Department of state Washington prior to travel ban

[Rayyan 27]

Hi,

can I contact the DOS of Washington about my spousal visa case for travel ban reasons, or do I have to contact my congressman to contact them?. 

Will they reply to my inquiry ?

[Roel 7,193]

I honestly don't think the congressman can do anything about the current travel ban.

You can try to apply for a waiver, but those are apparently extremely rare.

[Crazy Cat 42,691]

You should contact the local US consulate in that country.  They are the ones who make those decisions.  As far as the travel ban is concerned, the US Supreme Court has ruled that it is completely within the duties of the President of the United States to issue the ban.

[Rayyan 27]

Just now, Roel said:

I honestly don't think the congressman can do anything about the current travel ban.

You can try to apply for a waiver, but those are apparently extremely rare.

No my case is already under waiver processing. I just want to know if I can contact my congressman or myself to contact DOS in Washington about it because they have the final decision on the waiver approval. 

[Crazy Cat 42,691]

8 minutes ago, Rayyan said:

No my case is already under waiver processing. I just want to know if I can contact my congressman or myself to contact DOS in Washington about it because they have the final decision on the waiver approval. 

Your contacting the Department of State will likely get nowhere.  Of course, you can contact your Congresspersons.  At least, they can get their feet in the door.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

10 minutes ago, Rayyan said:

No my case is already under waiver processing. I just want to know if I can contact my congressman or myself to contact DOS in Washington about it because they have the final decision on the waiver approval. 

anyone can FILE for a waiver. Actually GETTING it is a different story.

 

You can contact your congressman but to my knowledge, they do NOT have the final say nor can they make anything happen (just as they can not expedite or get approval for K1s or CR1s). They can inquire on the status for you, and bring it back up to light IF it has been buried or forgotten, but they cant DO anything about it.

[Rayyan 27]

14 minutes ago, missileman said:

Your contacting the Department of State will likely get nowhere.  Of course, you can contact your Congresspersons.  At least, they can get their feet in the door.

So you’re saying it’s better if my congressman contacted the DOS...

Edited July 18, 2018 by Rayyan

[Crazy Cat 42,691]

10 minutes ago, Rayyan said:

So you’re saying it’s better if my congressman contacted the DOS...

Personally, I think so.....

[Rayyan 27]

17 minutes ago, debbiedoo said:

anyone can FILE for a waiver. Actually GETTING it is a different story.

 

You can contact your congressman but to my knowledge, they do NOT have the final say nor can they make anything happen (just as they can not expedite or get approval for K1s or CR1s). They can inquire on the status for you, and bring it back up to light IF it has been buried or forgotten, but they cant DO anything about it.

My question is that if I call my congressman to email dos in Washington different than i contacting them!!!!

[mcdull 474]

1 minute ago, Rayyan said:

My question is that if I call my congressman to email dos in Washington different than i contacting them!!!!

Most likely NO.

 

manage your expectation. Your congressman will not be able to influence the outcome of your waiver.

 

 

[Unidentified 2,930]

1 minute ago, Rayyan said:

My question is that if I call my congressman to email dos in Washington different than i contacting them!!!!

If you want something to happen (progress on your visa) neither will do diddly squat. If you want to know what is going on with your case (they're not going to tell you what you don't already know) you can contact your congressman/woman and ask them to ask them what's up. But nothing is actually going to happen, they have no say. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

26 minutes ago, Rayyan said:

So you’re saying it’s better if my congressman contacted the DOS...

were saying it doesnt make a difference and your congressman has no power over anything.

[salhasl 113]

From having spoken to people who have gotten the waivers, almost all of them did get their senators involved. I don't know if it influences the actual decision, but senators do have a direct contact in Washington and can get you more information. 

 

Things are changing everyday on this front, more and more waivers are coming through. At last count, 1000 waivers were cleared. Actual visas are also coming. 

 

There are multiple lawsuits that should shed light on waiver timelines, qualifications criteria, etc.  I am seeing waivers for immediate family (CR/IR), fiances, (K1), as well as some B1/B2s for conferences and such.