2017 Mexico I-601a waiver processing time

[CA1515 78]

10 hours ago, Mansini77 said:

Gabriela and all I-601a filers,

 

My wife's immigration visa was approved on Monday (April 30th).  We received the email from ASC on Thursday (May 3rd) late in the afternoon.  My wife picked up her passport and package from ASC the following Friday morning.  I pulled an all nighter, waking up at 6am to go to work and finishing at 8:30pm.  After a quick meal, I then ventured out of Denver at 11pm in my car to Juarez and arrived at 9am at her hotel.  We checked out and went straight to the crossing bridge.  The wait for inspection took nearly an hour, but that is typical of people trying to cross from Juarez into El Paso.  At the border, my wife's package was inspected by an immigration officer and her passport was stamped.  This process took around 20 minutes, there is a waiting area outside for family members.  About 20 miles outside of El Paso, there is another border checkpoint.  He simply asked if we were Americans, I told him my wife is from Mexico and I handed him her passport.  He took a quick look at her visa stamp said "Congratulations" and we went on our way.  After a quick lunch, we drove back to Denver and arrived back home at around 10pm.  That's roughly 38 hours without sleep, nothing  6 Red Bulls and an Ipod full of music can't fix.  Yesterday, I paid the final $220 for her perm resident card and it should arrive in a month or so, along with her SS card.  

 

I would like to thank the VJ community for helping make this possible.  We asked many different questions on the wheres, whats and whys of all things related to our case.  And we received a lot of great informative answers.  As the members of VJ have given us so much, I'll be staying active on VJ to answer anyone's questions through the forum thread, or through personal message.  I can only comment on I-601a cases involving a spouse from Mexico.  I am not an immigration attorney, but will answer anyone's questions to the best of my ability.  

 

Good luck to you all.

Congrats!! Very happy for you and your wife your journey is finally over! 

 

If i may ask, what did they ask her in her interview? Did she hear anyone getting denied and for what reason? We are just waiting for our interview to be scheduled now, we are so nervous! 

[gabrielaN08 4]

22 hours ago, Mansini77 said:

Gabriela and all I-601a filers,

 

My wife's immigration visa was approved on Monday (April 30th).  We received the email from ASC on Thursday (May 3rd) late in the afternoon.  My wife picked up her passport and package from ASC the following Friday morning.  I pulled an all nighter, waking up at 6am to go to work and finishing at 8:30pm.  After a quick meal, I then ventured out of Denver at 11pm in my car to Juarez and arrived at 9am at her hotel.  We checked out and went straight to the crossing bridge.  The wait for inspection took nearly an hour, but that is typical of people trying to cross from Juarez into El Paso.  At the border, my wife's package was inspected by an immigration officer and her passport was stamped.  This process took around 20 minutes, there is a waiting area outside for family members.  About 20 miles outside of El Paso, there is another border checkpoint.  He simply asked if we were Americans, I told him my wife is from Mexico and I handed him her passport.  He took a quick look at her visa stamp said "Congratulations" and we went on our way.  After a quick lunch, we drove back to Denver and arrived back home at around 10pm.  That's roughly 38 hours without sleep, nothing  6 Red Bulls and an Ipod full of music can't fix.  Yesterday, I paid the final $220 for her perm resident card and it should arrive in a month or so, along with her SS card.  

 

I would like to thank the VJ community for helping make this possible.  We asked many different questions on the wheres, whats and whys of all things related to our case.  And we received a lot of great informative answers.  As the members of VJ have given us so much, I'll be staying active on VJ to answer anyone's questions through the forum thread, or through personal message.  I can only comment on I-601a cases involving a spouse from Mexico.  I am not an immigration attorney, but will answer anyone's questions to the best of my ability.  

 

Good luck to you all.

Congratulation! I know all that drive and no sleep was heavy but it sure was all worth it. Thanks for sharing. now the question How long after her biometric they approved her?

[gabrielaN08 4]

12 hours ago, CA1515 said:

Congrats!! Very happy for you and your wife your journey is finally over! 

 

If i may ask, what did they ask her in her interview? Did she hear anyone getting denied and for what reason? We are just waiting for our interview to be scheduled now, we are so nervous! 

right! am so nervous for my husband and he all calm. where is your processes at?

[CA1515 78]

31 minutes ago, gabrielaN08 said:

right! am so nervous for my husband and he all calm. where is your processes at?

We had waiver approved in February and cc from nvc on 05/03. Now just waiting to get scheduled for interview. How about you? 

[CA1515 78]

On 5/7/2018 at 12:34 PM, Scajer25 said:

I’m currently trying to see about getting that for my husband. Everyone says something different about that letter. The consulate in Los Angeles also has a lot of requirements to get it. How did it go for you? 

