are not that many Algerians in the US anyway. Their British consulate and French consulates are rocking though.. They even have a name for the fake marriages.. MARRIAGE BLANCHE.. ( white marriage)I had my ticket to Algeria before I even met him and was going there anyway so I cannot imagine that too many women get used for papers out of there.. The whole consular sheet is one big travel warning.

No country is immune to it.

[morocco4ever 63]

Okay, I haven't finished reading all of the posts from yesterday and today, but I think Moody may have a strong point. One other thing, just out of curiosity my husband and I looked at women at around age 40 and 50 years old.....dang some of these women are absolutely stunning! Why wouldn't a man fall for any of them? But lets face it, it is a red flag whether we like it or not.

[allousa 1]

I just can't think of any other red flag in our case than that which would have caused us to be in AP for well over a year other than Hicham being Palestinian. There is no age difference, no criminal record...NOTHING. I've seen most people go through the waiver process in 8 months to 1 1/2 years max. It should have NEVER taken 4 years for us to get to this point.

I would be interested in your thoughts and experiences on this.

OK I am not clear on all the details of your case, and I know it is a bit complicated. From what I understand (tell me if I have this wrong) --

1. Your husband once filed for asylum in the U.S., which was eventually denied ?

2. He had some overstay problem on another visa ?

3. You got married while you were awaiting the decision on the asylum case, and then filed for a spouse visa after the denial ?

4. You are now awaiting decision on a 601 waiver for the overstay ?

I apologize if I have any of this mixed up. But if I have the story straight, perhaps it could be complicating your processing.

-MK

Yes, he filed for asylum but was denied and appealed. We met and got married while the appeal was pending and his student visa ran out. Our I-130 was approved, but his asylum appeal had to be dismissed before they would adjust status. Our attorney had filed the paperwork to dismiss, but the Atlanta office where his asylum case had been handled had trouble finding the file. It was during this time that Hicham went to be with his mom when she was very sick. When he tried to come back, he was denied entry because his case was pending. He was considered as voluntarily deporting himself. Our attorney NEVER told us this could happen. When I hired a new attorney, I found out that the previous attorney had not filed the correct documents with the correct CIS offices. He quickly corrected all of this. BUT, Hicham's file sat at our local CIS office for 9 months after 2 letters from our attorney had been sent requesting that it be sent to NVC. It wasn't until our Congress Rep got involved that the file was finally sent. I even had two appointments with the CIS office and they told me the file had been sent. Our congress rep said we could file a complaint because what they did was not right, but suggested that we wait until our process was complete as not to "rock the boat".

Once Hicham's case got to Casa, all of the issues with the previous asylum case had been resolved. Even with all of the evidence Hicham presented at his first interview, he was accused of not being the person represented in the file. The CO even had him sign his name 3 times because she didn't believe him. That was 2/16/06. Our case went into AP until 4/16/07.

I do agree with you that the onset of his case, the asylum issues would have posed a problem. But the evidence that we presented for his 2/16 interview....was STRONG. I had letters from my boss (who had met Hicham), notarized affidavits from our friends and families. PICTURES, PICTURES AND MORE PICTURES of us together with each other's families. Proof of home ownership, bank accounts, etc.

If it's one thing that I've learned through this process is that expected the unexpected and know that nothing makes sense. Just my opinion. I sure wouldn't wish this process on anyone!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Yes, he filed for asylum but was denied and appealed. We met and got married while the appeal was pending and his student visa ran out. Our I-130 was approved, but his asylum appeal had to be dismissed before they would adjust status. Our attorney had filed the paperwork to dismiss, but the Atlanta office where his asylum case had been handled had trouble finding the file. It was during this time that Hicham went to be with his mom when she was very sick. When he tried to come back, he was denied entry because his case was pending. He was considered as voluntarily deporting himself. Our attorney NEVER told us this could happen. When I hired a new attorney, I found out that the previous attorney had not filed the correct documents with the correct CIS offices. He quickly corrected all of this. BUT, Hicham's file sat at our local CIS office for 9 months after 2 letters from our attorney had been sent requesting that it be sent to NVC. It wasn't until our Congress Rep got involved that the file was finally sent. I even had two appointments with the CIS office and they told me the file had been sent. Our congress rep said we could file a complaint because what they did was not right, but suggested that we wait until our process was complete as not to "rock the boat".

Once Hicham's case got to Casa, all of the issues with the previous asylum case had been resolved. Even with all of the evidence Hicham presented at his first interview, he was accused of not being the person represented in the file. The CO even had him sign his name 3 times because she didn't believe him. That was 2/16/06. Our case went into AP until 4/16/07.

I do agree with you that the onset of his case, the asylum issues would have posed a problem. But the evidence that we presented for his 2/16 interview....was STRONG. I had letters from my boss (who had met Hicham), notarized affidavits from our friends and families. PICTURES, PICTURES AND MORE PICTURES of us together with each other's families. Proof of home ownership, bank accounts, etc.

If it's one thing that I've learned through this process is that expected the unexpected and know that nothing makes sense. Just my opinion. I sure wouldn't wish this process on anyone!

OK thanks for the specifics. So the waiver is to lift the ban on him re-entering the U.S. after "voluntarily deporting" himself ?

