Just curious...

[chispas 0]

I think it's more a financial or class bias than a race bias on the part of the consulate officers, actually. They are acutely aware (according to the people from the embassy I've spoken with) of the way so many people in poor countries see a visa to the U.S. as winning the lottery. So in their minds they are "protecting" the U.S. citizen from someone who is professing love but seeing dollar signs and will just use her/him as a means to become a permanent resident and then a couple years down the line divorce and bring over the wife/husband they meant to marry and other family members. (This experience, I can see from the guys my husband has met so far, is pretty common.)

Bottom line: is it the consulate's job to have this reasoning in mind? No! The law states you need to meet once. But it doesn't seem to work that objectively, at least from what I've heard in Accra.

I agree to all of the above, but there is some racial bias involved in this too. Not to say all cases are racially or tribally based and no means do I mean to imply that what I saw is the standard.

The school where I worked submitted applications for various students all at the same time. The visas to the US were granted quickly to the North Africans and either slower or not at all for the ones from the Congo region. When I asked what the difference was, as they all were Africans, I was told that historically that is the way it is. This information came from my white co-workers.

[randolady 1]

I think it's more a financial or class bias than a race bias on the part of the consulate officers, actually. They are acutely aware (according to the people from the embassy I've spoken with) of the way so many people in poor countries see a visa to the U.S. as winning the lottery. So in their minds they are "protecting" the U.S. citizen from someone who is professing love but seeing dollar signs and will just use her/him as a means to become a permanent resident and then a couple years down the line divorce and bring over the wife/husband they meant to marry and other family members. (This experience, I can see from the guys my husband has met so far, is pretty common.)

Bottom line: is it the consulate's job to have this reasoning in mind? No! The law states you need to meet once. But it doesn't seem to work that objectively, at least from what I've heard in Accra.

I agree; if you're wealthy (and there are more wealthy white Africans than wealthy black Africans), you're less likely to have this desperate desire to move to America. And anyway, if you're wealthy, you're likely able to provide evidence of ties to your country, which would make you eligible for a tourist visa and other things. Family-based visas are pretty much the only way poorer Africans (or citizens of ANY country) are going to get into America legally. Sad but true.

I definitely don't think it's a race thing; you hear about how difficult other non-African embassies are, like Vietnam's.

[Ta Ta 1]

I'll let you all know what happens when my fiance has his interview. We were introduced over the phone in Sept 05 and I went to Ghana in June-July 06. That is the only time I was there. Reasons being why that was the only time, I work a full time job and attend school. I have children who must go to school and have no family here to watch them if I leave. I could go now, but if I spend what I have saved, I wont have any money to fly him here. I cant seem to gather enough for both of us, as his date is approaching fast. Hmmm, credit cards are always tempting. If I knew for a fact that going again would grant him a visa, I would be there. It's a hard decision to make.

Omoba, I hope things start looking good for you. How much longer could it take for them to finish AP? Have you been back to visit your fiance since being on AP?

There is no timetable forthcoming from the embassy when AP may be over. It is a black uncertain

hole......an abyss!

I went to S/L only one time and have not seen my fiance in one year.

We had no idea it would drag on like this and each month we think this is it and the case will

be completed.......and so the days go by.

There is no money to go back and then bring him back, he lost his job and money is tight.

He has a daughter in school to support.

I am taking it one day at a time. If finances become available I would be there in a

heartbeat. I am selfemployed and not only is the expense for the ticket there but for the time absent

from my job the bills continue to pile up.

What a nightmare !

[Perseverance 1]

I had been to Nigeria 3 times over 2 years and they still gave us a problem, we passed through it ok but it was very nerve wracking. I am starting to think that it depends on the COs mood that day. Most importanly know each other well and speak with confidence. Be able to provide more evidence if they ask for it. Dont give up and dont let them see that they are getting to you. Some people will say that it is a waste of money to go for the interview, I thank GOD I was there, my being there made a difference, for sure. This is your life, don't have regrets. I know it is not easy financially, I myself have 3 children as well, but I took on a second job to get through it. Focus on the outcome.