The consulate here was not the problem. The problem was in Mexico the state of where my husband is from does not have any experience believe it or not giving these out. They refused to give it to him unless he was there in person. We had to jump through hoops but finally after 5 months my husbands family down in Mexico were able to obtain it. 

[CA1515 78]

On 5/7/2018 at 12:41 PM, gabrielaN08 said:

After biometric is done its the waiting game for a approval right?  

Pretty much just waiting no point in looking online for approval, it never updates. Ours took about 3 months for approval. I found out once we received approval letter in the mail. 

[Mansini77 100]

13 hours ago, CA1515 said:

Congrats!! Very happy for you and your wife your journey is finally over! 

 

If i may ask, what did they ask her in her interview? Did she hear anyone getting denied and for what reason? We are just waiting for our interview to be scheduled now, we are so nervous! 

This is a pretty common question, and one that I often looked into before my wife's interview.  While I can list the questions the interviewing officer asked my wife, this will more than likely not be the same questions for your spouse.  Different interviewing officers have their own methods and traits.  Remember, the interviewing officer is not looking for a reason to approve the visa, he/she is looking for a reason to DENY the visa.  Answer the questions clearly and with confidence.  Study all information you've submitted to the NVC or USCIS.  Do not bring anything but your paperwork.  No phones, no electronics, no moist towelettes, no nothing.  

 

At the consulate, you'll be first asked by an officer for the following documents:

 

1) Birth Certificate 

2) Marriage Certificate

3) Police Clearance Certificate

4) Divorce Papers (if applies)

5) Passport

 

Now, this is what was asked of my wife and may not apply to your case.  She had EVERYTHING from a new I864, tax returns, photographs, my birth certificate, copy of my passport, all the original NOA sent by the USCIS and none of these were requested.  Please please please come to the interview with all papers that have related to your case.  You don' t know before hand what they will request of you.  Better to be safe than sorry.  You don't want your visa denied because you left one piece of paper at home.  The NVC made a big fuss over my income and tax records from 2016, so my wife brought them all...and the consulate never mentioned them once.  

 

You will then be asked to sit and wait your turn for the interview with another officer.  Here are the questions asked.  Again, this is what she was asked and may or may not be asked for other applicants.

 

1) What is your petitioner's name?

2) Where is he/she now?

3) When did you come to the United States?  (You should have entered this on your IV application, an exact date)...that will obviously be your answer.   "September 1st of 2007"...something like that.

4) What type of work does your spouse do?

5) Where and how did you enter the United States?  Tell the IO the nearest town of your entry, they will know based on your IV application as well.  The IO may ask how you entered, most common for illegal entry is across the Rio Grande or crossing the desert.  Stay calm and relaxed.  The IO is aware of your entry and wants to confirm the information, time and place.  Your I-601a waiver approval has waived unlawful presence.  If you used the services of a cayote, the IO may inquire how much the cayote was paid.  

6) When did you and your spouse get married?

7)  Do you have any criminal convictions in the United States?  Unless you were booked and fingerprinted, say no.  Traffic violations like a parking ticket or speeding ticket do not count.  

8) When did you return to Mexico?  IO realize I-601a applicants travel to Juarez strictly on the basis of the visa interview.  It is not uncommon to say "Four days ago".  My wife gave her date of reentry back into Mexico.

9) Do you have children?  If so, how many?

 

That was it.  The interview lasted around five minutes.  The IO handed my wife a green piece of paper, saying she has been approved for her visa.  If you get handed a blue paper, you've been denied.  

 

There isn't much privacy during the interviews, imagine being inside of a bank and talking to a bank teller and another interview is happening five feet away from you.  My wife could hear the questions and answers clearly.  My wife said there were some denials.  Most of which were because the applicant did not have the Police Clearance Certificate.  A few others were denied because of criminal charge either in the US or Mexico.  One was denied because she used another passport of someone who looked similar to her.  Even with her I-601a, she was denied because of misrepresentation.

 

Everyone is nervous at the consulate.  But if you come prepared and have done your homework, you'll be fine.  

 

I hope this helps you, and others.  If you have more questions, feel free and I'll answer it as quick as possible.

[Mansini77 100]

1 hour ago, gabrielaN08 said:

Congratulation! I know all that drive and no sleep was heavy but it sure was all worth it. Thanks for sharing. now the question How long after her biometric they approved her?

Haha!  Yeah, I don't plan on driving to Juarez again.  Let's just say the drivers in Juarez don't exactly obey the laws of the road very much.  Turn signals on cars are rarely used and people run red lights on a regular basis.  

 

I'm not sure I understand your question.  