I really don't think his being Palestinian has anything to do with the slowness of the processing of the case -- I think there is a complicated pile of paperwork in that file, and that has been slowing you down from the beginning. It seems that at the first interview in Casa, the CO seemed to have a problem with believing him. But you say the 2nd interview went really well. So now the holdup is on the waiver in Rome ? How long are waivers taking (on the average) ? (Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to get clear on everything.)

-MK

[morocco4ever 63]

oooook i might have to agree with sarah on this one

I don't think its as scary as a 221 and not getting to be with your spouse .. ever ... ever ... ever..........

just a thought

Ouch. That's a big no no.

Ummm.....did you mean to be that cruel or do you not know about her denial?

For me our red flags seem to be an 18 year age gap (im older), I had 3 past (BAD) marriages (wised up at looking for those bad ones), and my last divorce was just last August. 10 months before we filed. HOwever, I think we combat those with a 4 year history, 4 visits with a 5th planned, DAILY chats, skype calls, voice, emails, regular mail, phone calls....(ok regular mail and emial not daily..rest is). My parents talk to him, I talk to his. I will be there for the interview..and planning to ask his mother to accompany us. ( emailed embassy for approval..will take email from them with me). I"ve already contacted my congressmen and senators of my state for a letter "expressing interest" in my case and asking for an update when its approved.

Age difference can be a touchy subject. Not all understand it..not all can do it. Its a different way of life than the "norm". (Who says what "normal" is anyways??) But I can be respectful of anyones feelings towards it. I just tend to be younger looking, acting and sound younger to. My SO and I meet in the middle of our age difference. Age gaps aren't understood by all..nor do I expect all to understand, approve or meet it with enthusiasm. Just my thoughts

sorry for what i will say but you said you have divorce in August 06 as i understand but how u meet your fiance 3 years before ( this mean u met him while u were nmarried ) is it normal?????????????????????

age difference between male and female may be not problem if theman and women know why they are married ( i mean each one of them know his rule in this marriage but in my thought which may be wrong but should respected it is fraud marriage from young man to older women because any amn always want to be the master of his wife and want to enjoy with his young wife even if he marry older women for while believe me after every rhing become stable he will seek for his dream of younger female than him any one want to be normal even if he start his life abnormal for any cause so any omen marry a younger man should think many times...................................

I do so appreciate a man that can explain the intentions of all men. Thanks for the insight.

[Ta Ta 1]

I was dumbfounded when we were at our local CIS office and they officers were scratching their heads like they didn't know how to process his case. He even went through filing for Asylum and the court recognized that he was stateless but decided sorry, you can't stay here.

Since I've been here, I think I've only seen two other people with SOs from Palestine, one being WOM. I would be curious to know if SOs coming out of "conflict" areas get the big 'ole nasty red flag?

That's a good question. You don't see as many beneficiaries here on VJ from those places, but when they are, it does seem to affect the process. I think member Omoba's fiance is from Sierra Leone and they've been in AP for a really long time now.

Yes, we have been on AP for 10 months now.

Sierra Leone does not process immigration visas and we are going through the embassy in Dakar, Senegal which processes 7 countries.

They are understaffed without resources to verify documents and so routine DNA testing has been implemented as a pilot program there.

The cost , passed on to the petitioner is astronomical, not just for the DNA kits but the flights out there for testing as they do not accept

collection points anywhere else. Today I heard of a case where the embassy asked for a repeat test for no apparent reason.

Applicant's are asked to " drop off " things already submitted, coming from other countries, not across town. Asked to just waltz in like it is a

drop off to the cleaners. No DHL , drop off in person. What sense does that make other than harass and break down couples and shrink

their resources ?

The CO doing the initial interview may be long gone on his rotation ( usually one year ) and the case is send to the fraud prevention or

Eligibility Review Unit where it sits and sits in a pile.

Sure, with Sierra Leone just emerging out of a decade long brutal war , this country is a huge red flag. Documents and National Registrars

are a 3 ring circus currently, especially with the post election chaos.

However, I believe the system is broken without the necessary resources, the checks and balances nonexistent and the CO has too much

power to give his own interpretation of regulations in all the miscommunication between the CO and Eligibility teams.

Our K1 case has been handled as a K2 and there is nothing we can do. ( No, senator can't help. )

Paternity DNA was requested and completed. Waiting for a 2. interview now. Paternity is irrelevant in our case for K1.

Why does the CO have that much power to twist our K1 into a K2 ..........we will never know !

I even received an email saying I must establish a blood relationship with the applicant..........yep..........they later realized that mistake

and apologized and then said well we need paternity proof that his daughter is really his daughter.........I said she is not accompanying.........their

answer we know but want it or no visa for him.

To make a very long story short, each embassy has it's quirks, sometimes reasonable and justifiable and other times absurd.

The chief consular has established a rythm and dance from his own perspective what he thinks his post needs. This gets carried out by the

interviewing CO's that come and go.

Too much power for one CO and not enough counter vision from any entity at the post to challenge that, in my opinion.

The age factor in Dakar ? I think they have bigger fish to fry there.

Sometimes you can see a shift in an embassy pattern if a certain CO rotates out of that particular post and then the new CO sets a different pattern.

I have seen a change in Lagos for example.

Just sitting here watching the grass grow, the tumbleweeds roll and .........the embassies do their thing !