Casablanca, Morocco CO

[rclouse 0]

Cheryl (Aicha), could you please check to see if the consulate opened as posted in the other threads? Since you're in Kenitra I figure you're final word on this.

What other threads? and last I looked - it was still closed as of tonight. I am checking everyday - sometimes more than a few times. Will go do some checking again.

These threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66408

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67359

[sereia 0]

i got two emails from casa today saying i will be contacted with a new interview date once they reopen. as far as i've read, we are not able to go outside of the country to have our interviews. if anyone else can confirm this, please post here! or any other solution for that matter...

[peezey 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

[mybackpages 0]

i got two emails from casa today saying i will be contacted with a new interview date once they reopen. as far as i've read, we are not able to go outside of the country to have our interviews. if anyone else can confirm this, please post here! or any other solution for that matter...

Jen, that is also my understanding. I think the true non-immigrant visas (work, tourist, student etc) can apply elsewhere without a problem. But since a K-1 is based on the USCIS approved petition, that petition would have to be forwarded to the new consulate/ Even if it were possible, what if the transfer was requested and while you waited for the new appointment, Casa opened back up? I know it must be hard to be in limbo. If I were you I would sit tight. I'm sure this will be resolved sooner than later.

[mybackpages 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

Hey you three! Whatcha been up to lately?

[sereia 0]

i got two emails from casa today saying i will be contacted with a new interview date once they reopen. as far as i've read, we are not able to go outside of the country to have our interviews. if anyone else can confirm this, please post here! or any other solution for that matter...

Jen, that is also my understanding. I think the true non-immigrant visas (work, tourist, student etc) can apply elsewhere without a problem. But since a K-1 is based on the USCIS approved petition, that petition would have to be forwarded to the new consulate/ Even if it were possible, what if the transfer was requested and while you waited for the new appointment, Casa opened back up? I know it must be hard to be in limbo. If I were you I would sit tight. I'm sure this will be resolved sooner than later.

I think I'll sit tight until something comes up. Getting emails from them today seemed like a good sign!

[patiently_waiting 0]

People have been going there to work. I called DOS this morning and they said Casa was still closed and that was appearant again in the e-mail I got from Casa. They are moving slowly, but surely. I did call my friends today and they should know something tomorrow. I keep telling myself that I must be patient.

[aicha 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

I am not sure if any of you have been to the embassy in Rabat, but this place is secure - it is just an option to speak about if it is needed - I am sure they are discussing it if need be - I do not think they would have to spend any money on securing Rabat for consular activities - they also do not need to do full service either and certain services can be scheduled for certain days - not every day of the week. You can very easily schedule these days - people and businesses do this all the time in America - you spend one day here and the rest at the other job site. There are several Consulate Officers and each week one could be the one to do services in Rabat. I have had to organize things like this before for government programs and they work very well. I just think that there can be temporary solutions to this instead of creating the amazing backlog that is becoming apparent. I figure they must do around 50 or more interviews a week and i am sure I am being conservative - the amount of time they have been closed now is creating an undue hardship on them as well as us - I would not want to be in their shoes when it is re-opened and their moods are going to be far from nice. The longer they take to make a solution, whether it be temporary or permanent, the longer the cases build up and then their jobs become enormous. I am thinking of them as much as us here. So I do not believe they would have to do a total re-organization - it is just a temporary solution that can be limited in the amount of time and staff.

[mybackpages 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

I am not sure if any of you have been to the embassy in Rabat, but this place is secure - it is just an option to speak about if it is needed - I am sure they are discussing it if need be - I do not think they would have to spend any money on securing Rabat for consular activities - they also do not need to do full service either and certain services can be scheduled for certain days - not every day of the week. You can very easily schedule these days - people and businesses do this all the time in America - you spend one day here and the rest at the other job site. There are several Consulate Officers and each week one could be the one to do services in Rabat. I have had to organize things like this before for government programs and they work very well. I just think that there can be temporary solutions to this instead of creating the amazing backlog that is becoming apparent. I figure they must do around 50 or more interviews a week and i am sure I am being conservative - the amount of time they have been closed now is creating an undue hardship on them as well as us - I would not want to be in their shoes when it is re-opened and their moods are going to be far from nice. The longer they take to make a solution, whether it be temporary or permanent, the longer the cases build up and then their jobs become enormous. I am thinking of them as much as us here. So I do not believe they would have to do a total re-organization - it is just a temporary solution that can be limited in the amount of time and staff.

The embassy is not the same thing as the consulate. The embassay is not a public building. They have two very different functions in the world of international relations. It is not as simple as opening an office in the building to do the work.

[aicha 0]

Okay I have checked the other threads - and not saying the information is wrong, but I do know the CO is still closed to the public. They have staff working there and it is open to only staff members. Their concern is re-opening to the public without having more secure security forces in affect to not only protect them, but to also protect all of the people who stand outside waiting in line and across the street - these people in the latter are at serious risk if there were to be another terrorist attempt on a full fledged working day. I understand that some people are being told - wait they may open - (the paying of money to send emails inside does not surprise me, Morocco capitalizes on any situation to make money) - and it is good that people keep going there to check on a daily basis, it lets the CO still see that services are needed and people are trying and waiting patiently.