 

For I-601a applicants, you get biometrics done here in the United States.  And you have biometrics done in Mexico before the Consulate interview.  What approval are you asking ?  Her I601a approval or her Visa approval?  

 

My wife's I-601a was approved two months after her biometrics were taken.

 

Visa was approved the day of interview, three days after her ASC appointment in Juarez. 

[mommyo2life 11]

Hello, so I got my approval notice ( 05/02/18) 

but I just received it yesterday. I’m exited and nervous for what’s coming next! Finally after waiting for so long I got great news! Now can anyone tell me what’s next, or when will I be getting my interview in Juarez, how long does it take to get it? Anything will help thank you ☺️ 

[mommyo2life 11]

On 4/23/2018 at 3:08 PM, Scajer25 said:

So, I guess there has been no approvals lately? I feel like they have been super slow these last few weeks. Ugh 😑 Hopefully they pick up the pace and move us along. We’ve only been waiting about 2 months but I can’t imagine the stress for those of you that have been waiting over 10 months! I pray that this all over soon for everyone. This  whole process has been on going for us since 2016 and I just want to be done with it already. Good luck to all of you. I am sending positive vibes your way❤️🙏

Hi, so I just APPROVAL NOTICE in the mail ( 05.02.18) ahhh finally some news. The waiting game is finally almost over. 🙏🏻 I still have to be very patient. And now waiting to get an email from NVC to get my interview in Juarez I hope that doesn’t take long 😬🙏🏻 

 

case recieved : February 14,2018 

biometrics : March 16,2018 

approval notice : May 2,2018

[Scajer25 35]

3 hours ago, mommyo2life said:

Hi, so I just APPROVAL NOTICE in the mail ( 05.02.18) ahhh finally some news. The waiting game is finally almost over. 🙏🏻 I still have to be very patient. And now waiting to get an email from NVC to get my interview in Juarez I hope that doesn’t take long 😬🙏🏻 

 

case recieved : February 14,2018 

biometrics : March 16,2018 

approval notice : May 2,2018

Congratulations!!! Your almost at the finish line!! Good luck on the rest❤️🙏

[Abbie.S 1]

We are about the start to the I-106a waiver process, but both my husband and I are both really worried about one particular piece of his case, so I'm wondering if there have been any cases here with the same issues that have been approved and then approved at the interview:

 

He's been living in the US for >10 yrs, no criminal hx other than the illegal entry at age 15. He just missed the cut-off for DACA. No criminal hx back in Mexico. The biggest issue right now is that he was given a fake SS# by the coyotaje who brought him into the country. This number was used to gain him employment. It is the only thing he's used it for - he doesn't even have the documents he was given back then anymore. Our lawyer checked in with another colleagues to see if they were finding cases with this in common were falling under a ruling or moral turpitude and thus being denied on the grounds of SS fraud. She said colleagues have told her so far they haven't been seeing denials on this ground, but I am so, so worried this will end up happening with him.

 

Moral turpitude case law is so convoluted and varies so much that it's incredibly hard to follow: has anyone successfully gone through a process to attain a green card for a Mexican national with this issue? If it has come up, what ended up happening?

[Mansini77 100]

On 5/9/2018 at 9:38 AM, mommyo2life said:

Hello, so I got my approval notice ( 05/02/18) 

but I just received it yesterday. I’m exited and nervous for what’s coming next! Finally after waiting for so long I got great news! Now can anyone tell me what’s next, or when will I be getting my interview in Juarez, how long does it take to get it? Anything will help thank you ☺️ 

Congrats on your I-601a approval!  So, what's next is the NVC to review all your submitted paperwork: your IV application and Aff of Support.  Once the NVC has completed their review of your case, they will email you they will schedule your consulate interview in Juarez.  You'll probably wait a month or so until the NVC has scheduled your interview.  Once they have, they will email you again with time and date of the interview.  Once you have the interview date, begin to schedule your ASC and Medical appointments a day or two prior of the interview date.  

 

You have some time, so use it to your advantage by getting all your paperwork ready.  The more prepared, the more confidence you/your spouse will have during the interview.  If all goes well, expect to spend 7-10 days in Juarez before you receive your passport with the USA visa stamp at the ASC.  

 

Don't stress out, you and your spouse have overcome the toughest hurdle of the entire visa process with the I601a.  With some mindful preparation, you'll do just fine in Juarez.

 

Good luck!

