CR-1 visa approved DESPITE admittance of previous drug use. But now worried about something else...

[GHGT 1]

Firstly, I would just like to share experience with the whole CR-1 visa application process. I promised myself to make a post when I have the time because reading all your experiences/posts really helped me A LOT during my ordeal. Okay so here's my story. I stupidly admitted to prior drug use during my Medical Exam at St. Luke's Medical Extension Clinic--I admitted using it twice 4 years prior. Everything was going on perfectly before this. So yes, definitely STUPID. Anyway, I was worried sick for a whole month! (Took my medical last June, was scheduled for an evaluation July) I was scared I was going to get banned for life. I researched non-stop and I was sleepless for many, many nights (I even got sick from fatigue and constant stress). Fast forward to July, I showed up for my Personal Evaluation (paid Php 2000) and was assigned a male doctor. He was pleasant and very professional. He simply read off and confirmed the information I wrote on the form I was instructed to fill out prior being scheduled my Personal Evaluation. In under a minute, he told me I was good to go. I WAS SO HAPPY! But I knew it wasn't over yet.

 

A week after, I showed up for my interview at the US Embassy. I was still so worried especially since the lady at the releasing counter at St. Luke's informed me that they would be delivering my medical results directly to the Embassy. When I asked why, she said it was their protocol when the applicant had to undergo a Psych/Personal Eval or any additional procedure. I was scared they wrote something on there or that it would immediately raise a red flag with the Consul, since it had to be delivered directly to them. Anyway, after an hour or so of waiting, it was my turn to get interviewed. Nothing was asked about my medical exam. All the consul asked me was about my spouse, etc. I was approved my visa!!! I felt like my whole world was in black and white before this, and as soon as the Consul said, "Your visa is approved", everything suddenly turned back to color. 

 

Currently, I'm preparing for my flight to the US. I leave on September. I received my visa packet a few day ago, paid all the fees and scheduled my appointment with CFO. My spouse and I cannot be more excited! However, there's one more thing I'm worried sick about...

 

Secondly, I want to ask for views and opinions about possible questions the Immigration Officer might ask me at the Point of Entry. I learned that the visa packet (yes, I was very careful not to open it) contains the results of my medical exam. My question is, would they know about my prior admittance to drug use during my medical??? What should I say when they ask me about drug use? I want to answer "no", because technically I never really used it (I admitted to being unknowingly fed brownies that had weed). But I'm so scared that the Immigration Officer will see a notation on my medical results and catch me on my lie. What should I do? 

Edited July 28, 2018 by GHGT

[Sugarlegetiti 566]

31 minutes ago, GHGT said:

Firstly, I would just like to share experience with the whole CR-1 visa application process. I promised myself to make a post when I have the time because reading all your experiences/posts really helped me A LOT during my ordeal. Okay so here's my story. I stupidly admitted to prior drug use during my Medical Exam at St. Luke's Medical Extension Clinic--I admitted using it twice 4 years prior. Everything was going on perfectly before this. So yes, definitely STUPID. Anyway, I was worried sick for a whole month! (Took my medical last June, was scheduled for an evaluation July) I was scared I was going to get banned for life. I researched non-stop and I was sleepless for many, many nights (I even got sick from fatigue and constant stress). Fast forward to July, I showed up for my Personal Evaluation (paid Php 2000) and was assigned a male doctor. He was pleasant and very professional. He simply read off and confirmed the information I wrote on the form I was instructed to fill out prior being scheduled my Personal Evaluation. In under a minute, he told me I was good to go. I WAS SO HAPPY! But I knew it wasn't over yet.

 

A week after, I showed up for my interview at the US Embassy. I was still so worried especially since the lady at the releasing counter at St. Luke's informed me that they would be delivering my medical results directly to the Embassy. When I asked why, she said it was their protocol when the applicant had to undergo a Psych/Personal Eval or any additional procedure. I was scared they wrote something on there or that it would immediately raise a red flag with the Consul, since it had to be delivered directly to them. Anyway, after an hour or so of waiting, it was my turn to get interviewed. Nothing was asked about my medical exam. All the consul asked me was about my spouse, etc. I was approved my visa!!! I felt like my whole world was in black and white before this, and as soon as the Consul said, "Your visa is approved", everything suddenly turned back to color. 