At this moment in time - they are still closed - and I do believe that the non-immigrant VISA's being handled out of country are for only visitor, work and student non-immigrant VISA's. All other VISA's are still being held here - for those who have not filed their papers yet and if their fiancé or husband can take residence in another country, maybe with family or a friend, then those papers can be filed with the new place of residence. So I guess everyone's situation just depends on how far you are into the process of things. I am watching everyday for news of re-opening or anything else that comes out on the CO in Casa - I am doing my best to pass along as much information as possible. i hope this answers questions - God bless you all in your processes!

[aicha 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

Why would they spend the time and money to secure the embassy for consular activities at the same time they are securing the consulate?

I think both of you are correct. It's not out of the realm of possibility and I would bet it was something that came up in the discussion on how to move forward. At the same time I believe it would have not been a popular idea due to the expense of total reorganization of the entire staff.

I am not sure if any of you have been to the embassy in Rabat, but this place is secure - it is just an option to speak about if it is needed - I am sure they are discussing it if need be - I do not think they would have to spend any money on securing Rabat for consular activities - they also do not need to do full service either and certain services can be scheduled for certain days - not every day of the week. You can very easily schedule these days - people and businesses do this all the time in America - you spend one day here and the rest at the other job site. There are several Consulate Officers and each week one could be the one to do services in Rabat. I have had to organize things like this before for government programs and they work very well. I just think that there can be temporary solutions to this instead of creating the amazing backlog that is becoming apparent. I figure they must do around 50 or more interviews a week and i am sure I am being conservative - the amount of time they have been closed now is creating an undue hardship on them as well as us - I would not want to be in their shoes when it is re-opened and their moods are going to be far from nice. The longer they take to make a solution, whether it be temporary or permanent, the longer the cases build up and then their jobs become enormous. I am thinking of them as much as us here. So I do not believe they would have to do a total re-organization - it is just a temporary solution that can be limited in the amount of time and staff.

The embassy is not the same thing as the consulate. The embassay is not a public building. They have two very different functions in the world of international relations. It is not as simple as opening an office in the building to do the work.

I understand that and believe me I know nothing is simple in doing anything when it comes to things of this nature, but it still is a temporary solution that could work. They obviously want to spend some time to make future security measures effective, this temporary solution would give them that time. And yes I do understand that they are two different functioning places and that it is not a public building - it does not mean it can not be done.

[peezey 0]

[quote name='mybackpages' post='910510'

I understand that and believe me I know nothing is simple in doing anything when it comes to things of this nature, but it still is a temporary solution that could work. They obviously want to spend some time to make future security measures effective, this temporary solution would give them that time. And yes I do understand that they are two different functioning places and that it is not a public building - it does not mean it can not be done.

How can it be a temporary situation? You say you don't know if we've been to the embassy, but do you understand that it is ILLEGAL for a regular Moroccan to touch the grounds of the embassy? The perimeter and the building is US soil, not Moroccan soil. When there are security concerns the very last thing the US will do is open the embassy up to wider traffic. Spending time to be more secure in the future is not going to include making the embassy secure to let Moroccans in for visa business, when there is history of bombings. This makes zero sense.

Everyone is coming at this with the perspective of needing something from the government, but keep in mind, YOU are not the customer of the consulate during the visa process, the petitioners, your SO's, are.

Edited May 15, 2007 by peezey

[peezey 0]

(the paying of money to send emails inside does not surprise me, Morocco capitalizes on any situation to make money) -

Now "Morocco" is capitalizing on this? Just because a couple guys are standing outside selling some emails, doesn't mean Morocco is capitalizing on this. Hell, this is tame in comparison to the sick Americans who try to sell pieces of the World Trade Center. This kind of thing happens everywhere.

[aicha 0]

[quote name='mybackpages' post='910510'

I understand that and believe me I know nothing is simple in doing anything when it comes to things of this nature, but it still is a temporary solution that could work. They obviously want to spend some time to make future security measures effective, this temporary solution would give them that time. And yes I do understand that they are two different functioning places and that it is not a public building - it does not mean it can not be done.

How can it be a temporary situation? You say you don't know if we've been to the embassy, but do you understand that it is ILLEGAL for a regular Moroccan to touch the grounds of the embassy? The perimeter and the building is US soil, not Moroccan soil. When there are security concerns the very last thing the US will do is open the embassy up to wider traffic. Spending time to be more secure in the future is not going to include making the embassy secure to let Moroccans in for visa business, when there is history of bombings. This makes zero sense.

Everyone is coming at this with the perspective of needing something from the government, but keep in mind, YOU are not the customer of the consulate during the visa process, the petitioners, your SO's, are.

Just trying to help peezey - I understand a lot of this that everyone is saying - and I was not disagreeing with anyone - just opening up the discussion for solutions - and if it is illegal than fine, but if they do not do something soon it is going to make their lives very miserable just trying to catch up. I am thinking of them, not just us. And I do understand fully that the beneficiary is the one going there, not the USC. This is just a discussion, not a plan. And let me add to the fact that the suicide bombings that have taken place here are nothing compared to Iraq or Algeria. The way the Casa CO sits right now - if these bombers were really out to hurt someone - there bombs would be far greater and done during open hours of service - not minimizing the acts at all, just giving an opinion. Plus on top of that - the Casa CO is open to one of the biggest main roads in Casa and if they really wanted to hurt us or our government, they would just be driving down the road with a car bomb like they do in Iraq. I just feel there are solutions and the door to solutions should open a little to help their own processes and their own backlogs that are being created in this lengthy closure.