[Mansini77 100]

11 hours ago, Abbie.S said:

We are about the start to the I-106a waiver process, but both my husband and I are both really worried about one particular piece of his case, so I'm wondering if there have been any cases here with the same issues that have been approved and then approved at the interview:

 

He's been living in the US for >10 yrs, no criminal hx other than the illegal entry at age 15. He just missed the cut-off for DACA. No criminal hx back in Mexico. The biggest issue right now is that he was given a fake SS# by the coyotaje who brought him into the country. This number was used to gain him employment. It is the only thing he's used it for - he doesn't even have the documents he was given back then anymore. Our lawyer checked in with another colleagues to see if they were finding cases with this in common were falling under a ruling or moral turpitude and thus being denied on the grounds of SS fraud. She said colleagues have told her so far they haven't been seeing denials on this ground, but I am so, so worried this will end up happening with him.

 

Moral turpitude case law is so convoluted and varies so much that it's incredibly hard to follow: has anyone successfully gone through a process to attain a green card for a Mexican national with this issue? If it has come up, what ended up happening?

Abbie,

 

If you are just starting to get your I601a waiver together, I would recommend putting all your time and energy towards the waiver first and foremost before stressing about the consulate interview.  If you are doing your own 601a waiver, remember to write your essay with the most convincing arguments of "extreme hardship" and backing those claims with evidence.  

 

In my opinion, as long as your husband has never made a false claim of US citizenship, I wouldn't worry too much over it.  

 

Immigration attorney Heather Poole has a video uploaded on this issue, maybe you should check it out.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3z_lWGNP6A

 

Good luck

[CA1515 78]

On 5/8/2018 at 10:15 PM, Mansini77 said:

This is a pretty common question, and one that I often looked into before my wife's interview.  While I can list the questions the interviewing officer asked my wife, this will more than likely not be the same questions for your spouse.  Different interviewing officers have their own methods and traits.  Remember, the interviewing officer is not looking for a reason to approve the visa, he/she is looking for a reason to DENY the visa.  Answer the questions clearly and with confidence.  Study all information you've submitted to the NVC or USCIS.  Do not bring anything but your paperwork.  No phones, no electronics, no moist towelettes, no nothing.  

 

At the consulate, you'll be first asked by an officer for the following documents:

 

1) Birth Certificate 

2) Marriage Certificate

3) Police Clearance Certificate

4) Divorce Papers (if applies)

5) Passport

 

Now, this is what was asked of my wife and may not apply to your case.  She had EVERYTHING from a new I864, tax returns, photographs, my birth certificate, copy of my passport, all the original NOA sent by the USCIS and none of these were requested.  Please please please come to the interview with all papers that have related to your case.  You don' t know before hand what they will request of you.  Better to be safe than sorry.  You don't want your visa denied because you left one piece of paper at home.  The NVC made a big fuss over my income and tax records from 2016, so my wife brought them all...and the consulate never mentioned them once.  

 

You will then be asked to sit and wait your turn for the interview with another officer.  Here are the questions asked.  Again, this is what she was asked and may or may not be asked for other applicants.

 

1) What is your petitioner's name?

2) Where is he/she now?

3) When did you come to the United States?  (You should have entered this on your IV application, an exact date)...that will obviously be your answer.   "September 1st of 2007"...something like that.

4) What type of work does your spouse do?

5) Where and how did you enter the United States?  Tell the IO the nearest town of your entry, they will know based on your IV application as well.  The IO may ask how you entered, most common for illegal entry is across the Rio Grande or crossing the desert.  Stay calm and relaxed.  The IO is aware of your entry and wants to confirm the information, time and place.  Your I-601a waiver approval has waived unlawful presence.  If you used the services of a cayote, the IO may inquire how much the cayote was paid.  

6) When did you and your spouse get married?

7)  Do you have any criminal convictions in the United States?  Unless you were booked and fingerprinted, say no.  Traffic violations like a parking ticket or speeding ticket do not count.  

8) When did you return to Mexico?  IO realize I-601a applicants travel to Juarez strictly on the basis of the visa interview.  It is not uncommon to say "Four days ago".  My wife gave her date of reentry back into Mexico.

9) Do you have children?  If so, how many?

 

That was it.  The interview lasted around five minutes.  The IO handed my wife a green piece of paper, saying she has been approved for her visa.  If you get handed a blue paper, you've been denied.  

 

There isn't much privacy during the interviews, imagine being inside of a bank and talking to a bank teller and another interview is happening five feet away from you.  My wife could hear the questions and answers clearly.  My wife said there were some denials.  Most of which were because the applicant did not have the Police Clearance Certificate.  A few others were denied because of criminal charge either in the US or Mexico.  One was denied because she used another passport of someone who looked similar to her.  Even with her I-601a, she was denied because of misrepresentation.

 

Everyone is nervous at the consulate.  But if you come prepared and have done your homework, you'll be fine.  

 

I hope this helps you, and others.  If you have more questions, feel free and I'll answer it as quick as possible.

Thank you for letting us know of your experience. I know everyone’s is and will be different but at least we have an idea. And congrats again!!