 

Currently, I'm preparing for my flight to the US. I leave on September. I received my visa packet a few day ago, paid all the fees and scheduled my appointment with CFO. My spouse and I cannot be more excited! However, there's one more thing I'm worried sick about...

 

Secondly, I want to ask for views and opinions about possible questions the Immigration Officer might ask me at the Point of Entry. I learned that the visa packet (yes, I was very careful not to open it) contains the results of my medical exam. My question is, would they know about my prior admittance to drug use during my medical??? What should I say when they ask me about drug use? I want to answer "no", because technically I never really used it (I admitted to being unknowingly fed brownies that had weed). But I'm so scared that the Immigration Officer will see a notation on my medical results and catch me on my lie. What should I do? 

Congrats! When an immigrant officer asks you about it just tell the truth because your are right he or she will see the notation on your medical exams results.

[canadian_wife 1,814]

Well, you know you can't say  no.  That would be lying.  An especially risky move since you've already admitted to using drugs 4 years ago.

 

Tell the truth, it is the only option.

 

Good luck 

[GHGT 1]

Hi! Thank you for the replies. I do intend to tell the truth but I'm really worried about the experiences I read/hear about getting denied/permanently banned from entering the US for admitting drug use even just once, or having done so many, many years ago... 

[Roel 7,192]

The worst that could happen is 1 year ban for drug admittance. Might or might not happen. 

 

Beats the lifetime ban if you'd lie about it.

[Sugarlegetiti 566]

3 minutes ago, GHGT said:

Hi! Thank you for the replies. I do intend to tell the truth but I'm really worried about the experiences I read/hear about getting denied/permanently banned from entering the US for admitting drug use even just once, or having done so many, many years ago... 

No need to worry, you have gotten this far for telling truth. No need to mess it up now.

[randomstairs 293]

You were honest with the doctor about your inadvertent drug use. Stay honest all the way through the PoE and you will be just fine. You haven't done anything wrong and from your story it seems obvious that you are not in any kind of risk. Relax now. Congrats! 

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

From what I have seen the CBP working at the POE are very clueless.  They don't know the immigration process nor the current procedures.  

 

I highly doubt anything will be mentioned about your past drug use

[Unlockable 7,314]

Why did you say admitting to prior drug usa was stupid? Telling the truth is NEVER stupid. Lying is what is stupid.

What you did was the right thing to do.

 

People always try to find a way to justify lying. But no escuse is a good one. We do not codone lying here nor have sympathy for those who choose to lie.

 

To answer your question, you should never lie to any immigration officer moving forward. For one, it is one record. For two you should be trying to live a moral life, especially since you are trying to start a new life with a loved one in a new country. If there are consequences to what you did in your past, like not qualifying for certain jobs, it is something you should accept and live with.

 

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

4 hours ago, GHGT said:

Firstly, I would just like to share experience with the whole CR-1 visa application process. I promised myself to make a post when I have the time because reading all your experiences/posts really helped me A LOT during my ordeal. Okay so here's my story. I stupidly admitted to prior drug use during my Medical Exam at St. Luke's Medical Extension Clinic--I admitted using it twice 4 years prior. Everything was going on perfectly before this. So yes, definitely STUPID. Anyway, I was worried sick for a whole month! (Took my medical last June, was scheduled for an evaluation July) I was scared I was going to get banned for life. I researched non-stop and I was sleepless for many, many nights (I even got sick from fatigue and constant stress). Fast forward to July, I showed up for my Personal Evaluation (paid Php 2000) and was assigned a male doctor. He was pleasant and very professional. He simply read off and confirmed the information I wrote on the form I was instructed to fill out prior being scheduled my Personal Evaluation. In under a minute, he told me I was good to go. I WAS SO HAPPY! But I knew it wasn't over yet.

 

A week after, I showed up for my interview at the US Embassy. I was still so worried especially since the lady at the releasing counter at St. Luke's informed me that they would be delivering my medical results directly to the Embassy. When I asked why, she said it was their protocol when the applicant had to undergo a Psych/Personal Eval or any additional procedure. I was scared they wrote something on there or that it would immediately raise a red flag with the Consul, since it had to be delivered directly to them. Anyway, after an hour or so of waiting, it was my turn to get interviewed. Nothing was asked about my medical exam. All the consul asked me was about my spouse, etc. I was approved my visa!!! I felt like my whole world was in black and white before this, and as soon as the Consul said, "Your visa is approved", everything suddenly turned back to color. 

 

Currently, I'm preparing for my flight to the US. I leave on September. I received my visa packet a few day ago, paid all the fees and scheduled my appointment with CFO. My spouse and I cannot be more excited! However, there's one more thing I'm worried sick about...

 

Secondly, I want to ask for views and opinions about possible questions the Immigration Officer might ask me at the Point of Entry. I learned that the visa packet (yes, I was very careful not to open it) contains the results of my medical exam. My question is, would they know about my prior admittance to drug use during my medical??? What should I say when they ask me about drug use? I want to answer "no", because technically I never really used it (I admitted to being unknowingly fed brownies that had weed). But I'm so scared that the Immigration Officer will see a notation on my medical results and catch me on my lie. What should I do? 

At POE they won't ask about you eating a brownie laced with "oregano"          Relax.    But if ever asked you know the answer .. the truth.        I know of a fair number that admitted to tasting "brownies", they are all in the USA (if it were an issue, you would not have been approved for your visa)  .. stop worrying    

 

 

[GHGT 1]

Thanks for all your replies everyone! I really appreciate it 

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

At POE they won't ask about you eating a brownie laced with "oregano"          Relax.    But if ever asked you know the answer .. the truth.        I know of a fair number that admitted to tasting "brownies", they are all in the USA (if it were an issue, you would not have been approved for your visa)  .. stop worrying    

 

 

Hi Hank! This sounds weird coz I basically lurked here before posting anything, but you've been very helpful. I've read many threads where you replied with really useful information and motivated others. So that fact that you're positive about my situation makes me hopeful too yay! 

[Hank_ 9,174]

9 minutes ago, GHGT said:

Thanks for all your replies everyone! I really appreciate it 

Hi Hank! This sounds weird coz I basically lurked here before posting anything, but you've been very helpful. I've read many threads where you replied with really useful information and motivated others. So that fact that you're positive about my situation makes me hopeful too yay! 

 

A fair number that got their visas have kept in contact with me as they progressed with things in the States .. AOS (for the K-1), ROC and then Citizenship.   None that ate the "brownies" had it ever be an issue.  None.

 

And that is why I am confident you will not have issues.

 

Relax.  Visit will family and friends ... soon you will be missing them all.  

 

Safe Travels

[GHGT 1]

22 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

 

A fair number that got their visas have kept in contact with me as they progressed with things in the States .. AOS (for the K-1), ROC and then Citizenship.   None that ate the "brownies" had it ever be an issue.  None.

 

And that is why I am confident you will not have issues.

 

Relax.  Visit will family and friends ... soon you will be missing them all.  

 

Safe Travels

Thank you so much! I'll make sure to post an update here as soon as I get past Immigration 

[Hank_ 9,174]

That would be great. Thanks!

[GHGT 1]

Hi all! Just wanted to update on my status.

 

I made it! 😁Flew to SFO and had no problems whatsoever. We arrived, I stood in line with the other US visitors/non-citizens. When I got to the immigration booth, I showed them the yellow packet (was asked a few basic questions then had my biometrics verified) and I was requested to stand-by. With about a dozen other new immigrants we were taken to a processing room. Here I had to submit my passport and wait for 20-30mins (the wait felt longer coz I was exhausted from the 12hr flight), then my name got called and an immigration officer returned my passport, with an I-551 stamp and explained how that worked as a "greencard", in case I wanted to travel while waiting for my real greencard to arrive. He also explained how my CR1 visa works and when I needed to apply for re-adjustment. And that was it! He welcomed me to the US and I was on my merry way. I was so happy! I felt absolute relief! I felt like I was holding my breath from the moment I boarded that plane until the officer told me I was free to get my baggage and leave. So I hope my happy story helps those who are still in the process. Just stay strong, trust the process and you will eventually be with your loved ones. 😉

Edited October 3, 2018 by GHGT